Why Discord Never Went Bad in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'

When discussing the character of Discord in 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic', one cannot help but wonder why he never corrupted the remaining elements he needed to control Equestria. Given his history of manipulating and even destroying elements of power, why did he show no further interest in doing so?

Discord and the Mane Six

Discord is first introduced as a power-hungry villain determined to obtain the Elements of Harmony to control Equestria. He succeeded in tricking Princess Cadance and other important ponies to obtain three of the six elements - kindness, honesty, and loyalty. This accomplishment, however, was not enough to fulfill his ultimate goal. He still needed to obtain the remaining elements of joy, magic, and harmony.

When attempting to steal the Elements of Harmony, it could be argued that Discord’s chances of success seemed grim. The Mane Six, the ponies who wield the elements, were much tougher to corrupt, as they each had their unique personality traits and values that made it nearly impossible for Discord to sway them to his side. Fluttershy, with her strong faith in harmony and her pacifist nature, was especially resistant to his manipulations.

Discord’s Inner Motivations

But why was Discord so content with the status quo, with just the Mane Six in his thrall? Could it be that he found joy in his current predicament? Perhaps his twisted nature didn’t require him to corrupt the rest of Equestria, and he derived satisfaction from outsmarting those who stood in his way. He was already the ruler of chaos and the chaotic element, after all; he might have seen no point in exerting further efforts to control the elements and potentially making his plans more complicated.

Additionally, Discord was inherently chaotic, and his nature aligned with eliminating the elements rather than using them. The elements, which symbolize order and balance, would not have fit with Discord’s chaotic personality. In his mind, the elements and his chaotic nature were at odds, and he made a decision not to pursue aligning them. As the chaos element, Discord might have been satisfied with his role as the disrupter and maintainer of balance.

The Role of the Elements

The Elements of Harmony are pieces of magic that represent the core values of Equestria. While they can be used to maintain peace and order, they are also fragile and can be corrupted if they fall into the wrong hands. The Mane Six, with their combined might, were both formidable and resilient against Discord even after losing the Elements of Harmony to him. This further reinforces the idea that Discord had no interest in corrupting the rest of the elements. Doing so would have only made his ultimate plan more dangerous and complicated, something he was known to avoid.

Furthermore, the story of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic' often revolves around the idea that friends can overcome even the greatest of challenges. Discord’s plan to corrupt the elements and take over Equestria was thwarted not by conventional military might, but by the love, trust, and teamwork of the Mane Six. This narrative theme underscores the idea that the friends are far more powerful and valuable than any single element or villain’s corruption.

Join the Discussion

Do you have your own theories about why Discord didn’t go bad and try to corrupt the rest of the Elements of Harmony? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more discussions on the magical world of My Little Pony!