00 - What happens to Golly? [cleaned, revised, expanded]

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last updated: 20191005

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!SPOILER ALERT!

In the series finale, Cozy Glow was frozen into a stone statue with Tirek and Chrysalis at the suggestion of Discord while the ponies laughed and rejoiced triumph and victory over “evil”. This caused a major divide in how the fans on /mlp/ felt about whether or not Cozy deserved such a seemingly harsh punishment since, to our understanding, Cozy was “just a filly”. In my headcanon, some years down the road:

* * *

Ms. Cheerilee was with her class on their annual field trip to the prison-statue garden, discussing the various statues and the arbitrary meanings assigned to them. It was time for the group to move on when Astral, a curious young blank-flank unicorn hung back and got a little too close to the statue of Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow. Feeling sympathy for Cozy and her story as told by Cheerilee, Astral used her magic to spark a tiny link with a young voice she could telepathically hear crying from within.

Anger, loneliness, fear, sadness. Dark. Cold. Regret, lost, confusion. One at a time, one after another, all at once. It was almost too much to take in. Shocked and surprised, Astral jumped back, breaking the link. She looked on the frozen filly's face with a new set of eyes.

Astral stepped back in and closed her eyes, concentrating harder.  Not just any unicorn could do what she could. She had only ever pulled off a deliberate telepathic connection to another pony just a few times before, and never had it been anything more than an overall insight on what the pony was feeling. This was new territory for her, but she just had to know. The tip of her horn lit up and the link was made once again.

"Um, hello?" Astral’s telepathic voice was a glimmer of light in the darkness of a stone prison, a beacon of hope, far off in the distance, seemingly just out of reach.

The crying abruptly stopped with a gasp, settling to a much softer sob. "H-Hello? Is somepony out there? What's happening? Where are you? Who are you?” It was Cozy Glow. “Where am I?” She asked, nearly panicking.

Astral replied. "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 settled a little bit, but sounding angry tried to shift the blame. "It's all Chrysalis and Tirek's fault. I wanted to make friends but they forced me to be bad. It was--" She was interrupted by Astral.

"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,” said Astral.

There was telepathic silence for a moment before the sobbing returned, this time with a feeling of only sadness and regret.

“My name’s Astral Bell, but everypony just calls me Astral,” she said. “Why’d you do all those bad things?”

The sobbing quieted down and slowed to a stop.

"Cozy?" asked Astral.

"Because, friendship... is power," said Cozy, slowly.

"But why would you need pow-" Astral was interrupted by an outside voice calling to her.

"Astral?  Astral!  Hey Blank Flank! are you going to pray to that statue all day? Ms. Cheerilee says it's lunchtime. C'mon, hurry up already! We’re gonna leave you behind and I'll eat your lunch!" said a classmate.

The link was broken. Astral took one last look up at Cozy Glow before trotting off to rejoin the group. It would not be the last time she made the connection to the only pony that would willingly talk to her.

Cozy was left with Astral’s question. "Why do you need power?" she thought to herself. It echoed in her mind for days, weeks, possibly moons or even years on the outside. In stone, the concept of time tended to fade after a while. Every moment alone became an eternity. Somepony was out there. A warm voice in the cold of the never-ending darkness of her stone prison; a kind voice. She yearned to hear it once more.

* * *
"Hello? I'm back." A familiar voice returned, Astral.

Cozy felt something nearly unfamiliar to her; joy, if only a little bit of it. "Golly," she replied.

Astral’s telepathic abilities had grown, eventually attracting the attention of Twilight Sparkle. She earned her cutie mark along with a place in the school of magic. It was quite a rare talent to have, and Twilight knew it was something to be guided and cared for delicately. Astral was happy to be in Canterlot to attend the school.  She never forgot the day she first connected with Cozy, and eagerly awaited for when she could talk to her again. She was older and stronger now, both mentally and magically.

Astral continued to "talk" to Cozy regularly about news, what was going on at school, the differences between good and bad, and just about anything else they could think of. At first, Cozy constantly tried to be her old self and lie and manipulate, but every time she did, Astral called her out on it. Cozy couldn’t hide her true feelings and intentions from Astral, not while frozen in stone. She had no choice but to behave and play nice. She eventually came to accept the idea that there could be value in genuine friendship beyond manipulatable power.

"The other statues tell stories too. Some are very different than what the textbooks say. They’re really boring, though.  I’d rather talk to you!" said Astral, to Cozy.

It had only been just a few years since her first encounter with Cozy, but she was already growing quite talented in the use of her magical ability. After a while, though, her progress at the school began to stall.

One day during an after class tutoring session, Astral slumped over onto her desk, displaying particularly lower energy than usual. Twilight took notice. "What's wrong? Is something on your mind?" asked Twilight.

"Oh, it's nothing. Really!" answered Astral. She continued to slump, looking out of the window to her side towards the direction of the garden. The statue prisons couldn’t be seen from where she was, but she knew they were there. There hadn't been anything new to talk about with Cozy lately.

"You can't fool me, Astral Bell. I don't have to be a telepath to know that one of my best students has something on her mind. Is it somepony perhaps?" asked Twilight.

"Maybe,” replied Astral, pausing for a moment. “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," she continued.

"I see,” said Twilight. “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?" she asked.

"Maybe,” replied Astral, pausing again for another moment. “Yeah."

"What's her name?" asked Twilight.

"Promise you won't get mad?" asked Astral.

Twilight smiled down at her student, standing next to her to offer comfort and support, "I promise," she said.

Astral hesitated to answer. "Well, um... Her name is: Co--" she began to say before being interrupted.

"Twilight!” said Spike as he bolted in through the door. “Your presence is requested in the throne room right away!" he continued.

Twilight patted Astral on the back with her wing, "I'm sorry. We can talk later, when you are ready. This might be a good subject for ‘Basics in Friendship 101’!"

Whether or not it really belonged, Twilight couldn’t help but to constantly be adding to the curriculum at the School of Magic whenever she saw fit. She was the princess of friendship with a tendency to operate outside the rules of the EEA, after all.

* * *
Later that night, Astral lay in her bed, under her blanket. The room was dark, her dorm mate fast asleep in the upper bunk.

"I almost told her, you know?” said Astral, telepathically. “Princess Twilight? I wanted to, but didn't--” Astral paused for a moment before completing her sentence, “want to."

A telepathic link from her dorm all the way to the garden required an intense amount of focus, concentration and energy for Astral to create, but once made, was fairly easy to maintain. The fact that Cozy never moved made things somewhat easier.

"Ooh, that Twilight," said Cozy, with anger in her voice.

"She's not a bad pony.” said Astral. “You’re not a bad pony,” she emphasized. “I think she would understand. If only there was some way we could show her."

"Well I can't do anything from inside here," said Cozy, with a slight tone of sarcasm.

There was a brief pause while Astral lay in thought. "What if... You weren't inside there? What would you do?" she asked Cozy.

"What do you mean?" replied Cozy.

Astral paused again to think, this time for slightly longer. "Nothing. Nevermind," she said.

Cozy insisted, "What do you mean?"

"Goodnight, Cozy. Try to remember, you're not alone," said Astral. Her horn went dark. It was just her and her thoughts now. "What was that? Excitement? No, it was more than that." She yawned and shifted to her side, closing her eyes, and drifting off.

* * *
The days grew shorter, skies grayer and air cooler.  The leaves began to turn color.  It wouldn’t be long before earth ponies all over started making their rounds causing the leaves to fall and collect in piles and drifts all about the landscape.  Some had already gotten a head start.

Astral stood in a meadow at the edge of a small wooded area. "Come on, you can do it," she said to herself while staring at a wild bunny. Her thoughts echoed, "It puts the carrot in the basket."

The bunny looked at her blankly.

"It puts the carrot in the basket!" she repeated, telepathically to the bunny.

A moment of hesitation passed before the bunny timidly did as commanded.

"Yes!" Astral jumped for joy, besides herself with excitement.

The bunny's daze was broken as it was startled, bolting off into the deep cover of the woods.

Astral continued to talk to herself. "I did it! I really did!" she approached a nearby bird looking at her quizzically, "You, fly!" she said out loud.

Startled by the pony jumping at it, the bird flew off. Astral giggled to herself as she fell backwards into a pile of autumn leaves. It was a good day.  Astral gleamed with pride.

* * *
Later that night, Astral sat in her usual spot at the base of the statue. It had been tucked far away in a remote corner where few ponies traveled.

"do you feel it when it's cold?" Asked Astral.

Cozy paused before replying. "It's always cold. you get used to it, almost.  Is it cold out there?"

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to..." Said Astral, stopping short of completing her sentence for lack of words.

"I know. It's ok." Comforted Cozy.

"Yeah.  It’s starting to get cold.  Winter is coming," said Astral.

Astral sat in telepathic silence. Sometimes she just sat there, connected, with nothing said for seemingly hours. Sometimes she would read stories to Cozy. Sometimes nothing needed to be said at all. They often just felt each other’s presence, comforting each other.

Curiously, Astral asked another question. "What about when it rains? Do you feel that?"

"I don't know. Maybe?" replied Cozy.

"What about what that one bird did last week?" continued Astral.

"What did that one bird do last week?" asked Cozy, with a sense of concern.

"Oh, nothing. Um, just came and uh, went. That's all," said Astral, hastily.

"Eww.." replied Cozy.

"Nevermind that,” said Astral, changing the subject. “I've been working on something. It's a surprise! You'll see!" she said, gaining a hint of excitement.

"Oh golly yes! that sounds fun," said Cozy with equal excitement.

"I'm still practicing. So don't get your hopes up yet," said Astral. A moment passed. "Cozy? I'm glad we're friends. Hopefully someday, we can be together, not just here. I want to get hayburgers with you, and ice cream," she said, sincerely.

"Me too," said Cozy.

"...me too," repeated Astral.

 * * *
Another season had passed. The snow was deep this year. There was a surplus of water at cloud factory and the snowflake technicians had been busy with overtime all season long. “It took a lot of wing power to get all this water up here, we are going to use it!” a Pegasus from the factory’s accounting department said, back at the end of autumn.

"I'm getting better at it Cozy!” said Astral, with excitement. “I only have to ask them once, and they'll do it! Well, it's not really like asking. It’s more of a suggestion," she continued. “Their noses don’t even bleed anymore! Neither does mine!”

"You don't say!" replied Cozy.

"Yeah! In Your Face, Fluttershy!" teased Astral.

"Tee-hee," giggled Cozy.

Astral thought to herself for a moment. “I hope Fluttershy didn’t actually hear me.” She focused her attention back to Cozy. "But no, really. I don't even have to stare or anything.  It helps, but I don’t need to, usually."

"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 anypony else know you can do this?" asked Cozy.

"No,” replied Astral. “Not yet. I wanna tell Professor Twilight just how good I'm getting. But not yet. She just thinks I'm really good at feeling feelings and stuff and talking and listening to other ponies. It’s not like I’m able to tell any pony what to do or anything, unless they already wanted to do it, or were going to do it anyway.  But then I’m not really telling them, then. I don’t like to try. It feels kinda wrong.”

Astral liked to try to stay out of other ponies heads if she wasn’t invited in. Cozy was the exception, but only because there was no other choice. With Twilight’s help, she had learned to more finely control her powers and shut out the thoughts of others more easily.

“You’ll get used to it,” said Cozy.  "But that Twilight..." said Cozy, grudgingly.

"You really should try to let it go. I can feel it. She only did what she thought she had to," begged Astral.

"I'll let her go, alright," continued Cozy.

"Now Cozy, that's not very nice," scolded Astral.

"...I know," replied Cozy, defeated.

"You never told me, why did you think you needed power?" inquired Astral.

"I know," answered Cozy.

"But why?" persisted Astral.

"Can't you see for yourself? Ms. I'm-In-Your-Head, reading your memories. Feeling your feels?" said Cozy, sarcastically, becoming agitated.

There was a longer than usual moment of silence. Astral was speechless.

"Golly, I didn't mean to..." apologize Cozy.

"I know. I gotta go," said Astral, abruptly.

* * *
The final bell rang. Everypony rushed out of the classroom for winter break, each heading off to their own Hearts Warming plans with their families; only Astral stayed behind. She had a family to go home to if she wanted, but no friends that would have her. No friends except for Cozy, who was the only pony she cared about for the moment. There was no other pony that she would rather be with.

Twilight noticed that Astral had not yet left the classroom with the other ponies. "Class is over, my student. Is there something more?" she asked.

"Professor Twilight? Err.. Princess? I mean, Professor Princess," said Astral, unsuringly.

"As long as you are here, I will always be your teacher first," assured Twilight.

Astral could sense the sincerity in Twilight’s voice and thoughts. "Yes, Professor," she said.

"What is on your mind today?" asked Twilight.

"Well, you know how you can't really change the past, right? If a pony did wrong, it's done?" started Astral.

"Well Technically, you *can* change the past, but I wouldn't recommend it." said Twilight, remembering her past dealings with Starswirl’s spell.

"Oh, right. Well, what if everything you thought you knew about a pony was wrong? Like, they were bad once, and did bad things. Maybe even always hurt everypony, but all everypony could do was hurt her back, because neither of them knew any better, but now you do know better, and that changes everything?" asked Astral.

"That sounds like something for the school of friendship. Are you interested in attending there?" asked Twilight, thoughtfully.

"Well, um. Maybe? That's not what--" said Astral, being interrupted.

Twilight continued, "Today is also their last day before the winter break, but come Spring, we can transfer you to over there. Too much knowledge can never be a bad thing! And you could definitely learn a thing or two about making friends."

"Wait, what?" asked Astral, confused and mildly offended.

"No offense, but 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."

Astral muttered to herself, "I already know what's on her mind.. she never shuts up, I don't even have to read it."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" asked Twilight.

"Oh, nothing." replied Astral. A moment of awkward silence passed. "I have a friend. I talk to her almost every day," she said, defensively.

"Oh?" inquired Twilight, with interest.

"Yeah. Everypony thinks she's bad, but she's just misunderstood. But... Well, I don't know how to make everypony see what I see," said Astral. “What I feel in her.”

“I see,” said Twilight. “Does this pony know that you are in her head all the time? Remember what we talked about with privacy and boundaries, Astral Bell.”

“She knows. It’s kinda the only way we can really talk.” said Astral.

Twilight smiled, "Well, as long as you have her permission, but be careful.”

“Yes, Professor Twilight,” said Astral.

“My friend Pinkie Pie would have a perfect solution for showing the world who your friend really is,” said Twilight.

"what's that?" asked Astral.

"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," said Twilight, enthusiastically.

"Show everypony..." astral said to herself, the gears beginning to turn. "But if Everypony hates her, do you really think that's a good idea?" she asked.

"If you really believe they are good, then yes. If you know your history, there is a certain changeling that would agree," said Twilight, assuringly. “Sometimes you have to fight for your friends when they can’t fight for themselves.”

"Ok. I'll do it. Thanks, Professor. Have a happy Hearts Warming!" said Astral before quickly gathering her things and trotting off, happy and excited.

A guard could be heard from outside of the classroom. “Hey! No galloping in the halls!”

Twilight was left wondering, "I wonder who it could be."

* * *
It was night time. Astral had traveled to deep within the Everfree forest. Beams of light from the full moon shone through spots in the thick cover of the foliage overhead creating a pattern of bright spots on the snow covered ground. The owls hooted while timberwolves howled in the distance.

Astral spoke out loud to herself for company as she searched around. "Come on, there's got to be one around here somewhere. Maybe it's just not the season for them."

She kept her nose to the ground studying the different tracks as she came across them. "Mouse, bunny, me-- shoot, I'm going in circles!” she said as she came across her own tracks.

She stopped to look around, spotting a new direction she hadn't yet explored. "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 one there. I'll need some place to ride the night out until the train to Canterlot runs again in the morning, anyway," she said to herself, her breath visible in the cold night air.

The search continued late into the night. She stood in the middle of a clearing, about ready to give up when a sudden rustling in a nearby bush attracted her attention. "Hello? is Somepony there? Or... Some--creature?" she said as she cautiously moved in to investigate.

"It's right here," she thought to herself. "Careful, gently... Yes. There it is," she was stiff with excitement. Careful not to startle it, she spoke to it telepathically, "Hi there, buddy..."

It turned around as she grabbed it, its eyes glowing red. It had the body of a snake with the head of a chicken. The excitement of the discovery was enough to warm her heart and body. She couldn’t even feel the cold snow under her hooves anymore. Rather, she couldn’t even feel the ground under her hooves anymore. That wasn’t right. Was she stiff with excitement? No.

"Shoot, shoot, shoot!" she said to herself before concentrating a strong glare on the creature. "No you don't! Not me, not tonight! Stop it. Now!" she commanded, her body slowly turning to stone. As the stone slowly crept up from her hooves to her legs and to the rest of her body, a different kind of cold began to seep in.

"This... This is what she must have meant," Astral thought to herself, before returning to glare harder at the creature. "Undo this, now!" she demanded. “I’m not here to hurt you. Or eat you. I want to be your friend. Let's go somewhere warm. I have food for you,” she said, trying to comfort it and gain its trust while tightly holding onto it. “Let’s help, each, other,” she uttered with the last of her strength before turning completely to stone.

An unsettling silence hung in the air. The cockatrice was held firmly within the grasp of a freshly stoned pony. The moon slowly crept across the sky towards the horizon as the cockatrice periodically struggled to break free from Astral’s frozen grasp to no avail.

“I can’t see. I can’t feel. What happened to me?” asked Astral to herself. The cold was an all consuming empty void of darkness. “No. This wasn’t supposed to happen.” Astral began to panic. “Hello?!” she called out, but there was only silence. “Get it together, Astral,” she said to herself. “Maybe somepony will come along. In a million years. Will I crumble? No. Stay positive. What am I going to do? Cozy? Cozy Glow, are you there? Can you hear me? I think I’m in trouble! It’s no use. I can’t use my magic from inside here. I’m stuck, forever.”

Astral was left isolated within her stone imprisonment. For her, time was already beginning to slip and fade.

“I’m sorry, Cozy. I thought I knew, what it was like; how you felt. Twilight… I won’t be able to make it back to class on time. Mom, dad? I’m sorry. Somepony, anypony, please find me!” Astral was already beginning to break.

There was nothing for her to see but an endless black darkness extending in all directions. There was no light or shadow. She couldn’t even be sure if she had any kind of sight, or if it was all in her imagination. There was no sound, just figments.

Astral searched the void for anything she could cling to. She began to feel a faint presence slowly emerge from within the emptiness. She had tried calling out and reaching out to anything and everything she saw floating by. Each time, she came to the sad realization that it was all a product of her mind trying to fill the void and make sense of it all. This however, felt different. She could focus on it. She knew it was there. It grew stronger as it surrounded her.

“What?” asked Astral, to herself as she gained the feeling that she might not be alone. “That’s not real. Is it real? Hello?” she called out. “Hello? Who are you? What are you?” she called out once again.

An eternity of a moment passed before the presence faded, leaving Astral alone and isolated once more.

Astral began to see daylight as the sun slowly made its way above the horizon. She passed it off as yet another fleeting thought. It wasn’t until she could feel the light’s warmth that she realized she wasn’t just making it up. The empty darkness began to fade away as the snow covered Everfree came into focus. She was cold. She could feel that she was cold. Her body had weight to it. She could look down at herself. Cradled tightly in her arms, she saw a cockatrice, calm and docile. She looked at her flank and legs to see the last of the stone dissolve away back into flesh and fur. She was free. It was morning. Astral had spent the better part of the night trapped alone with her thoughts.

"Th- Thanks?” said Astral, to the cockatrice while petting it gently. “I just need you to do that one more time for me, for a friend, if you don’t mind."

* * *
Later that day, Cozy was back at the statue, pacing with excitement. She paused every now and then to look up at it as she carried on her conversation with Cozy.

"You wouldn't believe the kind of night I had, Cozy," said Astral.

"Yeah?" asked Cozy.

"Yeah! Actually, you’re probably the only pony that would believe the kind of night I had. It's part of your surprise! Not the night I had. What I went out and got, and brought back," said Astral.

"Ooh! Tell me!" said Cozy.

"Not yet! Tonight. you'll be able to see," said Astral.

"How do you mean?" asked Cozy.

"You'll see! It'll be the best Hearts Warming Eve ever!" said Astral, sounding ever more excited.

"I never had my own Hearts Warming before," said Cozy.

"Never? That's so sad,” sympathized Astral. “What did you do while everypony else was with their friends and families?" she asked.

"Plot. Scheme. The usual," said Cozy.

"Oh. Well, we're not doing that tonight. Ok?" asked Astral.

"Ok," agreed Cozy.

"...Really? No friends? At all?" asked Astral, curiously.

"Well, I was doing real good, until I hurt them all. And that's when I went to Tartarus," said Cozy.

"Oh, right. Twilight says that's not how you really make friends, or why. I don't really have any either. You're the only pony that ever really talks to me," said Astral.

"Same. You're the only pony I've talked to ever since-- since I..." said Cozy, stopping abruptly.

"I know,” understood Astral. “Hopefully that will change soon. Hey Cozy?"

"Yeah?" asked Cozy.

"Would you do it again? If you were free, would you be bad again?" asked Astral.

"I never thought about that. I'll never be free again," said Cozy.

"But what if you could be. Would you?" persisted Astral.

"Would I?" asked Cozy, directing the question to herself more than to Astral.

There was a moment of silence as Cozy and Astral each considered. Astral didn’t want to go in to find out for herself, she needed Cozy to decide and tell her on her own.

"I.. I don't know. What do you think?" asked Cozy.

"Whatever you think. I know, you're being honest. I guess that's all I can ask for, really," said Astral. She decided to go in just a little bit.

"That's still creepy when you do that, you know," said Cozy.

"Promise me," said Astral.

"Promise what?" asked Cozy.

"Promise me you won't do bad again," said Astral.

"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? I was really mean to them, to everypony," worried Cozy. “They would never believe me again. No pony would ever trust me again. Not after what I did. Not when all the books and teachers remind everypony.”

"We'll show them. We'll make them see. Do you promise?" insisted Astral.

"I... Promise I will not do bad again, to you," said Cozy.

"To everypony, Cozy," said Astral. She knew Cozy was trying to make a promise she could get out of without breaking.

"I promise I won't hurt you on purpose," tried Cozy.

"Cozy!" said Astral, sternly.

"I promise," said Cozy, with a sigh.

That still wasn’t good enough for Astral. She had to be sure. "...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 even teasing me with this? Just go away!" said Cozy, self defeatingly.

"Cozy... I" reasoned Astral, before being interrupted.

"Leave me alone!" said Cozy, agitated.

"But Cozy, the surpr-" said Astral, before being interrupted again.

"Go away! ...Just go! Go," demanded Cozy.

The telepathic link slowly dissolved. Dejected and feeling lonely, Astral made her way out of the garden, stopping once to look back before making her way to her dorm.

* * *
Cold, quiet. With the shade down, 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 a cockatrice 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, Astral climbed into bed. The softness of her comforter and pillow reminded her of just how little sleep she had gotten, having been up all night in the forest, being trapped in stone, dozing on the train and nearly missing her stop.

"Are you doing ok, Monty Clukersmith?" Asked Astral to the cockatrice, sitting quietly in its cage. "It's almost lunch time. We’ll eat soon. I think I'll close my eyes. For just, a little.. ..bit."

It was the night of a new moon, dark and quiet. The snow crunched under Astrals hooves as she stepped up to the statue. "Ok, Monty. This is it. You think I should tell her? No. let's surprise her all the way!" She held the creature up in the air, facing it towards the statue. "Ok, Do your thing!"

The cockatrice fixed its gaze on the statue, and a moment passed. Suddenly bouncy curls burst out of the top of the stone.

"It's working!" said Astral, with excitement.

The stone began to crumble down lower and lower. With most of her body free, Cozy gasped for air, and with a loud "Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaa--olly!" she was free, popping out of the last bit of stone containing her.

"It worked! You're not stone anymore!" said Astral, out loud. "We can talk, with our voices!"

"Golly Yes! We can!" said Cozy as she stretched and brushed some of the remaining dust off of herself, and out of her mane. She flew forward a bit to put Astral in between her and the statue. "It feels really nice to be able to move again. To feel!" she said, twirling in the air with glee, her small wings fluttering about.

"This is amazing! Thanks Monty!" said Astral as she released it to scurry off. She turned to Cozy. “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," said Cozy, growing an evil grin.

"What? what do you mean? Cozy? You're scaring me," asked Astral, confused, growing scared.

Cozy pointed back at the statue, "Tirek! Quickly, take her magic and let's get outta here!"

Astral turned around to realize she really should have told the cockatrice where to stop. She turned back to Cozy and pleaded. “No. Cozy, what are you doing? I thought we were friends!"

Cozy dusted off her hooves, "Yeah, we were friends. But meet my two other friends. I'm sure you've read about them."

Before Astral could run, Tirek lunged forward, pinning her to the ground, and proceeded to inhale all but the very last of her essence. Her eyes pale, Astral had just barely enough strength to muster a question. "Cozy, How could you?"

"What can I say? I've had a lot of time to find an even better way to be bad." Said Cozy.

Tirek facepalmed at Cozy’s remark.

Chrysalis shouted, "If we are done here, let us go before we are discovered!"

Suddenly, a blinding light showered in from above, a booming, royal Canterlot voice shouting down at them. "Not tonight, you don’t!"

"Princess Luna!" the trio shouted as they cowered in her light, painfully dissolving into the air.

Still weakened, Astral looked up into the light "Princess Luna..." she said.

Once the threat of the trio of villains was no more, the light faded as Luna reached down and helped Astral to her hooves.

"I was only trying to, I mean, I didn't mean to," cried Astral, to Luna.

"It is all right, little one. You are safe now," said Luna, in a calming embrace with her wing.

"But, how did you know to come here? Am I, is this a dream?" asked Astral, looking at her hooves and at her surroundings.

Luna smiled warmly at Astral as everything around them swirled away into a star filled landscape of clouds and space. "What do you think?" she asked.

Astral looked around, "um, I hope so. Yes?"

"Yes. It is still the middle of the day. You’ve had a very rough night, and I thought I'd check in on a particular pony that had checked out much earlier than usual. You're not the only pony that can enter the minds of others so freely at will," said Luna.

"Oh, right," said Astral, sheepishly. "So, you know? about Cozy, and ..the conversations?" asked Astral.

"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." said Luna.

"So, am I in trouble? Why haven't you already stopped me?" asked Astral.

"It simply isn't my place. It has never been my place to interfere, you see," said Luna. "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," she explained.

“Does Professor Twilight know?” asked Astral.

“Twilight Sparkle only knows what you have allowed her to know,” said Luna.

As they talked with each other, Astral and Luna walked along a path of clouds through an endless star filled sky. It was peaceful and quiet. Visions of ponies dreams silently floated about along the path.

"Oh. Ok. But, I thought you retired from your job with Princess Celestia," said Astral. She looked around at the different visions as they walked down the path. “Should I be allowed to see these?”

"Protecting and guiding ponies in their dreams is something I would hardly call work. Now, care to tell me about what is bothering you?" asked Luna.

"Well. It's Cozy Glow,” said Astral. “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?" asked Luna.

"I don't know. Maybe? She... She doesn't deserve to be made of stone forever!" exclaimed Astral.

"Perhaps," said Luna.

"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," said Astral.

"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?" asked Luna. “It is already the second time that we have had to imprison her.  Foal or not, she must be held accountable for her actions.”

"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," said Astral.  “I might not know everything about what friendship is, but I know what friendship isn’t, and it’s not keeping ponies from trying to make good.”

"If only everypony knew this and thought like you do, Astral Bell, we probably wouldn’t have ended up where we are now. We would all be better off, and those that would later observe our actions as recorded into history might also agree and not argue over what has happened in the past decade or so. Regardless, if you are wrong, you will be in a lot of trouble. Even I will not be able to help or protect you," said Luna.

"What should I do?" asked Astral.

"That is something you must decide for yourself, little one. It is something not to be taken lightly. A decision that should not be made on an empty stomach," said Luna.

"Huh?" asked Astral. Her stomach growled. "Oh, right," she said.

"Think it over, to yourself. You will know the right thing to do," said Luna, as she started poking sharply at Astral’s face.

"Ow! What are you... Ow! Stop that. Ow!" said Astral, trying to wave off Luna’s hoof.

Astral opened her eyes to find herself back in her bed. The cockatrice having left its cage was pecking at her. "It was a dream." she said to herself, looking around. Luna’s advice wasn’t quite what Astral was looking for. "Gee... Thanks Luna," she said, half sarcastically.

* * *
Later that afternoon, Astral sat in her usual spot at the base of the statue, eating her lunch. She was not telepathically linked to Cozy. Looking up at the statue, she thought to herself as she chewed. "Does she know I'm here? Does she miss me? What if it's like in my dream, and they all break free? What then?" Astral took another bite, continuing to think to herself "What if... She really is bad? No. I would have been able to tell. ...but what if?"

Astral broke a few pieces of food off and tossed it to the cockatrice, asking it out loud, "What do you think, Monty? Can you unstone just the little one up there? leave the other two?"

Monty nibbled at the food in pecks.

"I hope so," said Astral.

Astral took another bite, continuing to think to herself. "To free, or not to free..."

* * *
A fresh layer of snow glistened in the light of the moon as Astral stepped up to the statue. Her horn began to glow softly. "Cozy?"

Cozy did not reply.

"Cozy, I know you're there," said Astral.

Cozy still did not reply.

"Look Cozy, I'm sorry I tried to make you promise me. You don't have to promise not to be bad. Ok?" said Astral, as she began to worry.

There was another brief moment of silence before Cozy finally responded. “Do you promise?”

Astral smiled. "I promise. But only if you promise me you will try to be good," she said.

"Yeah, I promise," said Cozy. “I promise I will try to be good.”

"Good! Because I still have that surprise for you! Are you ready? Here goes!" said Astral, getting excited.

Astral held the cockatrice up to the statue as high as she could. "Ok, Monty, just like we practiced. Only the little one. Got that? Good," she said to it.

The stone around Cozy began to glow and crack before slowly crumbling away. Cozy gasped 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," said Astral, out loud. She reached down to pull Cozy onto her back and carried her back to her room.

* * *
It was morning. Sunlight warmly shone in through the window. Cozy began to stir from a deep sleep in Astral’s bed. She was wrapped up in a thick, warm blanket while Astral sat on the floor across from her, eating breakfast.

"Good morning!" exclaimed Astral, out loud.

Feeling groggy, Cozy Glow slowly opened 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?” said Astral.

Cozy sat up, "Golly! It's you! It's really you! But how did you, and the stone... But I was..." said Cozy, being interrupted by her stomach rumbling very loudly.

"I thought you'd be hungry. Here, I made some for you too," said Astral, as she offered Cozy a plate of breakfast.

Cozy wasted no time in devouring her meal.

Astral continued to talk "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!" she said, talking very fast with excitement.

"Wait, slow down," said Cozy.

"Oh, I get it. This must all be very overwhelming. Please, take your time. More breakfast?" said Astral as she put 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--" said Cozy, being cut off by Astral.

"Just take your time, and let's talk! With our voices! Out Loud!" said Astral, throwing her hooves in the air.

"Calm down, Astral," said Cozy.

"Oh, right," said Astral, struggling to sit still in her excitement.

Cozy continued to stuff food in her face, speaking crumbs at Astral, "So, where are we?"

"That's an easy one. You're in my room, at Celestia's School of Magic!" said Astral with a great smile.

Cozy nearly choked, spitting half of her food out at the same time, "Celestia's School of Magic!?! In Canterlot!!?" Filled with panic, Cozy flew 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 said, shivering at the thought.

"Hey, it's ok,” assured Astral, “Everypony is gone right now for the holiday. Well, most of them. It's Hearts Warming! Besides us, this floor is empty."
Cozy calmed down and looked out of the window, rubbing her eyes in the bright morning light, her wings keeping her hovered in the air. "It really is real. I'm free. Golly," she said, softly.

Cozy turned to face Astral, "And you. You're the one who's been talking to me?" she asked.

"Uh-huh! It's me!" said Astral.

"Where is the other one? The one that just watches and listens." asked Cozy.

"What do you mean? Oh, Luna? Does she talk to you too?" asked Astral.

"No. Not Princess Luna, no. The other one. All he does is watch, and listen. Always. Even when you weren’t there. You don't know him?" asked Cozy.

"Um. Cozy, what are you talking about?" said Astral, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"He was there. Before you. He was always there,” said Cozy as she looked out of the window again."

"I don't know what you're talking about. ...Is he here? Now?" asked Astral, looking around nervously.

"I... I don't think so. But everything out here feels different than in there. I can't tell. I’m not used to how being real again feels," said Cozy.

Astral hit her forehead repeatedly as she scolded 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?" asked Cozy, turning from the window to face Astral.

"Sure! Yeah." said Astral, unconvincingly nervous. "You don't need to worry about a thing. Muffin?" Astral nervously levitated a muffin from her plate into the air with her magic, nearly throwing it at Cozy.

"Um, no thanks. I'm not hungry," said Cozy, sitting back down on the bed. "So, what now?" she asked.

"Well, I thought that maybe, I can, throw a party, for, ...you," said Astral, beginning to sound more and more unsure of herself as she continued to talk "--And show everypony, how... good, you are. Now." She looked 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?" asked Cozy.

"Ok! That's a good idea. We should get you a disguise first. No, wait. Nopony would recognize you now, right? How long has it been? What do you think?" asked Astral.

"...I think we'll be ok. Just don't let Twilight or the others see me," said Cozy.

"Ok. Then let's get some fresh air," said Astral, rising to her hooves.

* * *
The two ponies traveled down a long road. Snow-covered farmland lined both sides of the path in the crisp, still air. There wasn’t any traffic to be seen for miles on account of the holiday. Astral walked along while Cozy flew beside her.

"So that's when I was like 'Oh, Golly!'-- wait, where are we going?" asked Cozy.

"Does it matter? We can go anywhere!" said Astral.

"You're right! Whoever knew being free could be so... Free?" asked Cozy.

"Almost. You have to be good, too. You promised," reminded Astral.

"Well I'll give it my best!" said Cozy.

They exchange nods.

A short while later, they came across a pony who's cart was stuck in the mud.

Astral pointed. "There's your chance! Let's go help," she said.

They made their way up to the cart. Cozy smiled at the pony, "Gee, mister. You sure look like you could use some help!"

"Oh, don't let it be a bother. I'll get there, eventually!" replied the old pony.

"It's no trouble at all!" countered Cozy.

The two younger ponies squared up to the back of the cart and began to push.

"Just, a, little... more, and..." said Cozy, struggling with all her might and wing power.

The cart creaked and groaned before finally giving way and becoming unstuck.

"There you go, mister. Good as new!" said Cozy, proudly.

"Well, good as before you got stuck, anyway," added Astral.

"And I helped!" beamed Cozy. "I'm turning over another leaf!"

Confused, the old pony replied, "I suppose so. Uh, thank you kindly!" before he continued on down the road.

Cozy and Astral continued on together in their own direction.

"See, Cozy? That's not so bad. It can even be kinda fun," said Astral.

"Yup! It's even-- wait. What was that?" said Cozy, stopping mid-air to look around.

"What was what?" asked Astral.

"That! I heard it again. Felt it. It's him," said Cozy, alertedly.

Astral held still, silently looking around all the corners and reaches of her vision. She closed her eyes, focusing with all of her might. "Who’s there?" she asked loudly, with her telepathic powers.

Cozy held her head, "Ow! That hurt!!"

"Oh. Sorry. I think we should keep moving. Something's not right," said Astral, worriedly.

"Oh, Golly," said Cozy.

The two ponies casually traveled aimlessly for most of the day.  The sun was low in the sky when Astral found a shallow cave in which to spend the night.

"This looks like a good spot. just enough space, a fire to keep us warm, yup," said Astral. She unpacked her saddlebags, laying out bedding for the two of them. "We can head back in the morning,” she said.

"Back... to the School?" asks Cozy, nervously.

Astral talked as she continued to set up the camp site. "We're not that far away, and classes will be starting back up in a couple of days. Sooner or later, ponies will find out about you. Just let me talk to Twilight. It'll be ok. You'll see. Now, help me get this fire going."

They collected kindling and branches and stones together, talking with each other along the way.

The fire was going and they settled in for the night. Each was tightly bundled up in their own sleeping bag situated around the fire.

* * *
The night had grown long and cold. Countless stars were visible throughout the clear night sky. Astral opened her eyes to a mumbling sound that could be heard coming from just outside the cave.

"Cozy, is that you?" said Astral as she reached over to pat the bedding next to her. It was empty and cold. Astral sat up, "Cozy, who are you talking to?" she asked. She quietly got up and made her way out of the cave "Coz--"

Just outside the cave, Cozy was pacing back and forth, seemingly arguing with nopony a one-sided conversation, her words sharp. "But I don't have to be bad. My friend said so. She showed me. She knows. She is the best friend a pony could ever have."

"Cozy Glow?" whispered Astral, quietly, having gone unnoticed. She tried to tune in telepathically, but was met with a blinding flash of pain right through the middle of her head. Something was blocking her.

"Cozy is Good pony. Cozy is Best pony. Go away!" said Cozy as she continued to pace back and forth, clearly agitated. "I won’t! You can't make me. You--" She stopped, gazing out over the edge into the dark landscape as her eyes flashed an unnatural color. "No. You wouldn't." Tears welled up in her eyes. "Golly no. No!" begged Cozy as she began to lose her composure.

Astral worked the pain out of her head and ran up to Cozy, "Cozy? Cozy! Shake it off. Come on," she said as she shook Cozy by the shoulders, "Get ahold of yourself, I'm here. Come on, you can do it. Do it for me. Come back," she pleaded, sounding increasingly worried.

Cozy shook her head, turning to face Astral, her eyes returning to normal as they filled with tears before she lunged into a quivering embrace with Astral, sobbing. She looked out into the distance over Astral’s shoulder as if focusing on something, "Ok. I will," she said, in between sobs.

"There, there. I know you could. Just relax and come back to bed. It's still very late," comforted Astral.

"Hold me," said Cozy.

"It's ok. You can join me in my bag and I will protect you. Whatever it is, it will be ok," said Astral.
They snuggled up together inside the cover of a single sleeping bag. Astral lay behind Cozy while Cozy slept in Astral’s warm hug. Periodically, Cozy’s wings would twitch while her hooves kicked, only to have Astral hold her tighter. Cozy’s curly mane smelled sweet of cotton candy, while her feathers almost tickled Astral’s soft belly. The fire had begun to die, but their combined body heat prevailed and warmed them both as their breathing and heartbeats began to synchronize. There was nothing more pure than the love between the mare and her filly friend. Cozy was at peace, while Astral for once felt like she truly had purpose, if only to play the role of protector. Daylight for them would come too soon.

* * *
It was the first day back from vacation. The bell rang and class was dismissing when Twilight addressed her students. “For those of you who haven't finished your Hearts Warming Assignment, the final day to turn it in will be tomorrow!" She said as she cleared 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!" said Twilight, 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."

* * *
The door to the dorm room opened and Astral stepped inside.

"Oh! Welcome back!" said Cozy.

"Thank you,” said Astral. “I hope you weren't too bored with the books I left for you. Sorry there's not much for you to do here."

"Oh, I kept myself plenty busy while you were in Twilight's class, with Twilight and all. It was Terrific!" said Cozy.

"That's good. Do you think you're ready to see Twilight, today?" asked Astral.

"No!” said Cozy, abruptly. “Um, I mean, no. Not yet. Can you give me just a teeny little longer? Please?" she asked, putting on her cute face.

"Well, I guess so," said Astral.

"It's a good thing your roommate decided to transfer out. I don't know what I would do to not get caught," commented Cozy.

"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," said Astral.

"Oh Golly, I hope she's ok. Do you think they'll replace her with somepony new?" asked Cozy.

"I don't think so. we're in our final term, and School will be out soon," said Astral.

"Soon..." said Cozy.

"Soon," repeated Astral.

Another day passed and Cozy postponed meeting twilight for yet another day.

It was the end of the next day. "Just one more day, Pweese!" begged Cozy, in all of her adorable cuteness. "...You're the best!"

It was the following day when Cozy was finally ready.

Astral prepared to go to class. "Ok, you come over after class, and wait outside the classroom while I talk to Twilight, and then you will come in. Ok?" she asked.

"Sounds like a plan!" Said Cozy.

* * *
The final bell rang, students gathered their things and shuffled off for the day. Astral stayed behind to approach Twilight.

"Um, Professor, err-- Princess Twilight?" asked Astral.

"Professor, dear. Is there something I can help you with?" asked Twilight.

"Oh! well, I just wanted to introduce you finally, to my friend is all. The one that I’ve been talking about?" said Astral.

"Oh? Introducing new friends is always a wonderful thing," said Twilight.

"Right. Um. Well, She's not exactly new, you see," said Astral.

"How do you mean?" asked Twilight.

"I know you've met her before, but I promise you, she is a good friend," said Astral, turning towards the door and speaking up. "Ok Cozy, you can come on in!"

"Co-zy?" asked Twilight.

Nopony entered the classroom.

Astral spoke up a little louder than before, "Cozy Glow! That's you!"

"Cozy, Glow? What is the meaning of this?" asked Twilight.

Astral laughed nervously as she went to peak out the door. The hallway was empty. "Uh. Maybe she's still back in the room?" she said.

"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 Celestia’s school!" exclaimed Twilight.

"Um well, about that..." said Astral.

Twilight spoke sternly to her student. "Astral Bell, take me to your room," she said before shouting out loudly. "Guards!"

Astral gulped, thinking to herself, “What have I done?”

The dorm room door was swiftly opened. Two guard ponies quickly entered, standing to the sides after a quick look around. "Clear!" they shouted.

In walked Twilight, followed by Astral.

Twilight looked around, "Nopony is here. If this is some sort of a joke, it's not very--" Twilight said, being interrupted.

"It isn't, I promise. She stays here while I'm in class. Look, these are the books I got for her to read while I was out in your class and everything!" said Astral as she picked up a book bag. Out fell an assortment of artifacts with a loud clatter, spreading out onto the floor in front of Twilight and the two guards.

Twilight looked down at Astral, "You've got some explaining to do, Astral Bell!"

"It-- It's not what it looks like. I don't know where these came from," said Astral.

"Oh? And how did they get here?" asked Twilight.

"I-- I don't know! I didn't take them, honest!" insisted Astral.

Twilight motioned the guards to pick up the artifacts. "They're all here, princess. All except for one," said one of the guards.

Twilight turned to face the guards, concerned. “Which one is missing?” she asked.

"The bell is missing, your highness,” said the guard.

"You've got to be kidding me," said Twilight and Astral, simultaneously. Twilight flashed a dirty look to her student.

"Quickly, we must get to the throne room!" said Twilight, commanding everypony.

* * *
A flurry of hooves and moments later, they arrived at the throne room, bursting through the door. The guards entered first, followed by Twilight, but were met with the all too familiar ringing sound of Grogar’s Bell in the hands of Cozy Glow, who sat in Twilight’s throne.

"Cozy Glow!" exclaimed Twilight, as her magic was drained away. "How dare you drain my magic for yourself!"

"Oh, Twilight, it's not for me. It’s for somepony else!" said Cozy.

"Excuses!" said Twilight, now slumped on the ground along with her guards, severely weakened.

"Cozy, No! Why are you doing this?" asked Astral as she entered, having witnessed what was going on. "You are a good pony, you promised you’d be!”

"I'm not, Astral. I tried to warn you. He won't let me be good," said Cozy.

"Who, Cozy? Who won't let you?" asked Astral.

Cozy raised a black crystal into the air with her free hoof, tossing it to the ground in between them. "*HE* won't," said Cozy as she aimed the bell at it, giving it a ring.

The crystal bubbled and grew, sprouting more black bubbling crystals, followed by an ominous gay laugh. A dark cloud of smoke swirled and grew, filling the room.

"Spike!" called out Twilight. "Send a scroll, warn the others!"

"Oh, I don't think he can hear you," an effeminate voice said, emanating from the cloud as it took form and materialized into Sombra. "He's on a quest to beyond the borders of Yak-Yakistan. Nopony will be hearing from him for quite some time." Sombra laughed gleefully.

As Sombra climbed the steps up to the throne, Cozy quickly left the chair to hop down and kneel before him. "At.. At your service, K... K... King Sombra," said Cozy, nervously.

Sombra casually kicked Cozy aside on his way up the steps to the throne.

"Cozy no!" called out Astral.

"Silence!" commanded Sombra, as he materialized a muzzle onto Astral’s face.

Astral’s voice echoed and rumbled throughout the room, "You will never get away with this!" Dust fell from the ceiling while the other ponies winced.  A light trickle of blood ran down from her ear as she leaned onto twilight, nearly fainting.

"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!" said Sombra as he held up the bell, followed by another gay laugh.

Cozy hopped 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

"I know what it’s like to be trapped and imprisoned for such a very long time.  You needn’t stress yourself with manual labor. Instead, you can just sit right there, looking gorgeous, by the way, and I will bring their power to you. No pony would suspect little ol' me. It will be easy! My king. Just take it easy and get some rest.  Cozy can take care of everything!" said Cozy.

"Yes, I see. Go, and be quick about it."

"As you wish!" said Cozy, as she rose to her hovers, using her wings to lift herself off of the ground. "...Just one more thing," she added.

"Yes? what is it, now?" asked Sombra, becoming annoyed.

"It's just that, well, the ends of Equestria are such a very, very long way to travel, and these little wings sure do get tired awfully easy," said Cozy as she crossed her hooves low in front of her, making a sad face. “If I could have even just a teeny little bit of magic, I could use it to serve you even better.”

Astral furrowed her brow thinking to Cozy with her telepathic powers, "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," threatened Sombra.

Sombra used the bell to grant Cozy a horn in a dazzling flash of light and magical radiance before floating the bell over to her. "Now, be gone! and do not delay your return, or else," he said, waving Cozy off.

Cozy bowed to Sombra from the air as she thought back to Astral, "...Getting More Power."

A flash of light, and Cozy was gone.

"Now," Said Sombra, leaning back in the throne. "Where were we?"

"You will never get away with this!" exclaimed Twilight, staggering to her hooves.

"Oh, I AM getting away with this. While we wait, I think it's time for a little redecoration." Said Sombra.

Sombra imprisoned Astral, Twilight and the guards in a cage of crystals, and began blasting several areas of the throne room with magic from his horn. Massive black crystals formed and shot 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 right over there. Terrific! This room is becoming a place to just simply die for. I, am amazing!! Get rid of that, and that's just gag-a-tronic. That Simply just won’t do. A little bit of black crystal… Perfect!"

[later that day]

Sombra sat in the crystallized throne, relaxed, picking at his hoof. The room was uncomfortably silent, the slightest noise echoing off of the many faceted surfaces with a heavy reverberation.

A guard cleared his throat lightly.

The ponies just stood there, eyeing Sombra who sat. No sounds or signs of any activity could be heard from out in the hall. Astral shifted her weight from one side to the other as she continued to glare at Sombra. Twilight scratched her shoulder for a moment.

Suddenly, a small piece of dark crystal dislodged and fell onto the floor with a small "Clink!" Sombra and company jumped.

Sombra looked up, "What was that? It was nothing," he said as he went back to idly picking at his hoof.

Twilight shifted her weight from one side to the other. Sombra stretched, and adjusts his posture in the throne, trying to get more comfortable. Astral continued to glare at Sombra. The guards, powerless to act also maintained their fixed focus on Sombra. For a moment, a bird could be heard chirping outside as it flew by the window; then it was gone. Light shone in through the stained glass onto the dark crystals that now covered the majority of the room. Astral flipped some of her mane out of her face, the chains on her muzzle jingling and echoing throughout the room.

[that evening]

Twilight, Astral and the guards continued to glare at Sombra, who just sat.

Astral closed her eyes, her horn glowing softy, "Cozy. Cozy, why?" she called out, telepathically. Tears of disappointment and betrayal welled in her eyes.

Twilight noticed, 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," replied Astral, 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, but 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." Assured Twilight.

"Thank you, Twilight," said Astral before shifting 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 looked to Twilight, "She doesn't answer. I think... I think I've made a terrible mistake. Please forgive me, Twilight."

More time had passed. Sombra began to nod off when a flash of light illuminated the room and Cozy appeared, bell in hand. Everypony was startled. "Here I am!" announced Cozy.

"So you are. And did you bring me the power of the alicorns?" asked Sombra.

"No I didn’t, your highness. But I did bring you something else," said Cozy, as she headed for the doors to the room.

"Oh?" asked Sombra.

Cozy opened the doors to reveal a familiar set of figures: a white one, a pink one, an orange one, a yellow one, and a blue rainbow one.

Sombra was agitated and alarmed. "What? What have you done? What is this!?"

With no delay, not even a word, the ponies quickly sprang into action, spreading out.

Cozy flew to the crystal prison aiming the bell at Twilight and the guards, giving it a ring. "This is.." she started.

"The power.." Pinkie continued as she sprung up, holding a shard of Chrysalis' throne just in time to block a blast from Sombra aimed at Cozy with it.

“Of Friendship!” said Rainbow Dash, as she zoomed by Sombra, knocking him out of the throne.

“Oh, This place is just horrid! It simply won’t do at all!” Said Rarity, as she broke a large column of black crystal with her magic, causing it to fall onto Sombra.

“Oh my.” Said Fluttershy.

Applejack ran up and bucked Sombra in the head, “You’re more pesterin’ than a hungry hog at feeding time!”

The bell finished returning power to the guards, and all of the rest of its stored power into Twilight.

Revived, Twilight burst the crystal prison into shattered dust before magically removing the muzzle from Astral’s face.

“Cozy,” said Astral, I thought you-”

“Were the best friend a pony could ask for. Right?” interrupted Cozy. “Just let Cozy take care of everything!”

* * *
Earlier that day, Pinkie Pie was busy baking away at Sugar Cube Corner.

*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?" Asked Pinkie.

"No? I hope not," said Cozy.

"Oki-dokie!” said Pinkie, as she went back to her baking.

Cozy was taken aback. She thought to herself, “well that was easy.”

Pinkie noticed what Cozy was holding. “Grogar's Bell? Are we going to party hard?" asked Pinkie, getting excited.

"No, Pinkie. I need your help! Twilight's in trouble! King Sombra's back and--"

Pinkie drew 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!" She exclaimed.

Pinky pushed a button and a trap door on the other end of the room opened up. “Oh, right. I moved it.” Pinkie giggled and bounced into the open door in the floor.

Cozy shrugged and flew on in.

Balloons, filing cabinets and party favors were everywhere. Cozy stood at a party planning table while Pinkie went into a filing cabinet and pulled out some large rolls of paper. She spread them out over the table using party favors to hold them down.

“Blueprints of the Canterlot castle throne room? Is this really necessary?” asked Cozy.

“Oh, it is! But what is even more necessary for a perfect party is ponies!” said Pinkie.

“I know just who to invite!” said Cozy.

* * *
Elsewhere.

*Poof!*

"What?!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, startled as she turned around.

"Now, I know what you're going to say, but--" started Cozy.

"Cozy Glow? I thought you were Dead!” said Dash.

Cozy crossed her arms, pouting. “Hmph!”

“I mean… I thought you were frozen in stone!" corrected Dash.

"About that," said Cozy.

"Grogar's Bell? Oh no. You're not getting me!" said Dash as she jetted off, causing a sudden rainboom.

"No, wait!" called out Cozy, but it was too late. "...Golly." She turned around looking for Pinkie, "Oh, right." Cozy tilted her horn lighting up a flash of light as Pinkie appeared.

"Did she say yes?" asked Pinkie.

"No. She didn't. She took off instead. That way," cozy pointed.

"No problem. I'll get her! You can go invite the others!"

* * *
Applejack hummed to herself as she pulled a cart of apples through town before spotting a familiar curly maned pink filly approaching her. “What in tarnation? Cozy Glow? I reckon you were turned to stone. What in the hay are y'all doing here?” she asked.

“My best friend Astral, Twilight’s student, freed me. And now we need your help,” said Cozy.

“Twilight’s Student, you say? How do I know I can trust you?” asked Applejack.

“Um, well, you don’t. But Astral said friendship is trusting a pony, even when you don’t have a reason to,” said Cozy.

“She said that? Well that sounds like mighty fine friendship advice, if you ask me, sugarcube. Twilight would be proud,” said Applejack. “Now what can I do ya for?” she asked.

“King Sombra is back. He has the throne room and Princess Twilight has been taken prisoner. And… to be honest, I kinda helped with that,” said Cozy, sadly.

“Now why would you go and do a thing like that?” asked Applejack.

“Sombra made me. He showed me my worst fear and promised that he would make every bit of it come true if I didn’t help him capture Twilight. I’m supposed to be collecting all the alicorn magic right now, but I wanted to collect all of you instead, so we can beat him, together. Like I said before, friendship is power, and I really need all the friends I can get right now. I don’t care what happens to me, but we need to save Twilight and Astral! Will you help me?”

“Well shoot. I sure as shit can! What’s the plan?” asked Applejack.

“We’re planning down in the basement of sugarcube corner, Pinkie and me. She’s getting Rainbow Dash right now, but we should go and get Rarity and Fluttershy, then meet up there,” said Cozy.

* * *
Soft music played in the background as Rarity adjusted the window display at her boutique. “Oh, this is just simply divine!” She pulled a sign from the inside of the windows to reveal Cozy and Applejack standing on the outside, peering in. “Oh, this is a surprise! Come on in!” said Rarity as she motioned the ponies to enter the shop. “What is the occasion?” asked Rarity. “...And what is -SHE- doing here?” Rarity pointed at Cozy Glow.

Applejack stepped up, “Now you just relax and hold your horses, Rarity. She’s on our side, and we need your help to save Twilight.”

“Save Twilight? What ever could be the problem?” Asked Rarity.

“King Sombra is back, and is holding her prisoner in the throne room!” said Cozy.

“Oh, that’s just terrible! What ever shall we do?” Said Rarity, as she pulled over a fancy couch on which to faint.

Applejack rolled her eyes, “We’re gathering up the gang together just like old times, and we’re gonna show King Sombra who’s boss!” she said, pulling Rarity off of the couch and onto her hooves.

Rarity thought for a moment. “Well, it IS almost that time of month again. Yes. we shall have our get together early. It will be simply splendid.” said Rarity.

“Now that’s the spirit!” said Applejack.

“Now all we need is Fluttershy,” said Cozy.

* * *
The sanctuary was quiet today. It had been a good season with few visits from sick and injured animals. Fluttershy finally had time to relax in her cottage for once. “More tea, Discord?” She asked.

“Why certainly!” said Discord, holding his teacup over for Fluttershy to pour into.

There was a knock at the door. “I wonder who that could be,” said Fluttershy as she stood up and answered the door.

“Oh hello Rarity, Applejack, ...Cozy Glow!?!” said Fluttershy. “Oh dear.”

Discord appeared to Fluttershy’s side at the door. “Oh how lovely to see you all here.  What is the occasion?” he asked. “Mmm Let me guess. Princess Twilight’s newest favorite student set Cozy Glow free, who then set King Sombra free and imprisoned Princess Twilight and convinced King Sombra to let her go out to collect all of the most powerful magic in Equestria so that he can rule unopposed, but it’s really a plan to gather up the ponies of harmony to get together and beat him. Does that sound about right?”

Stunned, Cozy blinked. “...Yes.”

“Now how did y’all know all that?” asked Applejack. “You know what? Don’t answer that question.”

“Fluttershy, Darling. We would be ever so grateful if you were to join us on this little adventure,” said Rarity.

Discord slithered around to stand with Rarity, Applejack and Cozy Glow to talk to Fluttershy. “You were just talking about wanting to go on some kind of adventure the other day, weren’t you?”

“Um, I did say that, Didn’t I?” said Fluttershy. “But I just don’t know. It sounds dangerous, and scary.”

Discord rubbed Fluttershy’s cheek with his paw, “Oh not at all! It’s only King Sombra. You’ve got this!”

“We’ve got this!” encouraged Rarity.

“Together!” added Applejack.

“Golly yes!” said Cozy.

“Um. Well. Ok. I’ll come with you,” said Fluttershy.

“Will you join us, Discord?” asked Cozy.

“Oh, I don’t think that would be such a good idea, considering the last time we were all together. Like Rarity said, You’ve got this. I will just sit this one out, on the side lines,” replied Discord, drawing lines in the air to the side on which to sit. “You have all the power you need.”

Touched, Cozy smiled warmly at Discord.

* * *
The Throne room reverberated with rumblings and crashes as the battle continued. Rarity moved to drop another column of crystal onto Sombra, but not before Sombra was able to put up a force field to repel it. Sombra counterattacked with a blast of dark magic from his horn at Rarity, but Twilight intercepted it with her own magic. Rainbow flew in for another attack, but was deflected by a crystal column quickly conjured up by Sombra. Fluttershy moved in to catch Rainbow Dash, and was then quickly imprisoned together with Dash in a crystal cage. Applejack ran up and started bucking at it to break them free.

Twilight fired a blast of magic at Sombra, knocking him to the ground, “It’s over, Sombra,” she said as she approached him.

Sombra quickly fired a blast to a cluster of large crystals on the ceiling above twilight, causing it to come crashing down on top of her, knocking her to the floor under the rubble.

Astral called out, “Princess Twilight!” She ran in to try and dig Twilight out, both with her magic and her hooves. “Cozy, you’ve got to do something,” she said called out.

“I have a plan,” replied Cozy.

Applejack broke through the crystals holding Dash and Fluttershy.

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Now!” said Cozy, as she aimed the bell at Sombra.

Sombra conjured up a crystal column to block it, but Dash slammed into it with all of her might while Applejack bucked at it to break it free and move it out of the way just as Cozy rang the bell.

Twilight, with Astral’s help, levitated the debris off of her and used her magic to blast new crystals as Sombra grew them in his efforts to block the bell from taking his power.

“NOOOooo…” Shouted Sombra as his essence was drained away, mane falling flat.

Cozy zoomed in and flipped up over Sombra, landing on his back. Gripping the bell tightly in her teeth, Cozy grabbed Sombra’s horn pulling back as hard as she could. “Now, Pinkie!” she said as she struggled to keep hold.

Pinkie popped up in front of Sombra with a box nicely wrapped with a bow on top. She tugged at the ribbon, and out popped Monty, eyes glowing red. It was over for Sombra.

The evil king struggled and fought, but ultimately succumbed to the stone spell.

“Astra,” called out Cozy through gritted teeth. “When it’s all over, and the bell is stone… Destroy it, even if it breaks me too!”

“What?” Asked Astral, as she turned from Twilight to look.

Cozy was being taken by the cockatrice’s stoning spell as well.

Dash flew up, “Wait, this wasn’t part of the plan!”

Cozy replied, “This is the only plan,” she said, her body already turning solid and gray.

“No! You can’t!” cried Astral. “You’re a good pony, you don’t deserve to be stone!”

“I will be best pony,” said Cozy, as the stone crept up her neck. Cozy maintained a strong look of determination on her face, tinged with a touch of sadness. “Remember me,” she said, as she stopped moving, frozen in time.

The room grew quiet.  Everypony was speechless.  Broken pieces of crystal fell to the floor, breaking the silence.

* * *
Castle staff were busy breaking crystals, and sweeping. The statue of Sombra and Cozy had been moved temporarily to the middle of the room while a new throne has already replaced the old one.

Astral stood at the statue, her head down, eyes closed, motionless and horn a soft glow.

"She's been standing there for a long time." said Fluttershy, cradling Monty, petting her softly.

"She’s talking to her." replied Twilight.

“It was awfully kind of Cozy to sacrifice herself for all of us like that,” said Fluttershy.

Applejack spoke up, "Cozy actually told the honest truth for once. 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."

“She sacrificed herself for her friend. That’s loyaltee if I ever saw it” said Rainbow Dash.

"Not only loyal but generous too, making sure Sombra would never be a threat again,” said Rarity.

“She sure knows how to throw the best parties!” said Pinkie Pie.

“Yes. She certainly has learned the magic of friendship,” said Twilight.

"What do you think they're talking about?" asked Fluttershy.

"I'm sure we'll know soon enough," answered Twilight.

Astral’s horn stopped glowing. She opened her eyes to look up at Cozy, who was once again frozen in stone, a single solid tear on the side of Cozy’s face. Astral exhaled slowly before making her way towards Twilight and the others.

"Will she be joining us for dinner?" asked Twilight.

Astral shook her head. "She said she doesn't think she deserves to. That with all the bad that she’s done, she thinks this is the only way she can make sure she is always doing good. That it’s the only way to show ponies how good she can be, and be remembered for doing good as the last thing she did."

"I see," said Twilight.

"I tried to tell her, she is a good pony. She is. You have to believe me now. But she won't fully believe it herself, that she doesn’t have to be stone. She's not ready to believe."

"I think she just needs you to keep telling her. Every day. Some day, I hope you will be able to properly introduce her, your friend, to me."

Pinkie popped up, "I think we should throw a party, for our new friend, Cozy Glow!"

The others cheered in agreement.

* * *
The ballroom was formally dressed. Octavia and company played music on one side of the stage while the statue of Sombra and Cozy was situated nicely on display to the other side. In the middle stood a podium where Princess Twilight would later address the guests.

The room quieted down as Twilight stepped up, clearing her throat. “Friendship can come in all shapes and sizes, and also from the most unexpected places and ponies. Cozy Glow is one such instance having once been a pony thought to be a lost cause. With the help of my best student, Astral Bell, we all know today that not only is Cozy a good pony, she is a great friend, a best friend. Her sacrifice to ensure the peace and harmony of all Equiresta shall go down in history as the single greatest display of Friendship a pony could ever see. We will all eagerly wait for the day that we can all tell her ourselves, what a great friend she truly is. Cozy, you have all the friends in all Equestria now. May their power be your guiding light. Thank you.”

Twilight lifted a glass of sparkling cider. “Cheers to Cozy Glow.”

"Cheers, to Cozy Glow!" everypony said, lifting their glasses.

The reception continued on, while stories of Cozy’s adventures and exploits were told. Astral did not join them, however. She instead opted to sit comfortably, eating hayburgers and ice cream next to her best friend as music and memories played into the night.

Fade to black.  Listen to:
Jon Hopkins - Emerald Rush
https://youtu.be/zKwdkNQ6a5Y

[END]


[Epilogue]

Trixie’s Office was cluttered with magical props, kits of illusion and teacups. She leaned back in her chair, her hooves propped up on her desk. "Yup, uh-huh. That sounds about right." She idly listened as she magically floated smoke bombs around in the air, making different patterns. "Well I wouldn't blame anypony. This school is obviously greater and more powerfuler than that silly school of magic," she said as she fumbled, nearly dropping the smoke bombs onto her desk.

Astral replied, "No, It's not like that. Twilight just said I'm more than ready to start studying here, is all, and that my first year review here was perfect. I do have a lot more friends now,” she added.

"She said that?" asked Trixie.

"She said that magic is important, but friendship is magic too," said Astral.

"Well, Twilight knows best!" said Trixie, before speaking under her breath "...sometimes."

"Um, Trixie?" asked Astral.

"Yes?" answered Trixie.

"When you were evil... I mean, not good, and then you decided to be good. How did you know?" asked Astral.

Trixie stopped to think for a minute. "The great and powerful Trixie likes to think of it as I was always good, and everypony else just got a little more bad."

Astral scratched her head. "Um... Ok."

There was a knock on the door, and a student aid peeked in, "Ms. Trixie, Astral? They're ready for you."

* * *
Starlight’s office was clean and organized. Kites of all shapes and sizes hung from the ceiling while potted plants decorated the sides of her desk. Starlight sat 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 accomplished a lot since you've enrolled here, Astral Bell," said Starlight, happily.

"Thank you," replied Astral.

"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!" said Astral, eagerly.

"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 under the care and guidance of Astral Bell, let me be the first to re-welcome you to Twilight's School of Friendship!"

[END]