Author's Note

Hello, something I want to clarify about the last chapter. I know that it, to quote one person "Got dark really fast". But it has a reason, and it will be explained in the future because. Lets just say that things are VERY much different then what know, and maybe it's the reason Josh is here.

But that's for later, for now lets get back to something more cheerful and funny.

Return of Discord

"Alright, now straighten your leg out for me" The Doctor said, he had a clipboard in his hoof.

Josh held back a grunt as he straightened his leg on the examination table, "Any better?" He asked.

The Doctor examined Josh's leg, "Well it's better but not by much." The Doctor said he wrote something down quickly before asking, "How is your head?"

"Better, I don't think the headaches are coming back." Josh answered.

"Alright," The Doctor said as he continued to write, "I think it's safe to say that you are well enough."

"Well enough to get released?" Josh asked, he was pretty antsy about leaving. It's not that he didn't like the hospital, he got food, water, a roof over his head. It's just being confined to one building wasn't something he enjoyed doing for a month or so. Plus Twilight would come in and tell him all sorts of things going on around Ponyville, and he couldn't get the idea of Trixie coming back out of his head. He is glad she is an exception and not the rule in Equestria because even by his standards she was brutal. If it wasn't for Twilight who luckily only had to stay for three days, he might have kicked the bucket. But still it's like something else was possessing Trixie, maybe one day they could reconcile but for now he would rather never see her again.

"Yes but remember, no extreme activities for another month. We still don't know if you are completely healed" The doctor said as he handed Josh some papers, "This is for if you need any prescription medication for pain."

Josh took it, thanking the doctor he walked outside. Taking in a deep breath he began walking toward Golden Oaks, greeting the many ponies he met along the way. Reaching Golden Oaks he knocked being greeted by Spike.

"Hey Josh you're out of the hospital!" Spike said holding the door for him.

"Yeah, I'm glad to be out." Josh said.

Looking around he noticed Twilight wasn't home, assuming she was out shopping or something Josh sat down on the couch and laid back.

"Hey Spike," Josh looked at the Dragon, "You know where Twilight is?"

"Oh she and the others are waiting for Princess Celestia, she needed to talk to them about something." Spike said as he picked up a stack of books to organize, "I was going to go too but Twilight wanted me to stay in case you came home today."

"Well I'm here now, so let's go meet up with them." Josh said getting up.

"Are you sure?" Spike asked, "If I were you, I would want to relax."

"Trust me Spike, I have done enough relaxing" Josh said, "Now can we get a move on?" Josh asked.

"Sure just follow me." Spike said.

"Then let's go." Josh said, as he followed Spike.

Josh and Spike walked through Ponyville, the mane 6 had met Celestia just outside of Ponyville and so it would be a nice walk.

"So, how do you like Ponyville?" Spike asked Josh.

"Pretty great," Josh responded, "Aside from the whole "Trixie" fiasco, it's friendly and clean around here so it's pretty great."

"Good to hear." Spike said.

"Got to say I will miss this place when I get home." Josh said causing Spike to wince a bit.

"uhhhh....Yeah." Spike said, mumbling something under his breath

Continuing their way through and soon just outside Ponyville, Josh and Spike saw Princess Celestia fly off in a chariot as the Mane 6 stood around some weird statue of something. It had the head of what resembles a pony, they had an antler and a goat horn along with single fang and a body made of all sorts of different animals like a Lion, an Eagle, some kind of lizard and much more. Approaching behind the mane 6, Josh wasted no time in blurting out.

"What in the world is that?" Catching the attention of the ponies, Josh looked at Twilight hoping she would have an explanation.

"Josh, you're out of the hospital." Twilight said, facing Josh.

"Yeah, Doctor said I am well enough to be out and about." Josh said.

"Well, after this we need to have a serious talk about what you did." Twilight replied.

"Talk about what? Me helping you?" Josh said snarkily.

"About you irrationally charging and fighting Trixie when we could have resolved it more peacefully." Twilight said, she was a bit angry at the fact that Josh was seemingly unaware of his actions.

"She put innocent people at risk, I had to do something." Josh said.

"Look we'll talk about it later." Twilight said turning back towards the statue.

"Alright, well can you tell me who this is?" Josh asked.

"That is Discord, he once ruled Equestria until Luna and Celestia turned him to stone using the Elements of Harmony. However he broke free and almost tore our friendship apart, luckily we pulled through and turned him back to stone." Twilight explained.

"The Elements of Harmony?" Josh asked confused.

"Oh right, you don't know about the Elements." Twilight opened a small box and took out 5 necklaces and what looked like a tiara or crown, putting it on she motioned her friends to surround Discord. "I'll explain later, but for now stand back we are about to release him." Twilight looked at her friends, "And keep your elements on at all times, we need to be ready in case Discord tries anything.

Stepping back Josh saw as the ponies began glowing, their necklaces began emitting rays in the shape of their cutie marks, forming a rainbow beam that powered up Twilight's Crown. In a flash a rainbow enveloped the statue and it began breaking apart. Soon Discord emerged first yelling but then turning into a yawn.

"Oh! Ooh! Ooooh! Well, it's about time somepony got me out of that prison block. What a relief!" Discord said before snapping his fingers, turning a nearby squirrel into a huge beast that then tore off and chewed on a branch.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Twilight asked, angrily.

Letting out a grunt Discord replied, "Why, stretching, of course. When you're a creature of chaos, stone bodysuits aren't your typical go-to fashion choice." Snapping his fingers again he turned a Bunny into a beast.

"How the hell?" Josh asked getting Discord attention.

"And what do we have here?" Discord zipped over to Josh, "Wait don't tell me, you must be the human I have heard Celestia talk about."

"And you must be Discord." Josh said as he turned to face Discord, "How in the world did you do that?" Josh pointed at the Bunny.

"I'm a creature of chaos, how about you?" Discord asked as he began looking at Josh with a magnifying glass and a detective hat.

"How did you get that?" Josh asked confused.

"Hey! Hurry up and make the bunny cute again!" Pinkie Pie yelled at Discord.

"He's adorable the way he is." Discord coed at the bunny who chomped at Discord's finger. Blowing a raspberry he turned away from it, "You know what else is adorable? You ponies truly believe that you can reform me, and that you're putting your faith in this one here to make it happen." Discord said mockingly, pointing at Fluttershy. "Makes me want to pinch your little horsey cheeks!"

"Well, unless you want us to turn you back to stone, you'll zap those animals back the way they were, pronto!" Twilight yelled at Discord.

"Hey wait a minute!" Josh had just thought of something, "Discord, any chance you could get me back to Earth?"

Discord turned and looked at Josh, "Well considering I don't know what an "Earth" is I'm going to say no."

"You think you can treat poor defenseless animals like that and get away with it?!" Fluttershy now approached Discord, looking as angry as she could. "You'd best watch your step, buster, or I'll give you the Stare!"

"The Stare? Oh no, please, not that! Anything but your disapproving eyeballs!" Discord laughed.

"You seem to forget that they can turn you back to stone, and I'm sure Celestia wouldn't mind." Josh chimed in, catching Discord attention.

"Well I guess you have a good point." Discord snapped his fingers turning the Squirrel and Bunny back to normal, but his tail also snapped for whatever reason. "Well, it looks like I know where I'll be crashing while I'm being "reformed"." Discord summoned Fluttershy to him and ruffled her hair, "With you, Fluttershy!" Discord let out a laugh as Fluttershy looked nervous.

"Oh dear." She said locked in Discords grip.

"Hey! You leave her alone!" Josh said yelling at Discord.

"Oh please lighten up!" Discord dropped Fluttershy and teleported behind Josh, "And besides, what are you going to do? Use that pathetically small amount of magic you have to levitate me high up?"

Josh and everypony else looked confused, "What magic?" Josh asked Discord, he couldn't use any magic and if he could Twilight would have pointed it out already.

"What can none of you feel it?" Discord asked looking at the ponies.

"Being stuck in stone must have rocked your brain Dip-cord, Josh can't use magic" Rainbow Dash said.

"Oh I know! Maybe it's just hidden down really deep, or trapped with some kind-of seal!" Discord snapped his fingers, "This should help."

After snapping, Josh's body flashed a light quickly. He looked at his hand, closing them trying to see any change. "What did you just do?" Josh asked looking at discord with suspicion.

"Oh just setting up for what I am sure will be future entertainment." Discord said turning to Twilight, "Now scan or whatever you need to do to find out if he has magic, Now Fluttershy please show me your cottage!"

Twilight's horn glowed as a violet aura surrounded Josh, She looked focused and soon her face changed to one of shock.

"What is it Twilight?" Josh asked noticing the sudden change.

"It's magic!" Twilight exclaimed as her horn stopped glowing, "I couldn't feel it before but I can feel some magic residing in you!" Twilight turned to Discord and looked at him, "What did you do?"

"I told you, I simply unleashed his suppressed magic." Discord simply said shrugging.

"That's impossible, I can't use magic!" Josh yelled at Discord.

"Well you're not from Equestria are you? Maybe you do but have never had a way to unlock it." Discord said, "Now anyway why don't you lead me home!" Looking at Fluttershy.

Josh sat in Golden Oaks, watching the clock and waiting for Twilight to come back. After the incident with Discord she had sent him and Spike home before joining the rest of the Mane 6 in escorting Discord to Fluttershy's house, Josh was thinking about what Discord and Twilight had said about him having magic. Could it have something to do with him coming to Equestria? He had questions that he could only hope Twilight could answer.

After what seemed like hours Twilight returned home and immediately summoned a book to her and began reading and writing, Josh couldn't see the title fully but he saw the words "Magic" and "Basics". Standing up and walking towards Twilight he lent over her to get a view of what she was reading.

"What you got there?" He asked, as Twilight scanned the book.

"I don't know why you suddenly have a magic aura around you but we need to see if you really can use magic." Twilight said as she finished writing, "I've written down some basic spells and we are going to see if you can perform them."

Twilight closed the book and made her way to the opposite side of the room, she levitated some common objects like books, pots, a few cups and one of his shirts. Josh looked at these confused at what Twilight was doing.

"Alright lets try one of the most basic of magic usage, I want you to try and raise the items." Twilight said, holding a clipboard ready to write notes.

"But how?" Josh asked, even if he had magic how was he supposed to use it? It's not like breathing or blinking, it's like walking. He needs to be trained and shown how to do it.

"I don't know how to describe it but, just concentrate on lifting them and I guess try and imagine doing it in your head." Twilight told Josh who now closed his eyes and began taking deep breaths. At first nothing happened but very faintly Twilight could see a white aura cover Josh's hands, getting brighter and brighter until the same aura appeared over the books. moving his hand, the books began to raise.

"OH MY GOSH! YOU CAN USE MAGIC!" Twilight yelled causing Josh to open his eyes still holding the books in the air.

"Whoa, am I really doing this!?" Josh looked in awe, he was using magic. He kept his hand up and walked towards them, "What do I do now?"

"Try putting them on the table." Twilight said as she scribbled more notes.

Josh moved his hand in the direction the table was, looking as the books followed and moved over to the table. stopping his focus the books dropped and the aura around them and his hands disappeared.

"I just did that?!" Josh was happy and shocked at the same time, he really could use magic but how? Did Discord give him magic?

"Try moving something else!" Twilight said bring Josh back to reality, quickly he closed his eyes and soon the aura picked up the pots, and the cups, and the shirt. Twilight couldn't believe it Josh had some real potential, "I can't wait! I can show you so many different spells!" Twilight said excitedly.

"So guessing that means you're going to be my magic tutor?" Josh said with a slight chuckle.

Twilight blushed a bit at her outburst before floating a book over to Josh, "This should help you a bit, it talks about magic so give it a read from time to time."

Josh was confused when he heard the news that Fluttershy had Discord make and host a dinner for her, Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, himself and Spike. Josh was hesitant to come as he wanted to learn more about magic and the fact he didn't trust Discord one bit, but after some convincing from Twilight he decided that one chance shouldn't hurt. Meeting up with everyone else they headed towards Fluttershy's while engaging in banter.

"You guys really think this is a good idea?" Josh asked no one in particular, "You told me this guy tried to not only tear your friendship apart but also takeover Equestria and turn it into a lawless nightmare, and now we are having dinner with him."

"I have to agree with Josh on this one Twilight, it doesn't seem right." Applejack stated as the got closer to Fluttershy's house.

Rarity sighed, "This evening is sure to be a disaster. Glad I didn't bother wearing my fanciest outfit."

Reaching the house Twilight turned to her friends, "Fluttershy thinks this is the way to reform Discord and asked us to give it a chance." She said looking at everyone, "I know you all have doubts but we need to trust her, she is our friend after all."

Behind her the door opened and Discord greeted them with a rather clear and upper-class voice, something you would expect to hear out of a sitcom or parody, entering the house Fluttershy also greeted them and complemented Discord on setting everything up. As they entered Discord once again appeared in front of them.

"May I take your...hats, ladies?" Discord said as he reached around Twilight looking to grab at her element.

Josh responded quickly giving the hand a good slap, he would respect Discord for tonight but he wouldn't put up with any of his nonsense. "I think you will find we are quite capable of holding them." He said eyeing Discord who just turned and pouted.

Sitting down Fluttershy started the dinner with a speech, "As you all know, Princess Celestia hoped we'd help Discord use his magic for good instead of evil." she said looking at everyone in the room. Before she could add onto this Pinkie Pie slammed her face into her food and began eating.

"Pinkie Pie, care for some gravy?" Fluttershy asked, Pinkie Pie quickly nodding.

"Allow me." Discord said, snapping his fingers the little gravy boat gained some form of sapience and acted like a dog, running up to and licking Pinkie Pie before pouring her out some gravy.

"That's one creepy little gravy boat if you ask me." Rainbow Dash said.

"Agreed, and I thought this was going to be a normal dinner with no trickery from discord." Josh said eyeing Both him and Fluttershy.

"Oh, come on now, you guys need to give this a chance." Fluttershy said as the gravy boat ran over and poured gravy on Rainbow Dash.

"Hey! That's hot!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she flew up into the air out of her seat, "He did that on purpose!"

"Oh, well, I don't know about that. Mistakes happen." Discord looked nervous as he looked for a distraction, "Oh, look, everypony, dancing candles!" He said as candles started dancing on the table.

As they danced Rainbow Dash flew down and blew some out, Josh joined in and blew the ones out near him. They then floated up and began hitting both Josh and Rainbow Dash.

Josh swatted them away as he looked at Discord, "Oh so guessing you didn't do that Discord?"

"No, I think you and Dashie just made them mad." Discord chuckled.

"There's something fishy going on." Twilight said as a fish pot in front of her sprayed her with some kind of orange liquid, followed by Spike and Rarity who panicked about it getting on her dress.

"That tureen's only doin' what you're makin' it do!" Applejack said as she blocked it from spraying her.

"Now let's not jump to any conclusions." Fluttershy said trying to calm them.

"Conclusions?" Josh snapped at Fluttershy finally getting the Candles to buzz off, "No offense but who else would be doing this? I don't think Twilight is this much of a joker and Rarity wouldn't sacrifice a dress for something she would find childish."

Rainbow Dash joined in, "Fluttershy! Can't you see what he's doing? He's playing innocent with you so you'll never agree to use the Elements of Harmony against him!"

"Oh, well, that's a bit harsh, isn't it?" Discord said as the tureen attacked Rainbow.

"Harsh? HARSH?" Josh said now in a yelling tone, "I've known you for less then a day and nothing good has happened!"

Rainbow, trapped the tureen under a lid and looked at Fluttershy. "You see what I'm saying, right, Fluttershy? Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash also yelled.

"You know what I see? I see that Discord's far from perfect, but I also see none of you giving him a chance!" Fluttershy responded in the most authoritative voice she could.

Everyone began talking over each other as Rainbow Dash spoke up over everyone, "What's gotten into you?! Why do you keep cutting him so much slack?"

"Because that's what friends do." Fluttershy said as she placed a hoof around Discord.

Discord was rather shocked by this looking at Fluttershy, "We're friends?" As he looked at her.

"Why, of course! I can't remember my house ever being this lively before you came along." Fluttershy said, giving Discord a genuine look of friendship.

Everyone looked with shock as they watched Fluttershy seemingly had a genuinely nice conversation with Discord, Just then her bunny Angle opened a window and began chattering with a panicked look. Fluttershy looked at Angle and dismissed him, "Now is not a good time, Angel. We're having a dinner party." she said.

"Hold up! I-I think he's tryin' to tell us somethin'!" Applejack said as everyone watched Angle.

Angel began miming with water and apples, soon Rarity and Rainbow managed to figure out that Angel was trying to tell them about flooding at Sweet Apple Acres. getting up and blaming Discord for it Josh, Rainbow, Aj, Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Spike all rushed towards Sweet Apple Acres.

Arriving at Sweet Apple Acres they could see Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom riding in baskets and picking up Apples from the now lake like mass of water. They saw beavers building multiple dams.

"I've never seen the floodin' this bad!" Applejack said as she looked over her now flooded field of Apple trees, "They've built dams 'round here before, but never like this! What's goin' on?" She said turning to Fluttershy who was talking to the beavers.

"Such language!" Fluttershy said as she went back and forth with the Beavers. She let out a sigh as she turned to everyone, "It's no use. They won't listen to a word I say!"

"Gee I wonder who could be behind this?" Josh said sarcastically under his breath.

"You see Discord's behind all this, right?" Rainbow asked Fluttershy.

"Oh, of course I do! Do you all think I'm a silly, gullible fool?" Fluttershy asked everyone who seemingly turned away in embarrassment.

"Well....you see....." Josh looked around, hoping someone would back him up.

"Uh... uh, no, not exactly..." Applejack said trying to at least not have Josh be the one acceptance.

"Only in the sense of being silly and gullible..." Rarity said in a mumble.

"I've just been trying to gain his friendship any way I can, so he'd come to trust and listen to me!" Fluttershy said noticing Discord was water skiing, "Time to see if it worked." she said as Discord stopped in front of them. Going back and forth with Fluttershy asking Discord to fix it he made one request.

"Oh, yes, very well, I will fix it. I only ask one thing in return." Discord said, turning to her. "I ask that you never use your Element of Harmony against me. As a sign of our friendship." Discord said causing Fluttershy to turn to everyone who shook their head no. Everyone but Josh.

"I can answer that for you," Josh said walking up to Discord, "NO!" He yelled at Discord, "That is complete and utter insanity! the Elements are the only thing that can stop you and-" Josh was cut off by Fluttershy.

"I will never use my Element of Harmony against you." Fluttershy said taking her Element off, tossing it to spike.

Josh turned to her with a face of horrified shock, he couldn't believe it. Fluttershy just gave Discord free reign over Equestria.

"Excellent!" Discord said snapping his Fingers turning the water into ice before skating around, "There, much better! I do prefer ice skating to water skiing! Don't you?"

"Discord! That's not fixing it!" Fluttershy ran at Discord and slipped on the ice.

Josh turned to Twilight as Flutter and Discord argued, "She's not serious right?" Josh asked concerned.

"I don't know, I really don't." She replied, before yelling towards Fluttershy and Spike skated out with her Elements, "He fixes this or he goes back to being stone! Princess Celestia will understand!" there was a pause as Fluttershy weighed her options.

"I made a promise not to use my Element against him, and I'm going to keep it." Fluttershy said as everyone looked shocked.

Josh leaned towards Twilight, "Any chance I could fill in for her?"

Twilight stomped on his foot, "Not the time Joshua" as she turned back towards Discord.

"Hahah! You see? She wants to have fun with me because we're friends. She can't use the elements against me because we're friends. I'm free forever!" Discord let out an evil laugh.

"So if we all rush him, what do you think the odds we win?" Josh said causing Twilight to roll her eyes, just then Fluttershy yelled out.

"Not. Your. Friend!" she yelled as she threw away a pair of skates Discord had handed to her.

Discord scoffed at this, "Who cares? I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I'm Discord, the master of chaos! You think you can boss Discord around? You think I'm just going to turn all this back because you say so? Because if I don't, I'll lose the one friend I ever had?" Discord paused after this, he looked sadly at the skates. He almost seemed too tear up, "Oh. Oh. Well played, Fluttershy. Well played." Discord skated over the top of an apple tree before he let off a flash of magic turning everything back to normal.

Everyone ran towards Fluttershy and cheered her for managing to turn a being of pure chaos into a seemingly nice person. Discord teleported in front of them and spoke, "I like it better my way, but... I guess when you're friends, you can't always have things exactly your way all the time, eh?" He said as Josh approached him.

Letting off a sigh Josh extended a hand and said, "Well I guess I owe you a thank you for actually fixing things."

Discord shook his hand, "Well I accept your thank you and apology!"

"Don't push it." Josh said.

Celestia arrived and Discord approached her, "Yes, Princess, I'm ready to use my magic for good instead of evil." He said bowing, "Most of the time." He added under his breath.

"Congratulations on your success, ponies. I definitely sense a big change in Discord." Celestia said as she leaned toward Twilight, "I'll leave the Elements of Harmony with you, Twilight. Just in case." As she looked at Josh. approaching him he bowed in respect, "There is no need for that, are we not friends?" Josh looked at Celestia, getting up and looking at her in the eyes. Something about her just calmed him, "I heard you have found out how to use magic? I assume you didn't lie about being able to use it?" She asked jokingly.

"I assure you that I had no idea!" Josh said nervously.

"I know, even I couldn't detect it. So I am guessing you want someone to teach you how to use such Magic? I'm sure I could find somepony to tutor you." Celestia said as she looked at him.

"Actually, if you don't mind Princess." Josh turned away rubbing the back of his head, "I would like it if Twilight showed me how to use Magic." Josh looked at Twilight giving her a smile.

"I thought so." Celestia turned to Twilight, "Do you think you can handle him?" She asked.

"I won't let you or him down!" She said, bowing to Celestia then turning to Fluttershy, "So, guess you were right when you said Fluttershy would be the one to find the way to reform Discord. By treating Discord as a friend, she got him to realize that friendship was actually important to him. And something that, once he had, he didn't want to lose." she said as everyone looked at Discord.

Fluttershy approached him and gave him a little hoof tap, "Go on. Say it..."

Discord grumbled a bit before quickly saying, "Friendship is magic."

Fluttershy grabbed his hand with her hoof, "See? He can be a real sweetheart once you get to know him." She said as everyone turned with embarrassment, then waving goodbye as Discord and Celestia left for Canterlot.