Chapter 19

"Apologizing to Equestria"

In the days following Tirek's public execution in Canterlot, Discord had been thinking of a way to let Equestria know that he was truly sorry for betraying them and joining Tirek's side. Despite the fact that Scorpan's medallion was the final key that enabled Twilight and her friends to defeat Tirek, Discord was still a wanted criminal and feared that he could end up like Tirek, savagely executed for his crimes against the equines that he swore to protect. Finally having thought of a way, Discord arrived at Twilight's castle one night and sat in her throne room with what appeared to be a series of reporters for local newspapers from all over Equestria.

"They need to know, Princess Twilight," said Discord, who was now wearing the tuxedo he wore for Fluttershy's dinner party a while back. "It's the only way."

Twilight, who was very surprised to be hosting a series of mares and colts by the hundreds, decided to agree with Discord on the matter.

"I know it is, Discord," she replied, adjusting her crown and wings. "If you don't want to end up like Tirek, then you have to apologize."

Just then, a Discord lookalike beckoned to him and Discord knew that the time had come for him to make his apologies known. As Discord was about to sit on Twilight's throne, Fluttershy came in and stood next to Twilight.

"How do you think he will do, Twilight?" asked Fluttershy, looking over to her. "He looks nervous to be speaking about what he had done."

"I just don't know how everypony is going to react to this," replied Twilight. "All I can say is not everypony is going to forgive him for what he did with Tirek. But, there are some ponies who will listen and that would mean more to Discord than anything in Equestria."

"Well, we certainly listened," remarked Fluttershy as the reporters began to circle around Discord. "And I bet they will listen."

At that moment, a lookalike called for silence and another lookalike rolled out a large camera and pointed it directly at Discord as he sat there, looking posh and professional like a member of Equestrian society. Discord then cleared his throat and put on a pair of glasses as he began to speak.

"To all of Equestria," he began, as the reporters began to take down what he had to say. "I speak to you tonight to say that from the bottom of my chaotic heart, I want to say that I am greatly sorry for what I have done to all of you. I knew better than to betray you over to Tirek who, with my help, was able to absorb the magic of Earth, Unicorns and Pegasus ponies alike. You must also understand that Tirek had also managed to absorb my own magic as well and it was that moment that I had realized of the grave mistake I had made."

Several reporters had gasped at this, not knowing that Tirek had absorbed Discord's own magic and took that down along with the rest of what he had to say.

"I understand also that some of you want to destroy me as a result of my betrayal," continued Discord, as the reporters fell silent again. "But, there is something that you need to know: I was so depressed over my actions against you and had planned to turn myself to permanent stone with the magic from the tree of harmony. I had looked into a magic mirror of mine and saw groups of ponies planning to hunt me down and destroy me the same way as Lord Tirek was destroyed in Canterlot. I was about to finish myself off, but several dear friends of mine, who are also my family, stopped me and told me that they could never live without me."

Both Fluttershy and Twilight had tears forming in their eyes as Discord recalled that moment when they were at the tree of harmony.

"And I say this to you," continued Discord. "Violence like what had been done on Tirek is never the answer to any problems that come up in Equestria. By observing the recent events with Tirek, I learned that the only way to talk things out. If you ended up destroying me like Tirek, then the pains of Tirek's time in Equestria would only get worse instead of better. Some of you may still want to kill me, but I want you to remember something: I want you to look at yourselves in the mirror and say to your reflection 'Do you think that I am doing the right thing?' Then you will see that you are making the wrong mistake, as I had done. I thought that being friends with Tirek was the right thing, but I was wrong and from now on, I will be friends with the first friends I had ever made."

Fluttershy began to sob quietly as Twilight pulled her closer with one of her wings in an effort to hug her. Twilight was also close to crying as well as the tears began to fill her eyes.

"In conclusion," finished Discord. "Tirek is just one evil creature of Equestria that will not stop and nothing to gain the magic that you possess. If I am tasked with hunt down an escapee of Tartarus or any other prison, I will not defer and I will stay true to the lessons that all of you have taught me since my reformation. As of right now, I will no longer use my magic for evil and I will use my magic strictly for good for the preservation of this great land that is now my home. I thank you for giving me a chance of being one of you and may Celestia and Luna have mercy on us all."

Discord let out a long heavy sigh as the reporters began to leave the throne room and Discord erased all his magic that he had used to make his apology known. Once they were all gone, only him, Twilight and Fluttershy remained as Fluttershy ran over to hug her friend tightly.

"I'm proud of you for saying you're sorry," she said happily. "You did the right thing."

"Yes I did, Fluttershy," replied Discord, hugging her tightly. "Yes I did."