//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: BEDLAM // by Gormless Wheaton //------------------------------// The dungeon wing shook from an internal explosion as we flew away toward the center of the city. While my explosive drones were still swarming the air, the city streets were equally alive with movement. I peered over the edge of the Integrity with wonder at the sight of countless golems running around. "I dreamed of this for so long," I whispered. "Canterlot, finally filled with my machines." "Just a shame the context probably doesn't mesh right," Jury added as she brought the hovercraft down to the city square. "But hey! Now we have a chance to start all over and make that dream come true in earnest, right?" I frowned as we came to a stop and scanned the city. "Start over?" I thought. "Bedlam?" I turned to see Jury and Tempest look at me expectantly. I hummed and nodded my head back at the golems. "What orders did you give them?" Jury blinked and tilted her head. "Uh, mainly just mobilize and try to swarm the castle while we think of a plan to get the bell," she beamed and reached behind her seat. "And~ I whipped this up for you!" She pulled out and dropped a weapon based on my handgun design into my lap. I smirked and chuckled before popping it open and inserting my modified gem into place. "Alright, and do we have any idea what happened to Twilight and the rest?" As the gem clicked into place, there was a low whine and a jolt of power that danced across my fingertips as I closed the casing. Tempest nodded and saluted. "While Jury was gathering your animunculi, I did some reconnaissance and discovered that with the exception of Twilight Sparkle and her fellow Element Bearers, the Legion has imprisoned all of their enemies in the crystal caverns below the city." "Below the city?" I looked up at the portion of the castle we'd left the B-listers in. I smirked. "Good work you two. Now, let's send a new order.." I leaned back in my seat with a smirk at the sight before me. The Pillars of Equestria, the Alicorn Sisters, Starlight, Discord, the Officers of the Royal Guard, and even the Chancellor of the E.E.A. were gathered before me in Neighsay's office. Jury and Tempest stood on either side of where I sat, while Neighsay himself stood off to the side casting an occasional anxious glance my way. Discord just sulked in the corner with his head in his claws. "Thanks again for letting us use your office," I chirped as I kicked my feet up on his desk. He cleared his throat and hummed. "Y-yes, well, circumstances and all that.." Celestia looked over at me with a severe expression. "You have my thanks for having your machines rescue us, Bedlam." I smiled and hummed. "Well, we are still technically in this together. And besides, Tempest wasn't able to gather a full picture of what's happened," I nodded my head at Starswirl and then Starlight. "For instance, I thought you six were supposed to be out hunting, and you were supposed to be guarding that friendship academy, or whatever it is." They shared a look before Starswirl sighed. "And so it was, but Tirek was far stronger than we anticipated. Despite our best efforts, he managed to drain all of our magic before dragging us here." Starlight nodded. "Pretty much the same, except Chrysalis came for me. I still have my magic at least." I shook my head and scowled. "You're saying they didn't use the bell on all of you?" Luna shook her head. "They only used it on my sister and myself." I recoiled in bewilderment. "Unbelievable," I sighed hard. "What happened to Twilight?" "She and her friends managed to escape, intending to regroup at the Crystal Empire, I believe," Celestia replied. I hummed and nodded. "That's an awful long way," I raised an eyebrow at the sisters. "You two can still fly. Do you think you could catch up to them?" They shared a look before Celestia nodded. "Yes. Why?" "Excellent. Have them come back so that we can stand united against these three," I rose from my seat with a smile. "My animunculi and I shall engage the Legion while you do so, and while everyone else evacuates. Then, we shall-" Starlight stepped forward with a scowl. "How do we know you won't just swipe the bell and run?" I glared down at her. "Because even if that was my plan, do you really think you'd be able to stop me on your own?" I chortled and smirked. "More to the point, do you think you could handle the Legion and me?" She flinched and bit her lip. I adopted a more genuine smile and leaned towards her on the desk. "But please understand, there's nothing underhanded about my suggestion. It's simply the best option available to us unless you've got something better." I scanned the crowd. They all wore expressions of trepidation, but no one seemed eager to speak up. Besides Starlight that is. "Eddy, you need to swear that if you get the bell, you'll give it to Twilight the very next time you see her without any funny business," she demanded with a severe look. I shrugged. "Sure. I swear-" "Swear it on your friendship with her." I grit my teeth and hissed. I met her eyes and frowned. Her expression was unwavering. I growled and took a breath. "I swear on everything between me and Twilight that I hold dear, I'll give her the bell and all the magic inside it," I declared before shuddering, wincing, and looking away with a heavy exhale. After a moment, I looked back at her and met her critical gaze. "Is that good enough?" "You tell me," she replied with a shrug. "You're the one who'll have to live with it if you break that promise." My eye twitched, and I scowled hard at her, but she remained unperturbed. With a quiet grunt, I strode around the desk and left the room. Jury, Tempest, and I made our way out of the building in silence until we arrived at my hovercraft, which was now surrounded by a few dozen animunculi. I climbed into the driver's seat and drummed my fingers on the controls. I flinched when Jury reached over and punched my shoulder. "Nice going! She totally bought it." I met her chipper expression with a scowl. "Yeah," I spat before standing to order my machines.