The Other Side Of The Problem
Within the darkness, a purple cloak figure appeared and opened a book. They turned to you, the reader.
"In the endless forest of multiverse trees sits a rainbow tree. Each branch that sprouts out of this tree comes from the Prime Equestria, as it is the Rainbow Tree itself; those branches are endless stories of different takes of the prime universe. The what ifs, the possibilities, and the "what could've been." In this branch, this very universe, there is a "could be" that has not yet reached its final ending, as its uncertain story is still in motion as it is being written. But it can also be a possibility, a future, that could happen."
The figure turned the page of her book, smiling at its contents. "Ah, here it is..." the figure looked to you, her face hidden.
"In this possible future, in this universe, its fate was utterly changed thanks to a Rainbow Comet that appeared in the night sky. Twilight and Dash and their alternate versions of themselves from different universes saved a pair of twin fillies from a sad ending. One of the twins is a slime trying to be a pony. Twilight and Dash took this twin in and raised her like their own, forever changing this universe's story."
The figure flipped a page, smiling even more.
"One change is Cozy Glow and the other villains, who, the slime filly, had done something that her parents or others couldn't have done for those villains. She helped them, listened to them, and showed them love. She saved the villains' hearts from being filled with hatred and helped them see that friendship isn't the worst thing in the world. She showed them to be brave in facing their past, like her. Braver. They became friends. Cozy, on the other hand...or hoof in this case, realized that her love for this slime pony wasn't friendship but absolute love."
The figure turned the page, feeling a little sad.
"But her love for Braver will never go further than that. The slime pony's heart belonged to somepony else, somepony who was her morning dawn within the darkness, Luster Dawn."
The figure flipped a ton of pages and stopped. She tapped the page and turned to you, showing you what was written.
"This is where the story begins, many generations into an alternate future of Equestria, where the evil Opaline Arcana never became evil thanks to Braver's presence. Twilight is alive and well in this future, her rule still ongoing, as the great Disharmony between ponies never happened. On this day, in Maretime Bay Royal Castle, Sunny asked her teacher about something..."
"You want to know about Equestria's history?" said Twilight, putting down her book. She looked over to Sunny, who was also sitting on a pillow. The two were enjoying their free time in the castle garden. It was a nice, sunny day.
"Yes, but I want to learn about your side of the history," Sunny replied, looking at her mentor. "The history books never go into that, only telling what happened and how it ended from an outside point of view. They never describe what it was like being there. But I want to know how you and the others felt. Like how you and the rest of your friends faced Rainbow Sun Dawn! I want to learn your point of view."
Twilight chuckled and gave a warm smile. "That's a good question. I've never really thought about that, but it can't be told in just a few minutes, and I'll be busy soon, so I don't have much time to tell you."
Sunny frowned.
Twilight sadly smiled at her student, and then an idea came to her: "I know. Why don't you visit the castle archive? My granddaughter is the curator of the entire place. I'm sure she'll happily answer all your questions and show you what you need to know."
Sunny perked up. "Oh, yes! That's a great idea. I always wanted to talk to her again after helping your daughter and your granddaughter repair their relationship! But are you sure that she will have the time?"
"Yes, I'm sure. She carries Braver's blood, so she loves helping others in need. She-" But before Twilight could continue, they could hear the gate to the garden opening, and slowly walking toward them was a pink Alicorn. Twilight sighed as she knew her reading time would be cut short. "Well, look who decided to wake up."
"Morning, sleepyhead," said Sunny.
"Mmm, morning, Sunny and morning..." The Alicorn sat on the pillow and gave Twilight a smirk. "Oh great and wonderful, highness!" she said mockingly.
Twilight's expression was that of annoyance. "Morning, ...Cozy..."
Since Cozy became an Alicorn using the Infinite necklace's cursed powers, she can live just as long as a normal Alicorn without magical looks like the flowing mane. Her pale blue hair rolls were much longer but done up in a ponytail with her classic white ribbon, her height was that of Luna when she was much younger, and her tail had a bit more volume.
Cozy could see the tasty snacks on the table, and without asking or being ladylike, she reached over and ate some. She shoved it into her mouth and chewed very loudly.
Twilight's annoyance grew, but she didn't say anything; she just watched as the former villain ate. "So...how much longer will you stay here, Cozy? I know Sunny came to you to help Braver and her daughter repair their relationship, and I know it's taken a while, but they seem fine now. I don't see any more need for you to stay in-" Cozy tossed a candy bar wrapper into Twilight's face; as it slid down her face, Twilight's eye twitched. "In my home..."
After swallowing, Cozy turned to her and smirked. "I am sorry, oh, gracious, highness. I forgot that you are so important. I mean, how can a princess like me forget that?" she asked, making Sunny giggle.
"You aren't a princess."
"Yet," added Cozy.
"Never," replied Twilight in the most deadpan way.
"We will see about that, won't we?"
"I'm serious, Cozy. How much longer are you staying here? I mean, you've been living in my castle for three weeks, and-"
"Four weeks," corrected Cozy, shoving muffin into her mouth.
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You've been here for a long time, and I think it's time for you to go. Now."
Cozy stopped her annoyed antics and started acting like someone worried about something as she placed her hoof on her cheek. "I'll go when I feel Braver's daughter is doing fine."
That took Twilight aback. "What do you mean by that? My granddaughter is doing fine after you and Sunny helped her. I've spoken to her, and she is happy and doing well."
Cozy gave a fake laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that you have a bad habit of being unobvious of others around you. Just because your granddaughter smiles and seems happy doesn't mean she is fine. Trust me, I know a lot about hiding true feelings."
Twilight was going to counter that remark...when she remembered all the times that Braver hid her true feelings and trauma from her and Dash. She hated to admit it, but Cozy had a point. She sighed, lowering her head. "You're right. But how can you help her? I would gladly help, but I have been a little too busy as of late to have time for her, and Braver is out of town as she's a star guest in cutting the red ribbon of Zephyr Height's grand opening of their Grand Library."
Cozy sat up, sipping her tea and tossing it behind her, scattering it against a statue of Twilight's face. "No worries, I can handle it. After all, I have plenty of time."
"Yes, you do..." Twilight covered her mouth. "You freeloader."
"I heard that!"
"Good, I hope you did. Also, can you please stop throwing my snacks around? It's hard to get the staff to clean up the mess you leave."
Sunny happily watched the two fight but soon had a great idea!
Within the darkness, a light blasted out from the opened door. Sunny held her phone out and turned on the flashlight.
"Come on, follow me!" Sunny said, walking down the old castle stairs.
Cozy walked inside the stairway and followed her new friend. It was dark, cold, and wet, and water was leaking through the stone cracks. This place looked old and abandoned.
"So Sunny, why are we here?"
Sunny looked back at her, confused by that question. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Cozy smiled and shook her head. "You just said, 'I have an idea!', started to mumble something about fruits, and just dragged my flank to the Archive door." She walked up to Sunny's side, seeing the poor earth pony blushing.
"...I-I did the fruit mumble thing again? I didn't notice..." Sunny blushed. "S-sorry. Sometimes, I get too nervous or focused on something and start rambling about fruits..." Her ears flopped down. "I hate that weird habit and try so hard to control it, but..."
Cozy messed up Sunny's mane, laughing. "Don't worry, you don't need to be embarrassed. I think it's cute." Cozy's expression became soft, and she saw Sunny somewhat smiling. In her thoughts, Cozy agreed with Braver about Sunny's cute habit.
As deeper they went, Cozy learned why Sunny was heading down to the Archive, where Braver's daughter was. It is a change for Cozy to speak to her.
"Ah, I see. You wanted to learn about Equestria's history, but from another point of view, like that annoying Twilight or others who were there. I see; that makes sense. I'm surprised you didn't come here earlier." But Cozy stopped herself; she started to sweat as she remembered something she had done generations ago.
Cozy remembered learning of this place from Braver when they were still young. She broke in one night and rewrote some of the history books and scrolls that told of events during the whole multiverse problems from Twilight and others' points of view. She even remembered laughing all evil-like.
"Are you okay, Cozy?" Sunny asked, seeing the weird cringe expression on her friend's face. It looked like she was remembering something very embarrassing.
"O-of course! J-Just a spiderweb hit my face!" she lied, blowing air on her face. She wiped the invisible webs from her face and tried to calm herself.
Sunny was unsure why Cozy acted this way but decided not to investigate it further.
The two finally arrived at the Archive door and opened it. They could feel a cold yet fresh breeze coming out. The two entered the Archive and saw many shelves filled with books, scrolls, and even ancient artifacts. They walked through the vast space, looking for Braver's daughter.
"I wonder where that mare is?" said Cozy, looking around. Just as she said that, they turned a corner and saw a ladder falling over and a black blur hitting the floor, making a wet, slushy sound. "There she is..." she smiled and looked down as Sunny joined her.
In front of them was a puddle of black slime slowly reforming into a unicorn mare. As she got up, they could see her black slime body becoming black fur with a light, shiny orange hue on the bottom of her legs; her mane was wavy and magical, flowing somewhat. Her slight dark orange and striped light yellow mane were similar to her mother's. Cozy smiled as she remembered her old friend.
"Are you okay, Black Star Dawn?" Sunny asked, helping up her new friend she had made a few weeks ago.
The mare named Black Star nodded, turning to her. "Yes, sorry. I tried reaching a scroll and didn't notice my ladder slipping." She laughed, a bit embarrassed.
"Just like your mother, Braver! It truly seems you carry those klutz genes in you, Starry!" laughed Cozy, but her laughter slowly died as she noticed Star was giving her a cold stare. "I also see you got Luster genes for giving cold stares..." she coughed.
"It's Black Star Dawn," said Star, dusting herself off and helping Sunny raise the ladder.
Cozy rubbed her neck, feeling uneasy about her attitude. It reminded her too much of a particular unicorn when they were young. "Sorry, I'll try not to do it again, Star. Anyways, we're here-"
"Sunny, why are you here?" Star asked, ignoring Cozy.
Sunny, feeling the tension between them, tried her best to ease it. "W-well, I-I came to learn more about E-Equestria's history! You know, to read about it but through your grandmothers, their friends, and others who saw it first hoof. Normal history books don't go into much detail about what happened and how everyone felt. So, could you show me a few books or scrolls about what happened during those times?"
Star crossed her arms and smirked. "Sure! No problem! What event do you want to read up on? The Great Fire in the Crystal Empire? The Rainbow Sun Dawn incident? Or maybe the one with Aunty Spark against the fallen watcher, Fayth?" They started to walk toward the main Archive logs.
Sunny smiled at the last suggestion. "I hope to meet your Aunt one day. But reading the others you suggested sounds like a great place to start!"
Star smiled, and the two started catching up, making Cozy feel left out and was going to leave, but Star spoke.
"Also, why is the freeloader here with you?" Star glared at Cozy.
"...and even picked up Twilight's bad habit of calling me that," whispered Cozy.
Sunny started to worry and tried to smooth things out between the two. "Star, Cozy wants to see how you are doing and talk to you. Isn't that right, Cozy?"
Cozy could see how her friend was trying to help her, but she could also tell the earth pony was nervous and scared, not wanting them to fight. She put on her smile and nodded. "That's right, I do."
"Then, go talk to a wall."
Sunny's jaw dropped, and her eyes were wide open in shock. Cozy was in the same state as her, except she was sweating bullets.
"W-what?!" Cozy stuttered, stepping back.
"You heard me," repeated Star, narrowing her eyes. "Grandmother was right bout you; you are nothing but an annoying, freeloading, rude, selfish, arrogant, and egotistical jerk!" she faced away from Cozy, whipping her tail at her. "I don't know why my mom sees you as a friend. I've never seen a more selfish, lazy, and irresponsible pony than you. And now, you dare come to our home and act like..." Star stopped herself as she noticed her anger was making her slime body boil and bubble. She took a few deep breaths and cooled herself down. She didn't want to scare Sunny with her outburst. She led them to the room where the multiverse incidents are kept.
Cozy felt herself being stabbed in the heart, which she found ironic since she had a lot of experience with Luster doing that in the past with her. Star was indeed Luster's daughter. She sure knew where to hit her in the weak spots. She knew Star was right. Cozy was selfish and a jerk, but she knew she had changed for the better over these few generations. She could hear her friend, Sunny, talking to Star.
"Please, Star, give her a chance. She might not look like it, but she really wants to talk with you. Please!" begged Sunny, standing between them.
Cozy's heart melted when she saw Sunny's big, watery eyes begging for her. She was just too adorable! Cozy's face blushed, and she had a warm smile. It felt like she was seeing a younger version of Braver who would come to defend her against Luster when Luster was mad at her.
Star's face was that of annoyance and anger. She looked at Sunny and then back at Cozy, and she huffed, lowering her head. "Fine..."
Sunny smiled, looking back and forth at the two.
"But not now, I'm busy! Anyway, here." Star checked the archive's box index of the events Sunny wanted and took them out of the sealed cases. She carefully put it on the counter. "These are recorded events written by my mothers, Grandmothers, our family, and friends. Even the alternate versions of themselves that were staying here at the time."
Sunny approached the mountain of books and scrolls. She was so happy and excited! "Oh, this looks amazing! I'm going to spend the next five years reading these! Thank you so much, Star!"
Star nodded and was going to tell Sunny something but noticed Cozy sweating a ton.
"What's wrong with you, freeloader?"
"N-nothing! Just...thinking...stuff..." Cozy coughed and knew she needed to fix the books and scrolls she had messed up all those years ago. She needed to fix them without Star's knowledge. She didn't want her to hate her even more than she already did. Cozy tried her best to stay calm, but she was worried.
Star was suspicious, but she didn't say anything. She returned to Sunny and suggested reading the records during the Rainbow Sun Dawn incident. But when she said that, Cozy pulled Sunny into a shoulder hug, confusing the two young mares.
"Pfft, why start there? Start at the very beginning! The Rainbow Comet incident! That's where all the future events started." She had a big, nervous smile, hiding that she had messed with records for the Rainbow Sun Dawn incident before messing with the rest, but she never touched that one.
Star glared at Cozy. "Why that incident?"
"What do you mean, 'why that incident?' It's a pretty important event! It's the start of everything!" Cozy nervousness quickly filled with happiness. "It's how Braver and her sister, Blitz, were saved by that annoying Twilight and Rainbow Dash. It's how Braver came to live here, helped many creatures like..." Cozy soon saw flashes of her old friend group, including Tirek, Luna, Tempest, Chrysalis, and...Luster, Star's mother. She quickly shook her head, getting back to reality. "Like the friend she made." she let Sunny go and placed her hoof over Star's head. Pushing her mane into her eyes. "Like your mother! Besides, I'm surprised you are against it. Aren't you a mommy girl regarding that blockhead, Braver?"
Star pushed her hoof away, blushing. "I'm not a 'mommy girl!' I'm just deeply caring about my mother, that is all! There is nothing strange about that! Nothing at all! And I'm not a foal, don't treat me like one!" Star started to walk off, but Cozy had other plans as she tossed random books and scrolls to Sunny on the Rainbow Comet incident.
"C-Cozy?" Sunny asked, not knowing what was happening because she couldn't see anymore with all the books and scrolls over her.
"I'll be back. Have fun reading Twilight's boring and too-detailed accounts of that incident," said Cozy. She walked off, following Star.
Poor Sunny couldn't say anything as the heavy books and scrolls crushed her, but she managed to say. "H-Help..."
Star took the other books from other incidents and started to put them back into the sealed cases, but she stopped when she saw Cozy in the glass reflection, trying to grab a pink book from the Rainbow Sun Dawn incident.
"Don't touch those."
Cozy quickly put her hoof down and tried to act casual. "T-Touch what?"
"You were about to touch the book in the Rainbow Sun Dawn incident," repeated Star, not facing her.
Cozy chuckled, walking to her. "Oh, please, Star, I was just stretching and happened to be near it. Don't jump to conclusions."
"You were sweating and pale when I caught you," Star stated. "If I'm right, then I guess you were planning to destroy it."
Cozy could feel her heart racing, and she couldn't help but sweat and shake. Star was half right. She had planned to undo the damage she had done, but she would never destroy it. She isn't that evil anymore.
"So, why did you want to speak to me anyway?" questioned Star, still putting the books back.
Cozy was about to grab the pink book with her tail, but she stopped when she heard Star wanting to talk with her.
"Huh?"
Star rolled her eyes and turned to her. "You heard me; why did you want to speak to me earlier?"
Cozy's surprised look quickly became a happy one...then a smug one. "I thought you told me to talk to a wall? Are you saying you are boring like a wall, my dear?"
Star's body bubbled again, boiling. "I was mad; I was wrong! Just answer my QUESTION!" she roared, her eyes becoming pure white and her slime trying to form something on her back.
"Okay, okay, jeez, there's no need to twist your slime tentacles. Well, I was going to say..." she blushed and coughed. "How are you doing?"
Star's anger was replaced by confusion. She gave Cozy a weird look. "What?"
"How are you doing? You know, how are things? How is the job going? Do you have a stallion or marefriend yet?
Star was confused about why Cozy was asking these very personal questions.
"You know, the usual," Cozy said, laughing a bit.
"I'm fine," replied Star, turning away from her and returning to her job. She completely ignored the rest of the questions.
Cozy felt her heart racing and was nervous. Why was she so nervous?
"What about your friends? How are they?"
"They are fine, just like me," answered Star, placing the books back.
Cozy knew Star was giving her a cold shoulder, but she would keep talking.
"Come on, Star, don't be like that. I'm trying to get to know you, not make small talk." She used her horn to grab the pink book and hide it under her wing. "Didn't you want to talk now?"
Star kept her focus on her work, not looking back. "I don't remember saying that," her tone was cold. "But fine, if it will get you to leave, then ask what you want."
Cozy sighed at how Star was so stubborn. She reminded her a little too much of Luster sometimes.
"Okay, well...are you eating well? Are you getting enough light? Braver told me that you spend too much time down here or in your room. I know kids these days can have online friends rather than meeting them in person, but spending all your time in your room isn't good for you, Star."
"I'm an adult; stop treating me like a foal like I said!" she shouted, finally facing her again. "I lived for four hundred years! I'm not a foal, so stop treating me like one!" Star slammed the glass case door, cracking it a bit. "Why!? Why are you treating me like that!? Since you came here, you've treated me like a foal, but you treat everyone else, including Sunny, normally. What is wrong with me!?"
Cozy waved that off. "Pfft, what are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about!" Star was getting mad, and her slime started to bubble and boil again. "Like at breakfast and dinner, you try your best to embarrass me or make me feel embarrassed by making a kid's meal!"
Cozy laughed at that. "What? A normal and healthy balanced meal is a kid's meal. Pfft. What kind of diets do you and your generation have?"
"That's not the point! The point is, you're treating me differently, and I want to know why!"
Cozy felt herself being pushed against a wall. No, really, she was. Star used her slime powers to grab and slam her against a nearby wall.
"Answer me!"
Cozy was amazed at how strong Star was. She was like Braver in power when she got mad or got too worked up in a fight, and she felt so proud of her. Cozy would have loved to fight her if she weren't so old.
"Well?"
"Fine, fine, calm down, Star." Cozy sighed. She could see Star was serious. "Honestly, I just want to know you more after I came back into Braver's life and...be there for you," she blushed. "Like, a-WHOA! HEY THERE! CHOKING ME NOW!" shouted Cozy, feeling her body being crashed by Star's slime.
Star's eyes were pure white. "That's why!? It makes sense now why you've been hanging around for so long!" She slammed Cozy into the ground and got closer to her face. "I won't let you make Mom fall in love with you! Her heart only belongs to her real love!"
Cozy tried to force herself up but didn't want to hurt Star. "Star, Luster's been gone for..." Cozy couldn't finish that. "...Braver hadn't taken up another lover. She needs to be happy. You can't blame her for loving somepony again if she finds one. And you can't stop me from loving her again like a-huh?" She could see Star's eyes returning to normal and filled with shock.
"What do you mean mom is loving again?" she started shaking her head in disbelief, feeling so betrayed by her mother. "No! Mom's heart only belonged to one pony, and that isn't you! You are lying if you are telling me you and her are..."
Cozy did a big, scared smile. "D-Dating?"
"NO! NO! NO!" shouted Star, her slime body boiling. "NO!" She roared as the whole Archive room shook with such fury.
And that was when she realized it had all gone wrong. Now, Star was losing control.
"Star! Calm down!"
"NOOO!" she shouted. Her slime tentacles formed from her back and swung around the room, destroying everything. All the record history was being destroyed.
"STAR! YOU'RE MESSING UP THE ARCHIVE!" Cozy struggled to free herself from the slime still on her body.
"NOOO! NOOO!" shouted Star, shaking her head. She refused to believe her mom had found another love.
"STAR, GET A GRIP OF YOURSELF! IF YOU KEEP THIS UP, YOU WILL DESTROY ALL OF THE HISTORY AND RECORDS!"
Star didn't hear her, and more slime tentacles formed from her body, raging against each other. Cozy had seen this before with Braver, but the whole tentacle thing was unique only to Star. Again, she felt proud to see how Star was her own slime entity, but now, Cozy needed to snap her out of it.
Cozy could see Star was losing control with every passing second. It was like a foal throwing a temper tantrum, except in her case, she could destroy the archive and the whole castle if she kept going like that.
"Please, you need to stop!" begged Cozy, finally freeing herself. "I'm begging you! Please, stop!"
Star didn't respond.
Cozy was worried and scared. Star's body was boiling and bubbling, and the tentacles were destroying the room. She needed to stop her, but how? She needed to think quickly, but that's when she felt the book under her wing, remembering the Rainbow Sun Dawn incident.
It was a gamble; it could make things way worse based on what she was about to say to her, but Cozy was willing to take it. She breathed in and out, slowly looking at Star, and started to walk toward her.
"Star?"
No response again.
"Star, you need to stop. You said you don't want to be seen as a foal, but you are acting like one now. Act your age..." Cozy became ashamed. "Because you were right. I shouldn't be treating you like one; I should treat you like an adult."
Star glared at her hard. Star's tentacles darted toward Cozy, whipping or cutting her body slightly. Cozy was in so much pain, but she had to push through it. She kept walking to her.
"Star, please, listen to me, and listen good! Remember what I said you were like your mother? Your mane is hers, and just by looking at you..." Cozy smiled and teared up a bit. "You remind me of her so much! It's like looking into a mirror from the past. You also have her beautiful and colorful personality and her love for Braver that no one can rival, not even my own."
"S-SHUT UP!" said Star, seeing Cozy was still pushing toward her no matter how hard she tried to push her back.
"But you know something? You also carry the bad parts of her—the bad things that strangers only saw in her, the bad things I saw in her. The stubbornness and anger are the worst of them." Cozy could see the pain in Star's eyes; her body was slowing down, and the tentacles were weakening. She knew what Star was realizing.
"The Rainbow Sun Dawn, do you remember what happened during that incident?"
Star didn't want to answer.
"I was there when it happened. When Luster and her evil pony-eared human counterpart destroyed Canterlot, they summoned that black water that burned the land across Equestria, the Great Fire in the Crystal Empire, and even started the universe breakdown when Rainbow Sun Dawn almost destroyed the whole multiverse. All that is because Luster was obsessed with Braver, and you know what happened after the aftermath." Cozy hated remembering all of that. She also hated seeing Star's tears as she started crying.
"M-Mom isn't a monster! You are wrong! T-They are wrong!" she sobbed. "S-She isn't a monster! Mom wasn't a monster! That wasn't her!"
"Oh, but it was," said Cozy, her heart breaking. "Her toxic love and obsession with Braver caused so much chaos and destruction."
"I-I-It was that human version of her! She was the monster! Mom wasn't like that!" Star dropped to her knees, remembering how her mother was treated up to her death. "She was just being controlled and made to do all that."
"But she did them," Cozy replied. "It didn't matter if she was controlled or not; she did those horrible things. I know it hurts, but it is the truth."
Without warning, Star became a twisted slime monster, grabbing Cozy and trying to crush her as she screamed, "BREAKER! LIAR! I'LL BREAK YOU FOR LYING! MOM WAS CONTROLLED! NO MATTER HOW MANY I TRIED TO TELL THEM, NOBODY WOULD BELIEVE ME!"
Cozy shut her eyes and smiled. "...even has Braver rage when she gets so mad." She opened her eyes and looked in the pure white hallowed out eyes. "Look at yourself now. Tell me why they should have believed you when you look like this, like a monster."
Star flinched. "T-That's not true! I'm not a monster! We aren't...monsters..."
"If you don't calm down, you will become the very thing they are afraid of and the very thing Luster wanted to protect you from."
"W-What?" whispered Star, her tentacles starting to melt away.
"No matter what she did, there were those who still feared and hated her—those who thought she was a monster or some demon. Luster was afraid that if creatures thought that way about her, they would think the same about you. Even if you were the granddaughter of the Princess of Friendship, many would think you would carry Luster's evilness somehow. But look at yourself now. What would they say if they saw you like this?" Cozy could see Star slowly returning to normal. "What would your mother say if she saw her daughter, her precious little Star, losing her temper and acting like a monster."
Star saw the flash of her mother, the last memory of her, on her death bed, smiling at her before her mother shut her eyes for the last time...telling her she loved her...
"I'm sorry..." cried Star, freeing Cozy and returning her slime to her body. She even started to melt as she continued to cry. "I-I'm sorry."
Cozy sighed and hugged her. "Shh...it's okay."
"No, it isn't; I did the one thing my mother was trying to prevent. She didn't want to be seen as a monster, and look at me; I acted like one they all feared."
"I know. It is okay," she said, rubbing her head.
"Why are you acting so nice to me!? You should be hating me for the awful things I did..." Star could see the bruises and cut marks on Cozy's body. "I-I hurt you!"
Cozy shook her head. "Pfft, please, this is nothing. Besides, I've seen worse," she replied, thinking about when she had to fight Shining Armor and Cadance, who were turned into flame demons thanks to an evil version of Sunset Shimmers. But even though she was okay, Cozy could see how upset Star was about her hurting her. Cozy swore she saw Luster for a split second, making Cozy remember Luster asking forgiveness from Cozy and their friends after stopping Rainbow Sun Dawn.
"Please, Star, I'm not mad," Cozy told her.
"But..."
"Shh, no more, it is fine." Cozy was going to hug her, but the book she was carrying fell out, and Star noticed it.
Star picked up the book. "What? Isn't this a recorded book about the Rainbow Sun Dawn? Wait..." her eyes widened as she saw the name on it. "My mother wrote this book for the archive..." She looked at Cozy, who was sweating bullets again. "Why do you have this?"
"I-Uhh...I was going to check it out?" Cozy said, nervously laughing.
Star narrowed her eyes and opened the book. She started reading it.
Cozy tried to top her as she didn't want her to hate her.
"Star! Please don't be mad! I know I changed things in that book and ruined them, but...huh?" Cozy could see Star crying as she flipped the pages and finally looked at her.
"My mother wrote that she saw herself as a monster, a pony who shouldn't ever be forgiven. She deserved all the hate she was given over the years. She even wanted the future generation to hate her and welcome it by writing that what she did was all her fault. Yet, what you wrote over it were..."
Star looked back at the pages, seeing Cozy Bad Hoof writing over her mother's writing and talking about how Luster should be forgiven and wasn't a monster. She even wrote loving and caring words about her, but what really stuck out was what Cozy had written for the future generation.
"It's easy to hate someone, especially those who did such horrific things, but we should try to understand why they did it and try to forgive them. Giving others a second chance is good, and we should always forgive and move on. Hating and judging a pony based on their past actions isn't good, even if it is terrible. You can never change the past, but you can change your future into a better one. A brave pony once showed me that."
Star could feel the love and kindness in the words and how they were written. They were written with care and understanding, and Star realized something.
"You loved her a lot, didn't you? Just like how my mom loved her." she closed the book and held it tight as she looked up at Cozy.
"...I love them both, and even though Luster won in loving Braver, I never stopped loving them both. They were my childhood friends, after all."
"But why did you leave, and why did you return now? After all those years!? There was no way it wasn't just to fix my relationship with my Mom or get back together with her! You could have done that sooner!" Star asked, confused.
Cozy smiled softly. "I couldn't. I felt I had no reason to return."
"Huh? What does that mean?"
"It was a selfish decision. I left because I felt like I was going to betray your mother when the sad day came. Luster isn't like us; Alicorns and Slime creatures can outlive normal creatures. I shouldn't be with your mother, Braver, because I'm not the pony she needed."
"What? Why would you think that?"
"When I heard about Luster's passing, I had this gut feeling to return, but I had to stop myself because, as I said, I'll never be good enough for Braver and can't make her happy like Luster did..."
Star became more confused by this. "B-But didn't you say you were dating my mom!?"
Cozy laughed and blushed hard. "What!? No! I just finished what you were going to say. You were the one who thought I was dating her!"
"Huh?" Star's eyes became wide. "I-I'm sorry." She bowed her head in shame and embarrassment.
Cozy couldn't help but notice how cute Star was acting. "Hehehe, it's fine, but the truth is why I came back." She put her hoof under Star's chin and forced her to look at her. "Was for you."
"H-Huh? Why?"
"Because I want to be part of your life and want you to trust me, To see me as a friend!" she confessed.
"Why do you care so much about me? Why should I believe you?" Star asked, not sure what to feel or do.
Cozy's eyes teared up. "Because, as Sunny and her friends told me, you were acting like me...you were pushing away Braver because you..."
A single tear fell Star's cheeks when it finally clicked as she finished Cozy's sentence.
"Felt like I wasn't a good enough daughter to her. The problems I gave her made me think she should have moved on and not have anything to do with me..."
Star couldn't believe it; they were more alike than she thought.
"But the truth is, you are her world, and she wants to be part of your life no matter what. Another reason I came back is that I know that Blockhead will be like her mom, Twilight, overthinking and worrying about the smallest things in trying to repair her relationship with you. Tell me, she tried to hang out with you while reading off a flashcard, right?"
"Yeah," Star nodded, thinking about how silly the moment was.
"That is the worst way of going about it. Glad I came back and helped her!" Cozy was so happy she did but returned on topic. "I also knew you were still feeling down about what happened. There are always two sides to a problem, and I figured your side, your problem, wasn't fixed yet. It's why I'm here. I helped Braver, and now I'm helping you..." Cozy felt a little shy. "If you want, of course."
"Of course I do. You're a good pony. Mom is right about that," Star said, hugging her.
Cozy was slightly off guard, but she smiled and returned the hug. "So, does that mean we are friends?"
Star chuckled and nodded her head. "Yes! I'd love to be your friend!"
Cozy hugged her tighter, remembering Luster did the same. They let go, and Cozy clapped her hooves,
"Good! Since we cleared that up, I'm feeling a little hungry, and the royal fridge is calling my name! What do you say, Star? Do you want to eat some snacks with me?"
"Oh, yes, I'd love to!" Star replied, her stomach growling.
They were about to leave when they suddenly remembered Sunny, trapped under the mountain of books and scrolls. They help her out, but one of the books drops and opens, making Star see inside...only to slowly glare at Cozy, who quickly remembers the other reason she came down here.
"...oh...right..."
It was nighttime, and Twilight walked down the stairway to the Archive. Neither Sunny nor Star ever showed up for dinner, though she was happy Cozy didn't. She hoped they were okay and wanted to find and check in on them...not Cozy, though.
"Sunny? Star? Are you two still in here? You two need to come and eat...huh?"
Twilight could see a bright light from the crack in the door and peek in. She could see Sunny asleep, surrounded by books and magic spray to remove ink stains.
"She must have fallen asleep while cleaning some books," Twilight whispered, not wanting the others to see her. She could see Star and Cozy talking and laughing as Cozy was retelling her adventures from the past and even about helping save the multiverse.
"How do I know you really helped save it? You wrote lies in those records, making yourself look like the big hero! How can I trust you?" asked Star, teasing her.
"I have pictures of the aftermath!" Cozy snapped, annoyed. "But if you don't believe me, ask your blockhead mother or Twilight!" She tsk loudly as she saw Star pointing to the books she had written in the past. Just remembering what she did makes her cringe at her past self.
"Why did you write all these lies about yourself? Did you have a power-hungry ego back then?"
Cozy glared at Star and crossed her arms. "You are being just as rude as your mother, Luster, right now."
"I take that as a compliment," Star smiled, looking at her.
Cozy chuckled and sighed. "Honestly, it is complicated. I was young and stupid and thought I had to become powerful to get attention and prove my worth...even to your blockhead mother. But I wasn't like how I was before, before meeting that blockhead!" Cozy cringed even more as she remembered her evil phase. "Who just wanted power and to prove that friendship or love wasn't needed to have said power? Ugh, I can't believe I was that stupid. Glad that blockhead put sense into me and the others."
Twilight smiled and turned away, not wanting to intrude on the two anymore. She was happy that Star was opening up to someone, even if it was Cozy, but she heard Star asking Cozy something before she could leave.
"...hey."
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
Star blushed a little. "I want my mom to be happy and want her to find somepony special again. I know you said you feel like you aren't the mare for her, but I feel..." she looked at her, smiling. "I know you can make her happy! Can't you stay?"
Cozy was surprised by this request. "Star...I...I'm flattered, but..."
"Please, please, you have to stay! You said my mom sees me as her whole world, but I realized that when Mom talks about you, looks at you, and smiles, I know you're her whole universe!"
"...Star," whispered Cozy, her heart aching.
"Please, can't you try and see where it goes with her? For me? I...no." She corrected herself. "We need you!"
Cozy's eyes softened. She remembered Luster begging her not to leave all those years ago when she figured out why she was going, and Star was doing the same.
"Besides, how you treat me and how much you love my mom...I wouldn't mind calling you..." Star placed her hoof on Cozy's hoof, blushing. "My mom too...if you two marry each other."
Cozy's face exploded in redness.
"STAR!" shouted Cozy, but she quickly covered her mouth as they turned to a sleeping Sunny, who hadn't woken up. She turned back to Star and messed up her mane, so happy, but stopped and asked her for a flavor. "Don't tell Twilight about this!"
"Huh? About what?" Star asked, confused.
Cozy smiled happily, glad Twilight was here right now. "About the fact that she will be my mother-in-law if Braver and I marry! I can't wait to see how she'll react!"
Cozy chuckled evilly, making Star smile, but unknown to the two, Twilight had the most horrified look on her face when she heard. She slowly went back up the stairs, dreading the thought of Cozy being her daughter-in-law...but that thought was quickly pushed out as she stopped, took out a green crystal, and looked at it as her eyes became lifeless and cold.
"This will make things harder if Cozy is going to be around." She continued up the steps, reaching the door. She could see four shadow figures standing in the bright white-light doorway. "Living without you all, my friends..." She could see a pegasus joining the four other shadows, reaching out to Twilight. "My love...you all promised to find me again after you all had passed away." She looked at her phone, seeing the photos of Sunny's friends, making Twilight smile all creepy-like. "And you did, and when I finish the Unity Crystals, you'll be reunited with me again."
Twilight stepped into the light and shut the door, leaving only darkness...
The cloaked figure shuts the book.
"This is where this story ends, but maybe it won't. Maybe it will have a true ending, who knows."
The figure turns to the vast golden tree, with a bright white light heading toward it.
"Maybe that true ending is coming sooner than anyone thinks..."
The End...for now
Author's Note
I still haven't decided if I should go into the G5 stuff with my current g4 fic series in the future, and this was mostly a test of me trying to capture the future of g5 but also how both g5 and 4 are about friendship and helping others.
Also, this was a great chance to do a Cozy story about how she has matured over the years—er, generations!
Like I said, I tried to explain this universe's backstory, so you don't need to read the past fics. The only thing I will explain is how Luster and Braver had a kid. Will, in my G4 universe, slimes are like slugs. They are hermaphrodites.
For those that have been following my little series, I hope you enjoy this one small fic! 
Edit: oops double posted the intro some how lol fixed it
