What happens to Golly? [original raw text]

For revised, formatted and expanded version:
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in my headcanon, some years down the road, Ms. Cheerilee does her usual fieldtrip to the garden and talks about the statues, and when the group moves on, one curious blank flank unicorn hangs back and gets a little too close to the Trio Statue, and feeling sympathy for Cozy, sparks a telepathic link with a young voice, crying from within.

>anger, loneliness, fear, sadness, dark. cold. regret, lost, confusion. one at a time, one after another, all at once. it's almost too much to take in. She jumps back, breaking the link, and looks on the frozen filly's face with a new set of eyes.

>She steps back in and closes her eyes, concentrating, the tip of her horn lights up and the link is made once again.

"..um, hello?"

>the crying from within suddenly stops with a gasp, slowing to sobbing. "hello? is somepony out there? what's happening? where are you? Who are you? where am I?"
>The blank flank replies. "Cozy Glow? Is that you? Is it true what they say about you? Did you really do all those bad things years ago? Why?"
>Cozy settles a little bit, but sounding angry tries to shift the blame. "it's all Crysalis and Tirek's fault. I wanted to make friends but they forced me to be bad. It was--"
>she's interrupted by the young unicorn, "no. I can feel it when you lie to me. I see... your memory. But you're not a bad pony, I can feel that too. Why, Cozy?"
>There is telepathic silence for a moment.
>The sobbing returns, but this time only sadness is felt in it.
>"Cozy?"
>"friendship.... is power."
>"but why would you need pow-" she is interrupted by an outside voice:
>"Hey Blank Flank! are you going to pray to that statue all day? Ms. Cheerilee says it's lunch time. c'mon, hurry up already! we'll leave you behind and I'll eat your lunch!"
>the link is broken. one last look at the frozen filly's face and she trots off to rejoin the group. it won't be the last time she makes the connection to the only pony that will talk to her.

>Cozy's left with the question. "why do you need power?" it echos in her mind for days on the outside. In stone, the concept of time fades after a while. every moment alone becomes an eternity.
>"Hello? I'm back." The familiar voice returns. A joy Cozy hasn't felt in a long time creeps in, almost unfamiliar to her.
>"Golly."

they continue to "talk" regularly. news, what's going on at school, the difference between good and bad. Cozy tries to be her old self and lie and manipulate, but each time is called out on it. she can't hide her true feelings from this one.

her telepathic/telekinetic powers grow, and soon attracts the attention of Twilight. She earns a place in the school of magic. Only Luna has had a power even remotely close to this one's. While Luna only had power over the dreamworld, Twilight's newest star student was seemingly unbound. If only Twilight knew that it wasn't limited to just the animated.

>"The other statues tell stories too. some are very different than what the text books say." she tells Cozy.
>days, moons, years pass. She's getting quite talented. but after a while though, her progress just seems to stall. One day during an after class tutoring session, slumped over on her desk, Twilight takes notice. "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?"
>"Oh, it's nothing. Really!" She continues to slump, and looks out the window in the direction of the garden. There hadn't been anything to talk about with Cozy lately.
>"You can't fool me, young one. I don't have to be a telepath to know that one of my students has something on her mind. Somepony perhaps?"
>"Maybe. ..yeah. just somepony I've been talking to for a while now. She's really sad, but I can't help her. All I can do is talk."
>"I see. As a good friend, sometimes that's the only thing you can do, and sometimes it's also the best thing you can do. Who is this pony? Do I know them?"
>"Maybe. ..yeah."
>"What's their name?"
>"Promise you won't get mad?"

>Twilight smiles down at her student, standing next to her offering comfort and support, "I promise."
>"Well, um.. her name is: Co--"
>"Twilight! Your presence is requested in the throne room right away!" Spike bolts in through the door. Twilight flashes him a quick, dirty look.
>Patting her student on the back, "I'm sorry. We can talk later, when you are ready."
[later that night]
>"I almost told her, you know? Princess Twilight? I wanted to, but didn't, want to."
>"ooh, that Twilight."
>"She's not a bad pony. YOU'RE not a bad pony. I Think she would understand. If only there was some way we could show her."
>"Well I can't do anything from inside here."
>"What if... you weren't inside there? What would you do?"
>"What do you mean?"
[a moment of silence]
>"Nothing. Nevermind."
>"What do you mean?"
>"Goodnight, Cozy. Try to remembner, you're not alone."
Her horn goes dark. It's just her and her thoughts now. "what was that? excitement? no, it was more than that." She yawns and shifts to her side, closes her eyes, and drifts off.

[Day]
>"come on, you can do it." she talks to herself, staring at a wild bunny on the edge of the forest. Her thoughts echo, "it puts the carrot in the basket."
the rabbit looks at her in a fixed gaze.
>"it puts the carrot in the basket!"
a moment of hesitation, passes before the bunny timidly does as commanded.
>filled with excitement, she jumps for joy "YES!"
the bunny's daze is broken as it is startled, bolting off into deep cover of the woods.
>she talks to herself. "I did it! I really did!" she approaches a nearby bird looking at her quizzically, "You, fly!"
The bird flys off for no other reason than being startled by a pony jumping at it. She giggles to herself.
She falls backwards into a pile of autumn leaves. The skies turn grayer and grayer by the day.
[later that night]
>"do you feel it when it's cold?"
>"...it's always cold. you get used to it, almost."
>"oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to..."
>"I know. It's ok."
>"ok."
[silence]
Sometimes she just sits there, connected. nothing said for hours. nothing needs to be said. they just feel each other. comfort each other.
>She asks another one: "what about when it rains? do you feel that?"
>"I don't know. maybe?"
>"What about what that one bird did last week?"
>"what did that one bird do last week?"
>"Nothing. um... just came and uh, went. that's all."
>"eww.."
>"Nevermind that. I've been working on something. it's a surprise! you'll see!!"
>"oh golly yes! that sounds fun."
>"I'm still practicing. so don't get your hopes up yet." [a moment passes.] "Cozy? I'm glad we're friends. Hopefully someday, we can be together, not just here. I want to get ice cream with you. or hayburgers."
>"me too."
>"...me too."

The snow is deep this year. There was a surplus of water at cloud factory and the snowflake technicians have been busy with overtime all season long.
>"I'm getting better at it Cozy! I only have to ask them once, and they'll do it! it's not really like asking. more of a suggestion."
>"You don't say!"
>"Yeah! In Your Face, Fluttershy!"
>"Tee-hee"
>"but no really. I don't even have to stare or anything."
>"wow, you're getting good. I always had to be sneaky to get ponies to do what I wanted. But I could never talk to animals. Does anyponyelse know?"
>"No. Not yet. I want to tell Twilight just how good I'm getting. but Not yet. She just thinks I'm really good at feeling feelings and stuff."
>"Twilight..."
>"You really should try to let it go. I can feel it. She only did what she thought she had to."
>"I'll let her go, alright."
>"Now Cozy, that's not very nice."
>"...I know."
>"You never told me... Why did you think you need power?"
>"I know."
>"but why?"
>"can't you see yourself? Ms. I'm-In-Your-Head, Reading-Your-Memories.."
[silence]
>"Golly, I didn't mean to --"
>"I know. I gotta go."

The final bell rings, and everypony rushes out for winter break, heading off each of their own Hearts Warming plans with each of their own families. All except for one, hanging behind.
>"Class is over, my student. Is there something more?"
>"Ms. Twilight? err.. Princess? I mean.."
>"Class is over. It's Princess, but my friends can just call me Twilight."
>It's sincere, she can feel it, but still feels uncomfortable dismissing formalities, "Um, ok. Ms, I mean, Twilight."
>"Yes?"
>"You know how you can't really change the past, right? If a pony did wrong, it's done.."
>"Well Technically, you CAN change the past, but I wouldn't recommend it."
>"Oh, right. well.. What if everything you knew about a pony was wrong? Like, they were bad, and did bad things. Maybe even hurt you, but all you could do was hurt them back, because neither you nor her knew any better?"
>"That sounds like something for the school of friendship. Are you interested in attending there?"
>"Well, um. Maybe? That's not what--"
>"Today is also their last day before the winter break, but come Spring, We can transfer you over there for a little bit. Too much knowledge can never be a bad thing! And you could definitely learn a thing about making friends."
>"Wait, what?"
>"Oh! I didn't mean it like that. It's just that, well, I never see you hanging out with any other pony here. You eat your lunch in the garden by yourself. Your dorm mate says you never talk to her, she sometimes forgets what you sound like, even."
>"I already know what's on her mind.. she never shuts up, I don't even have to read it." she mutters to herself.
>"I'm sorry, what was that?"
>"Oh, nothing." [a moment of awkward silence passes] "I have a friend. I talk to her almost every day."
>"Oh?"
>"Yeah. Everypony thinks she's bad, but she's just misunderstood. But.. well, I don't know how to make everybody see."
[character count limit reached]

>Twilight smiles, "Well my friend Pinkie Pie would have a perfect solution for that."
>"what's that?"
>"A party! You should have a party in honor of your friend and all the good things they can do and be. Show everypony! Be sure to invite your friend, of course."
>"Show everypony.." she says to herself, the gears beginning to turn. "But if Everypony hates her, do you really think that's a good idea?"
>"If you really believe they are good, then yes. If you know your history, there is a certain changeling that would agree."
>"Ok. I'll do it. Thanks, Ms-- err, um. Twilight. Have a happy Hearts Warming!"
She trots off happy and excited, Twilight is left wondering.
>"I wonder who it could be."

[later that night, somewhere deep in the Everfree]
>"Come on, there's got to be one around here somewhere. Maybe it's just not the season for them." She talks to herself, as she searches.
The full moon lights the snow covered ground brightly. The owls hoot. Distant timber wolves howl.
She keeps her nose to the ground studying the different tracks as she comes across them.
>"mouse, bunny, me-- shit, I'm going in circles"
She stops and looks around, spotting a new direction she hasn't gone yet.
>"I'm almost close to the castle of the two sisters. If it weren't for the trees, I could probably see it from here. Maybe I'll find on there. I'll need some place to ride the night out until the train to Canterlot runs again in the morning."
The search continues deep into the night. She's about ready to give up when a sudden rustling in a nearby bush gets her attention.
>"Hello? is Somepony there? or.. Some--creature?"
She cautiously moves in to investigate.
>"it's right here." she thinks to herself. "careful, gently.... Yes. There it is." She is stiff with excitement, careful not to startle it.
>she speaks to it telepathically, "Hi there, buddy..."
It turns around, eyes glowing red. Body of a snake, head of a chicken. the excitement the discovery fills her with is enough to warm her heart, her body, she can't even feel the cold snow under her hooves anymore.
...she can't even feel the ground under her hooves anymore. That's not right. Stiff with excitement, no.
>"shit, shit, SHIT." she says to herself before concentrating her gaze on the creature. "No you don't! Not me, Not Tonight! Stop it. Now.."
As the stone slowly creeps up her body, a different kind of cold seeps in.
>"This... this is what she must have meant." she thinks to herself, before returning to gaze harder at the creature, "Undo this, NOW!"
the creature's eyes glaze over, and slowly but surely, she can move again.
>"I got you! Now. I just need you to do that one more time for me, for a friend."

[the next day]
>"You wouldn't believe the trouble I had getting back here, Cozy."
>"yeah?"
>"Yeah! or keeping what I brought back with me, a secret! It's part of your surprise!"
>"Ooh! Tell me!"
>"Not yet! Tonight. you'll be able to see."
>"What?"
>"You'll see! It'll be the best Hearts Warming Eve ever!"
>"I never had my own Hearts Warming before."
>"Never? That's so sad. What did you do while everypony else was with their friends and families?"
>"Plot. Scheme. The usual."
>"oh. Well, we're not doing that tonight. Ok?"
>"Ok."
>"...really? no friends? at all?"
>"Well, I was doing real good, until I hurt them all. And that's when I went to tartarus."
>"Oh, right. Twilight says that's not how you really make friends. I don't really have any either. You're the only pony that ever really talks to me."
>"same. You're the only pony I've talked to ever since.. since I..."
>"I know. Hopefully that will change soon. Hey Cozy?"
>"Yeah?"
>"Would you do it again? If you were free, would you be bad again?"
>"I never thought about that. I'll never be free again."
>"But what if you could be. would you?"
>"Would I?"
[silence]

>"I.. I don't know. What do you think?" Cozy asks.
>"Whatever you think. I know, you're being honest. I guess that's all I can ask for, really."
>"that's still creepy when you do that, you know."
>"Promise me."
>"Promise what?"
>"Promise me you won't do bad again."
>"I don't know if I can. You've taught me a lot since we've been talking. I think about it all the time. whenever you're not here. There's nothing else to do, really. But Twilight. The others. What if they never understand?"
>"We'll show them. We'll make them see. Do you promise?"
>"I... Promise I will not do bad again, to you."
>"To everypony, Cozy."
>"I promise I won't hurt you on purpose."
>"Cozy!"
>"[mental sigh] I promise."
>"...Promise what?"
>"What does it matter? I'm going to be here forever! forever! Fillies like me don't come back to show anypony anything. Why are you teasing me with this? Just go away!"
>"Cozy... I"
>"Leave me alone!"
>"But Cozy, the surpr-"
>"Go! .....go."
the link slowly dissolves. Dejected, the lonely pony makes her way out of the garden, stopping once to look back before returning to her dorm.

Cold, quiet. The dorm room was dark. Most of the building was. only a hand full of ponies stayed during the holiday, which was good because sneaking in such a creature with others around would be no easy task. More statues might just appear in the garden suddenly out of nowhere while students went missing.
Alone in her room, she climbs into bed. The softness of her comforter and pillow reminded her of just how little sleep she's gotten, having been up all night in the forest, dozing on the train and nearly missing her stop.
>"are you doing ok, Monty Clukersmith?" she asks the cockatrice, sitting quietly in its cage. "it's almost lunch time. I think I'll close my eyes. for just, a little.. ..bit."

[night]
>She steps up to the statue. "Ok, Monty. This is it. You think I should tell her? No. let's surprise her all the way!" She holds the creature up in the air, facing it towards the statue. "Do your thing!"
The cockatrice fixes its gaze on the statue, and a moment passes. suddenly bouncy curls bust out of the stone.
>"it's working!"
The stone begins to crumble down lower and lower, with most of her body free Cozy gasps for air.
>with a loud "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa--olly!" she is free, popping out of the last bit of stone containing her.
>"It worked! You're not stone anymore!" she says out loud. "We can talk, with our voices!"
>"Golly Yes! we can!" Cozy says as she stretches and brushes some remaining dust off of herself, and out of her hair. She flies forward a bit to put the pony in between her and the statue. "It feels really nice to be able to move again. To feel!"
>"This is amazing! Thanks Monty!" She says as she releases it to scurry off. "What should we do first? I bet you're hungry!"
>"Oh, I am. But I know somepony who's even hungrier than both of us." Cozy says, growing an evil grin.
>Confused, "What? what do you mean? Cozy? You're scaring me."
>Cozy points back at the statue, "Tirek! Quickly, take her magic and let's get out of here!"

She turns around to realize she really should have told the cockatrice where to stop.
>"No. What have I done? Cozy, How could you? I thought we were friends"
>"Yeah, we were. Meet my other two friends. I'm sure you've read about them."
Before she could run, Tirek lunges forward, pinning her to the ground, and proceeds to inhale all but the last of her essence. Her eyes pale, just barely enough strength to muster the words:
>"Cozy, How could you?"
>"What can I say? I've had a lot of time to find an even better way to be bad."
Tirek facepalms.
>Chrysalis shouts, "If we are done here, let us go before we are discovered!"
Suddenly, a blinding light showers in from above, a booming, royal canterlot voice shouts at them:
>"NOT TONIGHT YOU DON'T!"
>"Princess Luna!" the trio shout as they cower in her light, painfully dissolving.
>still weakened, "Princess Luna...." the pony says.
The light fades once the threat is no more. Luna helps her to her hooves.
>"I was only trying to, I mean, I didn't mean to."
>"It is all right, little one. You are safe now." Luna says, calmingly.
>"But, how did you know to come here? Am I, is this a dream?" She asks, looking at her hooves and at her surroundings.
Luna smiles warmly at her as everything around them swirls away into a star filled landscape of clouds and space.
>"What do you think?"
>She looks around, "um, I hope so. Yes?"
>"Yes. It is still the middle of the day. I thought I'd check in to a particular pony that has checked out much earlier than usual. You're not the only pony that can enter the minds of others so freely at will."
>"Oh, right." she says sheepishly. "so, you know? about Cozy, and ..the conversations?"
>"I've known for quite some time, now. You talk to yourself in your sleep, be it in your mind only, but in your sleep, I hear it all."
>"So, am I in trouble? Why haven't you stopped me?"
>"It simply isn't my place. It has never been my place to interfere, you see."
[limit reached again]

>"It has always been my job to guide and help those in need as they slumber. What you do in the waking world, is your choice."
They walk along a path of clouds through an endless star filled sky.
>"oh. ok. But, I thought you retired from your job with Princess Celestia."
>"protecting and guiding ponies in their dreams is something I would hardly call work. Now, care to tell me about what's bothering you?"
>"Well. It's Cozy Glow. She's not a bad pony. I know it. And if I could just show everypony else, I think she would be ok."
>"I see. And do you think it wise to free her?"
>"I don't know. Maybe? She... She doesn't deserve to be made of stone forever!"
>"Perhaps."
>"I know she can be good. I feel it in her. When I talk to her, I just know it. I'm not talking to the same pony that went to Tartarus, or got frozen in that statue. That Cozy Glow is gone."
>"I too sense a change in her. A stone sleep is still sleep, after all. But I do not see all that you are able to see, how can you be so sure?"
>"Well... I guess I can't. But isn't that what Friendship is too? Believing in a pony when you have no other reason to? I might not have any real friends, but I have Cozy."
>"You will be in a lot of trouble, even I will not be able to help you if you are wrong."
>"What should I do?"
>"That is something you must decide for yourself, little one. It is something not to be taken lightly. A decision that shouldn't be made on an empty stomach."
>"huh?" her stomach growls. "oh, right."
>"Think it over, to yourself. You will know the right thing to do." Luna says, as she starts poking sharply at the pony's face.
>"Ow! what are you... Ow! stop that. Ow!"
She opens her eyes to find herself back in her bed. the Cockatrice having left its cage now pecking at her.
>"it was a dream." she says to herself, looking around. "Gee... Thanks Luna." She says, half sarcastically.

[Late Afternoon]
She sits in her usual spot, at the base of the statue, eating her lunch. No link.
>She looks up at the statue, "Does she know I'm here? Does she miss me?" she thinks to herself as she chews.
>"What if it's like in my dream, and they all break free. what then?" She takes another bite, in silent thought. "What if... She really IS bad? No. I would have been able to tell. ...but what if?"
She breaks a few pieces off and tosses it to the cockatrice
>"What do you think, Monty? Can you unstone just the little one up there? leave the other two?"
Monty nibbles at the food in pecks.
>"I hope so." she says to it.
>She takes another bite, continuing to think to herself "to free, or not to free..."

[that night]
>"Cozy?"
silence
>"Cozy, I know you're there."
silence
>"Look Cozy, I'm sorry I tried to make you promise me. You don't have to promise not to be bad. Ok?" She begins to worry.
silence still
>Cozy finally replies "do you promise?"
>She smiles. "I promise. but only if you promise me you will try to be good."
>"Yeah, I promise."
>"Good! Because I still have that surprise for you! Are you ready? Here goes!"
She holds the cockatrice up to the statue
>"Ok, Monty, just like we practiced. Only the little one. Got that? Good."

The stone around Cozy begins to glow and crack before slowly crumbling away. Cozy gasps for air before curling up and collapsing to the ground.
>"Oh Cozy, we did it! You're free! You're... are you ok? There's no book on this. Let's get you up to my room, Come on."

>"Good morning!" The pony exclaims.
>wrapped up in a thick, warm blanket, a groggy Cozy Glow slowly opens her eyes "wha.. where am I? is this real? Wait, I know that voice"
>"Yep! You've been asleep for quite a while now. three days sure seems like forever, huh."
>Cozy sits up, "It's you! It's really you! but how did you, and the stone.. but I was..." Cozy is interrupted by her stomach growling very loudly
>"I thought you'd be hungry. Here, I made you some too." She offers Cozy a bit of breakfast.
Cozy wastes no time in devouring her meal.
>"It's me. The one you've been talking to all this time. Do you like your surprise? I did it! you're free!! Now we can get ice cream, and hayburgers, and I can show everypony what a great pony you are!"
>"wait, slow down."
>"Oh, I get it. This must all be very overwhelming. Please, take your time. More breakfast?" She puts more food on Cozy's plate. "You must have a million questions. Oh, what am I saying, I KNOW you have a million questions!"
>"Um... yeah. I--"
>"Just take your time, and let's talk! With our voices! Out Loud!"
>"Calm down, Pony."
>"Oh, right." she struggles to sit still in her excitement.
>Cozy continues to stuff food in her face, speaking crumbs at the filly that just can't sit still, "where are we?"
>"that's an easy one. You're in my room, at Celestia's School of Magic!"
>Cozy nearly chokes, spitting half her food out at the same time, "Celestia's School of Magic!?! In Canterlot!!?" Filled with panic, she flies up out of her bedding frantically looking around, "I can't be here, what if they catch me? they'll send me right back, ...or worse" She shivers at the thought.
>"Hey, it's ok.. everypony is gone right now for the holiday. well, most of them. It's Hearts Warming! Besides us, this floor is empty."
>Cozy calms down and looks out the window, her wings keeping her hovered in the air. "It really is real. I'm free. Golly."
[character limit]

>Cozy turns to the pony, "And you. you're the one who's been talking to me."
>"uh-huh! It's me!"
>"where is the other one? the one that just watches and listens."
>"what do you mean? Oh, Luna? Does she talk to you too?"
>"no. Not Princess Luna, no. The other one. All he does is watch, and listen. always. even when you're not there. You don't know him?"
>"Um. Cozy, what are you talking about?" She suddenly feels uneasy.
>"He was there. Before you. He was always there. Cozy looks out the window again"
>"I don't know what you're talking about. ...Is he here? Now?" She looks around nervously.
>"I.. I don't think so. But everything out here feels different than in there. I can't tell."
>She hits her forehead repeatedly as she scolds herself "Stupid, stupid, Stupid! Of course I'm not the only with this magic ability. Who else has been listening? What do they want?"
>"Um, is everything ok?" Cozy turns from the window to face her.
>"Sure! yeah." she says, unconvincingly nervous. "You don't need to worry about a thing. More Breakfast?" She offers some more food, nearly throwing it at Cozy.
>"um, no thanks. I'm not hungry." She sits back down on the bed. "So. Um, what now?"
>"Well, I thought that maybe, I, can, throw, a.. party, for, ...you." she begins to sound more and more unsure of herself as she continues to talk "--and show, every, pony, how... good, you are. now." she looks down at the floor, "Oh, who am I kidding, I'm no good at this."
>"It's ok, Cozy will help you. Just like you helped me! But um, I can't say I'm too comfortable being here in this school so close to Twilight and the royal guard. Can we go somewhere less um.. royaltylee?"
>"Ok! That's a good idea. We should get you a disguise first. No, wait. nobody would recognize you now, right? How long has it been? What do you think?"
>"...I think we'll be ok. Just don't let Twilght or the others see me."
>"Ok. Let's get some fresh air."

[On the Road to ... Somewhere]
>"So that's when I was like 'Oh, Golly!'-- wait, where are we going?" Cozy asked.
>"Does it matter? We can go anywhere!"
>"You're right! Whoever knew being free could be so.... free?"
>"Almost. You have to be good, too. You promised."
>"Well I'll give it my best!"
They exchange nods.
A short while later they come across a pony who's cart is stuck in the mud.
>"There's your chance! Let's go help."
They make their way up to the cart. Cozy speaks:
>"Gee, mister. You sure look like you could use some help!"
>The old pony replies, "Oh, don't let it be a bother. I'll get there, eventually!"
>"It's no trouble at all!" counters Cozy.
The two younger ponies square up to the back of the cart and begin to push.
>"Just, a, little.. more, and.."
The cart finally gives way and becomes unstuck.
>"There you go, Mister. Good as new!" Says Cozy, proudly.
>"well, good as before you got stuck, anyway."
>"And I helped!" beams Cozy. "I'm turning over a new leaf!"
>Confused, the old pony replies "I suppose so. uh, Thank you kindly!" before he continues on down the road.
>"See, Cozy? That's not so bad. It can even be kinda fun."
>"Yup! It's even-- wait. what was that?" Cozy stops mid-air to look around.
>"What was what?"
>"That! I heard it again. It's Him."
>The pony holds still, silently looking around all the corners and reaches of her vision. "WHO'S THERE?" she asks loudly, telepathically.
>Cozy holds her head, "Ow! That hurt!!"
>"Oh. Sorry. I think we should keep moving. Something's not right."
>"Oh, Golly."

[Later That Evening]
>"This looks like a good spot. just enough space, a fire to keep us warm. Yup." She had found them a shallow cave to spend the night. She unpacks her saddlebags, laying out bedding for the two of them. "we can head back in the morning."
>"Back... to the School?" asks Cozy, nervously.
>"We're not that far away. Sooner or later, Ponies will find out. Just let me talk to Twilight. It'll be ok. You'll see. Now, help me get this fire going."

[Late in the Night]
A mumbling can be heard outside the cave.
>"Cozy, is that you?" She reaches over and pats the bedding next to her. It's empty, cold. She sits up, "Cozy, who are you talking to?" She quietly makes her way out of the cave "Coz--"
Cozy is pacing back and forth seemingly arguing with, nopony; a one-sided conversation. "But I don't have to be bad. My friend said so. She showed me."
>"Cozy Glow?" the pony whispers quietly, having gone unnoticed. She tries to tune in telepathically, but is met with a blinding flash of pain right through the middle of her head.
>"Cozy is Good pony. Cozy is Best pony. Go away!" she continues to pace back and forth, clearly agitated. "You can't make me. You--" she stops, gazing out over the edge, into the landscape. "No. You wouldn't." tears well up in her eyes.. "Golly no, NO!" She begins to lose composure
>Our little pony shakes it off and runs up to Cozy Glow, "Cozy? Cozy! Shake it off. Come on." she shakes Cozy by the shoulders, "Get ahold of yourself, I'm here. Come on, you can do it. Do it for me. Come back" she pleads, sounding increasingly worried.
>Cozy shakes her head, turning to the pony before lunging into a quivering embrace, sobbing. She looks out into the distance over the pony's shoulder, "Ok. I will." she says, in between sobs.
>"There, there.. I know you could. Just relax and come back to bed. It's still very late."
>"Hold me."
>"it's ok. Whatever it is, it will be ok."

[The Bell Rings]
>"Ok, class." addresses Twilight, "for those of you who haven't finished your Hearts Warming Assignment, the final day to turn it in will be tomorrow!"  She says as she clears the blackboard. "Seriously, you had all vacation to do it."
>"aww, but we were on vacation!" moaned a student, on his way out.
>"That's why it's called Vacation work! Anytime is the best time to study!" she says happily.  :Also, one more thing, some artifacts have come up missing from their display cases throughout the school.  If you happen to see or find them, please return them to me or a guard as soon as possible.  They may be old, but the magic inside can be dangerous and can last for eons."

[back at the dorm  room]
>"Oh! Welcome back!" says Cozy.
>"Thank  you.  I hope you weren't too bored with the reading materials I left for you.  Sorry there's not much for you to do here."
>"Oh, I kept myself plenty busy while you were busy in Twilight's class, with Twilight and all.  It was Terrific!"
>"That's good.  Do you think you're ready to see Twilight?"
>"NO!  um, I mean, ..no.  Not yet.  can you give me just a teeny little longer?  Please?" Cozy asks, putting on her cute face.
>"Well, I guess so."
>"It's a good thing your room mate decided to transfer out.  I don't know what I would do to not get caught."
>"yeah, good thing.  But she didn't say why, or where she was going.  just that she had to go.  almost like she was afraid to stay.  or tell me, for that matter."
>"Oh Golly, I hope she's ok.  Do you think they'll replace her with somepony new?"
>"I don't think so.  we're in our final term, and School will be out soon."
>"soon."
>"soon."

[Another day passes. Cozy postpones for another day.]
[Another day passes.]
>"Just one more day, Pweese!" "..You're the best!"
[The Next Day]
>"Ok, you come over after class, and wait outside the classroom while I talk to Twilight, and then you will come in. Ok?"
>"Sounds like a plan!"

[The final bell rings, students gather their things and shuffle off for the day]
>"Um, Ms. err-- Princess Twilight?"
>"Twilight, dear. Is there something I can help you with?"
>"Oh! well, I just wanted to introduce you finally, to my friend is all"
>"Oh? Introducing new friends is always a wonderful thing."
>"Right. um. well, She's not exactly new, you see."
>"How do you mean?"
>"I know you've met her before, but I promise you, she is a good friend." She turns towards the door and speaks up, "Ok Cozy, you can come on in!"
>"Co-zy?"
Nobody enters
>She speaks up a little louder than before, "Cozy Glow! That's you!"
>"Co-zy, Glow. What is the meaning of this?"
The pony laughs nervously goes to peak out the door. The hallway is empty.
>"Uh. Maybe she's still back in the room?"
>"There is only one Cozy Glow that I know of, and I know she's out in the garden, and definitely not running around loose in the school!" Twilight exclaims.
>"Um well, about that..."
>"Take me to your room." she says before shouting out loudly. "Guards!"
The pony gulps.

The door opens swiftly. two guard ponies quickly enter, standing to the sides shouting "clear!"
In walks Twilight, followed by her student.
>Twilight looks around, "Nopony is here. If this is some sort of a joke it's not very--"
>"It isn't, I promise. She stays here while I'm in class. Look, these are the books I got for her while I was out!" She picks up a book bag, out fall an assortment of artifacts, spread out onto the floor in front of Twilight and the two guards.
>Twilight looks sternly down at the student, "You've got some explaining to do!"
>"It-- It's not what it looks like. I don't now where these came from"
>"Oh? And how did they get here?"
>"I-- I don't know! I didn't take them, honest!"
>Twilight motions the guards to pick up the artifacts. "They're all here, princess. All except for one."
>Twilight turns to face the guards, concerned. Which one is missing?
>"The bell is missing, your highness.
>"You've got to be kidding me" says Twilight and her student, simultaneously. Twilight flashes a dirty look to her student.
>"Quickly, we must get to the throne room!" Twilight says, commanding everypony.

A flurry of hooves and moments later, they arrive.

Busting through the door, the guards, followed by Twilight are met with an all too familiar ringing sound.

>"Cozy!" exclaims twilight, as her magic is drained away. "How dare you drain my magic for yourself!"
>"Oh, Twilight, it's not for me. Somepony made me do it!"
>"Excuses!" said twilight, now slumped on the ground along with her guards, severely weakened"
>"Cozy, No! Why are you doing this?" the pony asked. "You are a good pony, you promised!"
>"I'm not. He won't let me."
>"Who, Cozy? Who won't let you?"
Cozy raises a black crystal into the air with her free hand, tossing it to the ground in front of them.
>"He won't." she says as she aims the bell at it, giving it a ring.
The crystal bubbles and grows, sprouting more black bubbling crystals, follow by an ominous laugh.

A dark cloud of smoke swirls and grows, filling the room.
>"Spike!" called Twilight. "Send a scroll, warn the others!"
>"Oh, I don't think he can hear you." A voice says, emanating from the cloud as it takes form and Sombra materializes. "He's on a quest to beyond the borders of yak-yakistan. nopony will be hearing from him for quite some time". Sombra laughs gayly.
As Sombra climbs the steps up to the throne, Cozy quickly leaves the chair to hop down and kneel before him.
>"A.. at your service, k.. k.. king Sombra." Said Cozy, nervously.
Sombra kicks her aside on his way to the throne.
>"Cozy no!" called out the pony.
>"Silence!" commanded Sombra, as he materialized a muzzle onto her face.
>"YOU WILL NEVER GET AWAY WITH THIS!" she shouts at Sombra, telepathacially. Her thoughts seeming to echo throughout the room as dust falls from the ceiling.
>"Oh, but it seems that I already have. I have the castle, and the ruler of all Equestria. he-he, the, *previous* ruler of all Equestria. Soon, I will drain the magic of all of those that would oppose me and all will bow down, to ME!" Says Sombra as he holds up the bell, followed by another gay laugh.
>Cozy hops back up from the floor to kneel on the steps in front of the throne, "Y-Your highness, why go through all that trouble when.. you can have a minion do the work for you?"
>"Go on..." inquired Sombra
>"You can just sit right there, a-and I will bring their power to you. No pony would suspect little ol' me. It will be easy! M.. My king."
>"Yes, I see. Go, and be quick about it."
>"As you wish!" Cozy says as she rises to her hovers, using her wings to lift herself off of the ground. "...Just one more thing."
>"Yes? what is it, now?" Sombra ask, becoming annoyed.
>"It's just that, the ends of Equestria are such a very, very long way to travel, and these little wings sure do get tiered awfully easy." She says as she crosses her hooves low in front of her, making a sad face.
>the pony furrows her brow thinking to Cozy "What are you up to?"
>"Very well. But do not fail, or attempt to betray me, or your wings will not be the last thing to carry you off."
>"Sombra uses the bell to grant Cozy a horn in a dazzling flash of light and magical radiance before floating the bell over to here. "Now, be gone! and don't delay your return, or else."
>Cozy bows to Sombra from in the air. She thinks back to the pony, "...Getting More Power"
A flash of light, and she's gone.

>"Now," said Sombra, leaning back in the throne. "Where were we?"
>"You will never get away with this!" exclaimed Twilight.
>"Oh, I AM getting away with this. While we wait, I think it's time for a little decoration." Sombra begins blasting several areas of the throne room with his horn, causing massive black crystals to form and shoot out into place. "A little of this, and some of that. oh, lovely. Yes, yes, feeling it. Fabulous! Oh, and that's just got to go over there. Terrific! Oh, this room is become a place to just for simply die for. I, am amazing. Get rid of that, oh, and that's just gag-a-tronic."

[later]
Sombra sits in the crystallized throne, relaxed, picking at his hoof. Twilight, Pony and the guards are imprisioned to his side, surrounded by jagged crystals. The room is uncomfortably silent, the slightest noise echoing off of the many faceted surfaces with a heavy reverberation.
>a guard clears his throat lightly
The ponies just stand there, eyeing Sombra who sits. No sounds or signs of any activity can be heard from out in the hall. Pony shifts her weight from one side to the other as she continues to glare at Sombra. Twilight scratches her shoulder for a moment.
Suddenly, a small piece of dark crystal dislodges and falls on to the floor with a small "Clink!" Sombra and company jump.
>Sombra looks up, "What was that? It was nothing." He goes back to idly picking at his hoof.
Twilight shifts her weight from one side to the other. Sombra stretches, and adjusts how he is sitting in the throne, trying to get more comfortable. Pony continues to glare at Sombra. The guards, powerless to act also maintain their fixed focus on Sombra. For a moment, a bird can be heard chirping outside as it flies by the window, then it is gone. Light shines in through the stained glass onto the dark crystals that now cover the room. Pony flips some of her mane out of her face, the chains on her muzzle jingle, echoing throughout the room.

[that evening]
Twilight, Pony and the guards continue to glare at Sombra, who just sits.
>Pony closes her eyes, her horn glowing softy, "Cozy. Cozy, why?" she telepathically calls out. Tears of disappointment and betrayal well in her eyes.
>Twilight notices, and presses against her, stretching out a wing over her back. "I'm pretty sure you had the best intentions, but sometimes a pony just doesn't want to be saved, no matter how hard you try. A forced friendship will always fail."
>"Not Cozy." replies Pony, telepathically. "I would never give up. I've seen through her, too much that tells me she is every bit worth saving. She just... she's, lost right now. Sombra kept me out when I tried to be there for her, when she needed me the most. She has to know, I will always try to reach her."
>"Then I'm certainly sure you had the best intentions on being the best friend a pony can ask for."
>"Thanks, Twilight." She shifts her mental focus, "Cozy, why are you doing this? You once said friendship is power. You have a friend right here, what more do you need? Cozy!" She looks to twilight, "She doesn't answer. I think... I think I've made a terrible mistake. Please forgive me Twilight."

[later that evening]
The ponies continue to--
>A flash of light and Cozy reappears in the middle of the throne room, bell in hand. Everypony is startled. "Here I am!"
>"So you are. And did you bring me the power of the alicorns?", asked Sombra.
>"Yup! I sure did! I also brought you something else.", said Cozy, as she heads for the doors to the room.
>"Oh?", asked Sombra.
The doors open, to reveal two figures: a pink one, and a blue rainbow one.
>"Sombra, agitated and alarmed, "What? What is this? What have you done!?"
with no delay, not even a word, the ponies quickly spring into action.
>Cozy flies to the crystal prison and aims the bell at Twilight and the guards, giving it a ring. "This is how..."
>"We beat you," Pinkie says as she springs up holding a shard of Chrysalis' throne just in time to block a blast from Sombra aimed at Cozy.
>The bell finishes returning power to the guards, and all of the rest of its stored power into Twilight. Cozy then back flips through the air to land on Sombra's back, grabbing his horn and pulling back as hard as she could to try and keep him from moving.
>Rainbow Dash, now hovering in the middle of the room, crosses her hooves, "In ten seconds flat."
>"Surprise!", says Pinkie as she appears from behind the throne holding a box with a bow tied on it. She tugs at the ribbon, and the box opens up. a head of a chicken pops up, glowing red eyes.
>"Now, Monty!" says Cozy, Struggling to hang on to Sombra, Bell gripped tightly in her teeth.
>"NOOOOOoooooo..." screams Sombra, as he begins to solidify into stone, taking Cozy, bell and all, with him.
>"Do it Monty, Don't stop!" cried Cozy, tears solidifying as she too turned gray and motionless.
Revived, Twilight bursts the crystal prison into shattered dust.
Where the throne once was now sits a large stone statue.
>Pinkie closes the box, putting it away. "And that's the story of how we defeated King Sombra. Again. Again." She nods in satisfaction.
Dash nods and flies away.

[earlier]

*Poof!*
>"Cozy Glow!" exclaimed Pinkie.
>"Uh, Hi Pinkie. you're not surprised?" asked Cozy.
>"Yes, I AM surprised.  And I love surprises!  Unless they're baaad surprises.  Are you a baaad surprise?"
>"Oh, well..."
>"Grogar's Bell?  Are we going to party hard?"
>"No, Pinkie.  I need your help!  Twilight's in trouble!!  King Sombra's back and--"
>Pinkie draws in a long gasp, "King Sombra!?!  Say no more!  But first, to the party planning slash operation rescue Twilight from King Sombra and save the day planning party planning cave!"

[elswhere]
*Poof!*
>"What?!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, startled as she turns around.
>"Now, I now what you're going to say, but--" Cozy started.
>"Cozy Glow?  I thought you were Dead!  I mean Frozen in stone!"
>"About that..."
>"Grogar's Bell?  Oh no, you're not getting me!" Dash says as she jets off, causing a sudden rainboom.
>"No, wait!" called out Cozy, but it was too late. "...Golly."  She turns around, "Oh, right.."  Cozy tilts her horn lighting up a flash of light.
*Poof!*
>"Did she say yes?" asked Pinkie.
>"um.  no.  she didn't.  she took off instead.  that way."  Cozy points.
>"No problem.  I'll get her!"

[That night]
Castle staff are busy breaking crystals, and sweeping.  The statue of Sombra and Cozy has been moved temporarily to the middle of the room while a new throne has already replaced the old one.
>Pony stands at the statue, head down, eyes closed, motionless, horn a soft glow.
>"She's been standing there a long time." Said Pinkie.
>"She is talking to her." replied Twilight.
>"Are you going to free her?"
>"I don't think that's for me to decide, though I don't think she's the same pony that we put away all those years ago.  She's changed."
>"For the better, I hope.  She's the one who found us and told us to help her save you.  It was all her idea.  First I was like 'Whaaaaaa?'  and Then I was like 'Oki-Dokie'!"
>"For the better.  I know it, now."
>"What do you think they're talking about?"
>"I'm sure we'll know soon enough."
Pony's horn stops glowing.  She opens her eyes to look up at Cozy, frozen in stone, displaying an expression of struggle and determination, outlined with a touch of sadness in a stream of a single tear.  She exhales slowly before making her way towards Twilight and Pinkie.
>"Will she be joining us?" asked Twilight.
>Pony shakes her head.  "She says she doesn't think she deserves to, that she's not ready."
>"I see."
>"I tried to tell her, she is a good pony.  She is.  You have to believe me now.  But she won't believe it.  She's not ready to."
>"I think she just needs you to keep telling her.  Every day.  Some day, I hope you can make a proper introduction."
>Pinkie pops up, "I think we should throw a party, for our new friend, Cozy Glow!"

[later]
"Cheers, to Cozy Glow!" everypony says, lifting their glass.  The statue nicely placed on display.
Pony sits comfortably, eating ice cream and hayburgers next to her friend as music and memories play into the night.

----------

>Trixie leans back in her chair, hooves propped up on her desk.  "Yup, uh-huh.  That sounds about right."  She idly listens as she magically floats smoke bombs around in the air, making different patterns.  "Well I wouldn't blame anypony.  This school is obviously greater and more powerfuler than the school of magic."  She says as she fumbles, nearly dropping the smoke bombs on her desk.
>"No, It's not like that.  Twilight just said I'm more than ready to start studying here, is all, and my first year review here was perfect" says Pony.
>"She did?"
>"She said that magic is important, but friendship is magic too."
>"Well, Twilight knows best!" Trixie says, then speaking under her breath "...sometimes"
>"Um, Trixie?"
>"Yes?"
>"When you were evil...  I mean, not good, and then you decided to be good.  How did you know?"
>Trixie stops to think for a minute.  "I like to think of it as I was always good, and everypony else just got a little more bad."
>Pony scratches her head. "Um... Ok."
A knock on the door, and a student aid peeks in, "Ms. Trixie, Pony?  They're ready for you."

[Starlight's Office]
Starlight sits behind her desk, Sunburst standing next to her.
>"We've gone over everything Princess Twilight has presented to us, as well as thoroughly reviewed your file-- you've done a lot since you've enrolled here, Pony." Said Starlight, happily.
>"Thank you." replied Pony.
>"Having said that, we agree with Princess Twilight to move forward with this plan.  Are you ready for it?"
>"Oh, yes.  I am.  I won't let you down!"
>"Alright then.  Trixie, if you can get the paperwork in order, we should be able to start right away."
>"Ugh... Paperwork." groaned Trixie.
>"And you," said Starlight.  Are you ready to start your first day here, ...again?"
>"Oh Golly Gee Yes!" exclaimed Cozy.
>"Then let me be the first to welcome you to Twilight's School of Friendship!"