Chapters The Cutie Mark Crusaders walked in the halls of the School of Friendship guided by Starlight Glimmer, A pink unicorn with purple and blue stripped mane and is the principal of this institution . It is a regal school where students learn history of pony culture, magical artifacts and was designed to instill the value of friendship that Twilight Sparkle believed in. The halls were noisy as pony students galloped to their classes lest they be penalized with a hypothetical detention. They entered Starlight's office to discuss the schedule for the Crusaders' visit.
"Thank you for visiting our school crusaders, we really had an important lecture to get through and we really needed your help, said Starlight Glimmer
"It's alright, I reckon we could help with whatever lecture if we wanted to." Applebloom said.
"We're just happy we can help!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Yeah! we always enjoy coming to this place." Sweetie Belle said excitedly.
"I'm happy to hear that, I have to get the lecture hall cleaned, could you three get the mop from the cleaning closet." Starlight Glimmer said.
"Sure!" The Crusaders exclaimed.
The Crusaders walked towards the closet to obtain the mop needed to clean the lecture hall from one of Discord's messes. Applebloom is a yellow pony with a red mane and a pink bow on her hair. Scootaloo is an orange pony with purple mane with athletic abilities. Sweetie Belle is a white pony with pink and purple mane that is very talented in singing. Together they are the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who used to do things to to discover their special talents snd get their cutie marks, symbols that ponies acquire when they realized their special talent. After finding out that their special talent was to help others find their cutie marks, they achieved their marks. Now the girls help others realize what their marks mean and help ponies find their special talents. Today the Crusaders are going to have a history lecture about villans of equestria.
"Does anyone know about what villian were going to talk about?" Sweetie Belle questioned.
"No, were just helping with passing papers and helping with filmaking." Scootaloo said.
"Ah wonder what we're goin' to do after that, go get cakes to celebrate?" Asked Applebloom.
"That would be nice." Sweetie Belle said.
The crusaders stopped at the closet and instantly remembered someone they once thought was a friend.
"Speaking of villans, does anyone know what happened to Cozy Glow?" Asked Sweetie Belle.
"Ah reckon she won't cause any trouble." Applebloom said confidently.
"I know that, it's just that this closet reminds me of the time when she locked us in this very closet, I wonder happened to her?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Why are you asking about her now?" Scootaloo asked.
I'm asking because I still don't know why she tried to take the magic from equestria. Now I might never know because she could be anywhere and no one told us anything about here other than "she won't be causing anymore trouble." Sweetie Belle said.
"Maybe we're just not old enough to know" Scootaloo asserted.
"I gotta agree with Sweetie Belle, I still don't know why either, but she hasn't hurt anyone ever since" Applebloom said.
"Well let's hope she's alright and gave up on being evil." Sweetie Belle hoped.
The crusaders walk towards the principal's officesnd gave the mop to Starlight.
"Thanks girls, now there's only 2 hours before the lecture begins so we have time to chat, how have classes been going?" said Starlight Glimmer.
"Great!" said the Crusaders.
"That sounds great! Keep taking your education seriously and you might become teachers at this school one day." Starlight Glimmer praised.
That sounds amazin'!" Applebloom Exclaimed.
"I could teach every creature how to ride scooters!" Scootaloo said excitedly.
"Or how to sing!" Exclaimed Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle notices a certain medal that used to belong to Cozy Glow as Starlight sat down and took a sip of empathy cocoa
"Starlight, what happened to Cozy Glow?" Sweetie Belle questioned.
Starlight spat out her empathy cocoa out in great haste by the abrupt shock of the question
"You want to know about Cozy Glow.
"Great!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed I was so worried and confused so I wanted to write a letter to her. Where is she?"
Starlight began to panic on the inside. She lied about Glow's condition and she's not sure how three fillies would react to see what happened to their former friend.
"I'm afraid that can't happen because she... (Starlight looks around nervously) has to be kept somewhere where she won't cause any trouble."
"Ughhhhhh, that's literally what Celestia said but in different words, she can't be that dangerous." Sweetie Belle debated.
"I'm sorry girls but I can't say anything else. Why do you want to see her?" Starlight Glimmer asked.
"She tried to erase the magic of equestria and wanted to be the emperess of friendship, but I don't understand why, so I want to ask her." Sweetie Belle said desperately
Starlight became more nervous and smiled nervously, thinking carefully about what to say next. Suddenly, Discod pops up and greet himself to the crusaders.
"Hello crusaders, what brings you girls here." Discord welcomed.
"We're here for teachin' other students about equestria's greatest villans"
"Discord, where is Cozy Glow?" Sweetie Belle asked abruptly.
"Why would you want know about that monster's condition." Discord asked irrated
"Because we haven't seen her in a while and we want to see how she's doing." Scootaloo explained.
The draconequus continued "If you count being turned to-"
"A NEW LEAF!" Starlight interrupted.
Everyone in the room was shocked to witness Starlight's outburst. Some students had heard her voice boomed throughout the hallway.
"She's working on turning over a new leaf for herself so no need to worry" Starlight reassured uncomfortably "would you three clean the lecture hall for us and take the mop with you." Starlight continued.
"Okay" The Crusaders said confused
The crusaders left and began walking to the lecture.
"What was that about?" Discord asked
They can't know what happened to Cozy Glow yet. I don't know how they're going to react when we tell them so that's why we should keep it a secret. Starlight Glimmer explained.
"They're going to know eventually." Discord said with a hint of annoyance
"But now is not the right time yet, one day will tell them when there older." Starlight said.
The crusaders innocently walked to the lecture hall unaware of the discussion that occurred between Starlight and Discord while also being clueless about there former friend's condition.
Upon entering the lecture hall, The Crusaders began cleaning the tables and mop the floor before the lecture began. Most of the mess was cleaned by Discord however the tables needed a scheduled washing when Pinkie Pie, A pink pony with dark pink, puffy hair taught a class with baking using the lecture hall which ended up messing the room due to Discord's chaotic magic infecting the cakes and causing them to explode. Although no one got hurt and enjoyed the class, Starlight needed the classroom to be cleaned for tomorrow's class.
"Starlight sure was acting strange, why couldn't she give us straight answer about Cozy Glow?" Sweetie Belle questioned.
"Ah ain't got the slightest idea why she was acting so loopy." Applebloom said.
"Starlight said that she was alright." Scootaloo said.
"But we don't know where she is." Sweetie Belle said.
"I reckon their hidin' some kind from secret from us." Applebloom said suspiciously.
"Probably, but why?" Sweetie Belle questioned.
"Mabye it's because this is for grownups" Scootaloo claimed.
"We didn't get our cutie marks by having them hide some secret from us!"
"Well what should we do ask around?" Scootaloo asked.
"Probably." Sweetie Belle said.
"We oughta to talk about later, class is gonna start." Applebloom said.
The other crusaders agreed with their leader as the bell suddenly rings aloud, the signal that begins classes for the school. Today was quite important for the faculty, The new princess of equestria and the former principal of this institution, Twilight Sparkle is visiting about today's history lesson. She is an purple alicorn with a mane with one magenta stripe, one light purple stripe and dark purple. This lesson will revolve around villians of equestria. Outside of the school she is greeted by Starlight, A student of Twilight turned principal of the very school she once was in charge of.
"Hello Twilight." Starlight Glimmer greeted
"Hello Starlight, how are the students doing." Twilight Sparkle said.
"Things have been going well, there are more students at the school now but I'm managing things pretty if I do say so myself." Starlight Glimmer
That's great to hear, Starlight. I made the right to have you become the school's headmare. "Twilight said."
"I am honored to have this title but I would like to talk about something important." Starlight Glimmer urgently
"Sure, we can walk and talk at the same time." Twilight Sparkle agreed
The two mares clapped their hooves along the bridge and walked inside the school. The school was crowded with students racing to get to class on time. sounds of people walking and talking, cluttering the halls of voices echoing the halls. Starlight began the discussion about the crusaders.
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders asked me about Cozy Glow and I panicked, If it wasn't for Discord then I might of blurt out exactly what happened to her." Starlight explained
"Cozy made her choice to try and rule over equestria and look what happened to her, I'm very disappointed in her." Twilight said.
"How are we going to tell the crusaders, Cozy was their friend." Starlight asked
"Do they know about her yet?" Twilight said grimly.
"No, Sweetie Belle asked me about her and were going have a class about Cozy Glow and the legion of doom." Starlight said starkly.
"It'll be fine, will send them off somewhere once get to that part." Twilight Sparkle said.
The lecture hall is already filled with students. Although there were mostly ponies students, there were also 6 students who were a orange dragon with purple hair, a blue griffin, a light blue changeling, a brown yak, A pink hippogriff with a light blue mane and a light green pony with green hair. They are known as the student six and are credited for stopping Cozy Glow from banishing all the magic from equestria. The student six watch as a magenta pony with from pink hair enter the room.
"Hello, Miss Cheerlie." Twilight greeted.
"Hello princess, I wanted to give my students a field trip to the school of friendship but I see that 3 of my students are helping Starlight" Cheerile explained as she bows towards Twilight
"I asked them for help because they knew Cozy Glow the most" Starlight explained
"The CMC would always be happy to help with any lecture this school comes up with." Twilight said confidently.
"Twilight, it's almost time." Spike said.
Spike is a dragon with a lime green belly and purple scales while having green scales on his head and back with wings.
"Oh really, I guess time really does fly when your having fun." Twilight said
The three mares turn their attention to cheerlie's students
"Okay class, today we have a special event with the princess of all of equestria." Cheerlie Explained to the class.
The class erupted in appulse as they give the princess a warm welcome.
"Thank you everyone, Today will be centered around villians of equestria. They're examples of what not to be. Spike can you get the projector." Twilight asked.
Spike grabbed the projector, place on the podium and press the button to turn on the projector.
"For example, Cozy Glow is a good example of what happens when you use friendship selfishly. Crusaders can you summarize what happened." Twilight said with frustration in her voice.
Ever since Sweetie Belle asked about Cozy Glow, the Crusaders felt a bit uncertain about the lecture, there were so many questions left unawsered and when Cozy Glow was stopped no one told them anything about her condition and it seems that their trying to keep it a secret. Regardless, they of course participated with forced smiles.
"Cozy Glow used to be our friend, we were the ones who tutored her on friendship." Applebloom said somberly.
"We found out that she was the one taking all the magic of equestria and sent it to another dimension." Scootaloo explained sadly.
"In the end, I heard she was stopped by the student six." Sweetie Belle said depressingly.
"You heard right! We were awesome!" Gallus exclaimed excitedly.
"And now only celestia knows where she is...What happened to-" Sweetie Belle was interrupted.
"Now ain't the best time to ask that yet." Applebloom warned.
"Um, excuse me?" Featherweight asked
"Why would Cozy Glow want to send all the magic to equestria and not use the magic for herself." Featherweight continued.
The whole class was dead silent due to the nature of that question. No one truly understood Cozy Glow or her methods, Twilight remember hearing Cozy Glow said friendship is power so see was definitely power hungry but after featherweight asked the question they had to think about what she was aiming for. Finally someone responds to the question.
"I don't know why either, I wanted to ask here but she's not here and I'm still wondering why and know one isn't answering my questions." Sweetie Belle said desperately.
"Sweetie Belle... let's calm down okay." Applebloom said nervously.
"All we know about her is that she was not who we thought she was." Scootaloo said
"Sweetie Belle... It's okay, you don't have to worried about her ever again." Twilight Sparkle reassured.
"But she was our friend and nobody tells us anything about her!" screamed Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle storms off frustrated from the secrets and information being held from her. Applebloom and Scootaloo walk after her.
"Is everything okay?" Cheerlie asked
"Whaaaat, yeah certainly everything will be fine" Starlight said as she sweats profusely.
"I had no idea that she still cared for her but I don't understand why?" Twilight asked
Sweetie Belle was left confounded about why everyone wasn't telling her about Cozy Glow. It seems that despite everything she's still concerned about her. These thoughts swirled and melted together until...
BAM!
She bumped into Pizzelle.
"Sorry! I wasn't paying attention." Sweetie Belle said
"I should apologize too, I was reading the newspaper while I was walking." Pizzelle said.
Sweetie Belle picked up the newspaper and found out why no one wanted to talk about Cozy Glow.
"Why is does that statue look like Cozy Glow?" Sweetie Belle asked nervously
"That's Cozy Glow she was turned to stone by Celestia, Luna and Discord." Pizzelle explained.
"WHAT!" screamed Applebloom and Scootaloo.
The crusaders were shocked about what they heard Sweetie Belle was devastated, she finally found the answer she was looking for. In despair she asked a question?
"Are you still reading that newspaper?"
Secrets and Confrontation
The crusaders felt anxious, there about to confront Rarity about Cozy Glow. The room was quiet, too quiet. The silence was deafening as the three fillies continued to read the newspaper. They waited for school time to end to confront Rarity about this. Twilight wanted Rarity to talk to Sweetie Belle after she stormed out of the room which was the perfect moment to talk about Cozy Glow.
"Hello Sweetie Belle, I heard about what happened and I..." Rarity pauses and noticed the grim look on her sister's face.
"I bumped into someone and found this." Sweetie Belle said and shows a newspaper about the legion of doom.
Rarity gasped in shock!
"This is what happened to Cozy Glow isn't it.... she was turned to stone." Sweetie Belle said somberly.
"Where did you find that!?" Rarity question fearfully.
"One of the students at the school of friendship gave it to me." Sweetie Belle explained.
"I-I see..." Rarity said.
"Tell me the truth, did Celestia, Luna and Discord turn her to stone?" Sweetie Belle Demanded.
The silence was deafening, Sweetie Belle stared daggers at her older sister with mix of frustration and disappointment as her older sister's lips quivered, unable give a precise response................
"Why aren't you saying anything!?" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"It seems I can't hide it any longer. Let's sit down so we can talk about this." Rarity said with disappointment as she sat down on a desk in front of Sweetie Belle.
"I'll ask again did they turn her to stone?"
"Yes." Rarity said sadly
"Why?!" Sweetie Belle asked desperately
"Is it because she tried to take the magic from equestria?" asked Scootaloo.
"Or did she did do somethin' even worse? questioned Applebloom
"I'll explain why." Rarity continued.
"She did!?" Sweetie Belle questioned nervously.
"She was too dangerous, she was a monster!" Rarity exclaimed.
"None of this makes any sense, Starlight told me she was okay, now all of a sudden she was turned to stone!? I had so many questions to ask here, I wanted to know how and why she did it, now I'll never know." Sweetie Belle said depressingly.
"I had no idea you were this devastated about her, but why...?" Rarity Said
"She was our friend before she tried to take over equestria." Scootaloo stated.
"Cozy wanted revenge against us and caused division between every creature." Rarity stated.
"Who were here associates?" Sweetie Belle questioned
"Tirek is a centaur that stole magic from ponies and Chrysalis was a changling that pretended to be Princess Cadence to feed off of ponies. Cozy Glow worked with these monsters to end our lives!" Rarity exclaimed.
The crusaders were completely flabbergasted, shocked and confused. They knew that Cozy Glow was villainous but never to this degree. A pin could drop and it could never break the devastated look that the crusaders had on their face.
"This is crazy....she was willing to work with them?" Scootaloo said with disappointment
"Ah have no idea." Applebloom said
"None of us did. That's why I want Cozy Glow to be free."Sweetie Belle
"What!?" Everyone accept Sweetie Belle said.
"I wanna ask her side of the story."
"She can't be trusted!" Rarity spat out with frustration.
"But the way she became evil wasn't normal! Did anyone even ask why she did all of this in the first place!?"
"Twilight asked and she said that she thinks friendship is power." Rarity said.
"Where did she learn that from, didn't we teach her all the right things!?" Sweetie Belle asked abruptly.
"Ah reckon somethin' went
"Probably, but what?" Scootaloo asked.
"Enough of this!" Rarity exclaimed as she abruptly slammed the desk
"Why won't you listen to us, are you the same as everyone else!! Didn't you noticed that she was struggling with her friendship lessons. She didn't even know anyone in Ponyville." Sweetie Belle protested.
"I do believe that the way she turned out was quite odd......I guess we could arrange an appointment for Cozy Glow by asking Twilight." Rarity claimed with fear
"You can!? Thank you so much Rarity." Sweetie Belle said excitedly.
"Don't get too excited, she might say no but I see how important this is to you. We wanted to keep this a secret so we could protect you three." Rarity stated.
"Sounds like things just got even more complicated." Scootaloo grumbled
"But at the end of the day we should find why she did all of this in the first place." Applebloom stated.
"It's getting late, I suggest you three go home and i'll tell Twilight about this." Rarity said nervously.
"Okay, sis" Sweetie Belle said
The crusaders left the school and walked to their homes wondering why Cozy Glow would do such terrible things and are desperate to find answers. The silence was intense, lingering thoughts of despair filled the minds of the three fillies as they walk to their homes together.
"Wow things sure got crazy back there huh?" Scootaloo broke the silence
"Ah say, you feelin' Alright Sweetie Belle" Applebloom chimed in
"I'm tired and I'm not sure if we should free Cozy Glow." Sweetie Belle
"But your right, no one told about Cozy Glow at all and we've been in the dark for ages." Scootaloo reassured. "No wonder you where so frustrated."
"Ah've been trying to show that Ah don't need to look after mah sister anymore." Applebloom said confidently
"I guess it's because we're still kids, their supposed to protect us." Scootaloo reasoned.
"Yeah, but we were the reason why Cozy improved on her friendship lessons and she was also our friend, we deserved to know too." Sweetie Belle debated.
"Well looks like this is my house, I'll see you all tomorrow at Twilight's Castle." Scootaloo said.
"Yeah Ah'll see y'all tomorrow." Applebloom said
"I'll see you both tomorrow."
Sweetie Belle reaches her house and opens the door
"I'm home!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
No response.
"I guess their not home." Sweetie Belle guessed.
As she awaits for her parents, thinks about Cozy Glow. She remembers the first time she met with her. Cozy Glow claimed that she was in danger of flunking the school of friendship so the Cutie Mark Crusaders taught her all they knew. One day Cozy Glow got them in trouble by falling the test on purpose but after Cozy Glow admitted that she failed the test on purpose, the Crusaders became tutors at the school of friendship. These memories of Cozy Glow made her feel confused, disappointed and wanting to find the truth.
"What happened to you Cozy Glow, Why did you try and take over equestria, why did try and kill my friends, once Twilight let's her out I'll find my answers." The filly said.
The night sky is adorned with beautiful stars, glimmering in the skies. The quiet, calm night relaxed the filly to prepare herself to rest as another day awaits her. Tomorrow will be quite important for the Crusaders and potentially all of equestria.
The young filly Sweetie Belle awoke from here sleep, starring at the window as the sun gleamed through the transparent glass. Shu got up and grabbed here bookbag from the floor, ready to confront the new princess of equestria. She heard a knock on the downstairs and immediately rushed down, guessing that rarity and the rest of the crusaders were in front of the door.
"Good morning, dear." said Cookie Crumbles.
"It was okay." said the young filly.
"We heard you're visiting Princess Twilight today." Cookie Crumbles continues,"I remember when you just a filly cooking us breakfast, now all of a sudden she's meeting up with the princess!"
"Our daughter's making big steps." said Hondo Flanks continues "well, we shouldn't keep you any longer, we just wanted to show that where proud of you."
"Thanks, dad." Sweetie Belle continues "I'll be back home after meeting with the princess".
Sweetie Belle opened the door to see Rarity and the crusaders. Sweetie Belle took a deep breath to calm her nerves and breathed out while letting out a sigh.
The train itself is decorated with a lavish brown and gold colors with a red carpet.
"So what do wanna say, that she's our friend even if she betrayed us."Scootaloo continues were going to need more than that if we're going to convince Twilight."
"Ah don't know if we should even try to make a case for Cozy Glow, what she did was horrible." Applebloom said.
"I know, but she still helped us when Twilight accused us of teaching her the wrong things so she could fail." Sweetie Belle protested.
"True, but it was all because she failed on purpose and how do we know that she wasn't using us for her plan." Scootaloo said.
Sweetie Belle gulped in fear of the truth, what if Cozy Glow was using them, she struggled to reckon with this thought, however she truly did not know much about her which made her come up with a rebuttal.
"That may be true...but we still don't know anything about her, that's why we should free her so we can get answers." Sweetie Belle stated.
The crusaders nodded in agreement and decided that this will be there main argument.
Moments later, the Crusaders and Rarity walked in the halls of Princess Twilight who has a new throne in the throne room.
"Greetings Princess we are humbled for giving us a chance to plea for Cozy Glow to be freed from stone." Sweetie Belle than pulled out a newspaper from the the free foal press and showed everyone which shocked most of the mane six.
Applejack the orange earth pony with a western hat was the first to respond.
"Why in tarnation would you want one of equestria's worst villans freed?" Asked Applejack.
"We believe that the punishment that was given was unjust due to a lack of knowledge of her past." Applebloom said.
The main six starred at each other realizing there is truth in what Applebloom claimed but are also confused because no one has spoken up for Cozy Glow.
Fluttershy, the yellow pony with a pink long mane was the first to speak.
"As much as I understand the reasoning, do you believe that Cozy Glow can be reevaluated into equestria?"
The three fillies where unable to truthfully say that she could be redeemed but despite this they respond with a claim of there own
"We cannot confirm whether she is redeemable or not but what we can do is try because you all believed that friendship is for everyone." Sweetie Belle said.
Rainbow Dash, the blue pony with a rainbow colored mane spoke
"Friendship is for everyone but not everyone will agree with what friendship represents, we tried to teach Cozy Glow but she went crazy and tried destroy equestria!" Rainbow Dash continues "she also tried to kill us, were you're friends too."
"We won't deny that these crimes are very serious, she tried to send all the magic from equestria to another world and tried to kill a budding princess of equestria, however we have been studying about discord and he's friends with us now despite everything he did in the past if discord can change, then I believe that a child should be given a second chance."
"Cozy Glow had plenty of chances when she escaped from tarturus to not be evil and chose to get revenge, I'm sorry but my decision is finale." Twilight said as she stood firm on her decision.
Sweetie Belle was enraged because of the she beilived that Twilight was being hypocritical about Cozy Glow. A raging glare was imprinted on her face.
"I see how it is, because you're the new princess you can just choose who can't be redeemed." Sweetie Belle responded.
"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity exclaimed. "You know full well you dangerous she is!" Rarity chided.
"I argue that Discord is more dangerous because he could corrupt people into fighting oneanother, I know because it happened to me and my friends and we read up on how Discord's powers work at the school of friendship when we were tutoring other students." Sweetie Belle continues. "How can you say that Cozy Glow is irredeemable when Discord was redeemed."
This statement struck a nerve to Twilight as she stood in a intimidating pose with wings expanded.
"What do you know of Discord's redemption!" Twilight exclaimed. "He has fought for equestria for and if it wasn't for his efforts you would be freezing with the wendigos by now."
Sweetie Belle was distraught but not deterred she truly believes that Twilight isn't giving Cozy Glow a fair chance. As she tried to say something else, Applebloom intervened.
"Ah apologize for Sweetie Belle. She just believes that Cozy Glow should not be encased in stone because we don't what her reasoning is." Applebloom chimed in.
"I understand that but I can't risk equestria safety just for a criminal." Twilight stated harshly.
"She was a filly, Twilight and she had plenty of to time to learn what she did was wrong." Scootaloo continues. "you gave Discord a chance so you not give a filly another chance."
"Cozy Glow knew what she was doing and once you get your cutie mark you're more responsible for certain crimes." Twilight said.
"Ah get that but mah fellow crusaders agreed that we need to free Cozy Glow so that we can help her." Applebloom said
"We already tried and failed there is no redemption for her." Twilight said
"It sounds to me like you gave up on one of your students." Scootaloo said
"If that's how how you want to take it then fine because I have to validate the emotions of the majority, not the minority." Twilight said.
"Ah might be speaking out of term but Celestia sealed discord into stone due to his behavior, won't this cause any repercussions down the line, because she could become vengeful again after she's freed." Applebloom questioned fearlessly.
"If that happens than we will be ready" Twilight said confidently.
"Ah gotta ask, why do y'all care about what happens to Cozy Glow." Applejack Asked.
"We wanna help Cozy Glow, we believe that she haven't didn't understand the magic of friendship". Applebloom said.
"You're right but she put innocent peoples lives in danger because of her selfish desires and Equestria will be in danger once Tirek,Chrysalis and Cozy Glow will be released." Twilight said.
"So you're okay with repeating Celestia's mistakes?" Scootaloo asked.
"What Celestia did was for the good of all of us, end of story!" Twilight exclaimed.
Sweetie Belle dropped her graduation certificate from her bag and said "How can you claim to be a princess of friendship if you can't make Cozy Glow a friend." With tears in her eyes from disappointment and despair.
Sweetie Belle walked away crying while the other crusaders left to walk after her.
"You know they have a point."
"But we must keep equestria safe for everyone." Twilight demanded.
The scenery outside the castle did not match the mood of the crusaders, the sun was shining a brilliant glimmer, as the crusaders sat in a donut shop in canterlot to take a break. Sweetie belle was still crying about Cozy Glow, she still wanted to find put the truth but with Twilight standing in the way she might never know.
"What is Twilight thinking, does she not think that our voices are important!?" Sweetie Belle yelled angrily.
"I know!" Scootaloo agreed, "Discord was a bad guy but when they gave Discord a chance he became good so how could not give Cozy Glow the same treatment."
"Ah don't know, but we won't ever hear Cozy's side of the story at this rate".
"I'm going home, I'll see you guys later at the clubhouse." Sweetie Belle said solemnly.
"We hope you're alright." said Applebloom.
"I will be." Said Sweetie Belle.
"Excuse me?" someone said.
The crusaders turned around to see Starlight Glimmer.
"I have to agree, I would like to see her side of the story aswell. "Starlight Glimmer said.
Inside of Dount Joe's, glass was glistening as the sun shone a bright yellow outside. The building was filled with laughter and smiles execpt for one table. This table was filled with serious deliberation over the monster filly Cozy Glow.
"So let me get this straight, you want to free Cozy Glow because you beilived that she could still be saved." Starlight Glimmer continues. "On top of that you want answers about her aswell, right?"
"Yes!" The CMC said.
"I still want to know why she became evil in the first place." Sweetie Belle continues.
"We believe that she had plenty of time to become a better pony." Scootaloo claims.
"Ah might be a little skeptical about her, but she never really got a second chance when she got found out." Applebloom said
"When I first spoke with her, I thought she was doing well in her friendship lessons, so I want to find our what made her change." Starlight said
"I agree." Sweetie Belle continues " I remembered when she failed a test on purpose so she could get us in the school of friendship but it backfired and we got graduation certificates instead and became tutors at that school."
"I remember that too, she was such an excellent student." Starlight continues. "I don't know why she chose to take Equestria's magic away?
"Whatever the reason, we just want answers." Sweetie Belle said.
"Here's what I can do, I can try and talk to Twilight so that Cozy could be freed." Starlight responded.
"We tried talking to Twilight but she didn't listen to us." Scootaloo said.
"Twilight beilives that she couldn't teach Cozy about friendship properly." Starlight continues "What she needs is someone who might be able to teach Cozy Glow the ways of friendship."
"We could do it!" The Crusaders said
"Perhaps, but I have someone else in mind, have you heard of Sunset Shimmer?"
"Who's that?" Sweetie Belle asked
"She used to be a villian who was Celestia's disciple, she used to rule a school with an iron fist and then tried to command an army to takeover equestria."
"That kinda sounds like Cozy Glow and how she tried to take over the school of friendship" Applebloom said.
"She also sounds similar to me." Starlight continues "I manipulated an entire town to give up their talents and I almost destroyed equestria by trying to get revenge on Twilight using time travel."
"You what!" The Crusaders said.
"Yes, I know it's shocking but I changed and I believe Cozy Glow can change aswell." Starlight continues "I think that all she needs is the right person to guide her."
"But will Twilight listen?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"I don't know, I'm willing to try." Starlight continues "I know that she meant a lot to you three so I'll try to support her in any way I can."
"Thank you, Starlight." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, you've been a big help." Scootaloo said.
"Ah reckon we oughta back to our homes, then." Applebloom said.
"Alright then don't let me keep you." Starlight said as she jumped from her seat
Just as the crusaders are about to leave, Star Hunter appears.
"Hey, are you still reading that newspaper." Star Hunter said.
"No were done with it, here." Sweetie Belle said as she gave him the newspaper.
"Thanks!" Star hunter said excitedly.
As the crusaders try to leave again they see Applejack and Rainbow Dash outside the donut shop Twilight's old friends used to go to.
"Hey, Crusaders we just wanna talk to y'all for a sec." Applejack said
The Crusaders are a bit nervous but they step outside to talk anyway.
"Why do y'all think that releasing one of those monsters anyway?" Applejack said
"Cozy Glow gave us nothing but trouble!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed harshly
"While all of that is true, we also don't know her well enough to really say if she can't change." Applebloom objected.
"And you think she's going to change just because you helped her." Rainbow Dash argued.
"She might if we gave her a chance." Scootaloo protested.
"A chance she'll probably use to get back at us!" Rainbow Dash continues. "Do you really think it's okay for us to release Chrysalis or Tirek."
"No." The Crusaders said sadly.
"Look, ah understand how you feel about Cozy Glow but she ain't the friend you thought she was." Applejack stated honestly.
Sweetie belle was enraged and as soon as she was about to say something, she was stopped by Applebloom.
"We understand what you mean sis." Applebloom chimed in.
"Glad we understand each other." Rainbow Dash continues. "I'll see you all later."
Applejack and Rainbow Dash waved goodbye as Applebloom waved goodbye.
"Why did you stop me?" Sweetie Belle said with a hint of frustration.
"Because we don't want yuh to go off the handle again." Applebloom said gently .
"What if there right about Cozy Glow?"
"Yuh know ah was considerin' that too, ah was wondering if we should stop asking about freein' her, but now ah think I want do it for the buck of it!" Applebloom exclaimed.
"But you said you were skeptical of her but now even you want her freed." Scootaloo stated.
"We just heard that Starlight just tried to get revenge on Twilight and destroyed equestria just a minute ago but they never told us anythin', well ah for one don't like that they gave a grown mare a chance but not a filly." Applebloom said angerly.
"Exactly!" Sweetie Belle said firmly
"Alright I get that, but what are we supposed to do." Scootaloo continues "it's not like someone is plotting to free her and we don't know how to free her."
"Ah got it" Applebloom continued confidently.
"That's a great idea Applebloom!" congratulated Sweetie Belle
"Won't Zecora just say no" Scootaloo said
"We could say that we need to help a friend from being turned to stone." Applebloom said.
"Hold on, won't we get in trouble for releasing one of the villians from the statue" Scootaloo suggested.
"I wouldn't want a filly to be trapped in stone forever and we need answers." Sweetie Belle protested.
"And ah reckon we should do this so that there won't be any sour grapes between both friends and enemies." Applebloom stated.
"Okay, I'm in." Scootaloo agreed
"I know this sounds crazy to do and she made have done choices that she can't take back, but I wouldn't wish to turning to stone forever on my worst enemy nor would I do it." Sweetie Belle said firmly.
And so it settled a mission to save a former friend has begun. As they were planning, a mysterious changling spies on them while holding a newspaper of Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow encased in stone.
"Well, it's been a very long time but I think I'm ready." Sunset Shimmer said as leaped into the mirror machine.
Sunset Shimmer is a yellow pony that had a yellow and red striped mane. She leaped into Cantorlot libary and looked at books.
"Well, it looks like nothing changed here." Said Sunset.
"Twilight said that Starlight needed my help for something." Sunset thought.
As if on cue, Starlight Glimmer appears and rushed to greet Sunset.
"Sunset Shimmer, it's been a while!" Starlight said as they both hugged.
"Where's Twilight?" Asked Sunset Shimmer?
"She's busy, she's the princess of equestria now."
"Really? Well I'm happy for her." Sunset congratulated.
"But there's something I want to talk to you about." Starlight continues "there's a certain filly that got in a lot trouble."
"What happened?" Asked Sunset.
"There was a filly who tried to take all the magic of equestria to another world and she was sent to tarturus and when she escaped she got encased in stone for trying to murder twilight and her friends" Starlight explained.
Sunset was dumbfounded, how was a little filly able to become such a threat to equestria? It seems completely unbelievable.
".....You're joking right?" Sunset asked with disbelief.
But Starlight's face scarred with shame and guilt tells that she's dead serious
"Wow.... i dont know what to say." Sunset countines "How did this happen?" Sunset asked nervously.
"It's a long story." Starlight continues "For now I need help on convincing Twilight to give this filly another chance, three other fillies argued for her release from stone."
"When I was defeated I apologized for my wrongdoings, did this filly do the same?"
"No, she beilived that gaining power is why you make friends." Starlight continues." She never learned what friendship is for and Twilight beilives that she can't teach her that."
"Well not giving second chances isn't what Twilight taught me." Sunset continues "that's the complete opposite of what she did with me."
"I know and that's why I need you're help"
"Okay, I'll talk to Twilight once she's done for the day." Sunset said.
As for the Crusaders, they are with zecora in her home filled with multiple jugs filled with potions. The mysterious zecora herself is a zebra with black and grey stripes who speaks in rhymes. The crusaders explained that a friend was turned to stone once and want to find a potion that reverses turning to stone. (But really they actually want to free Cozy Glow).
"So you want to help a friend who was turned to stone because you feel sympathy for this friend in your bones." Zecora said
"Pretty much." The Crusaders said
"Unfortunately, potions cannot reverse the spell because they need to be consumed from what I can tell."
"Isn't there something we can do" Sweetie Belle panicked.
Do not fret my friends, all you need is a unicorn so that the magic rends.
"A unicorn can rend the stone sealing magic." Scootaloo said " where can we find one."
"There are many ponies out there that are quite adept, seek out which ones that are quite apt."
Thanks, Zecora! the Crusaders said as they left to they're clubhouse.
"What are we going to do now, practically
"Ah know, we just went to Zecora but apparently potions must be consumed in order to work." Applebloom stated.
"But what about Sunset Shimmer, mabye she can help us." Scootaloo claimed.
"We don't know if she's wants Cozy Glow to be freed or not." Sweetie Belle argued.
"We might hafta wait and let things play our before anythin' happens, or we could find Starlight." Applebloom chimed in.
"Let's go see Starlight." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said.
"Okay then, mabye she's at Cantorlot." Applebloom said
The crusaders agreed to see Starlight but there is one problem.
"We can't go by ourselves to cantorlot." Applebloom continues "We ain't grown ups yet and I don't become again until I'm ready."
"That's fair" Sweetie Belle agreed with a matter of fact tone.
"Why don't we just write them." Scootaloo suggested.
"Great idea, Scootaloo will write a letter to Starlight.
As if on cue Starlight Glimmer appears in front of the Crusaders tree house and yelled to greet them.
"Hello Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Starlight said
"Hey Starlight!" The Crusaders said back
There's someone I brought for you so you can talk about Cozy Glow
Sunset Shimmer walks in to the Crusaders clubhouse
"Is it okay if I come in?" Sunset Shimmer asked
"Yeah it's fine." Sweetie Belle said
"Are you Sunset Shimmer." Applebloom said
"Yes I am." Sunset countines "you three must've heard about me from Starlight, huh."
"They did so." said Starlight as she walked in "We came from Cantorlot talking about Cozy Glow and I thought about bringing her here to ponyville."
"I was shocked that one filly did so much." Sunset Shimmer countines " why would Twilight not give her another chance."
"We don't know but we wanna ask her questions about her." Applebloom said
"Todally, we wanna why she became evil to begin with" Scootaloo said.
"And if we can help her." Sweetie Belle said
"I see. " Sunset countines "I believe that everyone deserves chances to change."
"I understand that aswell." Starlight continues. "I don't want Twilight to be remembered as someone that left a filly to be turned to stone."
"Hold on didn't you say you had plans with Trixie." Sunset said.
"Oh that's right, I'll invite Trixie over to meet you so wait here." Starlight said as she leaves the scene.
"Sunset?" Sweetie Belle continues "Cozy Glow wanted to be the emperess of friendship, do you have any reason why she became so power hungry."
"I used to be power hungry too, when I was Celestia's student, but then Twilight saved me from myself." Sunset countines."Maybe she got power hungry the same way I did but you can't really have an opinion on someone you don't know, so I don't know."
"I just felt like I could have done something to prevent her from being evil and that it's not too late for her." Sweetie Belle said
"You're probably right, it's not too late for her but we need to find out her motivations first before we can think about changing her for the better." Sunset countines "First we need to find her parents."
"Who said she had parents?" Applebloom asked.
"Well does she?" Sunset asked.
"We don't know." Scootaloo said
"So Twilight just left a filly in stone without searching for her parents?" Sunset asked while being shocked.
The Crusaders looked nervous as if they felt guilty for Twilight for doing something so heinous.
"I'm back and I brought Trixie with me." Starlight introduced.
Trixie Lunamoon was a blue pony with a white and grey striped mane.
"The great and powerful Trixie has arrived." Trixie introduced herself.
"Hey Starlight, did you know that Cozy Glow has no parents." Sunset asked
Starlight looked nervous.
"Well we never really knew her parents so where not sure if her parents are even alive." Starlight said.
Sunset looked worried, when she arrived she didn't expect to have a disagreement with Twilight but she definitely felt that she has a serious objection over what they did to Cozy Glow.
The Crusaders, Sunset, Starlight and Trixie are in the halls of the School of Friendship, the prestigious building hid many ancient artifacts such as the talisman of mirage. The six artifacts used by Cozy Glow will be showcased for a festival Starlight has planned for the unification of creatures in equestria.
"Aren't those the six pillars of equestria?!" Sunset exclaimed.
"Yep, and there teachers of the school of friendship now."
"I was so overwhelmed by so many students so the great Trixie talked with Starlight and we she thought that the pillars could teach them about equestria's history."
"But I thought they disappeared."
"They did but the reappeared because we broke the seal that made them disappear in the first place."
"Wooooaah." The Crusaders said in usinon.
"Alright that's enough for today, class." Starswirl said.
The Crusaders, Sunset and Starlight walk towards the pillars of equestria and greeted them.
"Hey, Principal Starlight." Magnus continues "We were just finishing our guest lecture with the students"
"We taught them about how we reformed Stygian here." Meadowbrook said.
"Did we do well Miss Starlight." Stygian said.
"Yes, I seen what you've been doing and I'm very pleased." Starlight said.
"Of course, the students where very amazed to hear our history lesson." Starswirl congratulated himself and the other pillars.
"The great Trixie is also pleased for taking care of my students." Trixie said
"The pleasure was all ours." Mistmane continues as she see the Crusaders "Oh, who are these little dears."
"Ah'm Applebloom." The earth filly greeted.
"I'm Scootaloo." The pegasus filly said
"And I'm Sweetie Belle." The unicorn filly said.
"We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders" The Crusaders said.
"Oh how adorable!" Meadowbrook exclaimed.
"It may not look like it, but these fillies are responsible for helping ponies get their cutie marks and tutoring students here in this school."
"Well I hope we will one day be able to teach students about equestria and friendship together." Starswirl said.
"Likewise, Sir Starswirl!" Applebloom exclaimed.
"And who are you." Starswirl asked to Sunset Shimmer.
"I'm Sunset Shimmer, Celestia's former pupil." Sunset greeted.
"Celestia never told me she had another pupil." Starswirl said while being surprised
"Celestia has a lot secrets huh." Sunset said
"I suppose so, well it's a pleasure to meet you."
"We also hope you can make it to the festival of creatures." Starlight said
"We will certainly be there, we have traveled the world so it would be nice to rest these old bones for a short while." Starswirl continues "Call us whenever you need help."
"Actually, I do need some help with the school's artifacts." Starlight said.
"Certainly! Lead the way, Principal." Starswirl said.
"But before that Sunset has something to give you." Starswirl said.
"We talked about it in private and we thought that you should keep this." Sunset countines. "This medal belonged to Cozy Glow."
"You're giving it to us?" Questioned the Crusaders.
"Yeah, we can make more and you deserve it." Starlight explained.
"Thanks!" The CMC thanked.
"Alright were gonna go to the vault and you stay here." Said Starlight.
"Okay!" The Crusaders exclaimed.
The pillars, Sunset and Starlight walk outside the lecture hall and walk to the vault.
"So, how was you're lectures with Celestia?" Starswirl asked.
"They were alright but I got impatient and left Celestia for another world but we made up." Sunset said.
"How curious, why were you impatient?"
"I was an arrogant pupil who thirst for power and I ended up leaving because I thought that she was useless when it came to getting power."
"I see." Starswirl continues "I used to tutor Princess Celestia and Princess Luna many moons ago."
"Maybe I can learn something from you." Sunset suggested.
As the Crusaders wait around they disucuss about the festival of creatures.
"Ah been hearin' that there's gonna be some festival about the unification of creatures of equestria." Applebloom said .
"That sounds cool!" Scootaloo continues "Maybe their getting the artifacts to show off different cultures."
"I wonder what I'm gonna wear?!" Sweetie Belle asked out loud.
"We're back." Starlight said as she opened the door. "This treasure chest contains the artifacts of each creature in equestria, and you three get to watch over it.
"Okay!" The Crusaders said.
"Let's countine our tour Sunset." Starlight said.
Starlight opened the door as "Star Hunter" enters the lecture hall.
"Excuse me?" Star Hunter continues "Whew I made to class on time, now to wait for the professor."
As the door closes the Crusaders began talking
"Why do you think that they gave us Cozy's medal."
Star Hunter begins to transform... was this truly Star Hunter...?
"Ah reckon it's because they wanted to give us a memento for Cozy Glow." Applebloom chimed in.
Star Hunter transformed into an unreformed changling and rush towards the treasure chest quietly.
"I guess but....." Sweetie Belle paused and saw a changling use his magic to pick up the treasure chest.
"What!" Sweetie Belle said as she pointed her hoof toward the changling.
"It all starts with this, 6 artifacts that contain the world's ultimate magic."
"Hey, that's not yours! "Scootaloo said as the she, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom chase after the changling.
The changling sped pass them using accelro, a spell that increases the speed of a unicorn or changling. Sweetie Belle then used her own version of accelro to chase after the thief, but he was much too skilled in using the magic for her to keep up. Eventually the crusaders lost sight of the changling in the crowd ahead of the changling. As for the changling, he immediately changed into some thing to blend in with the crowd and got away.
"Is everything okay, why aren't you watching the artifacts" "Starlight" appeared from the crowd.
"Someone stole the artifacts." Sweetie Belle warned.
Really, go find help while I'll warn the students!" "Starlight" exclaimed.
The cmc left as "Starlight" took the hidden treasure chest and left to the exit of the school.
As the Crusaders went back to the scene of the crime the noticed that Starlight was with the Pillars, Trixie and Sunset.
"Where were you and where are the artifacts?" Asked Starlight.
"We told you someone stole them when we weren't paying attention." Sweetie Belle said.
Applebloom became suspicious.
"Wait didn't you said that you were gonna warn the students about this."
"What do you mean, I never knew that there was a thief." Starlight said confused.
The realization finally clicked that the "Starlight" they were talking to was actually the changling. The Crusaders feared for the worst and screamed
The Crusaders were filled with distraught when they explained that they saw a changling steal the six artifacts from the school of friendship. They tried to chase him down but their efforts were futile due to how experienced the changling was in his use of magic. His speed and his cunning were unmatched, by transforming into Starlight he fooled the Crusaders and hid the chest in the crowd of students. As the students walked to their classes, the thief transform into his original form and stole the artifacts from the school all while making a daring escape.
"We're so sorry!" The Crusaders apologized.
"It's not you fault, you tried stopping the thief and that's that." Starlight continues. "we'll just tell Twilight and will figure something out, okay."
"I'll write to Twilight so she'll know where on here way." Sunset said as she brings out a pen and a magical book that communicates to Twilight from far away.
"Sorry that our tour will have to wait Sunset." Starlight said in disappointment.
"It's cool." Sunset responded.
"Six pillars, Trixie, can you watch over the students until I come back?"
"Certainly!" Starswirl spoke for himself and the other pillars.
"Thank you." Starlight continues "Alright everyone let's go see Twilight."
The Crusaders, Sunset and Starlight rushed to the canterlot train. Once they got their tickets they entered the train, unbeknownst to them the hooded changling thief is on the train aswell as a piece of luggage as if he is following our ponies in focus. Once the train made its next stop, The Conductor yelled "Next stop: Cantorlot" The Crusaders, Starlight and Sunset all jumped off. At the right moment the changling transformed in to his true self without anyone noticing and moved the the artifacts treasure chest to block the doors from closing, jumped over the treasure then lift the treasure using magic and followed Sunset, Starlight and the Crusaders.
The Crusaders, Starlight and Sunset all made to the front door and Twilight and Spike were standing right in front of them.
"I heard what happened to the artifacts, they were stolen by an unreformed changling?" Twilight questioned.
"That's the gist of it." Scootaloo said.
"We were supposed to watch over it but we got caught up in out conversation and when we noticed the changling but when we tried to chase him down, he was too fast." Sweetie Belle said disappointed
"It's okay we'll find the artifacts" Twilight countines "Spike, I wrote down letters so you can send them to the others."
"I'm on it." Spike said as he breathed green fire to all five letters to notify the main six.
During this, The changling was at the sculpture garden where discord's statue used to be, was replaced with the villans, Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow. The first statue, Chrysalis, looked vengeful and its almost breaking free from the spells grass as the statue starts to crack, Tirek on the the other hand looks defeated and Cozy Glow looks scarred for life and scared. The changling noticed the crack and was relived that the queen was strong willed as ever...
"Twilight can I talk to you about Cozy Glow?" Sunset asked.
"How do you know about Cozy Glow?" Twilight asked.
"The Crusaders and Starlight told me about her and I can't believe that you would turn a filly into stone." Sunset confronted.
Twilight stood silent and looked irritated but she composed herself.
The Crusaders looked at Twilight with innocent smiles but Twilight was not amused.
"Did you three tell her lies about Cozy Glow so I would free her." Twilight asked sternly.
"No!" The Crusaders said in response.
"Starlight said that she took the magic from equestria and tried to send it to another world but that really didn't happen right?" Sunset said still in disbelief.
Twilight stood silent but eventually said
As this was going on, guards walked to the the statue so the changling hid then transformed into "Flash Magnus" and walked to the guards.
"Attention!" "Flash Magnus" said as the guards lined up "Princess Twilight has new orders, March to the castle and stay at that post!"
"Twilight, this isn't what you taught me, were supposed to give out chances to change when someone does something wrong." Sunset said defiantly.
"I'm unable to teach Cozy Glow about why you make friends." Twilight countines
"So you give up on one of your pupils?" Sunset asked somberly.
"I can't let one bad apple think that I failed as a teacher." Twilight said.
"But she wasn't just one bad apple." Sweetie Belle protested "She had trouble with friendship from the beginning.
"When we tutored her she didn't even know the elements of harmony at first." Scootaloo said.
"If that's true, then she wasn't just bad for the sake of being bad, what if there's a reason." Sunset said
"What reason would there have been." Twilight countines "she decided to try and take over equestria and she did because friendship is power for her."
The changling placed the six artifacts from the treasure chest in a circle and activates the same spell that Cozy Glow tried to do execpt this time he is trying to send the stone spell magic to another realm.
"Twilight, don't you think that something went wrong with Cozy Glow's studies if she asked the Crusaders for help." Sunset protested.
"What are you implying." Twilight countines irreatatedly "Are you suggesting that I failed her?!"
"I didn't mean it like that but you could've." Sunset said with a hint of fear
"How could you know about what I taught her!?" Twilight questioned fiercely
"I meant no offense but Cozy Glow is just a filly, she had plenty of time to learn from her mistakes." Sunset countines "You gave me another chance when I didn't deserve it, why would you not do the same for her!"
"She had enough knowledge to know right from wrong." Twilight said coldy.
"How is that true, she barely understood friendship when the Crusaders tutored her!" Sunset said angrily.
While this was going on Spike saw a blue light similar to the one Cozy Glow created to send the magic to equestria in another world.
"HEEEEEY!" Spike screamed.
Everyone looked at Spike.....
"There's something happening at the sculpture garden." Spike countines "I saw A blue light in the sculpture garden."
"Princess, a unreformed changling has been spotted in the sculpture garden." A random gaurd said.
"Ah reckon it's the thief we saw." Applebloom said
"You three stay here." said Twilight
The rest of the mane 6 rushed towards the sculpture garden.
Sweetie Belle on the other hand did not listen and instead rushed down to the garden using accelro.
"Sweetie Belle, wait she told us to stay put." Scootaloo said but Belle ignored her.
And with this Applebloom and Scootaloo chase after her.
Meanwhile, the Changling has almost completed his goal and said "Soon you shall be freed my queen as the statues magic wears off."
The mane six, Sunset and Starlight arrived but it was too late. The black changling with green hateful eyes was released, Tirek the red centaur was released and the monster filly Cozy Glow, A pink pegusus filly was released.
The Crusaders arrived way too late as looks of shock and disbelief were on everyone's faces.
The changling has just released Tirek, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow by using the artifacts to send the magic of the stone spell to another world. Tirek stands there confused as Chrysalis almost immediately lunges at Twilight but the Changling stops her.
"What are you doing, why are you getting in my way?!!" Chrysalis hissed.
"My name is Kevin and we can't fight them without a plan, we need to retreat my queen." Kevin said. This is the name of the changling that appeared in and Matilda's and Cranky's wedding.
"My queen?" Chrysalis said surprised. It was a long time since she was referred to as queen and what Kevin said reminded here of that.
"Sir Tirek, from this day forward I'll be looking forward with working with you."
"What are you talking about, we just met?" Tirek asked.
"True, but I like to make a good first impression and I would like to work with my queen." Said the unreformed changling.
"You do?" Said Chrysalis
"Yes, but first we must leave Cantorlot." Kevin said as the Mane Six surround them.
"WAIT!" Screamed Sweetie Belle as she dashed to Cozy Glow. The other Crusaders follow her.
"What are y'all doin'!?" Applejack Asked as they get closer to Cozy Glow.
"Cozy Glow?" Sweetie Belle said as she helps her up.
Cozy Glow's face mirrored the time she was frozen in stone: scared, distraught and almost completely static.
"COZY!" The Crusaders said as Cozy Glow snapped out of daze.
"Are you alright." Sweetie Belle asked
Cozy Glow was a pink pegusus filly with freckles, a aqua blue mane and tail and a mark of a chess piece.
"Where am I?" Cozy Glow said confused.
"Sweetie Belle get away from her!" Exclaimed Rarity.
"I have an idea." Kevin Said as he whispers in to Chrysalis ear.
Chrysalis smiled deviously as the Crusaders were suddenly surrounded by a green aura and lifted from the ground.
"Let us all go now or their lives will be snuffed out." Chrysalis said deviously.
"Okay fine, just don't hurt them!" Twilight yelled.
"Please forgive us." Kevin said to the Crusaders.
Chrysalis threw them on the ground but Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash broke their fall.
Kevin then looked at Cozy Glow and thought "To think that this one filly almost destroyed equestria." He then used his magic to pick up Cozy Glow and the legion of doom ran escaped from Twilight's grasp.
"I don't believe it, now equestria worst villans are on the loose again." Twilight said.
"We should chase after them!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Agreed." Twilight countines "Everypony after them!"
But it was too late, the legion of doom was already gone the only they could find her was through the skies which is what Rainbow Dash did.
"I'll see if I can find them from above." Rainbow Dash said as she flew upwards.
"Cozy Glow looked so scared." Sweetie Belle whispered sadly.
The legion of doom successfully escaped from Cantorlot and retreated to grogar's lair. It was a desolate place with the outside shaped like a skull and the inside of the structures was filled with vines and moss.
"What is this place?" Kevin asked
"This is grogar's domain." Chrysalis continues "we occupy this space now."
"Hold on, mabye we should find a different hideout." Cozy Glow countines "This is literally the second place they would look."
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
"No, b-but can't stay here, what if they turned us to stone again!?"
"This is the only suitable place for us to stay." Tirek countines "I thought you weren't afraid of Twilight and her friends."
"I-I'm not scared!" Cozy Glow exclaimed feeling offended.
"If you say so." Tirek said concerned.
"Of course I'm not." Cozy Glow whispered uncertainty.
"You truly are a filly aren't you" Tirek said with a hint of concern.
"Well yeah." Cozy Glow countines "did you think I was a malnourished mare." Cozy said rudely.
As Tirek stays silent, Chrysalis speaks to Kevin.
"Why did you free us." Chrysalis asked
"I could not stand by and watch my queen suffer a fate worse than death." Kevin explained.
"You still refer to me as queen." Chrysalis obversed
"I might not agree with all changling culture but I believe that pony culture has its flaws as well." Kevin said.
"Has its flaws!?" Chrysalis exclaimed "it's only a disease that turns changlings against their queen!"
"Those ponies stand between us and my brainwashed hive." Chrysalis continues bitterly "Starlight turned my hive against me and it's time to end their reign."
"I heard that the changling have become afraid of you." Kevin stated blunty.
"They should be!" Chrysalis hissed.
"But would that not drive them away from you, my queen." Kevin said
"It'll only remind them of who their true ruler is." Chrysalis continues "come this way, we need to talk to the others."
"Talk to us about what?" Asked Cozy Glow as she and Tirek enter the scene.
"Isn't it obvious, we need to discuss about how we're going to get our revenge against Twilight and her friends." Chrysalis said annoyed.
"I would like to take my revenge on those irritable ponies." Tirek said deviously.
"Don't we need information about what they're doing?" Kevin questioned
"Perhas we can gain information about they're next plan by sowing discord within the masses."
"Speakinv of discord, we need to do something about him." Cozy Glow countines "let's try and find grogar's bell so we destroy them!"
"Once we have are hands on that bell, we will be victorius against them!" Chrysalis said confidently.
"But what should we do first, we don't have a clue where the bell is." Tirek worried.
"Then I'll go to cantorlot and disguise myself as Twilight to gather Intel about the bell's whereabouts." Chrysalis said.
"What is grogar's bell?" Asked Kevin
"It's an artifactsof great power that absorbs the magic of living beings." Tirek countines "Grogar used to rule over equestria until Gusty stole his bell, now we must find where it is so we can crush Twilight and her friends!"
"I see." Kevin said.
"For now let's lay low so we can plan our next move." Tirek said.
"Well alright, then this meeting is over for now, let's meet when where ready." Cozy Glow said as she left.
As she left she wondered about Twilight and the memory of being turned to stone.
"I'm not scared of them.. so why do i feel so unsure." Cozy Glow said solemnly.
A Conversation with Cozy Glow
It has been two weeks after Kevin released the legion of doom. During this time Sunset Shimmer said her goodbyes to the Crusaders and their friends. The Crusaders went to the clubhouse to discuss about the recent event.
"So... we got what we wanted but at what cost." Scootaloo said nervously
"I reckon she won't be easy to change just because she won't mend things together with Twilight and our friends."
"But she looked so scared, mabye she'll think about changing her ways." Sweetie Belle said.
"Or she could want revenge." Scootaloo continues. "By the way, we also don't know were she is so who knows what she's plotting with Tirek and Chrysalis."
"There are so many things I wanted to ask her, I didn't think that it would end up this way." Sweetie Belle continues "now what should we do?"
"I don't know." Applebloom continues "We can't sit and do nothing, that much is obvious."
"Hmm...Who wants burgers!!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Burgers!?" Sweetie Belle shockingly questioned.
"Yeah, we've been racing our brain and need the energy to think so why not." Scootaloo explained.
"That actually ain't a bad idea, we haven't ate anythin' for a while now." Applebloom continues "We should get something to eat."
"Alright then, lets go to the Hay Burger" Sweetie Belle said.
After some time pass the Crusaders walk to from sweet apple acres to eat at Hay Burger. Outside the building is adorned with pink walls with the the inside of the architecture is adorned with purple curtains and wooden tables and seats.
As the Crusaders walk towards the Hay Burger they see a cloaked figure yelling.
"ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME!" The cloaked figure screamed A bombastic yell that shakes the earth.
"Woah! Now that was one of a kind scream if I ever heard one." Scootaloo said shocked.
"Come on let's go see what's wrong." Sweetie Belle said.
"Hey, are you alright" Applebloom said
"Haven't you three heard of privacy!" The hooded figure said as she put the bounty of her face away in her bag.
"We're sorry..... we just wanted to help ya." Applebloom said nervously
"Well I'm fine!" The hooded figure said as she trips over and accendently exposed her rook chest piece mark.
"That cutie mark!" The Crusaders continues "Cozy Glow!?"
Cozy Glow ran but the Crusaders ran after her.
"Wait!" The Crusaders said as they chase after her.
As they chased after her she fell tripped over her hood again and fell which allowed the Crusaders to surround her.
"Listen, we want to talk to you!" Sweetie Belle reassured
"And I should beiieve you because..." Cozy Glow said suspiciously
"Because I still wanna be friends with you." Sweetie Belle said assertively.
"And you expect me to believe that... who else is with you!?" Cozy Glow yelled.
"We're just by ourselves." Scootaloo said
Cozy's belly started to rumble.
"I reckon we should all get somethin' to eat" Applebloom said.
"Come on let's eat together, Cozy Glow" Sweetie Belle as she looked in to her eyes
"Do you have to stare..." Cozy Glow became suspicious. "You're not gonna tell Twilight that I'm here right."
"Nah, and even if we did you'd be long gone by now." Scootaloo continues "you can trust us."
"But we ain't gonna go with ya until we make sure you won't tell Tirek and Chrysalis where we are." Applebloom chimed in.
"Deal." Cozy Glow said as a thought cross her mind "these idiots don't even know that I could learn something about Twilight and tell it to Tirek and Chrysalis....
"How do you know about Tirek and Chrysalis!?" Cozy Glow exclaimed
"Rarity told us about them." Sweetie Belle said.
"How much do you know?" Cozy Glow asked fervently.
"We know enough." Applebloom continues "Are we gonna eat or what?"
The fillies walked into the Hay Burger, sat down and ordered their meals.
"I have nothing to say to you three." Cozy Glow said defiantly.
"Well, we have something to say to you." Sweetie Belle declared and continues "For starters why did you try to take the magic of equestria and lock up Rarity and her friends in Tatarus?!"
"Because you ponies got it all wrong, friendship is power!" Cozy Glow said confidently.
"And you think that why?" Scootaloo asked.
"Isn't it obvious!?" Cozy Glow said rudely and continues "did you see how many times Twilight and her friends shoots that rainbow beam powered by friendship."
"Hold on, do you think friends are just things you can just throw away?" Sweetie Belle somberly continues "was that what we are to you?"
"You're the one who said when you give from your heart you don't expect anything back." Cozy Glow said rudely.
Sweetie Belle was dumbfounded when Cozy Glow used her words against her.
"You took my words out of context!" Sweetie Belle said angrily.
"And you're not supposed to abuse someone's trust just for the sake of power." Scootaloo declared angrily.
"Ah reckon someone should or us should've taught ya this a long time ago cause you still having trouble with friendship." Applebloom said.
"You three don't see the bigger picture!" Cozy Glow exclaimed and countines "If there was no magic, I would have the empress of friendship, everyone would thank me for getting rid of all the magic because it uprooted ponyville so many times."
"What?!" The Crusaders said flabbergasted.
"If I would've taken away all the magic then I would've been equestria's ruler because ponies, no every creature would look to me for advice on how to run equestria without magic." Cozy Glow explained.
"So you were thinking about power in numbers?" Applebloom said confused.
"Duh!" Cozy Glow said rudely.
"But if you remove the magic from equestria, it'll be a wasteland." Sweetie Belle informed.
"What are you talking about now!?" Cozy Glow said annoyed.
"It's like this, if you drain all the magic from equestria then food and water would be drained of nutrients for every creature and the entire world would be nothing but a wasteland." Sweetie Belle explained.
"Are you kidding me!?" Cozy Glow said astonished.
"No, she's dead serious." Scootaloo said affirmatively.
"Wait a minute, I reckon you didn't know about this." Applebloom stated.
"Um, No!" How was I supposed to know that!" Cozy Glow answered back.
"Everyone from ponyville knew." Scootaloo protested.
"Well I'm not from ponyville, so sue me." Cozy Glow said rudely.
"Well it looks like you need more time on your friendship lessons." Applebloom said confidently.
"Yeah, we can just start over." Sweetie Belle said.
"Start over?" Cozy Glow questioned.
"Well we know that you were turned to stone but we didn't like that so we decided to speak up for you to be released" Scootaloo explained.
"So you don't know everything huh." Cozy Glow countines. "You still don't know that they threw me in tarturus."
"They did!?" The Crusaders said shocked.
"Yep and you want me to start over after what they did?" Cozy Glow said.
"Hold on how are we supposed to trust you after everything you did." Scootaloo said.
"Would I lie to you threeeeee~." Cozy Glow said cutesy as the Crusaders had deadpan looks on their faces.
"Okay normally I would but this is the truth, besides have I ever directly lied to guys about my friendship lessons." Cozy Glow said.
The Crusaders thought about it and realized it was true Cozy Glow's actions prove that she was struggling with her friendship lessons.
"But you still were pretending to be someone you're not." Scootaloo said.
"Even so, I still never lied to you about that." Cozy Glow said matter of factly.
"So will you come back with us." Sweetie Belle chimed in to change the topic.
"What?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Will you come back with us?" Sweetie Belle continues "We can smooth things over with Twilight-"
"Why would I ever trust Twilight!?" Cozy interrupted
The Crusaders were scared and shocked.
"Her friends sent me to Tarturus and turned me to stone and now you expect me to trust her!?" Cozy Glow countines.
The Crusaders begin to pity Cozy Glow as she is on the verge of tears.
"I've had enough of this, I hate her and she hates me and as far as I'm concerned Chrysalis and Tirek are the only ones left for me in this sorry excuse for this world!" Cozy Glow somberly. "So what should I do?"
"We don't know." The Crusaders said sadly
"Yeah that's what I thought." Cozy Glow said rudely with a hint of sadness.
The Crusaders and Cozy Glow were silent.
"Ugh, why am I telling you all this." Cozy Glow questioned herself.
"Because we're still friends." Sweetie Belle said.
"When anyone ask to help me I'm always suspicious of them, I always ask what's in it for you." Cozy Glow said.
"Mabye that's part of the problem." Applebloom continues. "Maybe you need to trust others more."
"Is there really no way we can ask you to come back with us, I wish you would forget about power and revenge and just stay with us." Sweetie Belle said disappointed.
"That's too convenient." Cozy Glow said as she quickly ate her burger and fries.
The Crusaders began to eat their food
After finishing their food they then discuss some more.
"Alright I'm heading back." Cozy Glow said as she got up from her seat "Don't tell anyone what I said to you three, if Twilight finds out about this you could get in trouble too."
Cozy Glow walks off and leaves the Hay Burger and the Crusaders wondered about what they should do with Cozy Glow and will they see her again until suddenly Sweetie Belle called Cozy Glow over.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Sweetie Belle yelled.
Cozy Glow stopped in her tracks and turned around to see the Crusaders.
"Why don't you stay with us for a little while." Sweetie Belle suggested and countines. "you seem lonely."
"You're not in a hurry to leave aren't ya." Applebloom chimed in.
"Yeah, we can go bowling." Scootaloo suggested.
"What's bowling?" Cozy Glow asked curiously
"If you wanna know then you'll have to come with us." Scootaloo said convincingly
"Are you kidding me, fine but only because I want to know what bowling is." Cozy Glow said skeptically.
The fillies went to the Bowling alley, outside of the building is decorated with
"The goal is to get the ball to knock down as many pins as possible." Scootaloo explained.
Sweetie Belle first pushes the ball with her head and hits five of the bowling pins.
Sweetie Belle smiled and grabbed a bowling ball to give to Cozy Glow
"Here, it's your turn." Sweetie Belle said as she gives the ball to Cozy Glow.
Cozy Glow pushed the ball exactly like Sweetie Belle but missed all of the pins.
"Why didn't I hit any of the pins!?" Cozy Glow said annoyed
"It's okay you're still a beginner, you'll get the hang of it." Sweetie Belle reassured.
It was now Applebloom's turn while she picked up the ball Cozy Glow asked a question relating to Twilight.
"So..... what does Twilight get up to these days."
"Well other than searching for the legion of doom she not doing much." Sweetie Belle answered.
"No events planned at all?" Cozy Glow asked.
"None, why do you wanna know what Twilight's doing?" Scootaloo asked suspiciously.
"Just curious, that's all." Cozy Glow said.
"Dangit, these three don't know anything, How am I supposed to find information like this!" Cozy Glow thought.
"Alright!" Exclaimed Applebloom.
The earth filly jumped for joy as she got a strike in bowling.
"Congratulations Applebloom!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"Yeah, nice job." Scootaloo congratulated
Scootaloo then picks up the ball and placed it down on the start of the bowling rail. Scootaloo wanted to kick the ball but last time the ball went flying into another bowling lane and ponies stared at her so she gently pushed the ball forward and hit four of the pins.
"Yeah, four points for me!" Exclaimed Scootaloo.
"So, Scootaloo why did you suggest bowling with us." Applebloom asked
"Because we haven't done it in a while." Scootaloo answered.
Sweetie Belle picks up the ball places it on the bowling lane.
"Did ya hear anythin' about the festival of creatures?" Applebloom asked
"I heard that it's taking place at the school of friendship." Scootaloo countines "I wonder if will help decorate the school for this party."
"A festival of creatures, huh and there's no doubt that Twilight will be there as well as her friends." Cozy Glow thought.
"What else can you tell about this festival?" Cozy Glow chimed in.
"We can't tell you much other than it's going to be awesome!" Scootaloo continues "think of it as a surprise."
"So, do they avoid telling you things just because it's a surprise." Cozy Glow said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sweetie Belle asked as she walked to her friends.
"I mean, it looks all the adults don't tell you anything important." Cozy Glow said rudely.
"I reckon you have a point, I still don't know why they thought turning you to stone was a good idea." Applebloom agreed.
"What's that supposed to mean!" Cozy Glow said angrily.
"Oh, I'm sorry ah mentioned that, ah guess getting turned to stone would hurt ya-"
"I'm not hurt." Cozy Glow said bitterly
"You sure you're not just putting on a brave face." Applebloom said concerned.
"Duh, Why would I be afraid, I'm one of the most dangerous villans in equestria."
"It doesn't have to be like that ya know, you could come back with us." Sweetie Belle said reassuringly
"I already said that I hate Twilight." Cozy Glow said rudely as she picked up the ball and placed it down on the bowling lane."
"But why!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed
"Because. She. Ruined. Everything!" Cozy Glow said angrily as she headbutt the ball and knock down all of the pins!
The Crusaders stared in bewilderment but then suddenly the crowd cheers. Cozy Glow felt a little dissy after headbutting the ball when suddenly she was lifted into the air by the Crusaders!
"That was amazing! The Crusaders said.
"That was your very first strike!" Applebloom exclaimed
"That was so awesome!" Scootaloo said excitedly.
"That was so cool!" Sweetie Belle yelled
The whole crowd was clapping for Cozy Glow while she was befuddled but was enjoying the moment.
The Crusaders then put her down and gave her a group hug. Cozy Glow felt a little happy but confused as to why their celebrating until she looked behind her to see that all of the pins are knocked down which gave her a feeling of comtemp.
The Crusaders let go as Cozy Glow smiled confidently after scoring her first strike.
After the game they leave the bowling alley to say their goodbyes.
"Do you feel any better now?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Yeah I think so, that was fun." Cozy Glow said.
"Do you really have to go back to Tirek and Chrysalis?" Scootaloo questioned.
"Yeah, don't you have any parents?" Applebloom asked
"Who said I have parents?" Cozy Glow said.
"Well don't you?" Sweetie Belle questioned
"No, I don't." Cozy Glow said
The Crusaders were surprised about finding this out, they knew that that they didn't know much about Cozy Glow but they didn't think that she had no parents.
"That explains a lot of things about you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cozy Glow questioned
"It means that you have no one to guide you but bad role models." Sweetie Belle continues. "If you show up to the Festival of creatures we can talk some more about, just give us a chance to change things then we can live together."
"Yeah, Twilight might give you another chance and if not then maybe we can change her mind." Sweetie Belle said.
"You three are so naive, that's too convenient." Cozy Glow said bitterly.
"Well that doesn't mean will stop trying because I think your worth being friends with." Sweetie Belle reassured.
Cozy Glow was still befuddled about their reaction towards her.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Cozy Glow asked
"Because we're friends." The Crusaders said.
"Okay, that doesn't answer my question but i'll take it." Cozy Glow said dissatisfied.
"See you later Cozy Glow." The Crusaders said.
"Friends, huh." Cozy Glow said as she walks back to Grogar's lair.
After Cozy Glow spent some time with the Crusaders, she heads back to Grogar's cave, she thought about the idea of friendship with the Crusaders however she also remembered that she might not get to to be friends with them due to Twilight's interference.
"I'm back." Cozy Glow introduced herself
"Where were you?" Tirek countines
"You're not my dad, Tirek." Cozy Glow said rudely.
"That maybe true but you're still with us, at least try to come back earlier." Chrysalis complained.
"Ugh, fine." Cozy Glow said irritatedly.
"Did you find any Intel about any upcoming events?"
"Yeah, I did." Cozy Glow countines "There's this festival of creatures happening at the School of Friendship."
"Perfect, will cause as much chaos as much as possible just like how we did at the Summer sun festival!" Chrysalis exclaimed confidently.
"If I may my queen, what is the Summer Sun festival." Kevin politely asked
"I don't know much of the details nor do I care." Chrysalis responded leaving Kevin dissatisfied.
"Well, if Grogar is a ram then there's a possibility that Grogar's bell could be showcased for all to see. Tirek countines "I say we take a chance to see this litte festival ourselves."
"Knowing them, they probably didn't learn their lesson and have the artifacts in that stupid school too!" Cozy Glow exclaimed.
"Unfortunately, I didn't take the chance to take those artifacts to increase our chances at survival, but I might able to rectify that failure if what you say is true." Kevin stated.
"Then it's settled, where going to retrieve as many artifacts as we possibly can to increase our chances at revenge."
"Oooh, I love a good revenge tour!" Cozy Glow exclaimed excitedly.
"If I may, what else motivates you three into getting revenge other than beimg turned to stone?"
Cozy Glow froze for a moment when she heard the words "turned to stone" and said
"That's none of your business!"
"Forgive me, I did not know that this was to personal for you to speak about, I didn't mean to pry." Kevin said apologetically.
"Y-yeah you better be!" Cozy Glow said Squamishly.
"Oh my~ it seems that the emperess of friendship is scared. Chrysalis teased.
"Am not!" Cozy Glow exclaimed fiercely.
"In any case, we should focus on the task." Tirek countines "what should be our plan on how we get into this party."
"I can disguise myself as a random pony to get in." Kevin suggested.
"Perhaps we should make a plan to absorb the most amount of magic after we steal Grogar's bell back!" Tirek exclaimed.
"Did you get any information about the level of security in that place?" Chrysalis asked.
"No, but I know what we could do, we can try to pretend to be one of the faculty of the school and they'll give it to us hook line and sinker!" Cozy Glow exclaimed confidently.
"A brilliant plan but we first need to find out where they're keeping that bell." Chrysalis claims.
"Kevin, you went to the School of Friendship before, did you see any artifacts that looked like a bell."
"Yes, I have. Kevin countines "I found a bell like artifact that was navy green and dark blue."
"That must be Grogar's bell!" Chrysalis fiercely countines "why didn't you tell us this before!"
"I was unaware of the bell's significance, please forgive me, my queen." Kevin said apologetically.
"My queen?" Chrysalis continues "how come you're the only changling that calls me that!?"
"It's because I still believe that you're my queen." Kevid stated.
Chrysalis was stunned, she had no idea that there is at least one changling that beilives in her.
"I-I see." Chrysalis said sheepishly.
"I know that you've lost your hive to Thorax." Kevin countines "I believe that there are some parts of Changling history that should be preserved and that you are one of those pieces of history."
Chrysalis was taken aback, she could only feel comfortable that a changling finally respects her as a queen rather than a monster.
"I haven't felt this sentimental ever since I lost my hive." Chrysalis said.
"Because you feel abandoned by your hive." Kevin explained.
"I don't abandoned, I feel distraught that my entire hive was corrupted by Starlight!" Chrysalis exclaimed.
"Well, they also made me feel distraught too ya know." Cozy Glow countines "they turned me to-" Cozy Glow stopped herself but then said "I. Want. Payback."
"And I want revenge against them aswell but first I need some magic." Tirek said as he looks to Kevin deviously.
"Don't you dare!" Chrysalis hissed as she guards Kevin and countines "We need him, clearly he has a mind of a great tatican." Chrysalis said as Kevin stares in to space, clueless that Tirek was going to steal his magic away.
"I agree with Chrysalis." Cozy Glow countines "he just helped us, so maybe he can be a great tool for us."
"Alright, fine." Tirek said.
"There's just one teensy tiny problem, I don't know when the festival starts." Cozy Glow said worriedly.
"That's fine, will just send Kevin to find out."
"I'll see what I can achieve, my queen." Kevin stated as he leaves the lair.
"Oh, I almost forgot." Cozy Glow said as she shows Tirek and Chrysalis a newspaper of the legion of doom.
"Why are you showing us this?" Chrysalis said blunty.
"Because where being hunted, they probably know this is where our hideout is thanks to Discord." Cozy Glow said worriedly.
"Once we take back the bell, all of us will become stronger than them by taking their magic!" Tirek exclaimed confidently.
"Uh..we tried that and lost remember!" Cozy Glow exclaimed worriedly
"Enough!" Chrysalis hissed and countines "This time it will be different."
"How do you know." Cozy Glow asked.
"I know because we have an intelligent changling on our side." Chrysalis confidently said.
"If you say so." Cozy Glow said with a hint of doubt.
Cozy Glow left the room thinking about Chrysalis' words.
While the villans were planning and discussing their next course of action the Crusaders walked back to their treehouse. After walking back, they discuss about spending time with Cozy Glow.
"That was so fun!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed excitedly.
"Ah know, and we got to know more about Cozy Glow." Applebloom said.
"We where basically playing with her as if she still our friend." Scootaloo claimed.
"That's because we're still friends!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed happily.
"What I don't get is how can we take her back like nothing changed." Scootaloo continues. "Twilight probably is still disturbed by Cozy Glow and her beliefs."
"Mabye they can work it out." Sweetie Belle said.
"Probably, but how?" Applebloom asked.
As the Crusaders were thinking, someone was knocking the door enthusiastically.
"Alright, Alright I'll get it open for ya" Applebloom said annoyed.
The Crusaders annoyance disappeared when they found out that Gabriella was in front of the door.
"Gabby!" The Crusaders said simultaneously.
Gabby is a grey griffin that works as a mail courier in griffinstone and an honorary member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Hello, My friends!" Gabby said excitedly as she tightly hugs the Crusaders.
"It has been sososososo looooooong since we last saw each other." Gabby said as she continued to squeeze them.
She finally let the crusaders go as they felt a little dizzy after being released.
"Yeah, it sure has." Scootaloo answered back.
"That's why I came for a visit!" Gabby responded.
"Well make yourself at home then." Applebloom said.
"Gladly!" Gabby said excitedly.
As Gabby sat next to Scootaloo, Applebloom suggested something.
"Why dont'cha you visit the school of friendship." Applebloom continues. "There's gonna be a festival Principal Starlight made for creatures all across equestria."
"Yes, of course I'll go!" Gabby said with eyes gleaming with excitement.
"That's great to hear!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"By the way, I never noticed you had amazing stuff in this chubhouse." Gabby stated she gazed at Cozy Glow's medal then asks "what did you get this medal for."
"That's Cozy Glow's medal she had that that when she was Twilight's student." Sweetie Belle said somberly.
"I heard that she used to be your friend but she stole all the magic from equestria, right." Gaddy said sadly.
"Yes, but we still can be friends." Sweetie Belle continues "she's already freed now."
"Wait ain't that bad!?" Gabby exclaimed.
"Well yes and no." Scootaloo continues "On the one hand she could still be evil but on the other hand she could become friends with her again."
"Oh, okay." Gabby continues "but what will happen if she does anything evil again?"
"She could risk bein' turned to stone again." Applebloom continues "Cozy thinks that Twilight won't give her another chance so she might try and get revenge."
"It's like this, where trying to reach out to Cozy instead of locking her up somewhere or turn her into stone." Sweetie Belle explained.
"We're trying to give her a place of belonging." Scootaloo continues "you didn't belong in griffinstone in a sense right."
"I guess so." Gabby said.
"From the beginning, she asked about friendship lessons and she still young so maybe we can help her." Sweetie Belle continues "She also had a misunderstanding of how magic works in our world."
"Ooooh, gotcha!" Gabby continues "Okay I'll try and help in any way I can."
"That's great!" The Crusaders exclaimed.
"By the way, I was giving away mail about the festival of creatures. and someone attacked me and opened the mail!"
"Really?!" The Crusaders exclaimed in unison
"Yeah!" Gabby exclaimed and countines. "I don't know who did it but whoever did it decided not to steal anything, but I had to apologize for giving out ripped mail."
"And were sorry that you had to go through that." Sweetie Belle said.
"That's such a crummy thing to do!" Scootaloo said.
"Ah reckon things in equestria is going loopy again." Applebloom continues. "The reason why Cozy Glow is freed now is thanks to a changling."
"I had no idea, that's so crazy!" Gabby exclaimed.
"I wonder where that changling is now" Sweetie Belle asked as she stated out in the window."
Speaking of changlings, Kevin returned to grogar's lair to inform Chrysalis.
My queen!, I've returned with some information. Kevin countines."I went to the School of friendship to intercept a griffion from sending the mail and by reading the mail, I found out the the festival will begin in three moons and will begin at night-time."
"Excellent work!" Queen Chrysalis praised.
"You're subordinate sure works fast." Tirek complemented.
"I told you we had a competent changling on our side." Chrysalis agreed and continues. Now, we will wait here three moons from now to strike and take back the bell and whatever artifacts we can use to get the upper hand on those fools!"
"Things are going to work out, right?" Cozy Glow asks with a hint of uncertainty.
"Why do you sound doubtful?" Chrysalis asked.
"Because all of us failed before." Cozy reasoned.
"We've been over this, Twilight Sparkle doesn’t have Kevin and we do."
"Alright, then" Cozy said worriedly
"Don't you want revenge against them!?" Tirek questioned.
"Of course but there much stronger than us!" Cozy exclaimed.
"All we have to do is take back Grogar's bell and absorb their magic." Chrysalis continues "you have no were to go other than revenge, do you think that they will give leancy just because you're a child."
"No." Cozy Glow stated.
"Then you must be ruthless right back at them." Chrysalis continues. "If they see any weakness from you that will be there opportunity to destroy you."
"You're right, I have to be strong." Cozy Glow agreed.
"Exactly!" Chrysalis exclaimed fiercely and countines. "We will have our revenge!" Chrysalis and Tirek laughed as Cozy Glow still looks worried.
"I know you're scared, you don't have to join us if this is too much for you." Kevin comforted.
"I-I'm not scared! Cozy Glow said rudely.
Although Kevin saw right through her, he thought it would be best to not discuss the matter further to not risk her ire and it seems like she has her reasons. And so the plan was set to seek revenge against Twilight and her friends.
A Festival in Preparation
After the villans discuss their plan to get revenge, they wait for two moons to past for another discussion about the School of Friendship. As of now Kevin suggested another meeting for trespass the School of Friendship to retrieve Grogar's bell.
"So Kevin, why did you call this meeting." Chrysalis asks.
"I would like to discuss about studying the layout of the Festival, I figured if we had a better understanding of the layout we would be able to achieve our goal."
"Sounds interesting, but won't you risk getting caught." Tirek said.
"Kevin is intelligent, he'll outsmart those wenches." Chrysalis said confidently.
"So you're going by yourself again." Cozy Glow stated.
"I would be happy to go alone but I might require backup if I am caught." Kevin suggested.
"Then I'll go with you." Chrysalis continues "Tirek is too weak at the moment and Cozy Glow might be too scared to help."
"For the last time I am not scared!" Cozy Glow exclaimed.
"If the worst comes then maybe you could transform into one of the gaurds to prevent my capture." Kevin suggested.
"A brilliant tatic as usual!" Chrysalis exclaimed proudly.
"I know that you like him but do you have to be so obnoxious about it." Tirek said annoyed.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"We're going to leave now to scout the area." Chrysalis said.
"Okay, good luck." Tirek stated.
After this discussion, two of the mane six where called in to set up the festival. The main hall of the School of Friendship was decorated with pink ribbons, red tables and in the middle of the hall, the artifact cases where made of glass.
"Thanks for helping me with the festival everyone." Starlight said
"It's our pleasure, Starlight." Fluttershy said sheepishly.
"Yeah, we totally would help you with anything!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"Excuse me ladies, but I would like to ask a question." Fluttershy asked shyly.
"Yes, Fluttershy?" Starlight asked.
"Why did you advocate for Cozy Glow's release?" Fluttershy asked.
"I did it because I thought about what the Cutie Mark Crusaders said and because I see myself in her." Starlight explained and countines. "I feel like Cozy Glow reminded me of how I used to be a villian."
"How so?" Fluttershy asked.
"She seemed to be alone all the time, she never interacted with any other students up until she met the Crusaders and it reminds me of how I was when I had no friends." Starlight said sadly.
"I understand how you feel but she needs to choose friendship." Fluttershy said matter of factly.
"Cozy Glow made her choice, Starlight." Rainbow Dash said bluntly.
"But we could still reach her!" Starlight exclaimed.
"There's no way we could reach her!" Rainbow Dash said fiercely.
"I know that she made her choice but I don't think it's too late." Starlight said.
"Cozy Glow scared everyone when she yelled friendship is power." Fluttershy countines "They drained Discord of his magic."
"If Cozy Glow wanted to change, she would've admitted she was wrong and gave up." Rainbow Dash continues "She didn't have to join Tirek and Chrysalis but she did, that just who she truly is."
Starlight looked devastated about the situation however someone interrupted.
"Hello, can I ask a question?" "Pizzelle" asked awkwardly.
"Yes?" Fluttershy asked
"What artifacts are going to be showcased for the festival?" "Pizzelle" asked.
"The Bewitching Bell and the six cultural artifacts." Starlight explained.
"What's does The Bewitching bell do?" Asked "Pizzelle."
"It can absorb magic from living beings and transfer it to other beings." Starlight explained further.
"Why are you asking all this stuff?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I'm doing a report that one of my professors assigned to me." "Pizzelle" explained.
"Okay, then." Rainbow Dash said reassured.
And with that "Pizzelle" leaves.
"Look, I know she used to be one of our students but she can't be trusted." Rainbow Dash said.
"I just think we could try, we just threw in a cage in tarturus and i just thought that we could look after her best interest." Starlight said solemnly.
"She's only interested in hurting others and were trying to look after equestria's interest, maybe you should do the same." Rainbow Dash scolded.
As "Pizzelle" returns to "Twilight" he talks about Grogar's bell
"What did you find?" "Twilight" asked
"I found out that they're going to showcase the bewitching bell during the Festival and there are tables around the main hall of the School." "Pizzelle" countines "There's also glass cases in the middle which I can assume is going to hold all of the artifacts."
"Excellent work, we must go tell the others." "Twilight" said.
"Pizzelle" and "Twilight" returned to Grogar's cave and saw Cozy Glow immediately attacked them!... or at least she tried to.
"Stay back!" Cozy Glow said as she tried to tackle them but "Pizzelle" transformed into Kevin to signal that their not a threat which made Cozy stop.
"Oh, you're Chrysalis in disguise, my bad." Cozy Glow said.
"You're nerves will pop out of you if you're not careful." Chrysalis complained.
"Cozy Glow, are you alright?" Kevin asked sincerely.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be." Cozy Glow said rudely.
"You seemed scared when Chrysalis introduced herself as Twilight." Kevin pointed out.
"Ugh, that's another thing, not only are you wrong about me but you're too polite, it's weird!" Cozy Glow exclaimed annoyed.
"Is it odd that I treat people the way I want to be treated." Kevin answered back
"If you're a villan, than yes!" Cozy Glow countines "Don't you have any hatred inside of that noggin of yours."
"I choose to fight and win without hatred, I don't want it to compromise who I am." Kevin stated.
"You really are weird..." Cozy Glow said confused.
"I don't expect anyone to understand me, I just expect to work with everyone I associate with." Kevin said.
"Whatever you say." Cozy Glow bluntly.
"Alright, we finally have all of the information necessary to get back Grogar's bell." Chrysalis continues fiercely "All we have to do is wait."
And so the villans waited for the night of the party to finally begin.