06 - Cozy's Gift

[Vito's drawing of Cozy Glow crying in Twilight Sparkle's comforting embrace, an open giftbox next to them showing what may very well be the most precious item Cozy has ever received in her life]

>>34751823
>The two were finally alone with each other for a while, leaving an awkward silence and slowly rising tension. Cozy fidgeted in her spot on the floor in front of the fireplace. Heartswarming decorations dressed the walls and furniture while Pinky Party Perfection(tm) confetti and streamers littered the floor. The room had been darkened, quiet now as the rowdy festive activities from earlier had finally died for the night.
>"Um, Thank you for inviting me, princess." said Cozy.
>"It was my pleasure having you here, Cozy. You are living proof that there can be good in every pony."
>Cozy nodded lightly to Twilight before turning back to the mesmerizing dance of the flames that warmed them both.
>They both watched the fire crackle and glow. Periodically, a rainbow streak of blue or green would flare up for a brief moment; the last of the additives burning off.
>"So... School is good. I met a colt," said Cozy.
>"I heard you got into a bit of trouble over him," winked Twilight.
>Cozy looked down on the floor, pushing confetti around in a small pile "I'm sorry."
>"It's ok. That's not why I wanted to talk to you tonight, Cozy."
>Cozy blew a puff of air at her small pile, watching the pieces settle back down onto the ground in front of her.
>"Cozy, I wanted to apologize. For me, for Princess Celestia, for Princess Luna..."
>Cozy stopped fidgeting, looking up to Twilight.
>"I must admit, I never agreed with what they did to you, both times. I was still so very new to everything, who was I to argue with over a thousand years of leadership?" explained Twilight.
>Cozy sat still, her full attention on Twilight.
>"I was a princess too. I should have said something. I should have stood up for what I thought was right. But instead, I fooled myself into believing that they could do no wrong. I'm sorry, Cozy Glow, I truly am."

>>34757033
>Tears began to well up in Cozy's eyes. She fought well to hold them back. "It's ok, Twilight. You forgive me, right? I'm free now. I stopped Sombra for good, and now everypony doesn't hate me, or fear me anymore."
>Twilight shook her head. "No, Cozy."
>"No?"
>"I mean, no. You're the one who's forgiveness I want. There was so much more that I could have done for you but didn't; mistakes I've made in the past gone uncorrected for far too long. I can't speak for the royal sisters, but I can say from the bottom of my heart, how truly sorry I am for all that you been through in your lifetime. I may not know all that you have seen, but I can see what it has done to you, and what you've done because of it, but especially what you are doing now."
>"Those mistakes. I know I've made mistakes too, now. They're all in the past. Can't we just leave them there? The whole past. All of it. I mean, learn from it. That's what they teach at your school, but... I don't know."
>"No."
>"No?" asked Cozy, curiously.
>Twilight got up and headed over to the tree. Under it was a single gift box with a simple ribbon tieing it close and no tag to say who it was for. She brought it over and sat it down in front of Cozy. "There is at least one piece of the past that I think should be with you always." She joined Cozy on the floor in front of the fireplace.
>Cozy looked the giftbox over, "for me?"
>Twilight nodded gently.
>"Golly. But why? What did I do to deserve this?"
>"Everything, Cozy. Please, open it."
>Cozy carefully untied the ribbon and slowly opened the box. Carefully buried under layers of wadded tissue paper, Cozy froze as she saw it. It was indeed a piece of the past. She bit her lip, beginning to quiver.
>"You are a good pony, Cozy. You always were."
>Tears began to flow uncontrollably down Cozy's face. She didn't even try to hold them back anymore. She held the badge close for a moment before putting it down. "Sorry," whimpered Cozy, softly.
>"What?"

>>34757037
>Twilight wasn't sure how to gage Cozy's reaction.
>"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" said Cozy, progressively raising her voice. "The school, the magic... Chrysalis and Tirek. The colt." her voice cracked as she sobbed. "Just don't send me there again. I... I... I don't deserve--"
>Twilight reacted without thinking, quickly scooping up Cozy in a warm embrace, rubbing her back and wings. "There there, Cozy. It's ok. Don't worry about it. You never have to worry about it, ever again. I know better now; we all do."
>Cozy trembled and sobbed in Twilight's embrace.
>"Shh. It's ok."
>Cozy slowly returned the embrace as she began to accept Twilight apology and kind gesture and gift. She began to calm down.
>"It's ok. We love you, Cozy. We all do. We should have from the beginning, but now, we always will. Ok?"
>Cozy continued to hug in silence.
>"Cozy? Ok?"
>Cozy continued to sit and absorb the moment for all it was worth. Her breathing finally steady as the tears slowed to a stop. She pulled away slightly, looking up at Twilight, "It's ok. I forgive you."

>>34757041
>Cozy climbed into bed, pulling heavy blankets up over her. Astral sat on the edge of the bed next to her, "Did you have a good time tonight at the party?"
>"Yes, I did," replied Cozy. She pulled the badge necklace up and over her head, removing it and setting it on the nightstand.
>"What's that?" asked Astral.
>"My past. Present. Future. It's from Twilight."
>"Oh, how nice. Did you thank her for it?"
>"She knows."
>They kissed their goodnights and Astral turned the lights off as she closed the door behind her.

>"Sweet dreams."