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Cozy opens her eyes, which meet a sparkling crystalline ceiling that looks like it was just installed. She groans and tries to lift her head up, but finds that she can't. Worse still, the warmth she felt is now gone, replaced by some cheap blankets and bedsheets.

"H...hello?" she rasps, looking around the room for any sign of life. Nothing presents itself, not even the chaser.

As much as she hates to admit it, she would be scared, if she didn't feel so tired. She tries to lift her entire body up this time, but can't. It's almost like she's bound to the be-

...Wait.

She is bound to the bed.

With what little strength she has, she thrashes about, trying to free herself by jerking her hoofcuffed legs left and right. But the bars placed up around her don't budge. With that option shot down, she goes for her wings next, but can't unfold them. The rattling of chains all but confirms that her torso is wrapped in them in order to keep her wings strapped to her body and prevent her from flying.

Her gaze moves to the door, where she can swear she sees a pony moving off to the right side. A guard, perhaps? Or the chaser? It's hard to tell.

Another pony comes into view and opens the door. The tall stature, pink fur, and long horn is instantly recognizable to Cozy.

"Hello, Cozy Glow," the chaser greets with a small smile. "How are you feeling?"

That question gets a small moan.

"One of the palace nurses will be in soon to check on you." The chaser glances at the screen next to the bed. "Vitals seem to be steady."

Cozy takes a few heavy breaths, then mutters in a weak voice, "Let me go."

"I'm afraid I can't do that just yet. You need to get better first."

"W..." Cozy coughs. "What do you want?"

That question makes the chaser's look turn serious. "You were wrong to run away after you became freed," she began. "Even putting aside the fact that a filly like you shouldn't have been able to fly far up north into the Crystal Empire's territory on her own wingpower, you nearly died instead of coming with me." Her eyes glinted with some sort of an emotion Cozy couldn't place. "Why did you run?"

Isn't it obvious? Who wouldn't run after being freed from their infinite punishment and given a second chance? Wasn't like I was gonna stay there and have Twilight and her little cronies capture me, let alone the likes of you. The brain forms the words, but in her weak state, Cozy can't spit them out. She resorts to a simple roll of her shoulders instead.

"Cozy, this is going to sound a little farfetched, but hear me out." The chaser moves to the side of the bed. "Perhaps you were freed so you could be reformed. I've met fillies like you before, charged with hatred and darkness instead of love. There are many out there in Equestria. Almost too many." She takes pause for a second before continuing. "My theory is that your anger has to come from some biological root. Perhaps you didn't have a good home life growing up. If that's the case, then love is-"

"And this is what you call love?" Cozy spits, her voice hoarse as she moves her leg upwards to show the chaser her binding. A cough or two is pushed out from her lungs, but she doesn't care. "You save me, then you leave me here to get better...and then what? Do I get executed? Do I get a shard of your little Crystal Heart embedded in me as a mercy kill? Or does Fury Fart do the honors?"

Her rage only worsens her condition as she begins coughing with all the intensity of a cat trying to throw up a massive hairball. The chaser doesn't flinch, instead putting on a look of pity. "When you start getting better, then we can start with your reformation."

Cozy lets out a final cough, then her muzzle wrinkles in disgust. "Reformation? What, are you gonna hug me to death?"

The chaser smirks. "Yes, actually."

"Golly, that's so funny I forgot to laugh. I really would if I didn't feel so dehydrated." Cozy points to the door and puts on a display of puppy eyes. "Surely you can find room in your heart to give this poor sick filly some water?"

"Of course! Be right back."

Only after the chaser leaves does Cozy realize that her manipulation tactics really are a no-sell. She slams a hoof down onto the bed with a cry of frustration. If she can't manipulate the pony holding her hostage, if she can't control her, then what good was she? She fooled three alicorns but couldn't fool a fourth one? What was wrong with her? Was it because she was sick?

As she lets the thoughts churn in her head, the chaser returns with a crystalline cup of water in her blue magic. "Here you are," she says, holding the cup close to Cozy's lips. "Go ahead and sip."

Cheeks turning red, Cozy does as she's told, sipping the water eagerly. She's not sure if it's because the water is magical in some way or if it's just due to her being hydrated, but she regains a bit of energy back.

"What happened to me?" she asks, her voice a little stronger.

"You collapsed in the snow. I brought you into my warming bubble and took you to my castle to recover," the chaser explains. "You developed hypothermia, Cozy. If I had left you, you would've died."

Cozy jerks her head away, only turning her head back slightly when she feels a gentle hoof on her cheek and shoulder.

"You're getting to be a little warmer. That's good." The chaser smiles. "My nurses do want to keep you here for a little bit, though."

The hoofcuffs rattle. "Chained to the bed?"

"Not quite. Tomorrow is when we start the reformation process."

"But I'll still be hoofcuffed."

"...Yes."

A tsk sound leaves Cozy before she bitterly remarks, "Golly, that's a real pity."

"If you cooperate, then it should only be temporary," the chaser assures. "Now, after the nurse sees you, try to get some more sleep, okay? Dinner should be in about a couple hours, so you're welcome to tell her what you want to eat."

Cozy gives a noncommittal grunt, if only so the chaser will leave her alone. When the door opens and closes again, she stares up at the ceiling.

She hates to admit it, but that warmth from before actually felt...good. It was a sort of warmth she had never felt before. Not a warmth that came about when her plan to steal the magic from Equestria was going off without a hitch or when she teamed up with the Legion of Doom and became its leader, but a warmth that she had only felt from her dad a few times before.

She hates to admit it, but...she wants more of it. And it was being offered.

Maybe she could play along, if she got more warmth from the chaser out of it. Maybe the chaser was on to her ways, but she had one more gambit up her sleeve.