A Second Chance

"Faster!" Shining said, blocking a strike from Josh's sword. It had been 1 ½ Weeks of near non-stop training. Shining had Josh running drills he did when becoming a royal guard, Josh had been doing marathons since the day after the "Argument" and had been performing drills and exercise regimen he thought would have killed him. But it was paying off, though not a master in any way he now didn't strike randomly. He had learned the right way to stand, hold and attack with the sword, no easy feet given the species gap that they had to overcome. But after that was taken care of, the hard part was dealing with Josh wanting to quit.

"I'm going as fast as I can!" Josh replied, keeping pace with Shining at the two parried blows.

"No you haven't, if you think you have then you never will get better!" Shining replied, he noticed Josh wasn't watching his footing. Taking advantage he quickly dashed to the side, when Josh tried to match he tripped over himself and fell to the ground.

Josh stood up and dusted himself off, "I don't think I'll ever beat you."

Shining smiled, handing him his sword back. "Not with that attitude, just give it time." Shining said, as he noticed a somber look on Josh's face. "Hey man, you'll get better with time. Don't beat yourself up over it."

"It's not that..It's the whole situation with Twilight, I haven't said a word to her since and she hasn't sent me a letter as well. I'm going back to Ponyville in less than a few days, what if she doesn't want to see me anymore?" Josh replied as he put the sword back in the holder.

"I'm sure you two can work something out, from what she tells me you two have grown pretty close." Shining said, trying to cheer Josh up.

"Maybe, I'm going for a walk to clear my head. I'll see you later." Josh said, as he began walking off the training grounds.

"Hold on!" Shining Armor called after Josh, "You tried to go through the mirror right? So what in the name of Celestia caused the explosion?"

"That, well I got one rough theory. But it's long and complicated." Josh replied.

"Well, I'm sure I'll understand. Shoot!" Shining answered back.

"Alright, we will call my world "A" Equestria "B" and this other human world "C" if Twilight is right about it not being Earth." Josh said, still rather bitter about the incident. "Anyway, when I traveled from "A" to "B", I remember a rock with a crack in it. That was the portal I came through and it seemingly disappeared afterwards, when I got here I was still human. However, according to Twilight she became human when going to "C" and when coming back she became a pony again...You still following?" Josh finished with a question to Shining.

"Uhhh, sure.." Shining replied, unsure as Josh continued.

"Anyway, the mirror, unlike the rock, was undamaged. Even after the explosion, and when I tried to go through it seemingly rejected me. So here is my theory, when someone from "A" or "C" travels to "B" they should turn into an Equestrian. However the portal I used was damaged and seemingly destroyed itself when I arrived, meaning that when I arrived I might have taken on some characteristics of Equestrians. That would explain why I have magic, but it didn't transform me like it should have, so when I tried to go to "C" the portal didn't know what to do with me. Send me to "C" as a Equestrian? Send me as a human but then if I come back then be turned into a Equestrian? It's really confusing." Josh finished, waiting for Shining to add anything on.

"I think I understand, but that part with the mirror is really confusing. But why did it reject you?" Shining asked.

"Simple, because it's the easiest solution. So basically, unless I find the portal back to "A", or we find a new portal back to "A" that works differently then how the portal to "C" works..." Josh paused, a frown grew across his face."Then I'm stuck here forever..." Josh blankly looked to the floor before he felt a hoof pat him on the back

"Hey, look on the bright side. It's not the worst thing that could happen, you have good friends here to support you!" Shining said, trying to cheer up the human.

"Do I have friends? After the argument?" Josh asked, he was beating himself up over this.

"Look, if I know Twilight, and I do know Twilight. She won't hold a grudge, she just needs you to apologize." Shining reassured Josh, who cheered a bit.

"Thanks, but I'm going to take some time to think this over. I'll see you later." Josh said, as he finally left the training grounds.

Josh made his way into the busy streets of the Crystal Empire, looking for something to do. He should be thinking of what to tell Twilight but clearing his head would be a better idea, to him at least.

"COME ONE COME ALL!" An eccentric voice called out, one that was rather familiar.

"You stink!" A stallion called out, as a crowd booed someone. Josh turned to it and could see some kind of wagon, maybe a travailing side-show.

"Well, guess that will take my mind off it." Josh said as he approached the crowd that was dispersing.

"W-Wait! The Great and Powerful Trixie still has many tricks to show you!" A mare said, as ponies continued leaving. Some stayed to boo her.

"Trixie?" Josh said, as he stood at the back of the crowd. He pushed his way to the front coming face to face with the mare he had months ago had fought and almost died too. Pretty bad memories but Josh had mostly let it go.

Trixie upon seeing Josh, gained an expression of fear. "Sorry everypony! Show is cancelled!" Trixie quickly said, before rushing inside her wagon.

The crowd left after this but Josh stayed behind, walking up to the wagon's door he knocked. "Trixie? I just want to talk!" Josh said, hoping to get her to come out.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie isn't home!" Trixie yelled.

"Trixie, I want to apologize!" Josh yelled, hoping this would get her to come out.

There was a brief silence, before he heard Trixie. "Continue..."

"Look, I know we have both made mistakes. But I don't think you're a bad person, I want to say for my part that I'm sorry for snapping on you." Josh said, first getting no response. Then he heard the sound of a lock being turned and the door opened.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie...Also apologizes for her actions." Trixie said, as she now stood in front of Josh.

The two looked at each other awkwardly, Josh then broke the ice. "Soooo, can we be friends?" Josh said, offering a hand.

"Friends?" Trixie questioned, confused at the notion.

"Well yeah, what better way to make things up then to turn it into something positive?" Josh said, still offering a hand.

"Even after what happened? You'd give me a second chance?" Trixie replied.

"Well yeah, everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, I don't like holding grudges. Makes you feel terrible." Josh replied, his face showed that he was a bit uneasy.

Trixie stood perplexed for a moment, before shaking Josh's hand. "Very well, you are now the Great and Powerful Trixie's friend!" Trixie yelled enthusiastically.

Josh smiled at this. "Happy to hear!" He said, pointing behind him. "Too celebrate, how about we grab some lunch. I'm starved." He said, levitating a small bag of bits out of his bag. "It'll be on me!"

Trixie just looked in amazement. "You can use magic!?" She yelled.

"Oh yeah, forgot you didn't know." Josh said, grabbing the bag. "Long story, but short of it is I can use magic now!"

Trixie Smiled at this. "This is perfect!" She gleefully shouted. "You can help the Great and Powerful Trixie perform!"

"Perform?" Josh asked, confused at what Trixie meant. "What do you mean perform?"

"Yes! From starting here in the Crystal Empire all the way to Appleloosa! I shall call it, "The Humble and Penitent Trixie's Equestrian Apology Tour"!" Trixie said, throwing her forelegs up into the air in excitement.

"That doesn't roll off the tongue too well." Josh replied.

"It's still a work in progress, regardless with you helping me. We could be the greatest stage show in Equestrian history!" Trixie shouted gleefully.

"Woah, hold on a second Trixie." Josh put his hands up. "I mean, I'm glad you wanna patch things up and be friends and all but I gotta get back to Ponyville."

"Oh, we will pass through Ponyville." Trixie happily said before turning around. "In about a year or so..."

Josh's jaw dropped. "A year? I can't go on some side-show tour for a year! I need to go back to Ponyville now!"

"Oh relax, it's not like Twilight can't watch the shows if that's what worries you." Trixie casually replied.

"Trixie you don't understand, me and Twilight might not be friends anymore and I can't waste time on this." Josh responded, his voice quick and a bit shaky.

Trixie turned around. "Not friends? But last time I saw you, you jumped at me just to protect her? What could have possibly happened to put a wedge between you?" She was confused.

"Well, to make a long story short. She half lied and half told me the truth and I got mad at her, when she apologized I didn't accept it because I was angry and I haven't heard a word from her since." Josh explained, the best he could. The entire situation was very complicated and summarizing it was hard for him to do on the fly.

"Why wouldn't you forgive her? I'm sure she never meant any harm." Trixie said, turning back around.

"I don't know, I guess I've always been like this. I get angry and leave things unresolved even when it makes me feel bad." Josh said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Hmmmm, well I guess The Great and Powerful Trixie cooould make changes and head to Ponyville now." Trixie said, her voice was unsure.

"Trixie I'm not saying to derail your tour just for me, all I'm saying is that I can't do it." Josh said with a sigh, "Heck, even if this wasn't happening. I couldn't."

"Well, we are friends right?" Trixie asked, "I've never really had that many friends before, but I think this is what they do."

"But friends also don't make friends drop whatever they are doing for them if it's not that important." Josh replied, "Besides, other ponies might not be as forgiving as me."

Trixie nodded, "Trixie agrees, and wished you well." She offered a hoof, "I guess this is goodbye for now?"

Josh shook it, "Yeah, but not forever." Josh smiled, "Glad we met again, I'll see you around." Josh then left, a bit more cheery after finally making amends for what happened. But he still had another problem to deal with, one that would require a long train ride home.

Josh sat on a bench, he was back in Ponyville but he hadn't had the best luck. Not only was Twilight not around, but the entirety of the mane 6 was out of town as well. He luckily was able to find out where they were, when trying to find Applejack he ran into Big Mac and he told him they had traveled off to Manehattan a few days ago. Now all he had was a few coins and a heavy bag he had to carry around.

"Hey Josh, where have you been?" Josh heard a voice ask, looking to where it came from he saw Derpy Hooves.

"Oh, hey Derpy. How have you been?" Josh asked, finally in the company of a friend.

"Great! How have you been since the vine things attacked?" Derpy responded.

"Well, I've been mostly alright. Maybe a few hiccups here and there but I've been alright." Josh said, giving Derpy a smile.

"Well, whenever I have hiccups. I usually drink water or hold my breath." Derpy innocently replied.

Josh let out a chuckle at this, "I haven't actually had hiccups, it's a figure of speech."

"Ooooooh." Derpy let out in realization, "Well, where have you been? I haven't seen you around Ponyville at all."

"Well, I've been visiting the Crystal Empire. You know that sword I found right?" Josh said, pulling out the sword but keeping it in it's holder. "Well, Twilight wanted to make sure I was safe with it so she had her brother Shining Armor show me how to use it."

Derpy's face grew into a curious wonder, "Cool! What can you do with it?" She asked.

Josh paused, slightly blushing. "Weeell, I didn't really get taught how to fight that much. Really just how to be safe with it." He let out a nervous chuckle, playing it off.

"Sooo what's in the bag?" Derpy asked, as she walked over to Josh's rather large bag.

"Oh that's just the stuff I brought back from the Crystal Empire." Josh responded, unzipping the bag and pulling out a granola bar.

"But why do you have it here? Why not just leave it at Golden Oaks?" She wondered.

"Oh uhhh, I was locked out." Josh quickly made up an excuse.

"Oh right! Twilight went to Manehatten, but why would she lock you out?" Derpy asked.

Josh let out a sigh, "What's the point in hiding it." He patted a spot next to him, "Take a seat Derpy, I'll explain."

"Explain what?" Derpy was confused, but took a seat regardless.

"Well, to put it simply. You know how I'm not from around here?" Josh asked, getting a nod from Derpy. "Well, Twilight told me that there was no way to get home. But I found a way I might be able too, when I found out I got mad at Twilight." He finished.

"So she lied to you?" Derpy asked, "But why would she?"

"I wish it was that simple, she didn't know the thing existed when I was asking about it. It also might not actually lead to my home, so she didn't lie." Josh replied.

"But then why did you get mad?" Derpy once again asked.

"I don't know, I acted in the heat of the moment. Now I think I just not only lost a friend, but the closest thing I have to a family here." Josh kicked some dirt.

"Well who said you have?" Derpy asked, getting Josh to now look at her confused.

"What do you mean, of course I have." Josh told her.

"Well, it was a misunderstanding right? Why not apologize?" Derpy simply said.

Josh scoffed at this, "No way it would be that easy."

"Well, why wouldn't it?" Derpy once again asked, it seemed like a good idea to her.

Josh opened his mouth to reply but couldn't, it wasn't a bad idea but no way it would work. But why not try it? "Derpy that's.....That's not actually a bad idea." He remembered his meeting with Trixie before he left for Ponyville. Despite what happened between them before being 100X's worse than what happened between him and Twilight, they still talked it out and forgave each-other.

"Why wouldn't it be silly?" Derpy laughed, "Now I gotta go deliver some mail, see you later Josh!" She said, before flying off.

Josh was once again left alone, thinking over what he'd say as an apology. He just hoped Twilight and her friends would be back before night. Unfortunately that would seem less and less likely as lunch came and went and he found himself sitting outside of Golden Oaks. He had looked around for a spare key but came up empty handed, if it wasn't for the fact a princess lived there and it's pretty big he'd try sneaking through a window. But instead he was left to sit and wait, almost falling asleep until he heard an all too familiar voice talking.

"And then, I-" Twilight stopped as she saw Spike stop in shock, "What is it Spike?" Twilight asked before looking and seeing Josh. "Oh, hey Josh." She said, trotting over to the sitting human. "How long have you-"

"The entire day." Josh responded, before standing up. "Look Twilight, I need to apologize." He said, looking to the side in embarrassment or regret. "I shouldn't have gotten mad at you, I know I said you lied to me but...I realize now that you never did lie to me, I never asked if you found a new way so I shouldn't have done that. If you're mad at me I get it, I'll pack up and leave if you don't want to see me." He finished, holding back tears and slumping back down.

"Joshua..." Twilight said, putting a hoof on his shoulder. "I'm not mad, I completely understand why you got upset. You had every right to be. I shouldn't have forgotten to tell you, I truly am sorry for that." She said, giving a soft smile.

"You're not mad?" Josh asked, looking up.

"Why would I be?" Twilight asked.

"Wait, but if you weren't mad. Why didn't you write any letters?" Josh asked her.

"I was actually waiting for you to write, I wanted to make sure you had cooled off after the whole incident." Twilight responded.

"So we're still friends?" Josh asked.

"Of course we are! It was just a misunderstanding, and what friends don't have an argument every now and then?" She asked Josh, laughing.

"Then why did you lock me out?" Josh said, pointing at the door.

"Honestly, I forgot you came back today. That's on me." Twilight said, walking towards and unlocking the door. "Common, you've probably been waiting all day to sit down and relax.

Josh followed and made his way inside, finally being able to leave the large bag he had been dragging around all day and lay down on something comfortable. "You know, it's funny." He said, "All this time I thought just talking it out wouldn't work."

"Oh? You learned something today?" Twilight asked, walking towards him.

"Yeah, I guess I learned something." As Josh said this, he heard the sound of a book being dropped on a table. Looking over he indeed saw a book that Twilight had dropped onto a table, she opened it to a blank page and put a quill and some ink next to it. "What's that for?" He asked.

"For you to write down what you learned. Remember what I said back at the castle? If we learn something we write it down in here, Rainbow and Applejack and Fluttershy have already put something in. I got some stories to tell you by the way, and Rarity is going to put something in once I get it to her." Twilight explained, "So what do you think? Have some words?"

Josh stood up, walking over he took the quill. "Well, I've never been good with words. But let's give it a try." Josh thought for a moment, then he began to write.

"Today, I learned that friendship is not easy. Communication is key, and keeping secrets can end up driving a wedge between people ponies. But you shouldn't let misunderstandings ruin something, and even if you think it won't. Talking it out can and will help.

As Josh finished, he moved over and let Twilight look. "What do you think?" He asked.

"It's not perfect, but you'll get better." She said, closing the book. "Now I've got to get this over to Rarity, I'll be back in a bit."

"Alright, I'll see you later." Josh waived Twilight off, as soon as she left he flopped back down onto the couch. "So Spike, anything cool happen while I was gone?"

"Oh man, a lot of things happened!" Spike said, before quickly talking about things Josh had missed. Josh for his part listened and just relaxed, he was happy that he and Twilight we're still friends. Now he was left wondering if he'd ever see Trixie again, maybe he could help her talk things out with Twilight. Whatever may happen, he just listened to Spike as he talked about all the things he missed.