Conflicted Counsel

by CherryPopsyPone

Rating: everyone
Tags: Drama, Trixie, Cozy Glow, Starlight Glimmer, Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 13093

Starlight is recruited to interrogate a recently freed Cozy Glow. Cozy Glow isn't going to make it easy.

Starlight Glimmer is troubled by the recent decision to free Cozy Glow from her stone prison; a decision of which she herself was in favour. An impromptu visit from the Princess of Friendship suddenly sees Starlight aiding in the reformation of the manipulative filly, who has been refusing to speak to anyone about the identity, or location, of her parental guardians.

So just how is Starlight supposed to find success, when it's clear Cozy hates her as much as she hates anypony?

My last minute entry for the 5th Annual Cozy Glow Short Story Contest, using the "Cozy's got a secret" prompt.

Update: Featured 10/06/24, ty~!

Published 2024-10-07 00:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-10-07 00:20:00 UTC

Almost Good Advice

“When Sunburst told me you were spending the weekend in Canterlot to talk with her of all ponies, I just knew I had to come and lend my support!”

I smile warmly at the mare seated across from me. It was definitely a shock to see her here, but she always seems to find me when I’m at my lowest. The guards at the castle weren’t exactly welcoming upon her arrival, but once Twilight knew she was here, she was happy to give Trixie directions to my room. It was still the early afternoon, so she and I decided to go out for lunch. We found ourselves seated at the ever successful Tasty Treat, the strong aroma of delectable spices and fresh ingredients floating through the atmosphere.

“I really do appreciate it Trixie, but... I’m afraid you’re a little late. I’ve already had my talks with Cozy, and they didn’t go so great.”

Trixie’s ears were perked, and she stared attentively. She must have picked up on my tone, whatever nuances there were in my voice to signal that I had something to get off my chest. It’s scary how well my friends all know me at this point. “Yesterday, I tried relating to her, and today, I tried listening to her, but both times she completely shot me down.”

Our waiter serves us our meals. Trixie doesn’t take her eyes off me, but has a sip of her tea. I sigh, continuing, “She’s totally unable to see past her grudge for basically all of Equestria, me included. I wish I could say I was surprised, but I really don’t know what Twilight was expecting! We all knew Cozy wasn’t going to make this easy for us. Just what exactly would I have to offer her to make her suddenly feel like cooperating!?”

“Hmm. I was against the whole thing from the beginning. You know I believe in third chances, but there’s just something about that filly that rubs me the wrong way,” Trixie comments before taking a bite of her food.

It’s true, I was well aware of her own opinion of Cozy Glow’s reformation. Thankfully, nopony gave her a say, and she supported me anyway. “Even so, there are some punishments that are just too far for a pony her age, no matter what she’s done,” I argue in response. Trixie just shrugs.

I start picking at my food with a fork, trying to find my appetite. “I don’t know. I knew coming here had a small chance of actually working out, so I shouldn’t feel bad about things going according to my expectations, right? But I’m just left with this nagging feeling that I could have done more, y’know? I really do want to help, for everypony’s sake, but I just don’t know what else I can do.”

“Starlight, just because you were one of the ponies who wanted her free from stone doesn’t make her your responsibility. You did your best and everypony’s thankful for that,” Trixie assures. She didn’t always take even important matters seriously, but well, I made her the new guidance counsellor for a reason. I haven’t regretted it either; she’s been doing excellent work and all the students really love her. When she cares, then it really shines through. She continues, “If Cozy Glow decided she doesn’t want your help, then I say that’s her problem, not yours. Let Twilight deal with that train wreck; you tried to help, but you have your own responsibilities to consider.” She finishes her proclamation with a mighty chomp.

I grin sincerely. I really appreciated having her in my corner. “Thanks, Trix.” I take a deep breath, followed by a drink of my tea. I still wasn’t really feeling totally myself, but this talk was probably what I needed to move forward. “I think I just need to get back to my routine, and get this whole mess off my mind.”

Trixie winks. “That’s what I’m here for!”

After sharing a smile, we’re able to enjoy our meal in some relative peace, and I can stop thinking about Cozy Glow. I tried, but Trixie’s right; it’s no longer my problem.

No more thinking about Cozy Glow.

Not a single thought about what more I could have done.

Yep, gonna stop feeling like a failure.

Any second now.

Gonna move right on, and enjoy lunch with my friend.

Stop thinking about her.

There’s nothing to do.

Stop.

Stop!

“Starlight!!”

I jump. “Huh? What?”

“I’ve called your name like, three times now.”

“O-oh, uh. Sorry.”

“You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you.”

“W-what?? Pshh, nooo.”

Trixie couldn’t have looked less convinced. She sighs. “Alright, let’s try something else. What did you talk about?”

I groan sadly. No slipping anything past her. “Well, um, y-yesterday I told her about my own villainous past. She didn’t believe me at first, but uh, let’s just say that I was able to convince her.”

“Nothing to worry about, I’m sure.”

I shoot Trixie a look. She’s unphased. I huff, and continue, “I thought that, if I could show her that sometimes these things are tied to something that happened during foalhood, she might be more open to talk about hers.”

Trixie taps her chin in thought, then nods. “Okay, I see. And how about today?”

Suddenly I felt like I was being counseled. I guess that was true, in a way. “Today, I tried a different approach. I acted casual, and tried getting her to talk about her thoughts and feelings. Anything mundane. I just wanted her to feel comfortable with me, but I think by the end of it I felt even less comfortable with her.”

“Can’t imagine why,” she quips. I scowl at her. “Sorry. Go on.”

We sit in silence. I tap my hooves together.

“...Wait, that was it?” she asks after a hoofful of seconds.

“Trixie!!”

“Sorry! Just... That was really all you tried?”

I pout. Trixie’s just as quick getting on my nerves as she is helping me feel better.

She sighs, “Look, all I’m saying is, I think I get why she never told you anything.”

“I thought you were here to support me, not criticize me.”

“Eh, what’s the difference at the end of the day?”

I give her a look that I hope conveyed how close she was to getting a cup of hot tea to the face.

She apparently got the message, lifting her hooves defensively. “Okay okay, hear me out. You and I both remember our time on the dark side. For better or worse, it will haunt us for the rest of our lives even if we’ve both moved on and become better ponies yadda yadda. Whatever.” If she talks like this with students, maybe it would be worth looking into her methods after all. “When you were fighting with Twilight and her friends, what annoyed you more than anything?”

I look at her with surprise. I wasn’t at all ready for that question. I’m not even sure how to answer, so I just tilt my head.

Thankfully, it was a rhetorical question, and she elaborates, “I’m willing to bet that it was when anypony acted like they knew better than you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know! All the friendship speeches, the appeals to your better nature. I may not have been there during your encounters with Twilight’s group, but if I’ve learned anything about the Princess of Friendship, it’s that she can’t wait to spread her rhetoric to anypony who is, or isn’t, willing to listen.”

I frown. “But it isn’t just some rhetoric. Without friendship, we-”

“That’s not the point I’m making. I know it’s important. As much as I hate to admit it, we wouldn’t have even met without her and her spiels. But if anypony even tried to sell me on the magic of friendship while I had the... amulet that shall not be named, I would have shut them up faster than they could say ‘harmony.”

I remember doing just that myself, actually. Maybe Trixie really was making a good point here, I just needed to figure out what it was. “What are you getting at here, Trix?”

She claps her hooves together and looks at me with a strange amount of conviction. “I think you were treating Cozy as if she was already reformed, instead of treating her like an enemy.”

...Okay, she lost me.

My hoof moves to my brow. “Alright Trix, you’re going to have to explain this one. If we’re trying to get her to be our ally-, no, our friend, how in Equestria would treating her like she’s still our enemy help?”

“Because that’s exactly how she sees things. You said it yourself; when you tried to appeal to her with compassion, she wouldn’t even give you the time of day. And why would she? To her, you’re still somepony in the way of her goals. If I were her, I wouldn’t want to tell you anything either.” She sips her tea.

On the whole, I agreed with what Trixie was saying. It was basically the crux of why I was so reluctant about helping in the first place, but... “Okay, so what then? If she won’t ever listen to our reasoning, then how are we supposed to help her?”

Trixie takes a thoughtful bite of her meal. I think she was trying to look wise. I’m just glad she remembered to swallow before continuing. “You don’t help her. It’s just like I said. What you were trying before? In her eyes, it must have been no better than Twilight preaching to her about the meaning of friendship after she took over the school. You’re basically looking down on her, if you think about it. Acting like you know what’s better for her than she does.”

Again, Trixie was raising really good points. As a former rebellious filly myself, I can’t think of anything that irritated me more than adults pretending they knew about what I was going through, and what I wanted. To say nothing of when Twilight and I travelled through time. All the same, this didn’t really address the main problem. “Alright, so what do we do? We can’t just give up on her.”

“As I said, you all should be treating her like she’s still your enemy, because in all honesty she might as well be. And what do we do to our enemies?”

“...We turn them to stone, which we’ve all agreed isn’t the answer here.”

“I wouldn’t say we’ve all agreed on that, but I digress. What you have to do is challenge her.”

“Challenge her?”

Trixie finishes her plate. I’ve still hardly touched mine, but at this point I’m all ears. After dabbing her lip with a napkin, she explains, “You need to show her that you still view her as a threat, whether or not that’s true. Instead of asking Cozy to tell you about herself, you need to push her to do it. Don’t make her feel pitied, make her feel like an adversary!”

I start thinking it over. She really may be onto something. Cozy promised she’d never tell us anything as long as we were trying to befriend her, but if she were put into a position where she felt like she had to tell us... Was this the shift in perspective I needed?

Trixie has stolen my plate, but I’m not too concerned at the moment. She continues between bites, “Of course I’m not suggesting you do anything extreme, just... Provoke her a bit. Flaunt your victories. Anything that will send the message that the conflict is mutual. I’m sure she’ll be a lot more receptive to that than trying to get her to change her ways. Then, once she slips up, you attack! ...Erm, metaphorically.”

It’s like the road forward suddenly comes into view all at once. “By trying to show her respect through empathy... we’ve actually been disrespecting her instead! Oh my gosh, Trixie! You’re a genius!!”

Trixie beams and puffs out her chest. “Well, what can I say? The wise and insightful Trixie has always been a boon for the troubled mind. It’s just a shame that you’ve already finished- Whoa!”

I’ve already jumped out of my seat and raced past her towards the exit. I needed to see Twilight right away. “Sorry Trixie, we’ll meet up later! Thanks for the help!!”

“Hey, wait! Starlight!!”

I’m already running down the street. Trixie shrugs and continues eating my food.

A Call for Help

Two days.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

Two whole days since Cozy Glow was freed from stone.

Was it the right thing to do? I was one of the propositions most outspoken supporters, but even I had some doubts about me. Equestria was not currently fighting yet another attempt at total subjugation, so that was probably a good sign.

Still, the fact that Cozy was even capable of such a thing was enough to make even the most steadfast guard shiver. The fact that she’d nearly succeeded. Twice.

I sighed. The cocoa in my mug was cooling quickly. School had already let out for today, I just had some paperwork to finish up before I could go home. And here I am, staring outside my office window like I expect the fields beyond to suddenly burst into flame.

I shook my head, turning away from my morbid, ridiculous vision. I needed to stay realistic about this. We knew there was no hope for Tirek, and I saw Chrysalis totally reject the idea of reformation firsthoof.

But Cozy?

She’s just a filly.

A filly that shoved me into a huge, magic sapping vortex to await my inevitable doom, sure. But a filly all the same. She’s so young and she’s still growing. There’s still so much out there for her to learn about the world. About friendship. She’s not some thousand-year old entity, she still has her entire life ahead of her. No matter what she’s done, it’s wrong to sentence her to the same fate we once gave the Lord of Chaos.

Besides, if even he qualified for redemption, certainly she should as well, right?

...

I’ve made that argument a lot in the past month or two, but I know it’s my own redemption at the heart of it. I can’t help but see a bit of myself in her. I never hungered for absolute power the same way she seems to, but the hatred that grew inside me nearly led to Equestria’s total destruction. And even before then, it’s not like I didn’t dream about one day changing the entire land to fit my ideals.

We’re not, or at least we weren’t, the same. I don’t need to be told that much. Our motives, our goals... they may have led to a similar fate, but they were different. Even still, whenever I look at her, flashes of my past self fill my thoughts before I can stop them. Maybe it’s because I know things don’t need to be that way. If I was able to start over, to change myself for the better and find what I was really looking for... Surely, Cozy Glow can do the same, right?

Nothing was scarier to me right now than the answer to that question.

I was about to give up on these lousy papers and get ready to leave, when there was a knock at my door.

“Starlight?”

Sunburst. No surprise, he’s always here later than me. “Yes, what’s up?”

I was prepared for him to pester me about some documents, certainly not for what he said when he cracked open the door. “You have a guest.”

I cocked an eyebrow at the snarky grin he was wearing. Who could possibly be visiting the school right now that Sunburst would be so pleased about?

The deep purple alicorn that strolled inside dressed in regalia answered my question before I could speak it aloud, and I jumped out of my chair.

Silly me, there was only one pony it could be.

“Twilight!?”

“Well, this is certainly a welcome surprise. What brings the ruler of all Equestria to this humble side of the land?”

She rolls her eyes with a smile, and I’m glad my light teasing was taken with good humour. At least that means it isn’t some emergency.

Sunburst had helped me set up a table with some tea, then gave us some privacy. My poor cocoa sat cold and forgotten atop my desk. I wasn’t kissing up to Twilight just because she was in charge of the whole country; she’s been my boss for basically as long as we’ve been friends anyway. No, the hospitality was precisely because she’s my friend. We keep in touch, and see eachother semi-often for business reasons (I am running her school, after all,) but all of us see her a lot less often since she became our new official ruler. Nothing we didn’t expect, but it does call for making the times we do see her as special as we can.

The two of us sit across from eachother, and she takes a sip from her cup. I feel a lot calmer with her around. It’s hardly been half a year, and I feel like she’s grown into her new role quite nicely. “You look taller.”

Twilight groans, “Tell me about it. There must be something about that throne; I feel like I’m getting my attire re-fitted every month.”

We share a laugh. This is nice, but if she’s making a surprise visit then I know there’s another reason she’s in Ponyville. “Really though, what’s the occasion? Something I can help with?”

She practically winces, and I can tell immediately she’s been trying to put this off. It’s not very assuring. With a sigh, she continues, “I really wish I could say I’m simply here to visit some friends, but yes, there is actually. Some business you’ve already had a slight hoof in, as a matter of fact.”

Well now I’m curious. “What is it? I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?”

She’s quick to shake her head. I’m not in trouble at least. “No no, nothing like that. It’s... Well...

“It’s Cozy Glow.”

Of course it is.

I need to hold myself back jumping onto the table. “What!? What did she do? Is everypony okay??”

I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I was an outspoken supporter, and neither was Twilight when she said I’d already been involved. During the trials to determine the final decision in the matter, I’d given a thorough testimony. I was her guidance counsellor after all, and current headmare of the school where she executed her initial plans. Again, not to mention when she pushed me into the magic suck-orb. Not to gloat, but it’s possible that without me, she wouldn’t have been freed.

Now I was terrified I was about to regret ever opening my mouth.

Twilight was once again quick to reassure me, with the added assistance of magicking me back to my seat. “Hold on Starlight, it’s nothing like that! She hasn’t escaped and nopony has gotten hurt.” She lifted the tea to my lips, and I drank more than I meant to, a bit dribbling from the corner of my lip. “Just breathe, you’re Starlight-ing,” she added with a smug wink.

I tried to glare at her, but before too long we’re both laughing. I’m almost upset that worked. I take a moment to calm my thumping heart. “Okay, so then what’s the problem? How can I help?”

She takes a glance towards my desk before she answers. Her old desk, I suppose. “You recall, after she tried to erase magic, you and I had a look at her student documents?” I give an affirmative nod. “We weren’t nearly thorough enough with applications. Perhaps I was too trusting. One way or another, she slipped into the system with a fake guardian.”

I frown. I certainly felt responsible for that, considering I was at least partially involved with student applications. We just assumed nopony would lie about that on a form, and we had our hooves full with the foreign students. She never even attended any parent-teacher conferences, come to think of it. The EEA definitely would’ve let us have it for that screw-up if Neighsay himself wasn’t busy changing his tune on other creatures living within Equestria. Not to mention he was as fooled as the rest of us.

Twilight continued, “As soon as we found out the pony she wrote down as her family didn’t exist, we wrote it off as another thing to condemn her for, and left it at that. I suppose we were all still frustrated at what happened, and wanted to move on, but...” she stopped. I waited. “...Once again, we should have been more thorough.”

I tilt my head. I wasn’t sure where she was going with this, but I was all ears.

Twilight’s expression appeared to grow more firm by the minute. I think she was finally getting to the point. “Once she was released from stone and placed into a more... well, ethical confinement, we agreed that one of the first things we should do is locate her parents. Obviously, the first thing I recalled was that she lied about who was taking care of her while she was in Ponyville. However, I thought learning who really raised her would be as easy as asking her. At this point, what reason would she have to lie about it?”

I always did think it was odd that no one stepped forward to claim her after all that happened, even after she was initially placed in Tartarus. My best guess was not wanting the shame or guilt of raising a villainous daughter hanging over one’s head, but my dad never seemed bothered when I came home.

Ahem.

Twilight’s eyes looked tired, and she released an exasperated groan. “I was foolish. It’s been nearly 48 hours. She’s still making up silly stories and toying with us every time we ask her. Each time it’s different. ‘My parents perished in a tragic yovidaphone accident.’ ‘I was taken away from Equestria and raised by dragons.’ ‘They were transformed into teacups.’ ‘The truth is, you’re my mother, Twilight.’ I mean, really?? How stupid does she think I am!?”

“Very, evidently.”

That earned a glare. I coughed and motioned for her to continue.

“Naturally, we couldn’t rely on her testimony, so I’ve had ponies investigating every city and small village across Equestria to find anypony at all who may know about her or where she’s from,” she paused to take what I could only describe as a very angry sip of tea, nearly slamming it back onto the coaster. “Nothing. Not a single creature for miles who even knew her outside of her recent exploits. Nopony who’s even pretending to have raised her has come forward.”

My eyes were wide. Not a single pony? Anywhere in Equestria? Surely they should have found something to point them in the right direction by now, but if what Twilight is saying is true, then this entire search has been one big dead end. Could a pony really leave zero traces of who they are, in particular one as young as her?

Of course, this was Cozy Glow we were talking about.

Twilight was rubbing her brow. “Before you ask, yes, I did already ask the dragons about her. Please spare me from having to recall that embarrassment.” I wasn’t going to ask, though I almost wished I had. Now clearly wasn’t the time, however. “I’m at my wit’s end. It’s almost as if she came into existence just to make a total mess of my school, among other things. But I need to stay rational; there’s zero magical resonance coming from her beyond what’s normal for a pegasus filly, so that’s not possible. There isn’t even a speck of Grogar’s magic left in her.”

Leave it to Twilight to actually give some credence to that theory. Not that I can blame her, considering what she appears to be going through. “This does all sound rough, but how can I help exactly? Any record of her time in the school has long since been archived, but even if it wasn’t, we already know a lot of it was just her lying. Did you really want me to dig that up?”

Twilight shook her head. “It’s not the school that’s going to help me. It’s you. I want you to talk with her.”

I stare at her a moment, then I burst out laughing.

She doesn’t join me.

My laughter dies quickly. She can’t be serious. “You can’t be serious.”

Her troubled expression has returned. I can’t figure out why. “I am, Starlight. I’m not about to claim that you two were close, but I have my reasons. She was one of the first students you had as a counsellor, which is probably the closest any of us has come to seeing her vulnerable. For better or for worse, you were also basically the first of us to learn about her plans firsthoof. I don’t care that you aren’t officially qualified as any sort of therapist or psychologist; she’s chased away everyone we’ve brought to her so far anyhow. I know you won’t have that problem, and I already know you’re an experienced counsellor any which way you slice it. Finally, you, almost more than anypony, vouched for this. For her. I don’t mean to use that against you, but it tells me that if nothing else, you believe in her.”

I sit back, looking towards the ceiling. I need to process this. How can I possibly help? What could I possibly have to say that she’d be willing to listen to? Sure, she came to my office once or twice for friendship advice, but that doesn’t mean I was any less manipulated than everypony else. I wasn’t able to convince a couple of stubborn changelings to join the rest of their kin when redemption was staring them in the face; what could I do for her?

I suddenly feel a hoof against my shoulder. I look down, and Twilight is there by my side. “I’m sorry to bring this to you so suddenly, but learning about where she comes from could be monumental in getting her to turn over a new leaf. You’re my last hope, Starlight. Please.”

I can hear the desperation dripping in her voice. I know she wanted this too. She felt so strongly that she had failed even weeks after Cozy was sent to Tartarus. This was Twilight’s second chance to do right by her, to teach her about friendship. Real friendship.

I close my eyes. I think about Cozy and myself. I think about why I wanted her released in the first place. I think about the pony I was, years ago at this point. I think about everything I can that will put me in the right headspace to talk to a filly that many have said was too far gone to be reformed.

I release a long sigh. There really wasn’t any way I was gonna say no, but that didn’t mean I needed to be happy about it.

“I’ll be ready by tomorrow.”

Twilight’s beaming smile and hooves around me are almost enough to soothe my nerves.

Almost.

First Attempt

The short journey here passes before I even realize. My thoughts have been wracked with how exactly I plan to get Cozy Glow to open up. I’ve basically been walking on auto-pilot. A pair of guards lead me to my room through the winding castle halls. It’s strikingly similar to where I stayed last time I was here. Frankly, I wouldn’t be able to tell you if it was the same room or not. I was to stay here for the weekend to talk to Cozy, then I’d return to Ponyville to continue my work at school.

I throw myself onto the welcoming sheets of the regal bedding, letting my body sink in, the threat of relaxation striking my every sense. I roll over into a lounge, staring at the ceiling. Twilight would be knocking at my door any second, and I didn’t have anything even resembling a plan. I can’t bring myself to believe I’ll be any more successful than a total stranger. If Cozy doesn’t hate me, then at best, she’s indifferent to me. On one hoof, I did sort of see where Twi was coming from, but still...

There’s a knock at my door. Speak of the princess. “Come in!”

The door opens to reveal the young monarch herself. She looked almost relieved to see me here. I wish I could share an ounce of her enthusiasm. Wearing that gentle smile of hers, she asks, “Are you ready?”

I sit up and smile back. No, I wasn’t.

Living in the crystal castle gave me a knack for mental mapping. Based off where Twilight’s been leading me, we’re heading to the opposite end of where I’m staying. I wonder if that was intentional. In my head, I always pictured Cozy’s new prison to look like... well, a prison. Dark basement, cobwebs, chains, the whole works. But that doesn’t seem to be anything like where we’re headed. This all just looks like palace.

As I’m pondering things that aren’t my current mission, Twilight speaks up, “I’m sorry it’s such a long walk. I’m now certain Celestia and Luna got all the exercise they could ever need just navigating this place,” she finishes with a laugh.

I thought about proposing teleportation, but I remembered I could actually use the exercise myself. “Security seems pretty low. I know she’s just a filly, but are you really ready for if she escapes?”

Twilight gave a sheepish laugh, which did nothing to make me feel better. “The truth is... she already has, once.”

I gaped.

She may not have been looking at me, but I’m sure Twilight could feel my shock. “D-don’t worry, she didn’t get far! We’ve made the necessary cautions since then. Who would’ve thought a pony her age would know how to pick a lock?” She laughs again, so she must’ve found the humour in this that I couldn’t. “But seriously, everything’s totally safe. She can’t leave her room, and even if she did, we’d know about it in an instant.”

“If you say so.” I decided to take her at her word, otherwise I’d be even more paranoid during the visit.

We turn a corner, and see guards stationed before an honestly unassuming door. Otherwise, it’s a dead end, which means...

“We’re here.”

I truly was surprised. If it weren’t for the guards on stand-by, it would appear to be any ordinary room, just like all the others we passed. This was where they were holding one of the greatest threats to Equestria?

...Matching that description to Cozy Glow’s face still felt ridiculous.

“Are you ready?” Twilight pulled me out of my stupor.

“As I’ll ever be,” I replied. I couldn’t feel less ready. It’s been months since the girls, backed by a nation and then some, faced off against that disastrous trio. That was the last time I ever saw Cozy not encased in stone, and then she was an alicorn standing next to my nemesis and a soul-sucking centaur. It really didn’t feel anything like one of my former students was behind that door. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel once I saw her again.

Signaled by Twilight, one of the guards nodded and opened the door. I was somewhat thankful I still couldn’t see her from here.

As I gulp and move to step in, Twilight rests a hoof on my shoulder. “Remember, we’re just trying to learn where she comes from. It’s not on you to totally reform her on the spot, nor is the fate of all Equestria resting on this. Just relax, you’ll do fine.”

She offers me a smile, and I return it in earnest. That really did help. I guess she wouldn’t have made a very good mentor if she couldn’t give a halfway decent pep talk.

I take a deep breath, and walk inside.

I hear the door shut firmly behind me. I turn my head.

There she is.

Her eyes are turned towards the floor. I’m unsure if she’s noticed me. She’s seated in front of a small table. She... doesn’t look happy. I couldn’t really tell if she was sad, or angry. Despondent, maybe? I feel the sting of empathy from looking at another pony wearing such a sullen expression, but I have to keep in mind who I’m dealing with.

I finally approach, and likewise, she finally turns her head up to look at me.

Her lips curl into a maniacal smile almost immediately.

“Wow, Starlight Glimmer?? That’s who they’re sending to me next!?” She starts to cackle loud enough I’m sure they could hear it down the hall, which was saying a lot for this castle. I wasn’t really sure how to react. “Golly, if they’re bringing in the worst school counsellor in Equestria to try and break me, they must really be getting desperate!”

I frown, my brow furrows, and every drop of empathy I had just a second ago immediately drains from my body. Yep, this is who I’ll be dealing with. “You know, most ponies have to want to be counselled first before we’re able to help them.” Despite my mind telling me to zap her to a fine powder on the spot, I found it in me to continue inside and take my spot at the table. I didn’t get a stool like she did, but considering the height difference and size of the table, it wasn’t necessary.

“Please, I wouldn’t ask for your help opening a pickle jar.” Her laughter seems to peter out finally, but that smug, evil grin she’s wearing appears to be here to stay. “Honestly, do they really think I’d let one of the ponies who ruined my rule of Equestria try to ‘reform’ me? Twilight and her lackeys must be even dumber than I thought!”

I decide to take a good look around the room while she’s sitting there acting pompous. There... wasn’t a lot in here, but it seemed livable. There was a small bed in the corner that could easily accommodate a pony her size. It honestly looked like it might be fairly comfy. Next to it was a nightstand with a small lamp. On the other side was a short bookcase totally filled with reading material. For some reason I wasn’t concerned with it being age-appropriate. By the wall sat a pile of very simple toys, hardly even suited for levitation practice. It was hard to tell if she did anything more than glance at them. Then of course, in the middle of the room, was this table. The decor was overall pretty bright, matching that of the rest of the castle.

As I was looking, I also noticed that her wings were bound, and that she had some sort of ankle bracelet around her left hindleg. I doubt she wore it as any sort of fashion statement, so my guess was that it was somehow related to one of the security measures Twilight mentioned. I certainly wasn’t any stranger to magical bracelets.

“Hey, don’t tell me you came here just to sit there and gawk!”

Her scolding pulls me back to attention, and now she looks annoyed. Better than the usual, I guess. I wonder how long I was ignoring her for. “If you have some nonsense to say about friendship or the good of ponies, then just get it over with so you can leave! I’m not exactly interested in entertaining unwelcome prison-guests.”

She made it difficult not to strangle her. I’ll have to thank Trixie for the practice. “I’m just here to try what the other ponies have been trying. They- Twilight told me they’ve been asking about your parents, right?”

Cozy groans, rolling her eyes. “Not this again. Can’t that stupid princess take a hint?”

If nothing else, that let me know everything I was told was true. Not that I had reason to doubt it. “Just listen. Everypony just wants to help you. You really don’t have any reason to hide anything. If we knew-”

“The reason is because I hate you. Simple as that.”

Ah.

I assumed this much when Twilight told me how stubborn she was being. I can’t even blame her. If somepony turned me into a statue, I’d be pretty difficult with them too.

She’s on me again before I can even respond. “And don’t feed me that ‘everypony just wants to help’ garbage. You’re all just doing this to feel good about yourselves! You didn’t free me because you actually care about me. This is just pity for trapping the ‘poor wittle filly’ in stone like the rest of the villains. ‘Hey, maybe if we can turn her into a good pony, then we won’t have to feel bad about potentially petrifying a kid for thousands of years!’ Golly, isn’t friendship just grand?”

Her sudden rant actually has me reeling. She must have had a lot of time to build up all this anger. I suppose I could relate. I open my mouth to reply, but she still wasn’t finished. “Well if you think I’m going to play along, then think again! I saw the way everypony looked at me after I was caught at the school. You sent me to Tartarus, for pony’s sake! If you all felt that way back then, then there’s no way you actually want me around now, after what me and the others did. And I don’t care about you guys either!”

I was left at a loss for words. In a way, she was right about some things, and I found it hard to argue in our defence. But I needed to have faith in what I stood for, and like Cozy said, I couldn’t just sit around gawking. I found a lead, however small, in that last bit of her tangent. “Is that why you refuse to help? Because Chrysalis and Tirek are still in stone?”

She raises an eyebrow. “Why would that matter?”

I thought it was obvious, but I elaborate, “Well, they were your allies. If everything Discord told us was true, which, to be fair, is questionable... You must have spent a lot of time around the two of them. Working together.” Cozy’s squints at me. I decide to take a long shot. “Maybe, it’s possible, the three of you were actually... friends?”

We hold a short staring contest, me with a pretty unconvincing smile. At least, I can only assume it was unconvincing, because the next thing that happens is she starts laughing again. “You’re kidding, right? We hated being around eachother! The only reason we even put up with it was because we had a mutual goal: destroying all of you!”

I pout. I thought I had something. Of course, the alternative here probably meant freeing Tirek and Chrysalis again, and there’s no way that would have gone well. She continues, looking at her hoof with disinterest, “We basically agreed to be at eachother’s throats the second you were all dealt with anyway. Good riddance, I say. Now, I can take Equestria all to myself!”

The innocent expression she feigns as she says that puts me on edge. Alright, so that was a bust. What now?

“Gee, sorry your little theory was a waste of time. I guess you should just go home and never come back!”

Well, whatever I had planned next, there was no way I could let this little foal get the better of me. If Twilight was right about anything, it’s that I don’t back down easy. I guess Twilight would probably know that better than anypony. Actually...

Isn’t that exactly why I’m here?

I clear my throat, and Cozy gives me a deadpan stare. I ignore it. “Cozy, has anypony ever actually told you about my past?”

Suddenly, she looks curious, if mildly. Aside from the ponies in my village and our close friends, there aren’t a lot of ponies who know about the things I did before I moved to Ponyville. Certainly none of the students at the school. It wasn’t national news, so most ponies just assume... “What’s to tell? You were one of Twilight’s silly friends so she made you her stupid guidance counsellor at her useless school.”

Yeah, something like that. “Actually, I also almost ruined Twilight’s friend group and nearly destroyed Equestria.”

Cozy immediately scoffs. “Don’t try to mess with me. There’s no way a do-gooder pony like you could have ever-”

“There’s a small, nameless village out east. It’s been showing up on maps the past couple years, I think, so maybe you’ve heard of it. Years ago... That was my village.”

She didn’t look impressed. “So what? Even if you’re telling the truth, that doesn’t mean-”

“I didn’t just lead this village. I ruled it.”

“Quit interrupting me!!” She looked irritated. Made me feel a little smug. “What are you talking about? So what if you ruled over some dumb nowhere village?”

This was never something I enjoyed talking about, but desperate times called for desperate measures. It helped that the filly I was talking to was guilty of crimes at least as horrendous as my own. “I ruled this village through a strict doctrine of total equality. The way I enforced this doctrine was simple: taking away everypony’s cutie marks. I developed a spell that let me rip a pony’s cutie mark right off their flank. Of course, I kept my own.” I felt myself shiver, but continued. “Anypony who refused to adhere to my rule was punished until they submitted. I created a small utopia of false equality that I led with a smile.”

I wasn’t totally sure if she was humouring me or genuinely interested, but Cozy sat quietly and let me tell my story. “One day, Twilight’s... Twilight was alerted to my village’s existence, and she and her friends came to investigate. Long story short, they exposed me and tore down everything I took years building up. I escaped, but I had nowhere to go. Nopony to go to, so I thought.” Sorry dad.

I lean forward, my face hard and serious. It wasn’t just for effect. If Cozy can read ponies like I think she can, then I want her to see the harsh sincerity in my eyes. “So I grew bitter. Twilight took everything from me. It was only fair that I take everything from her. I began to plot my revenge. After months of careful research, I found a way to travel back in time to tear apart Twilight’s closest friendships. And it worked. Everything was going according to plan. However...” I still had Cozy’s attention. This was good. “For each time I changed the past, it brought about a new, grim future. In each one, Equestria found itself at war or under total seige. Some at the hooves of your two pals, if I recall. Twilight took me to see one of the futures. There was nothing. Everything was totally destroyed. Gone. And it was my doing.”

It seemed I had Cozy at the edge of her seat. “...And then? What did you do?”

She was about to be sorely disappointed. With a smirk, I replied, “Then? I became one of Twilight’s silly friends that she made her stupid guidance counsellor at her useless school.”

Cozy was absolutely frustrated. “Ugh, what!? What a waste of time! So you’re just a loser then who gave in to Twilight’s absurd philosophies? Who’s to say if any of that was even real??”

Again, I hardened my expression. “I am. I could tear away your cutie mark right now, if I wanted to. I’ve done it enough times to know it’s a painful process, and if you think you’re miserable now? Just wait until you no longer have the part of you that makes you who you are.”

She seemed a little surprised, but bit back quick. “Yeah, right. Even if I’m still a prisoner, Twilight and her lackeys would never let you do anything to hurt me like that, so nice try, but-”

“They would never have to know. I could give it back to you before I left, and I know enough brainwashing spells that you wouldn’t even be able to tell them what happened.”

“...You wouldn’t. You’re just as goody-goody as the rest of them.”

“Wanna try me?” Even I couldn’t tell if I was bluffing.

We stared eachother down for what felt like minutes, each waiting for the other to back off. My horn began to glow. She must have taken the hint or convinced herself it wasn’t worth testing my bluff, because her face softened and she leaned back. “...Okay, fine. Let’s say I believe you. What was the point of all that? Even if you used to be some big-shot villain like me, what do I gain from that? Don’t tell me you’re trying to relate to me.”

There it is. Now that my (hopefully) empty threats were over, I could also relax and continue with a little more sympathy. “Actually, yes. Not because I think you and I are the same, or because I’m trying to earn your respect; believe me, I already know that road is nothing more than a dead end. I do think, however, that we may have similar circumstances.” Finally, I made it to the point of all this. “I did what I did because of something that happened when I was young. If it weren’t for that, I probably would have been a totally different pony than I am now. I don’t know for sure, but it hurt, and it stuck with me. Cozy...

“Are you sure you aren’t the same way?”

She seemed almost fascinated by what I was saying. With no response, I took the cue to continue. “Look, nopony but you knows what your life was like, or where you came from. But that’s why we’re here. If something happened to you that made you feel like you needed to do the things you’ve done... Well, if you tell us, then we can help. We can make it hurt less. I promise, we’re on your side this time Cozy. Please?”

It looked like she was genuinely thinking things over. Did I actually do it? Was this the right call?

“...Alright.”

I had to keep myself from smiling too wide. I cleared my throat. “What happened, Cozy?”

She sighed, and after a moment, spoke, “When I was growing up, my parents... They weren’t very nice.”

I was afraid of this. All the same, I nodded, letting her continue. “They would hurt me, and punish me, and say mean things about me all the time. I didn’t have any friends, and I just felt so weak and helpless.”

It was worse than I thought. I could see tears forming at the corner of her eyes. I knew this might be painful, but it was progress. That said, I was already starting to feel bad for her. She continued, “After I heard about the Elements of Harmony, I thought that that was the way to become strong. Making lots of friends. So I tried in my hometown, but I couldn’t, because my parents were...”

She seemed hesitant to continue, but I stayed attentive. “Yes?”

“They were...”

What could it be? “What were they, Cozy Glow?”

She took a deep breath, and... “...They were a pair of gullible idiots who thought that I’d open up to them just because they told me some sappy story about how they became a bad pony ‘cuz their foalhood was oh-so sad and terrible! Hah!”

My jaw dropped.

Cozy was in hysterics. She fell off her stool and was rolling around on the floor, holding her stomach. I couldn’t muster anything but quiet sputtering.

“Good gosh golly, you really fell for that one. I can’t believe you actually bought that all the way through! I didn’t think anypony could be that stupid and gullible; not even Twilight would have believed that! You really thought just because you told me about your dumb past that I’d suddenly feel like telling you everything about my life? Golly, you’re a riot.”

I was scowling when she finally found the energy to sit back on her flanks.

“Get real, Glimmer. Who cares if you were once some evil dictator? You’re still the same loser I beat just by acting all sad and innocent, then pushing you into my magic vortex where you had to be freed by those six meddling teenagers. Still one of the funnest things I’ve ever done, by the way.”

I growled. She grinned.

“I really don’t care what you went through or who you used to be. Nothing you say will change how much I hate you and I’m not. Telling you. Anything.”

The door closes behind me. Seems like Twilight was waiting outside the whole time, and she rushes to meet me. “Starlight! How did it go? Did she tell you anything??”

“It could have gone better.”

Second Attempt

The door closes behind me, and I move towards my seat. Cozy is laying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

I clear my throat. Nothing. Guess I’ll just wait?

After yesterday’s... total humiliation, I spent a few hours cooling down in my room. I uh. I needed it.

Still need to apologize to that guard for some of the things he heard.

But after all that, I was able to think a little more clearly, and I have some idea as to my game plan today. More than zero idea, anyways.

I feel like part of the problem is how many assumptions we’ve made about Cozy, and why she won’t talk to us. I tried to relate to her when I had no real idea just what I was trying to relate to, and it backfired. Hard.

Point being, today, I’m going to try and learn about Cozy Glow. Of course, the whole point is to learn about her parents, or at least where she’s from, but that’s not what I mean. I’m going to coax her (or try to anyway) to tell me anything and everything there is to tell. Her hobbies, her interests, what’s on her mind, even let her brag about her accomplishments if need be. I have to keep a conversation going and learn as much as I can about this twisted little filly and hopefully, just maybe, that will lead to learning what we need to know.

It’s a long shot, but it’s all I have, and I’m returning to Ponyville tomorrow. I know Twilight told me not to worry, but she knows I never do anything half-flanked.

“Huh.”

I’m jolted out of my thoughts, looking up to see Cozy’s finally turned her attention towards me. “...What?”

She sits up and hangs her hindlegs off of the bed. “Just surprised to see you here again after yesterday.” A smirk. “You know, considering how foolish I made you look.”

Breathe, Starlight. “I’ll admit, yesterday was a disaster-”

“That’s putting it lightly.”

“...And I can think of a million things I’d rather do right now than sit in a room with you, but,” I set the insulated bottle I’d been levitating in with me on the table, “that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”

Cozy cocks an eyebrow, and finally hops off the bed to sit at the table. “Well, I guess you’ve at least got some backbone. All those other ponies Twilight sent to interrogate me couldn’t even last an hour.”

She looked proud of this fact. “It helps to have some idea what you’re capable of,” I replied. I twist open the bottles seal, the steaming scent of chocolatey goodness wafting over my snout. I couldn’t help but grin. With a wink, I offer, “Empathy cocoa?”

Immediately, she makes a gagging motion. “Blegh! I’ve always hated that stuff. Way too sweet.”

“Hey, you can badmouth me, but don’t badmouth my cocoa.” I take a proud sip. At least its sweetness is genuine.

Cozy rolls her eyes. “I hope your plan wasn’t to bribe me with chocolate. Even you must know better than that.”

“It wasn’t, but even if it was, I’m not about to just tell you what my plan is. Not all of us are as eager to reveal what we’re plotting as you are, Cozy,” I respond with a smirk.

She snarls. “You were trapped in an orb, you weren’t a threat. How was I supposed to know those snot-nosed crusaders were snooping around!?”

We probably could have kept this spiteful back-and-forth going for a while, but I couldn’t see it leading anywhere productive. I needed some way to derail it, but keep her talking. Thankfully, the answer was sitting literally right in front of me.

“Speaking of being a threat, they really tied those up good, huh?” I motion towards her totally bound wings, stuck to her barrel. “I can’t imagine that’s very comfortable.”

“Golly, what a great deduction, genius. No, it’s not. Got any more brilliant insight in that thick unicorn skull?”

I think I was getting too used to the snark. “Do they ever untie you, so you can... I dunno, exercise, or at least flex them a bit? Keeping them folded like that can’t be healthy.”

Cozy raspberries. “You say that as if they’d care. It’s not like I’d be able to do any damage even if I could fly anyways; they just want to enforce as much control as possible without having to question their own morality.”

I’ll take that as another no. I’ll give Twilight the benefit of the doubt here, but still... “I’ll bring it up with Twilight, that doesn’t seem right.”

She scoffs at that. “If you think doing me a favour like that will get me to tell you what you want to know, then don’t bother.”

“Maybe it won’t, but if we’re really trying to take the moral high-ground like you say, then we should at least be consistent about it. I’m gonna talk to her.”

It looks like she wants to respond, but can’t think of how. Eventually, she shrugs, “...Fine. If you really wanna waste your time, it’s not like I could care.”

For some reason, that makes me smile. I guess it’s because she’s finally cooperating with something, even if it’s out of apathy. “Okay, how about that ankle bracelet? What’s that for?”

She scoffs again. I’m getting sick of that. Maybe I haven’t grown as tolerant as I thought. “Seriously? Aren’t you supposed to be the magic user here?” she asserts.

Yep, still wanna strangle her. “Humour me.”

To my surprise, she complies. “It’s just some stupid device she uses to keep track of me. It’s supposed to alert her somehow if I leave the room or take it off.”

I grin. “I’m guessing you found out the hard way that it works?”

“You can’t blame me for trying!” she growls.

I wondered about that. “So you’re really still committed to this whole ‘taking over Equestria’ thing, huh? Failing at it twice wasn’t enough to make you reconsider?”

Her scowl slowly grows into a smile. “You bet! After all, if my mortal enemies are stupid enough to release me from stone all by themselves, then it’s only a matter of time!”

I couldn’t say why exactly, but I actually felt more concern for her than for us. “You sure it’s not getting... I dunno, tiresome, plotting all the time? You must have other things you like to do, right? Such as...” Think, Starlight, think. “Your cutie mark!”

Cozy raises an eyebrow. “You mean the one you threatened to tear away from me yesterday?” I wince. She smirks. “Why don’t you tell me what it is? After all, you must pay sooo much attention to all your students!”

As suspected, she’s already blocking it from view, so there was no cheating here. Darn it. You’ve seen it plenty of times before Glimmer, you just gotta remember. I begin to furiously rub my temples, as if that would dig the knowledge right out of the recesses of my mind. She’s staring at me with that innocent smile of hers. Cozy Glow’s cutie mark was... It was...

“A chess piece!!”

I yell so loud as I jump up victoriously that I see Cozy nearly fall off her stool. I sit back down and bashfully clear my throat. “I mean, it’s a chess piece. A rook, I think?”

She frowns with disappointment. “Lucky guess,” she mumbles, then uncovers her flanks. From my view, I was right on the money. It honestly did feel like luck. “Yes, I got my cutie mark playing chess. Turns out, I’m pretty good at manipulating pawns to outwit and destroy my enemies!” she exclaims proudly. I grimace. The obvious double meaning is not lost on me.

Despite her turning every talking point into another way to tease or intimidate me, I try to stay resolute and positive. “O-okay, so what about chess then? Why not focus more of your efforts on that?” An idea hits me. “I know! Why don’t you and I, um...” I search the room. A problem hits me.

“Yeah, sorry. Kind of hard to play a game of chess without a chess board. Or pieces.”

She knew what I was going for, at least. After triple checking my surroundings, I groan, annoyed. “Really? Not even a simple cloth board?”

Cozy shrugs. “You should count yourself lucky, really. It’d just be one more way I’d get to humiliate you.”

As much as I’d like to refute that, winning or losing wasn’t my main concern. It seemed a little ridiculous. If you’re going to make a show of accommodating a pony, then the least you could do is cater to their predestined personal interest. Prisoner or not. I make a mental note to bring this up with Twilight as well.

It was weird. I couldn’t really tell if this was pity, or pride, or what. I just know that for one reason or another, I felt Cozy deserved to be treated a little better than this. Even understanding how vile she was, and continues to be... It was conflicting, to say the least.

I glance over at the pile of bland toys, seemingly untouched from yesterday. “There... really isn’t a lot to do in here, huh?”

“Golly, you just noticed?”

“No, but- are the books even any good? You couldn’t have read them all already.” It’s certainly not the biggest bookcase in Equestria, but the only two ponies I know that could read that many books in only four days are Twilight and Sunburst.

Cozy seems to cringe at the idea. “I haven’t even opened any of them. They’re all about a bunch of boring subjects I could never find useful, or dumb stories I could never bring myself to care about.”

I don’t even bother asking about the toys. What was she doing in here all day then? Just... staring at the ceiling, like she was when I came in? I know my goal was to learn as much as possible, but I was afraid to ask.

I take a nervous sip of my cocoa. I think I added too much empathy.

“Hey.”

I nearly spit it out at hearing her speak suddenly, even if I’ve been talking with her the whole time. Now I know I’m too on edge. Once the liquid is safely swallowed, I respond, “Y-yes?”

“What are you doing here?”

A vague dread washes over me. “I’m... talking with you? What do you mean?”

She rolls her eyes, “I mean all you’ve been doing is sitting there drinking your stupid cocoa and asking me silly, obvious questions. Aren’t you supposed to be drilling me for info or something? Asking me about actually important things that will get me to ‘turn a new leaf?”

I gulp. “W-well, I figured, that if we-”

“If we what, grew some sort of emotional bond through pointless idle chitchat, then I’d feel obligated to tell you more about myself? Like if you tried to get to know me, then suddenly I’d want to spill all my secrets?”

Uh oh.

Cozy laughs. It’s not boisterous, or maniacal. It feels condescending. “Look Glimmer, this has been fun. Really. The other ponies they sent me couldn’t keep me nearly as entertained. I almost feel bad about toying with you!”

From the deep glare she gives me next, I have trouble believing that. “But I told you yesterday. There’s nothing you could say or do to get me to tell you what you want to know. No way in Tartarus will I ever be willing to work with the ponies who twice ruined what I worked for. I should know; you all sent me down there, after all!” she punctuates with a giggle.

Everything’s crumbling fast, before I even had the chance to lay a foundation. There must be something, some way to salvage this! “Cozy, please, if you just-”

“Nah, I’m done with you. I’m tired of that pathetic look you’ve had in your eyes.” She leaves her seat, hopping back up onto her bed. “Just go home, Glimmer. Quit embarrassing yourself, it’s a waste of time for both of us.”

I look desperately towards her as she shrugs me off, laying in bed exactly as I found her when I came in. I wrack my brain, trying to think of anything I could say that might change her mind, but I know it’s futile. Even if I stayed here and talked at her, I wouldn’t get anything out of it. I sigh, and stand to leave, my container full of cocoa floating next to me. It didn’t taste quite as sweet anymore.

Once I left, I gave Twilight the rundown of what happened, and apologized. She told me it was okay, and that she was sure I tried my best, but I couldn’t help feeling like I failed. I wasn’t sure who exactly I failed, even. Twilight? Myself? Cozy? All of the above, probably.

Everypony always tells me I’m too hard on myself. I do try to work on it. I knew from the beginning that it would take a miracle for Cozy to listen to anything I say. I shouldn’t beat myself up because I couldn’t accomplish a job I knew I wasn’t right for.

But...

I can’t stop thinking that I could have done more. Like there was something I could do for her that would really resonate with her. Maybe we wouldn’t be friends, but was there truly nothing I could do to get her to drop her guard? Even a bit?

I sigh ruefully. It didn’t matter. Tomorrow morning I’d be back on the train to Ponyville to return to my position at the School of Friendship. I’d just need to sit and pray that somepony else was capable of reaching her where I couldn’t.

Look at me. I’m basically the same as her right now, laying in bed, staring at my ceiling and wallowing in self-pity.

There’s a knock at my door, and I sit up. “Twilight?”

No response.

Confused, I jump off the bed and move to open the door. “You know, if there’s something else to tell me, you don’t need to-”

“Guess who!!”

As I open the door, I’m suddenly assaulted by a body of light blue fur, a pair of forelegs trying to squeeze the life out of me.

The second I get over my heart attack, I’m able to process just who was here to pay me a visit.

“Trixie!?”

The ever spontaneous magician winks. “The one and only!”

Final Attempt

“Twilight!!”

I barge through the heavy doors securing the throne room. I didn’t care what I was walking in on, or about the guards trying to stop me. I just needed one more shot.

The Princess of Friendship had turned her head towards me, eyes wide. She didn’t look upset, just surprised. She was floating a quill in midair, an assistant holding up a clipboard. Likely stopped in the middle of signing something. “Um, yes Starlight? You know, it’s a lot more courteous to-”

“Appointment, sure, I know, and I’m sorry, but I just really need to see Cozy one last time.”

I only now notice how hard I’m panting. I sure ran a long way to the castle. I feel frantic. The guards catch up to me, but Twilight ceases and dismisses them with a motion of her hoof. She looks down at me with concern. “Starlight, are you sure? I appreciate how dedicated you are to helping, but I understand the last couple times you saw her were rough.”

I take a few seconds to sit down and try to catch my breath. “I know, but it doesn’t matter. I have one last thing I have to try, or else I won’t be satisfied.”

She didn’t appear any less worried. She stood up from the throne and descended towards me. I know she was meeting me here as a friend, not a monarch, but I couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by her presence. Maybe it was the room’s atmosphere. With a hoof on my shoulder, she asks again, “Are you absolutely sure? Even if she’s just a filly, spending too much time alone with her can cause a lot of mental stress. We both know how she is. One of the therapists we brought to her is taking a month-long vacation to recuperate after the things Cozy said to them. I just want to make sure nothing like that happens to you.”

I nod with determination. Nothing was gonna stop me. “Don’t worry. I can handle her. Please.”

Twilight takes several moments looking into my eyes before she nods in turn, then smiles.

“Okay Starlight.”

I beam. I knew I could count on her.

I stare inside Cozy’s room from the outside, taking a deep breath and reviewing my plan one last time.

You can do this. She’s just a filly.

Being nice to her was hard. But hating her?

That will be easy.

I stride inside with confidence.

The door closes behind me.

There she is.

On her bed, as expected. It looked like she was sleeping, actually. She probably wasn’t expecting to be meeting anypony right now. Of course, it’s possible she just didn’t care either way.

She cracks an eye open at me, then groans. “You again!? What are you doing here?? I thought I told you to go home.” She flips over in bed, facing towards the wall. I get the impression she really was bored with me.

I smirk.

“Dunno if you’ve noticed, Cozy, but there aren’t a whole lot of ponies these days who are gonna do what you tell them to do.” I take my spot at the table. She can join me if she wants, it’s not like she has anywhere else to go.

“Whatever. Even you’re smart enough to know that I have nothing else to say to you.” Cozy waves me off with a wing.

Wait... a wing?

“Hah, that was fast. I honestly didn’t think they’d untie you that quickly. Feeling a little more ‘Cozy’ over there?” I felt a little too proud for that one.

All she does is blow raspberries, still faced away from me.

I stare at her on her bed. Just like her, I had a goal, and she was in the way of it. Time to go to work. “It’s okay Cozy, you don’t have to say a thing. But I’m gonna have my say, so if you just wanna let me talk atcha, that’s on you.”

Silence. If she rolled her eyes, I couldn’t see it.

Breathe. “Even before I came out here to talk to you, I’ve spent a lot of time worrying about all this. I was one of the reasons you were freed from stone, after all. But you know what I realized?”

Silence.

“I realized there’s absolutely no reason to worry. Why would there be? We both know how this is going to end.”

I see one of her ears perk. I can’t help but grin.

“You’re going to lose.”

Slowly but surely, her head turns toward me. The anger flaring in her eyes is as real as I’ve ever seen it.

“What?” she growls.

Before, this intimidation may have worked on me. But I’ve faced down the Pony of Shadows, the Princess of Friendship herself, and the former queen of the changelings more than once. This little filly is nothing.

Looking back at her with the cockiest expression I could muster, I repeat, “You’re going to lose. You’ve already lost to us twice, after all. You act all high and mighty now, but the result is going to be the same.” I lean against the table. “Besides, it’s not as if ‘winning’ for you in this scenario is all that appealing anyway.”

Cozy has moved to a sitting position on the bed, looking at me with a hard scowl. I have definitely got her attention. “What do you mean?”

“Well, let’s see... You win here if either you escape, or we give up on you.” I point at her hindleg. “Even if you’re able to get out of this room, you’re not getting very far with that on your leg. There’s nopony in Equestria who’d be willing to help you either, so escape is out of the question.” I make a show of tapping my chin. “That means, you need to prove to us once and for all that rehabilitating you is hopeless.”

Cozy smirks this time. “Golly, that’s right! Glad to see you’re finally getting-”

“Which means we’ll have to turn you back to stone.”

Her sudden confidence falters. “...What?”

I shrug. “Well, if we find that there really is no helping you, then our decision to free you from stone will have been pointless. And we can’t just have a pony as dangerous as you walking around freely, so... I guess we’d have no choice but to turn you to stone again.”

Cozy starts to sputter, before slamming her hoof against the bed. “Oh, whatever! I’d much rather be trapped in rock for the rest of my life than listen to you losers!”

I flaunt another shrug. “Oh well, that’s fine by us. We’re the ones that freed you in the first place. If the only thing it takes to beat you is to not turn you back?” I start to laugh. “Yeah, what was I worried about? We’ll make you concede in no time. After all...”

I lean in, tapping into a sinister grin, looking her right in the eyes. “...You’re just a filly.”

I swear I could see steam rising from her ears. She nearly shouts her reply, “A filly who was able to outsmart you lamers! Don’t forget, I almost had all of Equestria grovelling at my hooves! Not just once, but twice!!”

“The keyword there being ‘almost.’ Both times you still suffered a rather... humiliating loss. Besides, didn’t you have help in both cases?”

She thrusts an objecting hoof in my direction. “I didn’t need anypony’s help!!”

I chuckle. “I’m pretty sure that isn’t true. Twilight told us you wrote to Tirek in Tartarus to figure out how to drain magic. Not to mention you needed the entire student body to enforce your rule and put Neighsay away.”

“I would have figured something out on my own!”

I opt to ignore her. “You certainly couldn’t have escaped from Tartarus without Discord’s meddling. From there, I’m sure Tirek and Chrysalis had a big role in leading your attack on Equestria. I doubt a little filly like you could have gotten Grogar’s bell all on her own.”

“They couldn’t either! I’m the one who taught those idiots how to work together in the first place, they never would have made it without me!”

It’s really hard not to keep smiling, but I fake a yawn. “Face it Cozy, you’re useless on your own. You’re not a real threat to anypony.”

Cozy growls and jumps off the bed, stomping her way towards the table. “You have no idea what you’re talking about; I’ve never needed anypony’s help! Not then, not now... not ever! I can accomplish anything I want all by myself!”

In her haste to yell at me, she forewent her stool. It’s knocked over on its side next to her. She looks so... small. I raise an eyebrow. “Really, now?”

“Of course I can! It’s how I’ve done things my entire life!”

I nearly gasp.

Once she slips up, attack.

I’m unable to withhold my smile this time, but it didn’t matter. “Yeah, dunno how much I really believe that. In fact, I think I’ve just figured out why you won’t tell us about your parents.”

She looks caught off guard by that statement, almost confused. Hearing no reply, I elaborate, “You grew up as a spoiled little brat. Your parents did everything for you, and you’re ashamed to admit it.”

Now, she looks appalled, as if I just slapped her. “No!!”

Nowhere to go but forward. “Yep, you had everything handed to you on a silver platter your whole life. You just didn’t want to admit how helpless you are without them.”

“I said, no!!”

“That’s why you expect everypony to always do what you say: your parents waited on your every whim, and it made you vain.”

“Shut up!! I’m telling you, you’re wrong, dummy!”

“You relied on them for everything, and now you can’t do anything without somepony else’s help. Your parents made you the filly you are, and-”

A resounding slam bounces off the walls. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cozy’s hooves nearly snapped the table in two. She jumps onto the surface, and stares me down with pointed fury.

“SHUT. UP. You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about! My parents never did a single thing for me; I did everything all on my own! They were just a pair of lazy failures who never accomplished anything meaningful in their whole life. They couldn’t spare one moment of their precious time paying attention to their only daughter, so I had to do everything! I cooked, I cleaned, and I schooled myself, all without their help! I taught myself chess, I made my own bits, and I ran away to Ponyville, all by myself! I doubt they even noticed I left. I hope they’re both living in the streets without me!!”

Cozy was an inch away from my face, huffing like an angry bull. Her whole face has turned a frightening red.

I needed to regain my composure after that. Once I find my wits, I make a final statement, “That’s why you didn’t want to tell us. You were afraid we’d send you back to them.”

“No, you fool! Even if you did, I’d just run away again and they wouldn’t care. I didn’t want them to get credit for raising me when they don’t deserve it! As far as I’m concerned, I have no parents! Everything I’ve ever done, I’ve done without ever needing anypony’s help, got that!?”

We stare at eachother a moment, then I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Then I grin. “Gotcha.”

Cozy Glow processes things with a bewildered expression, then she pales.

“So that’s basically the gist of it.”

“Wow. Well, that certainly explains a lot,” Twilight comments with a sip of her tea.

I nod. “Yeah. I do feel a little bad for her, but if I never have to look at those angry little eyes again, it’ll be too soon,” I sigh, lounging in my chair.

Twilight giggles. “I really can’t thank you enough for your help, Starlight. It’s still not going to be easy from here, but this will help tremendously.”

“I sure hope so.” I look toward the ceiling in thought. I had no idea what sort of resistance Cozy was going to put up now, but it was on Twilight to figure out how to use this information. I’d done my part. Of course, I still would have been lost without Trixie. I’ll have to thank her somehow, especially after ditching lunch. Maybe we could have a girls night out in Canterlot before we leave tomorrow.

With a smile, I finish off my own cup of tea, and hop off my seat. “Well, I’d better get going. Trixie’s probably just sitting around my room, and I promised we’d meet up. I imagine you’ve got a lot to do, anyways.”

With a groan, Twilight affirms, “You don’t even know. No amount of mentoring can prepare you for the amount of paperwork that comes with this job.”

We share a laugh, then see eachother off.

Two days.

I sigh peacefully.

Two whole days since I talked with Cozy Glow.

Things fell back into routine quick once Trixie and I got back home. Sunburst happily welcomed us back, and was excited to learn everything that happened. Once the first school bell rang however, we said “see ya later” and returned to our respective offices.

Things have been pretty calm since. In a weird way, the experience was good for me too. I haven’t spent a second worrying about Cozy since I last left her room. I couldn’t really explain why, but somehow, it’s like I just know everything will turn out alright.

I’m busy dealing with my own paperwork, when a scroll manifests from a green flame above me, and knocks me on the head.

“We really need to find out if there’s something to be done about that,” I grumble to myself, rubbing my scalp as I lean down to pick up the scroll.

I undo the seal, open it, and read.

Hello, Starlight!

Could use your help again.

Cozy wants to see you.

She says she “owes you a game of chess.”

Please?

With love and friendship,

Twilight Sparkle

I’m not sure how I can be expected to react to this with anything but displeasure.

I lean back in my office chair, and think.

After a couple minutes, I pick up a quill and some parchment.

I’ll see what I can do.