//------------------------------//
// Beer, Armour, Music and Magic 
// Story: They Call Me Insanity 
// by Commander Ice 
//------------------------------//

As Mad Mind and Discord both shook upon their agreement within the massive crater that they had created, they failed to notice Princess Celestia and the girls come running up to the edge of the crater.

Twilight's eyes burned in fury. "What are you two doing!?" She bellowed, capturing the duo's attention. Mad Mind sighed. "Twilight. Isn't it obvious? We're agreeing on being frenemies until further notice." He explained. Twilight shook her head, the flames of rage still present. "I mean, what were you two doing!? Why are there holes in the castle? Why is there a crocodile in the royal gardens? AND WHERE DID THIS CRATER COME FROM!?" She screamed. Discord and Mad Mind simply laughed at her display.

Discord spoke this time. "Ahh, Twilight. I believe we can explain. We had a small... Scuffle, Mad Mind and I, over a topic that doesn't need to be discussed." He explained. Twilight flew up to Discord. "You made over twenty holes in the castle and made a crater the size of the castle in the market district! This is what you call a small scuffle!?" She screeched at Discord who didn't even looked fazed. He held up his hand's in defence. "Hey, trust me; it could've been a lot worse than it is right now." He said. Twilight huffed and moved back, allowing Celestia to move up.

"Discord, Mad Mind, I do believe my student has a fair point. You have terrorized most, if not all, of the ponies in Canterlot and destroyed my castle with your 'small scuffle'. This is not something that will go unnoticed you two. I believe you need a proper punishment for being as reckless as you were."

Mad Mind and Discord both groaned in complaint, which was waved off by Celestia. "I know you two don't want to, but I don't want to hear it. You punishment is," she looked at them with a sly grin. "To clean up your mess."

Mad Mind and Discord had looks of confusion strewn across their faces. "That's all?" Mad Mind asked. "Huh. I would've expected something... More elaborate." Celestia raised her hoof again.

"I didn't finish. You are to clean up this mess you made... Without the use of magic." Mad Mind and Discord looked between each other and back to Celestia. "WHAAAAAAAAAATT!!!???" They both exclaimed at the same time. Celestia stared them in the eye. "You must take responsibility for your actions. Wether you like it or not." She said in that familiar stern-motherly tone. Mad Mind looked at her in confusion. "What about the crater?" He asked. Celestia thought about it then responded. "You may use magic to get rid of that. However, the wall's and the crocodile must be rebuilt and removed without any magic of any kind."

Mad Mind sighed and glanced at Discord. "This cannot get any worse..." He said. Celestia then spoke again, drawing their attention. "And, knowing you two, I bet that if I leave you alone, you will use magic to rebuild. So, I believe I need somepony to keep an eye on you two. I was thinking... Blueblood." She said.

Mad Mind felt rage burn within him as these words escaped Celestias lip's. He glanced up at Discord. "I spoke way to soon." He said with clenched teeth. Discord nodded in agreement.

Celestia smiled. "Now then, you two have work to do. We'll just get out of your way. Have fun." She said as they made their way towards the castle. As they left, Mad Mind sighed. "Well, this hole isn't gonna fill itself. Might as well get it done now." He said. Discord nodded again and snapped his fingers. Dirt slowly began to fill up the large crater like water, filling in each nook and cranny that the crater kept hidden around it's edges. As the soil filled in the entire crater, all they needed now was some cobblestone. Mad Mind's horn instantly flashed and cobblestone flew into place, landing perfectly in line with the older cobble. Discord sighed. "Well... That didn't take as long as I hoped." He muttered. Mad Mind nodded in agreement.

Mad Mind glanced back up at the draconequus. "Soo... Crocodile or wall's?" He asked. Discord put some though into it. He let out a long sigh and responded. "Let's get the croc." He replied simply.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind and Discord both sighed as they managed to remove the crocodile out of the gardens and to a new place: Prince Blueblood's bathroom. Sure, they weren't allowed to use magic to move the hefty croc, but in the end, it would be worth seeing the reaction on Blueblood as he see's a fifty pound crocodile basking in his bathroom.

As they shut the door to his bathroom and quickly escaped his room, they laughed for a bit before ending it in a sigh. "Now then," Mad Mind said, getting Discord's attention. "We have some damn wall's to rebuild." He said.

"This is the part that is going to suck." Discord muttered. The two quickly navigated their way to where Bright Light's room rested and where several holes made themselves present. Mad Mind gave Discord a confused glance. "How are we supposed to build wall's without magic? Won't that take... More than a year or something?" He asked. Discord shook his head. "I have no idea." He said. The two glanced around to see if any pony was looking. Another question soon entered the midst; "Wasn't Blueblood supposed to supervise us? Where is he?" Discord asked. Mad Mind shrugged.

A small grin began to develop upon Discords face. "Oh well. If he isn't here, I suppose there is no harm in rebuilding the wall's with magic without him knowing." He said with a chuckle. He received a nod in agreement from Mad Mind who's horn instantly flashed to life. The wall's quickly began rebuilding themselves and restored to their natural colour. It looked as if nothing ever happened to begin with. Mad Mind and Discord both nodded in approval at their handiwork and were about to leave the scene until...

"Where do you two think you're going?"

The chaotic duo turned around and were greeted with the sight of a pissed off Princess Twilight Sparkle. Mad Mind chuckled nervously. "We were... Just finishing up here. About to move that crocodile out of the gardens." He lied. Twilight's gaze narrowed. "The same crocodile that is in Blueblood's bathroom that just scared the living Tartarus out of him?" She asked. Discord shook his head. "Different croc. Definitely not our doing." He said innocently. Twilight's gaze was stone cold. "Even if it was a different crocodile in his bathroom, I saw you two break the rules. You used magic to rebuild those walls." She said sternly.

Discord raised his hands in mock fear. "Oooh! We broke the rules Mad Mind! Do you know what this means!?" He asked. Mad Mind grinned. "Were hardcore!!" He exclaimed, making a pair of sunglasses appear out of thin air and putting them on his face. Discord followed suit. "Were rule breakers! So awesomely hardcore!" Mad Mind exclaimed. Twilight, obviously, looked as if she was on the verge of laughing, but managed to choke it down and maintain her composure. "This is serious you two. She gave you those orders so you can learn your lesson. I'm sorry, but you'll have to start again." She said.

Mad Mind and Discord glanced at each other then back to her, shades still upon their faces. Mad Mind sighed and shook his head. "Twilight, Twilight, Twilight... Cut your crush some slack would you?" As these word's escaped his lip's, Twilight turned into an impressive shade of crimson. "M-M-Mad Mind! Seriously? With other ponies around?" She asked in a humiliated tone. Discord raised his hand. "Alright. Two things: one, I already knew that you had a crush on him as well. I was there, remember? Secondly, I'm not a pony. So, I guess that means you don't mind it when Mad Mind explains your interest for him in front of me?" Twilight, somehow, turned a darker shade of red. "T-t-that wasn't what I meant! I meant not with anyone else in the room!" She exclaimed.

Mad Mind chuckled. "Sheesh Twi, calm down. Look: carrying a fifty pound croc up to Bluebloods bathroom is much harder than it look's. Requires a lot of determination and muscle," he flexed his leg, showing a decent amount of muscle. "Yeah. Take it in. Seriously though, don't you think we could just... skip this one? Y'know, a freebie? I mean, carrying that croc was as hard as it was, and I'm tired and that project will take day's to finish with just an alicorn and a draconequus. You think we can just... Avoid this one? Please?" He begged.

The red upon Twilight's face slowly drained away, but still left a small tint of pink upon her cheek's as Mad Mind begged. She sighed. "Okay. Just this once. But do anything like this again, don't expect a freebie again." She said. Mad Mind leapt up and gave her a hug, causing her blush to form again. "Thank you soooo much! This mean's a lot to us!" He exclaimed. The two soon parted their hug and went their separate way's. Discord gave Mad Mind a curious look. "Do you think that you'll understand the feelings she has for you?" He asked. Mad Mind looked confused. "What do you mean?" Discord huffed. "Do you think that you can love Twilight when the time comes?" He asked.

Mad Mind glanced back at the direction that Twilight had left. "I... I think so. Maybe there is something, like a connection, between us. I'll give it a shot I suppose. See how thing's turn out then." He said. Discord nodded. "And what becomes of Bright Light?" Mad Mind thought for a moment and responded. "As long as she's my daughter, she'll be fine." He casually said. The two soon continued their wander through Canterlot castle, talking along the way.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Discord and Mad Mind kept on chatting as they progressed their way through the many twists and turns of the castle. Soon enough though, Discord began getting bored and left Mad Mind in order to find something new and entertaining to do. Mad Mind was alone again and kept wandering aimlessly through the castle.

'Hey. Mania. Talk to me.'
'Wazzap?'
'What do you think about Twilight and I in a relationship?'
'You? And a smart princess like Twilight? I'm surprised she even bothers to look at you.'
'Ouch. Harsh, much?'
'Yeah, yeah. I think she's a nice girl though. I can kinda tell who she reminds you of...'
'Mania. Shut the fuck up.'
'But-'
'No. I came to Equestria and got a new beginning. I don't need the past to haunt me anymore.'
'Fine. Be that way.'
'I will. Proudly.'

As Mad Mind quickly drew that argument to a close, he noticed a familiar, white stallion trotting up to him. Mad Mind grinned and met up with said stallion.

Shining Armour smiled as Mad Mind approached him. "Hey! How's the Prince of the Ponies?" He asked, only to receive a confused stare from Mad Mind. "The what?" He questioned. Shining chuckled. "You need to get out of the castle more often! You're quite the popular stallion outside of the castle. Ponies know your name. Many have considered you as a prince even!" He explained. Mad Mind raised his eyebrows in surprise. "A prince? Me?" Shining nodded. "Yup. But, there's a law here as well: you can't be considered royalty unless you have royal ties or blood. Like Twily, Blueblood and Cadence. Many ponies, however, prefer you over Blueblood as their prince. So, you're not really a prince here, but out there, you're as much a prince as Blueblood."

Mad Mind smiled wider. "Never thought ponies looked at me as a 'role model'. Or a leader. Guess those thought's can be put to rest now." He said with a shrug. "So! What's up with you? Doing guard duty things?" He asked. Shining chuckled. "That's one way you could put it. I was just about to hit up the bar for a pint. Thought I could use a drinking buddy." He said. Mad Mind nodded. "I haven't had a beer in forever! Let's get a move on then!" He exclaimed with glee. Shining nodded and the two walked their way out of the castle to the bar.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Shining Armour hadn't lied when he said Mad Mind had a large reputation. On the way to the bar, countless ponies came up to him, either to say hi, give him a hoof-bump and at one point, a group mare had even come up to gave him a surprisingly powerful group hug.

"Dude! I had no idea I was this freaking popular!" Mad Mind exclaimed as they kept walking through town. Shining chuckled. "Don't let it go to your head! Sure you may be Mr. Big Shot now, but if you wind up to be another Blueblood, then this city will just spit you out like a piece of chewing gum that lost it's flavour." Mad Mind gritted his teeth as the name Blueblood appeared again. "I would never consider the thought of being a stuck-up, rich prick like Blueblood." Mad Mind spat. Shining raised his hooves in defence. "Hey. Chill out. I know you hate the guy, but just calm down a little. How about we just try not to bring up his name again hm?" Mad Mind nodded in agreement.

After a short walk, they came to an old, dingy bar with a wooden sign that read 'The Cock and Plucker.' Mad Mind couldn't help but chuckle at the name. "Seriously? Worst bar name ever." Mad Mind said. Shining Armour shrugged. "I guess it doesn't matter what your name is if your'e the only bar in Canterlot. Let's head in-WOAH!" As they were about enter, they noticed a red squirrel pass by their hooves. Shining looked surprised. "Haven't seen a red squirrel in a while. They're rare in Canterlot. Said to bring good luck if you cross path's with one." Mad Mind looked up at Shining and grinned. "Well, enough about luck! Let's get some beer's!" Mad Mind exclaimed as he pushed open the saloon-like doors to the dingy bar.

The bar was, surprisingly, empty. Not many ponies were in the bar. Some were just sitting on old, wooden barstool's and drinking, some were playing pool and dart's. (Mad Mind swore he saw an earth pony playing darts. Disaster imminent.)
And one lone mare was sitting alone with a pint of beer for herself. Mad Mind and Shining Armour both trotted up to the bar and hopped onto an old stool. Shining placed the order. "Two pints of your best lager please." He asked the bartender who nodded and poured them their drinks. As Mad Mind and Shining waited for their drinks to arrive, they struck up a new conversation. "So, is this place usually this empty?" Mad Mind asked. Shining shrugged. "It's seen better day's. But, not to many ponies drink alcohol in Canterlot anyway. I mostly come here for two reason's: a beer with a friend, or surveillance." 

Mad Mind looked confused. "Surveillance? Why are you watching ponies in here?" He asked in a hushed tone. Shining gave him a look of concern. "This isn't exactly the best neighbourhood to be in. This bar has seen constant problems with rowdy ponies, drunk's and many more problems. I just want to be sure that nopony get's hurt and can enjoy their beer." He whispered. His smile returned as their beer's were brought before them. "But! I still can have a good time with a bud if I wanted to! Let's drink!" Mad Mind slipped his hoof into the small ring and picked up his glass. The two clinked glasses together and began to drink.

Mad Mind never had a beer like the one he was drinking in a long time: So chilled, so nice, so... Perfect. He had almost forgotten entirely what beer tasted like. He had finished about half of his glass by the time he put it back down again. Mad Mind sighed. "Man! It's been to long since I've had a beer. Taste's freaking amazing." He said, causing Shining to chuckle. "It's nice to have a good drinking buddy with me. Not that there's anything wrong with the ponies in the guard, but it's just more awkward in my perspective." Mad Mind nodded in understanding and turned his head around.

What he saw made him raise his brow in suspicion. The mare that they had seen earlier was now surrounded by the stallions who had been playing pool and dart's: a grand total of five. Mad Mind turned to Shining. "Hey buddy," he said, getting his attention. Mad Mind pointed his nose to the mare. "This is the kind of stuff you surveillance?" He asked. Shining looked at the mare who looked increasingly uncomfortable. Shining turned his gaze back to Mad Mind. "Exactly the kind of stuff. Stay out of it for now. When thing's start getting ugly, then we jump in." Shining instructed. Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "What do we do when things get ugly?" Mad Mind asked. Shining grinned. "Well, I guess from your demonstration to Blueblood at the art gallery, you'll know what to do." He said casually. Mad Mind allowed a grim smile to form on his lip's. "I like where this is going." he said quietly. Shining nodded. "Remember: were helping ponies. Not brutally murdering every pony in the bar, so no killing." Mad Mind nodded in understanding.

Mad Mind picked up his beer again and took another sip, keeping his eye's on the mare. Mad Mind saw the whole thing. From his view, she looked like she was about to get up from those stallions and go to another table.

'She's gonna try and move.'
'Not gonna work. They'll force her back into her chair.'
'My thought's exactly.'

Almost on cue, she got up, but was quickly forced back down by the stallions, some of which were holding her in place. What happened next gave Mad Mind the urge to slaughter those stallions with a rusty fork; one of them gave her a brutal punch to the face. Blood came spurting out her nose from the force of the hit...

Mad Mind's eye's widened. "Oh no... Not again..." He muttered. Shining glanced at him confused as Mad Mind held his head in pain. "What? What again? Mad Mind what's wrong?"

Blood! Oh how wunderbar! THE BLOOD OF THE DAMNED IS SPLATTERED ON THE WALLS!'
'Mania... Please... Not again...'
'HAHAHAHAHAHAH! THESE FUCKERS ARE GOING TO DIE!'
'Oh shit...'

"Mad Mind! What's wrong!?" Shining was now beginning to panic as to what was happening with Mad Mind. Mad Mind slowly let out a chuckle as he opened his eye's again. Shining relaxed a little. "Oh! Thank Luna. I though I... Mad Mind?" Mad Mind wasn't listening. He just kept walking to the group with a grin that only a psychopath would wear. He let out a loud whistle that attracted the stallions' attention. Mad Mind gritted his teeth. "What the actual buck do you think you're doing to her?" He spat at the group. One of the larger stallions with a cream coat and a brown mane approached him and snickered. "None of your business pal! This young mare just needed some attention from us is all." He casually said. Mad Mind gave him a suspicious look. "Reeaally now? Look's to me like it's unwanted attention." Mad Mind retorted.

The stallion in front of him gritted his teeth. "Listen, buddy. I'm gonna give you a warning: leave this alone. This doesn't concern you in any way. Now, get out of my face or prepare for the beating of a lifetime." He seethed.

The mare spoke up from where she sat. "Please... Help me..." She managed to rasp out in a weak voice. The stallion that was threatening Mad Mind turned to her, fury in his eye's. He stomped over to her and gave her a massive punch to the head. "Shut up bitch! Nopony told you to talk!" That pushed Mad Mind further near the metaphorical edge. The leader stallion turned to face Mad Mind again. "See? Nothing you should be concerned about. Now just run along. Don't want to get humiliated or anything." He said with a snicker. His friends each snickered alongside him until...

WHAM!

Everypony stopped laughing as Mad Mind delivered a powerful blow to the head of the leader, making him finally shut up. The cream-coloured stallion got up and spat some blood out of his mouth. "Worst mistake you'll ever make." He spat. His friends soon joined up behind him, in hopes of their number's would frighten Mad Mind. It didn't.

Mad Mind chuckled. "This is hardly a fair fight! It's three on one for Celestia's sake! You'll end up losing!" He exclaimed. The stallion looked confused for a moment before recounting the ponies alongside him. He gave Mad Mind a confused stare. "Three on one? There's five of us! Go back to kindergarten and learn to count you foal!" He said, supplying a chuckle of his own, which the rest of his group joined in on.

Mad Mind shook his head. "Alright, here's how these thing's work commonly: There's first the leader of the group, you, who come's at me first in hopes of beating me first try. After the leader is done and taken care of, there are his wing-stallions who are his closest followers who will both come at me at once and expect to beat me as well. After those two are done, there are the final two stallion's who are just there to supply fear; not really to fight. So, they just run away, knowing that losing is immanent if they take me on," Mad Mind grinned. "If my math isn't mistaken, that's only three stallions that will face a miserable, bloody end and two who run, tails between their leg's. Three on one." Mad Mind finished.

The room fell silent as Mad Mind finished. The tension between both sides were so thick, you'd have to cut it with a machete. Not long after, the lead stallion of the other side charged Mad Mind.

Mad Mind remained motionless as the stallion charged him. Time seemed to slow down as Mad Mind began planning his move carefully.

'Wait fo it...'
The stallion was getting pretty close.
'Wait for it...'
He was almost in front of Mad Mind now.
'Almost there...'
The stallion was now almost brushing up against Mad Mind's face.
'NOW!'

THWIP!
SHLICK!

Mad Mind grinned as he hit his target spot on. While he was giving his little speech about how this was, in fact, three on one, the stallions failed to notice Mad Mind charging up a bow spell and prepared to launch a dart from the dart board straight at the lead stallion.

Hitting him straight in the eye.

Mad Mind heard a loud shriek of pain from his left and saw the lead stallion screeching in pain with a dart in his eye. Mad Mind grinned manically. The dart had, somehow, not managed to puncture any part of his brain yet, leaving him capable to be alive, just without one eye. Mad Mind, however, didn't want the lead stallion to be alive for longer than he planned to, but, more time to make him suffer.

Using his magic, he brought the cream stallion (who was now spurting blood out of his eye socket where the dart was still lodged in his eye.) onto a chair near a table and secured him tightly with bond's.

Mad Mind turned his head to the remaining ponies in the room, who all looked horrified by Mad Mind's display. Mad Mind, however, simply grinned. "Fillies and gentlecolts, I would like to show you a magic trick. I'll need a volunteer for this one though." Mad Mind glanced down at the stallion who was still howling in pain.

Mad Mind nodded. "This fine stallion will be my volunteer for tonight everypony! Tell me: what's your name friend?" He asked. The stallion was still wailing in pain as Mad Mind was talking. "Ahh? Well, nice to meet you Ahh. Anywho, my trick for tonight everypony," Mad Mind pointed a hoof at his eye. "I'm going to make that dart in Ahh's eye disappear! Now, on the count of three, it'll be gone okay? You all ready?" Mad Mind received no answer, but went on anyway.

"One... Two... THREE!" On three, Mad Mind slammed the stallions head on the table, allowing the dart to travel all the way through his eye into his brain. Mad Mind pulled the head back up to show his vial handiwork. Blood began to slowly seep out of the eye socket of where the dart once was. Everypony stared in horror at the now dead stallion and Mad Mind who struck a pose and said "Ta-da!" In a dramatic fashion.

Despite the fact that the stallions knew that Mad Mind was no ordinary threat, they would not allow their honour to be diminished by just one defeat or show fear that their leader was killed in such a brutal fashion. Even if this was for a girl. Two stallions replaced the leader and faced Mad Mind, who was still laughing crazily at how he just killed another pony. As Mad Mind saw the two stallions approach him, he sighed and shook his head. "So, you two are the wing-stallions I presume? Well, that solves one mystery at least." The two growled and attacked.

Mad Mind launched a chair at the first stallion, hitting him in the side of the head and sending him off course and into a pool table. The other stallion, however, proceeded with his charge. Mad Mind had no plan for this guy as he barrelled straight at him.

'This is gonna hurt...'
'Brace for impact.'

The stallion turned out to be surprisingly stronger than Mad Mind had anticipated. The stallions powerful charge had hit him square in the chest and sent him flying back and hitting his head on the edge of the bar.

Mad Mind felt small droplets of blood rushing down from the gash on the back of his head as he quickly got up. The stallion he had sent off course was back as well with a nice bruise on his chin. The duo slowly began to close in on Mad Mind, but the mad god did absolutely nothing. He just waited. As if on cue, he saw a small blur of white from behind the two stallions and Shining Armour knocking their skulls together, knocking them both unconscious.

Mad Mind chuckled. "Good timing. I saved those guy's just for you." Shining gave him a small glare. "You promised no killing." he spat. Mad Mind put a hoof up in defence. "I'll explain it after okay?" Mad Mind said as he turned back to the remaining two ponies.

Mad Mind pointed to the door. "Now, your duty was to run, if I wasn't mistaken?" The two needed no more encouragement as they bolted for the saloon-like doors

Mad Mind nodded and walked over to where the mare was sitting. She winced in fright as Mad Mind approached. A small feeling in Mad Mind's head told him now he was truly back in control of his mind. Mad Mind's expression softened as the mare winced. "Hey... Look, I'm not gonna hurt you or anything. Just wanted to make sure you-" he was cut off as the mare burst into tears and hugged Mad Mind. "T-t-thank you, so much!" She exclaimed between sobs.

Mad Mind had a confused look upon his face. He had just brutally killed a stallion, probably scarring some ponies in the room for life, and this mare was hugging him for it?
...
'I should save mares more often.'

As the hug was broken, she smiled a little. "Thank you. Those stallions were just... Horrible. I'm just so glad that some pony out here is capable of taking action." She said in a relieved voice.

Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "I saw those stallions surround you and I assumed the worst. Glad I took action while I did," he said with a smile. "Anyway, my name's Mad Mind." He stuck out his hoof in greeting.

The mare shook it. "Roseluck." She said simply. Mad Mind gasped. "Roseluck? As in, the Roseluck? From Gun's and Roseluck!?" Mad Mind exclaimed in surprise. Roseluck nodded. "You seem to know me," she said. "But, I think I have more honour to meet the famed Prince of the Ponies. I've heard much more about you." She said. Mad Mind chuckled.

"How did you hear about me?" He asked. Roseluck pondered a bit before responding. "It was... Back in my hometown, Ponyville. I was at Sugarcube Corner and heard some gossip about a new Prince who lived in Canterlot named Mad Mind. I didn't really buy it and, thankfully, had a tour coming to Canterlot so, I thought that I could get the chance to meet you!" She explained. Mad Mind looked surprised again.

"Ponies all the way back in Ponyville have heard about me? Sheesh. Rumours do spread like wildfire here." Mad Mind said.

"Well, when I said you were popular, I meant it." Shining said, joining the conversation. "I bet ponies all the way to Baltimare have heard your name at least once."

Mad Mind stifled a laugh.

'Baltimare? Baltimore? That's such a knock off.'
'What was your first guess? The band names are almost exactly the same as back on Earth!'
'Fair point.'

As he was brought back from his own thoughts, he found out he hadn't missed anything. Except for the fact that he was now joining Roseluck and Shining for another beer.

As their beers came, Roseluck started conversation as Mad Mind took a swig of his beer. "Also, rumour has it that you own an instrument called a 'guitar'. Am I not mistaken?" Mad Mind nodded in confirmation.

"I heard that a lot of older bands made massive amounts of money just from that instrument alone. If it's possible... Do you think that you could... Play me something?" She asked shyly. Mad Mind put his beer down and sighed. "Of course! I see no problem with it. I just need to do something really quick." Mad Mind's horn flashed quickly as he began forming a spell.

'What are you doing?'
'Relax Mania, I just need to summon a new guitar.'
'A new guitar? What's wrong with your other one?'
'Not an electric guitar.'
'Ahh... I see. Make the metal!'
'No. I'm not playing any metal yet. Just some casual rock.'
'Oh, fine.'

The spell soon came into effect. Purple energy began flashing in the area Mad Mind had focused on. It started becoming more and more powerful and, slowly, a familiar instrument began to construct itself.

The thin wires began to form for the inside of his electrical music maker and pieces of wood soon began to encompass it. Pieces of thin, beige plastic encompassed the neck while cherry red and white encompassed the body. Finally, six pieces of thick, metal string began to form itself on the neck of the guitar to make Mad Mind's own polished, cherry red, electric guitar.

Mad Mind had forgotten the amount of energy it costed to form something from another realm and nearly collapsed.
"There... We... Go..." He panted out. "Fresh... Cherry red... Electric guitar... Ready to be played."

Shining and Roseluck both looked impressed as Shining levitated the guitar over to the table. "This thing looks awesome!" Roseluck exclaimed with glee. Shining nodded in agreement as he looked at the instrument in fascination.

Then, he tried to play it.

He telekinetically plucked a string. It made a small twang! Causing Roseluck to flinch. "Maybe, you should leave it to the expert." She pointed out. Shining nodded and passed the guitar over to Mad Mind who grasped it in his weak force.

"I can play it still... It's just gonna need more effort," a thought entered his mind as he talked about playing it. "And an amplifier. I need an amp to play this thing."

Almost in an instant, Shining made an amplifier appear before Mad Mind. "There you go. Now, I wanna see this." He said.

Mad Mind got up and plugged in the amplifier and hooked up the guitar to the amp, causing it to let out a high pitched whine.

'Pleeeeeeeaaaasssssseee????'
'Please what Mania?'
'Metal! Play the metal!'
'No.'
'Pretty please?'
'No.'
'Just one.'
'No.'
'Yes.'
'No.'
'Yes.'
'No'
'Yes'
'...Fine! Just one!'
'Yay!'

Mad Mind readied the guitar and played out some of his favourite songs from his favourite metal band: Disturbed.

As the beginning riff began to play out, Mad Mind began to get into the song. Banging his head in the familiar fashion of how he listened to metal back on earth.

Shining and Roseluck both seemed to enjoy the sound of it so far, so Mad Mind began to sing.

"You walk on like a mare in suffering.
Won't even bother now to tell me why.
You come alone letting all of us savour the moment,
leaving me broken another time.

You come on like a blood-stained hurricane.
Leave me alone, let me be this time!
You carry on, like a holy mare pushing redemption.
Don't want to mention, the reason I know!

That I am stricken and can't let you go!
When the heart is cold and theres no hope and we know!
That I am crippled by all that you've done!
Into the abyss will I run..."

As the guitar continued on with the song, more and more ponies suddenly entered the bar, fascinated by the new sound of music playing in the bar.

Mad mind didn't stop.

"A-A-A AUGH!
You don't know what your power has done to me!
I wanna know if I'll heal inside!
I can't go on with the Holocaust about to happen,
seeing you laughing another time.

You'll never know why you face has haunted me.
My very soul has to bleed this time!
Another hole in the wall of my inner defences!
Leaving me breathless, the reason I know!

That I am stricken and can't let you go!
When the heart is cold and theres no hope and we know!
That I am crippled by all that you've done!
Into the abyss will I run...
INTO THE ABYSS WILL I RUN!!

More and more ponies began flooding the bar. Stallions were hollering and cheering as Mad Mind shredded the guitar as his guitar solo continued to charge onward. Ponies were going wild as the solo neared it's ending and Mad Mind kept on singing.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!
You walk on like a mare in suffering,
not even bothering now to tell me why,
you come alone, letting all of use savour the moment,
leaving me broken another time!

You come on like a blood-stained hurricane,
leave me alone, let me be this time!
You carry on, like a holy mare pushing redemption,
I don't want to mention, the reason I know!

That I am stricken and can't let you go!
When the heart is cold and theres no hope and we know!
That I am crippled by all that you've done!
Into the abyss will I run...
Into the abyss will I RUUUN!
I CAN'T LET YOU GO!!"

Mad Mind continued to fill the bar with the amazing amount of guitar exploding from the amp. He bellowed the final words of the song.

"YES, I AM STRICKEN AND CAN'T LET YOU, GOOOOO!!!"

As the song drew to a close, all of the ponies exploded into applause. Cheering, whistling and stomping were all heard. Mad Mind unplugged the guitar and made his way to Roseluck and Shining. He grinned mischievously. "How's that for a demonstration?" Roseluck nodded in approval. "I must say, that was awfully impressive. The crowd really likes you. Anywho, I need to head back to my hotel. I'll see you around Mad Mind" She said with a small wink as she left the bar.

Mad Mind and Shining too, both agreed they needed to head back home, and began to push their way through the crowd. Mad Mind swore he heard sad moans as ponies cried out for an encore. Some even calling out 'Free Pegasus', which Mad Mind guessed was the pony equivalent to 'Free Bird' which he politely turned down.

Mad Mind rejected the encore, disappointing many ponies, but promised he'll be back to play again soon, which seemed to brighten their spirits greatly.

Mad Mind and Shining both got out of the bar without any trouble. It was very late out and the moon shone brightly in the sky with thousands of stars looking like gemstones. Shining laughed. "And that, is why ponies like you more than Blueblood." He said. Mad Mind chuckled in agreement. "If your Prince came into a local bar and played some good music, wouldn't you love him?" Mad Mind asked. Shining nodded. "True," he suddenly stopped and glanced up at a building with a large sign that said 'Canterlot alcohol centre'. Mad Mind approached Shining Armour. "Hey dude, if it's possible, can I buy something there real quick?" He asked. Shining nodded and Mad Mind quickly dashed in.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind and Shining were soon walking back to the castle, Mad Mind carrying a very expensive bottle of rum in a saddlebag. Shining nodded to the bag. "What are you gonna do with that? Save it? Or drink it?" He asked.

Mad Mind put little thought into this matter. "Save it. I'll keep it for one thousand years. See how it tastes then." He said. Shining nodded in understanding. "One thousand year-old rum... Imagine how that would taste." He fantasized. Mad Mind chuckled. "One way to find that out." He said. The two chuckled and walked in silence until a question popped into Shinings mind. "Hey, Mad Mind," he said, capturing his attention. "Back at the bar, when you... Killed that stallion. What happened to you? You just kinda went into a full scale rage mode." He said. Mad Mind sighed.

"Look, this is something I never wished to discuss with anypony. You're the first pony to learn, and I trust that you wont tell anypony," he received a nod from Shining. "Alright. I have... Voices. Inside my head. They tell me what I should do, what I shouldn't do, etc. Sometime's, they even take control of my body and leave me helpless while they do their handiwork. What you saw back at the bar was my mind being controlled by one of those voices and me going on that... Frenzy. I guess you could call it." He said. Shining looked kind of afraid. Mad Mind smiled. "Don't worry; I can handle them not taking my mind as long as there's no blood or I have full control of my mind. So, just don't bleed around me." He casually said. Shining nodded, but still looked rather uncomfortable with the whole thing. "And remember: you can't tell anypony. This is, so far, just between me and you. Okay?" Shining agreed and they continued onward in silence.

As they reached the castle, they soon parted way's and Mad Mind retreated to his bedroom, put some spells on his rum, in case sompony attempted to steal it, and fell face-first into his bed for some well-needed rest.

He was going to need it.