BEDLAM Minus One

I bit my thumb as I looked at the gems before me, which were arranged like fingers on a hand around a bunch like the palm of the same hand. Looking between the gems and the illustration I had beside them, I carefully swapped a few around with my jewelry pliers and studied the new layout. I tapped the 'fingers' and the 'palm' in a few patterns, trying to imagine them as keys being pressed in a sequence. I groaned and leaned back, rubbing my eyes with a sigh.

"How's it going?" Jury asked as she entered the workshop.

"We need a better way to visualize this shit," I replied, glancing at her as she stood beside me and looked at what I'd been working on. "Maybe we could rework your shield to project our designs?" Jury paused and rubbed her chin.

"Hm, yeah. We could probably fix something like that. Good thinking!" She smiled before looking back at the door and grimacing. "Anyway, you've got a visitor." I raised an eyebrow as she made for the door, and looking back saw the reason for her visible discomfort flanked by two of our animunculi guards.

"Hey, hey, hey!" The bulky ash-colored stallion in the door with the slicked-back grey mane, black tie, and polished gold horseshoes cheered. "There's my favorite mad scientist!" He paused and tracked Jury as she slipped past him.

"Well, second favorite," he chuckled before stepping into the shop with me, followed by our machines.

"Hello, Mr. Earner," I said, scooting my chair to face him. He laughed as he approached and swept his hoof at the golems beside him.

"I love these things, Bedlam! I ever tell you that?" He declared, looking up at the pair with a big smile. "They're like big ol' wind-up toys!"

He spun around and jabbed a hoof at me. "That can kill!"

"A gross simplification, but I appreciate your enthusiasm," I replied, a smile of my own working its way onto my face. He pursed his lips and peeked over his shoulder.

"Has, uh, she made anything on her own?" He asked, nudging me slightly. "Some of the boys don't believe me that you keep her around for more than just her pretty face." I raised an eyebrow.

"We work together, Mr. Earner," I replied, waving my hand at the door. "Tell your boys most of my achievements have been thanks to her contributions."

"Ah ha, knew it. Will do!" He said with a laugh. He tilted his head and then leaned to look at the table behind me. "Whatcha doing now?" I leaned back and gestured to the gems.

"Improving our control design. The model I've been giving you is fine, but each control talisman can only control the golem it's attuned to," I explained, taking the illustration and presenting it to him. He clearly didn't know what he was looking at but wore an amazed grin all the same. "This is the first step to something more universal. I'm trying to make a model that can access and direct any golem at any time."

"Wild, wild, wild," he murmured with unmasked wonder written all over his face. It was almost funny. The terrible kingpin of Equestria's criminal underworld was as enthralled by my inventions as Cheerilee's class had been. Despite everything, he was still a pony. Small, simple, and .. Dopey. I smiled and hummed quietly as I worked before Earner tilted his head and nodded. "Anyway, listen, about that request you wrote me about."

"You couldn't find it, could you," I sighed and shrugged. "I expected as much, so don't worry, this doesn't affect our-" He held up a hoof and shook his head.

"Actually, I think we found exactly what you were talking about," he added before reaching into the loop of his tie and pulling out a folded note. "My boys wrote this down item number from the shop they spied it in. It's got a description from the shop owner 'n everything." He presented it to me and I held my breath before reading it.

"Yes," I finally gasped, feeling an eager grin form. "I believe this is it."

"Well, there's the issue then," Earner hummed, tapping the note. "The guy who owns that shop is wise to us. So we can't get it for you." My expression fell and I furrowed my brow at him.

"What?" I demanded, at which he shrugged.

"Apparently, his grandson got mugged by some of my guys a few years back, and this old coot is pretty sharp," he said plainly before waving his hoof. "Listen, you've got the address and you know where it is. My recommendation is you take a trip down that way and get it yourself." I scoffed and threw my hands up.

"And risk getting caught? You serious?"

"Deadly, which is why I wanted to explain this to you personally. I've got too many distributors and protection rackets out that way to just go robbing some geezer for you. Ponies'll start thinking the rules have changed and I'll have a big scandal on my hooves," he said firmly without a hint of the mirth he'd had up till now. "To that end, if you do decide to go get it, I have to ask you use some of that cash I know you've got on ho- on hand to get it instead of stealing it. Alright?" I frowned and huffed before nodding. My hands fell to my legs and I shook my head in annoyance and disbelief. Earner patted my leg before making for the door. Just as he crossed the threshold he jumped and whirled around with a big smile.

"By the way! Stop by my villa in Las Pegasus at the end of the month! Gonna throw a real riot of a shindig and I'd love to have you there. Got a real sharp batch of wine I bet you'd like," he said with a laugh before wagging his eyebrows at me. "Plus there's a few girls who're dying to meet the fella who helped me afford their shiny new jewelry, you feel me?"

"I'll keep that in mind," I grumbled. He let out a curt cackle before vanishing out the door. I sighed and scanned the note again.

"And trim that stuff off your jaw!" He yelled. I frowned and dragged my fingers through my rough, unkempt beard. I considered all of his words for a moment before standing.

"Jury!" I called before leaving the workshop.

Piece and his three underlings sat side-by-side anxiously tracking the fuming alicorn and unicorn pacing in front of them. On the opposite side of the duo were the other ponies that had broken into the gang's warehouse and who were watching the angry pair with just as much hesitation written on their faces.

"And you're absolutely certain this Bedlam walks on two legs?" Twilight growled as she passed Piece.

"Yes," the pegasus whimpered.

"And is mostly furless?" Starlight added as she passed.

"Yes," Piece replied, recoiling as Twilight suddenly jumped back and jabbed a hoof at him.

"And has claws like a minotaur?" She demanded, creeping closer and jabbing him again. "And small, perpetually withdrawn ears like an ape?" Before he could answer, Starlight leaped forward as well.

"And four pointed teeth in the corners of his mouth! And a narrow pointed nose!" She added.

"And small green eyes!" Twilight continued.

"Black hair on the top of his head?" Starlight offered, at which Twilight gasped and looked at her.

"He might not have shaved in a while, so he probably has hair growing off his chin like a goat!" They both nodded firmly and glared at Piece. "So?" The pegasus blinked before scowling.

"Ladies, I never met the guy personally, I just have what the boss described! Big Earner and some of our shipping guys are the only ones who've met him," he spat with a shrug. "Earner's tight-lipped about where Bedlam's lurking for fear somepony'll shake up a good thing we've got going." The pair shared an angry look.

"We need to find Ed- Bedlam. Do you have any idea at all where we could look or who we could ask?" Twilight demanded. Piece pursed his lips before smirking.

"What's in it for me if I tell you?" He grinned. "You gonna let me go?"

"And us!" The earth pony beside him begged. Starlight rolled her eyes and smiled at Piece.

"No, but if you tell us willingly I won't nail you with the same spell I used to force your cronies downtown to spill the beans on this warehouse," she said at which Piece's ears shot back. She leaned forward with a dark grin. "And on the flip side, if you make me use that spell, I'm sure there's plenty of embarrassing secrets I could get you to tell us about yourself while we're at it." The pegasus visibly shivered before throwing his hooves up.

"Okay, okay! Look, I really don't know where the guy is, but I know where he's going to be!" He huffed, nervously waving his hoof. "He's been putting in some weird orders for our distributors over the last couple days. He sent a request to Big Earner directly as a matter of fact." The mares shared a look again.

"What's he been asking for?" Starlight pressed.

"Books mainly. Rare ones, from like, ancient times and junk," Piece shrugged. "We managed to find one he was eager to get in a shop over in Shang-hay, but the old coot who runs the place won't sell it to us. We thought about just stealing it, but the boss said Bedlam can fetch it himself." He frowned and looked off to the side.

"Certainly has enough money to afford it himself," he grumbled before shaking his head. "Anyhow, I'm pretty sure once word gets to Bedlam, he's gonna head to buy that book. Or at least, you'll know where something he's after is holed up. Does that help at all?" The pair shared another look as Twilight rubbed her chin.

"One last question," Starlight said, turning back to Piece. "What's this book he's after?"

"Some old journal from that one dead wizard," he shrugged. "Starswirl, I think? Only one of its kind, as far as I know."

Shang-hay was a little city, with a seedy, unsafe feel to it. There was a perpetual haze from the coast it sat upon, which made it feel like, at any point, someone could just jump out and mug you. Being Equestria's westernmost port meant it was far from most of the major trade routes, and was thus favored primarily by ships and travelers heading further west to remote regions and settlements. Of course, that included criminals and outlaws, who had been pulled under the control of Earner's mob years ago.

"You know what you're doing?" I pleaded, nervously peeking around the dumpster we were hiding behind. I scratched the side of my face, tensing up both from nerves and from the face I still wasn't used to my face being shaved after so many weeks. Jury sighed and patted me on the shoulder, which made me jump.

"Bedlam, just come inside," she said, waving her hoof at the empty Shang-hay street. "It's late, and we're so far from central Equestria, I really doubt anypony out here is looking for you."

"But!" I hissed, jabbing a finger at her. "If anyone does see me, word'll spread about the weird, lanky thing running around!" I fixed her with a sharp frown, but she held her unimpressed expression for a few moments more. Finally, she sighed and shook her head before adjusting her bag and trotting for the shop. Then, she squeaked as I grabbed her tail and yanked her back.

"Do. You. Know. What. You are," I began, but she cut me off as she ripped her tail free.

"Yes! Jeez," she huffed, shaking her head again. "Blue, hard-bound book, with six stars in an irregular pattern on the front over two swirls and all inside a slightly uneven hexagon."

"And the stars are?" I pressed, pointing firmly at her and narrowing my eyes.

"All different sizes with the exception of the outermost three!" She cried with a glare. I slowly nodded.

"Good. Off you go!" I shooed her with my hands and she rolled her eyes before trotting away. I watched her carefully as she pushed through the shop door and vanished inside. I clutched my hands together and scanned up and down the alley I was hiding in. A few minutes passed and I found myself pacing, clicking my teeth, and murmuring to myself.

"Hey, Eddy," came a familiar voice.

"Hey, Twilight," I replied, bringing my hand up to my mouth and mulling over our design for a magical display, just to take my mind off my nerves. After a few seconds of staring down the alley in thought, my brain caught up and I whirled around to see Twilight right behind me. I froze as we locked eyes and she idly kicked the ground.

"I had a feeling if you were around, you'd probably keep to the alleyways and all that," she quietly said, looking off to the side. "You're smart like that."

"You-" I blinked and looked up to see the rest of her friends, including Starlight, making their way into the shop. Starlight cast a sad look back our way before heading in. I blanched and returned my attention to Twilight who wore a concerned expression and was looking me up and down.

"WHY NOW?" I roared in my thoughts.

"Have you only worn that outfit since you ran away?" She asked, taking a step closer and tugging on my pant leg with her magic. "I know you took off suddenly but, is that all you've had?" I withdrew from her with my hands up.

"I uh," I cleared my throat. "I've got other clothes, this is just comfortable." My mind was racing and my heart was pounding. How in the hell did she FIND ME.

A thought occurred.

"Other clothes, huh? Where'd you get them?" She pressed. I rolled my hands, both searching for an answer and processing my thought.

Earner was adamant I come here myself. I fought off the angry grimace that was threatening to appear on my face.

"Ah, you know, uh-"

"No. I don't," she grumbled, taking a few steps toward me. "I have some ideas but I'm really hoping they aren't true." I frowned and met her eyes briefly.

"What, uh, ideas are those?" I swallowed, my eyes glancing up at the shop. There wasn't any sign of a struggle, but then again, what struggle could Jury put up against all of them?

"We made it so fucking far," I mentally seethed. "You are going to PAY for this you-"

"Are you," Twilight squeaked, clearing her throat and closing her eyes for a moment. "Eddy, please be honest with me." I frowned as she looked up at me.

"Are you Bedlam?" She finally asked. I hesitated, which based on how her ears twitched and the way she clenched her eyes again told her everything she needed to know. A painful silence held sway for a few moments, giving me time to focus on all the horrible things I could do to get back at Earner.

"Eddy, I'm sorry, but this is," she finally murmured, shaking her head slowly. "This is all way more serious than I think you realize. Do you understand what you're involved in? Who these ponies are?"

"I have a pretty good idea," I replied more confidently than I intended. After all.

I knew who one of them was for certain now.

"Do you?" She pressed with a slight quaver. "These ponies aren't playing games, Eddy. They're willing to hurt ponies and even kill them. You're in way over your head here." I scoffed despite myself and shook my head, but she either didn't notice or didn't care, as she stepped closer and placed her hoof against my knee.

"So, please, Eddy, for me," she fixed me with this sad, heartfelt frown that.. It just hurt to see. It wasn't even disappointment that I saw in that frown, it was.. Desperation? Pleading? Hope? Whatever it was gnawed at my chest. "Just turn yourself in." I grimaced hard and averted my eyes, desperately scanning for anything else to focus on.

I spied Jury in the alley across the street, waving fervently at me. She held up the book in her magic and cast an anxious glance between Twilight and me before ducking behind some trash cans as the rest of Twilight's friends came trotting out of the shop. I swallowed and returned my attention to Twilight.

"I will! I just," my eyes darted as I scrambled for something to say. "Please. I need to explain it to Jury."

"Jury?" She repeated. Her frown shifted to something more critical and less painful. "So, she really has been helping you, huh?"

"Yes, she- Look, just," my eyes darted and I got down to her eye level. "Please, just let me go and I'll turn myself in soon, on my own, I promise!"

"I," she looked away before giving me a weary frown. "I can't do that, Eddy. Celestia is-"

"Twilight," I huffed and crawled forward before bringing my hands together at her. "Please? I'm literally begging you." Seconds crept by and slowly inched towards becoming minutes.

She didn't respond, but I could see the hesitation on her face. She was wavering and just needed something to push her over the edge. Anything. Anything at all, and that led to a positively heinous idea forming so fast I couldn't help but immediately blurt it out.

"Can't you side with me over her even once?" I spat with as much desperation as I could muster. The effect was immediate and she recoiled with an absolutely devastated expression. I clenched my jaw, both to sell the act and to fight off the immense sinking feeling rolling around in my chest.

"I," she squeaked. Her eyes danced as she took a few steps back and finally sat on the ground. "I-I didn't.." I managed to lock eyes with her and held her gaze for a few moments. My jaw began to ache from how tight it was, which did nothing to distract me from the awful feeling in my stomach. She practically deflated and her head hung low.

"Okay," she finally replied, so quietly that I briefly wondered if I'd misheard her. "Just.. Try to hurry." I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and nodded fervently.

"Yes, of course," I gasped, crawling forward and placing my hands on her shoulders. After a moment, she looked up at me with tears in the corners of her eyes. "Thank you." I quickly pulled her into a hug which she returned in earnest.

When we parted, I dashed down the alley away from her friends and back along the route Jury and I had plotted out. Driven by angry and guilt, I arrived at the fenced-off little yard we'd landed in in record time. Jury poked her head out of the hovercraft when she heard me crash through the gate, and sighed once she saw my face.

"That was way too close!" She cried, tossing away the brick she had raised. "Anyway, we got it! We got Starswirl's lost journal!" She presented it and I snatched it up a bit more aggressively than I'd intended, causing her to wilt with shock. I quickly leafed through the pages, desperate to keep my mind from settling on the conversation that just took place. Despite my efforts, I still couldn't rationalize why I'd just done that to her.

But I knew damned well who was going to pay for it.

I scowled at what I saw in the book. "I can't read this, can you?"

"Nuh-uh," she replied, leaning forward to frown at the illegible pages. "Old Equestrian's already hard to read, but I'm not even sure this is the same language. His horn-writing's really sloppy."

"Damned wizards," I angrily sighed. "We need to find someone with expertise on this archaic trash." I climbed into the driver's seat of the vehicle and handed Jury the book. She tilted her head at me, but didn't say anything for a moment.

"Doesn't Starlight Glimmer know somepony like that?" She asked as we began to rise from the ground.

"Pretty sure she does and pretty sure she told me who that is, but there's something I need to handle first," I growled.