Mad Mind's confusion quickly turned into fear as he quickly looked around the room. White. Endless amounts of white. It almost made him sick. White bed, white flooring, and four hideously, ugly, white walls.
His heart was pounding in his chest, the sound reverberating into his ears. He was, undoubtedly, in an asylum, but how did he get here? When did it happen? What day was it? How did-
He stopped himself at the last part and gritted his teeth angrily. Luna. It was her damn fault! She had to read the letter, she was the one who assumed that he was the reason the doctor died, and she was the reason why he was in this damn situation!
'That frigid bitch! She got me into this mess!'
'Once we get out of here, she'll pay for what she di-'
"Mad Mind? Are you there?"
The new sound pulled Mad Mind out of his mental rant, and drew his attention to the upper corner of the room, where a large speaker was mounted in the room. It was white. This, however, didn't really surprise Mad Mind.
"Hello?" He called out. He didn't know why he did. He knew that speakers only were supposed to transmit noise, not receive them, so why did he speak? Out of desperation? Fear? Hope? He didn't know, but he did anyway. "Who's there?"
A small sigh of... Was that relief? Could be heard from the other end of the speaker. "It's good to know that you are alright, Mad Mind. I assume you might have some questions-"
"You bet your ass!" Mad Mind exclaimed, cutting off the pony on the other end, "why am I here? Who am I talking to? And why am I in a GOD DAMN ASYLUM!?"
Mad Mind breathed heavily, his temper slowly rising. Silence filled the empty, white room. A small chuckle nearly escaped Mad Minds lips. A hesitation. A sign that they were either uncertain, or afraid. Either way, it would have been much funnier if he could see the pony's face. It's an easy start to breaking somepony.
Mad Mind would have slapped himself if his arms weren't bound by the tight restraints of the strait jacket. Why was he thinking like this? He knew that with Dementia, maybe he would be a bit more dark and sadistic, but this was a tad further than he expected.
Mad Mind's attention was brought back to the speaker as the pony behind it began to speak again. "Mad Mind, this is Princess Celestia. The reason we brought you to this asylum was for your safety, and for the safety of others. From what we understand, you continue to kill without expecting any consequence because of your ties." Celestia paused again, "but you must understand all actions come with consequences, big or small. And I will not have a mad pony running rampant in my country, killing other ponies and getting away with it. Royalty, or not."
Mad Mind wasn't sure how to react to that. He wanted to protest, but what Celestia spoke was true; he had been killing other ponies without so much of a consequence. And she wasn't a mom you could bitch about you problems to, she was the reigning monarch. If her subjects were being brutally slaughtered, by whomever, it was her job to make sure that the situation was taken care of. This wasn't the normal, caring, laid-back Celestia Mad Mind had known. No, this was the complete-monarch, totally-business Celestia, that was doing whatever it took for the safety of her subjects. The side that Mad Mind didn't particularly enjoyed.
"But Princess," Mad Mind began. He didn't dare call her Celestia, especially under the current circumstances, "I'm fully aware that killing other ponies is wrong, but you must understand; I only kill when something needs to be killed. It's like... Trees!" Now, Mad Mind wasn't even sure if he was proving his point, or just trying to buy himself some time. Either way, he needed one of the two, "when a tree get's too old or infested with termites, it needs to be cut down, or else something might happen to it that affects the other trees! Like, the termites could spread to other trees, or if it withers and falls, it could crush more trees! I only kill the corrupted ponies. The ones that can negatively affect other ponies! Because if they're not dealt with, then they're corruption could spread, or they could end up killing ponies as well!"
Mad Mind felt satisfied with his explanation, a smirk making itself known upon his face. Celestia spoke up again. "So, you only kill corrupted ponies?"
"Yes."
'That you believe could bring harm to other ponies?"
"Precisely."
"So, why did you kill that doctor?"
Mad Mind was about to speak, but couldn't find a way to respond. Why did he kill the doctor? Because he didn't want to end up in an asylum, and now look where he was. In an asylum. He killed a pony to prevent him from coming here, and still ended up here anyway because of killing him. Huh. Totally inevitable outcome. That sucks.
"Judging by you silence, I assume you had no real reason as to killing him?" The Princess asked.
Mad Mind looked down, his breathing shallow. He nodded his head a little. "Yeah. I guess that's the one exception." He breathed.
"Then, that leaves us with the impression that you are, indeed, corrupted by your insanity, and unable to be around other ponies without risk," Celestia continued. It almost sounded like she choked on her words, but she pushed on, "and are hereby sentenced to remain in this asylum until you either make a recovery through rehabilitation, or die."
Yup. The last part did sound very forced. However, Mad Mind understood; it's what's best for her country.
Which is on the brink of war.
With changelings.
And no clear battle strategy or ponies who are willing to kill for their survival.
As that truth dawned upon Mad Mind, he knew he had to make this point heard. "Wait! Celestia! Are you still there!?" He called out, desperately.
Nothing came out of the speaker for what seemed like an eternity before he heard her voice again. "Yes Mad Mind. I am still here."
Mad Mind clenched his teeth. "Listen to me! Your country is on the brink of war with changelings! As far as I've seen, your guards aren't trained to kill, save for a few," an image of Shining Armour's bloodied sword back at the house infested with changelings flashed through his head, "I'm probably your best bet! Not only can I kill, but with my magic, I can kill thousands of changelings before they so much as show themselves!" A tear rushed down his face. This was his last chance to convince her, and if his sadism was going to save him, then so be it, "please Celestia! I know it seems farfetched, But you just need to understand! I can help you! And I know how! Please!!" He bent over his head touching his bed, tears slowly making there way down his muzzle, "please..."
He could tell that he managed to get to Celestia. Murmurs could be heard from the other end of the speaker as Celestia seemed to have an argument with somepony, before the speaker came to life once more, "Mad Mind...," Celestia choked. She didn't try to hide it this time. Mad Mind already knew she had before, "I'm so sorry. As a friend, I wish there was more I could do. But, I can't let you out. This is for the best. For Bright Light. For Twilight and the rest of the element bearers. And, most importantly, for all of Equestria. I can't let you out, no matter how much I try. Please try and understand. I'm sorry, but you made the mistake. Good bye, Mad Mind."
And with that, the speaker shut off. And Mad Mind's anguish quickly turned into rage. "For the best!? For all of Equestria!!?? THERE WON'T BE AN EQUESTRIA IF YOU DON'T RELEASE ME! IT WILL JUST BE A MASSACRE! PONIES WHO CAN'T FIGHT, WILL END UP DEAD ON THE STREET! CELESTIA, I KNOW YOU CAN STILL HEAR MY VOICE! IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THIS WORLD," Mad Mind heaved a big breath before letting out a long screech, "THAN, RELEASE MEEEEE!!!!!!"
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Journal: Day 1.
Good lord. What have I gotten myself into? Killed one doctor, and the whole world wants you put into a mental institute.
Although, I guess it could be worse. I mean, they did give me this journal to write in so I'd have something to do. It's better than trying to make a noose with the bedsheets and hanging myself with it. Bedsheets don't work as effectively, apparently.
What is Celestia thinking? She thinks her army can take on the changelings? Hah! Those beasts are savage. They'll take a life without a second glance. That's total bullshit. They get recognized for killing, and I get tossed in a mental institute for doing it. Bastards.
Well, looks like I'm gonna be stuck in this hell hole until I'm deemed 'mentally stable'. That means, I'm stuck in here for life. You put the Deity of Insanity inside an asylum, and assume he can rehabilitate himself? That's like telling a dog to not be a dog.
The most annoying thing, is that I have to be wheeled around by nurses, because of a lack of front hooves. And don't get me started as to why I can't use my magic. It turns out, this ring around my horn not only cancels magic, but it also shocks the wearer. The shock depends on the power of the spell. And it sucks. A lot. Like the food, but we'll get to that some other time.
So, from here on out, I'll just keep writing down in this journal. Counting down the total amount of days it takes for me to finally break. We'll see.
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Journal: Day 3.
So. Bored. Must. Not. Die. Of. Boredom. There is literally nothing to do around here! You think in an asylum, there would be more than one patient, but the only people that are in here are old coots who believe the walls can talk to them, or that the rats will lead them to redemption or something like that.
And believe me when I say; There are about seven ponies in here. Besides doctors and nurses. Including me.
However, most of them have taken a fancy into me. Probably because I'm an alicorn and these poor bastards have no way of knowing what's happening in the outside world. I even asked one of them what year it was, and he said '1976'.
Saving the Princess can wait. Doom of Equestria or not, I will get out of here. I don't care what it takes, I'll do whatever is necessary to escape. Whatever is necessary...
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Journal: Day 5.
I understand why the old, crazy ponies are so interested in me.
It's not just because of an alicorn, or because I'm 'fresh meat' as it's so called, but they say I have this vibe; they didn't exactly describe it, but they just said there was something about me. Something that caught their attention. Could it be that my power far extends magic? They're insane, so that means they're basically my... Peasants? That thought brings chills down my spine.
Anyway, one of the elders, I actually think his name was Rushing Rain or something along those lines, said that he knew me. Like, personally. I told him we never met before, but he keeps on saying how he knows me. Here's the scary part: he knows exactly where I've been ever since I've arrived in Equestria. Was he... Watching me? No. Not possible if he was in here... Then how did he know?
How joyous. A mystery. Something to do here after all.
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Journal: Day 6.
That pony, Rushing Rain. He seriously creeps me out.
He told me that I was 'The One' or something like that. Like, I was the one who would redeem them. I don't know what he's talking about, and when I asked him about it, he simply said 'You understand. You have the answer; it's simply buried within you.' I don't know how deep I am, but I personally think that this pony... He might have a connection to my questionable sanity. I'll keep poking around and see what I can find.
Anyway, I got a letter from Celestia today; apparently peace negotiations have failed between the changelings and the ponies, and war is imminent. However, stubborn as always, she still refuses to let me out. Even after all of that... FUCK!
... It's been so long since I used the human term. I haven't really thought about home much since I got here... Y'know, like my human home. Where I used to live. With my girlfriend, my old job, my house... It's been a long while. How long has it been exactly? I don't know. Lost count of the days. It could have been months.
... I need to clear my head. I still have a long way to go before I can escape this hell.
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Journal: Day 10.
... You will not believe what I have learned.
Apparently, I was led to discover that Rushing Rain and I had more in common then I expected. Especially one thing: We both came from Earth.
When I first heard this, it was complete mind-fuck. Another human? In Equestria? Right under Celestia's nose, and she knows nothing about it? I'm both impressed and afraid. How long has he been here for? Somepony coming to Equestria from Earth, isn't EXACTLY something that goes unnoticed easily...
And get this: That gate I crossed through? He knows about it as well. Apparently, he used the exact same means to get here in Equestria... But, how? That gate isn't something that can be overlooked very easily, so how come we saw it, but nobody else on Earth did? Confusing as hell...
But, another thought is still haunting me; how'd he end up here? Was it by fate that we met? Or is there... Something more? Something I'm missing? I don't know if it was by coincidence or some other shit, but whatever it was, I'm afraid to learn... But hey; I have nothing better to do.
I found a centipede in my pasta. The guy next to me ate it. Not even gonna START questioning it.
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Journal: Day 12
Rushing Rain... That pony is bucked up.
Today, we got into a conversation about Madness (With the capital 'M' not the lower case 'm', just to be clear. You know, bandage dude.) APPARENTLY, he's a bit of a celebrity. He was actually an ancient god who worked alongside Discord, pulling off pranks, stunts and the like. This was BEFORE Celestia was even BORN. Or that Faust bitch. I still need to ask about who the hell she is...
Anyways, Madness was, eventually, destroyed. By something. What? I'm not sure, but it destroyed him.
Oh sorry, it didn't destroy him, because he's here now. Let's just say it 'put him into a LOOOOONG sleep.'
Madness was dormant for centuries, and couldn't do anything. (Sound familiar Discord?) Because he lacked a proper HOST. Now here's the thing; apparently, Rushing Rain WAS the original host for Madness, but he couldn't handle it. He couldn't stand the voices of Dementia and Mania constantly arguing, chipping away at his sanity bit by bit.
Speaking of, those two have become restless. I can hardly sleep because they bicker so often. Normally, I can get them to shut up and settle down, but they eventually get right back into fighting again. They become more and more rowdy with every passing day in this hell hole. It's already hard enough without having other ponies to talk to, but now it's almost unbearable. Almost.
Anyway, yeah. Rushing Rain WAS the host, but he couldn't handle it, so he became a pawn for Madness and locked up in this asylum. I'm the new host for Madness, and I've almost seen through his entire plan to bring him back.
... You have no idea how aggravating that is.
The deal was this; I was going to become the next God of Madness. It was me who would rule over all the crazy ponies, all the crazy ideas in the world, wielding limitless amounts of power! But, apparently I'm just being used BY the God of Madness for him to return to his realm. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO PISSED OFF IN MY LIFE! I'm being USED! I'M the one who will rule, not him! I shall become the Mad God here. And Madness? He has no control over my actions. I'll take his place. He will fall! He will crumble! I will rule! And he will no longer be known as the God of Madness. He will just be recognized...
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Journal: Day 12/13.
Oh how I'm enjoying this.
Mad Mind... The despicable bastard. He's so determined, so blind by his own ambition, it took him until NOW to realize how I'm using him.
It is still disappointing, however... I would have laughed even harder if he never found out, but I guess it makes it all the more fun with him finally knowing I was never on his side.
The God that Failed, hm? Cute, Mad Mind. Cute. I will succeed. You're will shall be shattered. I shall break you until you are nothing, as I have broken many another. You shall become nothing but a simple prisoner. A whisper in the back of my head.
However, Rushing Rain... Ah, my old friend... Somehow, you managed to survive. You were broken before, but you have begun to slowly repair... Well~! Now to break you down again. Into something less. Madness was the first step.
Death is the next.
I must dispose of him.
Heh... And, Mad Mind will never discover my plan. THIS plan, at least. All I have to do, is turn one page, and he'll never know. Fool proof.
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Journal: Day 14
Oh dear god. Oh somepony PLEASE tell me this isn't happening to me.
I woke up this morning covered in blood. But it wasn't mine. It was Rushing Rain's. I killed him. While I was asleep.
This is bad... I was hoping I could show Celestia how I was making progress, how I could get out of here and help her with the war! Now, I'm stuck in here for longer! GAH! HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN!? I WAS ASLEEP! I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS KILLING PONIES! I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW I GOT OUT OF MY ROOM! LET ALONE OUT OF THE STRAIGHT JACKET! HOW DID-
Madness. Of course. It had to be Madness. I don't even NEED to question it. Rushing Rain provided a threat for Madness. He wanted me to be oblivious to what he was doing. Rushing Rain was an obstacle, so he killed him. And now I'm taking the fall for something I didn't even do... Son of a bitch. Madness will NOT win this war. I now know my enemy. Madness wasn't helping me at all. But, I know I what to do... Oh, do I know what to do about Madness... I'd write it, but then he'd be able to see it. Looks like you'll have to wait.
I'm not even sure if somepony is gonna read this... I don't know WHY I'm writing it as if somepony WILL.
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Journal: Day 16
Today was... Different.
Woke up, as usual, but I found a letter at the foot of my bed... From Twilight.
When I saw who it was from, I ripped open the letter and read it instantly. She's... Fine. Making preparations for the battle, but that's the least of her worries.
She's disappointed in me... She expected me to get out of here sooner, but I'm stuck in here longer because of my apparent murder of Rushing Rain.
Now, because I killed him, I'm alone again. A familiar feeling.
The ponies invade in three days. They hope they can get the jump on the Changelings. My gut keeps telling me SOMETHING will go wrong. The Changelings will be ready for them. And the dragons. Ponies will, most likely, end up dead. I don't know... It's just a feeling though. I could be wrong.
I hope I'm wrong.
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Journal: Day 16 1/2
Mad Mind... My dear friend. Oh, you were so PERFECT for me... so determined, so power hungry...
And yet so utterly stupid.
From the looks of it, you seem to be planning something for me... how enjoyable. Knowing you, it won't be something intimidating in the SLIGHTEST.
However, I like my enemies helpless. It's hilarious to give them no hope. So... that means I have to use my trump card here, and go with the plan I made so long ago...
It's time for me to go and kill Logic. Oh how fun this will be...
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Journal: Day XX
Something is SERIOUSLY wrong today...
I swear the walls... they spoke to me. They said to escape. I told them I knew that, and that they needed to shut up. So they did shut up. The toilet also made it's voice heard, wanting sweet release and was tired of taking everyponys shit. I laughed at that little joke, but I told him to shut up as well.
What's going on? Everything is changing before my eyes. The walls were purple with orange polka-dots, and now they're a tinted shade of green. The door was eating a chair, and my bed was smoking something that the butterfly's had made.
I'm afraid of the door now.
And I really want some of the stuff that the butterfly's made. Maybe it could calm me down.
And... now I see a light. Could it be...? Sweet release at last!? I just have to follow the rabbit in a tuxedo...
I need a tux like that.
I'll be back in a few. Maybe.
Time to get the hell out of here.
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