> They Call Me Insanity
>  by Commander Ice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Arrival of a Madman
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was a beautiful sunny day in Toronto. The skies were crystal clear with the brilliant sun beaming down, heating everything with it's warm embrace. Birds were singing and the bright, vibrant colours of the city were brought to life.

Connor was walking down the street, casually humming a tune and enjoying the suns warm embrace. He, soon enough, found his way home, unlocked his door and entered. He closed the door behind him and instantly made his way to the couch.
Connor quickly jumped on the plush couch and clicked on the T.V. 

He took a bit of time to reflect: he was about 18 years old and had an amazing job that payed well, a nice house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and laundry room and was currently in a relationship with the best, beautiful girl that ever existed. There was just one small problem though:

He hated it.

All of it.

He gridded his teeth together just thinking about it. He didn't mind that his job allowed him to maintain a decent lifestyle, that he had a nice house and a nice girl. But, to him, it was all so BORING! If this was all life had to offer him, than it wasn't very much. He wanted to have fun; see the world, enjoy himself and have some interesting stories to tell. But he didn't have enough money or time to do so. 

He groaned in boredom as the news came on and did one of his favourite pass times: channel surfing. As dozens of programs flew past his eyes, one specific one caught his attention.

It was a program about gods: all powerful deities that could level cities with a flick of their wrist. They kept peace and balance for all creation and had limitless amounts of power. These kind of things made him grin and made his vast imagination run rampant as he visualized himself as one of these beings.

He turned of the T.V and sighed. "What I'd do for that kind of power," Connor muttered to himself as he slowly picked himself up off the couch. "I'd have limitless amounts of power, enough strength to level mountains and finally be capable of escaping this hell hole people call 'a living.'"

Connor slowly made his way upstairs to his bathroom to take care of some 'business' and quickly gazed at himself in the mirror. What looked back was his usual self: messy brown hair people often mistake for black, deep emerald green eyes and some fuzz beginning to grow on his upper lip. 'I need to shave.' He thought to himself as he proceeded to do his business before proceeding downstairs and glance at his watch which proudly displayed the time of 6:30 pm.

"6:30 huh?" Carter said to himself in thought. He glanced outside and noticed the sun was nearly at the point of setting and shrugged. "Yeah, I can go for a walk."

Connor enjoyed his walks. They were the one thing he could actually look forward to in his day. Today, he decided to take a stroll through a park next to his house and, perhaps, watch the sunset. The thought of taking a casual stroll brought a small smile to his face and, soon enough, was out the door and making his way to the park.

The park was an amazing place to enjoy a simple stroll: large trees covered the landscape and blocked out most of the suns rays, deep twisted roots sprang up every so often giving people a common, irritating obstacles in the road, and to end it off, a large clearing at the end with an old, lone willow tree providing the best view of a sunset.

Connor walked down the worn, old, dirt path enjoying the time alone to think to himself about random ideas that seemed to spring out of nothingness.

'If I could become a god what would it be?'
'Maybe a fun god?'
'No way. Thats unoriginal. Any other ideas?'
'Element god?'
'Cool... But to common. Next idea!'
'God of insanity?'

Connor raised an eyebrow at this random idea. Now that he thought about it, being a god of insanity would actually be pretty fun! Every idea had a little bit of crazy behind it, everyone had a little bit of crazy within them as well. So that meant... He would become a god that basically created the mind, made every single idea that came into existence and something enjoyable for himself as well.

'Not bad brain... Not bad at all.'
'Thanks!'
'Next order of business gentlemen?
'... I got nothing.'
'Ditto.'
'Ooh a gate!'
'Look a falling leaf... Wait. A gate?'

Connor glanced to his left and sure enough, right before him stood a small wooden gate leading directly into a tree.
He raised a curious eyebrow at the odd phenomenon. He had walked down this path thousands of times and saw that tree thousands of times. That gate was never there before.

Curiosity getting the better of him, he walked up to the small gate and inspected it closely before trying to open it. He gave it a push and nothing happened. Than pulled it and received similar results. 

Connor decided to assume that the gate was probably a pull than a push and began tugging on the small handle with more and more effort. "C'mon you son of a bitch..." He growled at the door before giving it a mighty heave and breaking the door right off the tree.

Connor held the small door in his hand as his thought process kicked in.

'Shit, shit, shit!'
'It's broken!'
'Everyone, calm your balls. On the bright side, we got the gate opened and learned it is, indeed, a push gate.'
'What about the gate? We broke it!'
'Alright. As far as anyone knows; it was broken to begin with. If anyone asks, witch they won't so don't worry, this gate looked totally broken when we first saw it, agreed?'
'Agreed.'

Connor shook the thoughts out of his head and glanced at where the gate once proudly stood. Inside of it was not what he was expecting: darkness. Not like night time darkness, but pure darkness. It seemed to ripple as he brought himself slowly closer to it. He quickly reconsidered what he was about to do and asked himself.

'All those in favour of touching the mysterious dark blob that may or may not kill me say "aye."
'Aye.'
'All those against this idea can go fuck themselves.'
'....'
'Thought so'

With his mind made up, he quickly brought a finger up to the mysterious dark blob and poked it. When he pulled his finger back out, some of the darkness was on the tip of his finger and quickly spreading to the rest of his hand, than to his arm, his chest, stomach, legs, feet, and finally his face. He finally blacked out as the darkness engulfed him entirely.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Darkness... That was all Connor could see: empty, cold, endless darkness. He blinked in fascination.

'Am I... Dead?' He thought to himself as he stared into the abyss. Eyes peering around in hopes of finding anything to show he was alive, anything to escape the darkness, but was only greeted by more of the endless black.

'So... I found some random, dark ball thing and it turns out it kills me?'
'Sounds about right'
'Alright... The people who were against this idea can stop fucking themselves I suppose.'
'... Do you hear something?'
'Yeah... Sounds like... voices?'

Connor focused his ears more intently and listened. As a matter of fact: he could hear voices. Not in his own head, but actually outside voices. Very faint, but they were there: witch gave Connor hope that he was not dead.

"How..... Doctor?"
"Still alive....... Unconscious....... may wake up in......... minute."

A bright beacon light shone into the darkness, drawing Connor like a fat kid to a cheese burger. The light grew more and more intense until he was looking around a room. 

The room was bleached white. No matter where he looked, He saw the same boring colour all over the room. The only place that didn't hold the sickening white colour, was the window, which held the bright sun witch was too hard to look at. Than there were the horses in front of him... Wait... That doesn't sound correct...

He glanced directly in front of him and saw seven equines standing before him. Each of them looked like a colour out of a box of crayons. Brown, orange, cyan, lavender, yellow, pink, and white: horrible, dreadfully bland white.

'Odd...' Connor thought to himself. Besides the fact that there are horses directly in front of me, I never think this way. I suddenly hate the colour white even more now... And now I have the urge to rip off her skin...'

'NO! No, no, no, no! Not making a mess yet!

Connor stared at the ponies and they stared back. Time ticked on ever so slowly. The feeling of anticipation was so thick, someone could cut it with a knife... No, a bodybuilder would have to cut it with a hunting knife, that was how thick it was.

'SOMEONE DO SOMETHING DAMMIT!!!!'

His pleas were somehow heard as the lavender pony, a unicorn/pegasus mix by the looks of it, stepped forward and spoke.

"Hi. I'm Twilight Sparkle. And who might you be?"
> Discoveries
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Connor sat there in awe. His jaw hung open in shock at what he just witnessed.

'Did that pony... Just talk?'
'No way. That's impossible! Ponies can't talk!'
'Well, apparently now they can! And it just asked you a question! Are you going to answer?'
'... Gimme a sec.'
'.... File know as "Logic" has been successfully deleted.'
'Alright, I'm ready.'

Connor stared at the ponies and they stared back. Tension began building up in the air again until something in Connor's mind snapped.

'GET ON WITH IT!'

He quickly shook his head to drive out his screaming thoughts and responded with a simple answer:

"What?"

Connor swore that, in his head, someone just face palmed. No, seriously, he could actually hear an audible smack inside his head. Oh... Never mind... It was the pony.

She let out a small sigh and muttered something under her breath and looked back up at Connor.

"Hi. I'm Twili-"
"Yeah. I got your name. What was the question?"

She was taken aback at the random remark made by Connor but instantly regained her composure.

"Who are you?" She asked simply.

Connor was about to respond but his thoughts kicked in.

'Wait. Why would she want to know? You don't know her. Can you trust her?'
'She's been casual with me so far...'
'Maybe humans a slaves in this world! Ponies could be the dominant race and humans are their pet's! She can't be trusted!'
'I can understand that logic I suppose... Hold on. I deleted logi-'
'SHE CAN'T BE TRUSTED!'

"Soo..." Connor was instantly brought back to... Whatever world this was, by the pony speaking up.
"Your name?" His mind instantly went back to his mental argument and thought for a second.
"Why do you want to know?" He asked cautiously.

Twilight Sparkle raised an eyebrow at this answer. Normally, anypony would respond with their name, but this pony clearly had some trust issues. She made a mental note about this before responding.

"Listen: the doctors have looked up almost every single file and have found no relatives, friends or anypony who could tell us who you are. And I'm also curious: there hasn't been a male alicorn in over five thousand years!"

'What the hell is an alicorn?'
'Why is she referring to me like I'm one of them?'
'... Wait a damn minute here...'

"I need a mirror. Now." Connor said with urgency in his voice. The doctor instantly jumped up and rushed out of the room and arrived back in a matter of minutes with a mirror in... hoof?

How does that even work?' He thought to himself, but these thoughts were instantly pushed out of his head as he saw what was in the mirror. Instead of his normal, human face, he saw a pony. He blinked, the reflection blinked. He raised a hand to his eye and saw his hands have been replaced by hooves. He even changed in colour: his once normal, tan skin had been replaced by fur which looked as if it had been ripped into two different colours: on his left, a deep purple, easily comparable to Twilights' mane and on the right, a deep, blood red.

Even his eyes weren't safe from his transformation: his once emerald green eyes had been replaced by, surprise surprise, a red on his left and purple on his right. He glanced at where his hair once was: it too had been replaced by a messy, chaotic mane which stuck out left and right and matched the exact colours of his coat. Upon the base of his head, was a horn that, as well, looked ripped in half from his colouring. On his side were a pair of wings that matched his coat, and between his legs, was a long, messy tail with the common red and purple mix.

He kept on staring at his reflection, allowing his mind to give it's own input.

'WHAT IN THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED TO ME?!'
'Dude. Calm the hell down.'
'I'M A FUCKING HORSE!'
'Dude.'
'WHAT SICK MAGIC IS THIS?!'
'Dude!'
'HOW DOES THIS EVEN WORK?!
'DUDE!'
'... Yeah?'
'Calm down.'
'How? I'm a damn horse, I have no idea where I am and I'm hearing these new voices in my head! HOW DO I CALM DOWN?!'
'I can either slap you or you can take deep breaths.'
'You can't slap me. This is my-'
'SMACK!'
'OW! How the actual fuck does that work?'
'Feel better?'
'Kinda. Yeah.'
'Okay just hear me out okay? On the bright side-'
'There's a bright side?'
'Yeah, now listen: On the bright side: your something this world has yet to see, besides the fact your a pony, you look like a total badass and you have a new beginning! Isn't that what you wanted?'

Connor rolled this thought around for a second. This new voice had a fair point: that Twilight pony did say that there hasn't been a pony like him in over five thousand years, he actually did look pretty decent, hell, he even enjoyed how the colours of his coat didn't match. And he received a new beginning: a change in his old, dull way of life. Maybe, he could enjoy this new form, maybe even this world as a whole and be who he wanted to be.

'I guess this might not be as bad as I thought...'
'Wasn't I in a conversation just now?'
'Oh! Right!'

He shook the thoughts out of his mind and glanced up at the six ponies staring at him. After about two minutes of staring, Connor decided to break the silence.

"Y'know, If you take a picture, it'll last longer." Connor said with a chuckle.

The six, unprepared for what he just said, took a step back in surprise before blushing and rubbing the back of their necks in embarrassment. Connor let out another burst of laughter before speaking up again.

"Now look: we can each just keep staring at each other awkwardly and hope for something to happen, or I can actually learn your names."

Twilight, clearly happy to get out of that awkward moment of Connor staring at himself in the mirror, spoke up first.

"You already know me: I'm Twilight Sparkle-"
"Princess Twilight Sparkle. Don't forget that darling."
"Yes I know Rarity. Any who, this is Rarity."

The white unicorn that Connor despised so much stepped up to him and spoke.

"Hello sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." She politely said before bowing slightly.

'Bowing? Why the hell is she bowing to me? Aw well. Bowing or not, I still hate the colour white.'

As she returned to her spot, the cyan pegasus raced right up to his side and greeted him.

"Hi! I'm Rainbow Dash. Fastest flyer in all of Equestria! And the first to ever perform a Sonic Rainboom!"

'There is a certain irony behind her name. And her mane is a rainbow... I like this one.'

Connor smiled and nodded his head to her in greeting. She quickly returned to her spot and the next pony, the orange one with a brown stetson hat, came up beside him and took Rainbow's place. She held out her hoof in greeting which Connor reluctantly accepted and received a hoof shake that nearly shook his entire arm off.

"Well Howdy! Ah'm Applejack. Ah own Sweet Apple Acres, the best apples in all Equestria!" She said not after giving a small wink to Rainbow.

'Is she mocking Rainbow? Well, Rainbow is a bit cocky about her abilities... I'll need to see her fly and try the best apple.' He smiled to her in acknowledgement and she returned to her spot.

Four down, two to go. Connor was already receiving constant boredom notices but tried to pull through.

He didn't expect a certain pink mare rush up right next to him and inhale deeply before saying
"HII'MPINKIEPIEAREYOUNEWHEREBECAUSEI'VENEVERSEENYOURFACEBEFORE!*gasp*!WENEEDTOTHROWYOUAPARTYONCEYOUGETOUTOFTHEHOSPITALWITHBALLOONSSTREAMERSANDCAKE!LOTSOFCAKE!YOULOOKLIKEYOULIKECAKEWHATSYOURFAVORITEFLAVOUR?" 

'That was all in one breath? Holy shit... I have a new favourite here!'

The fucked up part about this: he actually knew everything Pinkie said.

"Well two can play that game..." Connor muttered ominously before inhaling sharply and responding.

"HINICETOMEETYOUTOO!YESI'MNEWHERE,IACTUALLYNEVERHEARDOFTHISPLACEUNTILNOWANDIFTHERESGONNABEAPARTYTHANTHEREBETTERBELOTSOFSTREAMERSBALLOONSCAKEANDCHEESE!CHEESEFOREVERYPONY!MYFAVOURITECAKEFLAVOURISPROBABLYCHOCOLATEWITHVANILLAICING." 
Connor responded with a large grin plastered on his face.

Every mare in that room was now in a zone called the "What the fuck just happened?" zone. Well, almost every mare. Pinkie Pie was just bouncing up and down in glee.

"YAYSOMEPONYWHOCANKEEPUPWITHMYSPEAKING!INEEDTOGOPLANOUTYOURPARTYBYE!" And rushed out the door, leaving the remaining mares with a serious case of mind-fuck.

"Oookaaayy than..." Twilight said, barely capable of getting over what just happened.
"Now than, last but not least, is Fluttershy!" She moved out of the way as if she was showing something off, only to reveal a large amount of empty space.

Connor cocked his head in confusion "Twilight, is this pony a unicorn? Or were they born invisible?"

Twilight glanced at the empty space she was showcasing and groaned before storming off into the hallway, leaving Connor, Rainbow, Rarity and Applejack alone in the room.

After a couple of seconds, Rainbow seemed to get bored and tried to get a conversation going.

"Soo... How about you?"
Connor glanced up at Rainbow in confusion. "What about me?"

SMACK!

Rainbows hoof instantly connected with her face and she shook her head. "Your name! Twilight asked for it but you weaselled your way out of it! And since we are making introductions, might as well tell us who you actually are!" Rainbow exclaimed.

Connor thought about it. Judging from the fact that these mares had two parts to their names, Connor must not be a common name. As much as he would like it, he couldn't keep his old name, so he needed a new one.

'Gentlemen? I need you again.'
'What's up?'
'We need a new name. It needs to be cool, make sense and swagtastic. Any ideas?'
'Little Tim?'
'No. I'm not using the name of the toymakers son. Next!'
'Asshole?'
'You dick.'
'That's a good one as well.'
'Who hired you?'
'I did sir: he's my cousin.'
'Dammit tell me these things next time! Oh, and your fired. Next!'
'You know what? All these pony names sound like two words mashed together. So we should just mash two words together to make a name!'
'Creative thinkers like you make us go far. Alright, two words people!'
'How about "Mad?"'
'Like crazy?'
'Basically. I mean, you already have mental arguments and bored meetings so it'd make some sense.'
'You have a point. Any other word?'
'"Mind?"'
'... Seriously?'
'Well, do you have any other ideas?'
'... Logic! How'd you get back here? You were deleted!'
'I'm always here.'
'As much as I hate to admit it: he does have a decent point.'
'Okay so we have "Mad Mind." That is our new name. Good work gentlemen.'

Connor was brought back down to Equestria (From what he heard, thats what this place was called) and was greeted by an impatient Rainbow Dash.

"Well? I'm waiting." Dash said impatiently
"Mad Mind." Connor muttered.
"Sorry, what was that? I didn't quiet catch that."
"My name is Mad Mind." Connor said a bit louder.
"Mad Mind?" She asked curiously. She stared at him intently expecting him to say something else and kept staring him down for roughly a minute. Connor than realized: She didn't buy it.

'Shit she didn't buy it. New plan, new plan!'

"I like it." She said with a small smile on her face.

'Phew! False alarm everyone! were good!'
'Hold up. Did she just compliment you?'

"Umm... Thanks." Connor replied cautiously. "But why did you stare me down?"
Dash looked him in the eye "Pressure test." She responded simply.
Connor face hoofed(?) and sighed "Well played Dash. Well played."
She let out a small chuckle before landing next to him. "So, how fast are you?"
"How fast am I? It depends." Connor responded.
"Like, how good are you with your wings?"
"My wings?" Connor gave this a lot of thought and drew to one conclusion: tell the truth.
"I've never used them before." Connor admitted.
Rainbow simply stared at him as if he just transformed into a demon than began to laugh. And laugh. And laugh some more, making Connor sigh and stare down at his hooves in embarrassment.
Rainbow than noticed Connors expression and stopped laughing. "Wait. You're serious?"
"No, I told you that so you could have a good laugh." Connor said, the sarcasm literally dripping out of his voice.
Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "Sorry." She said with a sheepish smile.
"It's cool. You didn't know so I can't really blame you." Connor responded with a smile of his own.

"RAINBOW!" A voice from behind boomed out with a thick southern accent. Connor glanced over and saw Applejack making her way over to the cyan pegasus. Rainbow began slowly flying backwards in fear as the farmer made her way up to her.
"What did we say about makin' a nuisance of yerself?" Rainbow flinched at the harshness found in AJ's voice.
"To not to." She responded weakly.
"Exactly. Now stop pressurin' the fella. He's had a long day, and the last thing he needs is somepony annoyin' 'im! Ya hear?"

The look on Rainbow Dash's face would've been pretty funny if Connor didn't feel bad for her. But, right now, he couldn't help but feel a little bit bad for her: I mean, she only wanted to start up a conversation, there's no harm in that.

"Applejack," Connor began, but just before he could, Twilight returned with a mare with a butter yellow coat and pink mane.

"Thirty minutes Twilight? She couldn't have gotten that far." Connor asked, head cocked in utter confusion.

"I had to get the almost all the staff to help me look for her and we couldn't find her," Twilight explained.
"We found her in a broom closet and she still tried to resist getting to meet you."

Connor's look of confusion was still upon his face. "I'm not that ugly am I? Or did I say something?"
"No darling: Fluttershy is just awfully... Well, shy. I suppose her name reflects it." Rarity explained with a sigh.

Said pegasus slowly brought her way up beside Connor.
"Um... Hello, my name is... Fluttershy." She managed to squeak out but not after hiding behind her mane.

Connor smiled to Fluttershy as she quickly moved away to the back of the group.
"Now than," Twilight began, drawing in everyponies attention. "Now that we've introduced ourselves to you, how about you introduce yourself?" She asked looking up at him in anticipation.

Before Connor could even speak, Rainbow cut him off "He told me his name!" She said, apparently proud that she was the first to know. All of them glanced between Dash and Connor for a brief amount of time.

"Why would ya tell her first?" Applejack asked Connor, slightly enraged by this fact.
"Good question. When I asked you for your name, you got out of the question. But you told Rainbow out of all ponies? Why her?" Twilight asked in a similar tone to Applejack's.

Connor was about to respond but Dash cut him off again "I guess he trusts me more than you guys."

'Bitch, I just met you. I like your style, but I don't fully trust you!' Connors mind went into a protest which resulted in one of the most wicked migraines of all time. He rubbed his temples with his hooves as the girls argued.

"I introduced my self first! He should trust me more than you!"
"Why would he put more trust into yah instead of us?"
"I actually got to know him!"
"Darling, that is not fair! How could he trust you if he only had one more conversation with you?"

With the constant protest within his mind and the girls arguing outside was enough to drive him into one of the most powerful rages that he ever mixed up.

'Alright I've had enough. Can I do something?'
'If you can shut them up, than do it now.'
'With pleasure.'

"But I don't see why-"

"ENOUGH!" Connor bellowed loud enough to cause every pony to stop and look up at him.
"DOES IT REALLY MATTER THAT FUCKING MUCH ON WHO I TELL MY NAME TO??!! DO YOU WANT THE TRUTH?? MY NAME IS MAD MIND, AND FOR THE RECORD, I DONT TRUST ANY ONE OF YOU MARES!!"

All the ponies in the room stared up at him in shock at this outburst. Twilight looked up at Connor
"Mad Mind right? Calm down..."

Connor gave Twilight a glare that could kill a dragon. "I'M NOT EVEN DONE YET! HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT YOU GIRLS CAN ARGUE SOMETHING THAT SMALL?? WHATS THE MOTHER FUCKING POINT??!! I BARLEY KNEW YOU GIRLS FOR MORE THAN TWO FUCKING HOURS AND YOU HONESTLY THINK I CAN TRUST YOU AT ALL??!!" Connor barked, his rage seeming to have no end.

All five mares were standing backs against the wall in fear of facing Connors fury. Rainbow decided this to be a good time to ask questions "So... Why did you tell me first?"

Connor glared at her "I WAS ACTUALLY BEGINNING TO TRUST YOU! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'D LET MYSELF DO THAT! I THOUGHT YOU COULD ACTUALLY KEEP IT A SECRET THAT I TOLD YOU FIRST TO AVOID THIS BUT SOMEPONY,"
Connor shouted as his glare continued to Applejack "DECIDED TO BURST IN TO OUR CONVERSATION!"

'Hold up: did you just say "somepony"?'
'Yeah thats how it's, apparently, pronounced in this world.'
'Seems legit.' 

Connor's gaze went over all five mares: about half of them looked ready to burst into tears and the other half looked to shocked to say anything.

"This could've been avoided," Connor growled. "If we weren't interrupted, than none of this would've ever happen. But now, whatever trust I had for you girls is now gone." He finished with a frightening glare to all the mares in the room.

They were completely silent for what seemed like hours before (surprise surprise) Twilight spoke up.
"Mad Mind... Were so sorry we made you feel that way. We didn't mean to upset you in any way or disrupt your trust for us," The look in Twilights eyes was one of pleading as she finished her thought. "Could you ever forgive us?"

Connor thought about it for a couple seconds and responded. "Yes I forgive you. But my trust for you is not redeemed. You'll need to earn it again."

Twilight seemed a bit more cheery by this response. "Great! Now than, for our next order of business: you said that you've never been to Ponyville right?"

'Ponyville? Seriously?'  "...No. I've never been here all my life."

Twilights smile increased in size. "Than we'll have to give you the tour! We'll get you signed out and we'll show you around!" 

Connor didn't need to tread on this thought for long, he needed to know where he was anyway, and decided to agree.
"Alright I'll come." He replied as a smile began to make his way onto his face.

'Maybe this won't be so bad after all...'
> Exploration and Exploitation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind made his way out of the hospital, stepped out into the open world and sighed as he felt the suns rays bathe him in warmth. A slight breeze travelled by, flowing gently through his messy, chaotic mane. He smelt the fresh air and let out his breath in relief of finally getting out of the hospital and escaping that horrible smell of disinfectant.

As Mad Mind enjoyed his time of freedom from the hospital, he noticed that the hospital was upon a small hill, overlooking a small, colourful town. He grinned. 
'So that's Ponyville...' Mad thought to himself as another small gust of wind passed by, causing the leaves on a nearby tree to rustle.

Somepony clearing their throat brought Mad Mind back from his little rest as Twilight Sparkle brought up the front of the group, eager to give Mad Mind a five-star tour of the town. 

Connor made a rain check on the other mares, seeing if they were ready to go. Fluttershy was at the back of the group, remaining quiet as ever, Rarity was trying to bring up conversation with Applejack and failed horribly as Rarity began getting to get into another argument with Applejack.

"Darling, why would you not want to try on dresses for me?"
"Listen Rares: I appreciate the offer and all, but I'm not one for dressin' up. I just don't see the need."
"Applejaaaaaack..." Rarity began whining and whining but not before noticing Mad Mind staring daggers at her. Not wanting to deal with a pissed off Mad Mind again, she quickly shut up and apologized to Applejack.

The last mare of the group, Rainbow Dash, was utterly bored out of her mind. She tried doing small loops to entertain herself, but quickly got tired of that and began drawing things on the ground. Mad Mind let out a small chuckle at this: somepony needed to teach her a thing or two about patience.

Rainbow soon got bored of that as well and spoke up. 
"Ugh! Can we get going now? I have things to do! Clouds to clear! Naps to take!"

'What does she mean "clouds to clear?"' Mad Mind thought to himself but shoved these thoughts out of his mind quickly so he could respond.

He quickly looked at Twilight. "Ready when you are." He said with a smile.
Twilight nodded and the six began making their way towards the small village and, eventually, arrived in the square. There were lot's of ponies in the square: buying and selling food, clothes and many other things.

'Clothes? Ponies wear clothes? Since when? All the ponies I've seen so far have been...'
'Mother of god...'
'Ponyville's a village of nudists.' Mad Mind went wide eyed at this thought, but didn't allow himself time to worry about it as the group arrived at their first destination: A gingerbread house.

No, seriously.

A full scale gingerbread house with icing, gingerbread and gumdrops... Mad Mind rubbed his eyes and blinked before sniffing and wiping a tear from his eye.

'It's beautiful...' He thought to himself as Twilight began talking.

"This is Sugar Cube Corner, Ponyville's local bakery. No, it's not real gingerbread,"
'Dammit!'
"You'll find loads of treats in there, and Pinkie Pie works here as well."

' I swear I'll be here. A lot.' Mad Mind thought to himself as they left the gingerbread house and made their way directly to an apple orchard.

Not just any orchard though: The orchard.

It was HUGE! thousands upon thousands of trees covered the landscape filled to the brim with the red and green delectable fruits. Mad Minds eyes went wide upon seeing this. In the distance, he noticed a large, red barn and a farm house directly beside it.

Applejack took the lead for a few minutes to show the farm. "Welcome t' Sweet Apple Acres! The largest apple orchard in all Ponyville!"

"Not to mention the only one..." Rainbow muttered to Mad Mind with a chuckle. He hardly payed any attention to Rainbow as he looked around the orchard. He moved his gaze back to Applejack.

"It's lovely, Applejack." Mad Mind said to her with a smile causing her to chuckle.

"Thanks fer the compliment! Here," She said giving Mad Mind and the others an apple. "Free of charge. Well, It's been nice meetin' you Mad Mind, but I need to go and finish up the farm work. Them trees won't buck themselves." She said, and with a tip of her hat, she made her way towards the barn.

"Well that was nice of her." Connor said as they made their way back towards town square.
"Applejack's a nice pony once you get to know her. And also one of the most honest ponies around." Twilight said, levitating her apple up to her mouth and taking a bite.

Connor froze, his mind getting into another debate.

'That apple... Just floated up to her.'
'How? That's not possible.'
'Magic.'
'Oh please. Theres no such thing as magic.'
'You're in a land filled with talking ponies. Don't tell me whats possible and not possible.'
'Honestly, logic? You were deleted. Just get lost!'
'But where will the fun in that be?'
'It's not supposed to be fun. Go. Now.'
'I will... Eventually.'

"MAD MIND!" Mad Mind instantly jumped at the sound of his name being called directly into his ear.

"OW! What the hell?" He began, but noticed a laughing Rainbow Dash beside his head. He shook his head and turned his gaze to Twilight. "Soo... What's up?"

"Mad Mind: you were standing there for a full five minutes. Is there something wrong?"
Mad Mind gave her a sheepish smile in return. "Oops. Sorry Twi, my mind kinda wandered off. It took me a while to find it again is all."
Twilight nodded, not entirely convinced. "Okay, but keep track of it this time. Don't want to lose you again." She responded as she turned around and kept walking. Mad Mind shrugged and followed the rest of the group until they arrived at a large, carousel-shaped building. This time, Rarity went up to the front of the group and spoke.
"This is Carousel Boutique. My shop where I design my clothes."

Connor stopped, thinking this was as good a time as any to ask questions. "So you make clothes?" He asked curiously.
Rarity glanced at him in confusion. "Why yes dear. I design clothes for ponies all over Equestria. Why do you ask?"

"Well, we've been walking around town for quiet some time now, and I noticed very few ponies wearing clothes. Is there something wrong with business or do ponies just not wear clothes often?" Mad Mind asked, eyebrow raised.
An awkward silence overcame them for, what felt like, an eternity before she finally spoke up again.
"Well... You see: Most higher class ponies, like ponies from Canterlot, wear clothes to show their status. Ponyville is slightly different. The ponies here are, for the most part, of equal status so there is of no real need for clothes, unless for a celebration of course, than there is a dire need for attire to grab the attention of other ponies."

Mad Mind rolled this thought around for a second before responding. "Huh. Well that clears thing's up for the most part."

Rarity's face than changed, as if she remembered something of dire importance. 
"Oh my! I have totally forgotten about my order! I have to finish 4 dresses in three days! I have to get to work. It was a pleasure to meet you Mad Mind. I'll be off now. Good-bye!" She said quickly as she ran back into her shop.

The remaining ponies, Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Mad Mind, all began to make their way towards a dark forest on the outskirts of town. Mad Mind swore though: he thought he saw a bright flash as they left Carousel Boutique.

As the four of them arrived at the dark forrest, Twilight began speaking again. "This is the Everfree forest. Not many ponies go into there though,"

Mad Mind gave her a look of confusion. "Why? Is there something wrong with that forest?"
Rainbow decided to give her opinion about this. "Of course there's something wrong with it!"
"And what might that be, O' wise Rainbow Dash?" Mad MInd asked sarcastically.

Rainbow decided to drop it. "That forest isn't natural. All the animals have to take care of themselves!"
Mad Minds expression changed to one saying 'Are you freaking serious?' as Rainbow continued.
"And the there trees are unnatural as well! And worst of all..." She paused for dramatic effect. "The clouds move by themselves!"

Mad Minds eye twitched. Than he burst out into a massive fit of laughter. He fell to the ground, holding his sides as he rolled around laughing intensely. Twilight and Rainbow exchanged looks of confusion. "How's that funny?" Twilight asked curiously. Mad Mind grinned.
"Seriously? Is that it? It's just a damn forest! Nothing more! I fail to see how this forest is at all bad!" He exclaimed.

Rainbow gave Mad Mind a stern look. "It's not just a 'normal forest', this forest is one of the scariest, darkest forests of all dark and scary forests!"

Mad Mind chuckled. "Aww. Is poor little Dashie afraid of the big, bad forrest? Maybe you need somepony to hold your hoof?" Mad Mind taunted. Dash shook her head "I'm not afraid of anything!" She boasted as she flew up a few inches and puffed out her chest to prove her point.

Mad Mind grinned as he saw an opportunity for more humiliation (If he could get it past that thick skull of hers...)
"Oh than please! If you would be so kind as to give us a tour of the Everfree forest. Being the fearless pegasus that you are, surely you must be a... Capable tour guide for such a," he paused as he stared up at Rainbow and stared her straight in the eye. "Spooky forest."

All the fearlessness and dignity rushed from Rainbows eyes as Mad Mind stared directly into them. He grinned as he saw it simply disappear. "M-maybe some other time..." She stammered out, trying hard to not maintain eye contact. He grinned. He knew he was getting somewhere with this argument and was going to keep pressing her, but Twilight decided to step in.

"Rainbow, Mad Mind just wanted to know what the forest was like is all. I don't see much of a problem with it,"
Rainbows face as Twilight said this: priceless. Her eyes turned to the size of pins and she began stuttering over her words until Twilight spoke up again. "But it'll have to be another time. Our tour of Ponyville isn't complete yet and were wasting time. I have a tight schedule to keep and we need to keep moving." Rainbow let out a sigh of relief at this. Twilight began moving to the next part of the tour and Mad Mind followed. Rainbow quickly flew up next to Mad Mind and began conversation.

"Look: It's not that I don't want to show you around the Everfree, it's just... I don't know my way around. We might get lost for all I know, and maybe attacked by some vicious animal! Or-" Mad Mind cut her off at this.

"Alright, listen. I only took this tour so I could find my way around Ponyville, not because I wanted to spend more time with you girls. I would personally prefer if I found my way around myself, but since you guys are trying to become my friend so badly, I had no choice but to go with you on this tour." Mad Mind stated to a confused Rainbow Dash. 

"Why do you have a problem with us? We've been nothing but nice to you and you refuse to show us any respect."

"Correction: You've been too nice to me. It just seems too suspicious, too good to be true. I still don't trust you girls entirely yet. It all just seems too perfect for me: no hardships, no problems, just waking up somewhere in a place I don't know with a chance to make friends,"

Mad Mind shook his head and avoided Rainbows gaze. "It's all just too good to be true." He muttered.

Mad Mind turned his head back and saw a hurt Rainbow. "I guess your just a lucky guy than." She said as they continued following Twilight. "If I was brought into a place I don't know I would probably freak out as well, but when I see ponies who are just trying to be friends with me..." She smiled. "I guess it's kinda a good thing knowing that I have ponies who care about me."

"To me, that's just jumping to conclusions. What if the ponies you call friends were using you the entire time? And after you serve your purpose, they just backstab you, throw you out like trash. What do you do then?" Mad Mind asked, paranoia clear in his voice.

Rainbow froze. Mad Mind looked at her and saw that she was more hurt than before. "Y-you don't honestly think...  That were going to do that to you. Do you?"

Mad Mind thought about this for a good, long twenty seconds before responding. "I think not. And I hope not. But, at the moment, I can believe anything. And I'm choosing to believe in this for the moment."

Rainbow's eyes went wide at this as she felt a strong, sad feeling within her. "Look... I gotta head back home now. Need to finish clearing the clouds. I'll see yah later Mad Mind." She said as she took off into the sky in a rainbow streak.  She felt a heavy feeling in her heart.

'I would never do that,' Rainbow thought to herself as she arrived at her massive, cloud house.

'Would I?'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"And here we are at... Where's Rainbow?" Twilight asked as she only saw the two ponies with her.
"Oh. She went home. Something about 'clearing clouds' and being 'bored out of her mind'." Mad Mind explained.

The trio had finally arrived at a cottage which had an infestation of critters of all shapes and sizes. The place looked slightly overgrown, but it complimented the fact that is was so close to the Everfree.

"This is Fluttershy's cottage. Or the local vet..." Mad Mind drowned out the rest of the words Twilight had to say as his mind kicked into gear.

'Why is she showing me all of the girls houses?'
'Is she really that desperate to get you to become friends with the girls?'
'She know's I don't trust the girls whatsoever. Maybe she thinks that by showing me their houses, I'll visit them more often and become friends with them!'
'Theres always a damn catch, isn't there?'
'She's looking at me funny. Maybe I missed something important. Are ears prepared to receive more shit?'
'Ready.'
'Let her rip.'

"Huh? Wha?" Mad Mind asked, completely oblivious to what Twilight just asked.
She groaned and face hoofed. "I said: that maybe Fluttershy would be a more capable pony to guide you through the Everfree forest. She knows the place like the back of her hoof! Isn't that right Flutershy?"

Said pony was now hiding behind Mad Mind in fright. "No... I refuse to do it... If thats okay." She said softly. 

Mad Mind smiled. "Twilight, it's fine. I can explore that place for myself when the time comes."

Twilight and Fluttershy let out a small gasp as Mad MInd said this.

"You're planning on exploring the Everfree forest?" Twilight asked, concern in her voice.
"Well, yeah."
"By yourself."
"Yeah."
"With no defence of any sort."
"Yup."
"And no idea where to go?"
"See? You understand."
"Your mad."
"Are you seriously figuring that out right now?"

Twilight sighed. "Mad Mind, you can't simply investigate a place you don't know! That's dangerous! You could hurt yourself, or worse!"

Mad Mind groaned "Twilight: what's the fun in already knowing something and than doing it as opposed to not knowing what your doing and doing it anyways?"

"I dont see where this is going..."
"You learn more when you don't know what your doing. You get to investigate things for yourself, understand things for yourself and do things that benefit your knowledge! It's better than having somepony spoil it for you and ruin the experience."
"That makes no sense."
"What's the fun in making sense?"

Fluttershy let out another small gasp as Mad Mind said that. She stared wide eyed at Mad Mind before moving towards her cottage. "Um... I need to... Go now, if thats okay... It's time to feed Angel bunny and... She get's cranky when she doesn't get food." She quickly made her way back to her cottage making Twilight look up at Mad MInd in confusion.
"Mad Mind, stay here. I'm gonna check on Fluttershy. She looked like she had something on her mind..." Twilight explained as she made her way towards the small cottage.

Twilight/Fluttershy

Twilight knocked on the door to Fluttershy's cottage and, a few moments later, was greeted by the butter yellow pegasus.
"Oh! Twilight! I... Wasn't expecting you until the party." Fluttershy meeped out.
"Fluttershy, is there something wrong?" Twilight asked, concern in her eyes.

"Oh... Of course not Twilight. Nothing wrong here." Fluttershy said with a fake smile.
Tragically though, Twilight saw right through her disguise. "Fluttershy..." She said impatiently, waiting on her friends response.
"Oh alright... What Mad Mind said earlier just brought up some memories is all."
"What kind of memories?" Twilight asked with increasing curiosity.
"Of Discord," Fluttershy responded simply. "I remember I had a small argument with him one day when he tried to walk a sandwich through the park... I told him that sandwich's don't need to be walked and what he was doing made no sense, and he said 'What's the fun in making sense?' Just like Mad Mind."

"Fluttershy, are you going somewhere with this?"
"No. That was just what I had on my mind. It slightly startled me is all."
"Oh. Okay Fluttershy," Twilight said as she backed away from the cottage. "See you at the party!" She whispered before rushing off to meet back with Mad Mind.

Mad Mind

As Twilight made her way towards the cottage, Mad Mind decided to make a few notes on certain landmarks he'll need to remember to get around town. He'll, of course, remember where Sugar Cube Corner is, Sweet Apple Acres was also a promising landmark as well. The Everfree forest marked the edge of his mental map.

'Just need one last thing' He thought to himself as he noticed the sun setting directly over the Everfree.
'Alright. I now know where north is. Mental map complete.' As his thoughts closed up for the day, he began watching the sunset as it slowly made it's way over the Everfree forest, making the sky turn a bright shade of purple and orange. He smiled as the sun continued to make it's descent over the Everfree and was later joined by Twilight.

The lavender alicorn smiled as the sun went down. "You know," She began, drawing Mad Minds attention. "I don't think I've told you this, but I'm her apprentice." Twilight said a proud sparkle in her eye.

Mad Mind blinked "There are a lot of 'her's' here Twilight. Who are you talking about?"
"Princess Celestia." Twilight said with a smile.
What Mad Mind was about to say, was probably going to be the stupidest word that ever came out of his mouth:
"Who?" He asked curiously.
Mad Mind swore he heard the sound of smashing glass that represented Twilights mental thought process going into a million pieces. She quickly laughed it off and responded. 

"You know: Princess of the Sun, most powerful being of all Equestria, Ruler of Equestria." Twilight began rattling off some of the nicknames that her mentor had.

Scratch what I said earlier: This was probably stupider.
"... Nope. Doesn't ring a bell." If Twilights mind could shatter any more, it just did. These words escaping Mad Minds muzzle was probably the worst idea. Ever. "How do you NOT know the Princess of Equestria??!!" Twilight shouted at the alicorn stallion. "She's the ruler of all Equestria for Faust's sake! Everypony knows her!"

"Yeah well, everypony but me." Twilights eye twitched at this statement.
"Princess Luna?"
"Who?"
"Do you at least know her?"
"No."
"Nightmare Moon?"
"Nope."
"Princess Cadenza?"
"No."
"King Sombra?"
"Who the hell is that?"
"Queen Chrysalis?"
"... Twilight. You sound crazy right now."
"I'm crazy!??!" She shouted. "YOUR'E the one whose crazy Mad Mind! You don't even know who our leader is! Who her sister is! This is more basic than adding two and two! How do you not know what two plus two is??!!"
"Twilight, just calm down for a minute..."
"Mad Mind... Do you know who Faust is?"
"... Do you?"
"Answer my question."
"Yeeeaaaaaaaaaahhh... No."
Twilight's eye twitched. Than twitched again. She tarted to slowly shake in her spot, making Mad Mind a little uncomfortable.

"I'm gonna take this opportunity, to run away now." Mad Mind said as he began making a mad dash back into town. Upon his arrival, he noticed most of the town was empty. It was still not closing time for the stands yet (from what he learned) and all the stands had their produce on display still.

'Don't they remove the display items when they close?' Mad Mind thought to himself. He shrugged it off, thinking it was probably just a small mistake. Besides: he had more important things on his mind, like finding a place to hide from Twilight.

He quickly looked around town for a good place to hide. There was Sugar Cube Corner, but that seemed to oblivious: Twilight knew he and Pinkie understood each other. That might be the first place she looked.

He kept scanning his surroundings for a good place until his eyes fell upon a tree house.

No. Seriously. An actual, freaking house inside a tree. Mad Mind couldn't help but laugh at this odd phenomenon. Than some parts of his brain began clicking together like puzzle pieces: enough windows for him not to be seen, but just enough to maintain a hiding spot and observe anypony coming up to him in any direction, the lights were off and proved that nopony must be home and it wasn't too oblivious. The perfect hiding house.

He walked up to the candle shaped door and stopped dead.

'What if someone lives here but they're asleep?'
'Then explain yourself.'
'But look at this place! I don't like it when the lights are off.'
'Why?'
'We could be interrupting someponies privacy! And I swear I hear someone on the other side of this door...'
'Well, it's either hide in the tree house, or avoid a crazy Twilight; your pick.'
'... Good point.' 

As he shrugged off the little mental argument, he quickly put a hoof on the door and pushed it open. It was a two-piece door, so he had to open both the top and bottom. He quickly stepped inside and gently closed the door behind him. He sighed as he relaxed against the door. He was about to drift off into sleep when suddenly...

The lights flew on and dozens of ponies jumped out of their hiding spots and shouted one word all together:

"SURPRISE!"
> When shit hit's the fan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"SURPRISE!"
"HOLY SHIT!" Mad Mind screamed, jumping about four feet into the air and nearly hitting his head on the ceiling.

The ponies around him laughed as a familiar pink mare with a balloon-like mane dashed up to meet Mad Mind.
"HeyaMaddy!Howdoyoulikeyourparty?Huh?Huh?Isntitgrand?Igoteveryponyinponyvilletocomeandmeetyou!Sohowdoyoulikeit?Wereyousurprised?Wereya?" Pinkie said in one breath.

'The lungs on this girl must be larger than her mane...' Mad Mind thought to himself.

He laughed. "Ok you got me. I had no idea you were planning a surprise party for me. Now than," Mad Mind said as he looked around. "We need to get this party started! So lets..." He picked up a stray balloon off the floor and gave it a sharp kick. "KICK IT!"

()

The party got into full swing as Mad MInd said that. Loud, electric music began blaring out where the DJ was, ponies of all shapes and sizes were coming up and greeting Mad Mind with open arms and a long food table portraying many delectables: cupcakes, a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, pies and cheese. Lot's and lot's of cheese.

Mad Mind swore he heard the Hallelujah chorus playing in the back of his mind as he saw the large pile of cheese. He instantly drifted over to the oversized pile, looked it over and grinned. He took about seven pieces with him, sat down and began eating each piece, savouring the flavour of each one. He looked over to his left and noticed Pinkie Pie trotting up to him rather gleefully alongside the other girls.

"Heya Maddy! How are you liking your party?" Pinkie asked cheerfully.
Mad Mind grinned. "I'm loving it! I actually didn't think that you would be able to pull something like this off! You remembered all the things I said to you back at the hospital!"
Pinkie Pie nodded "Eeyup! I have a super-duper ultra-tastic memory! I know everypony here in Ponyville off by heart! I know their birthdays, special occasions, and a lot of things! I knew you liked cheese a looooooot sooooo, I got you enough cheese to feed Ponyville for a day!" She said enthusiastically.

This worried Mad Mind more than it did make him laugh. Was she a stalker? How did she know all these things?

Mad Mind let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah... That sounds cool... Sooo... Why would you go through all the trouble to make me a welcome party? And how do you know my name?"

Pinkie laughed. "Silly! Everypony get's a welcome party when they come! And I asked my friends here," She signaled to Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack. "What your name was!"

"Ah. I see..." Mad Mind began, but was quickly cut off by a curious Rarity.
"Speaking of our friends, where is Twilight? She was supposed to be with you on the way here wasn't she?" She asked and looked at Mad Mind for a response.
"Oh! Twilight... Yeah, about her..." He began but was cut off as Applejack charged up right to him, rage in her eyes.
"If you did anythin' to Twilight, I swear I'll buck ya' into next Thursday!" She spat, malice dripping from her voice.

Mad Mind held up his hooves in defence. "Hey: if I wanted to hurt Twilight, I would've done it already. I didn't hurt her I just... Broke her." He said, a sheepish smile upon his face as he finished.

Rainbow looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean by you 'broke her'?" She asked, making quotations with her hooves for emphasis.

As she said this, one of the most unusual things happened:

BOOM!

Ponies instantly stopped what they were doing, the music stopped playing as ponies left and right looked out the window seeing a massive mushroom cloud of purple in the distance. Mad Mind gulped. "That's what I meant," He said as he moved his head away from the window he and the girls were gazing through. "Well, fuck I'm screwed."

Ponies looked at him curiously. Rarity looked at Mad Mind in confusion. "Don't you mean 'buck'?" She asked curiously.

Mad Mind looked at her as if she was... Well, mad. "What?" He asked.

"Well... You said 'fuck' instead of 'buck'. Although I don't approve of such language, I assumed that's what you meant by the way you said it." She explained.
"Fuck, buck. Same difference, Mrs. Grammar Nazi." Mad Mind said coldly.
More confused stares his way. "Grammar Neigh-zi dear. If you plan on insulting me, pronounce it right." Rarity said smoothly.

"God dammit." Mad Mind spat to nopony in particular.
"Celestia dammit." Rarity returned with a smug grin.

Mad Mind fixed his enraged gaze upon the marshmallow unicorn. "If you correct me ONE MORE TIME, I swear I will rip off your own horn and slit your throat with it." He spat, receiving a few gasps from the ponies surrounding him, but making Rarity finally back off, fear reflecting in her eyes.

Right before anypony could make a comment about Mad Minds comment, the door flew open, revealing a slightly pissed off, scratch that: VERY  pissed off Twilight Sparkle. Mad Mind was now the one with fear in his eyes as he slowly began to back up towards the wall. "Hey Twi... Heheh... Your still not pissed about what I said earlier right?" He asked, praying to avoid the oncoming threat that was Twilight Sparkle.

His prayers remained unheard as Twilight began to advance towards him. "Mad Mind... Come here... I want to show you something." She said, insanity dripping off her voice.

"Yeah, no. I'm not looking to get raped just yet and I hope to keep it that way for... Like, ever." Mad Mind responded nervously.

This gave Twilight time to think about what she just said as Mad Mind made a bolt for the door. He, thankfully, escaped and made a mad dash towards the centre of town. He turned his head to see Twilight still pursuing him like a predator chasing it's prey. He finally arrived in the market and made a left turn down an alleyway and gasped.

Dead end. There was no escape for him now. He turned around to see Twilight slowly advancing toward him. A look of madness strewn across her face. "Come on Mad Mind... I just want to show you a spell I learned!" Twilight said as her right eye twitched. Twilights horn lit up and a small, black hole erupted around her. It slowly grew in size until in engulfed her entirely. Then, it began sucking. It wasn't hard at first, nothing too powerful, but it slowly built up over time, making Mad Mind panic. He quickly grabbed hold of the ground as the powerful suction of the black hole increased making him flap in the wind like a flag.

He began to slowly lose his grip as the black hole kept increasing in power. He let out a small prayer, in hopes that someone, anyone could save him. Luck seemed to be in his favour on that day as a familiar rainbow streak appeared in the sky and landed directly in front of Mad Mind.

"TAKE MY HOOF!" Rainbow shouted over the intense wind that built up from the black hole, holding out her hoof in offering.
Mad Mind gratefully took it and Rainbow flew off towards a cloud in the distance. The two landed upon it with a soft thud and sighed.

"Thanks Dash... Holy shit." Mad Mind panted as he sat upon the cloud.

'Eat shit logic! I'm on a damn cloud!'
'How does that even work?'
'Sometimes it's best not to ask questions. I'm gonna ask anyway.'

"Anything for a friend." Rainbow said with a smile. Mad Mind looked at her curiously. 
"Why?" He asked.
Now it was Rainbows turn to be curious. "Why what?"
"Why did you save me? Why is Twilight after me? AND HOW AM I ON A DAMN CLOUD!!??"
Rainbow thought about this (for a change of things) before responding. "Why are you curious about why I saved you? Aren't you glad you're here and not there?"

"I am. And I'm thankful. But you know the best I don't trust you or anypony in that matter. Why would you bother saving me?"

Rainbow looked hurt again as Mad Mind said this. "Look: even if you don't consider me as a friend, I still consider you as one. And trust me: I'll do a lot for my friends. Wether they like it or not." She responded proudly.

"I admire your effort, and I'm thankful that you saved me. Now, next order of business: why the hell is Twilight after me?"

Rainbow looked at him suspiciously. "I was hoping you knew that answer." She said curiously.

Mad Mind shrugged. "Meh. So I don't know some things that I'm apparently supposed to know. It's not that big a deal."
He said casually.

"It sounded to me like you didn't even know who Princess Celestia is." She said with a chuckle.
"You're actually right on that: I don't know her. And I'm pretty sure Twilight's pissed off about that." Mad Mind responded. He glanced at Rainbow and saw her eyes were the size of pins and her jaw hung open in shock.

She flew up and began shaking him. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHO PRINCESS CELESTIA IS???!!!" She shouted. Mad Mind quickly shushed her with a hoof in her mouth.

"Be quiet! I don't want all of Ponyville to hear you!" Mad Mind whispered.

"Mad Mind: this is more than a big deal. How do you not know who Princess Celestia is?" Rainbow asked.
"Look: I can either tell you the truth or lie. So-" Rainbow quickly cut him off.
"Tell me the truth. Now." Rainbow said through gridded teeth.

"Alright! Sheesh! The truth is... I'm not from Equestria," This was harder to say than he thought. Rainbow's face showed a flurry of emotions, from surprised, suspicious, and curious. She began to laugh.

"Hah... That's funny Mad Mind... Not from Equestria... That's like, coming from another world entirely." Rainbow replied nervously.

"Exactly! Rainbow, I am from another world!"

Rainbow stopped laughing and gave Mad Mind an 'are you kidding me' stare. "Mad Mind, it's impossible to be from another world. As far as we know, there are no "other worlds" to even be from! And you don't even have any proof that you came from another world."

Mad Mind thought about this for a minute before grinning as his response finally appeared in his head.
"Rainbow: how many male alicorns have there been?" He asked curiously.
Rainbow cocked her head in confusion. "Besides you? None that I know of." She responded.
"And Twilight said that there hasn't been a male alicorn in over five thousand years. Why would one, such as myself, show up now? Even after five thousand years?"
Rainbow actually looked like she was thinking about this. "I don't know. But still-" She was cut off as Mad Mind began talking again.
"And don't you find it the least bit odd, that at my age, I don't even know how to fly? Or cast any spells? What's up with that? How do you explain that?"

Rainbow was back to thinking again. "Um... Amnesia?" She asked.

"Rainbow, if I had amnesia, I wouldn't remember my name. Or my colour. Or my face. I remember all of those things."
Okay, so maybe those last few things were a lie, but as far as Rainbow knew, he was telling her the truth.

"Okay! So there is a slight chance that you are from another world. Whose gonna believe you?" Rainbow asked, arms (legs?) crossed.

"Well you're a start," Mad Mind returned with a grin, causing Rainbow to sigh and face-hoof. "But I guess there is one other option..." He trailed off as he fixed his gaze towards the black hole.

Rainbow followed his gaze and gasped. "You can't go in there!" She exclaimed.

'Is she... Worried about me?' Mad Mind decided to keep these thoughts to himself.

"You don't know where it leads! It could lead to space! Or the moon! Or the Everfree!" She continued.

Mad Mind got up. "Only one way to find out." He said boldly as he prepared to jump into the black hole.

"You... You just... You know what? Fine. Jump and get sucked into the black hole I tried so hard to save you from." Rainbow snapped at Mad Mind.

"Oh I will. And Rainbow?" Rainbow looked up at Mad Mind whose eyes were filled with hilarity. "The moon and space are almost the same thing." He said. And before Rainbow could smack him upside the head, he jumped into the deep black hole.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Darkness. Eternal, never-ending darkness as far as the eye could see. That's what Mad Mind expected, but not what he got. Instead, when he jumped into the black hole, it was as if he just walked through a doorway into a different place. The difference about this place and where he was in Ponyville: He was, obviously, not sitting next to Rainbow, he was inside, and the place was amazingly well decorated. Tapestry and stained glass covered the wall. An amazingly long carpet rested on the ground and at the end of it all, was a throne. The throne wasn't what caught Mad Minds attention: what, more like who, did was who was on said throne.

Upon the throne sat a large alicorn. This wasn't an alicorn like Mad Mind or Twilight. No, this one was... What's the word? Ah, yes Majestic. She was a brilliant shade of (Oh god...) white, her mane or blue, pink and green flowed through a non-existant wind (Magic. Nopony has to explain shit) and upon her head rested a golden tiara. Mad Mind than noticed the other gold and gems that rested upon her.

'Damn, she must be rich!'
'Like, rich enough to buy Equestria!'
'... Wait. Run that by me again.'
'Rich enough to... Oh shit. This better not be who I think it is.' Mad Minds brain was currently in turmoil as the white alicorn spoke up.
"Hello, my little pony. I am Princess Celestia. And who might you be?"

'Hah. It's funny 'cause Twilight said the same thing.'
'Brain. Shut up. Now.'
'Okay...'

"I'm..." Mad Mind suddenly felt his mouth go dry as he fumbled over his words. Princess Celestia smiled warmly.

'Like a mother...' He thought to himself but didn't dare to say this aloud.

"Please young one. Take your time." She said soothingly. This, oddly enough, calmed Mad Mind down quiet easily as he took deep breaths and slowed down his racing brain.
"Now. Your name?" She inquired. 
"M-Mad Mind." He stuttered. This made Princess Celestia giggle. "There is no need to be afraid of me Mad Mind," she said in a motherly tone.

'Damn she's good at that... Must've taken time to master.'
'She's a god! Like you! She must've had centuries of practice!'
'Point taken.'

As he shook these thoughts out of his head, Princess Celestia continued. "It's not a business meeting. This is a formal, casual meeting. There hasn't been a male alicorn in-" Mad Mind cut her off.

"Five thousand years. I know." Mad Mind than realized that this wasn't just another pony: this was the freaking ruler of Equestria! Perfectly capable of throwing him in a dungeon for all eternity if he wasn't careful about what he said. He covered his mouth with a hoof.

"I'm sorry you highness! It's just... It's been a long day and-" Celestia hushed him with a wave of her hoof.
"I understand. You're just stressed. I also understand from my student that this is," She put on a small smile. "Your first time meeting me? Or even hearing of me?"

'Her student? Who...'
'Wait. Didn't Twilight say something on our tour that Celestia was her mentor?'
'... That little bitch!'

"That is correct your highness." Came a familiar voice from behind. Mad Mind turned around and was greeted to the sight of Twilight Sparkle in all her glory making her way towards the pair.

Mad Minds eyes burned with rage. He clenched his teeth together. "YOU!" He spat in rage towards the lavender alicorn. He began charging towards her. Screw his promise to Applejack: this bitch was gonna get what she deserved. Before he could make his full scale rage attack, he was suddenly surrounded by a golden aura.

"What the..." He began, but was quickly cut off as he was brought back to Celestia who looked less than pleased.
"If you hurt my student, I swear I will hurl you into the sun myself!" Celestia snapped at Mad Mind. Normally, this would've scared the living hell out of Mad Mind, but he wasn't in his right mind at the moment.

"She chased me through half of Ponyville! When she finally caught me, she made this black hole thing and scared the living shit outta' me! I've never been more afraid in my life!" He spat back at the Princess. He knew it wasn't an appropriate thing to do, but nonetheless, he wanted Twilight to have a piece of his mind.

Princess Celestia's gaze drifted from Mad Mind to Twilight. "Is this true my student?" She asked. If she was pissed off at the moment, which she probably was, she was doing a damn good job at covering it up.

Twilight looked down at her hooves and began to shuffle them. She then gave her teacher the most pathetic look Mad Mind had ever seen. "Yes..." She responded weakly. Princess Celestia sighed and gazed back toward Mad Mind.

"I'm... Terribly sorry about Twilights behaviour. We didn't mean to make you feel afraid or provoked. So from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry." Celestia said sincerely. Mad Mind waved it off. 
"I dont want to hear you apologize. I want Twilight to apologize. It was her actions, and she should own up to them herself."

Twilight instantly stiffened at this. She gazed up at her mentor who gave her an approving nod. She sighed and moved up next to Mad Mind.

"Mad Mind..." She began. Mad Mind was slightly pulled into this. "Yeeeeeeess Twilight?" He asked, trying to sound interested.

"I'm sorry." She said simply. Mad Mind wasn't convinced by this. "For?" He asked, still trying to sound interested and maintaining a smug grin upon his lips.

Twilight looked as if she was going through torture just by doing this in front of her mentor. "I'm sorry for making you feel afraid and provoked. It was not how I should've acted and I'm truly sorry for it." She said through gridded teeth. Mad Mind could tell that rage was beginning to build up within her and decided to push her a bit further.

"Now, was that so hard?" Mad Mind asked, his smug grin as wide as ever. Twilights right eye let out a small twitch. "No it wasn't." She replied, malice thick within her voice.

"That's better." He said as he turned his attention back to Princess Celestia. "Now than..." The solar princess spoke up, getting the attention of the other two alicorns. "Am i going to hear any more problems between you two?"

"No" Twilight said instantly.
"Yeah, probably" Mad Mind said with a shrug.
Twilight glared at him. "Mad Mind!" She spat at him.
"Oh Twilight. You know that I'm telling the truth. I can already tell you want to slap me upside the head right now." Mad Mind casually replied.

Twilight didn't know what to say to this. "What she meant to say was: you'll probably still hear more problems between the two of us, but we'll try to keep it to a minimum. Right Twi?" Mad Mind asked to a stunned Twilight.

Twilight quickly regained her composure. " I... Guess that would be more truthful, yes." She admitted. Princess Celestia switched between staring at Twilight to staring at Mad Mind before sighing. "I'm glad you're both being honest with me I suppose. Now than, the real thing I want to know is..." She leaned closer toward him. "What did my student mean by you 'don't know who I am?'" She asked curiously. Mad Mind kept it simple. "Nope. Your student was correct: I have no idea who you are."

She raised a suspicious eyebrow. "You have no idea what role I play in Equestria?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "Besides you're a princess and ruler of Equestria? No. I have no idea."

Twilight was on the verge of face-hoofing right than and there and Princess Celestia looked more than shocked. Twilight decided to speak up. "Mad Mind: Princess Celestia's job is not to just rule over Equestria: she's the Princess of the sun. She raises and lowers the sun every day." Now it was Mad Minds turn to be shocked.

'The sun doesn't lower and raise itself naturally?'
'How's that possible?'
'Magic.'
'Is that your answer to everything?'
'Magic.'
'I'll take that as a yes...'  Mad Mind shook off the thoughts and sighed.

"So, the sun goes up and down at your command?" He asked interested. Princess Celestia smiled.
"Yes it is my little pony. I raise and lower the sun day after day."
"That must suck." He said simply. Twilight gasped but Princess Celestia giggled.
"I perform my duty, as does everypony else. I'm simply playing my part in society." She responded.
"Fascinating..." He muttered. "But what about the moon? Does some pony else raise the moon?"
Princess Celestia smiled. "You seem to catch on quick. Yes, another pony, my sister to be exact, Princess Luna, raises and lowers the moon." Mad Mind nodded in understanding.
"Ah." He muttered. "So that's what Twilight meant."
"What do you mean 'Thats what I meant'?" Twilight spoke up and glared at Mad Mind.
"When you threw your fit on how I couldn't, apparently, 'add two and two'. You said how I didn't know who the princess or her sister was. Now I know who she is and how to add two and two." Mad Mind added that last part with a smug grin on his face.

Twilight looked that she was on the verge of exploding again. "Now than, I'm pretty sure we have a lot to discuss over the next few day's," Princess Celestia began. "But it's starting to get late. Mad Mind, Twilight, would you like to stay in the castle for the night? I'm fairly certain you both had very long days, and you both require some rest. I'll have some guards show you to your rooms, and tomorrow, we'll ask questions. Okay?"

Twilight bowed. "It would be an honour Princess."
Mad Mind nodded. "Sure. Sounds cool."
Princess Celestia laughed. "You're certainly very casual about this Mad Mind."
"Hey: you said it was a casual meeting. I intended to keep it as such." He said with a smile. "So! Our rooms?"


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"I can't believe you!" Twilight bellowed as soon as they were alone. "You were rude, you swore and you embarrassed me in front of the Princess of Equestria! My mentor! Do you have any idea what you could've done?!" She shouted in rage.

Mad Mind on the other hand just wanted to sleep. "Listen Twi: she said casual meeting and I intended to keep it as such. I swore out of pure rage because you scared the living hell out of me for that black hole shit and how did I embarrass you? I just wanted to hear the apology out of your mouth." He said casually as he laid down on his soft bed.

"You... You just... Ugh!" Twilight spat. "You're such a nuisance Mad Mind!"

"Oh, ouch Twi. That really hurts." Mad Mind said sarcastically. "And last time I checked, you were trying to gain my trust rather than lose it again."

"You still don't trust me!?"
"Of course not! I would've trusted you a lot more right now if you didn't use that creepy black hole spell or looked as if you were trying to rape me!"
Twilight became flustered at this, her cheeks turned a deep shade of red. "I was NOT trying to rape you!"
"But you sure sounded like it! 'Mad Mind... Come here... I want to show you something.' Yeah that so doesn't sound creepy or pedo whatsoever."
Twilight was now blushing intensely. "I didn't mean to make it sound like that!" She screamed at Mad Mind who was getting a good laugh out of this. "Then what did you want it to sound like? 'Hey Mad Mind... I wanna see you privately in my room for a sec.' or 'Hey Mad Mind... Come with me... I want to get to know you better.'?" Mad Mind asked with a laugh.

Twilight was now almost entirely red. Part's of her coat were now turning into the pro founding shade of red. Mad Mind decided to put this to use. "Oh! So now you're red and purple? I swear I've seen those colours on another pony before..." He trailed off and glanced at his own coat. "Oh, wait a minute here! Now you like me so much, you want to look exactly like me! Am I right or am I right?" Mad Mind asked with a grin upon his face. Twilight huffed and walked away. "I'm not having this argument with you anymore. Good night Mad Mind." Twilight said as she slammed her door shut.

Mad Mind kept laughing for a good minute before stopping and wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. He looked at his bed and smiled. He quickly jumped onto it landing face-first into his pillow. After getting comfy, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind awoke with a start. He found himself lying outside of a huge building made of red brick and cobblestone. He quickly got up and looked around before being greeted by a familiar individual. He gasped. He knew who it was: It was him! Well, not him now, but him when he was a human! The human him walked up to meet him. "Hello Mad Mind." He said holding out a hand in offering. "I'm Connor."

Mad Mind stared at the hand in confusion before taking it and slowly shaking it. "Umm... Nice to meet myself as well..." He said awkwardly. Connor held up a finger. "Hold on a sec. First off: let me be the first to introduce you," he turned around to demonstrate the building. "To your mind." He said rather dramatically. Mad Mind stopped for a minute. He was confused: how was he here? "Oh. Well, you're dreaming right now." Connor replied to him as if he could hear every one of his thoughts.

"So... Why am I talking to myself again?" Mad Mind asked Connor in question. "Well, you are and you aren't. You are talking to yourself because I was who you were, thusly making me a part of your brain. But you're not talking to yourself because I'm not you: You're you. I'm Connor, not Mad Mind. You're Mad Mind, not Connor. Were both different individuals, so, in a sense, you're not talking to yourself." Connor explained. 

Mad Mind rolled this around for a bit. "Seems legit." He said with a shrug. "But why am I here?" He asked, looking up at his human self. "This building is where those mental bored meetings you have are taken place. The only reason you're here is because we don't have anyone to represent you at these meetings. And who better to represent these meetings than the actual pony?" Connor said with some hilarity in his voice. He then signalled for Mad Mind to follow him inside the building. Mad Mind quickly obliged and gasped at what was before him. In front of his eyes were countless people, sitting upon large chairs with names that represented the part of Mad Minds mind: knowledge, sanity, boredom. It was all there. He followed Connor up to the front and had a seat upon a chair next to his human self with a name tag that read "Mad Mind" on his desk.

The meeting began with some basic introductions to Mad Mind. He swore he was about to pass out from boredom until a particular topic caught his attention: how he got into Equestria. "Was there something special about that gate?" Connor asked curiously. "Of course there was something special about it! It created Mad Mind and look at him! In the eyes of ponies, he's a god!" The room exploded into turmoil over this. People in all the categories began arguing turning the place into complete chaos.

It all stopped at the sound of the doors opening with an intense amount of force. Everyone gasped as the individual made his way down towards the middle of the room. Mad Mind managed to see this characters face and nearly vomited in his mouth. 

It was slightly human, not entirely. It's face was covered in bloodied bandages that covered up his appearance. His arms were mismatched as well. One being a dark black made up of what looked like spider legs and the other was nothing more than what looked like pure bone. Upon his torso, no articles of clothing were present. It looked like a normal human chest had it not been for the large amount of blood and the letter 'M' engraved upon his chest. His legs were almost as hideous to look at. What was there was more bone on the left and on the right, green rotting flesh like a zombie.

'Who's this guy?' Mad Mind thought to himself only to have his answer only seconds later.

"Madness." Connor spat at the deformed figure. He slowly made his way up to the stage.

"Fellas, fellas. I come here on business. I'm not gonna ruin your precious little meeting or anything." Madness said. His voice was deep and smooth and brought a lot of unease to the crowd.

"We have nothing to discuss Madness." Connor snapped towards him. "Go now. We don't need you here."

Madness let out a chuckle. "Ahh... Connor, Connor, Connor... I'm not here to talk to you. I'm here for the pony." He said as he turned his attention to Mad Mind.

"Listen pal: You know that gate you went through?" Madness asked Mad Mind. Mad Mind rolled his eyes. "Of course I know it. I walked through it."

Madness walked around him. "That was no ordinary gate: that gate granted the abilities of a god to those who walked through it. Hence the name 'The God Gate.'" Madness stopped in front of Mad Mind. "But in order for you to become a god, there is always a major catch in these deals. This catch here is a 'trade off' In order to bring your god like abilities to life."

"Mad Mind. He's toying with you, don't listen to a word he says!" Connor called out from the right. But he kept on listening. Madness quickly pulled himself away and met up with the guy named "Knowledge" and began talking to him.

"Heya Knowledge." Madness said casually as he leaned against Knowledge.
Knowledge gulped. "Oh. H-Hi Madness. Is something up?" He asked, fear clear within his voice.
"Tell me... Have you learned anything interesting from these ponies?"
"Oh yes! Lots of new things were learning from the ponies. Magic, flight, cloud manipulation even-" Madness stopped him there. "Yeah. I get it: lot's of data. But what if I told you, you were part of the trade off?"

Knowledge looked confused."What do you mean? The god trade off?" He asked curiously.

Madness decided to speak to everyone now. "Everyone! I believe I have found out the godly trade off. This is for Mad Mind and him alone. The trade off is knowledge," He pointed straight at Knowledge. "For his sanity!" He bellowed as he signalled to what seemed to be the older, weaker members of the group. All the people in the room gasped at this. He finally walked back down to the centre of the stage and looked at Mad Mind.

"Just what proof do you have Madness?" Connor spat at the disfigured figure as he slowly made his way to centre stage again. "I'm observant, you see Mr. Connor. You have all failed to notice Sanity getting weaker and weaker while Knowledge grew stronger and stronger. You also failed to notice that I've gained some power from Sanity becoming weaker and had one of my henchmen take a piece of Mad Minds mind."

Surprised and confused murmurs rippled through the crowd. Madness payed this no mind and turned to face Mad Mind.
"Ah yes. I forgot: this is your first time at these meetings. Then allow me to explain: I have a total of four henchmen, these are people who represent myself. There's Mania, Dementia, Insanity and," He paused as, what seemed to be, a smile formed upon his lips. "Paranoia. I think you can guess which one is already within your mind." Mad Mind gasped. This finally explained why he still didn't trust the ponies. "Now listen Mad Mind. This trade off? Is all part of your wish. Or curse. Which ever one you want to call it. In order to become the mad-god you desire to be, you have to work with the trade off. Then the rest of my henchmen, and myself, could grab a hold of your mind and set you upon the path of madness,"

Mad Mind thought this over as Madness held out a disfigured, bony hand towards him. "What do you say?" Madness asked eagerly. Everyone in the room sat on the edge of their seat in anticipation. A small grin appeared upon Mad Minds lips. He chuckled. Then he laughed. Everyone in the room looked at each other in uncertainty until Mad Mind spoke. "I'm gonna say... Yes. I like you. I want to become the mad-god I was destined to be."

Madness laughed. "Then it shall be so."
The room gasped. Connor glared at Mad Mind, fury within his eyes. "Mad Mind. You're making a grave mistake..."
Mad Mind glared at his past self. "I'm making a mistake? You're the one who made the mistake of not accepting his offer sooner!" He spat.
Connor grimaced. "This isn't what you want! You want to be-"
"No! This is what I wanted to be! You wanted to be! You thought about it yourself remember? You just don't have the balls to do it!" Mad Mind snapped at Connor in rage.
"But not now. Not today. I will become who I wanted to be. I will become a mad-god! And you," He pointed at Connor. "Won't stop me! DO YOU UNDERSTAND??!! I AM MAD MIND! THE GOD OF MADNESS! DEITY OF INSANITY! AND ANYTHING THAT STANDS IN MY WAY WILL BE DESTROYED! ACTUALLY SCRATCH THAT! THEY WILL BE BRUTALLY SLAUGHTERED AND SENT TO THE MOON!" Mad Mind bellowed. Madness laughed and held up a microphone.

"Meeting adjourned." He said.
> Welcome to Canterlot!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind was fast asleep in his soft, warm bed. He snuggled into it as he let out a sigh of relief.

"Zzzzz... Mmmph...Zzzzz..."
"Mad...Nd Wa....e up."
"Hmmph...Zzzzz..."
"Mad Mind, w..ke ..p"
"Mmmph... Zzzzzz..."
MAD MIND! WAKE UP!"

Mad Mind jolted awake at his name being shouted in his ear only to be greeted by a less than pleased Twilight Sparkle. He grinned, remembering their argument last night.

"Well, well, well... If it isn't the neighbourhood rapist Twilight Sparkle." Mad Mind said with a grin.

Twilight was taken aback in surprise as she instantly began to get flustered again and began blushing. "I am NOT a rapist Mad Mind!" She bellowed. Mad Mind let out a chuckle. "Then please! Explain why you're so close to my head. Are you interested?" He asked. Twilights blush intensified. "Mad Mind!" She screamed. Mad Mind laughed hysterically as Twilight fumbled over her words. "Twi, I'm only teasing! No need to get worked up about it." He said between laughs. Twilight huffed. 

Mad Mind slowly got up and began to stretch out his tired muscles, some letting out loud pop's which made him sigh in relief. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Twilight staring at him.

'The hell's up with her?'
'It's like she wants to get humiliated.'

He stopped stretching and casted a glance at Twilight. "Enjoying the view there Twi?" He asked with a chuckle.

Twilight was instantly brought back down to earth and blushed before glancing down at her hooves.

'Humiliation: +100 points.'
'FOR THE HIGHSCORE!'

After finishing his long stretch, he turned his gaze back to Twilight. "So Twi," he asked, capturing the lavender alicorn's attention. "What's the game plan for today?"

"Well, firstly we have to eat breakfast, then, the princess need's to ask you some more questions, and finally you need to learn your way around Canterlot." She responded.

"Cool. I'm gonna shower. Just give me a sec." Mad Mind said as he left the warmth of his bed and entered the bathroom. 

As it turns out, ponies and humans have almost identical bathrooms: toilet, bath tub, sink, mirror, all of it. He didn't know why that caught his interest, it just did.

His first destination was the mirror. He walked up to the reflective glass and grinned at what he saw: his coat seemed to have a more glossy look to it which informed him he was in dire need of a shower. His chaotic mess of a mane still seemed to be in the same shape as it was when he first saw it with the exception that there seemed to be more dirt in it than there was before.

He stepped away from the mirror and entered the shower, closing the curtain with a hoof. (He needed to learn how to use his magic. And fast.) He turned on the hot water and allowed the hot stream of water pour on top of him making him sigh as his worries seamlessly melted away. He quickly washed up, dried off, making sure his mane was back into a state of chaos, (What? It suited him.) and exited the bathroom where an impatient Twilight Sparkle awaited his return.

"Mad Mind! Let's go! Breakfast!" She called out to him as he exited the bathroom.

"Yes, mother." Mad Mind returned in a mocking tone. Twilight shrugged it off and the two made their way to the dining room.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


A little thing you should make a note of if you ever wind up in Canterlot castle: It's freaking HUGE! It was an utter maze. He was surprised that Twilight was capable of making her way around here without getting lost.

'Do they have GPS in this world?'

Eventually, the two arrived in the long dining hall of (guess what colour it was? C'mon, guess.) purple where a massive dining table sat. And at the end of said table, in all her majestic glory, sat Princess Celestia. Mad Mind and Twilight made their way towards the sun goddess and sat on either side of her.

Princess Celstia smile. "Good morning my little ponies. How were your sleeps?" She asked in a polite manner.

Twilight smiled. "Very good, thank you princess." She responded with equal politeness.

Princess Celestia rested her gaze upon Mad Mind. "And you Mad Mind?" She asked.

Mad Mind laughed as he recalled his mental bored meeting with Madness. "My sleep was better than I expected, thank you princess." He said in between laughs.

The two mares exchanged glances of confusion as to why Mad Mind was laughing. "Something funny Mad Mind?" Princess Celestia asked confused.

Mad Mind reduced his laugh to his signature grin. "Nothing worth mentioning princess." Mad Mind responded, wearing his grin with pride.

Twilight simply shrugged at her mentors confused glance. The giant doors opened and several chefs came in carrying their breakfast.

Plentiful amounts of food soon covered the table: egg's, countless amounts of fruit's and vegetables, and... Hay?

'Dafuq?' Mad Mind didn't ponder the thought of hay before he started grabbing bowls of food and plopping it onto his plate. He soon had a plate filled with eggs, several fruits, and, what he guessed was, hay bacon. (It's like bacon. But with HAY! HAH!) he was about to grab some vegetables until he noticed Twilight casting her gaze towards him, a devilish smirk upon her face.

'I hate that look. So very much.'

"Something up Twi?" Mad Mind asked curiously. Twilight's grin seemed to get bigger as Mad Mind spoke.
"You know... You can just use your magic. Right?" Twilight inquired. Mad Mind's iris's shrank.

'Shit.'

"Umm..." Mad Mind began, trying to come up with an excuse. "Well, the food that I wanted was so close to me so I see no point in using magic to grab it. Waste of energy." Mad Mind lied.

'Nice one.'

Twilight seemed to have prepared for this though. "Actually, it was more of a request. Out of all the days I've seen you, never once have you casted a single spell. It's not healthy for a creature with magical capabilities, such as yourself, to store to much energy. I was hoping I could see a little... Demonstration?" She asked innocently.

'Son. Of. A. BITCH!'
'YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!'
'Alright. Let's all just calm down a little. How about we tell her the truth?'
'The truth? How I don't know how to use magic? There are probably children who know how! That'll be...'
'Humiliating.'
'Is she trying to get revenge for making her apologize?'
'Whatever! Let's focus on the big picture!'
'Fine! We'll tell her the damnable truth!'

"Well Mad Mind? I'm waiting." Twilight said innocently. Mad Mind hung his head.
"I don't know how..." He muttered. Twilight leaned in closer.
"I'm sorry? I didn't quiet catch that." Mad Mind growled, rage overcoming him. He took this opportunity to lean in close to Twilight's ear and shout on the top of his lungs.
"I DON'T KNOW HOW DAMMIT!"

The reaction was instantaneous. Twilight was sent back into her chair, covering her ear in pain but smirking as if she just accomplished something.

Princess Celestia was utterly shocked by this revelation. Her eyes were wide open and her hoof covered her mouth in shock.

"Mad Mind, how do you not know how to levitate objects? That's the easiest spell in Equestria!" Twilight said in fake shock.
Mad Mind gridded his teeth as he glared at the lavender alicorn. " I didn't mean 'just levitation', I meant the whole concept of magic in general! I DON'T KNOW HOW!" He bellowed.

Now it was Twilight's turn to be shocked. She slumped even further into her chair as the realization dawned upon her.

Mad Mind quickly got up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go find something to do that's far away from here!" Mad Mind growled as he left the room and slammed the door shut behind him.

Mad Mind, however, didn't leave. He waited right behind the door. Why? Thanks to his close friend Paranoia, he knew how he could give Twilight a piece of his mind.

'First, Twi is gonna awkwardly laugh...'
Through the door, Mad Mind heard an awkward chuckle, obviously provided by Twilight.

'Then, Princess Celestia is gonna explain what she did wrong...'
On cue, Mad Mind heard a slightly enraged sun goddess. What she was telling Twilight, he didn't care. He was too caught up in his thoughts.

'Then, she's gonna send Twi after me so she could apologize.'
Finally, he saw the doors open and an upset Twilight Sparkle walked through them. She closed them behind her and began to make her way to where ever she thought Mad Mind would be.

'And finally... I strike!' He leapt out of his hiding place and pinned Twilight to the ground in one swift motion. It took Twilight some time to figure out what was happening until she saw the enraged face of Mad Mind. Then, she entered full panic mode.

"Um... H-hey Mad Mind... I uh-" Mad Mind glared at her which made her shiver in fright.
"Cut the crap Twilight. I know why you did what you did." Mad Mind spat in rage as Twilight sank back even further.

"You wanted revenge. For when I made you apologize. But you took it a step too far you frigid, little bitch." These words made Twilight's eyes go wide.

"Honestly? I just wanted to hear you apologize. Nothing more. That was it. No harm done. But you thought you were humiliated? For owning up to your actions? You should've been thanking me instead," He growled in rage at the frightened Twilight Sparkle. "But no. You went up there and told the bucking PRINCESS OF EQUESTRIA THAT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO CAST SPELLS! THAT'S HUMILIATION ON THE NINTH DEGREE!" Twilight was now on the verge of tears as Mad Mind continued his rage-fueld rant.

"All that trust that I was slowly building up for you," Mad Mind began and he slowly made the 'poof' action with his hoof. "Gone. All of it. And now, you're lower then a friend. Lower than a colleague. No, from here on out, Twilight Sparkle," Mad Mind leaned in close to the frightened alicorn. "Were enemies." He spat in her ear. These words were complete mind-fuck to the lavender pony as she burst into tears and teleported away from Mad Mind's grasp only to appear right behind him and making a run away from the enraged Mad Mind. He smirked in satisfaction.

"DO YOU GET IT TWILIGHT??!! ENEMIES!!!" He bellowed to the retreating alicorn. Mad Mind retraced his hoof steps back to his room and fell onto his bed and slept.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind awoke half an hour later. He did a quick stretch and began wandering around the castle. On his little misadventure, he met a few of the guards, most of whom took a quick liking into Mad Mind.

After constant wandering around Canterlot castle, Mad Mind found his way into the throne room where Princess Celestia sat upon her throne. Mad Mind quickly entered and caught the attention of the princess almost immediately. As he entered, her smile instantly dropped from her face and anger began flaring in her eyes. Mad Mind instantly began regretting his decision of walking into this room. He was about to make a quick exit, but the doors were quickly enveloped in a golden glow and slammed shut, preventing his escape.

Mad Mind gulped as he turned around and faced the sun goddess. "Heh... Heya Celestia. What's up?" He asked nervously.

"What's up? I received a letter from my student, telling me that you two are now apparent 'enemies'. Is there something you need to tell me Mad Mind?" She asked, a bit of anger within her voice.

Mad Mind sighed. He needed to own up to his actions. It was that or lie and either way, he knew he was screwed.
"Okay. Twilight and I are now, officially, enemies."

"When did this happen?" The princess asked.
"After breakfast, when you sent Twi after me so she could apologize." Mad Mind explained.
"Twilight stated in her letter that you were waiting directly outside the door."
"And I was. It was... embarrassing to admit I have no magical capabilities in front of the leader of Equestria and I sorta... Lashed out at Twi."
Princess Celestia sighed. "I suppose that is something rather embarrassing to admit to anypony in first place. Do you know why she did what she did?"
"Yeah. Revenge."
"For what?"
"Making her apologize to me in front of you."
"She wanted revenge for an apology?"
"Apparently, according to her, I embarrassed her in front of you when she apologized to me. You know very well that I wanted to just hear the apology from her and not from you."
"... I see. I'll respond to this letter immediately."

Princess Celestia was about to leave until Mad Mind spoke up. "Wait!" He called out.

The princess stopped and glanced at him. "Is there something else you need to tell me Mad Mind?" She asked.
Mad Mind shook his head. "Naw. It's just this morning, I heard you had some questions for me..?" He asked.

This brought back the smile upon the princess' lip's. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I have some questions for you," she began to chuckle as she continued. "How ironic. One of these questions were how strong is your magic, although I guess we'll have to scratch that one off the list now won't we?"	Mad Mind joined in on this laughter as he realized how funny this was.

"I suppose the letter can wait for now. I really want to learn more about you." She said with an immense amount of interest.
Mad Mind grinned. "Then let's begin." He said as he prepared himself for a shit-load of questions.

"Now then, first question: what does your cutie mark represent?" She asked curiously.
"My cutie..." Mad Mind trailed off in confusion.
"You know: your cutie mark! The mark upon your flank that shows your special talent!"
Mad Mind glanced at his flank, only to become more confused. Celestia was right about the fact there was a mark on his flank; what it meant though was beyond him. What he saw was a quarter of a circle covered in (Oh COME ON!) white and with a red letter 'P' upon it.

''P'? What would that mean..?' Mad Mind racked his brain for a response and found nothing. He sighed as he was about to give up his search until he stumbled upon a possible answer:

'I have four henchmen. Mania, Dementia, Insanity and...'
"Paranoia." He said aloud. Princess Celestia heard him and leaned in closer towards him.
"Your special talent is being paranoid? That seem's rather believable for now..." She muttered

"No, no... I mean yes, but no. You see," Mad Mind stopped himself
'Oh, how to explain this...'
"Okay, my cutie mark is, in a way, special. If I'm not mistaken, there are four different parts to it. So far, only the letter 'P', but soon, more letters will appear. Like the letter 'M','D' and 'I'. So my mark is in, a sense... Still developing."

This intrigued the princess greatly. "A cutie mark that develops over time? I've never heard of that before... But you said that the letter 'P' represented paranoia. Do you know what these other letter's represent?" She asked curiously.

"The other letter's represent, 'M' for 'Mania', 'D' for 'Dementia' and 'I' for 'Insanity'." Mad Mind accounted. Princess Celestia's eyes went wide.

"Run that last one by me again." She asked.

Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "... 'I' for 'Insanity'." He repeated. The princess looked far past surprised at this revelation.

"Mad Mind... It makes sense now." She muttered. "Do you know what you were destined to be Mad Mind?" She asked in an urgent tone.

"What I was destined to be..?" Mad Mind asked in confusion. He recalled his meeting last night and grinned. "God of Insanity." He said with a chuckle. "Or madness. Whichever one works for you." He said with his grin plastered upon his face.

Princess Celestia was stunned by this. She shook it off and regained her composure. "Yes, Mad Mind... I believe that's enough questions for now. I need to think for right now." She said quickly.

Mad Mind's confusion changed into concern. "Are you sure princess? That was only one question, and you looked as if you had a lot more." He asked curiously.

She shook her head." I'll ask the rest tomorrow. For right now, if you need anything, just ask. But you need to go now Mad Mind." She said as she tried to shoo Mad Mind to the door.

Mad Mind didn't budge. Instead, he asked another question. "Can you at least teach me how to levitate things? So I can have a little bit of magic at my disposal?"

This caused Princess Celestia to laugh. "Okay. But as soon as I teach you how to, you need to leave. Okay?" She asked.

"Deal. Now, how do I do this?"


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"Now remember: you need to focus in order to do this properly." Princess Celestia said in an informative tone.

'Damn she knows just how to sound when she's doing these things, doesn't she?'

"Yeah I got it." Mad Mind responded. Mad Mind was learning a lot on how magic worked. It needed a lot of focus, and you needed to think about how you wanted the spell to work. He focused hard on the pile of books directly in front of him and heard the familiar sound of magic emitting from his horn. The first time this happened, he was impressed by this and enjoyed it greatly. Princess Celestia also said that she never saw an aura like Mad Mind's come from a unicorn (his switching between the colours of red and purple) which pleased Mad Mind even more.

"Now remember: you need to-"
"Lock on to the object you want to cast the spell on." Mad Mind cut her off as his magical aura engulfed the books.

"Very good. Now you have to-"
"Picture the spell you want to perform in your mind." Mad Mind cut her off again as he shut his eyes and tried to imagine the books floating up in the air just a little.

"You learn fast. And finally, you need to-"
"Add power from your magical reserves to perform the spell you want to do." Mad Mind cut her off again. He felt a small portion of his energy leave his body. Not a lot, but it was noticeable.

"Look at that Mad Mind! You did it!" Princess Celestia cheered. Mad Mind opened his eyes and saw, directly before him, a floating pile of books, enveloped in a changing colour of red and purple. He laughed and maintained the spell, sending the books higher and lower, left and right. He placed the books back on the table again and felt a small tingle in the back of his head.

"Good job Mad Mind. On the first try as well!" Celestia congratulated the young alicorn.

Mad Mind wasn't listening. The tingling in the back of his mind increased to a more powerful headache as he held his head in his hoof.

"Mad Mind? Is there something wrong?" Princess Celestia was beginning to sound more and more worried.

Mad Mind's head felt like somepony had shouted in it for twenty days. The intense pounding in his head increased in size. The amount of pain increased and increased, showing no signs of slowing down. Mad Mind's head kept increasing in pain until he couldn't handle it any more and blacked out.

'Shit, what's happening?'
'Lost contact to all limbs and eyes! All organs still functioning normally! Appears to be unconscious!'
'Dammit! Does anyone know what's happening?'
'I do.'
'Madness? The fuck's going on?'
'Well, you see Mad Mind, in order to get more of my henchmen onto your brain, It was either do it while you're asleep, or do it while you're awake which is the most excruciating.'
'Why the fuck did you have to do it while I was awake? The princess will be scared shitless!'
'This guy is rather... Impatient when it comes to these things.'
'... Okay fine. Who's the guy?'
'Mania. The brighter, cheery side of you. But just as deadly.'
'How deadly are we talking here?'
'I could tell you... But where would the fun in that be? You find out for yourself.'
'Damn you Madness.'
'Alright. Mania's ready when you are chief.'
'Okay. Let's get back up.'

Mad Mind's eyes quickly fluttered open. He was still in the same spot as before, with the exception he was on his back and Princess Celestia staring at him with worry upon her face. "Heya Celestia. Something up?" Mad Mind asked in a weak voice. All the worry upon Princess Celestia's face disappeared as Mad Mind said this. "Oh Mad Mind! Thank goodness! I thought something happened to you, or maybe a side effect from the spell that happened to you or-"

Mad Mind cut off the princess again. "No. It wasn't any of those things." Princess Celestia was confused. "What do you mean Mad Mind?" She asked curiously.

Mad Minds eye's drifted down towards his flank where his cutie mark rested. Upon it, next to the letter 'P', was a small, black dot. The dot grew in size and made another quarter on Mad Minds flank. This one was bright red, similar to the one on his coat, and finally, the letter 'M' appeared upon this small portion of his flank. "That's what I meant." Mad Mind responded casually.

The princess followed Mad Mind's gaze towards his flank and noticed the new addition to his cutie mark. She stared at it in interest. "Fascinating..." She muttered. "Never before has that happened to a pony before. This is something I'll have to look into."

Mad Mind got up and stretched out again only to stumble and clutch his head again. "Mad Mind!" Celestia called out in worry. She quickly went beside him and supported him. 

What was happening inside Mad Minds mind was, perhaps, the most interesting thing that has ever happened in his brain: voices. Not just the normal voices he grew used to over time, but actual voices. The ones he wasn't familiar with.

'HEELLOOOOOO WORLD!'
'TIME TO MAKE THIS PLACE AWESOME!'
'THIS PLACE NEEDS A FOX!'
'MAYBE EVEN A MANTICORE!'
'Who gave you access to this facility?'
'Madness did! Oh the joys of being recognized again! Let's get creative!'
'Shit! No, no, no, no, no! Mania! Don't do that!'
'But-'
'NO! If you want to stay here, you are not to sing that! Okay!?!'
'Harumph! You guys are no fun at all. A good day to you sirs. I SAID GOOD DAY!'

Mad Mind let go of his head and let out a laugh. "Okay. I'm better Celestia." He said casually as he got up from his support.

Princess Celestia had a concerned expression strewn across her face. "Are you sure? I don't want you to black out again."

"I'll be fine. Besides," He began as he made his way to the door. "I still need to explore Canterlot, don't I?"

Celestia nodded in agreement. "True, but Twilight was supposed to guide you and now that's not a viable option..." She trailed off.

Mad Mind shrugged. "Then why don't you go with me?"

"Mad Mind, I have a lot of things to do today. I'm sorry, but I just can't fit it in my schedule."

"Soo... Nopony can show me around today?" Mad Mind asked, disappointment in his voice.
"Actually... There is one pony..." Celestia began only to be attacked by Mad Mind.

"PLEASE! GET THEM HERE!" He begged. Celestia giggled, her horn turned a bright gold again and soon enough, another pony dashed into the room.

This pony was another alicorn, a she by the looks of it, she was slightly smaller than Celestia and had a deep blue colour with a mane that rippled in a non-existent wind like Celestia. Her mane seemed to hold stars and, upon further examination, looked like the night itself. She sat before Princess Celestia.

'Is this... Who I think it is?'
'Princess Celestia's sister?'
'How much do you guys bet?'
'Twenty brain cells.'

"Hello dear sister. What can we do for thee?" The blue alicorn spoke.

'CALLED IT! GIMME THOSE CELLS!'
'Dammit.'

Celestia giggled again. "My sister, I would like you to meet Mad Mind," Celestia signalled for him to come stand next to her. Mad Mind obeyed and stood directly beside the large, white alicorn. "Mad Mind, I would like you to meet my sister, Princess Luna." The dark alicorn turned her attention towards Mad Mind and dipped her head in respect. "Hello young Mad Mind. It is an honour to meet you." She said respectfully.

Mad Mind smiled. "I could say the same." Mad Mind responded. The navy blue alicorn smiled at Mad Mind, until Celestia spoke up.

"Now then... Luna, if it's alright with you, I would like you to show Mad Mind around Canterlot. He has yet to learn his way around." She said to her sister.

Luna turned back to Mad Mind. "Very well. Come along now." She said. Mad Mind instantly made a dash for the door, eager to get on with his tour.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Remember how Mad Mind thought that exploring on his lonesome was better than exploring with other ponies? It depended on the pony actually. If it was six, annoying mares who wanted nothing more to become your friend, then it sucks. But if it's one of the most powerful rulers of all Equestria who speaks in 'ye olde', then it's more enjoyable.

The two explored around all of Canterlot. From the many homes of the town, to the market, they saw it all.

A couple things caught Mad Minds eye: an art museum (Mania's idea.), a music store (Mania and his own), and the park (which Mania complained about.). But, all in all, he enjoyed the tour. Luna was particularly talkative most of the time and seemed to enjoy Mad Mind. But Mad Mind was bound by his rules. And his rules dictate that she can't be trusted until she earns it fully. When he explained this to her, she didn't seem to mind. Actually, she thought it made more sense than most ponies (she knows what she's doing.).

After completing their tour, Luna said that they could head where ever Mad Mind wanted to go. After a heated argument against Mania, the two made their way to the art museum. 

So there they were. In an art museum. Together, just staring at old paintings. Luna seemed to enjoy it, however, and Mania seemed to have constant pointers about the art. (I'm getting fond of Mania)

The two soon found themselves in front of a new piece. Luna turned her head to Mad Mind. "So, what does thou think of this?"

What they were staring at was not something Mad Mind particularly enjoyed. It was constant splatters of paint on an open canvas which looked like a total train wreck.

'The fuck is this thing?'
'Want me to talk for you?'
'... What?'
'Heh... Just watch.'

"I hate it." Mad Mind said simply. Mad Mind, however, knew he wasn't talking. Mania was somehow speaking through him.
Luna raised an eyebrow. "And why, may I ask, might that be?" She asked.

"While it is a rather creative design, which I can compliment, it lacks all creative colours! I mean, look at it! there is a lot of blank, boring canvas still upon it and the constant use of green is driving me mad!" 'Mania' said.

Luna looked back at the painting. "Green is not a creative colour?" She asked curiously.

"Of course it isn't! Green is everywhere! Trees, grass, and all plants have green upon them! It's constant, unoriginal and, therefore, not creative." 'Mania' finished with a huff. "That's why I hate it so much. It's creative, but not creative enough."

"Well, excuse me!" came a snobbish voice from the crowd.

'I hate this guy.'
'...You haven't even seen him yet.'
'His voice is annoying. I hate him.'
'I agree.'

Mad Mind turned his head to a (someone please kill him now) white unicorn with a blonde mane making his way towards the pair. "Is there something I can help you with?" Mad Mind (the actual one) asked to the unicorn. He trotted up to him, his head held up high.

"Yes there is. Could you please keep your horrible opinion about my art to yourself?"

Mad Mind began feeling rage build up inside him, but he kept a cool head as he responded. "Horrible opinion? Everypony deserves to give their opinion so you know what you can improve on." Mad Mind retorted to the unicorn.

The unicorn ignored his remark and turned his head to Luna. "Auntie Luna, I don't like this stallion."

'Auntie? This prick has royal ties?'
'Well, that's the only reason he's gonna be alive still after I'm done with him'
'Calm down Mania. Trust me: you'll get a chance.'

Luna was about to respond but Mad Mind cut her off. "Oh good! Now I have a reason to hate you even more!" Mad Mind said with a fake smile. Ponies were now crowding around the two.

Luna decided to step in. "Mad Mind, this was just supposed to be casual! Thou does not know what thyself is getting into!"

Mad Mind faced the navy alicorn. "It was casual. I gave my honest opinion and now this guy is on my case about it." Mad Mind said casually to Luna.

"Mad Mind, this is Prince BlueBlood! If thou fight him, thou could get sent to the dungeon!"
Mad Mind cracked his neck. "All the more reason to enjoy it." He said with a wicked grin across his face.

Prince Blueblood looked like he was preparing to fight. "I'll give you one last chance: leave now, or I'll beat you to a pulp!" He spat in rage.

Mad Mind didn't even flinch. "How about I give you a better offer: You leave with your life, or leave without it. I'd love to watch you suffer." Mad Mind seethed.

Blueblood recoiled at this. "You wouldn't kill a member of the royal family, would you?" He asked.

"Tell me: what role do you play in society as a prince? Despite being a douche to whomever you meet?" Mad Mind asked, a grin spread across his face. Most of the ponies gasped as Mad Mind said that.

Blueblood grinned. "Well, I play the most important role of all!" He exclaimed. Mad Mind turned his head to Luna.

"So, all-mighty, powerful, goddess of the night who raises the moon! What do you have to say to this? Does he play a more major role then your duty?" Mad Mind asked Luna. Luna was trying to hold back her rage.

She leaned in close to Mad Mind's ear. "Beat him. Don't kill him." She whispered into his ear, venom clear in her voice.

"With the utmost pleasure." He whispered back. He turned his attention back to Blueblood.

"Okay! I now have the right to beat your sorry flank! Not kill tragically. But good enough!" Mad Mind announced to the crowd and Prince Blueblood.

The so-called 'prince' was now shaking in fear. "Auntie! You wouldn't let this brute harm me would you?"

Luna now wore a smug grin that was comparable to Mad Minds. "I think thou will be fine. After all, thou are the most powerful being in all Equestria." Mad Mind laughed at this.

He kept laughing and had a mental conversation at the same time.

'Mania? Take the wheel. No killing.'
'Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this.'
'If you're done, could you pass the controls to me?'
'Yeah. So what were the rules?'
'No killing. And, judging by the fact that this guy looks like a pussy, he'll probably use a meat shield. Don't hit the meat shield. Understood?'
'Got it. Heheheh... Let's do this.'

As he felt the controls of his mind slip into Manias control, Princes Blueblood was already backing away from Mad Mind, only to have his exit blocked by the large group of ponies that had surrounded the duo.

Mania took this opportunity to strike. He made an impressive leap into the air and planned to slam a hoof directly into Bluebloods face. Well, not exactly. Turns out, Mad Mind was right about Blueblood being a total wuss and using a meat shield. Who he used though, is what pissed Mad Mind off.

He used a young filly as his personal defence.

'A KID? That's low!'
'Don't hit her Mania!'
'SHIT!'

Mania, thankfully, managed to fall a bit short of where he was supposed to strike and slammed the ground in front of Blueblood. Mania was pissed.

"YOU PATHETIC COWARD! A KID TO DEFEND YOURSELF!? THATS LOW!" He bellowed at the frightened prince.

The young filly then did the best thing Mad Mind had ever seen a young kid do: she managed to turn herself around to face Blueblood, and gave him a decently hard punch in the face, giving her some time to escape. Mania took this opportunity to attack again.

He charged and slammed his hoof straight into Blueblood's face, causing it to give off a small trickle of blood and send him stumbling backwards. Mania was becoming harder and harder to control.

'THE BLOOD! THE GLORIOUS BLOOD!'
'Mania! Calm down! Remember: no killing.'
'I WANT TO SEE THIS STALLION COVERED IN HIS OWN BLOOD!'

Mania drove another powerful blow into the side of Bluebloods head, causing him to fall to his side and try to crawl backwards. Mania grinned at this. He stepped forward and used the only spell he knew: levitation.

Blueblood was now simply dangling in the air, unable to defend himself. Mania took this opportunity to slam his hoof straight into his stomach, hearing a satisfying crack emitting from it. He slammed another hoof straight into his stomach again hearing more cracks.

Each blow that landed, Blueblood would howl out in pain. Mania kept delivering a massive beat down for this sorry stallion until he saw more than enough blood upon the stallion.

Mania, however, was far from done. Using magic again, he lifted up the painting that belonged to the prince and slammed his head into it, getting splatters of blood across the white of the canvas. He kept doing this until he made sure there were no more white spots showing.

He turned to a shocked Luna and laughed manically and showed her the painting. "See? It looks better now!" Mania said as he placed the canvas back on the wall.

He then saw Blueblood, pathetically trying his hardest to get up again. Mania sighed. "Oh please! Do us all a favour and," He slammed Blueblood's face straight into the floor. "STAY DOWN!" He finished. He turned around and began making his way out of the gallery until he thought of something for humiliation. He turned back around, levitated Blueblood off the ground and hung him on the wall via coat hanger. He grinned. "Fillies and gentlecolts, please look at this piece I made which I have titled: the Bloodied Prince. Please do enjoy it. Now then, I'll be off!"

He made his way out of the gallery with Luna close behind.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


The two were roughly half-way to Canterlot castle (Luna insisted they walked) until Mad Mind was greeted by a familiar face.

It was the filly that Blueblood used as a meat shield. Mad Mind now actually saw her: she was bright blue, her mane with a similar colour of blue, which was well kept. She made her way up to Mad Mind and smiled.

"Hi! I'm Bright Light! Do you remember me?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled back.
"Nice to meet you Bright Light. Yes I remember you, you were used as Blueblood's meat shield am I right?"
Bright Light nodded with vigour. "Yup! I just wanted to thank you!" She said loudly.
Mad Mind looked confused. "Thank me? For what?"
"You showed the worst stallion in all of Canterlot who's boss! And I needed to thank you for not hitting me on accident!" She sounded really hyped up about meeting Mad Mind. "So, thanks again! Bye!" Bright light exclaimed as she rushed away to, who Mad Mind assumed, were her parents.

Mad Mind glanced up to Luna. "She's a nice girl." Mad Mind said casually. Luna nodded in agreement. The kept moving until they arrived back at Canterlot castle, where Mad Mind found his way back up to his room and fell asleep. 
> A better love story for Twilight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"DO YOU GET IT TWILIGHT!!?? ENEMIES!!!" Mad Mind bellowed as Twilight ran away from the enraged alicorn. Tears were streaming down her cheek as she ran faster and faster. She soon found herself in Princess Celestia's room, where she broke down and cried. She hated herself for what she did. She never meant to make Mad Mind feel badly, she just wanted to make him feel like she did. But what did he mean by she should be thanking him?

'What did he mean by that?'
'He never meant to embarrass you, he just wanted to hear the apology from you.'
'WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! HE STILL SOUNDED LIKE A JERK WHEN HE SAID IT!'
'He didn't mean to! He just didn't want Celestia to apologize for you! It was to help build character!'
'...I guess that makes sense.'
'That's what he meant! You should be thanking him because he helped you and what did you do?'
'...I hurt him.'
'When he tried to help you. You screwed up big time.'
'Yeah. And now he hates me...'

Twilight sniffled. She only stopped crying because she was out of tears. She slowly got up and got ready to teleport back home. Celestia was sending her home anyway. Soon enough, she found herself standing in the library in Ponyville, tears still stained upon her face. She soon heard the familiar sound of scaly footsteps and was greeted by her number one assistant, Spike. Spike smiled warmly. "Hey Twi! Welcome back! How was Canterlot?" He asked. He then noticed the look of sadness strewn across Twilights face. Spikes warm smile was replaced by a look of concern. "Twilight, is something wrong?"

Twilight ignored her assistant and rushed back upstairs to her room where fresh tears began to flow. She stayed up there for a good twenty minutes until she heard knocking on her door. "Twilight? Please open up darling!" She heard a familiar voice call out. Twilight lifted her head to the sound of Rarity's voice but instantly placed her head back down in her pillow.

"No! Go away!" She shouted, her voice muffled from her pillow, but still audible. She heard a small conversation outside until she heard her door open letting out a small creak as it did so. Twilight lifted her head and saw her five friends make their way towards her. Rainbow decided to speak up. "What's wrong Twi? I've never seen you this sad before." She said as she landed beside the saddened alicorn. Twilight saw the concerned expression upon all of her friends' face's and sighed.

"It's Mad Mind. He-" Twilight was cut off as Applejack stepped in. "Did he hurt ya Twi?" She asked, rage in her eyes.

Twilight shook her head. "No. I mean yes, but no."

'How can I explain this?'
'Give them the full story.'

Twilight silently agreed with herself as she began to recount what happened since their arrival in Canterlot. From their argument, (Which made Rainbows eye's go wide, as if she remembered something) to her apologizing, excluding the parts where Mad Mind poked fun at her about being a rapist, and finally, when Mad Mind explained how they were enemies.

In the end, Twilight was crying again. She stuffed her face back into her pillow and let out tears and sobs. Her friends tried to comfort her, but to no avail. After a couple of minutes, she stopped crying again and glanced at her friends who were still trying to comfort her. Rarity decided to throw in her two cents (Or bits).

"Why don't you just stop thinking about him?" She asked. Twilight glanced up at her friend and sighed.

"That's the thing! I can't! No matter how hard I try I can't get Mad Mind out of my head!" Twilight exclaimed

"What do you mean you 'can't get him out of your head'?" Rarity asked curiously. Twilight sighed.

"It's like he's stuck in my mind! Every time I try to stop thinking about him, he just keeps popping back into my mind!" Twilight said.

Rarity moved to the back of the group and began talking amongst the other girls.

Twilight sat upon her bed, confused for the full minute they discussed until they separated and Rarity spoke up again.

"Twilight... Do you, perhaps,... Like Mad Mind?" She asked curiously.

Time seemed to stop for the lavender alicorn as these words escaped Rarity's lips.

'Me? Like Mad Mind?'
'No way! Mad Mind's a jerk!
'He's super annoying!'
'Not to mention he's kinda cute...'
'... WHAT!?'
'Well, think about it! The colour of his eyes, his personality, even his messy mane! Even that suits him well! Face it: he's cute and you know it.'
'Well...'
'You and I know very well that you like him. There's no denying it.'
... Okay! So I like Mad Mind! You're failing to realize the big picture here!'
'And what's that?'
'Were enemies! He hates me!'
'...Right. Well, this is gonna be interesting now isn't it?'

"Well Twilight?" Rarity asked. The tension was thick in the air as the mares waited for Twilights response. Then, she finally sighed.

"Yes..." She said quietly. The girls,who were capable of hearing this, all gasped in shock, Rainbow looking more surprised than the rest of the mares.

Silence. A large amount of silence entered the room as the mares guffawed at Twilight's revelation, until Rainbow spoke up.

"Umm... Twi? Can we talk alone for a sec?" She asked. A confused expression entered upon Twilight's face, but she reluctantly nodded and the rest of the mares left the room leaving Twilight and Rainbow alone.

"Do you know any soundproofing spells?" Rainbow asked. Twilight tilted her head in question.
"Why?" She asked, which made Rainbow face-hoof. "Because, knowing Rarity, she's gonna try and eavesdrop on our conversation and I don't want her to hear what I'm gonna tell you." She explained.

Twilight obliged and casted the spell, causing a small aura to ripple across the room. She then decided to speak up.
"Umm... Rainbow? What is this about?" Twilight asked the cyan pegasus.
Rainbow let out a small sigh and sat next to Twilight. "Listen Twilight, before Mad Mind arrived in Canterlot, we had a... Conversation, where he explained something to me." Rainbow began, but was cut off by a fearful Twilight.

"Oh no. Does he have feelings for you? Or maybe it's-" Rainbow stuck a hoof into Twilights mouth.
"No. Nothing like that, I can't see myself with Mad Mind to begin with. It's just... He told me something important." Rainbow said nervously. Twilight looked unamused. "Rainbow, what did Mad Mind tell you?" She asked in a serious tone.

Rainbow bit her lower lip and spoke. "Twilight... Mad Mind's not from here." She said. Twilights expression changed to one that said 'are you freaking kidding me?' "Rainbow, Mad Mind said that when he got here that he never came to Ponyville or Canterlot. So you'd have to assume that of course, he wasn't from around here." Twilight deadpanned. Rainbow shook her head.

"No. Not from just Ponyville but like... All Equestria." She explained. Twilights expression didn't change whatsoever.

"Not from Equestria?"
"Yeah."
"Like, from another planet?"
"Exactly!"
"From another universe?"
"Yeah!"
"...Rainbow, that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Twilight said with a bit of an edge in her voice.
"Yeah... Wait, what?" Rainbow glanced up at the lavender alicorn as she spoke again.

"Rainbow, there are no such thing as 'other worlds' let alone other universe's. Ponies have been studying this fact from ancient times. And even if Mad Mind came from another world, how did he get here? It's not like he simply walked through a wooden gate. That would take decades of research and the most powerful magic ever created! Besides: what proof do you have?" Twilight explained with a slightly angered expression.

Rainbow thought for a moment. "Why would the first male alicorn in all five thousand years arrive at this time? Let alone at all?" She asked Twilight.

This actually was surprised at how much sense this fact made, more so that it came from Rainbow. However, she still didn't buy it. "Fair point. But it's not quiet enough to explain-" Twilight was cut off as Rainbow kept giving Twilight more and more proof. 

"And don't you find it odd that Mad Mind, despite being an alicorn, doesn't  know how to cast spells? Or fly? Both of which are the easiest things a foal could do?"

This shocked Twilight even more, frightened her a little. The logic behind Rainbows contradictions made more sense then she thought it would. And coming from Rainbow, who couldn't understand how clouds disappear after a pegasus bucked them, made this much more shocking. "Okay, I see your point. Anything else you need to tell me about how Mad Mind is from another planet?" Twilight asked, slightly annoyed by how much sense Rainbow's logic made.

She shrugged. "That's all I got." She responded. "And I bet Mad Mind wouldn't tell me it if it wasn't true." She added at the last second.

Twilights face hardened as these words escaped Rainbows lip's. "Actually, he probably would. Considering the fact that, as he stated clearly dozens of times, he still doesn't trust us, he could've been lying about his entire existence up until now. He could've been lying about his personality, maybe he's the most powerful magic user in all Equestria, maybe he was a past Wonderbolt, maybe he was something hidden in secret that nopony knew about in the first place. I'm not sure, but I do know that Mad Mind was not from another planet or universe." Twilight stated harshly.

Rainbow put some thought into these words. "Then if he was lying about who he was... Do you like him all the same?" She asked curiously.

This stopped Twilight's thought process dead in it's tracks. Her eye's went wide in fear. What if she was right? What if Mad Mind wasn't who he said he was? What if he didn't look like what he convinced everypony he looked like? Nopony would've known. He could've been crippled and his leg could still be fine and nopony would've known.

And the worst thing about it? The doctors found no medical history (let alone any history) about Mad Mind whatsoever. Nopony knew who Mad Mind was. Just who he is. Everything she knew about Mad Mind could've been a lie. And, for all she knew, it seemed even more likely that he came from another planet.

She shook her head. These were questions for another time. When Mad Mind calms down a little after his little... Attack. But there was still something she could do.

She uncasted the soundproofing spell and opened the door, causing the mares on the other side, trying to eavesdrop, to come tumbling into the room. Twilight sighed.

"Seriously?" She asked in an unamused tone.

The mares let out an embarrassed laugh and pulled themselves up and allowed Twilight to pass. "Spike!" She called out to her assistant. "Take a letter." She said simply, and the young dragon began to scribble down what Twilight was saying.

Dear Princess Celestia.
I have somethings to tell you about Mad Mind. The first thing is, by his standards, were now officially enemies. I wish to tell you more about what I've learned about our mysterious friend, but I'd prefer to tell you in person, so I will be back in Canterlot in three days.
Your favourite student
Twilight Sparkle.

And, in a wisp of green flame, the letter was sent.
> Meet the Music
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind slowly woke up in his familiar bed in Canterlot. He sighed. He still felt tired, despite the fact he knew he got twelve full hours of sleep.

'Good morning Mad Mind!'
'HOLY SHIT!'
'Dude, calm down. It's me Mania.'
'Oh. Hey Mania. Do you know why I'm so tired this morning?'
'Actually, I do. I suppose you can also blame me for that...'
'Mania... What did you do?'
'I just went ahead and did a little investigation in your magical capabilities. Learned a lot of things.'
'You did that... When I was asleep?'
'But of course! Do you want to know what I learned?'
'Mania... That's kinda freaky y'know? Controlling my body and making it do things.'
'Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know, I'm a bad person. But just look at what I learned!'
'...Look?'
'DUH! I made all these massive discoveries and you thought I wouldn't even bother to write them down? Look at the brown notebook on your desk!'

Mad Mind obeyed and levitated the notebook in front of him and began looking through it. His mind was blown. Dozens and dozens of spells layer within the notebook. From incineration, to decapitation and many other ways to kill a pony that made Mad Mind grin in pleasure. And he only just started the book. As he kept reading, he saw many different categories of spells: Illusions, altering objects in the world to his whim, hell, there was even a section of the book dedicated to laser-related spells. One spell in particular caught his interest: Mind Games. Under the illusions category. He read on about it.

"This spell is a relatively dangerous spell the could alter a ponies mind for good. This spell allows the caster to manipulate the targets mind into doing, seeing, believing, feeling anything the caster intends them to. This spell can backfire and cause permanent damage to the targets brain if not casted properly." He read aloud. He grinned as he imagined the possibilities.

'Heh... Nice work Mania. I guess the hours you stayed up were worth it.'
'Of course they were! Remember what Madness said: the more you learn-'
'The weaker my sanity becomes. And over time, he'll send a new henchmen to latch onto my brain.'
'Exactly! I'm just helping ya in any way I can. The sooner it's done, the better, am i right?'
'I suppose you are. Great job.'

Mad Mind slowly began his morning stretch and got out of bed again and into the bathroom to get ready to tackle the day. As soon as he was done, he made his way down to the dining hall for breakfast. He noticed most of the guard's giving him nod's of approval and smiling at him as if he accomplished something. Some even came up to him and thanked him. For what? He wasn't sure, but hey, it was better than being on the guard's bad side.

As he arrived into the dining hall, he saw the usual Celestia at the end of the table and, this time, saw Luna with her as well. Mad Mind cleared his throat to make his presence known. As Celestia saw him, he knew he was in trouble. She gave him the same look that she gave him when she discovered that he and Twilight were enemies. He sighed.

"What am I in trouble for now Celly?" He asked, sounding as bored as possible. Celestia huffed. "Mad Mind, have a seat." Mad Mind obeyed and sat down next to the sun goddess. "Now, Mad Mind, this is about what happened at the art gallery the other day." She explained.

Mad Mind sighed as the thoughts of that day came rushing back to him. "Yeah. I remember that. I beat the crap out of some stuck up jerk who wouldn't let me voice my opinion. " He said with a grin as he recalled the events of that day. He laughed. "Good times."

Princess Celestia's eyes narrowed. "Mad Mind, you are aware who you beat up specifically right?" She asked.
Mad Mind nodded. "Yeah, Prince Bluebitch." He said with a laugh. Celestia gridded her teeth. "Mad Mind..." She began. Mad Mind stopped laughing. "Okay! Okay. It was Prince Blueballs." He said before bursting back into a fit of laughter. Princess Celestia stared at Mad Mind until he was finished laughing. "Are you done yet?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "Probably not. But, for you, I'll stop." He responded. Celestia sighed. "Good. Now Mad Mind, I want to know why you beat up a member of the royal family."

"Because he was being a dick." Mad Mind said simply. Celestia and Luna stared at Mad Mind in shock. Mad Mind shrugged. "What? It's true. He wouldn't let me voice my opinion about his art, he threatened me and used a filly as a meat shield! That's three strikes, I made sure he was out." Mad Mind said with his signature grin upon his face.

Princess Celestia looked infuriated. "He used a young filly for self-defence?" She spat in rage. Mad Mind nodded. "Her name was Bright Light. And don't worry: I made sure she was safe." Mad Mind reassured the princess. Celestia stood up. "If  you'll excuse me, I need to have a word with my nephew." She said. Again, she was doing a damn good job at hiding her anger. She left the dining hall, which left Mad Mind and Luna alone. Luna smiled. "I almost feel bad for him." She said. Mad Mind noticed something different about how she was talking until it hit him.

"Hey! You're picking up on modern speech patterns!" He exclaimed. Luna smiled. "I'm being taught by my sister, and I hear the guards often talking to each other so that is also a big help." She said happily. "But, honestly, Blueblood is going to never hear the end of this. Don't thou-" Luna soon realized her little slip up. "Sorry. Don't you feel bad for him?" She asked Mad Mind.

Mad Mind laughed. "Feel bad? For the biggest dick in Equestria? Who used a young child in self-defence? I would never feel bad for a stallion like that." Luna nodded.

"While I do agree, I'd recommend refraining from that language around my sister. She does not look fondly upon cussing, and you'll only end up on her bad side." She explained. Mad Mind nodded. "Sometimes, I just feel as if I didn't get my point across. So, when I swear, I get people to pay attention to what I'm saying. I don't mean any disrespect, I just want to make sure I get my point across." He explained. Luna nodded in understanding as the two of them began eating their breakfast.

It was quiet on the most part, so Mad Mind decided to talk with Mania.

'Hey Mania.'
'Heeeeeyy Maddy. 'Sup?'
'Remember those spells in that book that you made?'
'Of course I do! I wrote it! Well, you wrote it, but I know I wrote it!'
'Yeah, whatever. But those spells, where did you find them?'
'Half of them came from books, the other half came from me.'
'You made up your own spells?'
'Yeah! I mean, think about it! The spells in the books had to come from somewhere, so why can't we make up spells for ourselves?'
'... Fair point. Did you make the Mind Games spell?'
'I thought you'd like that one! Yeah, I made that. Fun little spell if I say so myself.'
'How do you know that? You haven't even tried it.'
'Trust me: you'll love it.'

"Mad Mind?" Mad Mind was brought away from his thoughts by the sound of Luna's voice. "You have barely touched your food. Is there something on your mind?" She asked, concern clear in her eyes.

Mad Mind shrugged. "It isn't that big a deal Luna. I was just thinking about magic." Luna smiled. "You're loud, you know that?" She asked. "I'm loud..?" Mad Mind was about to ask then he remembered when he shouted at Twilight about him not being capable of casting spells. He sighed. "You heard that?" He asked sheepishly. Luna nodded as Mad Mind sighed. "Yeah. But it's not like that. I was thinking about something else," he said. "I was just wondering... Is it possible for a pony to create a spell of their own?" He asked. Luna pondered about this before responding. "It's not impossible, but it is hard. First you need to know what you want the spell to do, then you need to know how much energy it costs and what side effects it may cause or if it can backfire." She explained.

Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "Has anypony ever made a... Mind manipulating spell?" He asked curiously. Luna thought about this for a moment before she responded. "An illusion spell? There are thousands of spells of the sort. But what did you have in mind?" She asked. "Like a spell that allows the caster to... Alter the targets mind into doing things for them. Do one of those exist?" He asked curiously. Luna put some thought into this. "... Not that I know of. The closest thing that I can think of to a spell of that sort is the Changelings' mind control spell, and nopony has ever used that kind of magic before. Manipulating a ponies mind with magic is quite dangerous and can leave the target, the caster or both with permanent damage to their minds, so nopony really bothers to even touch it." She explained.

Just as she finished, the doors swung open, revealing an angry Princess Celestia and a frightened Prince Blueblood. The two walked up to Mad Mind. Mad Mind smirked as he saw the countless welts and bruises upon Blueblood, courtesy of him. Not to mention the large bandage that covered most of his stomach. Princess Celestia began speaking. "Mad Mind, Prince Blueblood has something important to say." She turned her head to her nephew as he began speaking. Mad Mind however, wasn't really listening. He was to indulged in his thoughts.

'This fucker again? I bet Celestia convinced him to say sorry.'
'That must've been hard.'
'I still hate this guy more then anything.'
'Hey Mania!'
'Yeah?'
'You said you haven't tried out that Mad Games spell right?'
'You thinking what I'm thinking?'
'Obviously, were in the same brain. But I want to take this opportunity to... Test out this spell.' 

Blueblood was looking at Mad Mind as if he was expecting an answer. However, Mad Mind had other plans. "I'm sorry I didn't quite hear that. Could you please repeat it?" He asked, a smug grin upon his face. Blueblood turned back to Celestia. "Auntie, he didn't even listen to me!" He whined. Celestia shook it off. "Blueblood, he asked nicely. It's polite to respond." She said. Mad Mind swore he could, just then and there, picture Celestia as a troll. Blueblood cleared his throat and spoke again. "I am sorry." He said simply. Mad Mind wasn't convinced. "For?" He asked.

Blueblood sighed. "Do I really have to say it all again Auntie?" He complained to Celestia. "Yes." She replied simply. Blueblood sighed again. "I am sorry... You know what?" He said before he was able to finish his apology. "I don't know why I'm even bothering to apologize! He's the one who should be apologizing! It was his fault that he opened his filthy mouth and gave his awful opinion in the first place! I'm a prince! I don't have to go around apologizing to ponies for things I didn't do!" And on that, he let out a humph, stuck his nose up and turned towards the door.

Mad Mind grinned. "So that's how were playing it, huh?" He said darkly. Mad Minds horn began to glow it's familiar colours of red and purple. It quickly engulfed Blueblood who glanced around in confusion. He, honestly, didn't know what he was doing: it just felt natural to him. He knew what he wanted the spell to be: he wanted to play Mind Games.

He imagined Blueblood giving the most sincere apology that has ever existed; crying, sobbing, stuttering, all of it. As much as he wanted Blueblood to feel the most excruciating pain in all existence, this would do for now. It all quickly passed through his mind and soon found himself giving more and more energy until it was surprisingly low. But, in the end, it was all worth it.

The magic erupted out of his horn in one stream. It rippled and shimmered as it entered into Bluebloods mind through his ear (gross). The minute the entire stream entered into him, Blueblood turned around and dove to the ground in front of Mad Mind's chair. Mad Mind grinned. It was just like he pictured it: Blueblood on his knees, sobbing, crying, and all. 

"I-I'm so s-sorry for what I've done!" He stammered out. "I never meant to f-fight you! I never meant any harm to you or that filly! Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?" Mad Mind chuckled at this seen. "You are forgiven. But if you do it one last time, you'll be beaten again. Understand?" Blueblood nodded his head with vigour. "Good. Now, get out of my sight before I change my mind." Mad Mind spat. And, in a blink of an eye, Blueblood was out of there.

The two goddess' stared at Mad Mind in shock at what they had just witnessed. They have seen Blueblood apologize before, but getting upon his knees and begging for forgiveness? That was something they never saw coming.

"What... What did you do?" Celestia asked in shock. Mad Mind simply chuckled at her reaction. "No harm done. Simply altered his mind into convincing him to apologize to me. That's all." He said simply. This didn't help Celestia calm down at all. "You controlled his mind!?" She asked, rage building in her voice. Mad Mind shook his head.
"No, no, no, no. Altered. Not controlled. Altering his mind is a simple magic burst that allows me limited control over his emotions, feelings, all that shit. Mind control, is full dominance over the mind, allowing me full control of his actions, feelings, emotions and power. Massive difference." Mad Mind explained. This surprised Princess Celestia even more. Since when did Mad Mind become so accustomed to this? She shook off the thought as Mad Mind spoke up again.

"He'll be back to normal in roughly... eight minutes. Until then, I'm outta here." He said as he got up and made his way for the door. Princess Luna glanced at him. "Where are you going?" She asked. Mad Mind turned around. "Into town. I saw a store I wanted to go into." He said. And on that, he quickly turned around, shut the doors and made his way into the city.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind smiled as he saw the familiar architecture of Canterlot. He was, currently, right next to the train station where ponies were currently exiting said train and entering the large city of Canterlot. Mad Mind let out a sigh. The things like these reminded him of when he was human again: people rushing around and getting to their jobs, the big cities, all of it reminded him of human life. He couldn't help it: he was surrounded by it every day and things hardly seemed to have changed, with the exception of the dominant race being ponies and adding the concept of magic. The more he thought about it, the more he began to miss being a human. He actually would've preferred it if he remained human in this world, or something relatively close like Madness. But, sacrifices needed to be made for him to arrive where he is now. The total realization finally dawned upon him as he stood there: he was a god. If he was still in his world, he was still him. But here. Here it was entirely different. He had a purpose in life, a destiny that needed to be fulfilled. A-

WHUMP!

So much for that monologue...

While Mad Mind was busy reflecting upon who he actually is, somepony accidentally bumped into him, causing him to fall on his rump. He glanced up at who bumped into him and gasped at what he saw: another alicorn. This one was, again, female and bright pink, not as tall as Celestia but easily comparible to his height. She, as well, fell due to the accidental collision. Mad Mind quickly sprang to his hooves and offered a helping hoof to the mare who graciously accepted his help.

"I'm so sorry!" She apologized. "I didn't see you!" Mad Mind simply shrugged. "It's okay. I was lost in thought. Should've been paying attention to the crowd." He said with a smile. The alicorn held out her hoof. "Princess Cadence." She said with a warm smile. Mad Mind bumped it. "Mad Mind." He responded politely. (Hey, first impressions are key.) He then noticed Cadence giving him an... Interesting stare. (no not the stare you're thinking of.) Mad Mind couldn't take it any more. "Is there... Something wrong?" He asked the alicorn. She was brought back down to earth and let out an embarrassed laugh alongside a slight blush. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare. It's just... You're an alicorn?" She asked.

Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "Umm... Yeah." He responded.
"And you're a stallion?"

'Okay, now I see where this is going.'

"Yeah, yeah. Alicorn stallion, first one in five thousand years. Whoopty freaking doo. It's honestly not that big a deal!" He said with a sigh. Cadence had another opinion. "Not that big a deal!? You're one of the most rare ponies on the planet and you think it's not that big a deal? Well-" Mad Mind quickly cut her off. "I just hear it a lot. It get's annoying after some time." He said quickly receiving an 'Oh' from Princess Cadence. Mad Mind suddenly remembered why he was in Canterlot in the first place. "Umm... I need to go now," he said rather awkwardly. "Nice meeting you Princess. I'll see you around, hopefully." And on that, he turned around. Only to be stopped by Cadence. "Wait!" She shouted. Mad Mind turned his head back to her. "Where are you headed?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "I'm heading to the music store. Gonna check out what they have."

"Can I... Tag along?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed. He saw determination in her eyes, so he knew that trying to reject her offer would be harder then licking your elbow. "Sure. Why not?" He said. Mad Mind sighed as she practically bounced in the spot for joy, like Pinkie. (God I miss her...) She quickly ran up beside Mad Mind and the two made their way to the music shop.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


The two trekked through the crowded city, with Cadence asking constant questions about him (Where are you from? Who are your parents? Do you have a special some pony?). Eventually, the duo arrived at the music shop where Mad Mind instantly made a mad dash inside. He grinned. The store was huge! Everywhere he looked, vinyl records covered the shelves in an assortment of different colours. He began browsing all the different sections until he stopped at one of his favourite genres: Rock. An amazing amount of records were displayed in this section. He soon found a record that caught his eye. He instantly levitated it and blinked to see wether or not his eyes were playing tricks on him.

In front of him, on that label was the name that made him almost laugh: Gun's and Roseluck. 

'No fucking way!'
'Poniefied Guns and Roses?'
'... Do they even know what a gun is?'
'Who cares? One of the greatest bands of all time are in two worlds! All hope in this world is not lost!'

Then, he saw the rest of the records: Led Airship, (Led Zeppelin) Air, (Upon further inspection, he learned it was in fact, Jet),  Aerohoof, (Fuckin' Aerosmith!) and even Canterlot Park. (Pony Linkin Park. Fuckin' A). All of which made him smile more intensely until his cheeks hurt.

'I need to hear one of these. Now!'

He instantly plucked the record Gun's and Roseluck: Taste of Destruction (very nice) and dashed up to the front where a unicorn with an electric blue mane and white coat stood (He stopped caring about the colour white for the moment) and slammed the record directly in front of her. "Can I listen to this please!?" Mad Mind asked, slightly out of breath. The unicorn took a small step back in fear and brought a record player up to the counter. She quickly placed the record upon the player. "Okay! Now did you have a song in mind..?" She was cut off as Mad Mind spoke again.

"Sweet foal of Mine!" He exclaimed. The unicorn used a bit of magic until the song came on. Mad Mind grinned.

'Here it comes! The most epic guitar riff in all pony/mankind!'
'Wait for it...'

But it never came. All there was, was bass, and drums. No guitar. Then the singing started. He swore the singing sounded exactly the same. It was all the same, but without guitar! This really started to piss him off. "Can you play the next track please?" He asked. The white unicorn obeyed. Her horn lit up quickly and the next track came on. (Comforting City/Paradise City. Very nice) 

The same thing happened again. No guitar. Just bass, drums and singer. Something was off. Mad Mind quickly ran back to the rock section and pulled out Air: Shack Rock. (Shacka Rock. This'll do.) He asked the mare to play it and she obliged. The song 'She's a Genius' came on. Mad Mind knew how this song was back on earth: start with bass then guitar. It did just that except there was no guitar! Again, Mad Mind was pissed off beyond belief as the song continued. No guitar whatsoever. He even got pissed enough to ask.

"Where is it!?" He spat to the white unicorn.
"W-where is what?" She asked, fear in her eyes.
"The guitar! Where's the damnable guitar!?" He spat. She looked at Mad Mind in confusion.
"Gui-tar? What the hay is that?" Mad Mind felt time stop as these words escaped her lip's.

'She's a music store owner... And she doesn't know what a fucking guitar is?!'
'That makes no sense! How can she own a music store, with rock albums and not know what a guitar is!?'
'Then maybe... Is there no such thing as guitar in this world?!'
'NO! IT'S NOT TRUE! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!'
'Let's just ask Celestia! She'll know!'
'Hopefully...'

Mad Mind made another mad dash to the door, Princess Cadence trying to keep up but to no avail. He ran and he didn't stop until he was in the throne room of Canterlot castle where Princess Celestia sat upon her throne. She looked at the stallion in question as he barged in and began gasping for breath.

"What... The... Hell..." Mad Mind said between pants. Princess Celestia looked even more confused.
"What's wrong Mad Mind? It looks like you ran all the way from the music store!" That last part was supposed to be a joke. Little did she know, that was, in fact, what actually happened.

"I... Did," he panted out. "I... Need to... Ask you something." Celestia nodded. "Okay. What is it?"

"Why... Is there... No guitars... In the rock albums?" He asked, still slightly out of breath. Princess Celestia raised an eyebrow. "Mad Mind, there have been no guitar players or guitars in over... one thousand years." She explained to Mad Mind. His eye's went wide in shock. "WHAT!?" He shouted in fury. Princess Celestia nodded. "The guitar was an exceptional instrument during it's period of time, but it sort of... Died out over time. As did most of rock. As far as I know, there are no guitars in Equestria and not a creature that know's how to play one. We've just learned to go on without it." Mad Mind jumped up and began shaking the princess. "HOW DID YOU LEARN TO GO ON WITHOUT IT!? THAT'S LIKE SAYING POTATOES OR APPLES DIED OUT! IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET!" He bellowed. He was forcefully pushed off by the princess who sighed. "Mad Mind, I know how you feel. I myself enjoyed the sound of the guitar during it's time and to hear it again and played properly would be a gift from Faust. But it's just not possible. There are no more left in existence and not a creature knows how to use one."

Mad Mind pointed to her horn. "Then use magic to bring it back! Then rock can be brought back to life!" He mused, but Celestia shook her head. "Mad Mind, it's not that simple. I can remember the sound of the guitar, but not it's shape or how many strings it has. In order for a spell like that to work, I have to have a picture of a guitar in my mind. And I don't recall how one looks." Mad Mind hung his head in shame. Celestia wrapped a wing around him in comfort. "I'm sorry Mad Mind, but it's just not possible to bring it back." She said in that motherly tone of her's.

Mad Mind felt horrible. If this world had no guitar, then it was probably worse then earth. If there was only a way to bring a guitar from earth to Equestria...

Mad Mind's eyes lit up as an idea entered his brain. Nopony else in Equestria knew what a guitar looked like, but he did! He recalled seeing dozens of guitars back on earth and all he needed was a spell to summon one, and then, bam! The first guitar in one thousand years. Mad Mind chuckled at this thought: a pony that hasn't existed in over five thousand years bringing back an instrument not seen in one thousand years.

Mad Mind left the comfort of the princess and grinned. "Princess, I have an idea." He said, and on that, he rushed to his room.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind reached his room rather quickly and locked the door behind him. He racked his brain for memories on guitars until he saw one that tickled his fancy. Like when he casted the Mind Games spell, this all felt natural to him.

He knew he didn't need to lock on: it was summoning. There was no need to lock on to anything.
Next, he held the picture of the guitar firmly in his mind.
Then, energy. He felt his energy slowly deplete. He felt it go lower and lower until it was dangerously low. It was never good when his energy was at that level, but he knew the results would be worth it.

The energy left his horn in a powerful beam of light that stopped a few feet in front of him. He watched as the light at the end of the beam altered in shape and form, slowly moulding into the shape Mad Mind envisioned it to be. Then, it slowly began to build, the smooth brown wood, the metal for all of the pieces and details upon it and finally, the strings slowly slid across the fret board, to the body of the guitar and stopped at the end at the bridge. It was an acoustic, so it had to be slightly bigger in the body and the trademark hole in it's centre.

As soon as it finished, it fell to the floor with a 'tock!' sound. Mad Mind began to feel the effects of the magic take it's tole as he slumped to the ground and began panting. The massive lack of energy was a horrible feeling to him, but on this occasion, it was all worth it. He slowly pulled himself up and stumbled forward as he picked up the guitar with magic. He was surprised he was still capable of casting any magic at all, but it helped. He used his magic to strum the strings, allowing them to let out the wonderful sound that they do. He felt himself relax to the sound.

'Ooh! Ooh! Can I try it?'
'Heheh... Sure Mania. Why not?'

He felt the controls of his mind quickly slip away as Mania took control. Mania grinned as he saw the acoustic sitting there, begging to be played. He brought it up to him and gently stroked the strings with a hoof, causing the familiar sound to emit. He began to feel the need to play a song, but what? Then, he knew what he wanted to hear: Gun's and Roses. The way it was supposed to sound. He knew he would need an electric guitar to get the best noise, but he would have to settle for what he had. (Hey, it's better then this hell with no guitar) and slowly began to play 'Sweet foal of mine'.

The way it was supposed to sound



Mad Mind enjoyed every minute of it. He knew Mania was playing the guitar, but Mad Mind knew it was himself singing. It felt... Natural. A good feeling, like he and Mania were bonding in a sense.

As the song slowly drew to a close, he sighed a breath of relief. He stretched out and turned towards his door to see Princess Celestia and a few guards standing next to her. The guards themselves shocked at the scene of what they had just witnessed and Princess Celestia... Was that relief?

No doubt about it, it was full relief as if the moon had been lifted from her shoulders. She sighed, looked at Mad Mind and smiled. "That, is how I remember it." She said happily. Mad Mind smiled back and nodded. Celestia turned around. "I'll ask tomorrow. Good night Mad Mind." She said as she exited the room. Mad Mind looked at her in confusion then glanced out his window. Sure enough, out in the sky, was the moon. Shining as bright as can be. Mad Mind shrugged. The spell wore him out. He was tired anyway.

He quickly finished up his stretch and jumped into bed, fully aware the guards outside were still gawking at him. Mad Mind glanced at the guards. "'Chu lookin' at?" He asked with a grin. The guards quickly shook themselves out of their trances and moved on with their patrol. Mad Mind shrugged as he drifted off to sleep.

Tomorrow was gonna be a hoof full.

He just knew it.
> Reunions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind was fast asleep. He was, for a change of things, enjoying his dream. He actually never had decent thought's for dreams, but when Mania came along, the concept of dreaming was taken to an all new level. Plentiful colours like the Equestrian landscape, plenty of hapiness and the common sight of something being brutally slaughtered every now and again. (That's Mania for you.)

But, Mad Mind was soon faced with the major challenge of staying asleep: the sun. Everytime he tried to adjust himself for more comfort, the dreaded sun would seep into his line of vision. 'Princess Celestia is either being a troll, a bitch or just want's me to wake up.' Mad Mind thought to himself. Half of his mind erupted into turmoil when Mad Mind awoke and stretched out. He quickly hopped out of bed and made his way to the dining hall for breakfast.

'*groan*'
'Something up Mania?'
'Come on! We do this every freaking day!'
'What, eat breakfast?'
'Yes! We get up, walk downstairs and eat breakfast every day!'
'Well, I need it... To stay alive and stuff.'
'I know that! Can we just... Get there in some other way then walking?'
'How?'
'Oh! We can fly there!'
'Mania, I don't know how to fly. And I don't feel tired, so you obviously didn't stay up and study the concept.'
'Just improvise! Maybe, it'll be like magic and it just come's naturally as well!'
'Mania... You know what? Fine. I'll try it.'

Mad Mind glanced at the feathered appendages and thought.

'Well, since it's an appendage, I should feel it like my legs.'

Mad Ming slowly began testing every muscle upon his back until, his wing's stretched out with a 'FOOMP!' Mad Mind grinned. Now all he had to do was learn to take off...

Mad Mind tried to get himself up by the most common idea of flight: flapping. He started off flapping slowly and felt himself rise into the air, but only slightly. He increased the power of his flap until he was hovering in the air. He laughed. He was doing something humans everywhere had only dreamed of: obtaining flight. Certainly there were airplanes, helicopters, flying suit's and parachutes, but it felt more extraordinary when it was an actual appendage and you know your mind is controlling it.

Mad Mind put another thought in his mind.

'Now, how do I head in different directions?'
'... You remember when you used to fly helicopters in Grand Theft Auto?'
'Ohh. I see what you're getting at.'

Mad Mind put this theory to the test as he leaned forward slightly and felt himself move forward slowly. He grinned. He leaned back, and he stopped entirely. He leaned to the side's and he found similar result's: just lean in the direction you want to go in. A devilish smirk appeared upon his face.

'All systems appear to be functioning normally. Please keep all lose articles safe and keep all hands and feet inside the alicorn at all times. Let's do this!'

Mad Mind leaned far forward and quickly began to build up momentum. He sped up to impressive speeds and felt the familiar feeling of it all being natural to him. After he gained his momentum, he straightened himself out and blasted his way through the hallways of Canterlot castle. Mad Mind chuckled. He was loving this. The sense of freedom, the wind whipping through his mane, all of it was of utmost fun. He noticed a sharp turn up ahead and quickly made the turn, maintaining his speed. His speed kept increasing until he was a blur. He grinned as another wall approached. Normally, he would perform a sharp turn, but he felt like changing it up.

'Matrix style bitches!'

Mad Mind slowly turned until he was about to hit the wall. He then stuck his hooves out and ran across the wall like it was the floor. And the best part: it was a wall filled with pictures of Blueblood. Aww well, nopony wanted to see them anymore anyway's. He zipped across the wall and fanned his wings out again. He was quickly brought off his hooves and speeding along on his wings again.

The door to the dining hall drew closer and closer. He could almost make out the voices of Celestia and Luna on the other side. He laughed. He needed to make an entrance. Using magic, he flung open the doors, drawing the attention of both alicorns. Mad Mind zipped in and shouted the one thing that made sense: "IIINNNCCOOOMMMIIIINNNNGGG!!!" He faltered in his flight for a brief second and screwed up his entire entrance. Instead of stopping right at the edge of the table like he wanted to, he found himself face-planting on the table and sliding across it, sending food flying everywhere. He eventually stopped directly in front of the solar princess who was in shock. Mad Mind raised a hoof in triumph. "Nailed it." He said, voice muffled from the table.

The two princess' both began to laugh at Mad Mind's display. Mad Mind slowly brought himself to his hooves and joined in on the laugh. As it slowly died down, Princess Celestia glanced at Mad Mind. "I see you grasped the concept of your wings." She mused. Mad Mind laughed. "Well, that's one way to put it." He said causing more laughter. The rest of the meal was completed in silence. Mad Mind couldn't take the awkward silence for much longer.

'I'm bored.'
'I can tell.'
'It's too quiet! I need to do something before my head explodes!'
'Then let's start a conversation!'

Mad Mind glanced at Princess Celestia. "So, I heard Twilight's visiting." Mad Mind said. In all honesty, he didn't know. he just wanted something to talk about. Princess Celestia was taken aback as she glanced between her sister (who wore the same expression as she) and Mad Mind. "How did you know?" She said. Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "You just told me."He casually replied. Celestia sighed. "I wanted to keep it a secret. I was hoping that maybe you two could... Get along again." She said. Mad Mind sighed. "Alright look: I learned what Twilight said wasn't really that big a deal. I was taught levitation by you and I know a few more spells now. I know she also feels bad for what she did, and I admit: at the time, she should feel bad. But," he stared Celetia straight in the eye. "I think I'm ready to forgive her. But if she pulls a stunt like that again, no more second chances." He said. Celestia and Luna both nodded in understanding. Celestia stood up from her spot at the end of the table. "I'm grateful Mad Mind. Thank you for finding it in your heart to forgive her." And on the, she walked out of the room.

It was now just Mad Mind and Luna. Right as Celestia left, Luna looked rather... Excited? "I heard that you have a guitar?" She asked, snapping Mad Mind out of his dream-like state. Mad Mind chuckled. The two sisters thought relatively alike. He nodded and Luna did a little clap with her front hooves. Mad Mind quickly brought the guitar down through magic and smiled at the lunar princess. "I could play a song if you want." He said. Luna nodded in excitement and Mania took over his mind. He levitated his guitar up to him and began to play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUbTW928sMU

As the song drew to a close, Mad Mind saw Princess Luna, eye's closed and relaxing to the song. She sighed and looked down at Mad Mind. "That was... Beautiful." She complimented. "Of course, you are the only guitar player, officially, to exist in over one thousand years, but you also have an amazing voice. You seem to surprise us every, day Mad Mind." she said with a smile.

Mad Mind rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you princess. That... Actually, means a lot to me." He said, returning her smile with one of his own.

Luna leaned back in her chair. "I remember... I used to love the guitar growing up, but when I was banished to the moon..." 

Mad Mind stared at her in shock as she said this. "You were banished to the moon!?" He asked in surprise.

She nodded. "Sometime's I forget that your knowledge is still rather... Limited. No offence." She said. 

Mad Mind nodded. "None taken. So, why were you banished to the moon?" He asked curiously.

Luna closed her eyes in thinking until she spoke up again. "One thousand years ago, my sister and I were the only two princess' of Equestria, henceforth making us the rulers. Our reign was strong, mighty. But," she sighed and looked like she was bringing up bad memories. "I thought the ponies of Equestria loved my sister more than I. She supplied them with sunlight for their crops, heat and her love, while I supplied moonlight that ponies commonly slept through. It infuriated me. I wanted the same recognition that the ponies supplied my sister. But, it never came. I slowly became more and more... Corrupted, I guess you could say, and became an evil entity known as 'Nightmare Moon,'" Luna sighed again. 

Mad Mind's expression showed one of concern. "You can stop if you want. I can tell that this was a hard time for you." He said, but Luna rejected the offer. "It's fine Mad Mind. This is something you need to know." She said. "While I was Nightmare Moon, I had one goal in mind: everlasting darkness. Meaning, I had to kill my sister in order to do so," she paused as a small tear rolled down her cheek. "I fought my sister and, in the end, wound up losing. Upon my loss, my sister used the Elements of Harmony to seal me away on the moon for one thousand years." Mad Mind nearly chocked on his food.

"So... You're one thousand years old?" Mad Mind asked. Luna glanced up at him. "Out of all the thing's I just said, that's what you pick up from it?!" She asked, slightly enraged. Mad Mind put up his hooves in defence. "I meant no disrespect, it's just, you and Celestia both look a lot younger than you say you are. I find it hard to believe you're actually that old." Mad Mind said. Luna looked at him in surprise. "You think we look youthful?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled. "Yeah. Your sister looks like she's only mid-twenties. Maybe thirties. You look mid-twenty as well. It's kinda hard to believe that you've actually been alive for over one thousand years." Mad Mind said. Luna smiled at this. "Never before had I heard a pony give me or my sister a compliment of such. But yes, we are as old as we say we are." Mad Mind nodded and got up.

"Where are you going? You didn't eat your food. Again." Luna asked Mad Mind. He shrugged. "I dunno. I just like moving around. And I'll try and find something to eat when I'm about." A thought struck Mad Mind right there.

'Since my entrance was a flop, might as well make a decent exit.'
'Good plan.'

Mad Mind quickly unfolded his wings and prepared for take-off. He grinned. "Hi Ho Silver..." He began. He quickly flapped his wings at an intense speed and shot off like a bullet. "AWWAAAAAAYYYY!!!" As he made his speedy exit, he swore he heard Luna laughing back in the dining room. He grinned and sped up, he and Celestia needed to have a small talk about Twilight.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind swerved his way through the massive castle, making his way to the throne room. He quickly found the door and landed directly in front of it. Hey, sure he could make another entrance, but he wanted to keep minimal formalities. He quickly reviewed himself and entered the throne room with a smile upon his face. His smile instantly faded as soon as he saw who was in there. Standing before Princess Celestia, were none other then Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy. The girls turned around to see who the new visitor was and their expressions changed in an instant. Applejack and Rainbow's faces both hardened while Rarity and Twilight both smiled in greeting. Pinkie was hopping in place (The usual shit) and Fluttershy... Was being Fluttershy and staying to the back of the group.

Mad Mind's eyes primarily fell upon the apple farmer and the cyan pegasus and one word escaped his lips. "Shit." He made a dash for the door only to find it closed behind him. He turned around and smiled nervously as the duo made their way towards Mad Mind. "You!" Rainbow spat at Mad Mind. He grinned. "Hey Dash. Good to see you too." He said, but Rainbow ignored it. "What right do you have to make my best friend your enemy?!"

"I have every right. But can I-" Before he could finish, Applejack cut in. "Yah sent her home in tears! Don't yah feel any shame!?"

"Can I please just say-"
"Who do you think you are?"
"Can I-"
"Don't you-"
"ENOUGH!"

The final bellow by Mad Mind shut the two mares up quickly. He let out a sigh. "Can I speak now?" He asked. The two of them nodded their heads and Mad Mind stepped toward Twilight. 

He breathed in. "Twilight, I just want to say, I'm sorry for saying what I said."

Twilight looked surprise as these words left Mad Mind's lip's. He took little notice and continued. "I was an idiot. When you said that I didn't know how to use magic, I flipped out. I thought that the Princess would make a big deal of it, or think I was stupid or something. But actually, it wasn't that big a deal. I learned how to cast a few spells, hell, even making spells of my own, and I realized I acted too... Harshly. So, from the bottom of my heart," He lowered his head. "I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

Twilight was surprised. She was the one who wanted to apologize to Mad Mind about her behaviour, but this was something that she never expected. She quickly brought the girls over in a group huddle.

She began speaking. "What the hay!? Why is he apologizing to me? I should apologize to him!"
Rarity nodded. "I'm just as surprised as you are Twilight. I never thought Mad Mind was actually capable of being so... Sincere. Let alone him apologizing to you. And you never told us he was incapable of magic?"
Rarity's comment was ignored as Rainbow flew up and grumbled. "I don't understand that guy. One second he's all 'I don't trust you!' And the next he's all 'I'm sorry, I never meant it!' What's his angle?"
"I prefer not having an angle Mrs. Dash, thank you very much."

The group looked up and saw Mad Mind trotting up to them. "And, for the record, I still do not trust you. But I just want your forgiveness Twilight. Nothing more." Twilight pondered this for a moment. "I'll forgive you," she began. Mad Mind smiled. "On one condition."

Mad Mind nodded. "Name it."
"I want your full trust. Not just for me, but for my friends as well, and the Princess."
Mad Mind raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I can accept your trust since you're constantly begging for it Twilight, but the others... I'm not so sure about."

Twilight sighed. "Is there any way that can make you trust them?" She asked in hope.

Mad Mind nodded. "Sure. They have to promise."

Rainbow jumped up. "I promise!" She exclaimed, but Mad Mind shook his head.

"As much as I enjoy your enthusiasm Rainbow, it's not a simple 'I promise' sort of thing. If you want my trust, you're going to have to swear that you will never abuse it. If you ever abuse my trust or stab me in the back like a coward, then I have to... Eliminate our trust. And the bearer of it." He said.

The group thought on this and took a step back in shock as the realized what he meant. "Yah mean," Applejack began. "If we betray yah in any way... You'll kill whoever betrayed yah?" She asked in shock.

Mad Mind nodded. "See? You understand."
Rarity looked at him in shock. "You're mad!" She exclaimed.
Mad Mind chuckled. "And that's the way I like it!" He exclaimed. "So! We got a deal?" He asked.

The group thought for a moment until Dash spoke up. "Sure! I'll accept your trust!" She said in excitement. Mad Mind nodded. "Anypony else?" 

Everypony was surprised to see Fluttershy put up her hoof. Rainbow glanced at her in surprise. "Fluttershy, are you sure?" She asked in a concerned tone. She nodded.

"Yes. Although, he did threaten us with death, all we have to do is not abuse his trust. That won't be too hard." She said with a smile. Mad Mind grinned. He had them now. Fluttershy, the most shy pony, practically afraid of her own shadow, had decided to accept Mad Mind's trust at the cost of promising her life. That meant, that every last one of then, besides Dash, are more cowardly then Fluttershy.

"Alright, I've got two. Besides Twilight. Anypony else feeling brave?" He asked with a smug grin. The mares around him had turned their expression from one of shock to one of uncertainty. Mad Mind grinned even wider. He knew what to do: he needed to motivate them.

"So! Applejack." He said walking up to the farmer. "You've been a... Thorn in my side, a lot like Dash, when it came to who I gave my trust to. Well, now's your chance. Probably your only one. And you're thinking of turning it down?" He stared her straight in the eye. "I'm sick and tired of you bitching about me not giving any trust and now, the day you get the chance to get my trust, you turn it down." He shook his head. "You're either stupid, a coward, or both. But whatever it is, Fluttershy is still considered more brave than you right now." He leaned his head right next to her ear. "How does that make you feel?" He whispered.

Applejack's reaction was instantaneous. She went from curious, to furious in a snap. (Hey I could do this rhyme shit too.)
She glared at Mad Mind. "Yah think Ah'm a coward?" She spat.

Mad Mind grinned. "More or less so. Does that... Bother you? Knowing that you're weak? Pathetic? Incapable?" Mad Mind added extra emphasis on these words as they left his mouth. Applejacks rage only grew.

"Ah'm not a coward!" She spat back at Mad Mind.

"Then prove it! Show me that you're not afraid of anything! Not even death! Show me!" He retorted.

Applejack grinned. "Fine! Ah'll take yer trust and yer promise! How do you feel about them apples?" She spat.

Mad Mind relaxed. "I feel perfectly fine with that. Thank you."

Applejack then realized what she just said and was quickly brought back to reality. "Wait... Wha-" Mad Mind grinned. "Reverse psychology. For the win." He said smoothly. He turned his attention to the remaining two mares. "Three down and two to go! So who's next?"

Pinkie Pie quickly jumped up "Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!" She exclaimed jumping in her spot. Mad Mind grinned. "The mare in the pink!" He said. Pinkie threw a hoof up in triumph. "Yes!" She said as she made her way up to Mad Mind.

Mad Mind grinned. "I'm surprised I didn't see your hoof go up first Pinkie. I thought you'd want my trust for sure." He said to the pink mare.

"Weell..." She began. "At first when you were like if you 'break my trust I'll kill you' I was all ' woah! Risky business' and then Fluttershy was all 'Nothing to be afraid of.' And I was like 'So true!' And now, here I am!" She explained. Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "Very well." He said casually. He turned his gaze to Rarity. "And then there was one." He said. She shook her head. "As much as it is tempting, I prefer to have a guarantee on my life thank you." She said. Mad Mind groaned. "Very well. So be it." He said. Rarity looked surprised. "Wait. What?" She asked. "You don't want to tempt me into trusting you?"

Mad Mind shook his head. "Nah. No need for it. I don't need to give you my trust. Not worth my time." He casually said.

Rarity looked offended. "You think that I'm not worth your time!?" She asked. Mad Mind gave her a deadpan expression.

"That's what I said, wasn't it?" He responded. Rarity huffed. "Why you... Ugh! I'm so worth your time!"

"Really?" Mad Mind inquired. "Explain how."

"I'm a..." Rarity slowed down a bit to think about this. "I can design you clothes." Mad Mind proceeded to deadpan.

"Almost every single pony in Ponyville doesn't wear clothes, and the ponies who do wear clothes in Canterlot are douche bags. Do you think I'd really give a shit about clothing?" He deadpanned.

Rarity winced at this. She kept racking her brain for an example but found none. Until the door opened to the throne room reviling...

Mad Mind sighed at the stallion who walked in. "Ah. Prince Bluebitch. Nice to see you again." He spat at the prince. He still continued to walk in, unfazed by Mad Mind's comment, being accompanied by guards. He proceeded to keep walking up to Princess Celestia (Mad Mind had forgotten she was even there!) and spoke.

"Auntie, I have received permission by high authorities to remove this," he glanced at Mad Mind. "Stallion from Canterlot Castle. I'm sure you understand." Celestia's eye's narrowed.

"'High authorities'? Blueblood, I'm not sure who you're talking about. I never gave orders for Mad Mind to be removed from my castle and Luna seem's to enjoy his company. What 'high authorities' are you even talking about?" She asked in confusion. Blueblood grinned. "I have half the guard on my side. By popular demand, he must be removed."

Celestia gave him a 'you're fucking kidding me' expression. "Blueblood: half the guard is under my control. I have to give them the order to remove Mad Mind and if they do so without me knowing or my say so, then they are stripped of their title. So that means, that whoever removes Mad Mind without my say so, is either stupid or gutsy. They would lose their job without hesitation." She explained harshly to Blueblood.

That's when he began whining. Oh fuck the horrible whining. "But Auntie," he whined. "I don't like him!"

Mad Mind looked at him. "I know you hate me ass hole! I also know that I beat the living shit out of you and I made you kneel down before me and apologize for using a goddamn foal as a meat shield! Honestly, you're more mental then I am. So, I'm fully capable of making history repeat itself and beat the living shit out of you again. Right now." He spat at the white stallion. Blueblood took a step back in fear, allowing one of his guards to cover him. "You have no right to speak to our prince that way!" He spat at Mad Mind.

Mad MInd grinned. "Actually, if I recall correctly, I have every right to speak to this asshole any way I want to. If you have a problem with it, then that's something you're gonna have to deal with. Now, shut up. I wasn't talking to you in the first place." Mad Mind growled at him. The guard tried to find an argument, but failed and fell behind Blueblood.

Mad Mind's grin widened. "Now then, here's how it's gonna work: you can either leave here with your pride, dignity and a lot of your blood or stay and, maybe, leave without them. Your call." Mad Mind spat. The three of them looked at Mad Mind in fear as they slowly backed towards the door. As soon as they left and slammed the door shut, Mad Mind sighed.

"I hate that guy. So very much." He admitted aloud. A thought entered Rarity's mind causing her to grin.
"I know!" She began, capturing Mad Mind's attention. "He is absolutely the most uncathy, horrible stallion in all Equestria! I swear, I've never met a brat of that degree in my life!" She exclaimed. Mad Mind caught this and instantly knew what Rarity was trying to do.

"You're trying to share interest's with me for my trust aren't you?" He asked the marshmallow mare. Rarity face instantly dropped. "I-I... O-okay so maybe I am. But I-I still hate that stallion w-with all my heart." She stuttered. Mad Mind nodded. "Why do you hate him?" He asked curiously. Rarity looked slightly enraged as she recalled the events of the Grand Galloping Galla. "It all began back at an event known as the Grand Galloping Galla. I wanted to meet this stallion more than anything. I wanted to dance with him. I got my wish, but it was the worst experience of my life! He was rude, impolite and used me as a shield for a flying cake!" Mad Mind raised an eyebrow in confusion. "How'd that cake get airborne?" He wondered aloud.

Twilight stepped in. "I think it's best if you don't ask." She quickly said. Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "I understand why you hate that bucker. I think it's enough for my trust actually." He casually said. Rarity's eye's lit up. "Alright. Thank you Mad Mind." She responded with a small dip of her head. Mad Mind grinned. "But I think that you forgot about the guarantee on your life though. No matter. No turning back now." Rarity's eye's shrank to pin pricks as the realization dawned upon her. Mad Mind didnt have enough time to see her reaction. Instead he turned his head to Princess Celestia.

"As for you princess, you already have my trust. I can't kill you anyway." Mad Mind casually said. Celestia nodded in understanding. "Also Mad Mind, I know how much you hate my nephew, but I wouldn't recommend speaking of him like that in front of me." Mad Mind nodded. "Right. Sorry Celestia. Let's just sweep that under the carpet, huh?" He asked. Celestia nodded in agreement. He smiled and turned his head back to Twilight.

"So uh... Am I forgiven?" He asked Twilight. She nodded. "Absolutely. Although, if you do kill any one of my friends, expect no forgiveness." She said. Mad Mind nodded in understanding.

"Now! The real reason I'm here: why are you girls here?" He asked the group. Twilight was the one who responded.

"Were, actually, here to talk about you with Princess Celestia. Considering the fact that she's been around you longer then we have, we thought she might have some more information about you."

Mad Mind cocked his head in confusion. "You want to learn thing's about me? What's there to learn?" Twilight gave him a deadpanned expression. "The only thing we know about you, is that you name is Mad Mind, you're the first male alicorn in five thousand years and you hate Prince Blueblood. I guess what I'm trying to say is, what isn't there to learn?"

Mad Mind sighed and sat down. "Alright. If you want answers now's the time to ask the questions. Get going." Twilight looked at him in surprise. "Are you serious?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "I have nowhere I'm supposed to be and nothing to do anyway. Might as well." He admitted. Twilight nodded.

"Alright, first question: where are you from?"

A war erupted in Mad Mind again.

'Shit, shit, shit!'
'This is bad!'
'Everyone: calm your hormones. Let's just say that she's not allowed to know.'
'Okay. Let's see where this adventure takes us...'

"Sorry Twi, but that's classified info. It doesn't need to be told." Mad Mind replied. Twilight began to, already, get pissed at Mad Mind. "Why not!?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "I don't want to tell and I don't have to tell. Next question."

Twilight sighed. "Next question: do you have any relatives?"
"...Not that I know of."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Only child."
"Parent's?"
"Dead." This answer stopped Twilight.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know." Mad Mind waved it off.
"Of course you didn't know. You're the first pony I'm telling."
"Do you have any... Foals?" Mad Mind gave her a deadpanned expression.
"Yes Twi. I live with forty foals in my shoe-house." He said sarcastically. "Of course I don't have a kid."
"A special somepony?"
"..."
"A marefriend?"
"Oh! Well then, no." Twilight was silently thankful for this response. Mad Mind sighed.
"Alright. This question is going nowhere at ludicrous speed's. Next one please."

Twilight was becoming even more pissed off with him as they proceeded until finally, she asked him the question.

"Mad Mind, why is it that you haven't responded to any of these questions straight? What are you not telling us?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "I'm only responding to the questions I want to answer. But maybe it's because you're not asking the right ones?" Mad Mind suggested. Twilight sighed.

"Alright. Fine. Mad Mind, who are you?" Mad Mind gave her another deadpanned expression.
"I'm Mad Mind. I'm an alicorn." He responded. Twilight looked even more enraged. "No! Not like that, I mean that what were you? What are you becoming? WHO ARE YOU!?" She bellowed. Mad Mind took a small step back. "Are you saying... You think you might've misplaced your trust in me?"

Twilight nodded. "Exactly! I don't know who you were! You could've been a serial killer, a master magician or something of even greater importance! But you refuse to tell us who you were!" Twilight slowly began to calm down after she said this. "You say your name is Mad Mind. Well, who is Mad Mind?"

Mad Mind stared at her in shock. He quickly recovered and smiled. "I'll tell you... Soon. All in good time Twilight." He said. Before Twilight could protest, he quickly added. "Were done here." And left the room quickly.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind slowly trudged through the hall's of the castle, trying to find something to do.

'Ugh! I'm so bored!'
'I hear you Mania.'
'Is there anything we can do?'
'Why do you think were wandering around the castle for?'
'Well, wander faster! There's nothing to do!'
'Alright fine-HOLY SHIT! WATCH OUT!'
'Wha-'

WHUMP!

The force of the impact sent Mad Min onto his rump. He slowly brought himself up again and got a look of what he bumped into. Turn's out, it wasn't a what, but a who. Right before him, flat on the ground like Mad Mind in the beginning, was Princess Cadence. Mad Mind quickly put a hoof out and helped her up. As soon as Cadence realized who it was, her smile turned into a frown.

"Oh. It's you." She said. Mad Mind smiled.
"Nice to see you too. I swear though, we need to stop bumping into each other like that. Could cause brain damage." He joked. Cadence smiled. "Agreed. But first thing's first..."

SMACK!

"AUGH! What the hell!?" Mad Mind screeched at her as she slapped him upside the head.
"That was for ditching me back at the music store!" She snapped at Mad Mind.
Mad Mind brought up his hooves in defence. "Hey, I had important business to attend to at the time!" He pointed out. Cadence raised an eyebrow. "What kind of business?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed.

"It involved an instrument that hasn't been seen in over one thousand years and how it made song's better then the crap today." Mad Mind said. Cadence decided to shrug it off. "Okay then. Well, see you." She said and began to trot off. Mad MInd quickly caught up with her. "Hey! Can I tag along?" He asked her. She glanced at him suspiciously. "Why?" She asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "Nothing better to do. Can I come?" He begged. She sighed. "Fine. You can come with me." Mad Mind grinned and brought a hoof up into the air in triumph. "Yes! No longer have to tolerate boredom!" He exclaimed. Cadence giggled at this before turning around again. "Come on, let's go." Mad Mind quickly followed up behind her.

"...Where exactly are we going?" She laughed at this.

"Were going to see my husband."



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


The duo remained silent as they made their way through the castle until they were outside. Mad Mind shielded his eyes from the sun's brilliant ray's. His eye's quickly adjusted to it and he followed Cadence through the courtyard. They quickly arrived at the guard's barracks and entered. They past countless amount's of guards until they reached a rather important looking door. Cadence knocked. A voice, no doubt a stallion's, responded to it. "It's open!" It called out. Mad Mind and Cadence both made their way inside and was greeted by a (Dear god, no!) white stallion with a blue mane sitting at a desk and looking bored out of his mind. As the two walked in, his expression lit up as he saw his wife.

"Cadence, baby!" He exclaimed. He quickly got up and made his way to her and gave her a kiss. It wasn't until a bit later that Shining noticed they were not alone. "Cadence, who's this?" He asked. Cadence smiled. "Shining, this is Mad Mind. He's a... Friend." Mad Mind brought a hoof up in greeting which Shining promptly bumped. "I know you. You're that stallion that Blueblood wanted removed from the castle." He said to Mad Mind. Mad Mind looked slightly shocked. "How did you know that?" He asked. Shining laughed. "I can tell that my wife hasn't told you who I am. I'm captain of the guard here. Blueblood told me that he wanted you removed." Mad Mind chuckled. "What did you say?" Mad Mind asked.

"Of course not! I didn't even know you until yesterday!" He said with a laugh of his own. Mad Mind laughed alongside him. As the laughing died down, Mad Mind spoke again. "So how did you know about me yesterday?" He asked. Shining smiled. "My wife told me about you. Apparently, you ditched her at the music store." He said. Mad Mind put up a hoof in defence. "Hey, I had important business I needed to attend to." He replied Shining chuckled. "What kind of business?" He asked. Mad Mind sighed. "It was about an instrument that had died out a long time ago." He quickly said. This only increased Shining's curiosity. "What instrument?" He asked.

"Guitar." Mad Mind said simply. Shining nodded. "I heard about those thing's. Gone for over one thousand years. Apparently, they were pretty badass." He said. Mad Mind nodded in agreement. "How did you hear about them?" Mad Mind asked curiously. He shrugged. "Hey; when your sister is a pony who spends half of her time reading, you tend to learn some things." He casually said. Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "Who's your sister?" He asked him. He sighed. "Cadence didn't tell you much did she?" He received a glare from his wife and quickly backed off. "Twilight Sparkle's my sister." He said to Mad Mind. His jaw dropped at this new discovery. "Twi's your sister!?" He asked in surprise. Shining nodded. "I take it that you've met her?" He asked, smile upon his face. Mad Mind smiled back. "Yeah, were friends." He replied sheepishly. Shining nodded. Mad Mind began making his way to the door. "Pleasure to meet you Shining, but I think I must be heading out now. Maybe we could hang out sometime?" Mad Mind asked. Shining nodded.

"Yeah. You seem like a good guy. I'd like to grab a pint with you." He said with a smile.

'They have beer in this world!?'
'Hallelujah!'

"Alright, I'll see you soon." Mad Mind quickly made his way out of the room and was soon followed by Cadence and Shining. "Why are you two following me?" Mad Mind asked suspiciously. Cadence chuckled. "Were not following you; were just about to head out shopping. I guess we'll just walk with you until we get out of here." The two quickly pulled up beside Mad Mind and made their way through the barracks. Mad Mind couldn't help but hum a song on the way out. Shining heard him humming and got curious. "What are you humming?" He asked in a curious tone. Mad Mind sighed. "A song." He said. Shining gave him a deadpanned expression. "I know that. What song?" He asked. Mad Mind shrugged. "It's called Bad Company. Little tune I enjoy listening to every now and again." Mad Mind explained. Shining nodded. 

As they made their way out of the barracks, they soon parted way's and Mad Min began making his way towards the castle.

'Well that was... Interesting.'
'You bet your ass! I met Twi's bro! And he's a bro!'
'Yeah. But-'
'Hey, what's that?'

He began getting curious as he saw an old house to his left give off a mysterious green glow. Out of said house came a familiar face: Bright Light. Mad Mind quickly made his way up to the filly.

"Heya Bright Light!" He called out to her. She quickly jumped and turned around to face Mad Mind. "Oh! Hi Mr. Mad Mind. I didn't see you there." She quickly said. Mad Mind narrowed his eye's. "Is there something wrong? On the day's I've seen you, you're never this jumpy." Mad Mind observed. Bright Light shrugged. "You just gave me a little scare is all." She quickly explained. Mad Mind nodded slowly. He didn't buy it, but he let it slide. "Alright then. I'll be seeing you." Mad Mind reluctantly said. He made his way back towards the castle, but he didn't get all the way there.

He turned right around again and noticed that Bright Light was gone. Mad Mind quickly made his way up to the house and looked around. It was an old, wooden house, the paint slowly peeling off of it. (It was white anyway.) The condition of the house wasn't the thing that caught his attention. What did though, was a piece of yellow paper on the door.


EVICTION NOTICE
THE CITIZENS OF THIS HOUSE HAVE...Blah blah blah.
ALL PONIES IN THIS HOUSE MUST LEAVE WITHIN THIRTY DAY'S.


The thing that caught his attention the most, was the bottom of the paper. 

July eight. 2010.

This notice was posted three years ago.

'Hmm... Well Twi, look's like I'm not the only one hiding things.'
'I better find Bright Light.'

And on that thought, he was gone.
> My New Apprentice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind quickly dashed into Canterlot, trying to find Bright Light.

He began to devise a plan in his head.

'Alright. So here's what's up. We are going to go into town and find Bright Light.'
'Okay. Then what?'
'When we find her?'
'Yeah! What do we do than?'
'I haven't thought that far yet. Sweet lord though... Never knew she was an orphan.'
'You've never met her parent's before! That would be the most likely thing to assume.'
'Hmm... True.'
'Soo... What should we do when we find her?'
'...She's an orphan right? Maybe we should... I don't know... Take her in?'
'What, like adopt her?'
'Yeah... I mean, I'd bet she'd be grateful for it and-'
'NO! No way! We barely even know her!'
'Like most parent's who adopt a child! C'mon Maddy, you know it's for the best!'
'I don't care! I-'
'If you don't care, then why are you bothering to go find her?'
'... For fuck's sake...'
'Oh cheer up! Don't think of it like you're adopting a child... Think of it as an... Opportunity.'
'...An opportunity?'
'Yeah! You'll be adopting a foal of your own, yeah, but think of it another way! Why don't you take her as your apprentice?'
'...WHAT!? My apprentice!?'
'Dude. Seriously? You're kinda overreacting.'
'I actually have a decent reason this time! What would I teach her!? How-'
'Teach her your specialty! Teach her about insanity!'
'Woah! Woah, woah, woah. Hold on a sec. You want me to teach Bright Light about insanity?'
'Yeah!'
'How would I do that!?'
'Explain to her what it's like! Explain to her what it means!'
'Fine. I'll try.'
'Good. Good.'

Mad Mind kept dashing around through town and, eventually, found Bright Light. She was looking into an alleyway and making constant glances left and right. Mad Mind didn't pay this any mind, however. He made his way up to her and grabbed her attention.

"Hey Bright Light!" He called out. Bright Light jumped a little in surprise when she heard his voice. She turned towards it's source and smiled. "Hey Mad Mind!" She called back. Mad Mind stopped right in front of her and made a mental grin.

'Let's freak her out a little.'

His face instantly hardened. "Cut the crap Bright Light. I know what you've been up to." He said sternly. The young unicorn's eye's went wide in shock. "W-what ha-have I been d-doing?" She stammered innocently. Mad Mind grinned. "You are in massive trouble. I better go and report you to the princess. She'll want to know about this." Mad Mind said. Bright Light's iris' shrank to the size of pin prick's as this was said. "No! Please! You see, I-" She quickly stopped herself as she noticed Mad Mind rolling around in laughter. Bright Light looked at him with a 'You've got to be kidding me.' expression. "Seriously?" She said to Mad Mind. He grinned. "Oh come on! Don't you have a little sense of humour? The look on your face: priceless!" Mad Mind said between laugh's. Bright Light smiled. "Alright. You got me. You really had me going." She said with a chuckle of her own.

Mad Mind finally stopped laughing and got up again. "But seriously though. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked curiously. Bright Light stopped. "Told you what?" She asked slowly. Mad Mind sighed. "Oh come on! It's so obvious! The fact i've never seen your parent's before, the house with the eviction notice on it," Bright Light was now stuttering over her words as Mad Mind leaned in closer. "Why haven't you told me you're an orphan?" He asked. Bright Light looked up at him. "An orphan?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "Yeah! Y'know. No parent's, living on your own, the Batman-"

"What was that last one?"
"Living on your own." Mad Mind said quickly. Bright Light quickly shrugged it off. "Okay..." She sighed. "Alright. You got me. I've been living without my parent's for... Most of my life now. It's hard to do. I manage to barely get by every day." She said sadly. Mad Mind nodded.

'Harvey Dent. Can he be trusted?'
'Shut up Mania.
'Now for the moment of truth...'

"Hey Bright Light." He nervously began, capturing the attention of the unicorn. She glanced up at him. "Yes?" She asked.

'God, this is so fucking hard!'
'This is harder than asking a girl on a date!'

Mad Mind sighed. "I'm gonna be straightforward with you: I came here just to hear you say you're an orphan. The reason I wanted to know was because..." He began rubbing the back of his neck with a hoof. "I was wondering if it was possible for me to... Adopt you?" He asked nervously. Bright Light's eye's went wide in surprise.

"You want to... Adopt me?" She asked in surprise. Mad Mind shook his head. "N-nevermind. Stupid question. I-I think I should just-" As he turned around to leave, he noticed a weight upon his back leg. He turned his head and saw Bright Light gripping his leg, tears in her eye's. She glanced up to Mad Mind. "I-I'd love that." She said. Tears were streaming down her face. Mad Mind smiled, a warm feeling inside him. He quickly levitated her onto his back. "C'mon. Let's go." He said. He began walking. "Where are we going?" Bright Light asked curiously. Mad Mind chuckled. "Where do you think I live? I'm one of the most rare species of pony for Celestia's sake! You're living with me in Canterlot castle!" Mad Mind swore he heard Bright Light faint on his back. He quickly checked on her and wasn't mistaken, sure enough, Bright Light fainted and was out like a light. He sighed.

'It's gonna be one of those days...'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


The duo soon made their way into the castle. By then, Bright Light had awoken and was taking in all of the glory of Canterlot castle. Mad Mind chuckled at her reaction. "You'll get used to it eventually. And don't let it get to your head! Sure you're living in Canterlot castle, but that doesn't make you a big shot! And, barely anypony know's who I am, for the record." Mad Mind said to Bright Light. She gave him a surprised look. "You think nopony know's who you are? You may not know it, but rumours spread pretty quick in this city. Word of you giving Blueblood that beat down got around faster then a wild fire. Everypony know's who you are. And they may not know you, but if they knew you beat up Blueblood, then you're everypony's friend." She explained. Now it was Mad Mind's turn to be surprised. "Huh. So, what? I'm popular?" He asked. She shrugged. "Almost popular. A lot of ponies do know who you are, but I wouldn't give you 'celebrity status' just yet. You're on your way, but just not there yet." She explained.

Mad Mind chuckled. "Seem's to me you know more about this city then I do." He said with a laugh. Bright Light smiled. "Hey, if you were in my position, then you would've had to learn the ropes pretty quick. So, uh... Can you tell me where were going exactly?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled. "Well, I don't like bringing in... How should I say this? Uninvited house guest's to a house I don't really own. So, I'm gonna tell Princess Celestia that I adopted you. And you're coming with me." He replied.

WHUMP!

Mad Mind glanced back and sighed. She fainted again. Instead, this time she had entirely fallen off his back. He brought her back onto his back and carried on toward's the throne room. Halfway there, she came to. "Hm? Wha?"

"Okay, seriously? Just stop fainting." Bright Light blushed and let out a small giggle of embarrassment. "Sorry. It's just... This is a big thing for me. To you, it's just meeting an old friend, but to me, I'm meeting the Princess of Equestria! It's kind of a big deal!"

Mad Mind sighed. "Don't be such a worrywart. Princess Celestia is one of the nicest, most understanding ponies in all Equestria. Just make sure you make a good first impression." He quickly added. Bright Light nodded in understanding. They soon arrived at the big, wooden door's leading to the throne room. Mad Mind stopped. "Are you ready to meet the Princess of Equestria?" He asked. Bright Light nodded in excitement. Mad Mind slowly opened the door to reveal her and some company known as Twilight Sparkle. The two turned around and noticed Mad Mind entering. He silently laughed: he could feel Bright Light's heart rate go up tenfold. Mad Mind quickly made his way up to Princess Celestia and smiled. "Good day my princess." Mad Mind said.

Princess Celestia smiled. "Good day to you Mad Mind. How are you?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled. "I'm fine. I just need to tell you something." He gave levitated Bright Light off of his back and between him and Princess Celestia. "This is Bright Light. She's the foal that Blueblood used to defend himself." Princess Celestia raised her eyebrow's in surprise. "This is her?" She asked in surprise. Bright Light shyly nodded. Princess Celestia laughed. "There is no need to be afraid of me my little pony." She said with a smile. Bright Light sighed in relief.

"Now then, as I'm pretty sure you've told me Mad Mind, you said that this foal was not harmed by you. Why have you brought her here?" Princess Celestia asked. Mad Mind grinned. "I also found out only today that she was an orphan. Princess Celestia, I wanted to tell you that I am adopting this filly."

Princess Celestia's and Twilight's jaw's dropped upon hearing this. Princess Celestia got up from her throne. "Mad Mind, can we talk outside for a minute?" Mad Mind nodded, a confused look strewn across his face.

The two exited the throne room and Mad Mind was greeted with the sight of Princess Celestia with the most serious expression upon her face. "Mad Mind, What are you doing?"

Mad Mind looked even more confused. "I came here to tell you I'm adopting Bright Light. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it." He responded.

"Mad Mind, I can obviously tell that your heart is set in the right place, but could you please at least consider what you are doing? This is a massive responsibility you're undertaking."

Mad Mind's expression hardened. "Are you saying that I'm not responsible?" He spat. Princess Celestia put up a hoof in defence. "I never meant it like that. I'm just saying that maybe this isn't the best idea you've ever had. I-" Mad Mind quickly cut her off. "Celestia, you've never had problem's with me and these sort of thing's before. What's up?" Mad Mind asked with narrowed eye's. Celestia sighed. "Mad Mind, I appreciate what you're doing and all, but I just don't think this is the right path for you. If you're meant to reach your goal of this God of Insanity, then you must not get distracted by thing's like taking care of foal's! It just isn't something you should do!" Mad Mind gave her a small nod of understanding.

"Oh, Celestia. You just don't understand the card's I'm playing on this table. You see: in a sense, Bright Light is going to help me achieve my goal." Celestia cocked her head in confusion. "How so?" She asked. Mad Mind grinned. "Not only do I plan on making her my daughter, oh no, that's only the beginning, I plan on making her my apprentice. That way, I can keep her close to me, and be capable of teaching her my way's within the castle without issue." Mad Mind explained. Celestia gave him an 'Oh.' expression. "I see... I must say, that is quite brilliant Mad Mind," she said, causing Mad Mind to beam. "However, what do you mean by teaching her 'your way's'? You better have learned quiet a bit in order to-" Mad Mind cut her off again. "I plan on teaching her some spell's. Not a lot though. I do plan, however, on teaching her about insanity."

Celestia gave him a look of surprise. "Why?" She asked curiously. Mad Mind grinned. "Any daughter of mine is going to learn about who I am and is going to have to be able to tolerate it," Mad Mind explained. "For a sense of understanding." Mad Mind added quickly. Celestia nodded in understanding. "Well, if you can do it, then by all mean's. But please: make sure she's under control." Celestia said. Mad Mind nodded. The two walked back inside the throne room to be greeted by Twilight trying to get to know Bright Light. What they were talking about was beyond him as Celestia cleared her throat and captured their attention.

"Alright. After further discussion with Mad Mind, Ms. Bright Light, you are welcome to stay with us in the castle as Mad Mind's daughter." Bright Light let out a squeal of delight and hopped in the spot. Celestia and Twilight both giggled at the display while Mad Mind smiled. "Although, there is something the two of us need to discuss first, Bright Light," Princess Celestia continued. Bright Light nodded. "Then, I will have a pair of guards show you to where you will be staying. I'll make sure that it is as close to Mad Mind's room as possible. Wouldn't want you to get lost constantly now would you?" Celestia joked. Bright Light let out a small laugh and nodded. Celestia nodded. "Alright. Now, Bright Light, I was wondering why Mad Mind would adopt a foal in the first place. He later explained to me that he wanted to be not just your father, but your mentor as well. He want's you to be his apprentice."

Bright Light and Twilight both gasped. The young unicorn looked up at Mad Mind. "R-really!?" She asked in excitement. Mad Mind nodded. "Honestly, I wanted to take care of you when I found out that you were an orphan, but I needed an excuse to take care of you within the castle. So, I thought: why not make you my apprentice as well? That way, I can teach you personally, and spend time with you all at once. So, I decided to be both, your father and your mentor. So, what do you say?" Mad Mind asked. He was happy with the response.

Bright Light ran right up to him and hug/tackled him, causing him to fall onto his back. "I'd love that!" Bright Light exclaimed, hugging her new dad. Mad Mind smiled, a warm feeling overcoming him. He quickly picked her off of him and got up. "Now than, Celestia, I'd like you to show my daughter her room." Celestia nodded and called the two guard's down. They quickly arrived, Celestia gave then their order's and the two followed the guards up to Bright Light's new home.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Twilight and Celestia.

As the big wooden door's closed behind Mad Mind and Bright Light, Twilight's eye twitched. Princess Celestia took notice of this. "Twilight, is there something wrong?" She asked. Twilight wore an expression of rage. "He... Got an apprentice... Before me!?" She bellowed. Celestia sighed. "Twilight, just calm down-"

Twilight quickly cut her off. "I was a princess in Canterlot for longer than he was! I saved Equestria three time's for Faust's sake! And yet still, he get's an apprentice before me!?" She spat.

Celestia blinked. "Twilight, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. It'll take a lot of time in order for you to find your first apprentice. Mad Mind just got lucky when he stumbled upon Bright Light. Don't let it get to you." She explained.

Twilight huffed. "But Mad Mind-"

Now it was Celestia's turn to cut off Twilight. "Twilight, yes, we know that you were a part of royalty for a longer duration than Mad Mind, but that doesn't change anything. You weren't searching for an apprentice in the first place as opposed to Mad Mind who was lucky enough to have stumbled across Bright Light. No need to get jealous, you just need to start searching." Twilight caught that little bit near the end and narrowed her eye's.

"I am not jealous!" She spat at Celestia.

Celestia grinned. "I beg to differ." She replied simply. Twilight gridded her teeth. "I would never be jealous of a stallion like Mad Mind!" She spat.

Celestia raised an eyebrow. "And how, pray tell, would you know that? And why not?" She asked. Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but found no response. She quickly closed her mouth again. Celestia chuckled. "My student, I'm only teasing. No need to worry."

Twilight huffed as Princess Celestia continued. "Now than, all jokes aside, we need to get our meeting underway as soon as possible." She said in a serious manner.

Twilight nodded. "I'll get the girl's." She said and quickly teleported out of the room.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind and Bright Light.

Bright Light was literally bouncing up and down in glee as she, Mad Mind and the two guards made their way to where they would be staying. 

"I'm so excited!" She exclaimed as she bounced next to Mad Mind who simply smiled at her.

She continued. "I mean, this has got to be the best day ever! I get to live in the castle, get to learn magic, and," she nuzzled up to Mad Minds right hoof. "I get the coolest dad in Equestria!" 

That last part warmed Mad Mind's heart even more. He smiled down at Bright Light. "Maybe, after you get settled into your new room, your new dad could give you," he struck a dramatic pose. "The super, ultra-awesome castle tour!" He exclaimed.

Bright Light giggled. "But what if i wanted to get my tour from somepony else? Like Princess Twilight?" She asked.

Mad Mind looked at her. "Then it wouldn't be super, ultra-awesome. It'd be a regular, boring, old tour of lame. Twilight's tour's are boring." Mad Mind grinned. "Mine are about nine thousand one percent cooler."

'OVER NINE THOUSAND!? THERE'S NO WAY THAT COULD BE RIGHT!'
'Shut up Mania.'

Bright Light laughed. "Alright. I'll take the super, ultra-awesome tour." 

Mad Mind grinned at her response. "Bueno. But first you need to get settled into your room." He reminded her.

Bright Light's expression of happiness transformed into one of confusion. "Mad Mind, what does 'bueno' mean?" She asked in confusion.

Mad Mind chuckled. "You'll learn. All in good time Bright Light. All in good time."

They suddenly stopped outside a room with (major surprise. You ready?) purple door's. (OH MAH GAWD! NO ONE SAW THAT COMING!) The guards opened said doors to reveal a room that would easily compare to the penthouse of a small hotel: nice lavender walls encased the room in a warm feeling. A large queen sized bed with purple silk bedsheets sat near the easternmost wall. On the opposite side, two white door's were revealed. One, undoubtedly, leading to the bathroom and the other being a closet. And, to top it all off, at the end, two door's with glass panes on each one lead out to a small balcony.

Mad Mind saw Bright Light stare at the room in astonishment. "So. What do you think?" He asked. His answer being a high-pitched squeal of excitement and Bright Light breaking into a full-on gallop as she examined every last inch of the large room.

She looked out the door at Mad Mind. "It's all mine!?" She asked in surprise.

Mad Mind chuckled. "Yup! Everything in that room is yours. I'm gonna give you some time to settle in and I'll go back to my room for a bit. I'll see you in a couple of minutes." Mad Mind quickly shut the door's, turned around and smiled. Not because he was happy about his new daughter/apprentice, but because his room was literally right next to hers. Mad Mind walked into his room, hopped onto the bed and sighed.

'I don't like that girl...'
'WHAT!? Mania! You came up with the idea of adopting her!'
'Well, I changed my mind. It's a terrible idea.'
'How so?'
'I haven't noticed this before, but when you're with her, your sanity levels increase tenfold!'
'Soo... In English now please?'
'In your mind, I'm capable of scaling how insane you are in total.'
'Never thought of you as a grapher Mania.'
'Oh, shut up. When you're not around her and are around different ponies, for example Twilight or Celestia, your sanity is low, meaning you're nearing insanity. But when you're around her, your sanity spikes up.'
'What proof do you have?'
'I just explained all of that for nothing?'
'Without proof, I can't believe you.'
'Alright, if you were at the same insanity level's that you are now when you adopted Bright Light, it would've been easier. You wouldn't have over-thought it too much and making it more simple. But, instead, you over-thought it. Like, a lot. That's why you were so nervous. You were nearly sane so you became a nervous wreck!'
'I was nervous, but I was not a wreck! I still don't believe you Mania. When I see it, I'll believe it.'
'You did see it. You adopted her. You felt those emotions.'
'Stop being a smart-ass Mania.'
'I'm not being a smart-ass. I'm being right.'
'Shut up.'

As Mad Mind drew his argument with Mania to a close, he heard a knocking on his door. He quickly opened it with magic to reveal Bright Light looking as cheery as ever. She walked into Mad Mind's room and sat on the floor. "So! Are you ready to go?" She asked, chipper and ready as ever.

Mad Mind smiled as he got up from his bed and landed on the floor with a soft 'thump'. "I'm ready when you are." He said. Bright Light quickly hopped up out of the spot where she was sitting. "I'll see you outside your room." She said as she dashed to the door. Before she left she turned around. "Just a question, do you ever comb you mane?" She asked curiously.

Mad Mind let out a laugh as he ran his hoof through his familiar mane of red, purple and chaos. "I've tried. Trust me. It doesn't help much. It all just returns to this state by the next day." He explained. Bright Light nodded and allowed her smile to return to her face. She quickly left the room, allowing Mad Mind to take a glance in the mirror.

His mane was, oddly enough, in the exact same state as he had found it. His coat was looking like a new car: (if cars had fur) completely spotless and seemed to radiate the colours of purple and red. He grinned at his reflection before turning his attention back to the door's. He casually walked through them and found it oddly quiet. Almost too quiet...

"SURPRISE ATTACK!"

Mad Mind heard the shout a second to late and found himself with Bright Light on his back giving him a full scale attack. He chuckled and fought back, gently shoving her off his back and pinning her to the ground. He grinned as she squirmed and tried to escape his grasp.

Mad Mind chuckled. "You give up?" He asked mockingly. She giggled. "Never!" She exclaimed. Mad Mind purposely loosened his grip allowing her to wriggle out of his grasp. She quickly got up and pounced at his side. He purposely fell over and allowed Bright Light to pin him. "Ha! I win!" She exclaimed. Mad Mind quickly pulled a reversal and soon had her pinned under his hoof again. "You want a second opinion? I think I win." He casually said. Bright Light sighed. "Fine. You win." She admitted. Mad Mind chuckled and removed his hoof from her.

He let out a sigh. "Alright! You ready for the super ultra-awesome tour of epicness?" Mad Mind asked in a dramatic fashion. Bright Light giggled and nodded. The duo soon began their tour of Canterlot castle.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"This is the dining room. You'll be coming here every single day for food." Mad Mind introduced. Bright Light nodded and peeked inside to see the large table. A question soon dawned upon her. "Hey Mad Mind? If this is where we eat, where do the princess' eat?" She asked. Mad Mind chuckled. "They eat here as well! So you'll be having breakfast, lunch and dinner with all of the princess'."

THUMP!

Mad Mind glanced back and shook his head. What is it with this girl and fainting whenever she learned she was going to be close to the princess'? Mad Mind sighed and levitated her onto his back and kept moving. She soon came to when they were in the hallway filled with the pictures of Blueblood. "Hm? Wha?" She asked, slightly drowsy. Mad Mind sighed.
"You have a thing for fainting when you hear about the princess'. You know that right?" He asked.

Bright Light let out a nervous giggle and apologized. She soon glanced up at the pictures and her face turned sour in an instant. "Why are we here out of all places?" She asked. Mad Mind chuckled. "I know, I hate this guy as much as you do, but this is the only way I know of to the throne room. So you'll just have to deal with it." He said. It was than that Bright Light noticed something.

"Why are there hoof-prints on most of these pictures?" She asked. Mad Mind couldn't help but laugh at the memory of his first day of learning to fly. He glanced at her. "Have you ever ran on a wall before?" He asked. Bright Light shook her head.
"It's loads of fun at fast speed's. Especially on this wall." He casually said. Bright Light quickly caught on to what he was saying and burst out laughing, nearly falling off his back in the process.

They were silent for the rest of the way, until they reached the familiar doors of the throne room. Mad Mind lowered Bright Light to the ground and whispered. "Alright. Here we have the throne room. This-"

Bright Light quickly interrupted him. "Why are we whispering?" She asked quietly. Mad Mind responded. "I have no idea what the princess is doing right now. But, were gonna find out. And were gonna do it stealthily." He said with a mischievous grin.

Bright Light looked at him in shock. "Were gonna spy on Princess Celestia!? Are you mad!?" She argued quietly.

Mad Mind gave her a deadpanned expression. "Did you really just ask that?" He deadpanned to her. She giggled, embarrassed at her question. Without further need to listen to her, he opened the door a crack and peeked through at what was happening. He felt Bright Light trying to see as well, so he quickly levitated her onto his head so she could also peek through.

What they saw surprised them.

Inside the throne room was not just Princess Celestia, but Luna, Cadence, the six girls and...

"What the hell is that thing?" Mad Mind wondered aloud. Bright Light shuffled. "The conjoining of all those animals? That's Discord. He's the god of chaos and disharmony."

"Why is he here than? Wouldn't Celestia flip about the fact he's the exact opposite of what she represents?"

"Apparently he was sent over to Ponyville for a few day's for... 'rehabilitation'. Fluttershy befriended Discord and their friendship made Discord behave as a, per se, 'normal' member of society."

"Did he even do anything bad in the first place?" He asked. Bright Light looked at him in confusion.

"Have you been living under a rock for the past years? Discord transformed all of Equestria into a realm of pure chaos! Nothing was right, everything was upside-down, backwards and inside-out."

"Did he win?"

"Almost, actually. He turned the element users into opposites of their original selves. For example, Applejack a liar, Rarity a greedy bitch-"

"Woah! Language!"

"Sorry. Anywho, all the element users weren't their original selves, henceforth, if they weren't who they were destined to represent, they can't wield the Element's of Harmony, so they couldn't get rid of Discord." She explained.

Mad Mind shrugged. "That answers a few of my questions, but now I have more." He said.

Bright Light hushed him. "Their talking. I'll answer your questions later."


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Celestia quickly scanned over the ponies, and draconequus, one last time to ensure that everypony was gathered for. She cleared her throat to get her attention and began to speak. "Now than, now that were all here, we'll get this meeting underway. I hope you're all aware of the threat of changelings possibly attacking again. Our scouts have been seeing copious amounts of changeling movement throughout the Everfree forest and even entering dragon territory." She began. This caused a small uproar in the group.

"Ungrateful bug's." Cadence spat.
"Why are we here discussing it than? We should be out there and taking the fight to them!" Rainbow Dash shouted. 
"Ah agree with Rainbow! We need to get out there and start fighten' 'em!" Applejack exclaimed.

Celestia shook her head. "Too risky. They know the area better than any of us. They'll have the advantage. The worst part: I believe they might be planning another attack. And they're very confident about it." She said.

Twilight looked confused. "How can they be confident about another attack on Canterlot? After their last attempt at the wedding, I'm surprised they're even bothering to try again. They'll have even fewer changelings as opposed to last time." She said in a confused manner.

"But Twilight, remember that Celestia said that there was changeling activity in the dragon territory." Pinkie pointed out. Everypony looked at her in surprise.

Celestia nodded. "That is what we fear. If the changelings can get the dragons on their side for an attack on Canterlot, it will not fall in our favour. Even with the power of all the ponies in this room, including Mad Mind of course, we would hardly be capable of eliminating any major threat that they throw at us."

Luna sighed. "This cannot be any worse..." She mumbled angrily.

Celestia lowered her head. "Tragically, my dear sister, it does." Everypony's attention was grabbed at this. "There are spies. Just to prove that they're confident about their legion, they even gave us a clue on where they are taking refuge." She levitated a piece of paper for everypony to see. "Were trying to figure out why she sent us a hint like this at all, and what it means. But, as far as we know, we can't trust anypony that we don't know. So keep your guard up for now." Celestia explained.

The room fell into an eerie silence until Celestia spoke up again. "On a lighter note, in case you haven't heard, Mad Mind has found an apprentice. He also adopted this filly as his daughter." This caused massive amount's of surprise in the room.

"Mad Mind has a daughter!?" Rainbow asked in surprise. Rarity had a smug grin upon her face as she walked up to Twilight.

"Look's like you have some competition for Mad Mind's favourite filly now, huh Twilight?" She asked her with a small laugh. The entire room went silent at that. Twilight had an expression that could burn a hole through a wall as she glared at Rarity.

Celestia looked at her student. "What was that? What do you mean by 'favourite filly' Miss Rarity?" She asked the marshmallow unicorn. Rarity realized a moment too late that she made a mistake and began stuttering. "Well, I uh..." 

Twilight quickly jumped in. "Ha! Silly Rarity. Just talking about lies. Haha!" She said nervously. She bore a fake smile upon her face which Celestia saw straight through. Under normal circumstances, she would've just let it slide off. But this was something she needed to hear. "Rarity sounded quite certain about what she was saying. So, I ask again: what did you mean by 'favourite filly' Miss Rarity?"

Discord jumped in. "I'm interested to hear this as well. I need to meet this 'Mad Mind' pony sooner or later. He sound's like an enjoyable fellow." He snapped his fingers and summoned a sofa on which he lay down upon and stared intently at Twilight, awaiting a response.

Cadence nodded in agreement and transfixed her gaze upon Twilight in the same manner as Discord.

Twilight was now on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. Rarity began speaking. "I meant, uh... I meant..." Pinkie suddenly cut in. "She meant that Twilight has a crush on Mad Mind!" She exclaimed. Everypony stared blankly at Pinkie as her words sank into everyone present.

A small grin began to form on Celestias lip's. "You... Like Mad Mind my student?" She asked Twilight. Twilight was now in a state of shock. After a few minutes, Celestia's question finally hit her. Twilight hung her head shamefully. "Y-yes." She stuttered weakly. Celestia nodded. "What do you mean that you like him?" She asked.

Twilight was now nearly in tears. "This is humiliating..." She said quietly.

"Now you know how I felt." Came a voice from behind. Everypony turned around and gasped in surprise as they saw Mad Mind and Bright Light standing in the room.

"Now this is beyond humiliating..." Twilight said.

Mad Mind sat there, simply staring at Twilight. In all honesty, he never expected Twilight to have any feelings for him. Hell, they were enemies at a point in time. But Twilight seemed to have just thrown all of that out he window by admitting this.

Mad Mind gave her a small smile. "I believe the princess asked you a question Twilight." Mad Mind said.

Twilight slowly turned herself around towards Princess Celestia.

Celestia nodded. "Go on Twilight. Were all listening."
> Maddening Revelations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Well Twilight?" Princess Celestia asked Twilight who was now simply standing with tears of humiliation in her eye's. 

"Do I have to?" She complained. Celestia nodded her head causing Twilight to hang her's and sigh. She turned to Mad Mind. "It'd be easier if you left." She said to him. Mad Mind simply shrugged. "Twilight: you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention. I want to hear what you have to say about me. Be it good or bad." Mad Mind said firmly as he planted himself, showing no sign's of moving. Bright Light sat next to him, her expression saying the exact same thing as Mad Mind.

Twilight sighed and turned back to Celestia. "What was the question again?" Twilight asked, slightly embarrassed. Celestia nodded. "Why is it that you like Mad Mind?" She repeated. 

Twilight put some thought behind her next words. "I'm not sure, to be honest. It's a hard feeling to explain. When I'm around him, he's just... I don't know. He's something that I just can't explain. The way he look's, the way he speaks," she glanced at Mad Mind. "It's just what he is that attracts me. I don't know what it is, but it's there. And I can feel it." She said with a weak smile.

Celestia nodded. "And Mad Mind, what do you think of this?" She asked him. He thought about it for some time before responding. "I'm surprised that she has these kind of... Feeling's for me. We were enemies at one point, if you all can recall, so this is... Something I didn't anticipate." He admitted. He slowly got up from where he was sitting. "I need some time to think about this, if it's not too much to ask. I'll be in my room." Mad Mind made his way for the door, followed by Bright Light.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Twilight

As the door's closed behind the mad-god, Twilight sighed. Cadence walked up to Twilight and smiled. "So you had the hot's for Mad Mind hmm? I never would've guessed." Cadence said. Twilight raised a curious eyebrow. "What do you mean?" She asked suspiciously. Cadence chuckled. "Mad Mind doesn't look like the kind of stallion you would chase. An interesting choice if I do say so myself." She explained. Twilight nodded slightly.

The girls on the other (hoof?) each wore a look of approval as each of them came up to Twilight. 

Rainbow spoke first. "Sheesh. That's a harsh thing Princess Celestia did. It's one thing to admit you have feelings for him in front of her, but being forced to admit them in front of Mad Mind? That's harsh." She said. Twilight nodded in agreement.

"Well, if yah think about it," Applejack began, making her voice heard. "I guess it ain't so bad if she had to admit her feelin's for Mad Mahnd in front of him. Ah mean, he was gonna find out sooner or later, so ah guess it's better if she got that outta' the way early." Everypony nodded their head in agreement.

As an awkward silence encased the room,Twilight thought about what happened again in her mind and noticed something rather peculiar. "Is it just me, or did Mad Mind sound... Sane for a change?"

The group all thought about what Twilight said. Celestia nodded in agreement. "I've never seen Mad Mind act quite like that before. Yes Twilight, Mad Mind sounded rather... Sane. He sounded like a normal pony as opposed to his rather insane self." She commented.

Rarity nodded. "Maybe he's trying to be a role model for his foal. I mean, if her father was constantly the most insane stallion in Equestria and never acting as a typical pony, it could be dangerous for her mental health. Maybe he's just being considerate." She said.  Everypony nodded their head's in agreement. All except Twilight. Despite the reassuring words from Rarity, she still felt that something was off, but chose not to voice her opinion about it.

'That's absolute rubbish. Mad Mind would never consider being a role model. Even for his own daughter.'
'... So what's wrong with him?'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind and Bright Light both exited the room and shut the door's to the throne room. It was then and there that Mad Mind's voices began making their voices heard.

'Twilight likes me?'
'Holy shit! That's something I honestly didn't expect! Twilight, out of all ponies out there, has a crush on me?'
'Well,... Sh... Ni.... G..r...'
'Mania? What's wrong with your voice?'
'The girl!.. Comm... is hard....fuzzy... Get away...her!'
'Umm... Okay then.'

Mad Mind glanced down at Bright Light and smiled. "Hey Bright Light," he began, capturing her attention instantly. "Yes dad?" She asked. Mad Mind swelled with pride at the fact she started accepting him more and more as her father. "I need to think about some thing's. How about you head back to your room?" He suggested. Bright Light nodded in understanding and charged off towards the general direction of where they came from. He let out a sigh of relief as the many voices that rested within his mind began to sound clear again.

'Ah, now that's more like it!'
'What was that all about Mania?'
'I told you: your insanity levels drop like a sack of potatoes when you're around her! Without your insanity, I become less of an entity in your mind and it makes my voice sound like static.'
'...I suppose that makes sense.'
'Of course it does! That's why I don't like that girl: she can drown out my voice!'
'I should spend more time with her than I do now, if that's the case.'
'Hey. Smart ass. I'm right here.'
'I know. Don't remind me.'
'What's your problem today? You sound like a clone of Blueblood.'
'Don't compare me to that sack of shit!'
'Well, that is how you're acting! You sound like a little bitch complaining about everything!'
'I just wish you would cut my daughter a little bit of slack here! You're not making it any easier!'
'I'll cut you some slack. But not the child that could ruin your destiny. Don't forget-'
'I know, I know. The more I learn, the more insane I become until I become a true deity of insanity.'
'And if you get side-tracked from your own destiny, you'll be stuck here forever.'
'... Wait. So there is a way for me to get back home!?'
'... I'll explain it all later. Until then.'
'No! Wait! I-'

Mad Mind was quickly brought back to his own senses and looked around him. Question's instantly erupted in his head as he glanced back at the large door's that led to the throne room. He knew what he needed at the moment: he needed answers. And he was going to get them from the solar princess herself.

'What is this attack?'
'What sort of clue did these changelings leave?'
'Who is Discord?'
'And, most importantly, what the fuck is a changeling!?'



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Mad Mind burst through the door to the throne room causing surprised looks upon the faces of the remaining ponies there, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Discord. Mad Mind raised an eyebrow.
"Where's Twilight and the rest of the girls?" He asked curiously. Celestia smiled. "They left via teleportation. Is there something wrong Mad Mind?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "I have a couple of questions I need to ask you." He said casually. Celestia nodded. "What do you want to know?" she asked. Mad Mind nodded.

"Firstly, what the bloody hell is a changeling!?" Celestia was taken aback in surprise. Discord laughed. "You don't know what a changeling is? Where were you for the past years?" He asked with a chuckle. Mad Mind snapped his attention to the draconequus. "If I recall correctly, I came here to ask questions. Not your sorry ass. Now shut up and let me get my damn answers!" He snapped. Discord, however, wasn't taken aback by this. He didn't even flinch. He just sat there with his signature grin upon his face. But, on a brighter note, he did shut up. So, he turned his attention back to Celestia.

She sighed. "Changelings are a small problem we've had in Equestria. They are bug-like creatures that slightly resemble ponies-"

"Or vice-versa." Cadence pointed out. Celestia nodded in agreement. "Or vice-versa. All we know about them is that they can take the form of any pony they so desire and feed off the love of other ponies." She explained. Mad Mind nodded intently.

"Next question: I was eavesdropping on your meeting and heard you say there was a small 'hint' that these changelings left behind for where there spies are. Can I see it?" He asked. She nodded and levitated a small piece of paper to him.

"I was actually considering asking you, because all I can tell from this hint, is that it's a song." Celestia quickly added. Mad Mind nodded and read the note.

There is a house in Canterlot.
they call the rising sun
and it's been the ruin of many a poor colt
and Luna, I know I'm one.

That was all Mad Mind needed to read as he gave Princess Celestia an 'are you kidding me?' expression.
"You seriously do not know this hint? This is so obvious." He said with a chuckle. Everypony in the room stared at him in confusion.

Celestia especially. "Do you know what it means?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "Yah. It's house of the rising sun. Animals. Made in 1966. Who doesn't know that damn song?" He said in a curious tone.

Celestia shook her head. "Not the name of the song, but what the clue means. Do you know what it means?" She asked again. Mad Mind let his mind do the talking.

'How would house of the rising sun be a good hint of any sort?'
'Makes sense to me.'
'What do you mean Mania?'
'The song is talking about a house. Obviously, said house being where the changelings are refuged. And, since the song is talking so much about the sun, I'd have to say that it's, somehow, related to Celestia.'
'That makes so much sense, it's scary.'
'I get to talk then.'
'Fine.'

Mad Mind felt the controls to his mind slip into the hands of Mania. He began to speak. "Well, if I had to say so, the song is talking about a house, undoubtedly, the house where these changeling spies are being held up. And in most of the song, they're talking about the sun. I'd have to say, this means that this refuge is related to you in a way Princess. So, I believe I should ask you," he turned his gaze straight into Princess Celestias eyes. "Do you know where they are?"

The room fell into an eerie silence as everypony took this in and Mad Mind was passed back the controls to himself. Luna was the first to speak up. "This makes the most sense out of any of the explanations we've heard so far sister. A house that is somehow related to you in any way. Can you think of anything?" Celestia looked deep in thought.

After what seemed like decades, she finally spoke again. "I can only think of one place: the place where Luna and I were raised when we were both foals." Mad Mind looked confused. "Weren't you both raised in the castle?" He asked curiously. Celestia shook her head. "Before any of that happened, Luna and I were both raised in an old house near the castle. We never knew our father. We only had our mother, Faust." The name rung a familiar bell inside Mad Minds head.

'Oh yeah! Twilight exploded when I said that I didn't know who she was.'
'... Don't say that in front of Celestia.'
'Agreed.'

"There was no true ruler of Equestria back then. It was almost like a dictatorship without a dictator. But Faust was different. She helped ponies. They came to her when they needed knowledge, or wisdom, or help of any kind. Through that way, our mother quickly became the towns ruler. Ponies looked up to her. Respected her. Loved her. And she loved them back. She took care of all the ponies only in the town, but slowly gained influence over Equestria. Soon, ponies everywhere knew her name. She slowly rose into power and became the most respected pony in all Equestria and the ruler. She built this castle, created everything, and made Equestria what it is today." She explained. Mad Mind nodded in interest.

Celestia sighed. "I can still remember that house. It was a nice, brilliant shade of white-" Mad Mind quickly cut it.
"The colour white does not deserve that kind of recognition. No offence." He added quickly. Discord chuckled.
"Finally! Another pony who understands the true blandness of the colour white!" He exclaimed. Mad Mind chuckled. "We'll get along perfectly." He quickly said to Discord who nodded in agreement.

Celestia let out a small giggle. "None taken. Anyway, This house is relatively close to the castle right now. My mother was a very generous mare. She never wanted ponies to exactly 'remember' her or 'cherish' her. So, she allowed ponies to live in that house." Celestia hung her head. "But, tragically, it was put on eviction three years ago. And with all the new houses in Canterlot, nopony bothered to buy the place." She looked up again. "The perfect place to hide a group of changeling spies."

Mad Mind wasn't even listening as his thoughts suddenly erupted.

'White house?'
'Check!'
'Eviction notice from three years ago?'
'Check!'
'One last piece...'

"Was the noticed placed on July the eighth? He asked. Celestia looked at him in surprise. "Yes. How did you know?"

'We have a winner here folks.'

Mad Mind's eyes went wide and he chocked. He then slowly began making his way to the door while maintaining eye contact with Princess Celestia. "Thanks Princess. That's all I need to know for now. I need to go check something right now so, I'll see you later." He said nervously as he backed up to the door and passed through it. He then turned around, spread his wings and blasted his way through the castle to Bright Light's room.

They needed to talk.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind eventually reached his daughters room and knocked on the door politely. After a dew seconds, Bright Light opened the door and smiled. "Hey Mad Mind." She said with a smile upon her face. Mad Mind smiled back.
"Bright Light, I need to ask you some important questions, okay?" Bright Light's happy expression turned into one of confusion, but nodded in agreement nonetheless. Mad Mind walked into her room and sat down upon her bed. Bright Light sat down beside him, her confused expression still strewn across her face. "So... What's this about dad?" She asked curiously. Mad Mind sighed.

"I just asked Princess Celestia some questions. One of these questions were what was the clue that the changelings left behind to tell us where their spies are. After some discussion, we assumed that this place is where Celestia grew up as a foal. It was also the same house that you left on the day I adopted you." Bright Light slowly put the pieces together and gasped. "You think... That I'm... One of them?" She asked quietly. Mad Mind lowered his head. "I don't think like that until I have proof. But, right now, I'm giving you a chance. I want you to tell me if you're or you're not a changeling and why you were at that house." He said.

Bright Light was quiet for a few moments. "So... What happens if I say I'm not a changeling?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed. "I'll have to believe that until proven otherwise." He said.
"And if I was?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed again. "Then, I'll have to let you get out of here. I'll let you escape and... That'll be the end of that." He casually said. Bright Light nodded in understanding. "You don't have to worry dad. I'm not a changeling." She said with a reassuring smile. Mad Mind nodded. "So why were you at that house?" He asked curiously. Now, it was Bright Light's turn to sigh. "I-It was a dare, alright? I heard a lot of rumours from other fillies in town that the house is haunted with a demon spirit fromTartarus that devours any foal that enters in it. I wanted to prove them wrong so I decided to take the dare and go inside the house. I went in, saw nothing, and came back out. Then, you found me." She explained.

Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "How much of the house did you investigate?" Bright Light looked like she was trying to remember that day. "I... Only got to look in the main foyer. That was all I could really handle." She explained in a shaky voice. "There was this... Weird, green glow from upstairs. I didn't want to look around any more after that happened, so I left before I learned what the hay that thing was!" She exclaimed. Mad Mind nodded and smiled. "That explains why you were so jumpy when I found you. I thought you were living in that house alone. Which is most of the reason I assumed you were an orphan." He said. Bright Light seemed more relieved as he said this.

'Looks like she's clean.'
'Almost....'
'What do you mean Mania?'
'How... She... Interferes... My voice... Your sanity...'
'Right. My sanity levels. How would I ask her about that?'
'I... Know!... Think!'
'Some other time Mania. Not now.'
'You son of a...'
'Ha! Can't complete that sentence now can you?'
'You little... I swear I'll... you up when you... You piece of...'
'As amusing as this is, I need to go now Mania. Ciao!'
'Why you...'

Mad Mind instantly snapped back to reality. He smiled at Bright Light. "Thank you for answering my questions. I just wanted to make sure." Bright Light nodded in understanding. "It's fine. I can see why you would assume that I was a changeling. No harm done." She replied simply. Mad Mind nodded and got up. "Well! I believe I should head out." He turned around and gave Bright Light a quick hug. "You take care, alright?" Bright Light smiled in agreement and Mad Mind made his way outside the door.

The instant he stepped outside of Bright Light's room, he felt his paranoia kicking in. He knew he wasn't alone in this hallway. He glanced to his left and saw a tall, slender figure. A large conjoining of animals standing back casually next to the doorway with a twisted grin strewn across his face. He smiled. "Discord, I assume?" He asked the tall draconequus. Discord stepped out of his shadow and smiled more appropriately. "The one and only," he said casually. "You know, I find it rather heartwarming to see ponies like you doing what you do: ponies with a twisted mind doing what they know is right. I enjoy seeing it, you're one of the few ponies who are good at it." He said with a smile. Mad Mind looked confused. "What do you mean a 'twisted mind'?" He asked him curiously. 

Discord chuckled. "What do you think I mean? Or is that another thing that you don't know anything about? You represent insanity. The god of the twisted minds. You are, in a sense, much like me." He explained. Mad Mind nodded. "How am I like you? I'm one animal." He said. Discord smiled. "It doesn't matter at all about what we look like, but what we both represent. I'm the god of chaos. You're the god of insanity. We both enjoy meddling with the minds of other beings and making them bend to our will like rubber. You are a lot like me. Much more like me than you would ever know." He explained. Mad Mind gritted his teeth. "I don't like that." He said. Discord looked slightly confused. "What do you mean? You don't like being a god?" He asked.

Mad Mind shook his head. "No, no, no. I love being a god. I hate being alike someone. It makes me feel..." He paused trying to remember the word to describe what he felt. "...It makes me feel unoriginal. I feel like I'm just a cheap knock-off of someone who's greater than me. It just doesn't make me feel good." He said. Discord nodded in understanding. "You see, like I said before, I'm much like you. But, as far as I, or anypony, knows, I came first. We also tend to think a lot alike, Mr. Mad Mind. I hate being unoriginal. But, I don't need to feel like that, because I'm not being unoriginal. You're the unoriginal one Mad Mind."

As Discord said that, something in Mad Mind's head snapped. He felt a deep burn within him and felt a growl rise in his throat. "I. Am. Not. Unoriginal." He growled menacingly at Discord, who just seemed more and more pleased with this scenario. "I beg to differ. You're like me. Too much like me. I've been known throughout all of Equestria for over one thousand years. You just made yourself known... Week's? Month's ago? Aw well. Who's keeping track? Anyway, there isn't room on my podium for another god of the mind. I believe I can represent insanity just fine by myself. I don't need another pony to represent a small chunk of me. You're the unoriginal," he slowly advanced his way towards Mad Mind. "Cheap. Knock-off. Wannabe mad-god." Soon enough, Discord was right in Mad Mind's face. "How does that make you feel?" He added softly in the end.

The flames of hell had no fury like Mad Mind's. The flames of hell would've been an understatement. Mad Mind was  pissed. Bright orange flames burned in his eyes as his rage reached uncontrollable levels. If he gritted his teeth any harder, he would've broken every single tooth in his mouth.

'This piece of shit need's to learn who I am.'
'And not to mess with me.'
'Ready to attack when you are sir.'

Mad Mind fanned out his wings and rammed Discord straight in the gut. The two went soaring through the hallway and, when they reached the end of one, they made a clean hole straight through it. This went on until Mad Mind counted he broke roughly twenty eight walls until they reached outside. Discord made a quick recovery and went for the attack, launching an oversized crocodile at Mad Mind's head. He quickly dodged it and decided to use more practical methods of killing as opposed to Discords style of 'shit's and giggles'. Mad Mind blasted a large stream of fire from his horn straight at Discord, who teleported at the last second, causing Mad Mind's fire to only hit the air where Discord was moments ago.

Discord appeared right behind Mad Mind and snapped his fingers to make a baseball bat appear and whacked an unsuspecting Mad Mind on the side of the head. He fell a slight ways before recovering from his dazed state. He rubbed the spot where Discord had hit him with the bat and felt a large bump beginning to form on that area of his head. However, a small bump and a minor concussion weren't going to stop the burning rage that was Mad Mind. He instantly charged back into the fight and prepared to give Discord a real piece of his mind. He flew straight back up and gave him a swift hoof straight to the face.

Discord was sent spiralling downward a short way's away, but he quickly recovered and sent a flurry of eagles directly at Mad Mind. Mad Mind successfully dodged the first few, but the rest quickly gave him plenty of scratches and cut's upon his purple and red coat, revealing soft pink flesh and...

Mad Mind's thought process slowed as the first droplets of blood spilled from his wounds. Mad Mind flinched. He knew what was about to happen.

'The blood! THE MOTHERFUCKING AMAZINGLY GLORIOUS BLOOD!'
'Mania! Calm your shit!'
'I'LL CALM DOWN ONCE I'VE SEEN ENOUGH BLOOD! I'M TAKING THIS FUCKER ON MYSELF! I'LL FIGHT HIM ON THE MOTHERFUCKING MOON IF I HAVE TO!'
'Mania no!'

Mad Mind was a second to late. He felt the control of himself become lost as Mania dominated his mind, forcing him into a sociopathic rage against the god of chaos. He could only fear the worst as Mania broke into insane laughter and charged Discord.

'This is gonna get ugly real fast...'
'WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU COULD SPEAK BITCH!?'
'Mania, this is getting out of control...'
'SHUT THE FUCK UP! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!'

Discord held his place, wearing a sly grin as he prepared to evade Mad Mind's next attack. But it never came. Confusion erupted as Discord saw his surroundings change into... A forest?

Never before has something confused Discord like this. Sure enough, they had teleported into a forest that seemed to be engulfed in fog. But, something wasn't right. He could tell by the structure of the trees that this wasn't the Everfree, but it wasn't any other forest he had ever seen in his life.

Suddenly, he heard it: laughter. Maddening, insane laughter that only one pony could possibly produce; Mad Mind. He rushed towards the direction of the laughter, his grin returning to his face. He had him now.

What he saw was not what he expected. Mad Mind was in a clearing just... Laughing. Madly. Discord approached the Mad pony wearing his sly smile. He was attempting to sneak up on him and give him a surprise attack until...

SNAP!

Discord winced as he realized he stepped on a branch. Mad Mind turned towards the noise and grinned. His eyes, a deep, horrifying blood red. "Ahhh... Dissy my friend." He said in a smooth, relaxed tone. Discord slowly began backing up in fear of the mad-god who continued to wear his grin with professional grade. "It's so nice to see you. I felt so... incomplete without my counterpart. I almost felt lost. Like you do right now." He said with a wicked smile, his eyes burning into Discords soul. Discord flinched. "I'm so bored right now. You're no fun to talk to when you're afraid. I think that you want to know where you are though hmm?" Mad Mind said with his smooth tone. It was almost maddening how calm he was about this.

"I'd like to be the first to welcome you to my mind. My sanctuary. My little slice of heavenly hell. Or hellishly heavenly. Which ever one floats that old boat of yours." Discord looked at him in surprise as his eye's burned even brighter. "I think we should finish this little fight of ours here hmm? You had the 'at home advantage' considering the fact that you know Canterlot like the back of your paw. Or claw. Like I said, whatever floats your boat." Mad Mind moved dangerously close to Discord and wore his signature grin. "So, I believe these odd's should change into my favour. I'm in my home. Good luck even seeing me. Just remember: keep an eye on your tail." And on that, Mad Mind warped away in a wisp of smoke.

Discord didn't even know what to say to this. This was the mind of the mad-god? It was so eerily calm... Discord shrugged it off and made his way into the woods in hopes of finding a way out of the forest.

'Oh? You want to leave so soon?'

Discord looked over his shoulder. Nothing. He turned back, but couldn't keep walking.

'Ah, ah, ah Dissy. You're not allowed to leave until one of us win's. The thing is though, I can alter this place to my will. It's my mind, after all. I can change the dirt you're standing on to quicksand if you don't play.'

Discord's mind drew a blank on that one. He sighed and turned to the right and trudged onward.

'That's a good draconequus! Did I pronounce that right? Bah! Doesn't matter. All in good time.'

Discord kept walking in the direction he was going. He kept glancing up at the tree's, looking under rocks, searching the tall grass for Mad Mind.

He was nowhere to be found.

'Heheh... Oh Discord. You funny little bugger. Can you not find me? It's so obvious! It's almost as if I'm right under your nose...'

Discord suddenly felt something hard hit him in the jaw, causing him to fly backwards. He quickly recovered, but found nothing there.

'Oh, the wind sure is... Feisty today. Be careful of the tree's. They don't like being awoken during wet season.'

Discord quickly glanced at the trees and saw small faces upon the bark. He let out a nervous chuckle.

'Hahah! Discord, the tree's are loving your laughter! It's almost like it's waking them!... Wait a tick...'

Discord saw the tree's around him open their eyes and slowly got up. They began to make their way to Discord. He panicked and soon realized he was surrounded by treants.

'Oh no. Not your lucky day is it? Too bad...'

That was all Discord heard before he was whacked on the head and knocked unconscious.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Discord slowly came to and saw Mad Mind casually sitting in front of him, a smug grin upon his face. Mad Mind leaned in close.

"Have I ever told you... What the definition of insanity was?" He asked in an odd accent. Discord shook his head. Mad Mind sighed. "Insanity is... Doing the same fucking thing, over and over again, and expecting shit to change. That. Is. Crazy." He continued. He let out a small chuckle. "Now, the first guy that told me this... Well, I didn't believe him. So," he shot a small burst of flame from his horn. "I incinerated that mother fucker. But, he was right. And everywhere I looked, everywhere I looked all of these fucking pricks, everywhere I looked, were doing the exact same shit, over and over again and expecting shit to change. No, no. Please. This time it will be different. No, no, no, stop. It will be different."

Mad Mind sat there and chuckled for a moment as Discord took all of that in. He suddenly frowned.
"I'm sorry. I do not like the way..." Mad Mind got up and bucked a wooden bucket that was next to him in rage. "You are looking at me! Okay? Do you have a fucking problem in your head? Do you think I'm bullshitting you? Do you think I'm lying? FUCK YOU! Okay, FUCK YOU!" He spat at Discord, only frightening him further. He casually walked away from him. "It's okay man. I'm gonna chill, bro. I'm gonna chill. The thing is... Alright?" He checked on Discord to see if he was still paying attention.

"The thing is, I killed you once. Already. And it's not like I am fucking crazy. It's okay." He waved his hoof. "It's like water under the bridge."

Mad Mind walked back up to Discord and smiled. "Did I ever tell you the definition of insanity?" He asked again.

It wasn't until then, that Discord realized his true situation: They were at the edge of the forest. Not just the forest: the edge of Mad Mind's mind. A deep blackness that would compare to the pit of Tartarus lay before him. Discord attempted to fly away, but found his wing's and hands bound. His legs were bound as well. Only they were...Attached to the cinderblocks Mad Mind was about to push into the darkness.

Discord gasped as Mad Mind pushed the block over the edge and pulled Discord straight off the edge of Mad Mind's mind.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Falling. All Discord could do was fall as he fell past, what seemed to be, planets. He kept falling faster and faster towards the familiar planet of Equestria. Mad Mind, oddly enough, jumped off the edge of his mind with him and followed Discord. As they became closer and closer to their home planet, the atmosphere began making itself known and, quick as a wink, Comet Discord was made, being followed by Mad Mind. As the two sped up to ridiculous speeds, Mad Mind could make out where they were gonna land: right where they teleported away from.

The two went faster and faster and Mad Mind proceeded to push Discord to make him go faster. The ground came closer and closer and ponies could be made out as the hurtled their way to the ground until...

BOOOM!

The shockwave of their landing could be felt all the way to the oceans. The crater was massive and within, held the smouldering gods that were Mad Mind and Discord. The two slowly got up and stared at each other. All the rage had left their minds and soon, Discord let out a small laugh. Which grew into a bigger laugh. Mad Mind joined in on the laughter as the two fell to the ground again, covered in scars, bumps, bruises and burns, they laughed and they laughed like old friends. Soon, they stopped laughing and sighed. Discord spoke first. "I haven't had a good fight like that for over one thousand years. That was fun!" He exclaimed. Mad Mind chuckled. "Yeah. That was good fun." He said.

Discord then held out his clawed hand. "Friends?" he asked. Mad Mind turned down the offer. "As tempting as it is, I still won't forgive you for calling me unoriginal." He said. Discord agreed. "And i won't forgive you for taking me to your mind." He said. Mad Mind nodded in understanding. "I believe there is a word for this." Mad Mind said, capturing Discords attention. He held out a hoof. "Frenemies?" He asked. Discord nodded in agreement and shook his outstretched hoof.

"Frenemies."
> Beer, Armour, Music and Magic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
> Date Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun seething through Mad Mind's closed eyelid's was what woke him up in the morning. He let out a loud yawn as he hopped out of bed and stretched, his head still a little fuzzy from the night before. His bones let out loud pops as he made sure he stretched out thoroughly. He sighed as he walked into his bathroom and checked the mirror.

What he saw was the sight of him staring back, but he didn't want to see his face; he recalled what had happened last night and wanted to check out the gash that one stallion had given him on the back of his head.

He quickly levitated another mirror to the back of his head and saw that it had, already, fully healed and did not hurt at the touch. He shrugged as he got into the shower and turned on the hot water, allowing it to cascade upon him like warm rain.

'Good morning Mania.'
'*Grumble* good morning.'
'Not a morning person are you?'
'Never was, never will be.'
'Well, I have to wake up at sometime during today. I can't just sleep all day.'
'True. But you can at least sleep for a bit longer!'
'Oh, hush Mania.'

As the argument drew to a close, Mad Mind focused on getting himself clean. After doing so, he made his way out to breakfast. He navigated the castle with ease, a feat he had never thought that he would ever be capable of doing. He, soon enough, found himself in the dining hall, as he called it. Already sitting there, sipping a coffee, was Princess Celestia herself.

Mad Mind smiled as he sat down, gaining the attention of the monarch. "Morning Princess." He casually said.

Celestia smiled. "Good morning to you Mad Mind. Did you sleep well?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "Probably one of the best sleep's in the castle so far."

Celestia giggled. "How much did you drink last night?" She asked. Mad Mind tried to recall. "I only had two... Wait. How did you know I was at the bar?" He asked her suspiciously. She grinned. "Oh, Mad Mind, Shining Armour told me that you two went there in the first place and," she levitated a newspaper. "After seeing this, it even said you were at the bar."

Mad Mind looked even more confused as he levitated the newspaper and read the lead article.


'Prince of the Ponies rock's out a local bar'


He put the paper down. He honestly, did not want to read it at the moment, all though it was pretty funny. He chuckled. "I like the way they put it. Glad I have some recognition out there." He casually said. Celestia nodded, but her expression suddenly turned into serious. "Mad Mind, the royal guard also found a stallion at the bar, dead. Do you know anything about that?" She asked. Mad Mind's heart skipped a beat.

"Umm... No?" He said innocently. Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Mad Mind. I don't like it when you lie to me," she seethed. "Apparently, this pony suffered before getting killed. A clean hole through his eye. Mad Mind, what did you do to him?" Mad Mind sighed. No point in lying. She could see right through him. "Okay. So I killed him. Only because he was harassing a mare. I couldn't just sit there and do nothing. Something had to be done. So, I launched a dart in the guy's eye and slammed his head on a table. Died instantly." He replied. Celestia sighed.

"Mad Mind, the punishment for killing a pony at all, is seven years in the dungeon. Be thankful you have a high status outside of the castle, or else you would already be inside there, serving your sentence," she shook her head. "And there's the fact that you saved a mares life. Apparently, said mare being Roseluck. Look's like you're making friends of even higher status. But, don't think you can just go around and kill ponies at your will. That will serve you a lifetime in the dungeons. Got it?" She asked.

Mad Mind began placing some things on his plate and eating them. "Yeah, I get it. No killing spree's." He said in between mouthfuls. Celestia nodded. "Good. Now," she got her serious tone out again. "I need you to do me a favour."

Mad Mind sighed. "I'm listening." He said as he levitated a strawberry off of his face and into his mouth. Celestia looked rather... Uncomfortable? "Now... I understand that you are capable in... Killing. It's not something I look fondly upon, but it can be a skill that I require," she began. Mad Mind looked fascinated. "Right now, I require a pony who can kill. Our guard is not known to kill any ponies, but you, Mad Mind. You can kill ponies. So, I have a favour to ask; the threat of the changelings grow stronger every day. I fear that their spies are picking up much more than I have anticipated. I need them, desperately, out of the picture. That's where you come in, Mad Mind. I want you to work with Shining Armour and his elite group to eliminate the changelings that are in my old home." She explained.

Mad Mind looked surprised. " So, here's what I got from that: you," he pointed to Celestia. "Want me," he pointed to himself. "To go to your old home and kill any and all changelings?" He finished pointing outside. Celestia nodded. "I want those changelings gone by today. I need them gone by today. Simply, driving them away will not help us when the time comes to have a confrontation with the changelings. We need them dead," she said. "This is my last resort. I wished to resolve this peacefully, but Chrysalis has pushed my hand. I need a pony who can kill, and you're that pony Mad Mind," she turned her gaze to him. "What do you say? Will you help me?" She asked.

Mad Mind rolled the idea of her offer around in her head. "What's in it for me?" He asked simply. Celestia grinned. "Seven hundred bit's with a clean slate. And, if you... Enjoy, yourself killing these changelings, I can give you another mission to kill more of them. But, that's your call." She said.

Mad Mind's grin became an unsettling, maniacal grin as he stuck out his fore-hoof. "Deal." He said. Princess Celestia also stuck out her hoof and shook Mad Mind's. "When do I begin?" He asked eagerly. Princess Celestia smiled. "In one hour. Then, that next mission takes place in the dead of night, ten pm to be exact. On that mission, I must warn you, you will be working alone." She explained. Mad Mind looked surprised. "Just me against an entire camp of changelings? That's just... Not me. I want at least one pony with me." Mad Mind stated. Celestia nodded. "Fine then. I'll let Shining Armour come with you. You two seem to get along just fine. I know you two can pull this off." She said with a smile.

Mad Mind got up from the table. "Well, I need to go prepare for this raid. I'll see you Celly." Mad Mind said in a humorous tone as he left the room.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


'Raid two places of changelings?'
'In the same day?'
'... I need some equipment, dammit.'

Mad Mind began thinking of what he would need for this fight. He wasn't concerned for the one he had an hour from now; he was more concerned with the night raid. From what he assumed, there was going to be more than one or two changelings there, maybe about thirteen or fourteen. He needed to gear up properly.

'Y'know... I think I may have an idea forming here...'
'Continue, Mania...'
'Check out that spell book. The letter 'F' in that book. You'll like what I put in there.'

Mad Mind brought the old note book to him and cracked it open for only the second time. He browsed through the pages until...

'How's that one?'
'Oh...! Hehehe.... I like where this is going...'
'Oh you'll love it! But, there's one flaw with it...'
'And, what might that be?'
'The amount of energy the damn thing uses.'

Mad Mind saw the amount of energy required to maintain the spell. His eye's went wide in surprise and his jaw dropped.

'Six hundred thousand!? How much energy do I have!?'
'If I'm not mistaken, roughly... Two million four hundred thousand. Top's.'
'... I CAN ONLY CHANNEL THIS SPELL FOR FOUR SECONDS!!!??'
'Dude, chill. Look: we need to find a way to maintain this spell!'
'Alright, how the buck are we going to do that?'
'Check out near the end.'

Mad Mind flipped to the end of the book and found copious amounts of notes about how unicorns obtain their energy, how it sustains them, and everything in between.

'How did you learn all of this, Mania?'
'Lot's and lot's of studying, observing and other things. Just read it.'
'Fine... A unicorn is a special breed of pony, capable of manipulating the flow of time into energy to supply for their spells... Holy crap. That's legit?'
'Totally. Keep going.'
'As time proceeds to flow onward, unicorns obtain copious amounts of energy, which they use for their spells. Sometimes, unicorns gain more and more energy as time continues. As they age, the amount of energy they can take in increases, blah blah blah-'
'Hey! Don't blah the shit I wrote!'
'I already know all of this! Except for the time thing.'
'Just read and don't blah.'
'... That's practically it. You wrote some more on the other side though.'
'Read that too.'
'Fine... Since unicorns are capable of using time as a source of energy, is it possible for this to be manipulated? Can there be a spell that changes the way that unicorns (or in this case, alicorns) can receive energy? Is infinite energy possible? Further test's are required.'
'You see? What if we replaced the way you receive energy with something else, other than time? Like, water? Or breathing?'
'So, what you're saying is, if I can manipulate this, I will have a constant flow of energy from this source and, essentially, never run out?'
'That is exactly what I'm talking about.'
'So, I can use that spell forever if I have a constant supply of energy?'
'Eeyup.'
'... That's pretty cool.'
'I know right? But, just something I thought you should look into. Don't have to use it...'
'I need to go. See you Mania.'

As their conversation closed, their was a knock on the door. Mad Mind opened it and saw the six mares all packed around his room, with Twilight Sparkle leading the charge. Mad Mind sighed. "Is there a reason that you six are all here at once?" He asked in suspicion. Twilight smiled. "Mad Mind, can we talk for a sec?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed again and exited his room. "What's up?" He asked. 

Twilight had a slight blush strewn across her face. 
'I don't like this...'
"Umm... I-I was just wondering if you..."
'SPIT IT OUT WOMAN! I HAVENT GOT AN ETERNITY!'
'...You actually do. God, remember?'
'Right.'
"...Since it's the GGG tonight..."

Mad Mind held up a hoof. "Wait. Back it up. What did you just say?" He asked. Twilight and the girls both looked confused. "The Grand Galloping Gala. It's tonight. Did nopony tell you?" She asked. Mad Mind thought to himself.

'Grand Galloping Gala?'
'These ponies have the weirdest shit.'

"No. Nopony told me what that even is" He said in a low voice. Rarity looked horrified. "You don't know what the Grand Galloping Gala is!? It's the biggest festival in Canterlot! Only few, select ponies get to go!" She exclaimed.

Mad Mind shook his head. "Cool story bro. But, I didn't get the memo. Let alone an invitation." He said.

Twilight now looked more confused. "What do you mean? Princess Celestia said she would give you a ticket in!"

Now, it was Mad Mind's turn to be confused. "She didn't give me a ticket of any sort! We just remained silent at breakfast!" He lied. He planned on keeping his mission a secret, just in case anypony tried to flip out how he was going to be killing again.

Twilight sighed. "Well, never mind. We'll just be on our way-" Mad Mind quickly stopped them.
"Oh no you don't! Tell me what you were going to say. I have limited patience at the moment, and I'll be damned if I just walked out here for no reason! Now, tell me!" He snapped. Twilight flinched.

"There's no point in telling you since you're not going to the gala."
"I'll sneak in." The mares jaws dropped at this.
Rarity piped up again. "You do realize that this is one of the most important celebrations in Canterlot and will be heavily guarded, right?" She asked.
Mad Mind grinned. "That'll make breaking in so much more fun. Now, tell me what it is you wanted to ask me."

Twilight shook her head. "Mad Mind, what if you get caught? You'll be kicked out-"
"I'll try again." He said.
Twilight sighed. "Look: I won't tell you either way. It's not that important anymore." She said, sounding rather glum.

'Wait. Processing possible ideas...'
'Gala means 'dance', doesn't it?'
'And she was blushing a lot...'
'And sounding depressed at the fact I couldn't go...'
'Oh...! I know now...'

As the girls turned around, Mad Mind smirked. "You were gonna ask me to the gala, weren't you?" The group quickly turned back around. Twilight blushing a lot more now. "Wh-Wha-"

He chuckled. "Twi, you're making it obvious! The blushing, bringing up the gala, sounding upset that I couldn't go! Far past obvious." He explained.

Twilight's blush deepened. "M-maybe. But, you can't go anyway-"
"Well, now I need to break in!" He exclaimed. The mares looked at each other in confusion.
Rainbow piped up. "Why do you need to break in now?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled.
"Because, I have a reason to go there now! I'll be at that gala Twi. Sure, I'll be your date."

Twilight's face brightened into a smile as he said this. "R-really!?" She exclaimed joyfully.

Mad Mind chuckled. "Really. Now, what time does this thing start?" He asked.
"Ten pm."

Mad Mind's heart nearly stopped at this.

'Ten!? The exact time that I'm out killing changelings!?'
'ABORT! ABORT!'
'Can't abort! We already agreed to go!'

He quickly brought his smile back. "I'll be there."


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


"So... Explain why I'm here again?" Mad Mind asked Shining at the guards barracks. Shining sighed. "Were here because Celestia wanted me to test your ability of combat. You'll be going against my elite team. See how long you can hold against them." He casually said. Mad Mind nodded as multiple guards came streaming out of the barracks. Mad Mind counted five total. "These are the most well-trained, powerful soldiers in all of Canterlot. Just, try and hold your own against these guys for... Ten minutes. Begin."

'This'll be easy! Hey, Mania-'
'No.'
'What? What do you mean?'
'I'm not taking over for you to fight these guys. You need the training much more than I do.'
'But, Mania-'
'No buts. Pay attention and fight.'

The five began circling around Mad Mind, surrounding him. He didn't panic though: he just relaxed and stayed alert.

'Shit. Surrounded.'
'Surrounded? That means you can attack in any direction you want!'
'Fair point.'

The first stallion, the one to his left, leapt in and prepared to strike Mad Mind. Mad Mind evasively rolled out of the way, letting his sword make a loud CLANG! as it hit the rock where Mad Mind once was.

'Close one!'
'Behind you.'
'Wha-'

WHUMP!

Mad Mind stumbled forwards as the butt of one of the ponies swords bashed him in the skull. He stumbled to another one of the stallions who gave him a clean buck to the chest, sending Mad Mind flying into another stallion, who hit him in another direction. This went on and on until Mad Mind was on the ground. Multiple gashes, bruises, scrapes and cuts encompassing his body. Blood was beginning to pool out of his mouth and he had a nice black-eye on his left eye.

'Getting all spiffied up for your date with Twilight, I see.'
'Shut up, Mania.'

Shining trotted up to Mad Mind. And offered him a hoof, which he graciously accepted. Mad Mind stumbled as he was brought up, but managed to stay still for the time being.

Shining sighed. "Well, that was-" Mad Mind cut him off.

"Pitiful show by me. Let's do it again." He growled. Shining and his soldiers cocked their eyebrows in confusion.

"Again? And risk taking another beating like the one you just took? Mad Mind-" Mad Mind cut him off again.
"Let's. Go. Again." He huffed out. Shining sighed.

"Very well. Boy's, get to it."

They all shrugged and surrounded Mad Mind again. Mad Mind felt all of his senses at work. He felt the stallion jump before he even left the ground. He quickly rolled only a short way, just enough so the one stallion would miss, but not enough for Mad Mind to fall into the same trap as last time.

Mad Mind gave him a swift uppercut, sending him up a few feet, allowing Mad Mind to give him a powerful buck as he came down, straight into another soldier.

'Not bad. Two down, three more to go.'

Two stallions came at him at once: one jumping in and one running in. Mad Mind had his eye's on the one jumping in, preparing to evade at the proper time, except he noticed something: he overshot the jump entirely. This distraction was enough for the stallion running at him to get a swift buck at his ribs.

Mad Mind staggered back a little ways. He now had his attention on the stallion on the ground as opposed to the other stallion, who was still in the air and landed a perfect strike with the butt of his sword on Mad Mind's skull, sending him to the ground.

Now with a cracked rib and a possible concussion, Mad Mind lay there for a few moments before trying to get back up again, only to have his legs give out on him.

'Ohh... So close mate.'
'Mania. I'm giving you a warning.'
'Ohh! I'm so terrified!'

Shining once again offered his hoof to him and helped him up. "That was-"

"Shameful! I did terrible! Again!"

The stallions were now convinced that Mad Mind was either a) stubborn, b) insane, c) determined or just all of the above. But, they didn't complain. They just went and circled him again.

Mad Mind was still in a slight daze from the previous fight. When the first stallion leapt in, Mad Mind rolled out of the way much later and in a more sloppy way.

He had accidentally also rolled to far again and allowed the stallion behind him to get Mad Mind's skull better acquainted with the butt of his sword. Mad Mind stumbled forward again and into the path of the next stallion who had his rear leg's ready in a buck.

Mad Mind, however, had other plans. He ducked under the buck as it came, making the stallion hit nothing and sent him falling, allowing Mad Mind to supply that stallion with a powerful buck of his own, sending him flying and making many satisfying cracks as he launched the white stallion into a building.

The remaining four circled him again. Mad Mind felt fresh energy burn within him, sharpening his senses much more. Then came the dynamic duo of one stallion jumping in and one running. Mad Mind grinned. He rolled backwards away from the stallion charging him on the ground, fanned out his wings and gave a mighty flap, propelling himself straight into the stallion in the air with large amounts of force. Mad Mind heard more cracks from this stallions ribcage as he slammed him straight into the cobblestone road. Three more stallions remained. They encircled him again.

Mad Mind decided he needed to switch from the defensive to the offensive as he quickly flew himself up, confusing the group of stallions. He strategically positioned himself, so the trio of stallions were soon staring into the sun and blinding them. Mad Mind simply hovered there for a few moments before flying into two of the stallions who ended up in the same wall as the first stallion.

With one stallion left, Mad Mind had one idea left for this fight. He landed before the stallion and, before he could react, he slammed his hoof right under his jaw in an amazing uppercut. Mad Mind continued to fly up, bringing the stallion with him for one of the best uppercuts in the history of ponykind. Upon stopping, that stallion proceeded to fall. Mad Mind allowed him to fall until he was nearing the ground, then did Mad mind catch him. The two landed softly on the ground. The stallion looking grateful at Mad Mind, but not until Mad Mind turned around and bucked him in the chest, causing him to fly straight into another wall.

Mad Mind grinned at the carnage he had made of the training ground as he simply walked over to Shining and smiled pleasantly at the gawking pony. "Third times a charm, am I right?" He said. Shining didn't respond. He just stood there in complete shock at what he had just witnessed. A top hat and monocle appeared upon Mad Mind as he said with his best British accent, "Good day to you sir." As he casually walked away, leaving the stunned Shining sitting in the carnage left behind from Mad Mind.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind sat in his bathroom, exhausted from the training. He checked out every little cut on his body. He rubbed the back of his head and let out a yelp of pain as he felt parts of his skull cracking. He checked out the black eye he had received and sighed. He had never gotten so... Injured from a fight before. Every part of his body screamed in pain as he stared at the bloody mess of himself in the mirror.

He heard a loud knock on his door. He stumbled his way over to the door and sighed.

"Who is it?" He asked through the doorway.
The voice on the other side responded. "Princess Celestia. Please let me in Mad Mind."
Mad Mind quickly obliged, allowing Princess Celestia into his room.
As Celestia's gaze rested on Mad Mind, she let out a gasp and brought a hoof to her mouth. "You're hurt." She said in a concerned tone.
Mad Mind put on his best 'No shit, Sherlock' face, which is hard to do with a black eye, and sighed. "I know that Princess. I've been hurting since training with Shining."

Celestia let out a soft laugh. "Listen, Mad Mind, we need to talk. Hold still."

Mad Mind stopped and felt Celestias aura envelop him in a golden glow. He, suddenly, felt his wounds quickly begin to heal: his fractured skull began to mend, his cut's quickly closed up and his black eye quickly went away, allowing him to see light again.

He sighed as he began to feel rejuvenated from the magic. Mad Mind smiled. "Thank you Princess. Now," he hopped up onto his bed. "What did you want to talk about?" He asked.

She shuffled her hooves. "Mad Mind, I felt the need to apologize. I know I sent you on that mission, I need you out there, but I also know about my students feelings towards you. I should've assumed she would ask you to the gala. So," she lowered her head. "I'm sorry."

Mad Mind nodded. "I accept your apology. But, if it's not to much to ask, can i have a ticket to the gala? If I get there in time, I can catch up with Twilight."

Celestia shook her head. "No." She said simply.

Mad Mind was dumbstruck. "What do you mean no!? You come here to apologize about how I can't go to the gala, and yet you refuse to let me in!? What the buck gives?!" He exclaimed.

Celestia winced as Mad Mind swore and let out a sigh. "Mad Mind, I know you have a lot on your mind, I know you're preoccupied with many things, you have a daughter, friends, and a possible mare-friend. I know these all mean a lot to you, but I can't let you forget about your destiny," she put emphasis on destiny. "You're to overwhelmed by what is currently happening around you that you have forgotten who you truly are and destined to be! Having a foal of your own was more than enough. If I let you date Twilight and your relationship evolves, I'm afraid that you won't remember your true destiny and, possibly, entirely forget about it!" She exclaimed. Mad Mind sighed.

"Princess, I can't forget it," he pointed to his head. "Mania reminds me." He say's. Princess Celestia narrowed her eyes.

"He's not doing a good job at it, obviously. You have shown no concern for you destiny whatsoever. You just wanted to avoid all of it at once! Your mental voices aren't pushing you in the right direction, you're just drifting, barely accomplishing anything to benefit you obtaining the next addition to your cutie mark!" She signalled to his flank, revealing the two letters that lay upon it. "I need you to remain focused on your destiny. I can't let you go to the gala. You can't become any more distracted than you already are." She said sternly.

A flurry of emotions soared through Mad Mind as she said this. Confusion and anger being the higher ranked of the rest.

"I am focused! The entire, damnable reason I'm on this bloody planet was to fulfill my destiny! To become a mad god! Sure, I get sidetracked, but I never forgot the true goal of why I'm on this damn planet in the first place!" He bellowed.

His thoughts quickly struck him right after he spoke.

'Wow, that felt good.'
'Dude!? Do you know what you just said!?'
'Of course I do! I said... Oh shit.'

Celestia looked surprised, confused and curious all at the same time. "What do you mean? Weren't you on this planet the your entire life, Mad Mind?" She asked.

'This has been: how to fuck up, starring Mad Mind!'
'Shut it Mania.' 

Mad Mind, now switched from angry to nervous in a mere two seconds, began to stutter. "U-uhm, of course! I just meant, the entire reason I was brought into this world- I mean, born, yeah, born into this world was to fulfill my destiny of-"

Princess Celestia cut him off. "Mad Mind. You're a terrible liar. Where are you from?" She asked sternly.

Mad Mind was now even more nervous. Under his coat, he felt beads of sweat forming. "I-I'm from..," he sighed as soon as he realized this was hopeless. "You win. I'm not from Equestria." He said slowly. Celestia looked rather fascinated. "Continue...?" She eagerly said. Mad Mind looked down at his hooves. "I'm from another planet, called Earth. It's... Much like Equestria, with only one difference: it's entirely inhabited by humans."

He looked up from his hooves to see Princess Celestia stare at him in fascination. A look that forced him to continue. "I was one of these humans. My name was Connor. I had an average life but it all seemed so," he tried to find the word for it. "Boring. I didn't want to live my life like this every day. I couldn't take it for much longer. I wanted to become something that was unachievable back on Earth: become a God of Insanity. I knew it was impossible-" Mad Mind was cut off from Princess Celestia.

"What do you mean? There are no gods in this, 'Earth' that you speak of?" She asked.

Mad Mind shook his head. "Some people say there are gods, some people say there are none. I... Don't want to linger on that subject for the time being." He said. Celestia looked confused.

"Is there any magic in your home world?" She asked. Mad Mind chuckled. "Nope. Magic, is just a dream. Something humans can't achieve. Same with obtaining flight with wings like these," he fanned out his own wings. "This would be considered a miracle on Earth." He said. Celestia looked at him in shock.

"How do the sun and the moon rise without magic?" She asked. Mad Mind laughed again. "It's natural. The sun has an orbit around it, allowing Earth to revolve around it. The moon revolves around Earth, if my science isn't mistaken. It all just works and we get along." He said. Celestia was surprised at these revelations.

She was still curious, however. "How... Advanced, are humans." Mad Mind smiled. "Humans are far more advanced than ponies. Were capable of building houses that are more durable than this castle. Even without wings, humans have managed to obtain flight through machinery. Humans have built ways to display what is happening in places that are several days away from where you are," he said, impressing Celestia. "Although, it hasn't always been beneficial. Humans have built ways to kill other humans with a simple movement. They have built ways to obliterate cities off the face of the planet. We have built ways to kill, torture, fight. Hell, we've built ways to set people on fire from a distance. Human's, are a species that are capable of so much. We keep building. We keep upgrading. Updating. Getting stronger," he let out a dark chuckle.

"If you thought I was insane, you should see what humans have done." He muttered darkly to a stunned Celestia.

"And that's just the tip of the iceberg," he continued. "I can keep going, but I can see you still have questions." He said. Celestia, who is still kind of afraid of learning this information, knowing that there is an entire race almost equal to Mad Mind, pressed on for more information. "How did you get from Earth to Equestria? You said that there is no magic on your planet, so how were you capable of jumping between worlds?" She asked.

Mad Mind's smile vanished as he stared at her in confusion. "In all honesty? I just went through a door in a tree. It had this weird, dark stuff in it. I touched it and I went into it and I woke up in the hospital. How I got there? No clue. How I was found? Also, no clue. How that dark stuff was in that door? I believe it may be related to Equestria in a weird way. As to why I became a god when I went through there? It was all that I was thinking about when I came through here. That's all I got." He said.

Celestia sighed. "So... You never asked to become a god in the first place?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded. "I wanted to be one, I didn't know how big of a burden it was at the time. But, I get to live forever while ponies have a limited timer on their lives, I have infinite amounts of power while others struggle to even get simple spells down, I get to be classified as royalty while others struggle for social status. This was... Very hard for me to comprehend. I thought it would be awesome, but it isn't. It's tough shit. You've dealt with it for more than one thousand years. How? I'm not sure. It's a heavy burden." He said. Celestia nodded in agreement. "Yes. It is a burden. But, somepony has to do it. I am terribly sorry about... You, in general. You never asked for this. You weren't prepared for any of this. You didn't deserve to put up with the burden of immortality. I'll try and help you out more with your destiny, but I can only do so little. You must try and do whatever you're capable of doing to help achieve your goal of mad god." She said.

She quickly brought a book out of thin air and displayed it before Mad Mind. "Starting with this." She said as she put the book on Mad Mind's bed. It was an old, yellow book, that has clearly seen some abuse in it's time and plenty of dust. Mad Mind checked over the book.


'Facts and Truths about Immortals.'


Mad Mind cracked it open to reveal the yellow pages. Celestia smiled. "I'll leave you to it. I believe you leave in... Thirty minutes for you raid though? You should get ready to meet Shining Armour." She reminded him. Mad Mind nodded, not looking up from the book. "Did you hear what I just said, Mad Mind?" Mad Mind brought his head from out of the book and looked up. "Of course I heard you princess."

"Then what did I just say?"
"I leave in thirty minutes and should get ready to see Shining Armour soon!"
"Okay... Good luck."
"Thank you princess."

Celestia quickly exited his room and Mad Mind was sucked back into his book. He read a nice chunk of it before he remembered he needed to meet Shining Armour in... Five minutes!?

"Buck."

Mad Mind quickly jumped up and dashed his way down the halls. He zipped pass countless guards and quickly made his way out to the guard barracks where Shining and his stallions waited, eager for Mad Mind to show himself.

Shining smiled as Mad Mind finally arrived. "Good to know you remembered. We were just about to leave without you!" He said with a chuckle. Mad Mind laughed. "I was busy reading. Didn't mean to get here late. Anywho, let's get this thing underway, shall we?" The group began making their way towards the abandoned house which, thankfully, only rested a few minutes away from the castle.

As they arrived, the guards tensed and Shining prepared himself. Mad Mind looked at the others who nodded in unison as Mad Mind bucked open the door with such force, it flew right off the hinges.

The house was dark and had a faint, eerie green glow. The seven all filtered in and made a small circle in the main lobby.

"Alright boys, listen up!" Shining barked. "This is an important mission, we are looking for changelings that may be in this very house. We have all seen what they are capable of, so be careful, travel in groups and, for the love of Celestia, please don't get yourselves killed." Everypony soon split up and Mad Mind was with Shining Armour, sent to investigate upstairs.

Mad Mind led the way, summoning a small orb of light allowing him to see better. The rickety, wooden stairs creaked and groaned as the duo slowly trudged up. As Mad Mind neared the last step, he swore he saw a silhouette of an odd... Bug thing. He glanced back at Shining who nodded. "I saw it too. Keep moving." Mad Mind agreed and proceeded to the direction the bug had fled in.

A long dark corridor was revealed with several doors leading into many different rooms. Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "Huh." He muttered.

"Something wrong Mad Mind?" Shining asked curiously.
"Didn't the house look... Smaller, on the outside?" He asked. Shining contemplated and nodded.
"You're right. It did look smaller. It may be just magic, but that doesn't change the fact that we have to search every room."

Mad Mind nodded and pressed on slowly. The first door was coming up on his right. He went up to it and tested it. It opened with an eerie creek. Shining nodded and went in first, searching every corner of the room. He glanced left and right, soon allowing Mad Mind to enter. He shrugged. "All clear. Odd. I swore I saw that changeling enter this room..."

The two began to leave the room when, suddenly, Mad Mind felt a small drop on his nose, just under the nostril. He sighed.
"Hey Shining," he called out. "I gotta nose bleed." He said. Shining sighed. "Clean it up then. We need to keep searching."

Mad Mind nodded and wiped away the blood on his nose. He held up his hoof to the light to see if the stain was noticeable. He raised his eyebrow in suspicion. 

'Blood isn't green...'
'Well, my blood anyway...'

He heard another drip right beside him of the green fluid. Mad Mind slowly glanced up and gasped at what he saw.

Cocoons. At least from the looks of it. Dozens and dozens of massive lime green cocoons all hanging from the ceiling. Mad Mind nearly vomited at the sight. Few things got him to vomit, but giant, green oozing cocoons? That was a bit much.

He turned his glance to the door. "Shining! Come here and look at this!" He exclaimed. Shining Armour soon poked his head through the door and sighed. "What's wrong Mad Mind?" Mad mind pointed up and Shining followed his gaze. Shining's eye's widened and his pupils shrank in shock. "Those cocoons..." He muttered. "They have... Ponies in them."

Mad Mind brought the light up higher to one of the cocoons and, sure enough, there were. Ponies of all ages, genders, colours, shapes and sizes were all trapped inside the enlarged cocoon's.

Mad Mind brought the light back down. "What are we going to do about them?" He asked. Shining nodded. "We need to cut them down. And fast." He said.

Shining quickly brought his sword out from his sheath with a high-pitched shing! that gave Mad Mind goosebumps.

'I love that noise...'

The sword, gripped in the magical aura of Shining Armour, was quickly whipped around at speeds that would make Rainbow Dash get jealous. After all the ponies have been released from the cocoons, they were still unconscious as they fell to the floor. "Nothing we can do for them now. We need to find those changelings and get rid of them." He said. Mad Mind nodded.

Shining exited the room. Mad Mind quickly followed, only to have the door slammed shut in his face. He looked at it curiously and attempted to open it. Locked. He enveloped the door in his magical aura and attempted to open it. Still locked.
He turned around and gave it a powerful buck. Nothing.

"It isss usseleesss little pony." Mad Min turned his head to see two bug-like ponies before him. He held his ground.

'These must be changelings.'

"That doooor isss under our ssspell. You cannot break through iiiit." They hissed. Mad Mind entered a combat stance, readying himself for a good fight.

"Nooow, you will jussst become more fooood for our hiiiive. We wiiill feasssst upon the love that you show to other poniesssss. Today, you will die!"

Mad Mind couldn't help but laugh at this, causing the changelings to stare at him in confusion. "I'm sorry. It's just... You feast on ponies love? That's a bit... Pathetic, don't you think? Why not feed on their hatred, or regrets, or pain? Pain would be a good one." He said. The changelings shook their heads. "Their issss more loove on thissss planet as opposed to thossse other optionsss you have given usssss. We feed off love becausse it isss plentifulll." Mad Mind nodded in understanding.

"Well, if you little shit heads want to steal my love, then get ready for a fight. Because I won't give it up peacefully." Mad Mind growled. The changelings grinned. "Not a wissse decision little ponyyy." They said before charging at Mad Mind full speed and giving him a hard hit, sending him flying into the door. Mad Mind shook off the hit and attacked. He blasted one of the changelings with a spell which was labelled in his book 'sniper shot'. The powerful burst of energy blasted a clean hole through the changelings head, causing his brain to splatter on the back wall. He quickly fell limp and his comrade hissed. "You have killed my friend! Prepare for you untimely end!" He exclaimed.

Mad Mind prepared to shoot this changeling with a different spell, but the little bugger went invisible. Mad Mind heard small hiss' of laughter. "How can you kiiill what you cannot sssseee?" He hissed. Mad Mind searched around carefully and was greeted with a swift punch to the face with invisible hooves. Mad Mind stumbled back a bit. Hit after hit after hit landed on Mad Mind as he was kicked, punched and hurt in almost every single way possible.

Mad Mind finally slumped to the ground, to weak to fight. The changeling revealed himself, finally. "Hahaha! Yoou are weeeak! Ssssooo very weaaak! I will recceive a free meal tonight!" Mad Mind felt a strange aura envelop around his head. He winced as he felt the magic slowly fiddle around with his brain.

Oddly enough, it began to get weaker and weaker. Mad Mind didn't feel like he was losing anything anymore. The changeling was confused. "Huh!? How can thissss beeee?" He exclaimed. He felt the spell upon his brain again, but this time, things went differently.

'Ahh! Hello little being!'
'What!? Whhhere isssss thiss?'
'I'd like to be the first to say: welcome! To the mind of the mad-god! I'm Mania! I would love to give you the tour! What would you like?'
'I musst feed on hisss love....'
'Ohh! Not a very fun customer now are we? Very well. I will change that!'

Mad Mind felt his own mind fill with raw energy as it was slowly pushed into the changelings mind. The changeling wailed and screeched as the essence of the mad-god entered his mind and slowly corrupted and crippled his mind into a very delicate state.

Very soon, the changeling was huddled up in a ball and rocking back in forth, slowly muttering to himself: "They're out to get me, they will find me. I need to hide. But they'll find me. They always find me..." He kept rambling on and on.

Mad Mind chuckled as he went up to the changeling and prepared his sniper shot. "I found you." He said in a dark voice. He quickly blasted the changeling in the head and quickly ended his life by adding another brain on the wall.

Now that the changelings were dead and no pony sealing the magic on the door, Mad Mind easily exited the room and hummed a little tune. Shining Armour was sitting on the stairwell. He glanced up at Mad Mind who gently smiled. "What did I miss?" He asked Shining. The white stallion quickly hopped up and gave Mad Mind a hug. "I thought you were dead man! When the door closed behind me and I couldn't open it, I began to worry..." He trailed off. Mad Mind chuckled.

"Don't worry. I'm as alive as you are," Mad Mind said as he sat down beside Shining. "Oh! And, scratch two changelings. Killed 'em after they ambushed me." Mad Mind said. Shining smiled. "Good work. The boys all say that they got another five changelings, making that a grand total of seven changelings. I believe that's mission accomplished. We should get out of here." Mad Mind chuckled. "I hear you. Let's head back to the castle. I need to gear up for our next raid." Shining nodded. "Get ready. It's just the two of us, so it won't be as easy. You sure you're up for it?"

"Of course I am. I have a plan for this one." Mad Mind said with a twisted grin as they left the house.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


'This is the part of the plan that I'm gonna hate...'
'Just get it over with so we can head back and study the spell one last time.'

Mad Mind stood outside a pair of doors that led to the one room that he vowed he would never enter, even if his life depended on it: Rarity's.

Mad Mind sighed as he knocked on the door. The door quickly flew open and Mad Mind was greeted by a very happy Rarity. "Hello Mad Mind!" She exclaimed giddily. Mad Mind almost asked why she was acting like this, but caught himself after he remembered the girls were there when Twilight asked him out. He was ushered in by Rarity who closed the door behind him and began bouncing in place, much like Pinkie Pie. "So! Can I please ask what brings you to my room Mad Mind?" She asked, although she already knew the answer.

Mad Mind sighed. "Rarity, I have a favour I need to ask of you." He asked. The marshmallow pony leaned forward and grinned a little. "Can... You make me a suit?" Mad Mind asked. Rarity smiled and gave a small hop of excitement. "Of course, dear! Just, come here and I'll measure you for your suit." Mad Mind walked over to where Rarity was standing, a measuring tape levitating in her magical grasp. She measured all of Mad Mind's body and, soon enough, it was over. "Alright! Your done, I'll get to work on your suit. Now-" Mad Mind held a hoof up in front of Rarity, interrupting her. "Rarity, I didn't come for one suit; I came for two." He said in a hushed voice. Rarity raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Two suits? Never thought that you would want two suits. Okay! I'll get straight to work-" Mad Mind cut her off again.

"Rarity, look: I'm not asking for two suits I can dress up in and show off around town, the first one is for the gala," he leaned in close. "The second one must be totally secret. Got it?" Rarity nodded, her expression transformed from happy to serious in an instant. "Okay. Why should I make this suit in secret?" She asked. Mad Mind sighed.

"Well, you see..." And he told her everything. The changelings, Princess Celestia (leaving out the bit where he's from another world) and the problem with ten p.m. Rarity listened intently and nodded as Mad Mind finished. "So... You have to go out and... Kill, changelings at a camp at the exact same time as the gala, where Twilight expects you to show up at precisely ten p.m.?" Mad Mind nodded. Rarity sighed. "I see... Well, what is this second suit for exactly?" She asked. Mad Mind smiled. "If I tell you, that means you have to make it. Okay? No turning back." She nodded and began to say: "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Mad Mind was confused by the actions, but didn't argue with them. He pulled out a roll of jet black fabric and showed it to Rarity. She looked at it in awe. "What kind of fabric is that? I've never seen that before." She said.

Mad Mind grinned. "This, is the material you need to make this suit out of. It's called Zetex. Very strong, very durable, and, most importantly," a twisted grin came across his face. "Fireproof."

Rarity nodded in understanding. "Very well. Which suit do you need done first?" She asked. Mad Mind nodded towards the roll of Zetex. "Fight suit first. Gala suit after. I need them both done by ten p.m tonight though. Okay?" Rarity nodded. "Of course. I think I may have a few ideas... I'll get to work right now. You don't have to watch me. You may leave." Mad Mind nodded and smiled. "Thank you Rarity. Remember! Tell, no pony about this!" He said before turning out of the room. Rarity sighed. 'I dread the thought of what Mad Mind plans on doing to those changelings...'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


'Let's try this one last time...'
'It didn't work the other times! Face it: the spell that converts our energy into something else doesn't work.'
'Then I see no harm in trying it again.'

Mad Mind sighed and focused. This spell was a tricky one; instead of focusing on anything in particular, he had to focus on his own source of energy and alter it's effect to allow him to absorb energy from another thing. Yes, it is as hard as it sounds.

He suddenly felt the small tingle in his head as his magic found the power source. He then began to tinker with it, changing it from being capable of absorbing energy from enemy magic, oxygen intake, the amount of blood in his veins, the list literally went on forever. One caught his attention: music. Mad Mind grinned.

'Hey Mania! If a song is constantly playing, that means I'll just receive unlimited energy for as long as the song is playing, right?'
'One way to find out.'

Now was the hard part: he needed to change how his power came in entirely, which left him with very little time to use his new power supply for new energy, or else he would black out and, eventually, die, considering this kind of magic has never been used before.

He quickly switched it and felt power slowly drain from him. Now that he was no longer taking in a constant flow, he slowly began to lose his available power.

'Play a song before you die, dammit!'

Mad Mind quickly brought his guitar over to him and began to play. He felt the song quickly rejuvenating his magical energy, the vibrations of the instrument giving him more and more power.
He grinned.

'It works!'
'Finally! Now, we need to quickly re-route your energy source back to the passage of time.'

Mad Mind dropped the guitar and felt the feeling of his energy receding. He quickly cast the spell again and felt the familiar tingle and changed his energy source back to time.

He relaxed as he felt himself gain energy from time again.

'Hey Mania? I have a constant flow of time don't I? Why don't I have infinite power from that?'
'Well... Time need's time in order for it to convert into energy. You'll be gaining a more constant flow of energy from something like music and the energy will convert more quickly. Does that make sense?'
'Kind of.'

Mad Mind shook his head as he heard the sound of somepony knocking on his door. He answered it and was greeted with the familiar face of Bright Light. "Hey, Brighty." He said with a smile. Bright Light had gotten used to Mad Mind being her father and the nicknames that he had given her. She smiled back. "Hey dad. Can I come in for a sec?" She asked politely. Mad Mind obliged and let her in. She hopped up onto his bed.

"I heard that you were on a raid with the guards to go and see if there were changelings in that house...?" She asked. Mad Mind raised a suspicious eyebrow. "How did you know that?" He asked. Bright Light giggled. "The guards don't pay attention to who's around when they start gossiping. But, I didn't know about this. You didn't tell me." She said. Mad Mind sighed. "Alright. Bright Light, look, I didn't want you to find out about what I was doing because I didn't want you getting afraid. I didn't want anypony try to stop me or slow me down from performing my duty. You understand?" Bright Light nodded in confirmation. "Yeah. I get it. Just, promise me one thing," she looked up at him with pleading eye's. "Don't go on any more of these... Missions. I've been around in Canterlot longer than you have. I've seen what happened at the royal wedding. I know what changelings are capable of. I don't want you getting hurt or worst... You're somepony I don't want to see get hurt. Please, promise me that you won't do any more of these missions." She begged.

Mad Mind was on the verge of panicking. His daughter trusted him, she was an important factor to his life, but he had to lie to her as well at this point; if he didn't go on the last mission, Shining Armour would be left to the dog's and the changelings would have an advantage when the war came. He smiled. "I promise. I won't do any of these missions. For you." He vowed. Mad Mind felt his heart warm when she got up and gave him a hug. "Thank you. I just don't want you getting hurt." She said. She finally, trotted out of Mad Mind's room and closed the door.

Mad Mind's expression fell as he looked down at his hooves and sighed.

'What the hell have I gotten myself into?'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind sat upon his bed. Waiting. For what? Ten p.m. It was nearing the time now as the clock ticked on and on like an endless metronome. He sighed. Tonight was going to be a very busy, complicated and confusing night. He had to, first, head over to the camp and kill the changelings. Then, come back in time for the gala and break in to it, and had to do all of this without becoming hurt in any shape or form or Bright Light would become suspicious.

'This is gonna be tough...'
'It could be... Or, you could take Celestia's advice...'
'Not go to the gala?'
'Exactly.'
'Mania, I already promised Twilight I'd be there. I can't turn back now.'
'I know. But, think about what she said! She does have a fair point; you have been slacking when it comes to becoming a god.'
'You're agreeing with Celestia!? Who's side are you on!?'
'Yours. We're both trying to help you out, but your refusing our help! How will you become a god without finding out what it means?'
'I'll find out when the time comes. Now, let's get ready. Nearly ten.'

Mad Mind got up from his bed and levitated a large duffel bag with his two suits in it. Rarity had done a good job: his gala suit was an amazing piece, the colours of red and purple embodied most of it, but it also had small patterns of gold upon it, giving it a faint glitter to it. The red and purple both were covered by plentiful gemstones: the red covered in rubies and the purple covered in amethyst. His fight suit was something that he marvelled at; after much convincing, Rarity agreed to add no design's or gemstones to it and left it rather bland, the only thing that stood out on it was the fact it was a true jet-black suit with small streaks of orange on the legs.

Mad Mind walked out of his room, careful not to disturb Bright Light who was still within her room, and began making his way to the guard barracks.

As he quickly arrived, he found Shining Armour standing out where they met for their previous raid. He smiled. "Good to see you decided to come a bit more early! I couldn't wait much either." He said. Mad Mind nodded. "Yeah. I couldn't wait either. So, do you have a plan?" Shining shook his head. "I assumed you had a plan by the way you reacted to it when I mentioned it back at the abandoned house. So, do you have a plan?" He asked. Mad Mind nodded. "I'll tell you along the way. Let's get a move-on." Mad Mind said. Shining nodded and the duo left their spot.

They quickly made their way over to the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Shining glanced at Mad Mind. "So, plan?" He asked. Mad Mind nodded. "Right. So, I heard you were capable of holding a shield over all of Canterlot, am I not mistaken?" Shining nodded in confirmation. "Well, this should be easy for you; I need you to hold a shield up around their camp site. I'll be inside the camp. I will start playing a song, on that song, that is your cue to activate the shield. Leave the rest to me." He said. The two soon arrived. They glanced over a small ridge and saw a large changeling faction consisting of maybe seventeen or eighteen changelings. Mad Mind opened his duffle bag and pulled out his fight suit. He quickly pulled it on, leaving Shining confused. "Your suits gonna get wrecked with whatever you trying to do." He whispered to him. Mad Mind grinned. "Don't worry about me. Just wait for the signal," He said, his grin was replaced by a more twisted smile. "Time to have some fun..." He said as he jumped into the clearing. Shining tried to stop him, but was too late as Mad Mind's hooves touched the ground.

Mad Mind let out a loud whistle that captured the changelings attention. Mad Mind smiled. "Well, well, well... Look what we have here," He muttered. "Listen up, I'm gonna give you a chance: leave this place now, or suffer the consequences. Your pick." He said menacingly. The changelings simply laughed at his display. "One little pony? Againssst eighteen changelingssss!? Don't make ussss laugh! You will ssstand no chance!"

Mad Mind shook his head. "Well then," He said, while casting the spell to re-direct his energy to music. "I guess you have no choice, but to suffer the consequences." He launched a small blue orb on the floor. The changelings stared at it in confusion as it began to blare out a song. On cue, a giant shield engulfed the entirety of the camp. The changelings were even more confused. Mad MInd began to feel more and more energy well up inside him.

When the bass dropped, they stood no chance.

A massive wall of flames erupted on the interior of the shield, causing a bright, orange hue to emit around the entirety of the camp. The changelings began to panic as the flames engulfed their tents. Mad Mind chuckled. The heat was nothing, thanks to his suit. He still felt full of energy as the song kept on playing. He prepared his second spell and let it rip.

A small electric field erupt around Mad Mind. This spell, was the one that made the shield lethal: Reverse Electro-magnet, was what he called it.

What it did, was it formed a field of magnetism around the caster and acted like a north face of a magnet. As opposed to the target being a south face and pulling them together, it reacted like another north face.

Which meant it started to push the changelings away from Mad Mind towards the shield.

The sound of screams filled the shield as changelings left and right flew straight into the hungry flames. Countless of them were holding onto something and hoping to not lose their grip, but failed either way. Mad Mind grinned.

'Ze screams! Of ze damned! Zey make such music!'

He let out a laugh as the last of the changelings were devoured by the hungry flames. He quickly stopped both spells and changed his energy from music, to time again. He turned off the music and the shield dissipated.

He stared at the flaming carnage he had created and couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, everybody get's one I suppose..."

Shining Armour entered the clearing and gasped. It was a flaming mess. The tents that the changelings used were no longer than piles of mere ash. Burnt changeling corpses covered the ground with small patches of what was left of their green blood. The grass of the clearing was no longer green, but a bright yellow instead. Shining stared at Mad Mind in awe. "That... Was impressive." He said. "Good job." Mad Mind chuckled, but quickly remembered something. "What time is it?" He asked Shining, urgency filled his voice. Shining looked at the moon that hung overhead. "I'd say it's about...eleven thirty. Why?" He glanced back at Mad Mind, but found an empty space instead. He looked around the clearing and saw no sign of Mad Mind. He sighed. "Guess I have to clean up this mess..." He muttered.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind quickly appeared in his room again. He quickly changed out of his combat suit and into his gala suit. He exited his room and made his way towards the sound of ponies.

He didn't exactly know where the gala was being held in the castle, but it certainly wasn't something that somepony could easily overlook. All he had to do was follow the sounds of excited ponies.

He followed the trail and kept moving down a long corridor when he stopped. Right before him, was Princess Celestia, greeting ponies at the front. A chill ran up Mad Mind's spine. He couldn't get caught! Not now!

Celestia seemed distracted at the moment, but this was the last pony in the line, he had to move now. Quickly, he raced across the hall without being detected. He continued moving towards the sound of ponies, which led him straight to a room he hadn't seen before. He cracked open the door and saw dozens and dozens of ponies.

He grinned and entered the party.

Ponies were everywhere: chatting, laughing, eating, dancing, a lot of words ending in 'ing'. Mad Mind paid no head to this as he began to look around for Twilight and her friends. He went over to a table where a few ponies in blue speed-suits were found. 

'I wouldn't exactly say 'appropriate' attire, but what do I know about fashion?'

Mad Mind smiled as he noticed Rainbow Dash, wearing a rainbow-coloured dress, was one of the ponies in this group. They were telling stories and laughing and one stallion eating a... Whole freaking pie.

'How do order sizes work here?'

He walked up to Rainbow and smiled at her. "Heya Dash." He casually said. She glanced up at him and smiled. "Hey! There's the big guy himself! Everypony, meet Mad Mind. Mad Mind, meet Spitfire and Soarin of the Wonderbolts."

'Don't ask who they are. Don't ask what they do.'

Spitfire (Who was appropriately named with golden fur and a blazing orange mane) looked up at him. "Nice to meet you! I heard a lot about you from the locals. You're the talk of the town." She said. Mad Mind smiled. "Thank you. Now, Dash, where's Twilight?" At this, Rainbows face fell. "Follow me." She said in a serious tone.

Mad Mind obliged and followed her to the far side of the room. Once there, she flashed him a glare that could kill a manticore. "What the buck are you trying to pull here!?" She spat. Mad Mind took a step back. "Woah! Dash, I just wanna find Twilight! Is that too much to ask?" Rainbow shook her head.

"Mad Mind, Twilight has been worried sick about you! You promised ten p.m. It's nearly midnight! To say she's pissed off at you is an understatement!" She snapped. Mad Mind sighed. "Okay! So I was a bit... Late. Breaking in was harder than I expected." He lied. Rainbow stared at him. She quite clearly bought his lie, but was nonetheless pissed off. "I'll take you to her. But don't expect a warm welcome!" She seethed and she turned and began to lead Mad Mind. They walked for a short while to the front of the room where Mad Mind saw Twilight in all her glory, surrounded by her friends. Ah. The welcoming comity. How delightful.'

Mad Mind approached Twilight and smiled weakly. Twilight turned to him. A few emotions flew across Twilights face; pain, happiness, anger, but, mostly anger. She walked up to him and frowned "You're late." She said flatly. Mad Mind sighed. "Yeah. I know." He muttered. Twilight shook her head. "Do you know how long I was waiting for you? Hoping you would show up? Waiting for you to come here?"

"Well, I-"
"Two hours! Mad Mind, two Celestia-damned hours! You made me feel so..." Twilights face turned from anger to sadness in a flash. "Lonely. I though I could trust you! I put my faith in hoping you would show up, but you didn't!"

Mad Mind was surprised. He had never heard Twilight swore before. "Twilight, I-" She cut him off again.

"And now, it's too late!" She pointed to ponies who began to slowly leave. "I didn't even get to dance once with you! You broke your promise Mad Mind!" Hot tears were now flowing down Twilights face. "And now, it's too late..."

Mad Mind was taken aback by Twilights emotions. He never assumed she had felt this strongly about him in the first place. He assumed that the gala was not much of a big deal to her, but to see her now...

'You done fucked it up again Mad Mind!'
'Mania, you're not helping at the moment.'
'... Alright look. As much as I hated the idea of you trying to get together with Twilight, I can't bear the sight of you being upset.'
'And?'
'I want to help.'
'Well, nothing can help me now! She's pissed off and there's no chance at this again and,-
'Who say's theres no chance? There's always a chance.'
'But, the gala's over-'
'That doesn't mean all hope is lost. Here. I'll help you.'
'Mania, I-'

Mad Mind felt the controls of his mind fall out of his grasp as Mania took over. He quickly assumed something terrible to happen, but soon found him gently helping Twilight to her hooves. Mad Mind felt a spell charge. He didn't know what it was, but he let Mania do whatever it was he planned on doing.

Suddenly, the spell was released and Mad Mind was brought back to the controls of his mind. On the stage where the band once stood, was an orange unicorn stallion. A twisted grin appeared upon the stallions face, he had a messy, orange mane and had a horn that seemed to bend towards his forehead. He levitated a few instruments up to him.

Mad Mind didn't even have to ask questions: he knew who that stallion was.

"Mania..." He muttered to himself.
He looked back down at Twilight who was still grasped in his hooves. She stared curiously at the orange stallion as he hopped onto the piano and began to play.

Twilight turned back to Mad Mind and smiled again. Mad Mind smiled back at her and began to slowly dance with her.

They danced in the empty room, the only ponies present were the five mares and Mania, who just played.

The song soon reached the guitar solo at which Twilight giggled. "Only you, Mad Mind, would pick the slow song with the guitar solo." She said. Mad Mind couldn't help but chuckle as well.

As the song drew to a close, Twilight was staring at him in... Was that, longing? She closed her eyes and began to lean towards him.

Mad Mind was hesitant. He knew that he needed to do this, Twilight deserved it after the night she had. And the time couldn't be more perfect.

Mad Mind began to lean in himself. He felt many things fly through him at that moment.

A small burn on his cheeks.
A small dopiness that seemed to linger in his brain.
And a small tingle in the back of his mind.

...Wait. A small tingle!?

Mad Mind knew this sensation. The next part of his mind was about to break free. He needed to tell Celestia. He looked back at Twilight and shook his head. "I'm sorry. Not now." He said before dashing off in a full sprint to the throne room.

The tingle evolved into a small headache, into a migraine, into the most intolerable and painful thing that existed on the planet.

He soon found the doors that led to Celestia's throne room, which he promptly burst through.

Only to find no pony sitting on that throne.

"Crap." Was the last thing Mad Mind said before passing out.
> Welcome to the Madhouse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mad Mind awoke to the sound of birds chirping. His eye's slowly drifted open as he took in his surroundings; tree's, sun, more trees, soft grass, did I mention tree's?

Mad Mind slowly got up and staggered slightly. He took in his surroundings again. He knew where he was: this was where he fought Discord. This was his mind.

He took a small step forward and nearly collapsed as a sudden pain erupted in his head. Mad Mind sat down, a hoof up to his head as he cringed in pain. He made small circles with his hoof on his temple and let out a sigh as the pain relieved itself a bit more.

Mad Mind looked around once again and noticed a familiar, disfigured, bi-pedal figure making his way towards him. Madness stood before the weakened Mad Mind, quirky grin that could not be seen by the mass of bandages that entangled his, possibly, distorted face.

Madness stood before Mad Mind. "About freaking time! I was getting bored of waiting for you to get my next henchmen. It took you so much longer than it should have! We've been trying to tell you to study, but you wouldn't even listen to us! What gives? Do you suddenly, just not care?" He asked.

Mad Mind simply groaned as the pain that wrecked it's havoc in his mind continue to run its course.

Madness chuckled. "Doesn't matter. You got Dementia, even if it did take you forever. I'd give you an award, but I think Dementia is as good an award as any. What say you?"

Mad Mind felt the pain subside little by little, but the pain was still too intense, and all the responses he could make were grunt's and moans of pain while Madness gave his little speech.

Madness shook his head. "Yeah. While the pain of getting my henchmen will always remain, Dementia is, by far, the most painful one. He's your darker side y'know. All your twisted, dark intentions are courtesy of him." Madness explained.

Mad Mind finally mustered up the ability to speak. "Doesn't Mania do... All of that already?" he asked Madness who laughed a little.

"Yeah, little, old Mania does a lot of those things. But, Dementia is better at it. Don't tell Mania I said that. Your paranoia will increase a lot more, by the way. You'll also start having, what I like to call," he paused for dramatic effect. "Hallucinations! One of my favourite things! You'll begin to see things that are not truly there! Isn't that simply grand?" Madness asked cheerfully.

Most of the pain from Dementia entering Mad Mind began to subside a lot more, allowing Mad Mind to stand up on all four hooves and meet Madness' gaze more properly. "Hallucinations? You mean, seeing shit that no one else see's? Because that doesn't freak me out in the slightest..." Mad Mind mumbled.

Madness laughed again. "That's what Dementia does! He makes you afraid of... Everything! Well, basically. He mostly makes you afraid of yourself though. Like, how you're a danger to yourself, how something, or someone, is always watching you, y'know, that stuff. He's a fun little sucker, I tell ya." he said.

Mad Mind nodded in understanding and turned his head over to a bush when he heard it rustle. From the bush, came an orange stallion that looked very familiar to Mad Mind as well.

Madness, seemingly, smiled at the approaching stallion. "Ah! Look who's here to join us! Good, old Mania. How are you my orange friend?" Madness asked Mania.

Mania bowed down to him. "Hello to you, sir." He said in an authoritative tone.

Madness waved his spider-engulfed hand at Mania. "Oh, please. Mania, you don't have to do that! This is a rather formal meeting." Madness explained.

Mania jumped up and smiled. "Oh thank Celestia! I couldn't keep up that façade for more then twenty seconds. Heya Mad Mind. What's kicking?"

Mad Mind narrowed his eyes in frustration. "What's kicking? Maybe, Dementia became a part of my brain the exact fucking moment I was about to kiss Twilight! Maybe, it has to do with the fact that my head felt like it just lit on fire and firemen with flamethrowers were trying to put it out! I don't know what's kicking Mania! All I know is that I'm pissed off as fuck at the dumb shit who disrupted a perfect moment between me and my possible, future mare-friend!" Mad Mind snapped.

Mania took a step back. "Well, that sucks." he simply said.

Mad Mind's right eye twitched. "Well that sucks?! No fucking shit it sucks! I just lost a moment I will never get back, no matter how hard I try!" Mad Mind's eye's glowed a deep, blood red in rage. Suddenly, Mad Mind let out a yelp and held a hoof up to his eye in pain.

Mania looked confused. "You okay?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Mad Mind looked at him. "No! I just popped a damn blood vessel! Well, today just get's better and better for me, now doesn't it!?" Mad Mind spat in fury.

Madness stepped between the two. "Mad Mind, calm down. You're overreacting. As for the blood vessel..." Mad Mind felt magic energy work on his face and the red in his eye's went away. "much better. Now, there is a reason why I brought you here. Y'see," he pointed a bony finger at Mania. "Dementia and Mania? Do not get along with each other. Like, at all. They commonly have turf wars and all of that fancy gang stuff."

Mad Mind frowned. "And, your point is...?"

"They fight. Often. And these fights can cause your sanity to spike dangerously low. And, not to mention the copious amounts of headaches you'll receive from it. I just wanted to warn you; you should probably rush through this part of your cutie mark. It's not pretty when you don't have Insanity with you." Madness explained.

Mad Mind looked even more confused. "What do you mean? I think I can take a few, lousy headaches. I have a lot of time." Mad Mind said confidently.

Madness grabbed Mad Mind and picked him up off the ground, forcing him to stare Madness straight in the eye. "Listen kid, I know you may think you're all-powerful and fully capable of taking on whatever is thrown your way, truth is you can. But, while you mortality is altered, your sanity is not. You are still very much as sane as a normal pony, but you only act insane from listening to Mania," Madness' eye's actually glowed red, and Mad Mind could tell it wasn't a blood vessel, "for the moment, I suggest you take my advice: get Insanity in your mind as fast as possible. If Mania and Dementia are left together for too long, your thought process will become completely annihilated. You will get something ponies call 'mad cow disease, but for ponies'. I don't know the scientific term, but all I know is that it turns your brain into a sponge," Madness held a small grin under his bloodied bandages. "And, when I join the party, I want your brain in the best condition possible. Got that?"

Have you ever stared Madness in the eye? Well, imagine staring into chaos itself. Now, imagine the feeling of it pulling you in and slowly gripping you away from reality. That's what staring into Madness felt like.

Mad Mind quickly nodded. "Yeah. Got it. Get Insanity as fast as possible, or lose all functions to my brain. Got it," he repeated.

Madness smiled. "Good," he put Mad Mind down on the ground again and patted him on the head, "good to know were on the same page. Now, I believe you have a reality you need to be in. I'll see you around." Madness said as he turned away with Mania into the deep forest, leaving Mad Mind to pass out into comforting blackness.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Beep. Beep.
'The hell is that noise?'
Beep. Beep. Beep.
'Hey, smart ass robot! Shut the buck up!'
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
'If I open my eye's, will you shut up for me?'
Beep. Beep.
'Fair enough...'

Mad Mind's eye's opened to reveal a sickening white roof. He turned his head to the right and saw more white. The strong scent of sanitizer hung in the air. Loud beep's were heard from his left, catching his attention. He was hooked up to a heart monitor. Little pulses on the lines of a screen were present as well.

Mad Mind looked down. He was lying down in a white bed. He finally knew where he was: he was in a hospital.

'Took you long enough...'
'What, to wake up or to discover I'm in a hospital?'
'Both.'
'Well... Logic? Hey man, it's been a while!'
'You kicked me out, remember?'
'Oh yeah... So why are you still here?'
'Like I said; I'm always here.'
'Dammit... Can you at least be there less than half the time?'
'I'd respond, but I need to tell you something.'
'Whatever. Continue?'
'Look: following Madness is already as bad as it is. I know a way to get you out of it! No more voices in your head, losing control of your actions or any of that! You'll be home free!'
'Well, that's simply amazing...! No.'
'No? What do you mean 'no'?'
'No' means 'no'. I'm to deep in the rabbit hole to retreat now! I mean, I've been having so much fun with Mania, and Dementia is only gonna make it more fun-'
'I beg to differ.'
'What's that mean?'
'Dementia is far past fun. You haven't been to the main central of your mind in a while, have you? It's absolute hell! Every little bit of your mind is quickly submitting to Madness and were losing communications to you! He's giving all of the power to extend your knowledge and reduce things like, your reaction time, your senses, even you feelings! You're losing more power than you're gaining!'
'Huh... I don't feel any different...'
'That's because Mania is helping distract you from the activity that's occurring in your central mind! You've been losing power and you didn't even know it!'
'Bullshit. Mania want's to just get to know me...'
'That's even more bullshit! Mania live's in your mind! He know's all about you! You're kidding yourself Mad Mind! I know how to fix this! You just need to let me in.'
'No.'
'Mad Mind...'
'No. I will not let you in, I will become a mad-god, and you will not get in my way! This is what I've dreamed of! I'm not blowing away the chance to live my dreams!'
'Fine. Die and rot you madman.'
'Ouch. Harsh, Logic. And, I can't die; god, remember?'
'That's what you think. I'll see you in hell.'

As Mad Mind's odd argument with Logic drew to a close, a unicorn in a white coat came through the door. The doctor saw Mad Mind and smiled a little. "Ah! you're awake! Good. The princess was quite afraid when she found you in the throne room and completely knocked out." He said, smile ever-present on his face.

Mad Mind smiled back. "Good to know Celestia has my back, on this one."

The doctor looked confused. "It wasn't Celestia who found you; it was princess Twilight. After you ran off, she said that she followed you to... Apologize about something, and then she found you lying on the floor unconscious." He explained.

Mad Mind's eye's went wide. "Twilight? How is she?" Mad Mind asked, concern filled in his voice.

The doctor looked away. "To put it lightly, she's a wreck. She told me you ran away right at the moment you were about to kiss. She told me that you must've ran off because you were afraid of how fast things were going. She said she hated herself for it." The doctor explained to a surprised Mad Mind.

Mad Mind gritted his teeth, rage boiling inside him. He didn't know exactly why he was mad, but he just was.

He was mad at Twilight for thinking of such bullshit, he was mad at Madness and his damnable rules and, most importantly, he was mad at himself for causing it all.

Long story short? Mad Mind, currently, hated himself for what he's done.

The doctor smiled slightly. "She is here, however. You were out for two day's, and she never left your side," he said, snapping Mad Mind out of his trance as to why he hated himself. "I think she would like to see you awake."

Mad Mind looked down at his hooves, which were now covered by white blankets, and sighed. He could either apologize to Twilight right now, but there was a higher probability that she brought her friends as well, and they were bound to give him an earful about how he was a rotten stallion and all of that. He already did feel rotten as it is, and really didn't need the moral support.

Or, the alternative, don't let Twilight in, forcing her to leave with her friends, leaving Mad Mind time to think about his current predicament, but probably leave Twilight even more upset and very much broken. And he knew this; a broken Twilight was rather hard to fix.

He weighed each option carefully. He nearly began to feel another headache beginning to form from the amount of thinking. He sat their quietly for, what felt like, hours, before finally sighing and simply saying. "Send her in."

The doctor nodded and opened the door with his magic, poking his head outside and speaking to, what Mad Mind assumed, hoped and prayed was, Twilight.

Before he could finish that thought, a blur of purple rushed through the door and landed on Mad Mind's bed.

Twilight was a wreck: her mane was spiking out in certain places and not at all tidy, she had bag's under her eyes that looked as if they could hold cinderblocks and a small stench that showed that she had not showered.

Underneath it all, Mad Mind did not care, he was just glad to see Twilight, who gave him a big smile while having tears rushing down her face at a mile a minute. She looked up at him, "I'm... I'm sorry!" She exclaimed, burying her muzzle into Mad Mind's chest. Mad Mind felt the tears fall off her face and into his fur, making it damp. She looked up and spoke, "I-I didn't know what I was doing! I was just... I didn't mean to go that far... And you..." She couldn't finish her sentence as she went right back to crying in her chest.

Mad Mind couldn't bear the sight of Twilight crying for something he had done. He put a hoof under her chin and made her look him in the eye. "Twilight, if anything, I should be the one apologizing. I remembered I needed to see Celestia for something important during that time. I didn't mean to hurt you in any way." Mad Mind explained.

"Damn straight ya'll should be apologizin'!"

Mad Mind turned his gaze to the doorway where, not to his surprise, were all of the girl's. Applejack and Rainbow Dash both had a fury in there eyes that could spark the flames of war,Rarity held almost an equal amount of anger, but a slight look of understanding upon her face, Pinkie was in between happy and sad, if that's even possible and Fluttershy... Was being Fluttershy and quietly hiding behind Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow glared at him, "Mad Mind, what you did back at the gala was not cool. You practically just ruined Twilight's night by that little stunt you pulled! She's been upset with you for... Days!" Rainbow shouted.

Mad Mind held up a hoof in defence. "Alright, firstly, Twilight is still in the room. Let's treat her as an actual being instead of an inanimate object, shall we? Secondly, can we keep the shouting to a minimum? I still have a bit of a headache." Mad Mind asked politely, causing Rainbow and Applejack to huff.

'Nice choice of words on that one.'
'Agreed.'
'Hmm? Who is...'
'DEMENTIA! GOOD TO SEE YAH, FRIEND!'
'Yes, yes. It's always a nice day to see you Mania.'
'I detect sarcasm.'
'No shit, Sherlock.'
'Well, no need to be such a downer about it! Come on! What's wrong with you today?'
'The fact that I'm stuck in this hellhole with you for the rest of eternity, that's what.'
'Ouch. Rather, harsh don't you think?'
'What I was going for.'
'Why do you have to be upset all the time!? I remember the day I made you smile...'
'That was when you slaughtered an entire village of ponies, and even then, the burden of all those ponies were heavy on me.'
'It was worth getting you to smile!'
'That's what got us killed, if I'm not mistaken.'
'Still, totally worth it!'
'Listen, Mania, could you do us all a favour and shut up you deranged psychopath?'
'Only when you start being happy.'
'I could fight you right now.'
'I don't think Mad Mind would enjoy that.'
'It'd be worth seeing you bleed.'
'Talk about unoriginal, taking my sayings and saying them in a different context.'
'Coming from the unoriginal punk who still uses fire as a way of killing.'
'Well, what do you expect me to use? Guns? They don't have those here! And, don't call me unoriginal.'
'Well, anything that isn't as unoriginal as you! Or, I guess it would make sense for an unoriginal pony to use unoriginal means of killing.'
'Stop. Calling. Me. Unoriginal.'
'What should I call you then? Idea-less? That doesn't sound as good.'
'You're asking for a rusted butter knife to the throat.'
'WHAAATT!!!?? A RUSTED BUTTER KNIFE!? IT'S THE EVENT OF A LIFETIME; MANIA DOES NOT USE FIRE, FOLKS! Oh, but, how tragic that rusted utensils are a rather crappy means of killing and disposal. And, about as unoriginal as fire and Mania.'
'SHUT THE FUCK UP!'
WHAM!

Mad Mind flinched as he felt the impact of the punch inside of him. Rainbow and Applejack were probably droning on about something, but it didn't matter to him; he was just concerned about keeping those two from full out war.

Rainbow flew right in front of Mad Mind, Mad Mind noticed Twilight had finally got off of his bed and was standing with the girls, dry tears staining her face still. "Hey! Were you listening to us at all!?" Rainbow asked, an angered expression strewn across her face.

Mad Mind shook his head. "Nope. What was it?" He asked.

Rainbow face-hoofed. "How can you space out that much? It's almost as if there are ponies in your head you can listen to!" She exclaimed with a sigh.

'You'd be surprised Mrs. Dash...'
'Who said you could speak Dementia!?'
'Will the two of you shut up!? I'm trying to listen!'

Mad Mind shrugged, the logical answer, causing Dash to face-hoof. "Okay, listen carefully..."

'What's she droning on about?'
'I'm trying to listen here! Don't ask me that question when I want to know what she's saying!'
'Yeah Mania, geez...'
'Y'know Dementia, you're a bigger dick than I remembered.'
'And you're a bigger unoriginal, idiotic psycho than I remembered.'
'Trust me, you'll want to stop calling me unoriginal.'
'Why should I trust the guy who killed me once?'
'Because, if you keep calling me unoriginal, I'll kill you again.'
'It'll be worth it.'
'Wanna have a second opinion about that?'
'Not really.'
'Will the two of you shut up already!? Damn...'

"... You got that?" Rainbow finished. Mad Mind had no clue what Dash had said, but nodded in answer. She smirked. "Good. Glad we straightened that out." She made her way to the rest of the girls. 

Pinkie hopped up to him. "Hey Maddy! How are yah!?" She asked, full of energy. (The usual Pinkie.)

Mad Mind smiled. "I've been better Pink's. I'm just... Tired. Is all." Mad Mind lied.

Pinkie nodded in understanding. "Okie dokie lokie! I'm gonna make you some 'Get Well Soon' Cupcakes with those ponies in the castle kitchen! *GASP*! Do you think it's true that Celestia has a bottomless bag of sugar!? I heard rumours from somewhere that she did, and now I can find out!!" Pinkie made a dash for the door, but stopped and turned around mid-gallop, "oh, and Maddy, don't forget: those voices can kill you! Better hurry along!" On that, she charged back outside.

Mad Mind's jaw dropped and his eyebrows were raised in a mix of shock and surprise.

'How did she...?'
'It's Pinkie Pie. Your argument is invalid.'
'That was... Complete mind-fuck.'

Twilight stepped up next, somehow completely ignoring what Pinkie Pie had just said. "Mad Mind, look I-" Mad Mind held up his hoof.

"I know Twilight. You're sorry. I understand. But, it wasn't your fault as much as it was mine. Stop beating yourself up over it." Mad Mind said with a smile.

Twilight smiled back. "Okay. But, the doctors told me that you're going to be in the hospital for a while. So, I brought you something to do while you're here!" She exclaimed gleefully.

'Twenty bits says it's a book.'

Twilight used her magic and made a familiar, old book appear before Mad Mind. The old yellow cover and stock-piled dust from before time gave it away: Fact's and Truth's About Immortals.

Mad Mind looked back at Twilight and smiled. "Thanks Twi. I never got to finish this. It'll be good to learn more about the subject..."

Twilight looked confused. "Celestia told me to bring that to you, and I got curious; you were an alicorn all your life, right? Why do you need to learn more about this subject?" She questioned.

Mad Mind gave her a deadpanned expression. "I didn't know how to use magic a while ago Twi. What makes you think I know anything behind alicorns and immortality?" Mad Mind responded, cracking open the book and revealing the aged, frail yellow pages.

Twilight nodded and glanced down at her hooves. "Oh. R-right. Stupid question," she glanced up at the clock that Mad Mind never knew was there, "look at the time! I need to head out. Get better soon Mad Mind!" She exclaimed as she rushed out the door.

Mad Mind looked confused. "That... Was odd..." Mad Mind stated.

Rarity stepped forward. "Well, Twilight still feels bad about that moment when you two became enemies... It's still a rather touchy subject." She explained, causing Mad Mind to close the book and place it on his lap.

Mad Mind nodded. "Oh... Well, look's like I keep screwing things up now don't I?" Mad Mind said with a sigh.

Rainbow looked as if she was about to say some witty response, but a quick glare from Rarity stopped her. "Well darling, nopony can do everything right. Thing's will look up for you soon, just wait." She explained.

Mad Mind smiled. Rarity's words actually helped him feel better. "Thanks Rare's. I needed that." He said sounding much happier.

Rarity nodded. "Well, a little inspiration can go a long way. I need to go, however; even on vacation I can't catch a break." She said with a sigh.

Mad Mind smiled. "No rest for the wicked, I suppose. I'll see you later." He gave a little salute/wave combination as she left, causing her to smile.

Rainbow left as well, either because she was bored or she already said what she wanted to say, Mad Mind couldn't tell. But, she did whisper something to Applejack as said orange earth pony made her way up to him.

"Listen Mad Mahnd: Ah feel bad fer yah and hope yah get better, but yah don't understand: Twah really likes yah, and yer treaten' her without any respect! Ah-" Mad Mind quickly cut her off.

"I treat Twi without any respect? I respect Twilight in a great deal! She's smart, fun and friendly and I feel honoured that she fell for me as opposed to any other pony. And, all of you seem to have forgotten this but, I wasn't supposed to be at the gala! The very fact that I even bothered to break in should show you that I care about her!" Mad Mind ranted.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "But, you were late fer that. It shows you care less. And-" Mad Mind cut her off for a second time.

"At least I bothered to show up at all! At least I got in one dance with her! I care for Twilight deeply, and there's no way you, or anypony, can deny that." Applejack looked like she was about to say something else, but Mad Mind beat her to it. "I don't want to hear it. Get out. Now." He seethed, causing Applejack to recede and leave the room.

That left Mad Mind alone in the room with only Fluttershy who was trying to stay hidden behind her friends, who she failed to notice have all left.

Mad Mind cleared his throat, startling the butter yellow pegasus and letting her emit a yelp in both surprise and fear. She quickly turned around to see a rather impatient Mad Mind who simply said, "yes?"

Fluttershy tried to find something to say, but couldn't and quickly darted out of the room, after her friends, slamming the door behind her.

Mad Mind laughed at her reaction and sighed as he relaxed in his bed.

'Alone at last…'
'Why do people hate being alone so much? The brain works so much better when it's alone.'
'You're never truly alone though.'
'Well, yeah, I know I'm never alone Dementia: I have you guys.'
'Not my point. You don't understand, do you? Everyponys a spy.'
'Team Fortress Two much?'
'That wasn't supposed to be a reference.'
'You just made one. Congratu-freaking-lations. What were you trying to say again?'
'They can see you; they're everywhere.'
'Who's everywhere? Who are you talking about Dementia?'
'You never know. You just know they're there. They will spy on you, learn about you, maybe kill you.'
'Who would kill me?'
'Lot's of ponies would. From your social status? You have many enemies that you know nothing about, but they know everything about you.'
'…Okay then. Well, interesting conversation. I'm just gonna… Read now… Bye-bye.'
'THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!'

As Mad Mind closed the conversation faster than Rainbow on crack, he opened his book and, suddenly, noticed a small piece of paper slip out of the front of the book and land on his lap. Mad Mind stared at the small, folded piece of paper for a moment. It obviously wasn't a piece of paper from the book; it was in much better condition. Mad Mind's curiosity got the better of him as he unfolded the piece of paper and found a small message written in elegant cursive. He began to read.

Dear Mad Mind.
If you are reading this, I apologize I could not see you in person today. The threat of changelings grow stronger with each passing day and we must prepare as best we can, which has left my hooves full with countless duties. I need you prepared for this battle as well, more than just physically, but mentally as well. When you get out of the hospital, I will personally teach you more and more about magic. For now, there is a specific chapter in that very book that you must read and understand. It is very important if we do enter a war with changelings and dragons. Read chapter four and you will understand what I mean.
Get well soon, and good luck.
Princess Celestia.

Mad Mind brought the book back up and flipped to chapter four. He stopped and read the title of the chapter:


Godly Artifacts


Mad Mind began to read, intrigued by the topic.

Godly artifacts are a special kind of magical item; these items are capable of being vessels for carrying a gods 'life force'.

God's have been using this trick for ages: binding their very souls to items. It's a way that immortals can stay immortal without the constant threat of death (although god's don't truly die… See chapter six for details). It's quite simple, actually: only a god-like being is capable of performing such a spell, although. All they need is a simple object, it can be anything from a rock, to a bed or even another living thing, and cast the spell onto it. While using a lot of their energy, the caster is now only susceptible to harm through the item that they have bind themselves with.

Mad Mind stopped reading there. A grin had spread across his face from the useful info. Celestia wanted him to have a godly artifact so, when war came, he would be almost invincible. Truly immortal.

'Godly artifact? Seems legit.'
'What would we use?'
'Well… Something that we keep close to us, obviously… But something nopony will expect…'
'This will be interesting…'
'… Hey, a small, mysterious box left on a chair!'
'Where?'
'…On the chair… Dumbass.'
'Don't have to be a dick about it...'

Mad Mind glanced over at said chars and noticed there was, indeed, a small box, resting on the chair. Mad Mind levitated the box to him. It was small and yellow with a bright red bow wrapped upon it. Mad Mind gave the box a suspicious look.

'What's the verdict? Open or close?'
'Open it! Duhh! You know you want to!'
'Fair poi-'
'NO! It might be a trap!'
'Dementia, I doubt that it's a trap.'
'How would you know? You haven't opened the box.'
'… That's true…'
'You're not actually listening to the depressed guy are ya? He's an idiot! He knows nothing! Open the box!'
'I'll make you eat those words with a rusted machete!'
'How would you feed me with a rusted machete? Forks are for feeding. Machetes are for stabbing. Rusted machetes are useless.'
'Like you.'
'Woah! Calm dow-'
'Stay out of this Mad Mind.'
'Guy's, don't fight…'
'Then I'll just have to use this machete properly…'
'DEMENTIA! STOP!'

It was too late. A searing pain made itself known within Mad Mind's mind, causing him to bring his hooves to his head and grit his teeth.

'Hold still you colourful, psychotic shit head!'
'Make me.'

Another slash made Mad Mind yelp in pain as he felt the "machete" enter and exit through a piece of his mind. How he could feel his mind? He wasn't sure, but it didn't help his case.

'ENOUGH OF THIS! HOLD STILL!'
'What makes you think I'll hold still and let you kill me?'
'Fine… I'll stop fighting…'
'Oh thank Celestia…!'
'…And start shooting!'
'Oh my! Nice mini gun! Where'd you get it!?'
'You'll find out once your dead…'
'Well, I think I can live without it, if you put it that way…'
'Well, shi-'

Mad Mind screeched as the "mini gun" began to wreck it's havoc within Mad Mind, dozens and dozens of "bullet's" ripped holes in his imaginary landscape. The pain was almost unbearable, as he held his head with more force in hopes of stopping Dementia.

'Why won't you die!?'
'I'm a ninja. I don't have time to be still.'
'Dodge this you piece of-'
'ENOUGH!'

Mad Mind's mind went silent and the feeling of more bullets riddling his mind ceased. The pain of the machete cuts and the other bullet holes, however, remained, leaving a migraine that could kill any normal pony. Thankfully, Mad Mind wasn't normal.

'This is bullshit! You slashed me and riddled my mind with bullets over a box! A bucking, shitty box! Do you know how childish that sounds!?'
'Not very childish, considering we were using guns-'
'BESIDES THE MOTHER FUCKING GUNS! BESIDES THE DAMNABLE MACHETE! THE ARGUMENT! THE FIGHT! THE REASON! ALL CHILDISH!'
'Sorry…'
'You're sorry? You think, that shooting up my mind and slashing is worthy of only a sorry!? THE TWO OF YOU! BACK OF MY MIND! THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFE! HAUL YOUR ASSES!'
'But-'
'No but's! No bullshit. You. Back of my mind. Not a peep. Go. Now.'
'Fine…'
'I'm going to open this box! I'm going to find out what's inside! If any of you have a problem with that, than please press one and hope for a reasonable death.'

Mad Mind glanced down at the box again. The small, yellow container stared up at him. Mad Mind removed the bright ribbon and pulled off the top.

Inside the box, was a locket. A small dragon imprinted on a circle made of pure silver. Mad Mind raised his eyebrows in surprise as he gently levitated the locket out of the box to reveal a long chain dangling behind it. Mad Mind searched the locket and found a small button. He tapped it and the locket opened to reveal a small picture of Twilight, smiling in her gala dress.

Mad Mind smiled at the picture before closing it with a snap! and placing it around his neck. It dangled to his chest and felt cold when it touched his fur. Mad Mind checked the box again and noticed a small folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and began reading the words in a printing that seemed oddly similar to Celestia's.

Dear Mad Mind.
If you're reading this, than I'd like to firstly say; I'm sorry. I didn't know you weren't ready for a kiss and I made you feel uncomfortable. I know you have a tendency to hold grudges on other ponies, especially me, but I beg for your forgiveness and hope you find it in your heart to realize I understand what I did was wrong to you. I planned on giving you this locket after our dance so you would understand how much… You mean to me. I hope you understand what I mean when I say that, and I hope you get out of the hospital soon.
With deepest apologies,
Twilight Sparkle.

Mad Mind folded the letter and sighed. Twilight sure did beat herself up over things, didn't she? That was the one, and only, thing she disliked about her: she blames herself for most bad things that happened.

Mad Mind put the letter back in the box and stretched. His migraine had ebbed away into a simple headache and his bottom-left leg had fallen asleep. He stared back down at his silver, dragon locket. He looked back at the old, yellow book, and back to his necklace. An idea began to form in his head and a sinister smile spread across his face.

'I have an idea for my godly artifact...'


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Mad Mind began his trot back to the castle. The doctors had to run a few tests on him, physicals and all of that, to make sure he was still a healthy pony. He only failed one part of the exam, and that was his mental health.

He shuddered at the thought of that part of the exam. It was not as pretty as he had expected it to be…

'"Oh dear."

Mad Mind looked up at the doctor in confusion. "Something wrong, doctor?" He asked curiously.

The doctor turned to face Mad Mind. "Mr. Mad Mind, it appears that you are, to put it lightly, mentally incapable." He explained.

Mad Mind narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked, his voice mixed between his normal voice and a dark growl.

The doctor flinched. "W-well, to keep this simple, you're insane! You hear voices, see things that are non-existent and you seem to thrive at the sight of killing ponies!" The doctor shuddered. "You are mentally unstable, and a threat to pony kind. I'm sorry, but we have no choice but to send you to an asylum." The doctor finished, a frightful look strewn across his face.

Mad Mind gritted his teeth. "An asylum? A lonnie-bin? A madhouse? Not a chance in Tartarus will I ever go to one of those!" Mad Mind growled at the doctor, who took a step back in fright.

"M-Mr. Mad Mind, you don't understand; y-you don't have a s-say in this. Y-you must go to an asylum! It's your b-best bet." The doctor stammered.

Mad Mind hopped out of his bed and walked towards the doctor, much like a lion stalking it's prey, readying for the kill. "My best bet," he spat in a cold voice, "is to carry on with my life and pretend that this part of the exam I passed with flying colours. How's that sound, doc?"

The doctor was now backed up to the wall. "I-I can't do that! That's lying! I need to give a truthful response to the head doctors, or else I'll lose my job! I'm sorry, but I have to send this to the office the way it's written." He said boldly.

Mad Mind looked at his hooves. He knew this doctor wasn't going to budge. He needed to get out of here without a strait jacket on, or else he would be incapable of learning anything and not get insanity in his mind fast enough.

Mad Mind's eye's seemed to glow a sinister red. "So be it." Mad Mind growled.

Mad Mind glanced at the roof and saw a sprinkler on the roof, no doubt for emergency fire's. In Mad Mind's case, this would qualify as an emergency.

The doctor bolted for the door, but found it locked. He turned back in fright to Mad Mind, who was now emitting a small plume of smoke from his horn.

Quick as a wink, the alarm went off and the sprinkler system was on, drenching both Mad Mind and the doctor. The papers, however, remained dry, thanks to a spell cast by Mad Mind.

Mad Mind quickly brought the papers over to him and changed them from an "F" to an "A" in mental health and walked out of the room, quickly shutting the door and locking it behind him, leaving the doctor inside.

The doctor screamed and banged on the door, but Mad Mind cast another spell that completely sealed the cracks in the door and allowed no water to escape.

Then, he broke the head of the sprinkler, allowing a large, steady flow of water into the room. The doctor was panicking as water flooded into the room at a steady pace, slowly filling it faster and faster. He tried to open the window, but that too was locked.

Mad Mind walked away with the papers from the flooding room. He handed the papers in to the ponies at the front desk. "These are Mad Mind's exams." He simply said. 

The secretary took the papers and looked suspiciously at the soggy Mad Mind. "Was it raining where you've been?" She asked.

Mad Mind laughed, water dripping off his coat. "You could say that…"

Mad Mind wasn't sure wether or not the doctor got out alive or not, but he'd find out tomorrow in the newspaper. That would be an interesting article; 'Doctor drowns in hospital'.

Mad Mind chuckled at the thought. In all honesty, he never thought that killing a pony could be so much fun. Killing them bluntly was decent, but with a creative way like back at the hospital… That was true entertainment.

He pushed those thoughts out of his head as he was greeted by a crowd of ponies that stood before him. Mad Mind sighed. He couldn't go anywhere without drawing attention, now could he? He didn't have time for these ponies. He quickly shoved through the crowd, rushing to get to the castle. He was almost at the end of the crowd when, suddenly, his hoof stopped. He glanced down to see a small, brown pegasus colt before him.

This colt made Mad Mind smile; he had a curly jet-black mane and tail and a brown coat. Upon his head was a small top hat and a pair of sunglasses on his face. The colt beamed at Mad Mind. "Hiya!" He said cheerfully.

Mad Mind laughed. "Hello to you too, young one. And who might you be…?" 

The colt smiled even wider. "My name is Saul Coltson! Most ponies just call me Slash though. It's a better name." He said.

Mad Mind's eye's went wide in surprise. "So, Slash… Why did you want to meet me?" Mad Mind asked, already knowing the answer.

Slash shuffled his hooves. "I heard you had an instrument called a 'guitar'. I never heard of it and I was curious. I was wondering… Ifyoucouldteachmehowtoplayit!?" He asked/screamed.

Mad Mind laughed. "My friend, I'm sorry. I don't have enough time to teach you. I'm busy with everything that's happening at Canterlot castle and Celestia can be quite the pain in the flank," this got a small laugh out of the spectators, "but, if you believe that this is what you want to do, I'll be more than happy to give you a guitar." Mad Mind said with a smile.

Slash gasped. "Really!? Thank you sooo much! I just felt this was my calling! Maybe my destiny was to play a guitar! Maybe I'll get my cutie mark for it!" He exclaimed with pride.

Mad Mind summoned his acoustic guitar from his room. Now that he had his electric guitar, he wouldn't really need it. It quickly appeared and slowly levitated down into Slash's hooves. Slash grinned. "Now I just need to learn how to play it…" He said.

Mad Mind brought himself to Slash's height. "I wouldn't worry about it. You said that it's your calling right? What you think you were destined to do? Then it should just come naturally to you. Trust me; I know you can do it." Mad Mind said.

Slash lit up. "You think!?" He exclaimed.

Mad Mind nodded. "Absolutely. Maybe you can become lead guitar for Gun's N' Roseluck! You never know." Mad Mind said with a smile.

Slash thanked Mad Mind one more time and ran off, instrument on his back. Mad Mind quickly moved along towards the castle, laughing within himself, knowing that he met a celebrity. Sorry, future celebrity.

Mad Mind entered the castle and soon found his way to the throne room. He opened the grand, wooden doors and found Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both inside the room. They both looked up and gave him a warm smile. Celestia spoke first. "Hello, Mad Mind. It is nice to see that you're alright. Were your exams any trouble…?" She asked in a curious tone.

Mad Mind shook his head. "Nope. Passed all the test's with flying colours," he approached Celestia, "Why would you ask?"

Celestia seemed a bit nervous. "Umm… I was just concerned about your health Mad Mind. I wouldn't want to see you hurt now." She said, biting her lower lip as she finished.

Luna decided to add in her input. "Yes! We would not like there to be anything wrong with you. My sister seemed rather unnerved about your mental health," Celestia was now mouthing to Luna to stop talking, but she continued, "and how you tend to enjoy killing which my sister said met the qualifications of a homicidal maniac…"

"Luna, you can stop now…"

"We were wondering wether or not you'd come back to the castle, because the doctors would maybe think you were crazy and send you to one of those… Asylums, were they called?"

"Luna, that's enough."

"Well, if the doctors consider you mentally stable, than you're fit to live in the castle. I mean, we wouldn't want a twisted mad pony that kills for pleasure in our ranks-"

"LUNA! ENOUGH!"

Mad Mind was staring in utter confusion at Luna, surprised that she ranted about that sort of thing. Celetia, was red-faced and had a rage of one thousand sun's. Luna, held a hoof up to her mouth, realizing she let it run without thinking. "Oops." Luna meeped, her sister glaring down at her in fury.

"We'll talk about this later, Luna." Celestia seethed, causing Luna to flinch like she was hit with a poison dart, and not a fast acting poison either.

Celestia turned her gaze back to Mad Mind, closed her eyes and bowed her head. "I'm sorry you had to hear that Mad Mind. Luna can sometimes… Run her mouth. She has spent too much time with Ms. Pie and picked up some nasty habits in the process." She apologized.

When she opened her eyes again, Mad Mind was on the floor laughing. He was clutching his sides, rolling around, laughing his flank off.

Celestia and Luna both bore expressions of utter confusion as Mad Mind laughed. After about a good five minutes of laughing, Mad Mind got up and sighed. "Wow, I needed that." He said, a smile strewn across his face.

Celestia raised her eyebrow. "Mad Mind, why were you laughing…?" She asked.

Mad Mind let out one more quick chuckle before responding. "I dunno. I just thought it was funny. Anywho, yes Luna, the doctors said that I am mentally stable, thank you very much. And Celestia, I believe we need to discuss something. About an 'artifact'?" Mad Mind questioned with a quick wink at the end.

Celestia got the message and turned to Luna. "Lulu, can you give Mad Mind and I a moment please? We need to discuss something." 

Luna looked rather confused, but nodded nonetheless. "Of course dear sister. I'll get out of your mane." She said and quickly teleported out of the room

Celestia turned her gaze to Mad Mind. "Right. So you have received my message in the book?" Mad Mind nodded in conformation, "excellent. Now, I believe you should tell me what you've used for your artifact, for defence and all that."

Mad Mind shook his head. "No. I want to keep the item a secret for now, even from you." He said.

Celestia looked just as confused as Luna beforehand. "Mad Mind, I can keep a secret; especially one that involves your life," she glanced down at Mad Mind and saw a silver locket dangling from his neck, "although I can assume what it is right now…" She added.

Mad Mind glanced down at the locket and back at Celestia. "The locket? Umm… Well, you see…" He leaned in next to Celestia and whispered a few things to her.

Celestia nodded in approval as Mad Mind pulled his head away from her ear. "Wow… You really put some thought into what you wanted Mad Mind." She complimented.

Mad Ming grinned. "Well, I needed a secure, fool-proof way to keep an item with my life force alive, and I believe that will do." He said.

Celestia's smile soon turned into a frown. "Now, about that locket, my student isn't the best at hiding things from me; I know she planned on giving it to you after your dance at the gala."

Mad Mind gulped. "Well, umm, y'see…"

Celestia leaned forward, hints of anger in her eyes. "Mad Mind, I know you went to the gala. You can't fool me: I've dealt with one thousand years worth of liars, thieves and a few assassins before you. Despite the fact I clearly told you to not go, you went anyway. Mad Mind, do you know what this shows me?" She asked.

Mad Mind bit his lip. "You're… Good at hide-and-seek?" He asked. Wrong answer.

Celestia huffed. "It shows me that you're careless. You don't care about your destiny of becoming a god or anything, you just want to breeze through it like a leaf in the wind. I expected great things from you Mad Mind, and you're beginning to disappoint me, greatly." She seethed.

Mad Mind turned, revealing his cutie mark that held a third part of the circle: jet black and written in deep purple, the letter 'D'. "I've made progress princess, you just haven't asked." Mad Mind said, smirk present on his face.

Celestia smiled and leaned back into her throne. "Look's like I misjudged you Mad Mind. I apologize. But, I feel that I must punish you for disobeying me," her smile quickly turning into a frown, "Mad Mind, this is for your own good; you are not allowed to leave the premises of this castle for the next week. I will have guards keep an eye on you and if you do leave, I'll add an additional two weeks," Celestia leaned in close, "are we clear?"

Mad Mind's jaw dropped at this. "Not allowed to leave the castle? So I can't go anywhere in Canterlot? For a week? This is gonna be the most boring week of my life! Can we make it a business week? Please?" Mad Mind begged.

Celestia didn't budge. "No. Seven days. I'm sorry, but you must understand that actions have consequences, and you have been careless about your actions. Seven days. I will have a set of guards patrol your every movement throughout the castle."

Mad Mind groaned. "Fine," he turned around to the large doors and began to make his way out. "Look's like I can't succeed at anything without ponies getting pissed at me…" He muttered as he exited the throne room.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Madness sat comfortably in a tree within Mad Mind's mental forest. He let out a small sigh as he stretched out, ready to doze off. The past few weeks were getting to him, and it had been forever since he had any real rest.

He snickered. How clueless was Mad Mind? Madness knew that this was going to be no easy task to make him a mad-god, but how could he not notice any of the bickering occurring in his mind?

The truth was; he wanted Mania and Dementia to fight. He didn't care about the state of his mind, as long as there was some left for him in the end. Mania and Dementia were simply a distraction from the main problem, and even then most ponies would be more than capable to notice something was wrong.

Madness was constantly going to Mad Mind's… What was it? Mental board room? He chuckled at this. Planning… A tool that he sometimes used, but he found rather pathetic. He constantly dropped by and began convincing those people into supporting him in his quest to make Mad Mind a god.

It was rather easy 'convincing' them to join him: join me or die, no matter how overused, is still a very useful means of tempting people to join your cause.

He had about eighty per-cent of the board room join him, and it was only a matter of time before the rest of them submitted their power to him. Then, he would have full control of Mad Minds mind, which he would need it before he discovered Insanity. The only problem was, one of them seemed rather stubborn…

Logic. He gritted his teeth at the name, wrinkling the bloodied bandages on his face. Logic was his one problem. No matter how good of an argument Madness would make, no matter how convincing he sounded; Logic would have the perfect counter-argument or explain to the whole boardroom why Madness would need the things he asked for. Logic was a person he needed out of the picture. He needed logic dead. And fast, which was something he could easily do, but the consequences were rather severe.

If he did kill Logic, Mad Mind would probably notice, and if he did notice, then Madness would have to prepare for a total shit-storm heading his way. But, if he did kill Logic, that's his main enemy out of the picture, and the rest of the board room would understand how serious he is about this.

Madness put some thought into it. The pro's seemed to outweigh the con's in this situation. He nodded. He would have to kill Logic.


… Later. He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He needed to rest, for now.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Mad Mind sighed as he walked along the long corridors of Canterlot, two white guards, both encased in bright, golden armour, accompanied him to breakfast. It had been two days since Celestia gave him his punishment, and it had began to take toll on the mad-god. He was no longer allowed to explore Canterlot with Bright Light, he had to give up his promise to the local bar where he would play again, which caused a small riot, and had to give up drinking with Shining Armour, which sucked even more, considering alcohol and Bright Light were the only two ways to make Mania and Dementia shut up.

As the days went by, Mania and Dementia fought harder and grew more vicious and hateful of each other. The slightest disagreement between the two, sparked the intense flames of war between them. Mad Mind wasn't able to go through one day without a headache from the two of them fighting, which made the guards that accompanied him more and more concerned about his well-being. Even after telling them several times that he was fine, he was pretty certain that they had told Celestia more than once.

Mad Mind entered the dining hall and smiled as he noticed the girls were there alongside Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Mad Mind took his seat and the rest of the mares held their gaze upon him. Mad Mind raised an eyebrow. "Umm… Look, it's kind of rude to stare. Or have you forgotten proper manners?" He asked, a smirk making itself know on his face.

Celestia sighed. "Mad Mind, we must talk. Please, sit down." She asked.

Mad Mind raised his eyebrow. "But I am sitting, princess…"

Celestia leaned on her hooves, rubbing her head and letting out another sigh. "Sorry, Mad Mind. I'm a bit… Out of it, today. I've had a few late nights and haven't had the chance to get much rest," she returned her gaze to Mad Mind. "There is something we need to discuss though, Mad Mind." 

Mad Mind gave her a confused look. "What's there to discuss?" He asked.

His answer was in the form of a newspaper sliding down the table and to his hooves. He gave it a quick read and wasn't sure to laugh or groan.


Doctor Found Dead in Flooded Room.


Mad Mind put the paper down. "So… What does this have to do with me?" He asked curiously, obviously knowing there was probably a logical explanation behind the death.

Celestia was about to speak, but Luna interrupted her. "What does this have to do with you!? You were at that hospital on the exact same day that this doctor was discovered dead! Not only that, but this doctor was a psychotherapist! He was the only one working that day, which means he must've tested your mental health! WHAT DOESN'T THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THOU!?" She snapped at Mad Mind, who had shrunk back in his seat.

Celestia raised a hoof. "Luna. Enough." At these two words, the night princess seamlessly calmed down. Celestia turned her gaze back to Mad Mind. "What Luna has said is true, Mad Mind. With that information in mind, not to mention the very… creative means of death," Mad Mind perked up a little at this comment. "We can infer that it was you who, possibly, killed this stallion," Celestia looked very serious. "Tell us the truth Mad Mind: did you, or did you not kill this doctor?"

Mad Mind sat up and looked at his hooves. "Yeah. It was me." He admitted quietly.

If Celestia was pissed, she was doing a damn fine job of masking it. "And, tell me; why did you kill him?" She asked.

Mad Mind closed his eyes. "He said… That I didn't pass the mental health exam and that," he took a deep breath. "My best bet was to go to an asylum. And asylum is the last place I want to end up, princess. He left me with no choice; I activated the sprinklers, took the results and changed them, and sealed every little opening and drowned him. I couldn't have any witness'." Mad Mind explained.

Everypony at the table fell silent at Mad Mind's story. Celestia turned to Luna and whispered a few words that Mad Mind couldn't make out. Celestia and Luna both got up. "Twilight," Celestia began, capturing the attention of the lavender alicorn. "Can you keep an eye on Mad Mind? My sister and I need to speak in privacy."

Twilight nodded in understanding and the two royal sisters left the dining hall. Instead of eight stares, six stares were pointed to Mad Mind, who was beginning to feel a little bit uncomfortable about the whole situation; like a kid who knew he was about to get punished and was ready for the worst of it.

Rainbow spoke up first. "So… You know that Celestia might lock you in the dungeon for this one, right?" She asked.

Mad Mind turned his head to her. "I know that. But I'm-" he was cut off by Dementia's arguing.

'Oh jeez… Celestia's gonna send us to an asylum.'
'Celestia would never do that!'
'How would you know!? Maybe she planned this entire thing! She planned you would kill the doctor! Luna's in on the conspiracy too…'
'…Do you know how farfetched that sounds? Luna and Celestia would never plot against me!'
'Why wouldn't they? You're the first male alicorn in, practically, existence, you-'
'What would me being a male alicorn have to do with this?'
'Conspiracy. Maybe ponies are jealous of how many ponies achieved royal status and need to teach you a lesson-'
'Alright, Dementia, that's enough.'
'Mania, stay out of this.'
'He's feeding you bullshit Mad Mind! Why would Celestia plot against you!?'
'Maybe, it's the punishment for killing that doctor.'
'She wouldn't go that far.'
'Oh, but maybe she will! She warned you that the consequences would be severe if you did kill another pony, and now look where we are!'
'Dementia-'
'Shut up, Mania. You know I'm right.'
'No, I know that's bullshit! We're not going to an asylum!'
'Maybe I should drill the facts straight into your skull! That'd get you to listen to me!'
'Guy's, no fighting…'
'I'll see you burn first!'

Mad Mind's eyes shrank to pin-pricks as he felt intense flames roaring in his brain. He clenched his teeth and held his head in pain, making the girls give him a concerned look.

Twilight moved to Mad Mind and put a hoof on his shoulder. "Mad Mind, are you okay…?"

Mad Mind groaned as the flames intensified. "No. Not okay. Pain. Like fire. Help." Was all he was able to stutter out of his lips.

Twilight nodded and raced for the door, leaving the girls and Mad Mind alone, with Mad Mind holding his head and clenching his teeth so hard, he was surprised that they didn't crack.

Fluttershy was the first by his side, rubbing his back and trying to comfort him, but to no avail.

'Hah! Well, while fire is used often, it still get's the job done!'
'Look behind you, shit head.'
'Hmm…?'
VRRRRRRRRRR!

Mad Mind let out a yelp as Dementia pulled out a chainsaw and leapt, but missed Mania entirely and hit his brain rather hard. The girls were now beginning to panic as Dementia missed swing after swing with his chainsaw, dealing more damage to Mad Mind as opposed to Mania.

Mad Mind's vision was going fuzzy as Twilight reentered with Princess Celestia and Luna both present with looks of urgency and fear  mixed upon their faces.

Celestia turned her gaze to Mad Mind, who was holding his head in agonizing pain. She quickly rushed up to his side. "Mad Mind, are you alright-"

"UrrraaAAAAHHH! SHUT THE BUCK UP!" Mad Mind exclaimed, frightening the ponies in the room.

Celestia looked kind of offended, but held her ground. "Excuse me?"

Mad Mind's… Front knees? Elbows? He didn't have time to think about what the hell those were… But, they hit the table and he clenched his head. "They fight. They don't stop. They hurt. For no reason. Hurt me, more," Mad Mind turned his head to Celestia. "Torture. Pain. Hurts. Help. Stop. Please." Mad Mind gasped out.

Celestia looked rather surprised. She closed her eyes, and readied a spell, and did something she'd never thought she'd get the chance to do; check Mad Mind's brain.

What Celestia saw was almost incomprehensible; burning ash and blood strewn in a never-ending wasteland of destruction. The sky was pitch black with rolling clouds constantly flowing overhead and blocking out any source of natural light. And in the centre of it all, were two bipedal beings who were waging one of the most intense battles in almost her entire life. One of shot, missed, and hit Mad Min instead of the intended target.

Celestia called off the spell and was brought back to reality, where Mad Mind was still slouched in the same position. Luna looked at her sister in fright. "Dear sister, whatever shall we do?"

Celestia began thinking of options. Maybe there was a way to stop the fighting between the two inside his brain? Or maybe-

CRANG!
THUMP!

The entire room stopped as Rainbow Dash stood on the table with a steel platter in her teeth, a huge dent mark present after hitting Mad Mind in the head.

Mad Mind was out cold after that, and the room stared at Rainbow in shock.

"RAINBOW!" Twilight bellowed, "YOU COULD'VE HURT HIM!"

Rainbow Dash looked up to Twilight. "Well, did you have a better idea? If he's knocked out, than he won't feel anything, let alone whatever was happening to his brain!" She explained.

Celestia nodded. "While not the best method, it will have to do for now. Thank you, Rainbow Dash. We will take it from here."

Luna ushered the girls out of the room and returned to Celestia's side as they stood over Mad Mind's body. "What now sister?" She asked.

Celestia sighed. "We have some work to do Luna. And, when Mad Mind awakes, I know he won't be particularly fond of these decisions…"


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Mad Mind's eyes slowly opened, revealing a hazy picture of a white roof. He sat up in his bed… Wait. He checked again. White roof? And why was the bed so much smaller? He stretched out and-

…Why can't he move his fore-hooves?

Mad Mind checked himself over and gasped. A tight, white piece of clothing was strapped around him, locking his fore-hooves behind him.

He looked around the room he was in. Soft, white padding covered the walls. A steel toilet and sink were present.

Mad Mind's fuzzy brain soon pieced it all together.

This wasn't any piece of clothing; it was a strait jacket.

He was in an asylum.
> Diaries of my Madness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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...

As the God who Failed.

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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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> Meanwhile...
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"RELEASE MEEEE!!!" 

Celestia slowly backed away from the microphone to the intercom, a sad expression strewn across her face. She turned her head to Shining Armour, who stood beside her, and let out a sigh. "This is not something I wish to do. I do not want to lose such a valuable friend," she lowered her head, "again."

Shining Armour stared at her. "I understand," he agreed, "however, we cannot allow a pony to run amok and kill who he pleases. Yes, Mad Mind is my friend," he quickly turned his gaze to a screen that showed the insane stallion in his cell, thanks to an invisible camera, who was weeping over himself, "but this is for what's best. He must be taught that his actions have consequences."

Celestia raised her head and gazed at the screen. "He does raise a good point though," she stated, catching Shining Armour's attention, "while my guards may be very good at their duty of protecting and serving my little ponies, I do not think they are capable of killing beings, unless it came down to it." Celestia turned her head towards Shining, "You, on the other hoof Shining, seem to be rather capable at killing, and based off the countless things you have seen in the past, I'm not surprised. But I cannot rely off of one of my many guards, even with the Elements of Harmony, to fend off an army of changelings AND dragons. We need a pony like Mad Mind on the battlefield."

Shining nodded in agreement. "Let's all just hope that Mad Mind can recover and learn his lesson fast enough before this war."

Celestia nodded and sighed. "Yes. Let us hope."

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Celestia stood at the front doors of the shiny white doors of the mental institute. It was midday, and the sun was arched high in the sky. The birds happily chirped to one another, as a gentle breeze blew past, blowing through Celestias shimmering mane and tail, causing it to shimmer like the sun itself (and, as the ruler of the sun, this all made perfect sense.) . It was a very peaceful day in Canterlot, as ponies went about their business left and right. She smiled and made a quick glance to her left, where she saw all six element bearers, who all seemed rather eager to see Mad Mind once again.

It had been a full two weeks since Mad Mind had been locked inside the institute, and doctors have all agreed he had been making a rather quick recovery and should be ready for release in less then four days. They also said that she was welcome to drop in and say hello to Mad Mind quickly, before he had to continue undergoing treatment. She turned to the six mares. "Are you ready to see Mad Mind again?" She asked.

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Oh heck yeah! The castle has been so BORING without him," she noticed Applejack giving her a glare, "Oh, well... not that you guys or boring or anything!" She quickly added, saving herself at the last second.

Rarity smiled. "While we might have had our differences in the past, I feel I could use his company again every now and again." She agreed.

Celestia noticed Twilight was remaining quiet and simply staring at the pearly white doors of the asylum. She raised an eyebrow at her pupil. "Twilight?"

Twilight quickly shook her head, bringing her back to earth from wherever her mind had wandered off to. "Oh! Yes! Of course I'm looking forward to seeing Mad Mind again!" She said, flashing a smile.

Rainbow Dash put Twilight into a headlock. "Yeah! Of course YOU'RE looking forward to seeing him! You're probably gonna give him a BIG kiss, aren't ya, Twily?"

Twilight's face flushed crimson. "R-Rainbow! That was COMPLETELY uncalled for!"

Rainbow stuck her tongue out. "Well, it's true! You've done nothing but talk about him and how much you miss him for, what? A week?" She glanced at her friends, who all nodded in confirmation.

Celestia couldn't help but let out a small laugh as her student became completely flustered. "Alright, that's enough Rainbow Dash." She said, drawing the attention of everypony, "let's go see how our friend is doing."

As they entered the white doors, they quickly noticed something was wrong; nurses were rushing around frantically, talking with each other, a panicked look in their eyes as they rushed from place to place. The seven all glanced at each other in confusion before making their way to the front desk, where a clearly stressed and worried receptionist sat, talking to a panicked, pink mare

"Are you sure that she's safe?" The mare asked fearfully, "I mean, she's not hurt? That... psycho didn't hurt her, did he?"
The receptionist gave her an odd look. "Yes, I can assure you that she is, indeed, safe. There is no need for alarm. And, could you be so kind as to not refer to our patients with that word?" She asked politely, "It's  rather offensive."
The mare brought her front hooves on to the desk. "Well, what else am I supposed to call him!?" She yelled, causing the receptionist to back away slightly, "he straight up murdered another patient! Not only that, but he-"

Princess Celestia let out a small cough, causing the mare to turn around, and instantly bow before her. "Princess Celestia! What an honor it is to see you here." The mare said.
Celestia sighed, and cast a warm smile. "Thank you, my little pony. Now..." she turned her head to the receptionist, "did something happen here?"

The receptionist, a middle-aged earth pony mare with a brown coat and yellow eye's, gave the Monarch a sigh, "As much as I wish something DIDN'T happen," she said it with a hint of worry in her voice, "yes; something did occur in the middle of the night involving two patients, one of them dead..." the receptionist gulped, "but, I'm sure that everything will be just fi-"

"Take us to them." Celestia was no longer wearing her mother-like expression; a new expression bore across her features that displayed many emotions; anxiety, doubt, and hints of fear and anger. If something happened to Mad Mind, then she had to know immediately. She couldn't keep him here for too long; war was approaching, and she needed every able bodied pony to help fight. Especially Mad Mind, as he was a natural killer, which while frightening, would be effective on the battlefield if everything went south.

The receptionist was taken aback from the Princess' firm tone. "I apologize you're highness, but we can't allow you to enter the ward itself... there's still..." she trailed off, her fear becoming increasingly obvious, "a bit of a mess..." she finished.

Celestia was becoming increasingly infuriated by the second. This was not the time nor the place for something like this to occur. She cast a glance at the group of mares beside her, which only built up her anxiety that much more.

Rainbow Dash was standing perfectly still, a look of disbelief plastered upon her face, as if she simply couldn't believe that a murder could have taken place. Seeming to forget Mad Mind's somewhat violent nature for a moment, she simply stood there, mouth agape.

Poor Fluttershy looked almost pale white, as she cowered behind Rainbow, trembling in fear. Her wings covering over her eye's as she let out soft whimpers of terror.

Rarity, was lying upon her red couch, fainted over. This, however, was not a dramatic faint in the slightest; Celestia could see where her mane was standing on end, and her tail, normally well maintained, looked much like an old straw broom. Rarity would probably faint again at the sight of her self once she wakes.

Pinkie Pie's mane had deflated like a balloon, and a grim expression was upon her face. There wasn't a single trace of the normal, bubbly, pink pony left, as she had to sit down and actually think about what was currently happening at this point. Murder wasn't something to be taken lightly, and this put Pinkie into a state of disarray.

Applejack, much like Rainbow Dash at this point, had a look of pure shock on her face. However, she also had maintained the ability to move around and talk, which was beneficial to the final pony in the room, who looked the worst out of all of them;

Twilight Sparkle, once positively beaming before the entered the ward, was reduced to a pile of sobs and tears, as possible thoughts of what could have happened filled her mind. Celestia flinched at the sight of her prized pupil in such a state of mind. Applejack was reassuring her that the murder might not have involved Mad Mind at all, which was also a likely scenario, however a feeling deep within Twilight was telling her otherwise.

Celestia turned her gaze back to the receptionist, "I completely understand, however I feel that, since we also have a friend within this place, we should at least be able to check up on him," she said that with utmost honesty; they had come here to give Mad Mind a check up anyway, might as well use it to their advantage.

The brown mare leaned in close to the princess, "this... 'friend' you're talking about..." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "he wouldn't happen to be... the alicorn?"

Celestia tilted her head slightly, "unless there is another alicorn, I believe so. But please, tell me why you won't call Mad Mi-"

The receptionist brought a hoof to her mouth, "don't say his name!" She said in a loud whisper, her eyes as wide as dinner plates, "if the patients hear it, they'll panic, and..." she trailed off and began to fidget with her pen.

Celestia raised an eyebow, "and...?"

The mare looked back up at the Princess, "that name is considered bad luck here. The other ponies who work here... they believe that saying his name is a curse. An omen, that something bad will happen if you say his it." She turned to the rest of the mares, "hence why he's simply been labeled 'The Alicorn'."

Twilight, after hearing this, broke out of her slump and moved Applejack to the side. She strode up to the desk and put her hooves on the counter, "that's a lie!" She shouted, the aggravation clearly showing itself within her, "even though he's done some bad things, there's no way that simply saying Mad Mind's name could be considered bad luck!"

The brown earth pony met Twilight's gaze for a solid ten seconds before arising from her position behind the desk. "Very well. If you want proof of what I mean, then I guess I have no choice to show you what's he has done." She started moving quickly down the hall, the six mares and Celestia following closely, "so," Rainbow Dash was now the one to break the silence, having been too shocked to speak back in the foyer, finally finding her voice again, "is this the only reason you can come up with as to why Mad Mi-" the brown pony shot her a glare, "right, why 'The Alicorn's name is considered bad luck? Because I'm getting a feeling that you're hiding something from us as well."

The receptionist sighed, but didn't turn around, "first off, since we're in in the main part of the facility, I'd suggest exercising much more caution as to not say his name, since the other patients will panic. And, secondly, no this is not the first time something bad has occurred here. Ever since his arrival here, patients and staff alike have had nothing but terrible things happen to them. A stallion who volunteered here for a few years left only a couple of days ago because he didn't believe the rumors were true as well... that nopony's name could cause bad luck,"
she said as she turned around, "at the end of his work day, he went home and found that his home was ransacked and his child was being held hostage. It turns out that he had a bit of a gambling addiction and couldn't pay off all his bills and wounded up in some shady business... loan sharks, and all that." She turned back around, "thankfully, he managed to scrape together the bits to pay off the ransom, and after he did, his wife felt she couldn't risk being a stallion who was in that type of lifestyle, and she left him and took his son with her. And... that's what I know. He never came back after that."

The group fell silent after that story, letting it all sink in. The shear thought of something like that occurring... surely it was just a horrible coincidence? 

They turned the corner, "we're here." The receptionist said grimly.

Celestia's eyes widened. She had lived a long life, and she had seen many things in her lifetime, but this was something she did not expect at all. The entire hallway seemed to have a dramatic color shift from white to bright crimson. It coated the walls, the floor, even the ceiling was not spared the horror's of the dreaded color. Small chunks of blue fur and flesh could be seen scattered across the floor, as if torn off the back of a pony, and not with any tools, or even magic; it all looked like it was ripped out, as if forced off, but there was no sign that anypony could have damaged the flesh itself. The stench was enough to make anypony's snout curl in disgust, as the deep scent of death lingered in the air. There was also an odd feeling in the air... something that a pony wouldn't feel within these walls, especially since it was considered forbidden within the ward.

Celestia could detect faint hints of magic within the air. An unusual occurrence, especially since all patients were forced to wear magical restraints at all times, however she also knew Mad Mind's incredible power as a whole was probably more than enough to shatter a restraint. Then, her thoughts started running a mile a minute; if the chunks of flesh were of any indication, it doesn't look like it was done with magic... so why could she still detect magic in the air?

Determined to not lose her composure, Celestia turned to the receptionist, "has a body been found of the stallion?" She asked, somehow knowing the possible answer.

The mare shook her head, her face continuing to stare at the gruesome scene, as if she had seen it before but no matter how many times she looked at it, she just couldn't take her eyes off of the bloody display. "No body has been found yet. I'm also starting to think that one might not show up..." she finally managed to avert her gaze from the hall back up to the princess, "you see... it was MUCH worse earlier... I honestly think that he somehow managed to break out of the magic restraints and... 'disposed' of the body." She said it, her voice nearly breaking. Her fear was obvious now; she was sweating, and was taking shallow breaths.

Celestia looked into the brown mares eyes, "where did he dispose of the body?" She asked, her motherly tone coming out again, and letting the receptionist to manage a good, healthy breath of air before she spoke again, "t-the body..." her voice broke and she started to scream, "the body wasn't teleported or brought to another place! It wasn't incinerated, or what most ponies would consider an 'appropriate' way of disposing of a body! All we could here was the boom and... what you're looking at..." she took a deep breath as she was now crying out of fear, "is all we could find."

The realization hit the monarch like a train. This wasn't the location of a brawl, or even Mad Mind's traditional method of killing, based off what she knew. No, this was something else entirely. An approach Mad Mind had fumbled around with, yes, but...

Incinerating Changelings was one thing.

Making a pony implode... was something else altogether.

She turned away from the disgusting scene, unable to look at it any longer or think of the disturbing thoughts Mad Mind had left upon her brain. Several thoughts were running through her mind: she was mad, and disappointed in the stallion. Had he not pull a stunt like this, then he would have been released sooner rather than later, and then he could have assisted with the coming war. Had he not done this, Twilight would have been able to tolerate the thought of war, but not with this on her mind; there's only so much one pony can take, and Celestia knew that. Had he not done this, maybe... just MAYBE, the ponies could have stood a chance against the Changelings and Dragons.  While that hope wasn't lost entirely, the lacking of the insane stallion put them at a severe disadvantage.

The Monarch made an attempt to shove these thoughts aside; she currently had more pressing matters to deal with, and the many negative thoughts that swarmed her brain were not helping her case in the slightest. She needed Mad Mind out of this place as soon as possible, yet her duty as Princess forced her to have to keep him here. She could either pull him out early, and cause widespread civilian panic and possibly riots, or leave him and risk losing the battle against the Changelings and the Dragons. It was a question with no correct answer; either way, it would either cause Canterlot to crumble from the outside or the inside, no matter which option she chose.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Time. She needed time. Time to think. She desperately wished there was more of it at her disposal, but the march of war was fast approaching; she had to make the decision, and fast.

"Princess Celestia...?" A voice from behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. The voice belonging to one horrified, and trembling Twilight Sparkle. "What can we do?"

Celestia let out a sigh. She wasn't ready to make the call just yet. She'd have to sleep on it. "Come, my little ponies," she said soothingly, her motherly composure returning to her in an instant, easing some of the tension in the air. "We are leaving."

The six mares gave her a look of half shock and half confusion. "But, Celestia!" It was now Rainbow Dash's turn to intervene, her anger slowly building up, "we NEED to get Mad Mind out though! You know; war, Changelings, Dragons... remember all that? If anyone can handle this sort of battle, it's him! He NEEDS to get out!"

Applejack came to Rainbow's side, "I have t' agree with RD on this one, yer highness," she said, her voice slightly calmer than that of the others, "as gruesome as he is, Mad Mind is th' only stallion we know of who can handle this sort of situation! He'd be pretty darn useful if we pulled him out now."

Celestia gave them a look, " I understand that, and I completely agree with you two; Mad Mind must get out as soon as possible," she lowered her head, " however, imagine how the rest of the city will react; a stallion who had just murdered another pony, in cold blood, set free. The ponies will panic; riots will happen and we'll tear ourselves apart from the inside." The mares' eyes all widened as the realization hit them. "I only need a bit more time. I must think this over..." she turned her gaze to the receptionist, "thank you for assisting us today," she spoke with a gracious tone, "you have been truly helpful. We shall take our leave for now."

The receptionist returned her look, having calmed down somewhat, "w-why, thank you, Your Highness..."

And, on that note, the group of mares left, all except the receptionist, who remained behind.

The receptionist turned back to the gruesome carnage that Mad Mind had created. The large mess of blood and flesh that remained behind that was once the stallion Rushing Rain...
And she started to giggle.
Which evolved into laughter.
Which then became full on maniacal cackle that echoed ominously through the halls, and rang throughout the rest of the institute.

'Well done Mania! I've always known you were a great actor, but this far exceeded my expectations...'

The brown mare's features slowly shifter and morphed until she turned into a scrawny, orange alicorn stallion with a chaotic mess for a mane. His laughter slowly subsided as he calmed down. "Why, thank you, My Lord! I'm going to be honest with ya for a sec: I honestly thought that Celestia would be MUCH more difficult to trick!" He let out another cackle, "oh, but I was wrong! SO wrong! Bring me an easy button, because that's what it was! Totally easy!"

'And you, Dementia, deserve praise as well! We should have just blown up Rushing Rain anyway instead of incinerating him... it would have made this whole operation much easier. But, I digress; it takes REAL effort to disguise as a pool of blood!'

The large pool of blood slowly came together to reveal the sight of another alicorn, whom was slightly more muscular than his orange companion. He gave his purple coat and mane a shake, out of discomfort, "it always feels like I'm covered in the stuff after I do that," his voice was much darker than Mania's, "Not that being covered in blood is anything new to me." He let out a small laugh at that thought.

Mania turned his gaze to Dementia in shock, "did you just laugh!? You!?" Mania conjured a fan and began waving in front of his face dramatically, "oh, bring me a doctor! I think something is wrong with our dear Dementia!"

The purple pony's stare suddenly turned cold, "what! Am I not allowed to laugh every now and again? You laugh at everything, you orange punk!" Dementia, roared.

Mania let out another laugh, "Dementia; calm yo shit! I'm just playing around with ya! No need to get in a twist about it!"

Dementia growled at him, "I swear to god, I'd kill you so much more often if we weren't always sealed off in Mad Mind... damaging him is bad for Lord Madness, but damaging YOU..." he conjured a long, silver sword, "is much more enlightening, in my opinion."

The orange stallion frowned at his companion, "well! I see at least ONE OF US has their priorities in order... while the other is trying to kill the other, for enlightenment! Hmph!" A monocle and top hat appeared upon him, "good sir! I do personally believe you are, pardon my language, a little fucked up!"

Dementia's eye twitched once, and then he dashed straight for the laughing Mania, sword in his magical grip. "WE'LL SEE WHO'S FUCKED UP AFTER THIS, YOU UNORIGINAL SHIT!"

Now, it was Manias' turn to be pissed off. "Don't... call... me..." he blasted a column of flame at the purple stallion, "UNORIGINAL!!"

Madness let out a sigh as his two henchmen fought each other. Sure, that was there duty; to constantly battle amongst each other and break down their host, slowly. However, their constant bickering proved to be difficult to deal with; Madness had plans to deal with, and didn't have time for nonsense, unless his plans were accomplished; which meant nonsense for all. Dementia was cold, dark, and always fearful; Mania was his polar opposite; bright, cheery and unpredictable. Their opposing personalities meant bickering, and that meant more time wasted. He watched as Mania slowly pulled the sword out of his chest, while Dementia was healing his burnt flesh, and decided this was the best opportunity to intervene.

'Alright, that's more than enough you two! One; we're still in the same building with as many insane ponies as there are sane, so we need to watch how loud we're being. Two; Mad Mind will soon be noticing our absence; we have to move back to him immediately. We wasted enough time here as is.'

Dementia and Mania both cast one more hateful glare at each other, before bowing their heads. "Yes, my lord," they both said in unison. The two slowly arose from their positions and began to move back towards Mad Mind's cell. Mania let out a grin three steps in, "race ya there!" He shouted with a laugh to Dementia, as he raced past, galloping at full speed. The purple stallion sighed, and kept his guard up, constantly on the look out for oncoming guards, spies, nurses, and security cameras.

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Twilight was a wreck. And that was putting it lightly.

She had stayed up in her room for a full day, not coming down for meals and not letting anyone come in to visit her. Not even Spike was allowed in her room, which was incredibly unlike her.

She had her face buried in her pillow, silently screaming about Mad Mind. He was an idiot. A psychopath. A deranged stallion with voices in his head.

Yet she loved him just the same.

She pulled up her head from her pillow, revealing tear stains from where she had been crying. She couldn't cry anymore however: she had simply cried herself dry. She looked around her room; it looked exactly how it did yesterday, and the day before; clean and spotless. Not a single thing was out of place. She sighed, and looked back to her pillow. She felt like she was in a limbo; she didn't know what to do at this point, or, rather, what she should do. But, something in her mind told her she couldn't keep lying down with her face in her pillow all day and constantly be upset with herself. She got up from her bed slowly, her bones letting out small cracks as she did so, and gave another quick glance around the room, until her eyes fell upon the desk near the back of the room.

Suddenly, an idea entered her brain; she would write a letter.

To Mad Mind.

Without hesitation, she got up and hopped into the chair in front of the desk. She levitated a quill and a piece of paper in front of her and began to write.

About how the war was beginning.
About how everything was changing quickly.
About how she was... upset with him.

She quickly finished writing the letter and let out a sigh. She felt much better after writing the letter, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. In a quick flash of magic, the letter vanished to the institute's office.

As she did so, she got up out of her chair and made her way out of her door.

Everpony else was getting ready for the coming war: she had to play her part as well.

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