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// Chapter 11: Several Stops Along the Way 1/10 
// Story: The Curse of Discord 
// by Creative Charmer 
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	Twilight was rushing around the library, getting her supplies ready for their trip. "We must not waste any time! The princess has to know of this immediately!"

"Wait," Spike interjected, sounding inquisitive. "If the princess needs to know so soon, why don't you just send her a letter telling her about it? I mean, if she knew about it now, she could come to Ponyville and fix everything, right?"

Twilight stopped packing for a minute, so as to explain to Spike and everypony else why that was not an option.

"I know she could, Spike, but there's one simple reason why I cannot do that," she sighed dejectedly. "Even though I trust in the princess and know her power and wisdom to be great, I am still not one hundred percent confident that she will be able to do away with this dreaded magic within me."

"Oh...but, what does that have to do with not wanting her to come to Ponyville?"

"If the princess truly can't eliminate this dark magic, then I will have no choice but to stay in Canterlot...forever."

"What?!?" everyone shouted in complete disbelief.

"Leave Ponyville??"

"Not be where your friends are??"

"What are you saying??"

"I'm saying that because after what trouble I've caused so far, it's certain to get worse each time it happens, and that means I may cause even greater harm to you all; and I for one will not let harm come to my friends if I can do something to prevent it!" Everyone was agape from the shock of this revelation. "I don't like this decision at all, but in Canterlot I might at least be able to be contained, so I won't cause any more harm to anypony else; and I know in my heart that the safety of my friends, and of ponies everywhere, is what is most important here."

Twilight's friends were deeply mortified by this shocking and abrupt new decision of hers, and were unable to accept such a conclusion.

"Twilight! You...you can't leave Ponyville!"

"This is your home!"

"You belong here!"

"With your friends!"

"And that's who we are!"

Everypony seemed to be in a panic over this, but Fluttershy spoke her mind in a much more calm and collected way, "Twilight, we don't want you to have to leave just to protect us. We all care about you too much to see you leave us," everyone else nodded in agreement.

"That's my final word!" Twilight snapped, with everypony rearing back in alarm. "If leaving Ponyville is what needs to be done, than I am going to do it!! I could never forgive myself if I hurt any of my friends, so I will do whatever has to be done to protect you! And that is my absolute decision on the matter!"

Nobody could think of any form of response to Twilight's outburst. Twilight's friends were entirely taken aback by her unwavering attitude in this matter, and now contained senses of doubt that she could be persuaded by their pleas. Everyone exchanged looks with each other, each sharing the mindset that Twilight was clearly adamant in her choice of how to handle this situation, and now all they could do was help their friend through this time, and hope with all their might that Princess Celestia could indeed attain the remedy for Twilight's affliction.

Twilight turned her head back, looking at her friends' distraught faces. She felt rotten inside; a deep sensation of aching contrition for saying what had to be said. She had already hurt two of her friends physically, and now she was hurting them all emotionally, which filled Twilight with regret of her severe decision. But, even with all these feelings inside her, Twilight continued to be unyielding in her decision to remain in Canterlot if necessary, because she knew that it was of great importance that she do the right thing; even if it felt like it was wrong.

Twilight suddenly felt that enough time had been used up, and now it was of utmost important that everyone get moving. She gave one last sigh of dissatisfaction before speaking, "Let us be off. There's no more time to lose," she declared, and she quickly trotted out the door. However, her friends did not immediately follow after, as they all continued to contain the feelings of despondence brought upon by their friend's shocking words. But, even with these thoughts and feelings inside their minds, they also knew the importance of assisting their friend Twilight through this time, so they all ran out the door after Twilight, entirely set on alleviating her of this dreaded curse.