It has been almost a year since Cozy Glow had returned, nearly one month shy of the mare reentering herself back into Pony Society.
Despite how long she's lived in Ponyville, Cozy has not really felt like she fit in, but mainly since she didn't really care to try. All she cared about were a select few ponies, namely Rumble, Sweetie Belle, Rarity and Flitter, along with Flurry Heart of The Crystal Empire.
She did have other friends, to an extent at least. She had the villains she previously hung out with, even if she can't see them often. Like her, many of the ponies do not trust them, especially after all the trouble they've caused. There are those who believe they never should have gotten a second chance.
Of course surprisingly, Cozy Glow has somewhat come to a mutal respect with the other Elements of Harmony, namely Twilight. While she wouldn't call her a friend, she has grown to somewhat appreciate Twilight giving her a chance to live in Ponyville.
But this was the least of Cozy's worries now, the only thing on her mind was that her baby was due any day now, and she was excited to finally give birth to her foal, and relieved that carrying around so much extra wait was nearly at an end.
Something was missing however, and one comment from Pinkie Pie helped both Rumble and Sweetie Belle realize what it was. Cozy Glow never got a Baby Shower. Due to her wanting to keep her pregnancy low profile, she never really made too much of a big deal and never told anypony she was pregnant unless either asked due to her appearance or if she needed to clarify something.
Since her pregnancy was a need to know basis for the most part, and the fact that she rarely interacted with anypony else, she never got the celebration Rumble and Sweetie Belle felt she deserved. That was going to change.
One day Cozy Glow was riding on a train with Rumble, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Flitter, Cloudchaser and Thunderlane, enroute to Canterlot. Unfortunately for Cozy, she was not feeling too comfortable right now.
"Ugh, this train ride feels so bumpy," Cozy whined. "Has it always been this bumpy?"
"You're just noticing it more because you're so far in your pregnancy," Cloudchaser said. "That's my theory at least."
"Oooh, I hate this, I feel like I'm gonna throw up," Cozy said, feeling queasy.
"You can if you want, we'll hold your mane back," Sweetie Belle said, rubbing Cozy Glow's head.
"I'd rather not though, it feels awful throwing up," Cozy Glow said. "Plus throwing up is not cute at all."
"Not everything you do has to be cute Cozy Glow," Sweetie Belle said. "But it doesn't matter, you're due any day now, so you won't have to worry about this for much longer."
"That reminds me, have you even though of a name?" Thunderlane asked.
"I don't even know if the baby's a boy or a girl so I haven't come up with a name yet," Cozy Glow said.
"Oh, keeping it a surprise?" Flitter asked.
"Pretty much, that and we rarely see the doctor," Cozy Glow said.
"Only enough to make sure the baby was healthy, which it is," Rumble said.
"I bet the baby's going to be adorable, I hope he or she gets Cozy's freckles," Flitter said.
"Oh yes, freckles would look so adorable," Sweetie Belle said. "Maybe Rumble's eyes too, he has such dreamy eyes after all."
"Not as dreamy as yours," Rumble flirted.
"Ooh, ever the charmer, aren't you Rumbly?" Sweetie Belle said.
"I call it like I see it," Rumble said.
"Rumble's always been the charmer, I remembered when he used to flirt with me and Flitter, it was cute," Cloudchaser said.
"Oh yeah, he wanted to marry both of us," Flitter said. "Such good times."
"Come on, did I really say stuff like that?" Rumble asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Oh yeah, all the time," Cloudchaser said. "You would go on about wanting to marry the two most attractive mares in all of Equestria."
"You really made us feel special, if you were older we probably would have fought over you," Flitter said.
"Hey, how come I never had that luck?" Thunderlane asked.
"Thunder!" Rarity scolded.
Cloudchaser laughed to herself, "Hey don't get me wrong Thunderlane, you're a decent guy but you weren't really our type."
"But Rumble was adorable, still is actually," Flitter said, eyeing the colt. "Feels like I missed out big time."
Rumble turned away, trying to hide his blush, "You're better as a big sister to me though Flitter, I prefer it that way."
"And I appreciate that," Flitter said. "You're a great little brother Rumble, and I'm so proud of how far you've come. You're engaged to be married, and you're going to be a father."
"Plus you technically got your wish about being with two fillies," Thunderlane joked.
"Thunder!" Cloudchaser scolded.
"Hey come on big bro, I love Cozy Glow but I'm only marrying Sweetie Belle," Rumble said.
"But Cozy Glow will find somepony," Sweetie Belle said, nuzzling her. "She has plenty of options."
"Yeah, but I am going to wait a bit, I mean it might be hard to be with somepony when you have a baby to take care of," Cozy Glow said. "I'm fine with being single a little bit longer, at least I won't be alone."
"Yeah, you have us," Rumble said. "You're part of our family now Cozy Glow."
"Golly, I really appreciate that, you've both been really nice to me," Cozy Glow said. "Everypony here has been nice, Rarity for letting me live in her Botique, and Flitter for always having taken care of me. Thunderlane and Cloudchaser have also been nice and I really appreciate that."
"Anytime kid, you turned out pretty well despite troubles in your past," Cloudchaser said.
"Yeah..." Cozy Glow thought it all over. Just a year ago, she was still encased in stone, and even after getting out, her first thought was revenge, to make the Elements suffer for all they've done to her. Now, she just wants to have a normal life raising her baby alongside her two crushes. "Um, Rarity?"
"Yes dear?" Rarity asked.
"How do your friends feel about me?" Cozy Glow asked. "Like, are they still mad that I tricked you all, stole your magic, trapped you in Tartarus and then later tried to take over Canterlot?"
"Oh that...?" Rarity asked. "Well I know they weren't happy, but they're not really going to hold a grudge against you for that or anything."
"Yeah, my sister's friends are very forgiving, I mean they've forgiven worse than what you've done," Sweetie Belle said.
"I guess so," Cozy Glow said. "It's just that, I think about that a lot, about how I betrayed you all and how you must have felt when I did that, but before long started to wonder, actually it was something Adagio once said."
"And that would be?" Rarity asked.
"Did you care?" Cozy Glow asked. "Like, did you care that I turned evil? Or that I did such terrible things? Did you feel like you lost a friend? Or did you just brand me a failure and move on?"
"Oh boy..." Rumble muttered, knowing how heavy this might be.
Fortunately Rarity didn't seem too bothered or worried by the statement, "Well for starters Rarity, it did bother us that you betrayed us, we expected better from you, especially Twilight. She was actually really fond of you and had high hopes. You seemed so enamored with everything we had to teach you, and you picked up on things really fast. Had you stuck around and continued your training, you just might have been a candidate to be one of Twilight's personal students."
"Like how she was to Celestia?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Precisely, you had so much potential and it was such a shame to see all that thrown away," Rarity said. "I personally pitied you, and I wasn't too on board with you being sent to Tartarus, but of course that was out of my hooves."
"So did Twilight feel anything?" Cozy Glow asked. "Looking back, she didn't even seem surprised that I turned evil."
"She was plenty surprised in Tartarus," Rarity said.
"What about after? Any lingering sadness?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Why are you so concerned with this dear?" Rarity asked. "What difference does it make?"
"I..." Cozy Glow shook her head. "It's nothing I guess, maybe I was getting too curious."
Sweetie Belle gently stroked Cozy's mane, sensing some lingering sadness in the girl's heart. There were still many things unresolved for her, and in time she would have to try addressing them again.
It wasn't long before the train stopped at Canterlot, the ponies making their way off the train, Cozy Glow being assisted by Rumble and Sweetie Belle in the process.
"I can walk on my own," Cozy Glow insisted, breaking away from the two.
"Alright but if you get tired, just tell me and I'll give you a ride," Rumble said.
The ponies began walking through the streets of Canterlot, going at a slow enough pace so that Cozy Glow could keep up with them. Of course Cozy did her best not to focus on some of the ponies that glanced her way, many of them curious, at least the ones who recognized her While she once was able to walk through the streets barely recognized, word had spread and soon almost all the ponies knew who she was at first glance.
But now they're seeing more than just Cozy Glow, they're seeing a filly who is very pregnant, and no doubt there will be talks and whispers about that, ponies wondering who could have fathered a child with her.
"We're almost at the castle," Sweetie Belle said, getting Cozy Glow's attention. "Just stay close to us."
"Uh-huh," Cozy Glow said, inching toward Sweetie Belle, trying to focus on her presance rather than being around so many ponies.
Eventually they had arrived at the castle, making their way inside through the halls. Cozy Glow grew a bit nervous, it's been quite some time since she's been at the castle, her biggest memory of it being the time she tried to take it over.
"So now that we're here, is there a reason I needed to come?" Cozy Glow asked. "Is it a celebration for Rumble? Or something big for Sweetie Belle?"
"There is a celebration, but not for Rumble or Sweetie Belle," Rarity said.
"Well, who is it for?" Cozy Glow asked.
Rarity placed her hoof on a door, briefly turning to Cozy Glow with a smirk, "It's for you dear." With that Rarity opened the door to reveal a huge party with balloons, confetti and a banner that said 'Congratulations', along with many familiar faces.
Twilight was there, along with the other Elements, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Applejack. In addition, her foal friends Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Dinky Doo, Babs Seed, Pickle Barrel, Barley Barrel, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Button Mash were there as well. Students from the School of Friendship were present, including the main students Sandbar, Ocellus, Yona, Smolder, Gallus and Silversteam, and others like Toola Roola and Coconut Cream. Royalty such as Cadance, Shining Armor and Flurry Heart were also present, along with Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst, plus Wonderbolts like Spitfire, Soarin, Fleetfoot, Sky Stinger and Vapor Trails. Others attending included Spike, Ember, Thorax, Gilda, Trixie Lulamoon, Lightning Dust, Tempest Shadow, Coco Pommel, Lyra, Bon Bon, Autumn Blaze, Terramar, Cheese Sandwich, Discord and her villain friends, Tirek, Chrysalis, Adadio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk.
"Surprise Cozy Glow!" came the cheer of all those in the room.
"Golly Gee Wilikers!" Cozy shouted in amazement. It was a party for her, so many decorations, so much food, a lot of presents, all for her. "Is all this for me!?"
"You bet Cozy Glow!" Pinkie Pie said, zipping in front of the filly. "It's your Baby Shower!"
"My baby what?" Cozy Glow asked.
"A Baby Shower, where we shower you with gifts because you're having a baby!" Pinkie explained.
"She felt bad when she realized you had no celebration for becoming a mother, so she whipped this whole thing up for you," Rumble explained.
"Not alone," Pinkie said, gesturing her eyes toward Cheese. "I had a little help."
The stallion took that cue to dance his way toward Cozy Glow, "Allow me to formally introduce myself, I'm Cheese Sandwich, traveling Party Pony."
"And my fiancé," Pinkie Pie added.
"We worked together to deliver you the Ultimate Baby Shower, this is a day all for you and your baby," Cheese explained.
"Wowie...I don't think I've had anything this special happen to me," Cozy said, almost feeling choked up. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything!" Cheese said as Pinkie placed a party hat over her head. "You just have to sit back and let everypony treat you like a Princess."
"Me? A Princess!?" Cozy Glow asked, her eyes glowing.
"Just for today," Twilight said. "And mostly figuratively, as in no making official decrees that affect Equestria."
"What about ones that affect this party? Like what if I want a drink?" Cozy's question was answered when Pinkie offered her some fruit punch. She gladly took the drink in her hoof, "Alright, I think I can live with this type of power."
"Awesome! Now first order of business, presents!" Pinkie Pie said as Cheese rolled in a chair resembling a throne. "Your seat Princess."
Rumble was about to assist Cozy but she denied, "I'm good Rumble." She slowly but surely placed herself down, happy to be off her hooves. "Alright, present time."
Scootaloo was the first up, she presented a huge box to her friend, "Here you go." Cozy took the present, it felt heavy. She unwrapped it to find a mini-tricycle. "It may not be usable now but your baby might want something to ride when he or she gets bigger."
"Aw, thanks, that's really nice of you Scootaloo," Cozy Glow said.
Next up were Lyra and Bon Bon, the two presenting Cozy Glow with a couple of boxes.
"Open mine first," Lyra said.
Cozy opened to unbox a rattle, "Aw, how cute."
"That's something the baby could use right away," Lyra said. "A nice rattle to keep it busy."
Cozy tried out the rattle, shaking it near her stomach, "I think my baby likes it, I felt a kick." She continued to rattle until she felt pain, "Alright, kicking too hard."
"Probably can't wait to be born," Lyra joked.
"I can't wait either, this is not good for my insides," Cozy Glow said.
"This may not be as fun but it's a necessity," Bon Bon said as Cozy opened her present. "You will need diapers after all."
"Ooh, right, I have to change diapers now," Cozy said, feeling a little grossed out. "But that's the duty of a mother."
"I'll help with that," Rumble said.
"You mean we'll help with that," Sweetie Belle corrected.
Next up was Shining Armor with a larger present, "This isn't so much of a present as it is a hand-me down but, here's a crib."
"It's Flurry Heart's old crib, we figured you could use is more than us," Cadance said.
"Wow, it looks really pretty," Cozy said, admiring the crystals.
"I have a present too!" Flurry said.
"Oh? What is it?" Cozy asked.
Flurry flew over and hugged Cozy Glow, "Me, I'm your present."
"That so? I think you're my favorite present then," Cozy said, kissing Flurry on the cheek.
"Aw, that's adorable," Cadance said. "Flurry really likes you Cozy Glow."
"I like her too," Cozy said. "Your daughter is really pretty, guess she gets that from her mom."
"I believe your child will have that same luck too," Cadance said. "If you ever need tips, just let me know."
"Oh I will," Cozy Glow said.
One by one, many of the ponies continued to present gifts to Cozy Glow, most for her baby, a few for her directly, such as some dresses from Coco and an official Washouts uniform from Lightning Dust.
Finally it came time for the Student Six to present their gift, a moment that was a bit awkward for Cozy Glow given their troubled past. She has not really spoken to them since returning to Ponyville and worried how this might go about.
"Cozy Glow, we know we've had troubles in the past, we were friends, then enemies, then uneasily coexisted in Ponyville until you got turned into stone for several years, which we were apart of" Silversteam said.
"Maybe don't say that, especially with a certain other group in this room!?" Gallus said, gesturing to the slightly annoyed former villains.
"Oh no, do go on," Adagio sarcastically remarked. "Tell us more about how you helped foil our plan."
"Adagio..." Sonata scolded, then focused back to Silverstream. "Maybe you should get to your point."
"Right," Silverstream focused back on Cozy Glow. "What matters is that after you were freed, you helped save Equestria and since then, you haven't done anything wrong, and now you're going to be a mom. I'm kind of proud of you for coming this far, and I'm hoping we can be friends again, because well, I kind of missed your presence."
"Same," Sandbar confirmed.
"Yeah, we really wish you hadn't turned evil, you started feeling like part of the group," Ocellus said.
"So this is from us to you," Silversteam said, presenting the gift.
Cozy Glow unwrapped it, to her surprise it was a picture of her and the Student Six from the early days of class, which was framed with really fancy looking wood work. "Golly..."
"We know it's not much, but it's our way of inviting you back," Silverstream said. "We hope you like it."
"I do, thank you," Cozy Glow said, placing it down. "I'm so sorry for all I've done to you, and I really do want to move on and make things right."
"That'd be really nice, and don't worry too much, we already forgive you," Silversteam said. "Right everyone?"
"Of course," Ocellus said.
"Totally," Sandbar agreed.
"Yona happy to be friends with no-longer mean Pegasus," Yona added.
Gallus and Smolder were the only ones who seemed kind of reluctant, the latter letting her feelings be known, "I hope you stick with this apology Cozy Glow, and don't make us regret wanting to trust you."
"Yeah, I'm still not completely sold on your reformation, you were quite the actress back at the School of Friendship, and again when you tricked Rumble," Gallus said.
"It still amazes me just how gullible he was," Smolder said.
"You know I can hear you!" Rumble called out.
"Just being Honest! It's Harmony!" Smolder lightly teased.
Rumble groaned and turned away, Sweetie Belle gently stroking his mane to soothe him while stiffling her own giggles.
"Point is, you have been sneaky Cozy Glow, so don't expect this to be an easy transition into our favor," Gallus said.
"Yeah, I wouldn't expect any different," Cozy Glow admitted. "But I'll do my best."
"As long as you're trying," Silverstream said. "Maybe being a mother will help with that too."
"I still can't believe you're pregnant, and you're younger than us!" Smolder said.
"My advice, take your time being mothers, because being pregnant is hard work," Cozy Glow said, rubbing her very pregnant belly. "Not that I mind, I'm happy to bring a foal into the world, I just wish it wasn't so exhausting."
"Well you've done a great job so far," Silverstream said. "Once you have the baby, I hope I'll be able to see it."
"That'd be rad," Sandbar said.
"Everypony, and creature, will be able to, I promise," Cozy Glow said.
"Good, now if you're done..." Adagio said, shooing away the kids while the other former villains gathered around Cozy Glow. "What a year huh? From emerging from stone to being back in this castle."
"And not trying to take it over," Tirek said.
"It has been an interesting year," Cozy Glow said. "Not as exciting as before being stone."
"But a lot safer at least," Sonata said.
"You mean boring," Chrysalis said. "I mean, it's good that I'm not either alone in the forest or locked up in Tartarus, but it was a thrill going on the adventures we did."
"Like when we all went to find Grogar's bell?" Cozy Glow asked. "Sneaking away was pretty hard."
"Hey how often have you been sneaking away!?" Flitter asked.
"Mostly nights," Cozy Glow admitted. "Or whenever Sonata came by to visit."
"Yeah, sorry for tricking you," Sonata sheepishly said, Flitter glaring in disapproval.
"Well our point is, we have something for you as well," Tirek said, bringing out the present. "We made it ourselves."
"So you better like it," Adagio warned.
"You were my first real friends, I'll like and appreciate anything you have to give me," Cozy Glow said.
"You'll definitely like this present," Aria reassured.
Cozy unwrapped it and to almost no surprise of the former villains, her face lit up in glee, "Wow, a crown!"
"Made with actual gems from my homeland," Tirek said.
Cozy removed her party hat in favor of the crown, "It fits perfectly! I've become a real Princess!"
"Why Princess? You could be a queen," Tirek said.
"Excuse me!?" Chrysalis said, looking almost offended.
"Oh come on, you're not even technically a Queen, you just call yourself that even though you lost your crown," Tirek said, smugly grinning at the former queen.
"At least I was a queen, you're still just the Prince who calls your brother King," Chrysalis sassed.
"I do not call Scorpan, 'King', he's still the same irritating brother he's always been," Tirek insisted. "At least Royalty stayed in my family! You answer to one of your old subjects."
"How dare you! I answer to no one!" Chrysalis shouted.
"Tirek, Chrysalis, kind of killing the vibe here," Aria said.
"Yeah, you fight like an old married couple," Cozy Glow said. "Wait, are they?"
"Not yet," Adagio said.
"What do you mean 'not yet'!?" Chrysalis asked.
"You know exactly what I mean," Adagio teased, irritating Chrysalis.
"Well, this is getting awkward now," Tirek said, sheepishly looking away. "Let us carry on with the festivities shall we?"
"Do I detect a hint of shyness from his all powerfulness?" came Discord's voice, the Draconequess appearing beside Tirek.
"Oh buzz off," Tirek said. "Who invited you anyway?"
"Pinkie Pie, who else?" Discord said.
"I invite every creature to my parties," Pinkie said.
"And it's a pleasure to be here, especially among friends, like my old buddy Tirek," Discord said.
"Not your friend, pretty sure I made that clear when I stole your magic," Tirek said.
"Or how about my old pal Chrysalis?" Discord said.
"I refuse to call you friend after your deception," Chrysalis said.
"Funny hearing you complain about deception," Discord joked, then turned to the Dazzlings. "But then there's my favorite trio of-"
"Fuck off," Aria said, the other two just turning away in disgust.
"Someone's got a mouth on her," Discord commented, then turned to Cozy Glow. "And my sweet little traitorous filly."
"Hey you're the one who pretended to be Grogar so we can trash Twilight's coronation, plus you did betray your friends to Tirek once, so you really should not be talking," Cozy Glow said.
"Odd that even among fellow reformed villains I feel out of place, but such is the life of a Spirit of Chaos," Discord said.
"Well you did trick us," Tirek said. "I mean, I get you probably wanted revenge on me for tricking you but Chrysalis, The Dazzlings and especially Cozy Glow did not deserve your deception."
"Yes, I do agree that I went too far, and I do humbly apologize, not that I feel you really deserve it, but sometimes you gotta be the bigger Draconequess," Discord said, then focused on the filly of honor. "Cozy Glow, perhaps it falls in me that you never got the proper reformation you needed, your friend Tumble-"
"Rumble!" the colt aggressively corrected.
"Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to," Discord said, then resumed. "Anyway I should not have pulled you back into that world, it was irresponsible, but made for some excellent chaos, honestly you might have been my favorite out of all these villains because no one saw your betrayal coming."
"Just get to your point Discord," Tirek said.
"My point is, I hope we can put this behind us and start anew," Discord said. "What do you say Cozy Glow?"
The filly thought about it a moment, "Well, I am still kind of mad, but if I want ponies to forgive me for what I've done, I guess I should do the same and forgive you Discord. So yeah, I accept your apology, and I hope we can be better friends."
Discord seemed very satisfied with the answer as he slowly began clapping, "That is very mature and responsible of you Cozy Glow. You've grown into a great pony, and I have a feeling you're going to be a great mother. I just pray the baby takes after you."
"Son of a..." Rumble looked agitated but Sweetie Belle calmed him down.
"He's just saying that to annoy you, don't give in," Sweetie Belle said.
"Now then, I believe we have a party to resume," Discord said, snapping Vinyl Scratch into the room, equipped with her DJ Booth. "Time to boogie."
Vinyl wasn't sure how she got there but she was gonna make the most of it. She started playing music, all the ponies gathered around and dancing to the beat.
"Glad Discord's useful for something," Rumble muttered as he made his way over to Cozy Glow. "Lot of presents you got."
"Yeah, I mean they're mostly for the baby but it will help make the parenting easier," Cozy Glow said.
"And you're not alone, Sweetie Belle and I will be there, I do need to care for my child after all," Rumble said.
"Yeah, I know," Cozy Glow said. "I still can't believe this party is for me, I've never really gotten anything like this. Pinkie Pie really went all out, Cheese Sandwich too."
"Not just them, Twilight also played a big role," Rumble said. "She's the one who started gathering everypony here, she's hoping to fully put the past behind the two of you. Though the two ponies she wish she could have found were your parents."
"I don't have parents," Cozy Glow said. "I was an orphan, well, still an orphan. I never really liked talking about it because I had a really rough life before coming here."
"Sorry to hear that, I haven't really had that much to do with my parents either, all my life it was Thunderlane, Flitter and Cloudchaser," Rumble said.
"You're lucky you had at least them," Cozy Glow said. "I had nopony for the longest time, untilI started writing to Tirek. Even though I went to Tartarus, I was happy that I got to spend time with Tirek, then later I got to spend time with Chrysalis and The Dazzlings, we became like a family. Tirek was my daddy, Chrysalis was my mommy, Adagio, Sonata and Aria were like my older cousins."
"Do they know you feel this way?" Rumble asked.
"I've mentioned it once, and Chrysalis wasn't sure what annoyed her more, me calling her a mom or me calling Tirek her husband," Cozy Glow said.
"Imagine if those two had a baby," Rumble said, then immediately shook his head. "Actually I'd rather not imagine it."
"Neither would they," Cozy Glow jokingly stated.
"Well I do think it's nice that you at least had some sort of family bond with them, it probably helped them turn away from villainy," Rumble said. "In a way, they learned to love and care, and with that came empathy."
"You really think that's why they turned good?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Well, why did you turn good?" Rumble asked.
"I mean, it's not like I had much of a choice, me, Tirek, Chrysalis and the Dazzlings were outnumbered," Cozy Glow said. "It was turn good or turn back to stone."
"There has to be more to it than that, I feel like Chrysalis or Adagio would have put up more of a fight regardless," Rumble said.
Cozy couldn't argue that, "I guess they would, but still..."
"While it's possible they just really did not want to be turned back into stone, and maybe they fought off Grogar because they felt like he betrayed them, I do feel like they wanted to change for the better," Rumble said. "At the very least, they all just wanted to fit in, feel like they belong. Tell me, why did you turn away from being a villain?"
"I wasn't really thinking about that, I just wanted to be on your side," Cozy Glow said. "That and I didn't have much of a choice, if I sided against Twilight I would have been turned back into stone, or at least sent to Tartarus."
"Even so, you still made an effort to be friends with Sweetie Belle at least," Rumble said. "That you did on your own."
"Only because she came to me first," Cozy Glow said.
"But you accepted her friendship, you didn't turn her away, and you've done a lot better this time around than before," Rumble said. "You didn't cause trouble, you were well behaved, Rarity herself said she really started to like you because you were being so much kinder."
"At least I know Rarity likes me, but what about the others?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Well, the only way you'd know is if you ask them yourself," Rumble said. "I don't know if you'd be willing to do that though."
"I would be kind of nervous, but I also really want to know if they like me or not," Cozy Glow admitted. "That, and I really want some answers to other things on my mind."
"You do what you feel comfortable with," Rumble said. "Just remember, regardless of what they say, you'll always have ponies who love you. Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Flitter, and of course me," Rumble said, then rubbed her belly. "Plus one more on the way. We all love you Cozy Glow, and we would never trade you away."
"Yeah, I love all of you too," Cozy Glow said, then kissed Rumble on the cheek, the boy blushing a bit. His ears perked when Vinyl played an awesome song, "This sounds great, uh, I don't suppose you wanna join me on the dance floor."
"Maybe a little," Cozy Glow said, carefully standing up and following after Rumble, dancing to the best of her ability.
Twilight awed at the sight of Rumble and Cozy Glow dancing, it warmed her heart to see her so happy. "How adorable."
"Yes, very much so," Tempest said, making her way over. "Once again you've turned somepony away from a misguided life."
"It was mostly Rumble's doing rather than my own," Twilight said. "All she really needed was a friend who tried to understand her and want to be there for her."
"That's all most ponies need, especially when they're younger," Tempest said. "I had nopony for a while, ever since my horn broke I was practically abandoned, so I relate to Cozy Glow's plight."
"I'm just glad she got her second chance, especially for the sake of her baby," Twilight said. "Still, I can't help but wonder if there are any loose ends we need to tie up."
"There might be," Tempest said. "Can't hurt to ask, the most she knows ponies care, the less likely she'll revert back to that evil path."
"Yeah, you're right, thank you Tempest," Twilight said.
"No problem Princess," Tempest said, trotting off to leave Twilight to her thoughts. The mare needed to do something, and soon.
Evening time came, the party was winding down and ponies started going home. Twilight was waiting at the balconey, looking for the right time to raise the moon to signify the night.
Moments later, she got a little visitor, "Um, excuse me Twilight?"
"Cozy Glow?" Twilight turned to see the pregnant filly.
"Are you busy or should I come back another time?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Oh no, you're good Cozy, come on in, I'm actually quite happy you're here," Twilight said.
"You are?" Cozy asked.
"Yes, come get comfortable," Twilight said.
"Ok," Cozy trotted inside, sitting herself on Twilight's bed. "So, um, thanks for letting me use your castle for my Baby Shower."
"It's no trouble, Pinkie Pie really wanted to do something nice for you and I figured either the castle or the School of Friendship would be perfect, but I figured a castle would be more appropriate," Twilight said. "It almost happened at the Crystal Empire, Flurry really wanted to host the party, but Canterlot was closer."
"I'm surprised though, why did Pinkie Pie want to throw me a Baby Shower?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Come on, you know Pinkie, she loves parties," Twilight said. "And there's no better party for a pregnant filly than a Baby Shower."
"I know she likes parties, i just didn't think she liked me," Cozy Glow said. "I didn't think any of your friends liked me."
"Is it because you were a villain?" Twilight asked. "You thought that because you did evil stuff that we would always hate you or something?"
"I mean, sort of," Cozy Glow said. "Do they hate me?"
"Of course not, we try not to hate anypony," Twilight said, sitting next to the filly. "I know we had a rough patch in our lives, you tried taking over a couple of times and of course we had to stop you. Maybe it was hard for us to adjust the two times we tried reforming you. Or rather, Rumble tried reforming you. He worked really hard the first time but I admit, I don't think any of us really though you had much of a chance to become better."
"So, you all gave up on me then?" Cozy Glow bitterly asked.
"I wouldn't say that," Twilight insisted.
"You don't have to, I could figure it out myself," Cozy Glow said, remembering her first few months in Ponyville after her Tree of Harmony plan foiled. "I remember those looks I got, how Rarity thought so little of me, how Applejack barely trusted me, how Rainbow Dash...she actually threatened me on occasion, and hit me too."
"I know, she told me once," Twilight said. "She really felt bad about it."
"Could have told me that, I was actually afraid of her for a while, afraid of all of you," Cozy Glow said. "I knew you could hurt me if you wanted to, I didn't have power to protect myself."
"Cozy, you know we would never want to hurt you, it's not our style," Twilight said. "I mean even if it were Chrysalis, Tirek or the Dazzlings, we wouldn't try hurting them either. You should never be afraid of us, we're here to help you."
"But back then you didn't," Cozy Glow said, glaring right at Twilight. "You never tried to help me, you just send your friends to keep an eye on me in case I did something wrong. Like you were waiting for me to mess up!"
"Cozy, I..." Twilight wasn't sure how to word this. "It wasn't my intention to do that, but I was under a lot of stress at the time and I couldn't really figure out what to do with you, I just wanted my friends to make sure you didn't fall off the righteous path."
"Lot of good that did, all it looked like was that you didn't care, and because you said nothing, all the other ponies continued to look at me like I was trouble," Cozy Glow angrily pointed out.
"You did threaten and trick many of them Cozy," Twilight reminded.
"But still, they treated me like a monster! Did they do that with Starlight!? Or Discord!?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Of course they did, it happened to everypony Cozy, you're not the first to go through this," Twilight said. "My friends had trouble but they worked with it and made everything better."
"Because at least one of you was there to help!" Cozy said. "Discord had Fluttershy, Starlight had you, Stygian at least got the Pillars back, Luna had Celestia to fall back on..."
"And you had Rumble," Twilight reminded.
"Yes but..." Cozy couldn't help but feel frustrated. "It didn't feel like enough, I was still treated like an outcast, the only thing being with Rumble did was make him an outcast too. How do you think I felt knowing that I was hurting somepony that I loved?"
"It must have been awful," Twilight said.
"We could have used your help Twilight, you or one of your friends!" Cozy Glow shouted, standing up on the bed. "Rumble felt so abandoned by all of you, I felt abandoned too. I'm honestly surprised you didn't even try coming to me, like why were you more concerned with helping Discord and Starlight than me?"
"Discord was an order from Celestia, and Starlight, I guess I took pity on," Twilight said.
"But what about me!?" Cozy Glow asked, gesturing to herself as some tears formed at the corner of her eyes. "Why didn't you take pity on me!?"
"Did you want us to?" Twilight asked.
"Well no, but you could have at least still tried!" Cozy's tears started running down, her frustrations seeping in. "It's like, I feel like you considered me a lost cause, like I wasn't worth helping."
"That is not how we felt Cozy Glow," Twilight sternly insisted. "We would never do anything like that."
"That's how it felt though" Cozy said, wiping her eyes. "Your actions spoke clearly to me, or lack of actions. Face it, you were probably ashamed of me because I nearly ruined your school, that's why you dumped me in Tartarus the moment you had a chance to. You barely even looked sad when you found out I betrayed you, I was your little helper, I thought it would have impacted you more! Was I that replaceable? Was I that expendable!?"
"Cozy please, you're getting worked up," Twilight said. "This isn't good for your baby."
"You know what else is not good for my baby!?" Cozy asked. "Turning into stone!"
"First off, we didn't know you were pregnant," Twilight reminded. "Second, you left us with no choice. You did try taking over Equestria, we couldn't sit by and do nothing."
"All that happened because Discord set me up to! But you didn't do anything to him! Did you!?" Cozy Glow asked.
"I already had a nice talk with him about that, but in the end, you and the others still choose to do the wrong thing," Twilight said. "Had you chosen not to invade, that would have helped your credibility a fair bit and you would have gotten off a lot easier."
Cozy Glow groaned in annoyance, trying to get this mare to understand her plight, "But...but that..."
"Cozy, it was your choice to make, maybe you were manipulated and that was wrong, but you needed to back out on your own," Twilight said. "I'm sorry to be blunt, but what happened was all on you. You can't blame others because you made the wrong choice, you can only blame yourself and accept the consequences given to you. All the others who had to make the shift from villain to friend all went through the same process, they admitted their mistakes and they worked to resolve them. Even Discord put in an effort, so you should too."
"Sonata put in an effort and she was still treated badly by Sunset Shimmer," Cozy Glow said.
"And that was wrong, not that it excuses Sonata for what she did either, even if I find her situation a bit sympathetic given her loyalty to her friends, it still did not justify what she did either," Twilight said. "And you know what she's doing right now? Making an effort. She's not blaming anypony for her failures, she's trying her hardest to prove she means no harm, it was difficult but she's pulling it off, because she made the effort to. You can do, don't give up."
Cozy sighed, turning away again, "That's easier said than done!"
"I know it is," Twilight said. She slowly and gently pulled Cozy Glow in for a hug, "This is going to take a bit of time, try to be patient."
Slowly the sobs of Cozy Glow filled the air, "But Twilight, I...I just don't see how possible it is. Even after all this time I felt like an outcast, like you didn't care."
"But we did Cozy Glow," Twilight began. "When you betrayed us, even when I looked like I didn't care, I really did. I hated seeing you turn down that path, but maybe it's because I was so worried about keeping my school open, and capturing you helped with that, I never looked back after you went to Tartarus. I really did miss you, and I spent days wishing things were different. It was wrong of me to forget about you, you needed my help the most and I left you in there with the most dangerous creatures in Equestria. I should have helped you, I'm sorry."
Cozy sobbed a little, wiping her eyes, "Do you really not hate me? Am I really something in your eyes?"
"Of course you are," Twilight said, gently stroking her mane. "You are one of my subjects, and you were a student in my school. I know it's going to be hard but I promise that this time I'll be there to help you. Who knows, one day you just might be able to come back to my school, wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"No one would want me there though," Cozy Glow said.
"Well, I want you there," Twilight said. "You need this more than anypony, and I will do everything I can to make you feel at home."
"Twilight..." the filly nuzzled against the Princess. "Thank you, I'm so sorry I used to hate you. I wish I had somepony like you in my life, you would have filled a void I needed the most."
"A friend?" Twilight asked.
"No, a mother," Cozy Glow said, this statement surprising Twilight.
"A mother?" Twilight held back a snicker.
"What's so funny?" Cozy Glow asked, slightly offended.
"I'm sorry, what you said is sweet and I really love that you feel that way," Twilight said. "I just didn't expect you to say that. Maybe it's strange because we were enemies, or that you saw me aa a rival. Better yet, it's weird because a pony around your age is my fiancé. Hearing you call me a mother figure just made me feel a bit old."
"I'm sorry, I just...I don't even know anymore, maybe I shouldn't have said that," Cozy Glow said.
"No, no, like I said it's fine, really," Twilight said, hugging Cozy Glow. "This is the first time I heard you tell me that you didn't have a mother."
"No father either, I was an orphan," Cozy Glow said.
"Should have figured that, oh Cozy, I really did mess up didn't I?" Twilight rubbed Cozy's mane. "You needed parents more than anything, I should have been there for you. I really am sorry."
"It's fine, I got to live with Flitter, she was a good mother figure," Cozy Glow said.
"I'm so happy," Twilight said, then kissed Cozy's head. "I'm just glad you're back with us, just promise you'll stay by our side and you won't turn evil. Do that, and you'll always be a Princess in my eyes."
Cozy's eyes watered yet again, "That's so nice of you to say, thank you Twilight." Cozy began returning the hug, "Does this mean you forgive me?"
"Of course, I forgave you long ago after all," Twilight said.
"So, does this make us friends?" Cozy Glow asked.
"If that's what you want," Twilight said.
"More than anything," Cozy Glow said. "I love you Twilight."
"Aw, I love you too Cozy Glow," Twilight said. "Always come to me if you need me, I will not turn you away."
"I will," Cozy said, nuzzling against Twilight, her teary eyes staining the mare's shoulders. Unlike before, these were tears of joy, Cozy Glow finally felt like she belonged.
The end of the evening came, soon it was time for Cozy to go back home, not before saying good-bye to many of her friends and party attendees, especially Flurry Heart.
Cozy Glow returned to the Boutique with Rumble, Sweetie Belle and Rarity. Joining them were Thunderlane, Flitter, Cloudchaser and Scootaloo, who volunteered to help bring in the presents.
"Think that's the last of them," Thunderlane said. "You really struck gold here Cozy Glow."
"Yeah, you got a lot of neat stuff," Cloudchaser said.
"Thank you all for helping bring it over," Cozy Glow said.
"No problem," Thunderlane said. "Well we'll see you tomorrow."
"Let us know if you need anything else," Flitter said.
"Thank you for your help," Sweetie Belle said. "Bye everypony."
"See you around," Rumble said.
"Catch you squirts later," Thunderlane said. "See ya Rares."
"Goodnight Thunder," Rarity said, everyone else doing their good-byes until all but Scootaloo left. "Alright, I have some orders to review before bed."
"See you sis," Sweetie Belle said as Rarity went into the next room. "What a night."
"Yeah, fun party," Scootaloo said.
"It was really nice, I still can't believe ponies went through all that trouble for me," Cozy Glow said.
"Hey you earned it, you've been so great these last few months," Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, everyone's proud of how far you've come," Scootaloo said. "It's almost hard to believe you're the same pony, but you are like how you were when we first met you. Cute and sweet, with a charming personality"
"Aw, thanks," Cozy Glow said with a blush. "Well I should get ready for bed, long day."
"I would hold off on completely relaxing, good fillies like you deserve a little something special," Sweetie Belle said, almost seductively.
"Uh, special how?" Cozy Glow asked, blushing a bit.
"Go wait upstairs, you'll find out soon," Sweetie Belle said.
"Uh, alright," Cozy Glow said, trotting off, curious as to what to expect.
"So what's what all about?" Scootaloo asked.
"Just setting Cozy Glow up for something nice," Sweetie Belle said. "Mind waiting in the other room for me? I have something to tell Rumble."
"Uh, sure, I guess," Scootaloo said, curiously leaving the room.
Sweetie Belle turned her attention to Rumble, gently stroking his face, "Feel free to tell me just how generous of a fiance I am."
"Is this for me or for Cozy Glow?" Rumble asked.
"Come on, you know you want to do this," Sweetie Belle said. "Plus you and Cozy are expecting a child soon, I think she deserves to feel the love of her baby's father at least once more, especially after such a big day."
"You're really alright with this?" Rumble asked.
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be asking you to do this," Sweetie Belle said. "I know it's awkward for you to be with another girl, but for Cozy Glow, I think she's a bit more of a special situation. Does it make sense? Probably not. Does it need to make sense? Truthfully I don't care if it does, we do things our way. It's totally your call though, if you don't want to do this, I can come up with something else, or do it myself if you're alright with it."
"Honestly, I don't mind doing this," Rumble said. "But, I'm only doing this as a favor for you, and because I do care enough about Cozy Glow to want her to be happy."
"Well I'm happy to hear," Sweetie Belle said. "Go on up and give her your own Baby Shower present."
Rumble nodded, but before he left, he pulled Sweetie Belle into a kiss, "I love you, and I'll never love another mare more than I love you."
"I love you too, more than any mare or stallion," Sweetie Belle said. "Go on now, before I have second thoughts." Rumble turned and trotted off, leaving Sweetie Belle with a look of uncertainty, "I hope this is a good idea, it worked before but...eh, forget about it." She trotted off to meet Scootaloo in the other room.
Upstairs Cozy Glow had freshened up a bit, feeling a bit worn out from some of the dancing. "Carrying a baby this far in is a lot of work." She sat on the bed, rubbing her belly, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I really wish you were out of me. Hope it's not too much longer."
"Cozy?" Rumble said, entering the room.
"Oh Rumble, did you need something from me?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Sort of," Rumble said. "Rather it's something for you."
"What? Come to kiss me goodnight?" Cozy Glow teased.
"Something like that," Rumble said, blushing a bit.
"That so? Well I would never turn away one of your kisses, as long as Sweetie Belle's alright with it," Cozy Glow said.
"Yeah, this was Sweetie Belle's idea, but it's more than just kissing," Rumble said. "If you have the energy, I though we could do a little something...special."
"Special how?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Tell me Cozy, when was the last time we had sex?" Rumble asked.
Cozy's face turned shades of red, a result of not only the question, but the memory, "Well, I mean, a few months ago, Sweetie Belle invited me and Barley to one of your sessions with her, I was with Sweetie Belle and Barley, you were with Barley and Sweetie Belle but..."
"We never actually did anything together that night, aside from a kiss or two," Rumble said, flying in front of Cozy Glow. "But it works out, it makes this moment special."
"Rumble..." Cozy Glow began to blush. "Are you asking me too..."
"Yeah, tonight, you and me, just like we were years ago," Rumble said.
"...You said Sweetie Belle knows about this right? That she came up with this idea?" Rumble asked.
"You can go down and ask her if you want, but this is up to you," Rumble said. "If you don't want to or you don't feel comfortable, let me know. Like I said, this is more for you than it is for me."
"I..." Cozy had to contemplate a moment, even with permission this felt a bit unusual for her to take part in, however she would think herself a fool if she didn't take this opportunity. "Yes, let's do it. I'll take your word for it that Sweetie Belle's alright with this."
"Well that's settled," Rumble said, sitting beside her. "Do you need time to prepare or do you just want to get into it?"
"You can warm me up a bit with a kiss or two," Cozy Glow teased.
"I can do that, I'm pretty much a professional by this point," Rumble slightly bragged. He leaned in to lock himself in a kiss with Cozy Glow. Rumble has kissed many fillies in his time, and one colt but he'd rather not discuss that. Sweetie Belle will always stay on the top of that list, but Cozy Glow is a very close second. Something about her radiance really enlightened him, and she was at one point the only filly who could make him feel about as whole as Sweetie Belle once did.
Cozy laid back and let Rumble kiss her, the boy gentle to her condition and doing his best to keep her happy and aroused. To her, kissing Rumble was always a treat, one she's learned to treasure since it happens much more rarely these days. Sometimes she wishes she could have him all to herself, she knows it's wrong to want to take him from Sweetie Belle, but part of her did not care, that same Cozy Glow that wanted power and would do just about anything to get that power. Of course those days are behind her, and it started with trying to let go of Rumble, one of the hardest things she's had to do in life.
Though if Rumble wants to treat her to a night of passion and romance once in a while, like he's doing now, no way she would turn it down, not at least until she finds a pony of her own to love.
Rumble broke away from the kiss, stroking Cozy's mane, "Feeling ready?"
Cozy Glow nodded, "Let's do this."
Meanwhile downstairs, Sweetie Belle laid back against her couch. She knew that upstairs Rumble was sexually engaging with his ex-girlfriend, the very mare that was carrying his child. She wanted Cozy Glow to feel special tonight, but part of her feels a bit jealous knowing she's not the one Rumble is having sex with, almost regretting the idea a bit.
"You look bothered," Scootaloo pointed out, snapping Sweetie Belle out of her thoughts.
"It's nothing," Sweetie Belle said.
"I've known you long enough to know when something's up," Scootaloo said. "You know you can tell me if something's bothering you."
"I would tell you, but it's weird to talk about," Sweetie Belle said.
"I won't judge," Scootaloo said.
"Better not," Sweetie Belle playfully sassed. "Alright, here's the deal. You know how much I love Rumble right?"
"Yeah, that's a no-brainer," Scootaloo said.
"And you know I care a lot about Cozy Glow," Sweetie Belle said.
"She definitely needs it," Scootaloo said.
"Well, here's the thing, I told Rumble to go and make Cozy Glow feel nice," Sweetie Belle said. "And I mean about as nice as a colt can make a filly feel."
"Wait, you told Rumble to have sex with Cozy Glow!?" Scootaloo shouted in surprise.
"Not so loud, I don't want my sister to hear!" Sweetie Belle scolded. "And yes, I told Rumble to have sex with her."
"So...how open is your relationship exactly?" Scootaloo asked.
"Hey don't get any ideas, this isn't going to be a regular thing, I'm just doing this as a favor for Cozy Glow," Sweetie Belle said.
"I'm good, if I'm lucky I might get my own coltfriend, once Pickle matures up at least," Scootaloo said. "Probably the only other attractive guy besides Rumble and Tender Taps."
"Oh right, you liked Tender Taps too, I think," Sweetie Belle said. "I mean, you kissed him at least once."
"Yeah, but it didn't mean much," Scootaloo said. "I was just in a losuy mood and I needed someone to make me feel better. Though if I could, I totally would have gotten in bed with him."
"Hopefully he's better now with Twilight than he was with me," Sweetie Belle said. "Nopony is going to top Rumble."
"Well aside from Tender Taps, have you been with anypony aside from Rumble?" Scootaloo asked.
Sweetie Belle did a 'sort of' gesture, "Once, but it was a filly, and I was curious but she wasn't as good."
"A filly? You and a filly did it?" Scootaloo asked.
"Don't ask me who it was," Sweetie Belle said.
"I won't, I'm just surprised, you never once seemed interested in a filly," Scootaloo said.
"It was a one time thing, it wasn't bad and I had fun but I really prefer a stallion, and that stallion is Rumble," Sweetie Belle said. "And right now, that same stallion is doing the deed with another girl."
"I take it you're having second thoughts about it," Scootaloo said.
"Sort of, I mean, I don't see too much harm, he's not cheating on me, and this may not be the only time since Dinky has talked with me about the idea of her doing it with Rumble," Sweetie Belle said. "That I'm a bit more ok with since it's just Dinky wanting to have a baby, but Cozy is a bit more of a unsteady decision. I mean, Rumble and I are a couple, it's just suppose to be us."
"So what makes Cozy special then?" Scootaloo asked.
"I really don't know, sympathy maybe since she is pregnant with his child, but the only reason they got togther is because Rumble split off with me," Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah, and that led to Cozy Glow getting pregnant," Scootaloo said. "Now since she's carrying his baby, you feel like she has kind of cemented herself in your relationship."
"Exactly, it's not what I envisioned for our future," Sweetie Belle said. "Now Cozy Glow has wedged herself in and, it just feels like the line in our relationship is blurring, like it's just just me and him, but rather us three. Cozy is going to be the mother of my first baby, and for a while I resented Cozy for carrying a child that should have been mine."
"How long have you felt that way?" Scootaloo asked.
"A few weeks, but I couldn't bring myself to completely hate her, I mean she didn't ask to be pregnant, it just happened," Sweetie Belle said. "Rumble was in a relationship with her when it happened, yet each time I tell myself that, I also remind myself that the only reason he's in this situation is because he kissed Cozy Glow when he was in a relationship with me."
"Yeah, like you said, he broke it off with you," Scootaloo said. "Which I guess is a bit worse but you know it's not your fault."
"Still, I should have fought for him, or waited," Sweetie Belle said. "If I wasn't with Tender Taps that night, Rumble and I would have been together five years ago and I wouldn't have to worry about the fact that another mare is carrying his baby."
"Well sorry to be blunt, but instead of worrying about what-ifs, you should be focused on your decisions now," Scootaloo said. "Look, if you're comfortable with those two doing the deed, that's your call, but if you're having second thoughts then why allow it? You shouldn't do this our of obligation, you can just have Rumble to yourself if you want."
"I just feel bad for her, she's pregnant with his baby and she deserves to feel the same type of love that I do," Sweetie Belle said.
"Guess Rarity really rubbed off on you if you're this generous," Scootaloo said. "Like I said, you gotta be comfortable, now I don't think you have anything to worry about, maybe Cozy deserves a little something special, and some couples are lenient."
"Yeah, you're right," Sweetie Belle said. "I just want her to be happy too, I do love Cozy Glow."
"Of course, because you're a good mare Sweetie Belle," Scootaloo said. "I get that you want to be generous, and I guess this really can't hurt since Rumble's with somepony you know and somepony who you seem to trust. Though who else would you trust with Rumble?"
"I don't know," Sweetie Belle said. "It's not something I think about. Anyway I guess there's no use in worrying about this, I do trust Rumble and I know that he can be with another mare and still come right back to me."
"That's a good way to look at it, plus some couples like doing things like this, I mean three-ways exist for a reason," Scootaloo said. "Next time Cozy wants some action, just let her join you."
"You really think I should?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"If you're comfortable. Look, you can still be with Rumble, he can still be your husband, you're just sharing him," Scootaloo said. "Is it practical? No, maybe not, maybe most couples don't do this. Your parents probably don't do that, mine don't, but some couples probably do. Everyone has their own style."
"If you get with Pickle, are you going to do a three-way?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Maybe, wouldn't mind inviting his sister," Scootaloo said. "My perfect three-way is Rumble in front and Pickle behind, or the other way around, whatever gets both my holes filled."
"That's...something," Sweetie Belle said. "I'd prefer one at a time. Still, you would really consider Barley? Are you into girls?"
"I can experiment, in fact," Scootaloo eyed Sweetie Belle. "Since Rumble is upstairs with Cozy for the night, why don't you have a little fun. Maybe the reason you're upset is because he gets to be with somepony, and you don't, but I can change that for you."
"Uh, what are you suggesting?" Sweetie Belle nervously asked.
"I think you can figure it out," Scootaloo said. "I can make you happy right now Sweetie Belle, I'm no Rumble but I'll do the best I can. It's up to you though, if you're not down with it then I'll just leave and we won't have to discuss this again."
"This is a first, I never thought you felt something like this towards me Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle said.
"Not like I'm gonna start crushing on you, but I am curious about the filly who wooed away a colt I liked," Scootaloo said.
"I get that feeling," Sweetie Belle said, remembering her brief time with Cozy Glow. "Alright, let's do this."
"Awesome, got a private room for us?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah, I can get us somewhere private," Sweetie Belle said, extending her forelegs. "Hold onto me."
Scootaloo did just that, hugging onto Sweetie Belle, the girl returning the hug, and giving Scootaloo a kiss, holding it while she worked her magic and teleported them away.
Upstairs Rumble had gotten to work on Cozy Glow, the girl on her front with her flank raised up, and the colt rubbing between her legs to further warm her up, getting her nice and ready. Of course Rumble knew this was a very sensitive spot for Cozy Glow, so he was careful not to overwhelm her, not yet at least.
"I haven't felt your touch in forever," Cozy Glow said, hugging against a pillow. "You're so gentle too."
"I remember how intense it was when Sweetie Belle did this for you, but you did seem to like it," Rumble said.
"I did, but it was exhilarating," Cozy Glow said. "I prefer your touch, you know how to make me happy."
"Well at least we have experience together, plus my experience with other girls helped too," Rumble said.
"Use your talent on me then," Cozy Glow said.
"Can do," Rumble replied, pulling his hoof away and taking a lick of her flower. "Wow, tastes as sweet as I remember."
"Feels just as nice too," Cozy Glow said, relishing as Rumble continued his oral pleasure. Something felt different about this, maybe it's because she hasn't felt his tongue in so long, but she could definitely feel some sense that he's improved over the years.
Rumble kept her flank high, making sure she did not lay directly on her belly as he continued to lick not only her flower, but moved up between her cheeks, the sensation startling Cozy Glow.
"It feels strange having this done to my tushie," Cozy Glow said.
"You got a cute one for sure," Rumble said, rubbing it a bit and then going back to giving that some pleasure too.
Cozy felt unusual, she preferred treatment done to her flower than her backside, but at the same time she couldn't really tell Rumble to cease his oral work, he was just too good. "Oh Rumble..."
Rumble planted a few extra kisses on both her flower and her rear cheeks, then lined up behind Cozy Glow. "Get ready."
Upon entering, Cozy gasped in amazement. "Oh Golly!"
"I kind of missed that," Rumble said, relishing his feeling. Much as he loved Sweetie Belle, he couldn't deny just how cozy he felt, in more ways than one. Rumble began to pump the girl from behind, Cozy gasping in pleasure.
"I missed this, oh golly, Rumble I really missed your feeling," Cozy Glow said.
"Kind of missed this too," Rumble said. "I do like how you feel."
"I wish we were still together Rumble, I know it's selfish to say but I really love this feeling, I don't think any colt can replicate it!" Cozy Glow said.
"That's flattering," Rumble replied, keeping a steady pace. "I know you miss this but, this is one night only. I really love you Cozy Glow, but I'm with Sweetie Belle, that doesn't mean I can't make this special for you though, just for tonight."
"I'll take it," Cozy panted as he went faster. "Oh golly!"
Rumble lifted Cozy Glow up a bit so that she was sitting on his lap while he pumped her from behind, bouncing her on her lap, the girl doing her best not to scream too loudly, knowing other ponies were nearby. "Funny, seems like every time we have sex, we have to do it quietly."
"You can't be that much of a screamer, can you?" Rumble asked.
"I can be, with you," Cozy Glow said, leaning back to kiss Rumble. "You make me feel wild."
"Cute," Rumble said, moving faster, Cozy panting in excitement.
"I'm cumming, oh it's been so long since I felt this rush!" Cozy Glow said. "So long since you gave me this rush." Cozy panted more and more. "I love you! I love you so much Rumble! I'm gonna...I'm gonna..."
Within seconds, Cozy Glow reached her climax, happily spraying all over Rumble's lap. The boy reached his shortly after, gently lowering Cozy Glow back down and taking a moment to catch his breath.
"Exhausted?" Rumble asked.
Cozy shook her head, "Give me a second, if this is my only night, I want it to last."
"Fine by me," Rumble said. "I hope Sweetie Belle's doing alright, wonder what she's up to?"
At Sweetie Belle's parents' house, up in her room, she and Scootaloo are making out on her bed, Scootaloo on top and really giving in to Sweetie Belle. It felt like pure passion and pent up excitement.
Scootaloo pulled back a bit and used her tongue to dance around in Sweetie Belle's mouth, then going back to kiss her some more.
She trailed down to Sweetie Belle's neck and started to kiss and lick, then went to her chest area and started kissing there.
"You're really getting into this, have you wanted to do this for long?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Kind of," Scootaloo said, trailing down with her tongue toward Sweetie Belle's teat area. Scootaloo began to suck on one, Sweetie Belle gasping in excitement.
"Oh I need some treatment there," Sweetie Belle said. "Rumble misses that spot sometimes."
"Good thing I'm here," Scootaloo said, sucking on Sweetie Belle's teat, circling her tongue around it. She planted some kisses in the area for good measure, then trailed her tongue down to Sweetie Belle's flower area, wasting no time licking deep inside.
"Go wild on me, do to me what you want done to you," Sweetie Belle said.
"Hell yeah," Scootaloo said, sticking her tongue inside, using her mouth like a vacuum to suck up all of Sweetie Belle's filly fluids. Scootaloo pulled back a little, using her lips to carefully gnaw at Sweetie Belle's entrance and alternating with quick licks.
"I gotta pass this idea on to Rumble," Sweetie Belle said to herself. "I might have a lot of things...AH! Oh Scootaloo!"
Scootaloo continued to prod her tongue deep down, reaching Sweetie Belle's sweet spot and focusing on that. Scootaloo moved her tongue almost like a pro, almost like she's done this before.
"Of course a girl could find a spot like that easier! Oh...oh..." Sweetie Belle panted loudly, thankful her parents weren't home right now. "Scootaloo, I'm about to cum!"
"You better," Scootaloo said, licking faster until Sweetie Belle reached her climax. Sweetie Belle loved the feeling, Scootaloo completely dominated over her. Even Rumble barely does this, but only because he prefers to be gentle with her. She doesn't mind, she finds it cute, but once in a while she needs pure raw sex.
"That was amazing Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle said.
"Am I better than Rumble?" Scootaloo asked.
"Hey watch it," Sweetie Belle playfully warned. "Nopony will be better than Rumble, but you're at least better than Tender Taps."
"Good to know," Scootaloo said, crawling over until her vagina was in Sweetie Belle's face, "Lick."
"Careful, I actually have some experience here," Sweetie Belle said, sticking her tongue in and immediately striking the sweet spot.
"Fuck!" Scootaloo shouted in ectasy. "You weren't kidding when you said you had experience!"
Sweetie Belle rubbed Scootaloo's backside, bringing her in more for deeper licks, Scootaloo panting in satisfaction. She almost felt herself cumming right away, and she would hate for this feeling to end so soon. She tried thinking of something else, like scooter riding, or candy, or Rumble. Though thoughts of Rumble just made her remember when he gave her this feeling.
"I'm almost starting to miss Rumble's tongue," Scootaloo said, trying her best not to come yet. It didn't help that Sweetie Belle had firmly grasped onto her butt, giving Scootaloo a bigger sensation. "I can't believe Sweetie Belle's this good, if I'm not careful...uh...I could fall in love." Scootaloo shook her head, "No, not me, though it would be ironic. Gah...I hope Pickle's this good...or Barley, whichever wants to be with me."
Scootaloo couldn't take it anymore, within second she completely covered Sweetie Belle's face in cum, the girl licking it all up.
"Like that Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Oh I am so gonna get revenge," Scootaloo said, pulling back a bit.
"Really? How?" Sweetie Belle teased. Her question was answered when Scootaloo flipped her over so that she was on her stomach.
"I'm gonna go wild on you," Scootaloo said. She went down toward Sweetie Belle's butt and stuck her tongue right at the tip and licked all the way up her back toward her neck, getting a gasp from the mare. She then rubbed her flower-hood hard as she nibbled on her ear, then placed her vagina on Sweetie Belle's and started thrusting, simulating that of a stallion's actions
"Oh my..." Sweetie Belle said, feeling the pleasure.
"We're gonna be at this a while, hope you can last," Scootaloo said, rubbing all over Sweetie Belle's body. "Try not to fall in love with me."
"You wish," Sweetie Belle said.
This continued on all night, for all four foals in two different locations. In spite of their exploration, both Rumble and Sweetie Belle knew they would return to each other. But for them, having a little adventure with others seemed alright for the moment, and they can always take from their experience to further make each other happy.
The next couple of days, things were back to normal, Rumble and Sweetie Belle focused their love only on each other while Scootaloo tried figuring out which Barrel Twin she wanted and Cozy Glow continued to prep for her baby's eventual birth.
Things however took an interesting turn one morning, it was the morning Rumble received what was the biggest wake-up of his life.
"Rumble!" Cozy Glow shouted, bursting into his and Sweetie Belle's room, waking the two up.
"Cozy Glow?" Rumble said, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it?"
"Too early," Sweetie Belle said, feeling groggy. "Cozy whatever this is, can it wait?"
"I'd love to wait, but my baby can't!" Cozy Glow said. "It's time!"
"Time for what?" Rumble asked.
Cozy Glow grew frustrated, "For the baby to be born you nimrod!"
"Baby to be..." Rumble's eyes widened. "Wait you're going into labor?"
"Yes I'm going into labor! That's why I'm here!" Cozy shouted. "Get me to the hospital, NOW!"
"Alright, I got it, don't worry," Rumble frantically said, trying to figure this out. "We had a plan, right Sweetie Belle? What was the plan!?"
"Uh..." Sweetie Belle was trying to process this. "First let's get Rarity so she can help."
"I don't mean to sound pushy, BUT HURRY UP!" Cozy Glow shouted.
"I got this," Sweetie Belle said, trotting out of the room to find her sister, leaving Rumble to figure this out.
"Alright, so we know the baby's coming, and Sweetie Belle went to get help," Rumble said. "Now it's just a matter of finding a way to get you to the hospital."
"Didn't you mention a plan!? Cozy asked. "I mean you can memorize flight patterns, I think you could have figured out what to do for the birth of a baby that YOU got me pregnant with!"
"Yeah, you're right, I gotta get my head together," Rumble said. "Alright, since you're in pain, I can carry you to the hospital, with my speed I should be able to get you there fast, even with the extra weight."
"You calling me fat!?" Cozy shouted, getting in Rumble's face.
"Never said that! Just keep in mind you are technically the weight of two ponies," Rumble reminded. This just upset Cozy Glow more, Rumble nervously wiping away his sweat. "Come on Cozy, I'm doing my best here!"
"Well your best sucks!" Cozy Glow shouted.
"Wow, that's harsh," Rumble said.
Before Cozy Glow could flip out more, Rarity had come into the room, looking almost frantic, "Cozy Glow!?"
"Rarity!" Cozy ran to the mare, "The baby's coming and Rumble doesn't know what to do!"
"I said I'll fly you!" Rumble reminded.
"Yes, that'll work," Rarity said. "I'll get a head start and let the hospital know to book a room. Sweetie Belle, Rumble, you two work to make sure Cozy Glow gets to the hospital."
As Rarity dashed out the door, Sweetie Belle assisted Cozy Glow onto Rumble's back via magic, safetly and comfortably propping the filly. "Alright Rumble, time to fly."
"Sure thing," Rumble said, hovering up. Cozy Glow did feel a bit heavy, but he was not foolish enough to say it out loud. Within moments, Rumble was flying out the house with Cozy on his back and Sweetie Belle close behind.
Later on at the hospital, Cozy Glow got her room and was seen laying in bed with Rumble and Sweetie Belle right beside her, the filly panting in rhythm and enduring the pain she felt.
"I hope this doesn't last too long, it feels so weird," Cozy Glow said, rubbing her belly. "Still, can't believe it's almost time for my baby to come out."
"Exciting, isn't it?" Sweetie Belle said. "Soon we're going to have a new baby with us."
Nurse Redheart entered the room, bringing over some supplies, "How are you feeling Cozy Glow?"
"Fine, but how long am I going to have to stay like this?" Cozy Glow asked.
"Hard to say, could be five more minutes, or five more hours," Redheart said.
"Hours!?" Cozy Glow asked. "I can be stuck like this for hours!?"
"Yes, labor is a tricky thing," Redheart said, checking on Cozy Glow. "And from the looks of things, you're not quite ready to give birth."
"Oh come on!" Cozy Glow shouted in annoyance. "Isn't there anyway to speed up the process!?"
"Just be patient," Redheart said as she left.
"Ha, patient, it's funny because it has two meanings," Rumble joked.
"Oh be quiet," Cozy Glow said.
"Nurse, Rumble and I can be in here right? This is Rumble's baby and I am engaged to Rumble, so I have personal stake in this," Sweetie Belle said.
"That's fine, it's sweet that you want to be there for him, even if you're not the baby's mother," Redheart said. "Seems like you do live up to your name."
"She does, she's my best friend after all," Cozy Glow said.
"That's so nice," Redheart said as she left the room. "I'll be right back, I have to grab some extra supplies."
Cozy Glow huffed in anger, "This is the worst! I actually have to wait!?"
"Maybe the baby isn't ready to come out, maybe the little foal is happy being in it's mommy's belly," Rumble teased.
"Well I don't blame the baby but I'd rather it be out of my belly, I'm so close to being able to walk properly again, and I won't need to eat so much," Cozy Glow said. "What if I gained weight from this?"
"You shouldn't have, if you stuck to the diet and exersize routine that I gave you months ago," Rumble reminded.
"I did my best, but I don't think I got any results from that," Cozy Glow said. "Exersize is tough."
"Of course, that's why it's exersize, but it's also very rewarding," Rumble said.
"Well I hate it," Cozy Glow said. "I'll stick to the spa, I'll sweat out the extra weight."
"But Cozy Glow, that isn't enough to really work," Rumble said. "You'll need a lot of steam and that's not really healthy for your body."
"Alright, I'll try your way, as long as it's my pace," Cozy Glow said. "I don't have the energy or stamina to do the things you do Rumble."
"Yeah, I know, I'll keep you in shape," Rumble said. "Though, I wouldn't worry too much, nothing wrong with a little extra weight, sometimes a little fat can be a nice-"
"Fat!?" Cozy Glow shouted, Sweetie Belle quick to calm her down.
"Don't stress, he didn't mean to insult you," Sweetie Belle insisted, soothing Cozy with chest rubs. "Plus, he's not wrong, a little extra of you isn't a bad thing."
"With any luck, most of the weight will go to your butt, and a nice plump butt always looks good on a filly, it's one of my favorite things about her," Rumble said.
Sweetie Belle looked a little weirded out by that statement, "You're such a pervert sometimes."
"Hey you can't blame me for finding your body attractive, I mean we're engaged to be married and I've already have sex with you many times, so it shouldn't be that big of a deal," Rumble said.
"I guess not, just word your thoughts a little better," Sweetie Belle said.
"Anyway Cozy Glow, you'll be fine, we'll make sure you get back on track," Rumble said.
"Yeah thanks," Cozy Glow said, rubbing her belly. "I almost feel like I'm gonna pop."
"Yeah, it does look rough," Sweetie Belle said. "But you've been through rougher Cozy Glow, if anypony can endure this it's you."
"Is the baby moving?" Rumble asked.
"A little, almost like it's trying to shift position," Cozy Glow said, then felt another surge of pain. "It feels like it's trying to push out."
"Should I get the nurse?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"No need," Redheard said, making her way back into the room with some more supplies and a few other doctors. She walked toward Cozy Glow, checking her vaginal spot. "Oh my, looks like you won't have to wait much longer."
"Oh good, I was not going to be able to handle being stuck like this five hours," Cozy Glow said.
Redheart set up nearby, "Just give it a few more minutes and-"
"AAHHHH!" Cozy Glow shouted, Rumble holding onto her hoof for comfort. "It hurts!"
"Or we'll do it right now," Redheart said, getting into position near her pelvic area as the other doctors remained nearby, ready to provide immediate assistance. "Ok dear, be ready to push."
"Uh-huh, alright," Cozy said, doing her best to push the foal. "OOWW!"
"You got this Cozy Glow, we're here for you," Rumble said.
"Just do your best, remember, your baby's almost here!" Sweetie Belle said.
"Uh-huh..." Cozy Glow continued to push, putting all her strength into it. "Why does this have to hurt!?"
"You're doing good dear, I can see the head," Redheart said. "Keep going."
"Alright..." Cozy Glow pushed harder, her face turning red from all the strength she was exhilarating. "Oww...I can't do this."
"You can! The baby's almost out!" Rumble encouraged. "Come on Cozy Glow, just a little bit more."
"Think of the reward, don't you want the baby in your hooves!?" Sweetie Belle said. Come on, you've got this!"
Cozy Glow pushed harder, huffing and panting. Rumble grabbed a napkin and wiped her head, the mare trying not to give up.
"Almost out, I see the wings!" Redheart said.
"Just, one, final, PUSH!" Cozy Glow pushed as hard as she could, finally getting the baby completely out of her, evident by the sound of a baby's cries. "Oh Golly...
"You did it!" Rumble said, feeling ecstatic. "Cozy! The baby is here!"
Redheart presented the foal to Cozy Glow, "Congratulations, it's a boy."
"A boy?" Cozy Glow said, taking the baby in her arms. She looked down at him, a pink fur colt with a curly grey mane, "Aw...he's adorable."
The baby looked up at his mother, it's eyes marveling at the sight of the mare who brought him into the world. Cozy was in tears, not from the pain, but just the sight of her baby. She immediately loved the little guy.
"That's our baby," Rumble said, the boy in tears. "That's my son."
"Yeah, our little boy," Cozy Glow said, tickling his belly a little.
Rumble climbed in bed next to Cozy Glow, stroking his son's mane, "Hey little guy, I'm your daddy."
Sweetie Belle also got onto the bed, laying next to Cozy Glow, "So cute, he's got your eyes Rumble, and he's got Cozy's freckles."
"This is really adorable, but I will need to take him to get cleaned and refreshed," Redheart said.
"Wait, we need to name him first," Cozy Glow said.
"How about, Cumulon Gleam?" Rumble said.
"Oh, I like that," Sweetie Belle said.
"Me too," Cozy Glow said, handing off the baby. "Please take good care of my sweet little Cumie."
"Will do dear," Redheart said, gently taking the baby. "We'll get you all cleaned up."
"My baby..." Cozy Glow said. "Our baby..."
"We're going to take care of him together," Sweetie Belle said. "And you Cozy Glow."
"I know you are," Cozy Glow said.
"How are you feeling right now?" Rumble asked.
"Better, though different, like I just lost a lot of weight really fast," Cozy Glow said.
"Well you should probably rest, that seemed exhausting for you," Rumble said, kissing Cozy on the cheek before hopping off the bed.
"We'll see you later," Sweetie Belle said, also kissing Cozy's cheek before hopping off the bed.
"Bye Rumble, bye Sweetie Belle," Cozy said as the couple left the room. As she laid there one thing came to mind, "I already miss my baby."
Outside Rumble and Sweetie Belle had made their way to the lobby where they found Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Dinky, Rarity, Thunderlane, Flitter and Cloudchaser all waiting.
"How's Cozy Glow?" Apple Bloom asked.
"She's fine, gave birth to a healthy baby boy," Sweetie Belle said.
"My son, Cumulon Gleam," Rumble said.
"Yes! I'm an uncle now!" Thunderlane said.
"When can we see the baby?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Soon, real soon," Rumble said.
Moments later, Pinkie Pie peeked her head inside, "The baby's born!? That means it's his birthday!" She jumped and rolled through the window, facing the backway to the hospital. "I'm gonna sing a birthday song for him!"
"Uh Pinkie, that might not be necessary right now," Rumble said as Pinkie made his way to the back.
"You again!" Redheart shouted, resulting in Pinkie shrieking and running. "Hey! Get back here!
Rumble looked on in amazement, chuckling a bit out of pure shock, "Wow, what a welcome to the world." This got a nice laugh from the others as Pinkie continued searching around for the baby of Rumble and Cozy Glow.