//------------------------------//
// Road Trip Part Three: Apples to the Core 
// Story: Chaos and Harmony 
// by MLP Fangirl 
//------------------------------//

After leaving Los Pegasus, the group had traveled to several different cities including Dodge Junction, New Mexicolt, and Tampa Neigh. Discord had never had so much fun. The Mexicoltans even gave him a sombrero, which he hadn't taken off since they left. This road trip was one of the best ideas he ever had. Their next stop was Appleloosa which was the home to Applejack's cousin Braeburn. Applejack was really looking forward to it.
"Hoo boy, I can't wait to see Braeburn!" exclaimed Applejack. "I haven't see him since we helped resolve their problems with the buffalo."
"Yah! We haven't seen him since Season One! Well, you saw him last season when you had the Apple Family Reunion. I don't think I had any lines in that episode. In fact, none of us did except for Applejack. Crazy, huh?" Pinkie responded jubilantly. Everyone looked at her weirdly. "What? Is there something on my face?" No one answered.
"Ahem, Your Highness. We are approaching Appleloosa." Steel Blade announced. 
"Finally. I thought we'd never get there. I bet we could've gotten here a lot quicker if you had gone faster. Seriously, who trains you royal guards?" Rainbow said, exasperated. Since there were four pegasi in the group, Aurora and Steel Blade decided to rotate with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Aurora was lounging back in the carriage. "I know how you feel, RD. Unfortunately Mr. Stubbornhooves here is too concerned for the passengers' wellbeing. Honestly Steel Blade, can you name me one time where one of our passengers got hurt?" 
"It may not have happened before, but that doesn't mean it never can. I took an oath when I joined the royal guard promising to keep Equestria's citizens safe. I take that very seriously. You should too," Steel Blade reprimanded.
"Ugh, why'd I have to be partnered up with you? Never mind. Twilight, we're about to land," Aurora reminded.
"Right. Discord, could you please wake up the others? GENTLY, please! I have to fly ahead to announce our arrival." The purple alicorn flew out of the carriage with Aurora following closely behind her.
Discord gently touched the sleeping ponies' heads with his talon, and they began to stir. "Attention, passengers. We are arriving at Applelossa. Please gather your belongings and kindly wake up from your slumber. If you don't, I'll be forced to use extreme measures." He announced comically, holding a bugle horn in his paw.
"Discord! Don't even think about it!" Rarity yelled.
" Yah, some of us enjoy being able to hear," Spike remarked.
"I was only kidding. Besides, you're up," Discord joked.
The chariot arrived on the ground. Earth ponies all around came to greet them with Braeburn at the head.
"Hey there, cuz'! Nice to see ya'll. Welcome back to Aaaappleloosa! Princess Twilight and the mare Pegasus are over there talkin' to the Sheriff."
"It's great to see you too, Braeburn. In case you forget their names, this here's Rarity, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Steel Blade, and Discord." Applejack introduced. Braeburn was silent for a little bit.
"THE Discord? As in, lord of chaos Discord?" The earth pony asked with a slight quiver in his voice.
Discord let out a sigh. "The very same. However, those events are all in the past now. I have been reformed and no longer wish to take over Equestria. It is such a lovely country full of friendly, innocent ponies. I have no desire to hurt them." The ponies of Appleloosa looked at each other unsure. 
Twilight saw this and calmly spoke up,"I know you all have your doubts. I don't blame you for having any. But if my word means anything in Equestria, then you can trust me when I say that Discord has changed. He hasn't caused any major chaos in months. He's gained the friendship of myself and the Element Bearers. That should be proof enough. But if you still are unsure, I think Discord would be more than willing to prove himself." Twilight looked over at the dranconeques with a tender smile.
"Princess Twilight is right. If any of you need help with anything, just let me know and I'll lend you a paw." Discord literally took his paw off and offered it to Braeburn, which caused everypony to laugh. Twilight could sense that these ponies were already warming up to the mischievous spirit. She gave him a wink which he returned.
Later that day, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Spike went to see how their buffalo friend Little Strongheart was doing. Steel Blade accompanied them to ensure their safety. That left Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Aurora, Twilight, and Discord to explore the town. Braeburn was taking them to see the apple orchards which looked just as great as last time.
"Wow, Braeburn! No wonder you're related to Applejack. The orchard looks amazing!" Rarity complimented.
"Thanks. We Apples put a lot of effort into making these apple trees grow up big and healthy." Braeburn replied.
"How are things with the buffalo? Are you still getting along?" Fluttershy inquired.
"Oh, we're gettin' along jus' fine. Chief Thunderhooves and Sheriff Silverstar have become good friends. As long as we provide them with fresh pies every week and stay out of their way, they won't bother us a bit." Braeburn answered.
" Wait one chaotic minute! You mean to tell me that you and the buffalo resolved your territorial disputes over apple pie?" Discord was shocked. The ponies had told him what had happened in Appleloosa, but they never mentioned how it was resolved. Discord had assumed they signed a treaty or something, but pies?
"Crazy, I know. But as my ma always says, ' Don't question yer blessings.' We could be having weekly arguments that wouldn't end very well with them. Thankfully, all we have to do is bake 'em pies."
"Hey! There's Bloomberg! Look at ya. You've grown up into a beautiful apple tree with ripe apples, too. Mama's so proud of you," Applejack cooed as she ran to the tree.
Discord looked at her like she was crazy. "Uh, is AJ okay?"
"Oh, she's fine. Bloomberg is her favorite tree. When we came here to transport Bloomberg to this orchard, Applejack had rented a private train car just for the tree. THE TREE! I've heard of TLC, but that's going a little overboard," Rarity scoffed.
"Well, it just shows how much Applejack cares. They may be trees, but it's also her special talent. It was her destiny to run Sweet Apple Acres. She should put a lot of care into her trees." Twilight remarked.
"I can totally relate to Applejack. I may be a royal guard, but protecting ponies isn't my special talent. Whenever I'm on break, I take out my drawing pad and begin drawing," Aurora put in.
"If that's the case, I have to apologize to her for enlarging her apples when I first broke free," Discord remembered.
As they were walking, Discord noticed a little colt trying to reach an apple. The little colt couldn't quite reach it. Discord could. He flew over to the little colt.
"Discord, where are you going?" Twilight asked. She didn't get a verbal answer. They all noticed Discord had wandered over to the distressed foal.
"Hey, there little guy. Whatcha' need?" Discord asked.
"I-I-I want that golden apple way up there. But I can't reach it," The little colt whimpered.
" I can get it for you," Discord snapped his lion paw, and the apple grew legs and hopped down to the young foal.
"WOW! That was amazing! Thanks, Mr. Discord."
"It's just Discord and you're welcome, um, I didn't catch your name." Discord realized.
"I'm Appleseed. I've never seen an apple sprout legs before. No wonder you're the Master of Chaos. I have to find my mom. Thanks again," With that, Appleseed ran away.
The others were clearly impressed by Discord. Braeburn couldn't believe it. Discord had helped out a young colt. DISCORD. Maybe Princess Twilight was right. He had changed.
"That was really sweet of you, Discord." Fluttershy remarked.
"Why'd you do that?" Applejack wondered.
"The little guy needed help. I couldn't walk past him without doing anything. He's a nice kid." Discord caught a faint glimpse of the little foal he had assisted.
"Nice kid indeed. Appleseed's my nephew. You helped out a family member. Yer not so bad after all," Braeburn replied truthfully.
Discord's face lit up with a smile. He swiftly extended his arms and embraced everypony in a group hug. A few were hesitant but eventually accepted it. Twilight was especially proud.
A few hours later, the others had returned and were caught up on the day's events. All of them were surprised that Discord had actually helped somepony.
"Wow, Dissy! You helped out a little colt. I ought to give you a great big hug," Pinkie exclaimed.
"That's okay , Pinkie. A simple 'good job' will suffice." Discord politely declined.
"I bet you never would have even considered helping somepony when you were ruling Equestria." Rainbow Dash remarked.
"Rainbow!--"
"It's okay, Twilight. Rainbow is right. I would never had considered helping anybody when I was evil. But since then, I've realized that helping others can actally make you feel good."
"That is why I joined the guard," Steel Blade replied," Protecting and helping ponies is a job that may be risky at times, but it is all worth it in the end."
"What about the ponies who don't need any protection? You know, the ponies who we've been escorting around Equestria? They can handle themselves. They are super powerful, and they really don't need us," Aurora retorted.
"Must we get into this now?" Steel Blade groaned.
"Twilight, can I go to bed? I spent two hours playing tag with the kid buffalos. I'm pooped," Spike said with a yawn.
"That's a great idea, Spike. We've all had a busy day, and we'll need energy for tomorrow. Let's turn in." Everypony went to their appointed rooms and went to sleep almost immediately. Discord fell fast asleep as well knowing that tomorrow would be just as good or even better than today.