//------------------------------//
// An Introduction: Madness for the Mad God 
// Story: Friendship is Macho 
// by Getting Crunk is My Job 
//------------------------------//

"So, are you nervous big guy?"


Rainbow Dash peered over the Macho Man's broad shoulders at his reflection in the mirror. He was preening, mussing his hair and gritting his teeth in an attempt to look as intimidating as possible. Tonight was the night of his first big bout in the newly formed Equestrian Wrestling Federation, and the stakes were higher than they'd ever been in his career; he'd wrestled for prize money, championship belts, and the admiration of his adoring fans, but wrestling for the fate of an entire kingdom? That was a first. 


"No," he fibbed, "the Macho Man Randy Savage doesn't get nervous."


The truth was that he was a wreck. His nerves were wracked to all hell; his anxiety was doing a bigger number on him than anything Hogan or the Ultimate Warrior could've ever thrown at him, but no one could know that. Whether he was the greatest wrestler of all time was up to interpretation but it was a fact that his most valuable asset was his psychotic exuberance, his ability to incite the fires of Macho Madness inside the minds of his enemies. Sun Tzu had claimed that the supreme art of war was to subdue the enemy before ever even throwing a punch. If he was to lose his composure now he would have nothing.


Rainbow Dash had known Randy long enough now to be able to call his bluffs, which she usually did, but she couldn't bring herself to make a snide at his expense. Dash had never considered herself perceptive of other ponies' emotions, but Randy was different, and she could see in that moment that he was suffering. She could only offer a few cheap words of encouragement to the Macho Man as he adorned his hat and made his way out of his dressing room.


"Hey!"


The Macho Man stopped in his tracks, but did not turn to face the little tomboyish pony that he had come to consider his greatest friend.


"I know Discord's a tough customer and all, heck the six of us were just barely able to defeat him before you showed up, but I just wanted to say give 'em hay ok?!"


Randy removed the colorful sash from around his waist and forcefully handed it to Rainbow Dash.


"Do you know what this is, Rainbow Dash? Don't answer 'cause I'm going to tell ya! That there is a crying towel, ooh yeah! That's for Discord to mop up his tears with after I snap into him like a Slim Jim and win this title bout! Now you give that to him, and make sure you tell him that I was the one who sent you. OH YEAH!"


With that the Macho Man saluted Rainbow Dash and ran for the square circle with a giddy little hop in his step. Rainbow Dash had pepped him up just enough to get him headed to the ring. He had no idea what he would do when got there or what awaited him; all he knew was that he couldn't fail tonight. He wouldn't fail tonight.