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// Chapter 17: The Course of Action 
// Story: The Curse of Discord 
// by Creative Charmer 
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In a literal flash, the ponies, Spike, and Discord arrived at the center of Ponyville, and upon arriving they took horrified notice of Bedlam’s quick work with the town.
Buildings were floating around, some even in pieces with ponies still stuck inside them; the town’s fountain was spewing fire all around it, torching anyone and anything that came too near; flowers had grown sharp teeth and uprooted themselves from the ground to chase unfortunate ponies around and attempt to bite them all; inanimate objects like carts, chairs, tables, and more had come to life and were stampeding around town, trampling each and everything they came across; bridges had stretched up into the air and became twisted and warped while ponies were still walking on them, and so much more—it was complete, unmitigated chaos for the entirety of Ponyville. There was no direction one could look without seeing some form of chaos: not even the sky, which was nothing but constant thunderstorms, spreading rain and blasting lightning down at anything the bolts could find—but that wasn’t the only thing seen up there.
Floating high up above the town, Bedlam had reconstructed town hall into a giant throne for her to sit upon and observe the mayhem she found so desirable to produce. Though nobody could see it, Bedlam smiled a wicked smile, casting her gaze to the disarray going on below, feeling ever so gleeful.
“It hasn’t even been 5 minutes since I’ve been here, but I think things have turned out oh so delightful!—not for everyone else, of course, but what does that matter?” Bedlam then cackled dreadfully, retaining nothing but pure joy from watching ponies running and flying around in terror from her maniacal prowess.
Down below, the ponies, Discord, and Spike had their gaze up towards Bedlam, all looking clearly incensed with her actions.
“Well, ah knew it’d be bad, but ah never could’ve guessed it’d be this bad!” Applejack stated ash she looked around.
“Yeah! This is like when Discord had taken over Ponyville, but-like, a THOUSAND times worse!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“Indeed…” Discord responded in an irritable tone. “Part of me wants to congratulate her on doing such a fantastic job spreading chaos everywhere—but then the rest of me remembers why I don’t want to do that,” he said irately as he clenched his talons.
“And spreading is right—look!”
Rainbow pointed out farther beyond Ponyville, and everyone could see that Bedlam’s influence was slowly moving across the landscape of Equestria in all directions, affecting whatever the chaos magic touched in whatever ways would bring more chaos to the world.
“What are we supposed to do about that??” she exclaimed, and after a few moments, everyone turned to Discord.
“Me??...look, it’s not that I’m clearly the right choice for the job, but I have business to settle with that Bedlam, and we all know that I’m especially the right choice for that job!”
Celestia approached Discord. “We understand how you feel, Discord, but it’s important that Bedlam’s influence doesn’t spready too far, or it may become unstoppable. Your powers are all that we have to combat hers, so it is of utmost importance that you assist us in this way.”
Discord looked to be pondering Celestia’s words. He looked to Fluttershy, who didn’t look like she wanted to tell him what to do, but then spoke up.
“I know you want to get back at Bedlam for what she did to you, Discord, but right now we really need your help to keep has chaos contained as best you can,” she placed her hoof in his paw as she looked up at him. Discord gazed back at Fluttershy with a look of worry, though for more reasons than one.
“Hmm…well…I know why you need me to help with all that, but…” he peered up at Bedlam’s throne, then back towards the group, “What makes you ponies think you can handle her without me? I mean, she practically wiped the floor with me, and she may do worse to all of you…especially Fluttershy…” Discord kneeled down as he took Fluttershy’s hoof in his hands, both looking at the other with concerned countenances.
“I know it all seems dire,” Celestia spoke up, “But we haven’t much choice in the matter. Bedlam’s destruction could spread to even beyond Equestria if we do not keep it suppressed.”
“These circumstances are clearly more than reprehensible, but that is why we must act quickly before Bedlam’s power becomes entirely unstoppable!” Luna declared in a serious tone.
Discord still looked unsure, and then Applejack spoke up. “Ah know none of us have yer magic, but if there’s anypony in the world who can get through to the real Twilight inside that body, it’s all of us,” Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Spike all gathered around Applejack after she finished.
Discord contemplated the pony’s words further, than took on a serious look himself. Discord snapped his fingers, donning a military uniform, then saluted. “Awaiting your orders, princesses!” Celestia and Luna both smiled, then turned to face the ponies and Spike.
“Thank you for your help, Applejack. I trust the judgement of you all.”
“Thank ya kindly, Princess Celestia,” the pony replied, tipping her hat.
“Indeed, well done—and while I desire to assist you all against that dreaded draconequus—that is, the other one, Celestia and I must give our aid to Discord. Even with his power, there is still much that needs to be done if Bedlam’s power is to be contained.”
“And many ponies that need saving, as well.”
“Well, we’re not going to get all that don by standing here talking all day!” Discord exclaimed after stretching his neck in between the two princesses.
“Very well,” Celestia responded. “We leave Bedlam to you all.”
“Good luck.”
“As if they need luck,” Discord said as he winked at the ponies and Spike. Then, with the snap of his fingers, he and the princesses disappeared in a flash of light.
“Actually, some luck wouldn’t be so bad right now,” said Rainbow Dash
“Make that a lot of luck,” Rarity added.
“Like a whole mountain of luck!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“Well, luck or not, we’ve got a job to do,” Spike said, slamming his fist into his palm.
“Yeah…” Applejack replied before looking up at Bedlam’s throne. “…and a friend to get back…”