The Curse of Discord

by Creative Charmer


Chapter 11: Several Stops Along the Way 8/10

Knowing she couldn't hold Twilight down by herself, Applejack shouted to her friends, "Don't just stand there: help me!" As quickly as she had shouted, the other ponies and Spike ran to her aid, each attempting to hold back the fuming unicorn and keep her magic from discharging once more. With this additional help from her friends, Applejack was able to get her hooves free, and promptly grabbed Twilight's face, forcing her head from jerking and facing her head so both of their eyes were looking straight at one another.
"Look, Twi—I can understand yer reasons fer wantin' to make everything better, but we just don't have the time fer it! We've gotta get you to the princess on the double, and we can only do that if you let us!"
Twilight's squirming lessened and her magic began to dissipate as she harkened further to Applejack's dialogue.
"Trust me, Twilight: everything's gonna be all right if we all get rid of this curse as fast as possible! And the only way tuh do that is tuh go and see the princess! Do you understand that??"
Twilight's fidgeting had slowed to a halt while she listened to Applejack, and all her magic receded back inside her horn. Seeing her finally pacify herself, everyone but Applejack slowly and carefully let go of Twilight, taking easy steps back and away from her. Once everybody else was off, Applejack moved herself off of Twilight's body, allowing the unicorn to have control over her own movement.
Twilight sat upright, remaining silent and entirely motionless—not even blinking her eyes.
"...Twilight...? You okay?"
"...yes...I am now," she gave a disenchanted sigh. "...I'm so sorry for doing that...I thought I had it more under control now, since no part of my body had changed since Rainbow broke me out of the mind control before. But obviously, this curse is getting to me more and more...it's affecting my mind so badly that even when I seem normal, it makes me do bad things...and worst of all, I almost directly hurt you guys...my friends..." Twilight rubbed the tears forming in her eyes before they had a chance to be noticed by her friends. "I think it would be best for you all to stay behind and help to repair the damage I've done to Ponyville and let me go to see the princess on my own—at least then you'll be out of harm's way."
It was astonishing to hear Twilight say she didn't want her friends to come with her, and before a proper response was formulated, Rainbow Dash blurted out one herself.
"Pfft! Yeah, right!" Rainbow retorted. "Like we're gonna let you have all the adventure to yourself!"
"She's right, sugarcube! We're not about tuh abandon yah now, and we don't plan on doin' so anytime soon!"
"We're with you all the way!" Fluttershy said as she put her hoof on Twilight's shoulder.
"As much way as way could be!" Pinkie said as she slammed the side of her face into Twilight's.
Twilight rubbed her face after Pinkie had moved away. "Are you sure you want to come with me even after knowing how dangerous I am?"
"Hey, if your evil side acts, up, then she'll have to deal with me!" Rainbow stated with coercion.
"We won't allow that evil Twilight force you to perform any more vile acts again!"
"You can trust in your friends!"
"And that's us!"
Twilight felt exceedingly glad that her friends' fortitude and dedication in assisting her had not wavered, as in reality, she was too frightened to want to go through this hardship alone, albeit feelings of concern for the safety of her friends still lingered within her.
"So, what say we start on back to the train station?"
Twilight gave a light smile as she was about to agree, but then halted herself before she spoke one word. She turned herself around and walked to the top of the hill they all had originally crossed over, and looked down towards Ponyville. Such chaos, panic, and destruction of the damaged, waterlogged town brimming with the terrified shouts and cries of frightened ponies repleted Twilight with her prior feelings of shame yet again, as she truthfully sought to erase the absolute ruination encompassing here beloved town and rectify all of her recent wrongdoings. Unlike before, however, Twilight took into consideration the words of her friends, as was not so focused on her desire that she ignored everyone else who tried to say otherwise. She ultimately came to what she believed to be the right conclusion.
"Part of me still feels defiant against the idea of leaving Ponyville in ruins—but it's certain to get worse if I am not restored to my normal self soon," she took a deep breath, her appearance now showing the great resolve stirring up inside her. "I am culpable for this crime against ponykind, so I must act with haste put right what I have wronged!" she turned around to face her friends, pausing for several moments before speaking, "...let's get a move on!" Everyone else was elated to see Twilight being so optimistic, which made things far easier for them all to bear with on their journey.
"It's great to see you back to normal, Twilight," Spike said, sporting a pleasant smile.
"Me too, Spike. I'm thankful to you and everyone else for helping me to get this far. I know I would never had gotten the courage to get myself to Canterlot on my own, and it's our stalwart and steadfast friendship that had gotten me back to normal after I went rogue each time it had occurred. You're all the best friends a pony could have, and, again: I am thankful for all you've done," warm smiles emanating from pleasant feelings extant in everybody's bodies were being exhibited quite vibrantly, with peace finally having been restored in this circle of friends once more.
Just then, Twilight began to speak one more time, "I am also very thankful that no part of me has cha—anged...so...far..." Twilight's face instantly began to jerk and wrench upon the utterance of that which she was certain would not occur during this time.
Everyone else was just as shocked and in horror as before—except for Rainbow Dash, who simply stated with a deadpan expression, "Well, I can't say I wasn't expecting this."