Golly it all felt like some kind of weird dream? Well, more like a nightmare? I mean, I did things and I think it was me, but it wasn’t really me doing and saying those things? It was somepony I didn’t recognize? Who was that little pony? Was it me? Really me? I think so because that was me doing it r-right? I’m actually not sure anymore? You know, I don’t think I was ever really sure? I mean, everything feels so soft and warm right now? It feels like somepony is holding me? Tr-Trixie? Or um, maybe I should call her mom in my head now? I’m not sure?
I just want to know who that pony was that did all of those awful things? Who was that filly? The filly who needed power to make sure she’d be okay? The filly that Equestria forgot about? She used her skills to take over the School of Friendship and almost took over all of Equestria… But was she really me? I keep wondering that now? I know my name is Cozy Glow. I’m very comfortable here in the embrace of this nice blue unicorn who’s now taking care of me. It’s so soft and wonderful here in bed with her. My new mother… Is that what I needed all along? A mommy? My name is Cozy Glow and I don’t think I’m going to have anymore nightmares…
Day 25:
Cozy opens her eyes and sees the darkness of bed covers surrounding her. She feels the warmth of the loving embrace coming from behind her and all she can do is just sit there dumbfounded… It all seemed like a dream?
Cozy then hears a familiar voice from behind her, “Good morning Great and Powerful daughter!”
Cozy looks up and feels the soft pillow on the back of her head as she says, “Tr-Trixie? Or uh, mom? Wh-where am I?”
Trixie then cheerfully says from behind her, “You’re in my room remember? You had a nightmare and you wanted to sleep with me…”
Cozy then says, “Okay… And uh, you’re holding me?”
Trixie then says, “Well you asked me to…”
Cozy then says, “Uh, oh yeah… Golly! I guess I have accepted you as my mommy? Or I’m pretty close to it?”
Trixie then says, “What do you mean Cozy?”
Cozy then says in a slightly lower tone, “Well, I don’t like anypony to know that I like to be held… You know, I must really like you?”
Trixie giggles and says, “Of course you like me! I’m your mom!”
Cozy then says, “But well, what about my old mom? The one who died?” And then she looks down into the covers.
Cozy then feels a warm hug coming from behind her as the voice softly says, “Cozy, I could never replace your old mother. And you really shouldn’t expect me to. However, she can’t be here right now and so I’ll do this for her. Because I care about you Cozy Glow!”
Cozy then mutters, “Yeah that’s obvious by now. I’m still not sure why you’re doing this though?”
Trixie then slowly says, “Cozy, let me tell you a story about a unicorn magician… Okay, it’s me! Anyway, this magician was a bit of a show off and ultra flashy. Both on and off stage! This magician was upstaged by a purple unicorn and her five friends…”
Cozy then says, “Oh gee! I’m pretty sure I know this group of ponies!”
Trixie then continues, “Yes Cozy… Anyway, rather than try to refine herself and get better, this unicorn sought revenge… She found and purchased the Alicorn Amulet and used it to enslave the entire town of Ponyville!”
Cozy then exclaims, “Golly!”
Trixie then giggles and says, “Yeah pretty neat I know! Even for me! Anyway, apparently the amulet has the nasty side effect of making the user more bizarre and mean! Something about draining my soul? And this same group of ponies stopped me once again using” and then her voice gets really low, “the magic of friendship…”
Cozy then says, “So they stopped you too huh? Well so why didn’t you seek to take revenge again anyway? What made you stop?”
Trixie then calmly says, “Well, it was Starlight Glimmer… She gave me friendship and made me realize that it’s not all about me… And that’s what I’m trying to do for you now Cozy… I helped you make your first friend, I’m raising you, and I’m trying to give you a new life now…”
Cozy then says, “Okay I see… But um, you didn’t answer my question? Why do you care about me?”
Trixie then softly says, “Because I saw myself in you Cozy… When I learned about what you did, I wanted to know more… I wanted to meet this filly who tried to take over Equestria and talk with her… Get to know her… Although becoming your new mommy was something I didn’t really want to do in the beginning? That came after I learned more about you…”
Cozy then looks down again at her small pink body and says, “I guess that was when you learned about my parents huh? You know, my dad was never really around? It was my mommy who did most of the work?”
Trixie then hugs the Pegasus filly tightly against her body and says, “Well so you really have gone back then! You gotta admit, there isn’t much of a dad here either?” *
Cozy then scoots up to get out of Trixie’s embrace and above the covers and pretends to look around the room before saying, “Nope! No daddies here either!” And then both ponies giggle.
Trixie then asks Cozy, “So daughter! What would you like for breakfast?”
Cozy then looks back at Trixie and says, “Um, I kinda wanted to know some things?”
Trixie then raises her right eyebrow and asks, “Go on?”
Cozy then looks down and slowly asks, “Okay so I’m your daughter now right? Well um, who was I before? I mean, I know you said it doesn’t matter, but um…”
Trixie then asks, “But what Cozy?”
Cozy then blurts out, “But it keeps bothering me! I don’t know who I was when I did those awful things and I keep thinking about it!”
Trixie then asks Cozy, “Well what is it about it that bothers you Cozy?”
Cozy looks down again and says, “Well I just keep thinking about it?”
Trixie then says, “Well, here’s a therapy exercise we call “putting things in their place” Cozy… Okay so you now have to decide what to do with all of these memories right?”
Cozy then starts and says, “Um golly! You know, I never really looked at it like that?”
Trixie continues, “Exactly Cozy Glow! Now there are many ways you can do this…”
Cozy then asks her mother, “Uh, okay well I guess maybe we should do this?”
Trixie giggles and says, “Right! Or I could maybe just maybe tickle the bad memories out of you?”
Cozy then says, “Oh no! Let’s go with the therapy!”
Trixie giggles and says, “Okay so there are lots of ways you can choose to look at your old memories Cozy. You can see them as reflections of who you once were and compare them to now so you can see how far you’ve come. I mean, look at you smiling and happy as my little foal now! Aren’t you in a better place since you went through all of that?”
Cozy then starts and says, “Well gee, you know I guess I am feeling a lot better now? Now that you’re um, doing this for me?”
Trixie then says, “And another thing! Don’t think of this as “me doing you a favor” okay little filly?” She then tilts her head to the right and says, “I’m actually starting to like you more and more and the truth is, I really want to do this for you…”
Cozy then looks at Trixie wide eyed and says, “Golly! Y-you really mean it Trix er, mom? You actually want to be my new mommy?”
Trixie then tilts her head to the left and rolls her eyes as she says, “You know, I’ve been telling you that for the past three days right?”
Cozy then looks down again and says, “Well golly gee! It just uh, never really hit me you know? I just kept thinking you were doing what you were supposed to do. Reforming me. But I never actually thought that you cared? Well, I did, but um… You know, this is hard to explain?”
Trixie just giggles and puts her left forehoof over Cozy’s mouth before softly saying, “Sssshh… Hush now my precious foal… You don’t need to say anything…”
Cozy just lets out a faint “Mph!” noise as she feels her mother’s hoof over her mouth.
Trixie then lowers her hoof while smiling at her foal and staring into her eyes. Trixie then says to Cozy, “So now that the Great and Powerful Trixie has captivated yet another audience! An annoying little smartass Pegasus filly!”
Cozy pulls back and then says, “Hey!”
Trixie giggles and continues, “What shall our Great and Powerful breakfast be oh daughter of mine?”
Cozy then says, “Um, I dunno mom? Whatever you want is fine?”
Trixie thinks on this for a few seconds and then says, “Apples it is! I’ll get my usual coffee and I guess you’ll want cider hmm?”
Cozy smiles, nods her head, and says, “Golly! That sounds yummy mom!”
Trixie then says, “Okay oh daughter of mine! I’ll meet you in the foyer!” As she slowly hops out of bed and trots over to her door and uses her magic to open it before trotting out.
Cozy then sits in Trixie’s bed and thinks to herself, “So um, she really cares about me and wants to be my mother? Well she said she wanted a foal or a “legacy” or whatever? I suppose picking me was just a matter of convenience? I mean, she saw my statue at the school everyday and I do remember seeing her sometimes… And as it so happens, she does know the princess who could unfreeze me if convinced to do so?” Cozy then slams her head back into the pillow gently before muttering to herself, “Am I too cynical? Do good ponies actually exist?” ** Cozy then squints her right eye and says, “Well it’s not like my other options are really that great? You know, the most annoying thing about this whole situation is the fact that there’s really no good looking alternatives?”
Cozy then hears a somewhat distant voice from outside the room, “Cozy? Where are you my precious foal?”
Cozy then yells back, “Uh, hang on mom! I’ll be right there!” Before slowly getting out of bed and on the floor to her hooves.
She then trots out the door and out into the foyer to see her mother on the beanbag couch with a few apples, a cup of blond coffee for her (with her face on the mug) and a small glass of cider which she assumes is for her.
She then trots over to the couch on the other side of the small coffee table with the food and drinks on it and sits down next to Trixie. She then looks at her and asks, “Um, mom? Well uh, you’re supposed to guide me right?”
Trixie then stares at Cozy and says, “Well yeah that’s part of the job description? Did you need something?”
Cozy then looks down and says, “Well I keep wondering why you’re doing this? I can’t just tell myself that you’re a good pony and you wanna do good you know? I can’t just tell myself that for “whatever reason”, you actually do love and care about me. I keep thinking there’s some other reason you’re doing this and I know I’m smart and I just can’t think of anything? And that’s another thing I find kind of annoying?”
Trixie just giggles and as she uses her magic to bite into an apple, chews and savors it before swallowing and then she says, “Cozy, no offense, but you’ve been annoyed since the moment we unfroze you. Maybe even sooner?”
Cozy then stares down at Trixie and says, “Well I guess a few things do bother me huh?” She then grabs an apple with her forehooves and starts to happily munch on it.
Trixie raises her right eyebrow and says, “A few?”
Cozy is munching on a piece of apple when she just smiles dimly.
Trixie just giggles and uses her magic to finish up her apple as she munches and then sets the core to the side on the plate and sips her coffee.
Cozy finally finishes the piece in her mouth, gulps it down, and says, “Well okay! A lot of things bother me! This is all so new and I’m not really used to any of this? You know, I really wish somepony would hold my hoof?”
Trixie smiles, puts her left forehoof onto Cozy’s and says, “Yeah like a “parental figure” or something like that? Don’t suppose you know where you could find somepony willing to do that for you?”
Cozy squints and says, “Okay fine! I’ll just ask if I have questions okay?”
Trixie giggles again and says, “That was the point you know?”
Cozy looks down and says, “Golly! For an evil genius, I’m not too bright huh?”
Trixie then hugs Cozy and says, “It’s okay little filly. You’re just not used to this and this is all new to you. It takes time okay?”
Cozy then softly says in the unicorn’s embrace, “Okay mom… I guess I have to?”
Trixie then stops hugging Cozy, goes back to her side of the couch, giggles, and says, “Yeah pretty much!”
Cozy then squints again and says, “You know, that’s also pretty annoying!”
Trixie giggles and says, “Well you finished up your apple and I’m about to munch on my second one now. Did you want another Cozy?”
Cozy looks down and says, “Um, no thanks mom! One apple was fine. I’m uh, not that big you know…” And then uses her forehooves to slowly slurp up her cider as Trixie stares and giggles as she bites into another apple. Cozy sets the cider down with her hooves and says, “What mom?”
Trixie then says, “I was just admiring how adorable you are!”
Cozy’s expression then goes to irritation for maybe two seconds before she finally just says, “Okay I guess I’m cute now too?”
Trixie smiles and says, “But you’ve always been cute Cozy Glow!”
Cozy frowns and says, “Well, when I wanna be, sure!”
Trixie then says, “Actually you’re pretty much always cute Cozy…”
Cozy squints her eyes, sighs, and then widens them again before saying, “Well anyway, now we ate breakfast mom! What’s next?”
Trixie then says, “Well I gotta run some errands in Ponyville today and then I was heading back. Starshine will probably be around this afternoon whenever she finishes up her chores.”
Cozy then says, “So another planned day?”
Trixie smiles again and says, “Well most days are pretty routine Cozy Glow. It’s important that I give you stability and structure.”
Cozy then lowly says, “So it’s all part of the plan huh?”
Trixie giggles and says, “Well, the big plan yes! The little plan is made up on the fly. It’s how I like to do things because little things are very hard to plan in advance since things keep coming up…”
Cozy looks down again and says, “Yeah… Things like my past… Well uh, that’s not little?”
Trixie says, “Well that’s just part of being a reformed villain Cozy! Believe me! I know!”
Cozy then huffs and says, “Okay I get that, but um… Well I wanted to talk about my past again mom? I mean um, if there’s time?”
Trixie then stares at Cozy and asks her, “Oh yeah! We got a few hours! Uh, what is it about your past Cozy? I mean, I know you brought that up earlier?”
Cozy sighs and says, “Well like I said, I don’t know who that filly er, I was back then? Come to think of it, I don’t really know who I am right now either? It’s almost like I just woke up from a nightmare and this is my real life? But um, who was I before?”
Trixie sighs and says, “How about an undeveloped version of you right now?”
Cozy then asks Trixie, “Okay well, who am I now?”
Trixie then says, “Well you’re my daughter! And a pretty neat and adorable filly as well!”
Cozy frowns and thinks on this for maybe 3 seconds before deciding that’s probably the best answer she’s going to get. She then asks Trixie, “But um, is this all real?”
Trixie smiles and says, “Well you tell me Cozy? Does this all seem real to you?”
Cozy then looks around and says, “Okay but I don’t know why I keep thinking about it you know?”
Trixie then twists her mouth and says, “Well obviously there’s something about it that keeps bothering you? Think Cozy! What is it about your past in particular?”
Cozy then looks down and takes a breath before saying, “It’s just the things I did… I guess I find it hard to believe it was actually me now?”
Trixie then looks down and then up before saying, “Well the logical starting point would be to ask yourself what brought you to that point? Why did you do those things?”
Cozy then says, “Well that’s the thing! I don’t think it was just one thing you know? It was probably several things? Like that my parents died, that I didn’t really feel like I belonged anywhere, and then there’s that letter from Tirek…” ***
Trixie then says, “Well trying to take over Equestria is not something most fillies do no? So now you should be asking yourself, what should you have done instead?”
Cozy looks down for 2 seconds and then widens her eyes and says, “Golly! I don’t know?”
Trixie trots over to Cozy and says to her softly, “That’s why I’m here Cozy Glow… To teach you these things…”
Cozy sighs again and says, “You know, I’m smart enough to survive out on my own and I almost took over Equestria… Somehow I never thought I’d ever need a guide?”
Trixie then giggles and says, “Well that’s what happens when your head gets too big Cozy. You don’t wanna listen to anypony else!”
Cozy then has an irritated expression on her face as she says, “I don’t think I was THAT bad?”
Trixie then calmly says, “Megalomaniacal supervillain?”
Cozy then looks more irritated as she says, “Okay! Maybe I had a small ego problem!”
Trixie smiles again and says, “Small Cozy Glow?”
Cozy then just blurts out, “Mom! I really don’t think you’re the right pony to be talking about this to?”
Trixie then giggles and says, “Okay! Okay! Maybe I had an ego myself! But I’m just saying you have to recognize your faults in order to figure out how to get better!”
Cozy then goes back to a normal expression and says, “Well um, okay that makes sense? Alright I had an inflated ego and I probably got a little carried away there?”
Trixie smiles and says, “A little?”
Cozy then stares at her and says, “Mom!”
Trixie giggles and says, “Okay please continue Cozy Glow?”
Cozy then says, “And I guess I got caught up in it you know? Having that kinda power is pretty addictive?”
Trixie then says, “Yeah! Tell me about it! Anyway Cozy, but now you’ve realized the error of your ways and are trying to get better right?”
Cozy then says, “Well um, right! At least I think that’s what I’m doing?”
Trixie giggles and says, “Who knows Cozy? But we’re gonna give it a shot! Ready to go to the bank now my Great and Powerful daughter?”
Cozy then starts and says, “Oh right! Errands! So you needed to go to the bank and then what mom?”
Trixie then says, “Well Starshine was staying for dinner today and they said she needed to be back by 7:30 and so I’ll also need to go to the market for a few things. And then I decided to go by Sugarcube Corner for a treat! And yes Cozy, I’ll get you one too. Well, if you really want one that is?” Trixie then smiles, tilts her head to the side, and looks at the filly.
Cozy then starts and says, “Um, yeah sure mom! That would be great!”
Trixie then says, “Of course!”
Cozy then says, “Well golly! I don’t have that big of a sweet tooth?”
Trixie then smiles at Cozy.
Cozy asks her, “What mom?”
Trixie then softly whispers to Cozy, “Well you just told me to stop calling you on your understatements?”
Cozy then squints when her eyes pop again as she says, “So um, lets go to the bank mom!”
Trixie then uses her magic to fetch her magician’s hat and cape along with her saddlebags and then opens the door before trotting out as she says, “Well let’s go Cozy! The bank is over on the West side of Ponyville near the market district. It makes sense to hit it before we have to carry any groceries.”
Cozy trots out and says, “All planned out huh?”
Trixie then smiles and uses her magic to close the door as she says, “Yeah pretty much! Come on! Let’s go!” As she begins to trot West towards town and continues, “It’s a few minutes walk Cozy. Come on!”
Cozy trots behind her and says, “Okay but since I gotta use my hooves to keep at your pace mom, just remember I’m not that big! I don’t really trot that fast…”
Trixie giggles and says, “Why do you think I’m taking my time?”
Cozy looks down and says, “Well um, could you maybe go slower please mom?”
Trixie then smiles at Cozy and says, “Well okay!” and then slows her pace so that Cozy doesn’t have to trot as fast.
Cozy then pants and says says, “Thanks! You know, since I don’t usually trot around and just fly, I don’t really work out my legs that much?”
Trixie then says, “Well we’re gonna make you better all sorts of ways then aren’t we?”
Cozy frowns and says, “I guess so huh? Hey is that the bank over in the next block? I think I’ve seen it, but I’ve never really had a reason to go in there?”
Trixie then says, “Yes Cozy! That’s the bank over there to our right coming up here… Do you want to wait outside or go inside with me?”
Cozy then thinks on this for a few seconds and looks around to see many ponies around and while she suspects at least one or two of them might be staring at her, she’s actually not sure. She then says to Trixie, “Uh, yeah mom! I’ll stand in line with you!”
Trixie smiles and says, “I knew you would! There are too many ponies out here and you don’t want them staring…”
Trixie and Cozy then trot up the steps to the bank as Cozy says loudly, “You know, that’s also pretty annoying!”
Trixie just giggles maniacally as she uses her magic to open the door and trots in with Cozy close in tow behind her.
They both go inside and are waiting in line behind another pony while a pony in front of him is talking to the teller. Cozy becomes aware of everypony in the area and becomes uncomfortable. She thinks one of them might have been staring, but she’s not sure and she doesn’t want to obviously look. She feels paranoid and wonders if they’re talking about her and if so, what they’re saying?
Cozy then gets even closer to Trixie. Trixie notices this and whispers, “Are you okay Cozy?”
Cozy whispers back to Trixie, “Yeah I’m fine! Really wish this line would hurry up!”
Trixie then whispers, “Relax Cozy! I’m right here…”
Cozy then stares at the pony in front of the line as she finally gets done with her business and starts trotting off on Cozy’s right. Cozy thinks she may have been staring, but she’s not sure. Cozy also starts to believe that maybe she shouldn’t have come in. The next pony in line then steps up to speak with the teller and Trixie and Cozy both step forward to take his place. Another unicorn mare then steps into line behind them. This only agitates the filly even more.
Then Trixie notices the expression on Cozy’s face as she whispers to her, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait outside Cozy?”
Cozy then thinks to herself and she remembers the ponies she saw out there. Then she remembers Trixie isn’t out there and she also doesn’t want her new mother to believe that she’s not tough and so she just says, “No really mom! I’m fine!”
The mare in front of them finishes her business and then steps out of line and trots off back to Cozy’s right. Cozy then thinks that it would be better if she had just stayed home. Where at least it’s safe.
Trixie and a very nervous Pegasus filly then trot up to the teller’s desk and Trixie uses her magic to fetch a deposit slip and a big stack of bits from her saddlebags and puts them on the counter.
While this is going on, Cozy becomes very aware of all of the other ponies in the room. She starts talking to herself in her mind to calm herself, “Don’t worry! It’s just like mom said. They won’t hurt me. I just need to stay calm. It doesn’t matter what they’re saying about me or if they’re staring. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter…” She then closes her eyes and tries to stay calm.
Trixie then says to the teller, “Yes I need to deposit fifty bits into my account please!”
The teller smiles and glances at Cozy before saying, “Certainly Miss Lulamoon!”
Cozy wonders what the glance meant? Probably nothing? She then becomes aware that she’s thinking about things way too much, but she just can’t help it. She then calmly looks around the room to see other ponies working at their desks and another stallion coming through the door. Cozy starts to feel nervous as the teller slides Trixie a receipt with her hoof and Trixie then uses her magic to put that into her saddlebags.
Trixie then looks at Cozy, smiles, and says to her, “Time to for us to depart to the market together daughter!”
Trixie and Cozy both step out of the bank onto the landing of the stone steps at the top and Cozy quickly gallops out and then takes off with her wings as fast as they would carry her off to a park bench across the street in front of it. She then lowers her body to the ground in an almost prone position and begins to breath heavily. ***
Trixie quickly gallops across the street to see a distressed Cozy Glow on the ground breathing hard. She then trots alongside Cozy’s right side so that she’s touching her, brings her left forehoof around the filly, and asks her, “What happened in there Cozy? Are you alright?”
Cozy pants and says softly, “I don’t think I belong in there mom? Um, I want to go home… Uh, if that’s okay m-mom?”
Trixie rubs the back of Cozy’s neck gently with her forehoof and says, “Alright my precious daughter. I think you’ve had enough… Here!” She then uses her magic to float out the key from her saddlebags and she levitates it right in front of Cozy’s mouth and she says, “Bite!”
Cozy bites down on the key to hold it in her mouth.
Trixie then continues, “If you’re ever uncomfortable oh daughter of mine, you need only say the word okay? But now take this key and fly back to the cottage. Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?
Cozy thinks that she doesn’t wanna disturb Trixie’s plans anymore than she already has when she shakes her head throwing off some of the tears from her face and mumbles from behind the key, “No mom! I’ll be okay!”
Trixie then says, “Very well Cozy Glow… Do you want me to comfort you anymore?”
Cozy then blinks her watery eyes and thinks that she’s been too much of a bother already as she mumbles, “No mom! Go to the market now! I’ll fly back…”
Trixie looks perplexed as she says, “Not until I know you’re safely on your way home daughter!”
Cozy rolls her eyes with the key in her mouth and then turns to face the direction of the cottage and squats down before taking off with her wings. She flies there and doesn’t look back so she has no idea what Trixie did when she left.
She thinks to herself as she’s flying back, “What’s wrong with me? That never happened before? Why am I suddenly so self conscious?”
She lands in front of the door and then uses her forehooves to fetch the key from her mouth and then operates it in the door using her lips. The door opens up softly as Cozy pushes it open. Cozy collects the key with her mouth before trotting in, spitting it out onto the counter and she quickly closes the door and runs to her room.
Once there, she opens the door with her forehooves, trots in, and closes it behind her. She then breaths a heavy sigh of relief. She thinks to herself that this is all new and she’s actually not even sure what happened? She looks at her toys on the bed and says, “Snorkel and Mr. Bearington! I was scared that they were staring and talking about me in the bank! Why is that? I was never scared before?”
The teddy bear looks at her silently as she then says, “Okay maybe I kinda feel bad about the things I did? I’m not sure? I mean, I don’t seem to like the idea of other ponies talking about it and whispering about me?”
She then trots over to the bed and scoots up on it and lays down on her stomach and stares at the wall with a blank expression as she then says to herself, “Sometimes, I think it would be better if they left me as stone? At least I wouldn’t have to deal with all of these fears?” She then turns her head to face the pillow and buries her face into the pillow. ****
She then says out loud while her face is in the pillow, “I don’t like this Snorkel! I don’t like this at all!”
For the nest 45 minutes, the filly doesn’t exactly cry, but she does sometimes make little noises as she falls in and out of consciousness. She’s laying snoozing and half asleep on her side in the fetal position while holding her beloved dolphin to her chest and whispering to her sometimes when she suddenly hears a knock on the door.
Trixie’s muffled voice can be heard from the other side saying, “Cozy! Are you okay? May I come in?”
Cozy raises her head and says, “Uh, sure mom! Come on in!”
The door handle glows and the door opens up to reveal a concerned looking blue unicorn in a magician’s hat and cape. She trots in, uses her magic to shut the door and gets near the bed and then says, “Cozy, what happened back there? Are you okay?”
Cozy lowly says, “Gee mom, I don’t know what happened? I just started worrying about other ponies staring at me and talking about me behind my back and um, I guess I just panicked? Uh, it’s probably too late to turn me back to stone huh?”
Trixie then has a serious tone to her voice as she asks, “Good grief Cozy! You’ve made such wonderful progress! Why would you want to do that?”
Cozy then says more audibly, “Because I’m scared okay! What if they never accept me? What if they don’t like me? What if they never forgive me for what I did and all the trouble I caused? No, I think it’s better if I just stay in here from here on out. At least it’s safe…”
Trixie then moves a little bit closer to the bed and puts her left forehoof on the back of Cozy’s neck and rubs it while saying, “Well you’ll need to do it sooner or later? Perhaps you’re just not ready yet Cozy Glow? Tell you what! You can take all the time you need and just stay here and I’ll take care of you okay?”
Cozy looks over to the side at Trixie, starts to give a dim smile, and says, “Yeah that’s probably for the best? Thanks mom!”
Trixie says, “Anything you need Cozy! I did get you some strawberry candies from Sugarcube Corner. You forgot about that little part of our trip didn’t you?”
Cozy then gets up onto her knees and the bed and brightens up a bit as she says, “Well golly! Thanks mom!”
Trixie then stands up and faces Cozy before she smiles and levitates a small bag of candy from her left saddlebag and onto Cozy’s bed as she then says, “Well I really did want to get you a treat today?”
Cozy then looks perplexed as she says, “You really do care about me huh?”
Trixie then says, “Well of course! Why wouldn’t I Cozy Glow?”
Cozy decides not to go down this road again as she then says, “Um, yeah okay so I guess I should just stay home then? Um, at least for right now?” She then looks at Trixie with another dim smile on her face.
Trixie says, “If that’s what you need precious daughter!”
Cozy’s face quickly goes to irritation and then to calm again as she says, “Well mom? I know it’s not even lunch yet, but right now, I’d really like a nap?”
Trixie then says, “You just had a light snooze before I arrived, but if you’re really tired?”
Cozy then says lowly, “Well maybe still a little bit? But I’d rather be asleep for right now okay? Things are just well, they’re easier to deal with when I’m asleep!”
Trixie then looks down and says, “Um, okay Cozy. If that’s what you want to do. But I’ll be outside if you need me okay?”
Cozy smiles and says, “Thanks mom!”
Trixie then trots out of the room and turns to face Cozy and smiles as she uses her magic to gently shut the door.
Cozy then lays on her back with her head on her two pillows and says to nopony in particular, “I still wonder why it has to be this way you know? I mean, here and now? And after all this time?” Cozy then goes on her side grabs her dolphin to her chest and gently starts to fall asleep.
Later, Cozy opens her eyes to see she’s still in the same room and nothing has changed. She sees it’s about 11:47 on the clock on her nightstand and then she rolls back to her back and lays her head back on the pillow before saying, “Golly it was really bad in there. I still don’t know why I just keep thinking about it?”
She then goes back to her side and looks at her dolphin as she says, “Snorkel, I know I’m not bad anymore… Now I’m starting to wonder if I ever really was? I mean, I did all of those things for selfish reasons… I know this, but um, is it wrong to want to be okay? I just wanted power so I could finally have control over my life…”
Cozy then closes her eyes and softly whispers to herself, “I know I need to do this… And I will… But…” She closes her eyes as far as they will go and tears just start to form underneath as she then says, “But not right now… Not yet… I’m just not ready…” A tear slowly goes down the right side of the filly’s face as she reaches out and begins to hug her dolphin with her hooves.
She then asks Snorkel, “Why does it hurt sometimes when I think about it now? I think I know what I did was wrong, but I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to be doing yet?”
Cozy then closes her eyes again and says, “Maybe I was too hasty? I mean, Tirek made it all sound so wonderful you know? Well, I guess I need to figure out what I’m doing here? Well, I’m trying to get better right? But if I’m not bad, do I really need to be reformed? I haven’t done any bad things in quite awhile now actually?”
She then says, “Yeah… They covered that quite thoroughly earlier…” She then starts to drift back to sleep…
Later, she opens her eyes again and she’s now sprawled across her bed. “Golly! I need to make this thing again!” Then she sees it’s 12:17 on her clock and she says, “I should probably check on mom? It’s about lunch time…”
She trots out of her room into the foyer to see Trixie there with a plate of mangos and bananas waiting for her. Trixie smiles and says, “Well rise and shine sleeping beauty! Did you rest well?”
Cozy slowly trots into the room to the beanbag couch and says, “Yeah I think so? Sorry about sleeping for so long mom…”
Trixie just says, “That’s quite alright daughter! So tell me, why didn’t you like the bank?”
Cozy looks down and says, “Well I kept thinking about the other ponies around me… I didn’t want them staring at me or talking about me behind my back… It um, gets to me…”
Trixie just says, “That’s okay Cozy. These things take time… Anyway, try this!” She then uses her magic to levitate a glass of a red juice over to Cozy.
Cozy suddenly thinks that this is really just a ploy to distract her again but she decides to just grab the glass in her forehooves and to drink it down her throat anyway. It’s flavorful and crisp going down her throat. She’s pretty sure she tastes blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry juices in the cup.
Cozy then sets the glass now half empty onto the coffee table and smacks her lips as she says, “Golly that sure is yummy mom!”
Trixie then giggles and says, “I know! I’ve been buying that stuff for years. Anyway, you said you liked mangos the other day and so I decided to give you something I know you like…”
Cozy then looks down and says, “That’s fine mom!” And then she looks up and grabs one of the mangos with her forehooves and starts to happily munch on it.
Trixie smiles and just says, “I know you have issues Cozy and that’s why I’m here for you… But I just can’t get over how wonderful and cute you are!”
Cozy then has an irritated expression on her face as she sets the mango down and says, “Okay maybe I’m cute whether I want to be or not! I get it mom!”
Trixie just giggles and asks, “What’s wrong Cozy?”
Cozy then squints her right eye as she says, “Um, nothing mom!” She then picks up the mango again and begins to happily munch on it with a smiling Trixie right there next to her. She then finishes her mango and grabs the half glass of juice with her forehooves and slurps it down her throat.
While this is going on, Trixie uses her magic to open a banana and eat it before floating her glass of juice to her lips and then politely sipping it to wash the banana down her throat.
Cozy then smiles and says, “Thanks mom! Uh, can we have something other than mangoes for lunch tomorrow though? I really like em a lot, but um, that’s too much mango…”
Trixie smiles back at her foal and says, “Of course Cozy!”
Cozy then happily says, “Thanks mom!” And then she looks down with a somber expression before saying, “Um, mom? I have a lot of my mind and would like to color now…” She then looks up at Trixie with a dim smile.
Trixie then smiles and says, “Of course daughter! Whatever you feel you need to do! Go color now and play with your toys!”
Cozy then says, “Okay mom!” And then gets off the couch to her hooves and trots back to her room shutting the door behind her.
Once in the room, Cozy trots over to the bed and grabs the pillows one after the other with her mouth and sets it on the floor. She then trots over and gets two coloring books with her mouth and sets them next to the pillows before doing the same with her crayons. She then trots over and sits on her stomach on the pillow and opens one of the books with her hooves. She sees a Storm Crusher coloring page there, but decides to leave that for Starshine and color the other page on the right instead. She sets the crayons down over Storm Crusher with her mouth, opens it with her hooves, and grabs a blue crayon in her lips and starts to color the page.
Cozy colors like this for about 45 minutes when she hears a knock on her door. “It’s me Starshine” says a muffled voice from behind it.
Cozy spits an orange crayon out of her mouth and says, “Come in Starshine!” Says Cozy as she sits on her tummy on top of both pillows.
The doorknob glows a blue color and then the door opens to reveal the dark purple body and white mane of Starshine there smiling and wearing saddlebags. She trots in and uses her magic to close the door before facing Cozy and saying, “Hiya bestie!”
(To be continued in the next chapter…)