My Little Pony: Nine Elements

Book 3

Written by Brandon Nell, Rachael Ravens, and Blake Hawkins

Chapter 10: Keep Calm and Flutter On

One week after Spike took the day off to help the Guardians of Harmony (sans Twilight), which incidentally was the day of Nightmare Night*, it was now November 7th and all the Guardians had received an announcement that Princess Celestia was coming to Ponyville.

“Any of you have ideas of what she’d need?” Rainbow asked. She, Rarity, Pinkie, Twilight, and Spike were waiting on the outskirts of Ponyville.

Twilight nervously shook her head. "No, she made no specifications,” she replied. “She was oddly vague about the task she was hoping we could help her with. I'm sure she has her reasons, but, I have to wonder what she could possibly want to keep secret from us? Heck, I'm surprised she's not here yet. I sure hope everything's okay on her end."

“Speaking of not here yet,” Pinkie said. “Have any of you seen Applejack or Fluttershy?”

“I have,” Rarity answered. “They’re at Sweet Apple Acres, dealing with a beaver problem.”

“Hopefully they’ll get here before Princess Celestia does,” Spike said. “I wonder what’s taking her so long.”

“Knowing her responsibilities,” Twilight said. “I have a feeling she has a few things to take care of in Canterlot before coming here. Besides, she also said she was bringing an important visitor. That could be part of it.”

“A visitor who’s important, but, slow,” Rainbow complained. “Celestia and this pony better get here quick.”

Spike looked up and saw Princess Celestia approaching as well as her important visitor.

“Or it’s a guest who’s not a pony at all,” Spike said casually. “Looks like this guest is a mix of several creatures rolled into one.”

Twilight couldn’t help but laugh slightly. “I’m sorry to laugh, Spike, but, that sounds like Discord. I don’t think Princess Celestia would bring him.”

"Come now, Spikey-Wikey, be serious," Rarity added. "Why in the wide, wide world of Equestria would Princess Celestia ever bring along a creature like that?"

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Spike asked as he pointed in the direction he was looking.

The others looked and saw Princess Celestia fly down from Canterlot, accompanied by Flash Sentry and some competent castle guards. In tow was the same statue of Discord, petrified in his willingly surrendered state.

It did not take long for Twilight to approach Princess Celestia and question her mentor’s judgment. “With all due respect, Princess Celestia, how could you bring Discord here?!” she shouted, before she cleared her throat and added. “Your majesty.”

“I understand your concern,” Princess Celestia explained. “Especially with the experiences you’ve encountered with Discord in the past.”

“He took my son captive!” Twilight said.

“And he took away our wings and horns!” Rainbow snapped.

“He tricked us into becoming the opposites of our true selves!” Rarity put in.

“And he made delicious chocolate milk rain everywhere without a dollop of whipped cream to go with!” Pinkie said. The others turned to her and Pinkie looked back. “Oh, and that other stuff, too!”

“I’m well aware,” Princess Celestia said. “However, I will concede that I’m partly to blame.”

“And to his credit,” Spike said. “He did set me free willingly.”

“How can you possibly be to blame?” Rainbow questioned.

“Do you recall my behavior in that projection before you went to the Crystal Empire?” Princess Celestia asked.

“I do,” Twilight said. “You were, and I don’t mean any offense, conceited.”

“Indeed,” Celestia nodded. “Upon recent reflection, I’ve come to realize that, while I was one of Discord’s friends, I wasn’t there for him when he needed it. That lesson you all learned about friends being there for their friends struck a chord with me as it was a lesson I wish I had learned long ago.”

“I see,” Rarity said.

“As a way to apologize,” Celestia said. “I ask you to release him and reform him. I have come to the belief that Discord, if reformed, could use his magic to serve good and not evil. That’s why I’ve brought him here, because I believe that you are the ponies who can help him do just that. I know it will not be easy, but, I have faith that you’ll find a way.”

“How do you figure we do that?” Rainbow asked. “How can we even control him?”

“A control method already exists,” Celestia firmly nodded. “You six ponies were the ones who turned him back to stone in the first place. And I’m sure you know what was used to do that.”

“Of course,” Pinkie said. “The Elements of Harmony.”

“We brought them with us,” Flash announced. Two of the guards brought forth a large chest and inside rested five familiar necklaces and a familiar tiara.

“And don’t worry,” Princess Celestia said. “I made sure to cast a spell so that Discord can’t take them and hide them again. However, I advise against making him touch them.”

“Why’s that?” Twilight asked.

“Well,” Celestia whispered to Twilight. “One of the more vengeful unicorn guards may or may not have modified the enchantment so that Discord will experience pain should he so much as touch the Elements of Harmony, never mind using his powers on them.”

“Oh,” Twilight said. “Then, we’ll be careful, Princess.”

“Now,” Princess Celestia asked. “Where is Fluttershy? I believe that she may know best how to begin reforming Discord."

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked.

“Well, yeah,” Spike said. “She is the wielder of the Kindness after all. And she was the only one that Discord had to corrupt by force. I know because I saw each of you get corrupted one by one.”

Celestia nodded. “Indeed,” she said. “And from what Luna relaid to me, his attempts to corrupt you had no effect at all, Spike.”

“That’s true,” Spike said. “It’s because I knew that, even if other ponies wouldn’t like me just because I’m a dragon, I know I can count on the love of my mom and my friends to keep me strong.”

Celestia rubbed the little drake’s head. “Which makes you ideal for helping Fluttershy,” she said.

“Thank you,” Spike said modestly. “And I’ll do my best.”

“Back to my prior question,” Celestia said. “Where is Fluttershy? Applejack, too. The elements won’t work if all the wielders aren’t at least within the same immediate vicinity.”

“There was a beaver problem at Sweet Apple Acres,” Rarity said. “We’re hoping they’ll be along soon.”

On the other side of town, at Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy and Applejack were indeed tending to a beaver problem. A family of beavers had set up a dam on a river near Sweet Apple Acres, inadvertently flooding the orchard. Applejack had asked Fluttershy to talk the beavers into taking down their dam and setting up somewhere else.

“Alright,” Fluttershy said after patiently negotiating with the beaver. “Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth has agreed to move the dam.”

“‘Bout time,” Applejack said. “Mah trees’re so waterlogged, ah can practically hear ‘em gurglin’ like mah belly ‘round meal time.”

“But,” Fluttershy said. “You must apologize to him for calling him a varmint.”

“Apologize?!” Applejack said as if she couldn’t believe what she heard.

“Yes,” Fluttershy said firmly. “Unless you do, this problem will get worse. And you know how Spike feels about discrimination.”

Applejack took this in and she took a deep breath. “Mr. Beaverton, ah’m powerful sorry fer callin’ ya a varmint. Ah won’t call ya that again, ah promise.”

The beaver looked to Fluttershy for confirmation.

“He says, ‘I forgive you,’” Fluttershy said.

Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Fluttershy. Don’t know what ah would’ve done without y’all." With a sigh she added, “Ah just hope those apple trees ain't completely soaked n’ useless. Sure, we water the trunks so they absorb more water, but, there’s a limit.”

So, Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth and his family got to work moving the dam.

“We had better get going,” Fluttershy said. “The Beaverteeth family can handle things from here.”

At that moment, Rainbow flew in.

“Hey!” Rainbow said. “Princess Celestia’s waiting for you two.”

Once Applejack and Fluttershy had arrived on the hill, Princess Celestia explained to them what she had told the others. She made sure to specifically specify her intent to have Fluttershy be the one to lead the reformation process. “I realize that this is a tall order, but, I wouldn’t ask if I weren’t confident you could get him to use magic obediently of his own free will,” she told Fluttershy.

“I admit, it won’t be easy,” Fluttershy said. “But, nothing in life really is. It did take time for me to overcome my fear of dragons, so, if that can be possible, then certainly reforming Discord is possible, too.”

“When pigs fly,” Rainbow whispered to Applejack.

“Hush,” Applejack shushed.

“The thought of having Twilight or Pinkie lead the effort crossed my mind,” Celestia said. “However, I quickly realized that Twilight taking the lead would be a terrible idea. Given what happened last time Discord was freed, she would be most likely to try fighting Discord, which would defeat the whole point.”

“And the reason for not choosing Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well,” Celestia said. “She could fall for Discord’s manipulations just like last time. Of all the guardians, you were the only one Discord had to forcibly brainwash via magic. The others aside from Twilight are more susceptible to corruption.**”

“Well, she ain’t wrong,” Applejack said in a sheepish tone.

“That’s what I hate about it,” Rainbow said. “I can’t argue with that logic.”

“Anyway,” Fluttershy said. “I’ll try my best. And who knows, I might grow to like Discord, too.”

“Very good,” Celestia said as she climbed into her chariot. “Now then, you may release Discord when ready and I await your reply informing me of the results.”

Spike and the guardians nodded respectfully. Though, Rainbow had a question.

“Why don’t you stay here in case we need you?” she asked.

“The Elements of Harmony are the only thing truly effective against Discord,” Celestia explained. “Unfortunately, since I am no longer connected to the Elements of Harmony, I fear that Discord may try to get some revenge on me for turning him to stone the first time. I believe he still holds something of a grudge against me for it, even though I didn’t do it alone.”

“That does make sense,” Rarity nodded.

“It sounds like you two had quite a history,” Twilight said.

Celestia nodded. “But, that is a topic for another time and another place. For the time being, I shall return to Canterlot to host Equestria’s royal summit. And with any luck, by this time next week, Discord will be allied to our side.” And with that, she and the royal guards departed from Ponyville.

“Alright, everypony,” Twilight said to the wielders of the Elements of Harmony. “Are we ready?”

“Eh…” most of the other guardians said.

“No offense, Twi,” Applejack said. “But, we ain’t exactly in a rush ta free Discord, ‘specially since we ain’t exactly got a plan on how ta reform Discord. We ain’t even sure it’s possible.”

“Come on, girls,” Spike said. “Discord isn’t all bad. After all, I did mention that he was the one who let me go. Whatever the reason, I have reasonable confidence Discord can be reformed. It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve all redeemed a villain.”

“He does have a point,” Pinkie said. “Defeating Nightmare Moon was basically redeeming Princess Luna and that’s what led to us becoming the Guardians of Harmony in the first place.”

“True,” Fluttershy said. “So, if we could help Princess Luna, then certainly we can help Discord, too.”

“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t want Discord to be set free unless she was convinced there was a good chance he could be reformed,” Twilight conceded. “I suppose she realizes that eventually we too will lose our connection to the Elements of Harmony and when that happens, Discord will surely break free and have to be sealed away again. She must be hoping to break the cycle before it starts.” Then, she said to her friends, “We’d best keep our elements on at all times until further notice. No telling what Discord might try to do.”

So, the mares circled around the draconequus statue. They concentrated their energy into the elements they wielded and a magical rainbow band emerged from them. The rainbow encircled Twilight and the prismatic beam glistened upon Discord. Slowly but surely, small cracks in the stone emerged until the encasing around him cracked open like an egg. The draconequus himself opened his eyes as if waking from a deep sleep. As soon as he became aware that he was freed, his first reaction was one the guardians didn’t expect: he panicked.

“Yah!” he exclaimed. “What am I doing out here?! I shouldn’t be moving! I should be encased in stone!” In his panic, his lion paw came in contact with the jewel on the necklace for the Element of Laughter. After a brief sizzling noise, Discord drew his lion paw back while screaming in pain. “Yow! I don’t remember the Elements doing that!”

“Sorry!” Pinkie apologized. “We would have warned you, but, you were too busy freaking out.”

“So,” Rainbow said with a devious smirk. “That hurt, huh? Let’s see if the other elements have the same result!”

“Rainbow, stop!” Spike called.

“What?” Rainbow said. “You can’t deny he did terrible things!”

“I don’t,” Spike said. “But, if you intentionally inflict harm on him, no matter the reason, that makes you the bad guy.”

“That’s right,” Fluttershy said. “We’re trying to reform Discord, not torture him.”

Discord pricked his ears at what Fluttershy had said. “I beg your pardon,” he said in a confused tone. “But, did you say that you’re trying to reform me? Celestia was serious about that?”

“O’ course she –” Applejack said, when suddenly she stopped herself. “Wait, ya heard?”

“Of course,” Discord said. “When I was stone, I could still see, hear, and smell everything around me. I just couldn’t do anything about it.”

“Ah see,” Applejack said. “But, ah could tell from mah Mystic Eyes that Princess Celestia was tellin’ the truth ‘bout her idea o’ redeemin’ ya.”

“And Celestia’s lost her mind,” Discord said. “Once you become a villain, there’s no going back.”

“That’s not completely true,” Twilight said. “Princess Luna had become the villainous Nightmare Moon in the past, but, after finding the Elements of Harmony and standing up to her, we helped her be Princess Luna again. It did take some time and a lot of therapy, but, everything’s okay now.”

“Luna,” Discord said, making sure he heard correctly. “Celestia’s younger sister, who monitors the dream realm to help ponies having nightmares, and one of the ponies to initially defeat my first reign, became a villain and was turned good again? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?”

“Yep,” Pinkie said.

“Hmm…” Discord said. “No. You’re either a hero or a villain. There’s no gray area.”

“Of course there is a gray area,” Rarity said. “After all, Rainbow here has done some good with us, but, she not a few moments ago suggested trying to burn you with her element. I would say that’s a cloudy gray.”

“No, it’s not,” Discord protested. “She’s a hero, I’m a villain. Before I was first turned to stone, heroes fight villains and vice versa. That’s the natural order. Villains are villains, heroes are heroes.”

“Hey, times have changed since then,” Pinkie said. “A lot of ponies, especially in Ponyville, are more open-minded.”

“Uh-huh, yeah right,” Discord said, unconvinced before making his nose longer.

Fluttershy flew up and pressed Discord’s nose back into place. “No, really. When Twilight and Spike first came to Ponyville, they both got such warm welcomes. They didn’t mind the fact that Spike was a dragon, so, surely, they wouldn’t mind that you’re a draconequus.”

“Who screwed with their town, way of life, and even their minds,” Discord said before sarcastically adding. “Yeah, they’ll really roll out the red carpet for that kind of creature.”

“Going by the tone of voice in that previous sentence of yours,” Rarity said. “It does sound like you regretted what you did. That sounds like decent behavior to me, so, it shows you’re not completely far gone.”

“I did a little research,” Discord said. “And I discovered that there was a time when most of you and practically the whole town hid in terror from a zebra who did literally nothing harmful to any of you and for what reason? Oh yes, she was different.”

“That was ‘fore we got ta know Zecora,” Applejack said. “Now, she’s one o’ our closest friends.”

“The point stands,” Discord said. “Ponies are just as prejudiced now as they were back then. Any creature made up of more than two others with a powerful magic fits the description of a monster.”

“That’s not completely true,” Twilight said. “A few months ago, we had an encounter with the Changeling queen Chrysalis. She disguised herself as Princess Cadance during her and my brother’s wedding. After meeting one good Changeling and seeing the relentless malice caused by Queen Chrysalis, we ruled that Queen Chrysalis is a true monster on the inside. Do you understand what we’re trying to say?”

“That I’m a monster like cousin Chrysalis,” Discord said flatly.

Twilight reeled back with discomfort. “That was a bad analogy on my part.”

“Chrysalis is your cousin?” Pinkie asked.

“We were both created by Grogar,” Discord said. “The creator of monsters, by the way.”

“But, there is something that you need to understand,” Fluttershy said. “After almost getting devoured by a titan wing as a filly, I developed a fear of adult dragons. When my friends and I were sent to tell an adult dragon named Razor to move to a different cave, I let my fear of dragons known and I inadvertently hurt Spike’s feelings because of it. We eventually convinced the dragon to go and after that day, I slowly but surely got over my fear of dragons. Now, I’m not afraid of dragons anymore. So, if that can change with time, certainly, you can understand that there will be a place for you, too, Discord.”

“Yeah,” Discord said. “Like the Canterlot garden.”

“Discord, please!” Spike exclaimed.

“Oh, please,” Discord said. “None of you actually care about me. You’re just doing this so you don’t disappoint your precious princess. Why, Rainbow’s even going, ‘if this weren’t requested by the princess, Discord could go screw himself.’”

“Am not!” Rainbow snapped.

“You’re thinking it,” Discord said.

“He’s right,” Applejack said.

“Regardless,” Twilight said. “We’re going to—” But, she didn’t get a chance to finish as Discord cut her off with a song.

“Let me stop you right there, save us all precious time~” he started.

“Uh,” Pinkie said in confusion. “What are you-?”

“If what you’re suggesting is letting me climb~
Up the ladder so I’d rather~
Cross the pearly gates~” he continued.

“Well,” Rarity said. “We’re not really-”

“Sorry, ponies, but, there’s no defying my fate~
Because I’ll suffer forever~
Whether we like it or not~
I had a chance to behave better~” He then stuffed himself in a cauldron of water over a fire.
“Now, I boil in the pot~” He then rose from with the world entirely white on one side and black on the other. “Because the rules are black and white~” The world’s colors returned to normal and the word “FATE,” sporting legs and arms with boxing gloves entered and slammed him flat as a pancake. “There’s no use in trying to fight it~” He reinflated himself.
“I’ll be hated by all until I’m a statue again~”

“But,” Fluttershy said. “Perhaps if we-”

“Just try to relax there, you’re wasting your breath~” Discord interrupted.

“Yeah, but-” Applejack started before Discord cut her off.

“Did I hear you imply that I shouldn’t get death~?
I’m no winner, I’m a sinner~
It’s all-” he cut himself up and made himself look dehydrated.“Cut and dry~”

“Well,” Spike said. “Not real-”

Discord put himself back together and removed one of his eyes.

“Fair is fair, an eye for an eye~” He started levitating up.
“And, when all’s said and done~”

“What?” Rainbow demanded.

“There’s the question of fun~” Discord made prison cell around himself. “And for all you ponies who want my containment~
Me as a statue is entertainment~” He then scatted unenthusiastically. “Guitar solo, let’s go…” He continued his unenthusiastic scatting.

“Aww, come on,” Pinkie said. Discord then made illusions of ponies subjecting him to various tortures with sadistic grins.

“I’ll suffer forever~
Whether we like it or not~
I had my chance to behave better~
Now, I boil in the pot~” Discord sang as his limbs were being forcibly stretched.

“This is too much!” Twilight exclaimed over Discord’s song, but, it was ignored.

“Because the rules are black and white~
There’s no use in trying to fight it~
I’ll be hated by all until I’m a statue again~”
Discord continued his song after dispelling the illusions. “Yes, my hell is forever and it’s meant to suck a lot~
Just give up this dumb endeavor because you don’t have a shot~”

“Yes, we do!” Spike exclaimed. Discord ignored this as well.

“Long as I got your attention~
I guess I should probably mention~
That I’ll raise your determination~
To ensure my petrification~”

“Wait,” Rarity said. “What?”

“We all know that you have your own doubts. You clearly don’t want me here, so, why drag it out?!”*** Discord said, finishing his song with an impressive guitar sting. Upon realizing what he was doing, he gestured to the guitar he magicked into existence with an expression that practically screamed, “Proof I’m a monster.”

“Why?” Fluttershy said after a moment. “Because that’s what friends do.”

“Ha!” Discord said, poofing the guitar out of existence. “That’s a laugh. The only friends I ever had were the royal alicorns and did they help me when I went off the deep end? Nope. Celestia and Luna went straight to turning me into stone. Friends will turn on you eventually. They’re never there when you need them.”

“So, why are you here now?” Twilight asked. “For you to be ridiculed again? No. She brought you back because there is some aspect that shows that she still cares. If she truly didn't care, you would have gone through something much worse than simply turning you to stone. She could have straight up killed you, but, she didn't.”

“She didn’t lift a hoof to stop ponies from judging me before they knew me, either,” Discord protested. “And for the record, I can’t die anyway.”

“That was then,” Applejack said. “This is now. Ah’m not sure if ya noticed, but, ponies can change. Princess Celestia changed her ‘spective after she sent Princess Luna ta the moon for over 1000 years ago, why can’t ya believe that y’all can?”

“Because none of you truly believe it, either,” Discord said. “You all see me as a monster and nothing more.”

Spike and the guardians didn’t say anything for a while. Then, with much kinder looks, they walked slowly towards Discord and gave him a gentle hug, careful with the Elements on their persons. Discord felt a vaguely familiar warmth.

“This… this warmth,” he said softly, unknowingly beginning to smile. “Why, I haven’t felt this feeling since…” But, he stopped himself and slapped himself in the face. “What am I doing?!” He slithered out of the embrace. “I’m too far gone! It’s too late for me to change!”

“Not completely,” Fluttershy said. “If Princess Celestia can change her way of ruling Equestria after a thousand years, then, certainly it’s not too late for you as an immortal creature to change either.”

“You have a week to prove you can,” Twilight said.

“Do you honestly believe you can erase 2,030 years of hardships, bitterness, and bad deeds in a week?” Discord challenged.

“Well, yeah,” Spike said. “If my friends here can erase the 6 to 10 years of hardships and prejudice that I faced from Canterlot elitists, then surely, looking past your misdeeds is just as easy. Starting with me when I say that since you didn’t really physically hurt me before, I can forgive you for abducting me.”

“There’s no talking any of you out of this, is there?” Discord surmised.

“As mah brother would say,” Applejack said. “Nope.”

Discord gave off a sigh of resignation. “What the hell,” he said. “I’ll just end up as a statue in about half an hour anyway. Looks like Celestia will end up disappointed anyway.”

“More in the sense that her heart will still be broken,” Twilight said. “She does still have feelings for you after all.”

“Excuse me?” Discord said before clearing out an ear. “I think I might have something in my ear.” He pulled out a small insect from his ear and flicked it away. “Because it sounds like you said she still has feelings for me.”

“That is what I had said,” Twilight replied.

“Verbatim, even,” Rarity said. “She had time to reflect recently and realized that her not being there for you when she should have led you down the path you took and she regrets it. So much so that she worries you’ll try to take revenge on her.”

Discord took a moment to take this in. He didn’t know what to make of this situation. Despite everything he did, Celestia still had feelings for him.

“Well,” he said softly. “That would explain things…” He couldn’t help but blush a bit.

“Besides,” Twilight said. “If we end up having to turn you back to stone, I’m sure we can convince Princess Celestia that it was for a good reason.”

“Wait a minute here!” Rainbow said before flying up to Twilight. “Who are you and what’ve you done with Twilight?”

“So,” Fluttershy said to all present. “Taking all of this information into consideration, are we all ready to try?”

“Are we ignoring the fact that Twilight isn’t freaking out over the idea of failing the princess?” Rainbow asked.

“This time, yes,” Applejack said.

“But, failing the princess is Twilight’s worst fear,” Rainbow said. “She made practically the whole town get into a brawl over a doll just because she was worried the princess would punish her for missing a deadline on a friendship report even though there were two times she went months without sending one and wasn’t punished either time. Heck, she told us on the way back from the Crystal Empire. Any of that ringing a bell?”

“Yes,” Twilight said. “But, after we got back to Canterlot and learned of the events of Spike getting the Crystal Heart to Cadance, I realized that there are worse things in life than the idea of failing Princess Celestia. Besides, I can take her reasonable and easy-going nature into account. Who says I can’t?”

Rainbow, hearing this, took this to mind. “Hmm, you got me there.”

“It’s no different than ponies thinking you’ll freak out every time your hooves get touched, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah~” Rainbow said, sheepishly. “Okay, I think I’m ready. After all, I remembered that you guys didn’t betray me during that Mare Do Well stunt, so, I’ll think of that during this.”

“Mare Do Well?” Discord asked. “Is that some kind of criminal or troublemaker?”

“More towards the latter,” Rarity said. “The Mysterious Mare Do Well is the assumed identity of a mare named Dark Mimic. She tried to teach Rainbow a lesson about hogging the spotlight, so, she set up disasters all across Ponyville and rescued those around said disasters. This is because an anvil fell on her mother’s head and killed her the last time you were free.”

Discord’s jaw dropped straight to the ground. “Well, there’s the good reason for turning me back to stone!” he said. “May as well call me ‘Catcher in the Rye,’ because I’m getting banned.****”

“Catcher in the what-now?” Applejack asked, turning to the others.

“The answer to that would probably confuse us more,” Rarity replied. “This is Discord we’re talking about. Confusion is basically his thing.”

“But,” Pinkie said. “You weren’t directly responsible for Dark Mimic’s mom passing away. It wasn’t like you had aimed that anvil at her.”

“Oh, whoops, I made an anvil appear and made it drop wherever,” Discord said sarcastically. “Yeah, that’ll sit well with the press.”

“If we’re goin’ ta try n’ reform Discord,” Applejack whispered to Twilight. “We’ve got our work cut out fer us. It’s like he doesn’t want ta get redeemed.”

Neither of them noticed that the insect Discord flicked away earlier had landed on a beaver, whose eyes turned red.

“Discord,” Fluttershy said. “Since I’m in charge of reforming you, I’m letting you stay with me at my cottage. I have plenty of room and you should be very comfortable there.”

Later, Fluttershy led Discord to her cottage. The draconequus was still being rather nihilistic.

“As comfortable and adorable as your cozy little corner of the world is,” Discord said. “I still think this endeavor is pointless.”

“Now, now,” Fluttershy said. “There’ll be none of that. This will work out.”

“You don’t even have a plan,” Discord said.

“No,” Fluttershy admitted. “But, that doesn't mean I can’t come up with one while the week is still going on.” Angel kicked Discord in the side. “Angel, no!” She picked him up and started scolding him while using the Stare. “I will not have you trying to harm my guest as long as he’s staying here. If we’re mean to him, it proves we’re no better than him. Understand?” The intimidated bunny nodded. “Thank you,” she said, turning off her stare and blinking her eyes a few times. She then turned to Discord.

“Uh…” he said softly, caught off guard by somepony willingly standing up for him. “Thank you?” He suddenly turned his head away. “The process starts again.”

A short time later, Fluttershy’s eyes were better. She could see Discord was looking a bit bitter.

“As long as we’re trying to get comfortable,” Fluttershy said. “How about we have some tea and snacks? Surely, having something in your stomach will help lift your spirits a bit.”

Discord could tell she wasn’t going to accept no for an answer, so, he reluctantly accepted. “Alright, I’ll humor you.”

“That’s the spirit,” Fluttershy said. “Some carrot ginger sandwiches and orange pekoe tea will be just the thing.” She left the room to get things ready.

While she was away, Angel proceeded to kick the draconequus, who, to the lagomorph’s surprise, didn’t fight back.

“Knock yourself out, Cottontail,” Discord said. “It’ll only prove my own point that I am a monster, so keep pathetically beating me up until your heart’s content. You can’t even do that much damage anyway.”

Angel, hearing this, decided that it would be too boring to hang around a sad sack, so, he bounced away. At that moment, Fluttershy entered, wheeling in a tray with a teapot, two teacups, a creamer dish, a sugar bowl, and a plateful of sandwiches.

“Tea’s on,” Fluttershy said politely. She then carefully poured a cup of tea for Discord first, and then for herself. “Do you typically take cream and sugar in your tea?”

“When I had tea with Celestia,” Discord admitted. “We used honey.”

“Oh, I’ve got honey,” Fluttershy said. “I can go back to the kitchen and grab some if you’d like.”

“Go ahead,” Discord said.

Fluttershy went back to the kitchen and fetched a small jar of honey, complete with honey wand. She put some in Discord’s cup.

“Did you really know Princess Celestia when she was a filly?” she asked.

“Well, of course,” Discord said. “Being immortal, you get to know a lot of creatures with long lifespans.”

“Was she always an alicorn?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes,” Discord said. “Same with her mother and aunt.”

“Fascinating,” Fluttershy said. “So, how did you two first meet?”

“Well,” Discord said. “I tried using my powers to entertain, but, ponies took exception to my efforts. So, they formed an angry mob and proceeded to beat me senseless. All but one. Celestia. Back then, her mane and tail were all pink and static. Somewhat like yours, but, much lighter in hue.”

“Oh, my,” Fluttershy said, off put at the idea of the angry mob.

“We met when she and I were five and six, respectively,” Discord said.

“Interesting,” Fluttershy said. “Did she have her Cutie Mark yet?”

“No,” Discord said. “When she got it, I couldn’t resist calling her Sunbutt.”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at the nickname.

“She actually took it really well,” Discord said.

“That’s good,” Fluttershy said.

Discord sighed sadly. “It’s too bad things didn’t stay that way,” he said. “As she got older, I saw her less and less.”

“I guess school will do that for a pony,” Fluttershy figured.

Throughout the day, most of the guardians expected Discord to cause mass chaos, but, found nothing noticeable.

“That’s weird,” Rainbow said as she and the guardians, minus Fluttershy, were gathered in the library. “There’s nothing weird going on.”

“Or rather,” Rarity said. “That’s normal. Not weird in the slightest.”

“With Discord being free this long,” Pinkie said. “You’d think everything would be upside down or inside out by now.”

“This is only a hunch,” Spike said. “But, I think that with Discord’s display of a life-is-meaningless mentality… what’s that word again, Mom?”

“Nihilism,” Twilight answered.

“Thank you,” Spike said. “With his display of nihilism, Discord isn’t causing chaos because he feels he’ll be turned back to stone again, so, I guess he’s wondering why he would bother.”

“Maybe that’s his plan,” Rainbow said. “Acting that way so we lower our guard so he can drive a wedge between us like last time.”

“Slight problem there,” Applejack said.

“And that is?” Rainbow asked.

“When ah looked at him with mah Mystic Eyes,” Applejack explained. “He really thought that we didn’t believe he could be reformed n’ he’d be bad no matter what we did.”

“Well, he’s not wrong on the first part,” Rainbow said. “Especially since we didn’t see any evidence of him having the potential to reform.”

“Well,” Twilight said. “Did you see any potential of Nightmare Moon reforming before or after she changed back to Princess Luna?”

“Well, if you think about it,” Rainbow said. “The worst Nightmare Moon did was make it nighttime forever.”

“Which,” Spike pointed out. “Would result in plants that need sunlight to grow dying out, which would lead to the starvation of plant eaters such as ponies. Among such plants are apples. No apples means no cider or any business for Applejack’s family. It would also mean nopony would really know whether it’s time to wake up or go to bed. But, that’s not even the worst part.”

“He’s right,” Twilight said. “The worst part is that Nightmare Moon too abducted Spike and kept him separated from me with no intention on letting him go.”

“Actually,” Spike said. “I was getting at the fact that so many plants dying would mean there wouldn’t be as much fresh air, which all creatures need.”

“Oh…” Rainbow said. “Guess I put my hoof in my mouth again, huh?”

“Yup,” Applejack said.

“All that aside,” Rarity said. “We still have literally no idea how to go about reforming Discord.”

“Especially since he doesn’t believe he can be redeemed,” Pinkie said. “But, I know that we can come up with something.”

Twilight had an idea. “Wait,” she said. “Maybe there’s a spell that can reform him in an instant!”

“That’s a terrible idea,” Spike said. “It would cause more trouble than the love potion from the past. Besides, using magic to make someone change their ways is the kind of thing Discord did. If you did the same, you’d be letting him win. You’d be proving you’re no better than he was.”*****

“Oh, dear,” Twilight said with a gasp. “You’re right. I’m so sorry. I should have realized.”

“Besides,” Spike said. “The princess herself said that the Elements of Harmony were the only things truly effective against him anyway. You tried using your own magic to undo the chaos he was causing the last time he was freed and it didn’t work.”

“That’s also true,” Twilight said sheepishly. “My apologies.”

“I got it!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“We’re going to throw a party for him at Sugarcube Corner to show that he can socialize with others?” Rarity guessed flatly.

“...I don’t got it,” Pinkie said after a pause. “Now that I think about it, showing him in public after last time might cause some ponies to hide from him, proving his point.”

“I have an idea for Fluttershy’s strategy,” Spike said.

“What’s the idea, Spike?” Applejack asked.

“Well,” Spike explained. “She lets Discord tell her a bit about himself, takes notes, internalizes said notes, and bonds with him in the process.”

“Knowing how polite Fluttershy can be,” Rarity said. “I can believe she would want to get to know Discord a bit better through pleasant conversation.”

“That would lead to her becoming a friend to Discord,” Spike said. “Which could prove Discord wrong. We all know Fluttershy isn’t exactly the bravest of us.”

“Although, she does have some bravery in her,” Pinkie admitted. “She did stand up to Garble with the rest of us and was able to tell him off when he was about to attack you.”

“So,” Spike said. “Her tactic is to show Discord that he’s not as bad as he thinks if a pony like her can befriend him.”

“That is quite clever on her part,” Twilight said with a smile. “Plus, she is also more forgiving, so, that could help Discord, too.”

“Are we sure it’ll even work?” Rainbow asked.

“Maybe it’ll work, maybe it won’t,” Spike said. “Either way, it’s more productive than what we’re doing.”

“He’s got a point,” Applejack said. “We may still have our doubts ‘bout this, but, we ain’t goin’ ta let on.”

“We need to trust Fluttershy’s judgment,” Spike said. “Otherwise, what kind of friends would we be?”

“Not very good ones,” Pinkie answered. “Though, it might be a good idea to have a backup plan.”

“Like what?” Twilight asked. “Spike made it clear that a spell to reform him would be a bad idea.”

“I never said anything about a spell,” Pinkie said. “I don’t really have anything in mind myself.”

Meanwhile, Fluttershy made sure that Discord was comfortable before she asked him. “So, is there anything I can do for you at the moment? Anything at all?”

“I think I’m alright, thank you,” Discord replied. “You have done so much already. I’m surprised you even bothered after what I did. I felt you would call me a big, dumb meanie.”

“That wouldn’t be a nice thing for anypony to say about anypony,” Fluttershy said. “I wouldn’t say that no matter what anypony did to me.”

“Ahem,” Discord said flatly while gesturing to remind her that he’s not a pony.

“Oh, or any one,” Fluttershy corrected. “With ponies being the dominant species, it’s so easy to forget there’s other sentient creatures in the world. We should really find a blanket term that doesn’t just refer to ponies.”

“If there was one,” Discord said. “It would probably sound ridiculous and this is coming from me.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, about that time I brainwashed you and your friends and captured Spike, you know it was just a game, right?"

“Well, yes,” Fluttershy said. “But, you didn’t play fair. Ponies don’t like cheaters or sore losers.”

“Even when I created the game?” Discord asked.

“Rules are so all involved in a game can enjoy it,” Fluttershy said.

“Well,” Discord said. “Maybe I do feel a bit guilty for tricking you all and brainwashing you. But, like I said before, I’m an agent of chaos. Heck, agent is putting it mildly, I’m practically the master when it comes to chaos. And chaos is the spice of life.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Fluttershy admitted. “If things weren’t a little bit of chaos every once in a while, things would get pretty dull. There has to be some excitement after all. Anyway, if there’s really nothing that I can do for you at the moment, I think I’ll just head out.”

Discord seemed surprised by Fluttershy’s announcement. “Where are you going? You’re not already turning your back on me by going to those friends of yours, are you? And after all that talk about trusting me and giving me a chance.”

“It’s not that,” Fluttershy answered. “I have some errands to run. Since I have a guest, I’ll need some good ingredients for dinner tonight. I promise I’ll be back later.” With that, Fluttershy exited the cottage.

“See you,” Discord said. As soon as she was out of earshot, Discord magically chained himself up. “Celestia’s plan won’t work. I’m a monster, plain and simple. I couldn’t change if I wanted to. Why would she even care for me despite everything?”

At the market, Fluttershy was shopping for ingredients. She didn’t notice that the beaver Discord inadvertently affected earlier had broken away from the group. That beaver was the very same one that Fluttershy had scolded earlier at Sweet Apple Acres and he still held some resentment for that. Soon, with saddlebags full of groceries, she returned to her cottage.

“I’m home~” Fluttershy called after she opened the door. She didn’t realize the beaver was about to attack her from behind until Discord spotted him.

“Fluttershy, look out!” he called. For reasons he himself couldn’t explain at the time, he enlarged his claw hand to intercept the beaver, who bit right into the claw. “Yowch!”

Fluttershy looked behind her and saw the aggressive beaver biting his claw and recognized him. She gasped. “Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth! Let go!” The beaver, disliking the taste of Discord’s claw, released it. This gave Fluttershy the opportunity to scold him. “I don’t know why you’ve been acting so naughty. I know you were upset from what happened earlier, but, you shouldn’t bite others for having a big feeling.” She started activating her Mystic Eyes. “Now, say you’re sorry to Discord, since I’m certain he can understand animals and don’t try to bite him again. Do you understand?” The beaver slowly lost his will to fight. She deactivated her Mystic Eyes and turned to face Discord, blinking all the while. “I’m so sorry that Mr. Beaverton bit you. I didn’t know he was going to do that.”

“It’s fine,” Discord said, rubbing his wound. “I was just glad that you weren’t hurt, since he looked like he was about to attack you.” He suddenly held his mouth closed when he realized what he had said.

Fluttershy’s ear pricked up. “Then… that means you saved me.”

Discord tried to convince her otherwise, but, he failed to think of an excuse. “Well… yes, I did. But, don’t tell anypony. They probably wouldn’t believe it anyway.” He magicked his wound away in seconds.

“The fact that you even thought about helping me does show that you’re not all bad,” Fluttershy said. “Even if you did it to gain a favor, the fact that you did it at all proves you’re making progress. So, thank you for that.”

Discord was taken aback by Fluttershy’s genuinely kind gratitude. “You’re… welcome?”

At that moment, Twilight and Spike made their way to Fluttershy’s cottage for a progress report. They saw no signs of anything being out of place.

“Hi,” Twilight said. “How’s everything going here?”

“Things are going fine,” Fluttershy said. “Discord hasn’t caused any problems.”

“That’s good,” Spike smiled.

“He even saved me from Mr. Beaverton biting me,” Fluttershy said.

“Fluttershy~!” Discord called in an almost embarrassed tone. “I told you not to tell them that~!”

“Looks like your strategy is working,” Spike said.

“There’s no use in pretending to believe it,” Discord said. “Knowing you, you’re planning to take a page from my book and use magic to make me reform instantly just to avoid disappointing Celestia.”

“I had considered such a spell,” Twilight said. “But, Spike convinced me that I wouldn’t be any better if I did. Besides, my magic on its own doesn’t work against you, so, it would be a moot point anyway.”

“You may as well just use the Elements of Harmony on me right now,” Discord said. “The week has barely started and I’m no better off than I was before.”

“We promised the princess we’d give reforming you a chance,” Twilight said. “I’m not 100% sure it’ll work, but, I will try. Even if only for the sake of being able to honestly say I did.”

“Besides, Discord,” Spike said. “I think there might be some good in you that even you don’t realize you have.”

Fluttershy had an idea. “Why don’t you invite everypony over for a dinner party tonight at my place?”

“That’s a great idea,” Twilight smiled.

Discord sensed an opportunity to be turned back to stone. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, it does.”

“So,” Fluttershy said. “How about we gather everypony here towards sundown? I’ll have my home tidied up and the table set. Of course, there’ll also be a wonderful meal.”

“Okay,” Spike said. “Let’s go back, mom.”

“Alright,” Twilight said. “We’ll see you later, Fluttershy. See you later, Discord.” On the way back, she whispered to Spike, “I imagine Rainbow won’t take well to this.”

“So do I,” Spike whispered back. “Knowing her, she’ll be the first one to act aggressive, which will prove Discord’s point.”

“Right,” Twilight whispered. “But, we all have to give him a chance, Rainbow included.”

At the cottage, Discord used his powers to decorate for the party.

This will show them, he said to himself. This will show them all that I’m nothing but trouble.

At the library, Twilight and Spike explained the situation to the others.

“A dinner party?” Pinkie repeated happily. “That sounds lovely.”

“A dinner party with Discord?” Rainbow said. “I’d rather be sent to Tartarus!”

“Come on now, Rainbow,” Applejack said sternly. “Ya said ya were goin’ ta try n’ be fair ta Discord. N’ the way yer goin’ about now ain’t really bein’ fair.”

“It also shows that you don’t have any faith in Fluttershy despite everything,” Spike said.

Rainbow took this all in and she sighed heavily. “Okay,” Rainbow said. “I’ll go. But, if bad stuff does happen, I’ll try my best not to say, ‘I told you so.’”

“And the second you start getting aggressive,” Spike said. “You’ll be losing by proving Discord’s point.”

Rainbow sighed again. Spike remembered that she didn’t like the idea of losing. “I know this is rich coming from me,” she said. “But, you can play dirty sometimes.”

“Dirty or not,” Spike said. “We all had better get ready for the dinner party.”

“I believe I have a dress for just such an occasion,” Rarity said. “Though, I won’t use one of my fancier dresses in the likely event things get turbulent.”

Soon, close to sundown, Spike and the other guardians made their way towards Fluttershy’s cottage. Rainbow was still very vocal about her reservations.

“I’m doing this for the princess,” she said. “Nopony else.”

“You’ve made that abundantly clear,” Spike said dryly.

Twilight politely knocked on the front door. Discord, clad in a fancy suit, opened it.

“Ah, honored guests,” Discord said. “Please come in and make yourselves comfortable.” As he spoke, a red carpet appeared out of his mouth and rolled towards the girls and Spike before stopping and unfolding.

“Well,” Applejack said with a smile. “This here looks like a good sign.”

“See what a beautiful job he did helping to decorate?” Fluttershy called from inside. “Discord even set the entire table himself and helped with the cooking. I’m so proud of him.”

“I admit,” Rarity said, admiring the decorations. “This is lovely. I say he did a splendid job.”

Pinkie sniffed the air. “And the food smells delicious.”

Discord could see that his plan was starting to work. This’ll get me encased in stone in no time, he thought to himself.

At first dinner proceeded uneventfully for all involved. Fluttershy sat next to Discord, while the others sat across from them. They mostly occupied themselves with food and drink and said nothing to Discord.

“So, um,” Fluttershy said, trying to break the awkward silence. “Would you like gravy with your mashed potatoes, Pinkie?”

“Oh, yes, please,” Pinkie said.

“Wait,” Spike said. “Isn’t gravy sauce made from the juices of meats that run naturally during cooking?”

“This is a gravy made with mushrooms,” Fluttershy explained. “This can be digested by ponies like most of us.”

“That makes sense,” said Spike.

“Allow me,” Discord said before snapping his fingers, making the gravy boat come to life and start barking and panting like a dog. It went over to Pinkie and poured some gravy on top of her mashed potatoes.

“Good gravy boat,” Pinkie said gratefully.

“That looks more like a creepy gravy boat to me,” Rainbow said.

However, the gravy boat, still sentient, poured gravy onto Rainbow’s lap, just missing her crotch area.

“Hey!” Rainbow shouted. “That’s hot! I’m not letting some freak of nature get away with nearly making me rub my cro–” She then quickly realized what she was saying and stopped herself. “That’s starting to come out wrong.”

“So did insulting the gravy boat,” Spike said. “But, that didn’t stop you from saying it.” He then whispered to her. “Try not to make things difficult.”

“Okay,” Applejack said. “That was a little different, but, it wasn’t completely bad.”

“Whoops,” Discord said. “I’m so sorry, really! I don’t know how that could’ve happened.”

“That wasn’t your fault,” Rarity said. “It was Rainbow’s for insulting the gravy boat. Besides, the mess will get cleaned up and there is medicine to take care of any soreness. It wasn’t as if you deliberately poured the gravy onto her.”

“I wasn’t born yesterday,” Rainbow protested. “He did that on purpose!”

“Why, yes, I did,” Discord said, feigning a defeated voice. “Guess you’ll have to turn me back to stone. It only seems fair~”

“Hmm,” Twilight said. “Something seems fishy here.”

However, a sentient soup tureen, modeled after a fish, spat soup onto Twilight.

Fluttershy immediately turned to Discord. “Discord?” she asked him.

“That was on me, too,” he said. “Though, I never counted on the soup tureen finding the term, ‘something fishy’ to be offensive.”

“Can’t you stop it?” Fluttershy asked.

“Why bother?” Discord said. “I’m already proving that I’m a menace no matter whether I do or not.”

The soup tureen targeted Rarity next. “No! Not the dress! Please, not the dress!” she insisted, but, the tureen ignored her. It splashed Rarity before turning its attention to Applejack.

“What’s goin’ on here?!” she demanded.

“I'm proving that this endeavor of yours is positively hopeless,” Discord explained plainly.

Rainbow only glared at Fluttershy as she asked her friend. “Come on, Fluttershy! Even you can’t be this ignorant! Can’t you see what he’s doing right now?! He’s playing innocent with you so that you’ll agree to never use the Elements of Harmony against him!” Before she had a chance to get a response, she was splashed by the soup tureen.

“Incorrect,” Discord said. “I’m trying to get you to use the Elements of Harmony on me.”

Rainbow placed a container over the soup tureen to stop its splashing spree. Then, she looked at Discord with clear confusion on her face. “What?” she said. “You want us to use the Elements of Harmony on you?”

“Yes!” Discord exclaimed. “I know you’ll never see me as anything more than a monster! That’s why I’m causing all of this chaos here, to prove that you’re right! Maybe I’d rather be turned to stone again than suffer prejudice!” This caught the others all off-guard as tears of sorrow welled in Discord’s eyes and his voice slowly started breaking as he continued his breakdown. “You’re all just like those ponies who judged me millennia ago! I didn’t ask to be born! I didn’t ask to get torn apart and put back together over and over again! All so I could suffer from judgmental cretins like you! If ponies will only see me as a villain for causing mayhem or a freak of nature, what’s the point in trying to be anything else?!”

The others listened to Discord’s words. Rainbow especially took this in. The word “Smarty Pants” appeared on her foreleg. She suddenly realized what she had been doing and felt ashamed. Before any of them had a chance to process this, Angel burst into the room, prompting an eye roll from Spike.

“What’s wrong, Angel?” Fluttershy asked, noticing the worried expression on his face. Angel squeaked and chattered, Fluttershy listening intently. Fluttershy gasped. “Flooding at Sweet Apple Acres?!” Angel nodded. “A colony of beavers just moved in and built a massive dam there!” Fluttershy told the others.

“I don’t remember making any beavers behave that way,” Discord said.

“AJ?” Rainbow asked the farm mare.

“He ain’t lyin’,” Applejack said. “Sorry ta cut this party short, but, we got ta take care o’ this!”

“I’m going to go to Sweet Apple Acres and get to the bottom of this,” Fluttershy said. “Hopefully it’s just a misunderstanding.”

So, Spike, the guardians, and Discord hurried off to Sweet Apple Acres to see the farm flooded, the entire orchard was covered with water thanks to the massive dam of sticks the beavers had set up. Fortunately, the Apple family was unharmed. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, and Big Macintosh were all floating in an upside down umbrella, surveying the damage. The lead beaver, Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth, chattered orders to the others to keep the dam rising higher. Had one looked closer at him, they would have seen that Mr. Beaverton’s eyes were a fiery red.

“Try explaining this,” Rainbow said to Discord.

“I swear,” Discord said. “I don’t know why this is happening. Though, from the looks of things, it’s possible that I might have unknowingly caused it.”

Fluttershy tried reasoning with the beavers. “Beavers, please!” she said. “You must stop this dam. I know you’re not too fond of running water and would prefer the stream to be a pond, but, because of all of this water, the Apple family’s trees will be overwatered.” While some of the beavers made an effort to listen, the lead one protested. “What do you mean, ‘don’t tell me what to do?’ What do you mean, ‘this is all my fault?!’ Was this because I scolded you earlier? Okay, I understand your feelings and I’m very sorry, but, you can’t blame someone else for your actions.” Soon, it became apparent that he wouldn’t listen. “Mr. Beaverton won’t listen to me like the other beavers are,” she said, worry present in her voice. She saw Rainbow approach her and quickly snapped. “Yes, Rainbow, I know Discord has something to do with this! Do you all really think I’m some silly, gullible fool?!”

“See~?” Discord said. “Even when I denied that I had anything to do with this, I’m still directly responsible for all sorts of trouble!”

“For the record,” Spike said. “I didn’t think that.”

Fluttershy decided to drop the issue, convinced she’d made her point. “I’ve just been trying to gain his friendship any way I can, so, he’d come to trust and listen to me and I feel I’ve done that!” she explained. “That’s been my plan all along!”

Discord was surprised by this. “You really think of me as a friend?” he asked.

“Of course,” Fluttershy said, a kind smile on her face. “I enjoyed hearing of your stories earlier today during tea and I still appreciate the fact that you saved me when Mr. Beaverton tried to attack earlier. Though, I still don’t know what got into him.”

“Ahh!” Rarity yelped, looking at Mr. Beaverton Beaverteeth with her Mystic Eyes. “There’s a nasty bug on him!”

Discord magicked the beaver into his lion paw and plucked the insect, leaving Mr. Beaverteeth dazed and confused before Discord dropped him and hung his head in defeat. With his magic, he was able to restore Sweet Apple Acres back to its normal state, leaving the Apple Family and the other beavers safe and sound.

“That was my handiwork,” Discord said. “This Corruptermite****** was plucked from my ear and thrown away. It landed on that beaver. Go ahead and turn me back into stone. Afterwards, smash me with a sledgehammer.”

The guardians heard Discord’s words and looked at each other. After thinking it over, they removed their Elements of Harmony and set them aside carefully.

“You might be an a-hole,” Rainbow said. “But, we don’t kill.”

“N’ regardless o’ what ya did ‘fore,” Applejack said. “Ya did stop the lead beaver n’ put mah farm back ta where it’s s’possed ta be. That ain’t a reason ta kill.”

“That was one good deed,” Discord said. “That doesn’t make up for the things I did.”

“Intervening when Mr. Beaverteeth tried to attack me was another good deed,” Fluttershy said.

“It was my fault he tried to attack you in the first place,” Discord said. “Face it. I’m always going to be a bad guy. Even if it’s for things I’m not directly responsible for, I still cause trouble. How can anypony forgive me for that?”

Fluttershy stepped up. She extended her hoof out gently towards him and began to sing.

“It starts with sorry~
That’s your hoof in the door~
One simple sorry~
Spoken from your core~

The path to forgiveness is a twisting trail of hearts~
But, sorry is where it starts~”

Discord, whether he realized it or not, began to sing along.

“Who could forgive a monster like me~?
I don’t deserve your amnesty~”

Applejack and Rainbow then joined in.

“Some might just hurt him~
Lose and desert him away~”

Fluttershy sung sheepishly.

“Um, some might,
Some might not.”

Applejack and Rainbow chimed in again.

“Only some~”

Fluttershy took over again.

“But, who hasn't been in his place?

It starts with sorry~”

“Sorry~” Discord chimed.

“Dig down deeper and say one sincere sorry~” Fluttershy resumed.

“I’m so sorry~” Discord sang.

“And your journey's underway~” Fluttershy continued.

For the last part of the song, Fluttershy and Discord sang together.

“It’ll take time to cover your/my vast multitude of pains,
But sorry is where it begins
It starts with sorry~”*******

At the end of the week, Princess Celestia arrived. Spike, the guardians, and Discord met up with her, the latter having an apologetic look on his face. He bravely took a deep breath.

“Princess Celestia,” he said. “I’m very sorry for all of the trouble I caused in the past.”

“And I’m sorry for turning my back on you,” Princess Celestia apologized. “I should have been there for you when you needed my help.”

“I guess you’ll be taking the Elements of Harmony back to Canterlot?” Twilight asked.

“No,” Celestia said. “After the Changelings invasion, I’ve learned it’s best not to leave them under the watch of the overwhelming number of incompetent guards.********”

“Shall we lock the monster in the dungeon and throw away the key?” an incompetent clone guard said.

“No,” Celestia answered flatly. “I can sense goodness in Discord and that will not be necessary. If you show further discrimination against him, you will be charged with treason. That goes for all the guards. Do I make myself clear?”

The guard trembled at this. “Perfectly, your majesty.”

“Hey, Discord?” Rainbow said. “I’m sorry for being so mean to you before. I guess when trying to make a bad guy good, I was a good pony being bad myself.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Discord said. “You didn’t resort to stabbing me so much, I could be used as a soup collinder.”

“And I’m not going to either,” Rainbow said. “I can’t believe ponies were that violent back then.”

“Well, they also thought leeches were a legitimate medical treatment, so…” Discord said.

“Anyway,” Twilight said. “You were right when you said that Fluttershy would be perfect to help reform Discord. She got to know him better at her cottage and, by treating him as a friend, realized that friendship can be helpful towards him.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she became an alicorn herself,” Rarity said.

“Were that to happen,” Celestia said. “She would have to learn the basics of unicorn magic, starting with magic kindergarten.”

“Even then,” Fluttershy admitted. “I don’t think I could handle the pressures of royalty. I have plenty of responsibilities already with all the animals in my cottage.”

“That’s true,” Spike said. “Especially Angel.”

“But,” Fluttershy added. “I’ll still do what I can to help my friends should they need it.” She gently held Discord’s lion paw. “Especially you, Discord.” Discord couldn’t help but smile at this.

Celestia looked proudly at Twilight. She really is proving herself day after day, she thought to herself. Twilight accomplished her task without worrying about failing me. Now, I have faith she can succeed where I failed regardless of what Luna or Cadance say. Just as Sterling predicted.

End of chapter.

Author's Note

Here's the next chapter.

*I realized that when writing this.

**An excellent point.

***Yes, it's a Hazbin Hotel song parody, sue me.

****How many of you caught that?

*****He's right.

******Name idea by Blake.

*******Yes, it's another Hazbin Hotel song parody, sue me.

********Legit reason.

Sorry for not using your dialogue ideas, Comickook.

If you liked this chapter, feel free to contact me via private messages if you'd like to help make future chapters.