Discord arrives in Ponyville to meet up with Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. They are going to the lake today. For the past two weeks, Discord has been engaging more with everypony except Applejack. Discord is unable to see eye-to-eye with her. Also, Applejack has been distancing herself from Discord. She feels that Discord is a heartless monster who won't help even though she never helped him reform, let alone apologize. Pinkie Pie made her amends with Discord by throwing him a party of Friendship. Twilight and Spike are the first to greet Discord in Ponyville.
"Hey, Discord," Twilight and Spike said.
"Hello, Twilight, Spike. How are you two doing?"
"I'm doing good, Discord," Spike replies.
"I'm good, Discord. Princess Celestia sent me an equation that Starswirl the Bearded worked on years ago but abandoned it. I'm planning on solving the equation after the hangout. I was going to do it last night but, I figured after the hangout, I'll get to it. I didn't want to miss a hangout day with my new best friend."
Discord smiles a bit. Understanding that Twilight has already called him a friend but giving him the title best friend was a bit too soon. He couldn't help that Twilight is up to something but, reading her eyes say otherwise.
"It's only been two weeks, Twilight. Calling me your best friend, is a bit too early, no?"
"Well, with a deity like you who is available more often than the Princesses, I don't see why not to call you my best friend."
"Right," Discord shrugs it off. "What equation did Celestia sent you?"
"Something about marks and destiny. I didn't cast the spell but, just read it out loud. To get an idea of what the spell's meaning."
"I'll wish you luck in that department, Twilight."
Rarity and Rainbow Dash arrives. Rainbow has a beach ball and a beach chair on her and, Rarity has her beach chair, umbrella, and blanket.
"Hey, Discord," Rainbow and Rarity said.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash. Hey, Rarity," Discord responds.
"So, Pinkie Pie will be waiting for us at the lake. She'll be setting up the party there," Rainbow said, giving the status to everyone.
"Fluttershy should be here in a few minutes or so. She is talking with Applejack," Rarity said.
"I assume Fluttershy is trying to convince Applejack to join us?" Discord ask.
"Yes. We've been trying to urge Applejack to let bygones be bygones but, her grudge and stubbornness have gotten the better of her."
"Applejack considers you to be a heartless monster who wouldn't help her find or bring Apple Bloom to her," Rainbow states.
"As I mentioned, during the time I was rude, what has happened with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo, it's not in my place to clean that mess up. It's not in my place to interfere unless it's problematic to all of Equestria. I can only say if they are alright or not."
"Are they alright, Discord?" Rarity sincerely asks.
"Yes," Discord replies with sympathy. "Your sister and her friends are alright. I will say it is best to move on and let them be."
Rarity and Rainbow Dash shook their head after hearing that.
"After what we've done, we can't let them go. We need to make things right. We'll continue to look for them," Rarity said.
"As your friend, I urge you to let them go. "
Rainbow and Rarity give Discord a different look. A look of determination. There is nothing that'll change their minds. Discord sees it and sighs. He can say that he tried to warn them.
"Well, at least I warn you."
"Why are you suggesting them to let them go, Discord?" Twilight question out of curiosity.
Discord turns to Twilight. "It is for the best to move on, Twilight. The longer you hold onto the past, the stronger it has over you."
Rarity and Rainbow Dash ignored what Discord had to say to Twilight. They are determined to make amends with the CMC. They will not give up until they see them. No matter the cost.
"I'll keep what you said in mind, Discord. It will be helpful advice in friendship."
"Good Twilight. Perhaps, that advice can help your friends."
"Our friends, Discord," Twilight said firmly.
"Applejack is not my friend," Discord retorts. "She will never be my friend with the attitude she has for me."
"Well, we can make all sorts of new friends so you can claim them as yours as well, Discord."
"Sure," Discord answers with his eyes closed and arms crossed.
Fluttershy arrives. She looks displeased and distressed with her head down.
"Hey, Fluttershy. Something wrong?" Discord asks, opening his eyes and turning to Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy has tears in her eyes when she looks at Discord.
"Oh, Discord. I tried my best to bring Applejack. She refused to come until you are gone. I tried to persuade Applejack into starting a new with you but, her face tells me otherwise. I've never seen so much hate coming from her. I can feel it, Discord. Applejack hates you with all of her heart."
"Go figure," Discord said as he hugs his best friend.
The girls joined in a group hug. After a while, Discord snaps his claw to spawn a box of tissues for Fluttershy to use. She wipes her eyes and relaxes. After a few minutes of recollecting herself, the gang decides to head to the lake now.
At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack is bucking more trees for apples in anger. She has drawings of Discord's face on each tree to kick harder. Big Mac and Granny Smith tried their best to give Discord a chance. Applejack gives them her death stare for mentioning Discord during their conversations. Big Mac worries that Applejack is walking on a dangerous path with the hate she has for Discord. Applejack bucks down another tree in her anger. For the past two weeks, Applejack has bucked down forty trees. She works extra hours to plant new apple seeds for the trees to grow back.
The entire Apple Family decides to visit Applejack. Granny Smith wrote letters about Applejack's current mood. Hopefully, being surrounded by the family will help her ease tensions within her. Braeburn trots to Applejack to have a discussion.
"Howdy, Cousin Applejack. How are you holding up?" Braeburn asks cautiously.
"Fine. Why are you here, Braeburn?"
"The family has come to see you, cousin. We are worried about you."
"Go home. I am perfectly fine," Applejack responds sternly.
"You don't sound fine with me, cuz. You sound angry and distressed."
"Do I look angry and distressed?!" Applejack glares at Braeburn. Her face is red as an apple.
"Yes, you do. You are lying to yourself," Braeburn answers calmly.
"Hah, that's a new one."
"Cuz, you are lying to yourself. You are hurt. I understand that."
"You don't understand! No pony understands what I'm going through and who I'm dealing with!"
"Cuz, talk to me. Let me help-" Braeburn is cut off by Applejack.
"NO!" Applejack angrily shouts. "The only way you can help is by telling Discord to bring my sister to me, if you can't do that then, you are useless to me!"
"Applejack..," Braeburn is speechless. He watches Applejack trot elsewhere in the orchard. Braeburn frowns and heads to the Apple house.
Around that time, Discord, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Spike arrives at the lake. They see lots of decorations and a beach-themed party. A table with all sorts of foods, desserts, and drinks, a volleyball net set up at the side of the lake, lounge floaties in the lake, a hot tub for Spike, and pool toys for the lake. Everyone except for Discord is impressed with Pinkie's handiwork. Pinkie gazes at her friend and sees one pony missing. She frowns, knowing that Applejack refuses to come when Discord is around.
"I like the effort you put into for the hangout, Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy encouragingly said.
Pinkie Pie smiles a bit. "Thank you, Fluttershy."
"Cool hot tub, Pinkie," Spike said as he gets in and relaxes.
"Thank you, Spike," Pinkie said as her smile grows wider.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity place their beach chairs on the side. Twilight and Fluttershy grab a drink and some snacks Pinkie placed on the table. Discord puts himself into a cannon and shoots himself into the lake.
"Cannonball!" He shouts excitedly. The impact of his landing causes a wave to emerge in which Pinkie Pie surfs on her tail. Discord and Pinkie Pie have a good laugh as everypony else gets wet by the aftermath. Rarity pouts a bit for getting wet too early as the rest laugh as well.
"Do that again!" Pinkie shouts excitedly.
Discord agrees and shoots himself into the lake after getting into the cannon. Pinkie Pie rides the wave once more. Rarity uses her magic to repel the splashes as she is not ready to get wet again. Twilight gets on a lounge floaty to relax. Rarity sits down on her beach chair. Rainbow Dash flies up to a cloud and does her cannonball to match Discord's splash in the lake. She comes up short.
As everyone has fun with each other at the lake, Granny Smith is issuing a family meeting of Applejack's recent behavior.
"I know that when we all came together, it was to help Applejack find her sister and to help her change her demeanor when she went stir crazy. Now, I ask you all to help change her demeanor again," Granny said.
"Every day, Applejack draws pictures of Discord and tapes them on the trees. Her bucking is so ferocious apple trees have fallen left and right," Big Mac explains.
"I talked with Cousin Applejack earlier. I've never seen so much hatred for Discord. She's lying to herself and believing in it too. Does anypony know where Discord could be at right now?" Braeburn asks.
"He's actually at the lake with Applejack's friends as we speak. Why you asked, Braeburn?" Big Mac questions.
"Cousin Applejack told me how to help her," Braeburn looking down. "I have to get Discord to bring Apple Bloom to Applejack. Could be the only way to ease the hatred she's developed of him."
"I don't think talking with Discord will help. You can try but, I doubt it'll work," Big Mac sadly states.
Braeburn sighs heavily. "I'll try my best. Hopefully, he'll listen to reason," Braeburn leaves the Apple house. He sees Applejack bucking another apple tree down in anger. It worries him more than frightens him.
"While Braeburn has his discussion with Discord, let's try to cheer up Applejack by all means necessary," Granny said.
Everypony in the Apple house agrees and leaves the house. They ask Applejack to take a break and attend for lunch. Hopefully, to ease things up before cheering her up.
Braeburn trots to the lake. On the way there, he sees a water fight happening. He observes the water fight thoroughly. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight is one team, Discord, Pinkie, and Spike is team two. They've thrown water balloons at each other and shoot water guns at each other as well. Braeburn sees Applejack's friends having fun and not being feared by Discord. Braeburn calms himself and approaches the group. Pinkie Pie inadvertently throws a water balloon at Braeburn, knocking him down.
"Ceasefire, everypony!" Discord shouts.
Everypony stops then turn to Braeburn.
"That's mighty aiming, Pinkie Pie," Braeburn shrugs the water off.
"Oops. My apologies, Braeburn," Pinkie said.
"Braeburn? What are you doing here?" Twilight asks.
"Visiting Cousin Applejack after receiving an emergency letter from Granny Smith."
"Oh no, did something happened?" Twilight asks worrisomely.
"Nothing life-threatening. It's Applejack, though."
"Let me take a guess," Discord approaches Braeburn. Braeburn sweats a bit. "It's about Applejack's hatred towards me."
Braeburn nods. "Applejack wants her sister back. You are the only creature who can bring Apple Bloom back home. I understand that you declined in the past but, I'm asking. Can you bring Apple Bloom and her friends back home? It could be the only way to reduce Applejack's hatred. Plus, she's been using her hatred to knock the trees down."
Discord looks at Braeburn and sighs heavily. "I cannot bring Apple Bloom and her friends back home. As I stated in a harsh tone, it's not my mess to clean up. It's hers. She hasn't cleaned up my messes nor reformed me. I will put the hangout on hold to have a thorough conversation with Applejack. Hopefully, we can tone down the hatred."
Braeburn sighs heavily. "Alright, I hope for the best it can resolve her anger and hatred on you."
"We're coming too," Twilight said. The others chime in as well in terms of helping Applejack.
"Thank you," Braeburn gratefully expressed.
Braeburn leads the group to Sweet Apple Acres. On the way there, they see Applejack eating an apple fritter with her family. She has decency to eat with her family but refuses to speak. Everypony gazes at Discord when he approaches to the table. He takes a deep breath. Twilight and her friends stand aside as Discord approaches Applejack.
"Hey, Applejack."
"Discord," Applejack coldly responds. "What do you want?"
"I want to talk with you."
"So," Applejack drinks her apple cider in one chug. "You're here to bring my sister back to me?"
Discord shook his head. "No, I want to talk to you."
"There is nothing to talk about since you are refusing to help me make amends with my sister. You know, you owe us for releasing you from your stony prison. I, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity could have said no to use our element to free you but, we didn't. We hoped that after you reform, you've could have used your power to bring us our sisters back or teleport us to them. No! Instead, you neglected us from seeing Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo!"
Rarity and Rainbow Dash thought what Applejack said about using the elements to free Discord's stony prison state. However, they didn't take the time to help Fluttershy reform him. They have nothing to hold back against Discord. They accepted the terms of Discord and his new principals. They will locate Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo soon.
"It wasn't my place to clean up a regret you've made towards your sister. It wasn't in my place to clean up the mess that everypony committed in Ponyville. I'm not a genie that grants wishes. The day I reformed, I learned that not everything can be your way. You have to learn that not everything can be your way, Applejack. Otherwise, there is no balance in friendship."
"Friendship?! What the hay you know about, Friendship?!" Applejack angrily roars.
Discord takes a deep breath. "More than enough to know the principals of Friendship. Helping friends is good but, respecting the decisions is another. I apologize for my rude behavior that day last week. It was uncalled for."
"Darn right it was."
"Also, I'm not your enemy. You are, Applejack."
"How so?" Applejack glares at Discord.
"Applejack," Twilight said. She walks in front of Discord. "It is for the best to move on. The longer you hold onto the past, the stronger it has over you."
"The past?" Applejack confusingly question.
"Your hatred for Discord has blinded you from the pony you are. You are relentlessly knocking your apple trees down due to your hatred. You can't accept the reality that Discord is not at fault for making things better. It is up to us to create a better tomorrow. There are things Discord cannot do for us and, it's the right reason. We can't be selfish and use Discord however we want. We messed up for not helping our friend Fluttershy to reform Discord. There is a level of trust to build up. All except for Fluttershy failed to build trust for Discord. We're in the process of doing so, and, you should too."
"Cousin Applejack," Braeburn steps up. "We are worried about your well-being. You've been lying to yourself and believing in it. You have a vendetta against Discord. It's time to let go of the hatred. Start anew with Discord and build something greater. If Apple Bloom were to see you now, how you think she's going to react?"
Applejack punches Braeburn in frustration and anger. "How dare you ask me that?!" Applejack looks down at Braeburn. He has a bloody nose. Discord uses his magic to alter Applejack's mind into seeing Apple Bloom instead of Braeburn. Applejack's eyes widen in horror. She steps back. Braeburn has some tears in his eyes. Applejack couldn't stop seeing Apple Bloom tearing up.
"Wh-What have I... Wh-What have I..." Applejack starts shaking. Discord uses his magic to manipulate Applejack's mind a bit more to see the error of her ways. Her hatred caused her family member to shed blood. Applejack apologizes immediately. She kept apologizing over and over, but, mentions Apple Bloom's name. Everypony around Discord is, caught by surprise. Twilight looks at Discord and, he sends her a telepathic message.
"Forgive me, Twilight. I've altered Applejack's vision and mind into seeing Apple Bloom instead of Braeburn. I'm hoping this turns out for the better. Please, do not let anypony know of this."
"Alright, I'll keep my mouth shut. I hate to keep secrets away from my friends."
"Thank you, Twilight."
Applejack hugs Braeburn and continues to apologize. She promises to start things all over, not allowing anger to possess her again and to change herself for the better. When Applejack rubs her eyes, Discord lifts his magic, allowing Applejack to see Braeburn.
"Applejack, are you alright?" Braeburn asks.
Applejack took deep breathes to calm herself then sees Braeburn with a bloody nose. She couldn't tell if her mind was playing tricks on her. Right now, she sees the error of her ways. Her anger cause a relative to bleed.
"I'm sorry.., Braeburn," Applejack lowers her head.
"It's okay, Applejack."
"No, it's not. I allowed my anger to get the better of me. I allowed my anger to possess me like a puppet," Applejack looks around at the worried faces of her friends and family. She looks at Discord for a moment then looks the other way. She still has strong feelings against him but she needs time to recover. "Excuse me," Applejack pardons herself.
Discord spawns a first-aid kit for Braeburn to use for his bloody nose.
"Thanks, Discord."
"You're welcome. I think we should let Applejack be for a while."
"Agreed," Braeburn said, speaking for the entire Apple family present.
Three days later, Discord arrives in Ponyville. He decides to check on Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres. On the way there, he sees Applejack by the clubhouse. He observes as Applejack is holding onto the ribbon that Apple Bloom would wear inside the clubhouse.
"Hey, Applejack."
"Howdy, Discord..," Applejack sadly and tiredly said.
"How are you holding up?"
"Better, I guess. I haven't knocked down any apple trees in a while. Why are you here, Discord?"
"You are Fluttershy's friend. She and the rest worry about you. I know you don't like me but, understand what I have to say-" Applejack cuts off Discord.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for how I behaved and treated you. I took your advice and Twilight to heart. I accepted what Braeburn and the rest of the Apple family had to say of me. I was lying to myself. I was an angered possessed pony. I was selfish. I'm a monster. I didn't listen to my sister when she came to chat with my brother and me months ago. I didn't take the time to talk with her. Big Mac and I pushed her away. It was wrong for me to use you like a genie. I didn't care about you but, now I do."
"You do?" Discord responds in curiosity.
"Yes. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and the Princesses trust you. I want to make amends and earn your friendship."
Discord is reading Applejack's eyes. He sees that Applejack is telling the truth.
"Are you sure you want to make amends and work your way up to be my friend or, are you going to use me to get what you want?" Discord asks as he crosses his arms.
Without hesitation, Applejack talk. "I want to be your friend. I want to make amends and start a new chapter in my life. I can't hold on to the past any longer. I need to move forward. By taking the first step to a brighter future, I need to start with you."
Discord smiles. "Alright, I'll accept your friendship, Applejack. It's going to be a long road. I think you'll manage."
The two embrace in a hug, Discord sees a powerful essence leaving Applejack's body. The hatred that Applejack once had is now gone. Discord sighs in relief. The two stop hugging each other.
"Well, I better head back to the farm. I have to finish planting for the new apple trees to replace the ones I've knocked down."
"Need some help, Applejack?"
"Yes."
Discord and Applejack work together in planting the apple trees all over Sweet Apple Acres. The two work all day. Throughout the day, they talk and get to know more about each other. Applejack learns that Discord follows different protocols in Equestria now that he's reformed. He is allowed to spread his chaos when needed. Discord mentions that Apple Bloom and her friends are alright but urges Applejack to let them be. Applejack, now rejuvenated, ignores Discord. She is determined to find Apple Bloom on her own. Discord said at least I tried to warn you. After the day ends, Discord tells Applejack that he'll be arriving in Ponyville in two weeks for a hangout session with the girls. Applejack accepts the invite. Discord opens a door heading back home as Applejack trots to the Apple house.
On the way back to the Apple house, the Apple family surprise Applejack with an Apple Family reunion.
"We understand how you are feeling as of late, Cousin Applejack. We want to show you that we still love you and support you. Someday, we will find our sister of the family," Everypony agrees.
"Thank you for showing me the error of my ways. I promise to each of you that I won't allow my anger and hatred to possess me like a puppet ever again. We will find Apple Bloom. I will never stop searching for her."
The Apple family parties all night long at Sweet Apple Acres. The turning point in Applejack's new chapter in life starting smoothly. Someday soon, Applejack will try to reunite herself with Apple Bloom and make amends. She will make things right with Rainbow Dash and Rarity.