Taking A Break

“SWEATIIING BULLEEEEETSS!!!”

The large crowd stomped their hooves. Lights were shining down at all angles, yet it still seemed dim in the concert hall.

“Thank you. Thank you.”

  The Pegasus at the front of the stage was holding a guitar and speaking into the microphone.

  “How’s everypony doing tonight?”

The crowd cheered loudly, giving him his answer.

“Alright. So, I’m sure you all know that this is the last show we’ll be playing, for a while at least. So, for the first time since we started this band, we’re actually gonna introduce everyone.”

The pony hovered over to the griffin, who was holding the bass.

  “This here, is the King of Shadows, Lemmy Lambchops!!”

Lemmy took to the bass, playing with a unique sound, unused by most bass players.

The Crowd cheered very loudly, drowning out any chance of speaking. Pegasi were flying around as the overdriven sound of the bass took any hesitation from their bones.

“ALRIGHT!!! That was Lemmy everypony. Now, let’s bring it on over here. Bringing the magic to the stage, our unicorn, Soprina, the Queen of Light!”

As soon as the loudest roar of the cheers ceased, she turned up her keytar and started playing with great precision, incapable of most other ponies.

“YEAH!!! Alright everypony, are you ready for more?”

The ensuing cheer brought him toward the back of the stage.

“You’re gonna have to scream louder than that for me to introduce this big fella.”

The crowd then roared with enthusiasm.

“Alright, there we go! Now, allow me to introduce, all the way from Austailia, the Lord of Luminescence, our drummer, Stellor!”

The two exchanged a look.

“Aaaaand… GO!”

The drummer then took off, only using his hind legs to start off, playing a quick beat with the gear on his drum set. He then began to pick up speed, getting more intense with the cheers of the crowd.

Once she had finished, Soprina began holding a note on the keys while grabbing her guitar.

“Here we go, everypony. I am, Sonic Scream, or, better known as, the Prince of Darkness. And we are, The Royal Court!”

The drums and bass began playing soft notes, signaling the start of the song.

“My victims are rich or poor, young or old, strong or weak. I cause millions of accidents.”

Sonic Scream was quoting the spoken word opening to the song Prince of Darkness.

“I am cancer in your bones.”

The crowd began a loud cheer, finally realizing which song was being performed next. “I fathered the lie, twist what you say. Speak not the truth.”

He planted his hind hooves on the ground and spread his wings to maintain balance.

“I am insidious, impartial. Deep inside your chromosomes.”

He brought his forehooves to the guitar.

“I take what you love,”

He strummed down on the guitar.

“and leave you in tears. I imprison your soul. Your hopes are my games. I strip you of pride. My promise is in vain. While you burn at the stake, I dance in the flames. I bring poverty, sickness, and death. A worthless hoofshake, the slickest thief, I steal your wealth. I answer your prayers for greed and lust. More than evil. I laugh at your trust.”

The guitar begins to be strummed at a more steady beat.

“I am more powerful than all the armies of the world. I am more violent than violence. More deadly than death. I have destroyed more ponies than all the nation’s wars. I am relentless. Unpredictable. Waiting for your last breath.”

“Sir, you have another one on the way.”

The brown unicorn stallion looked up from his desk, fatigue written all over his face.

“Who is it going to be now?”

“Somepony from Canterlot, doctor.” The mare hovered over and left the papers on his desk. “They said they had some trouble finding his files after he was transferred, but they gave us all that they could.”

“Alright then. Thank you, Feather Quill.” The pink pony flew out the door. “Now let’s see what we’ve got going on here.”

“Sonic Scream, musician, various stress problems, and the last therapist killed himself, mentioning him in the note… wait, WHAT?!”

“Demons they follow me. Cause my insanity.”

“Thank you Manehattan! Goodnight!”

The group of ponies left the stage, went through the back hallways, and barged through the dressing room door, sprinting the whole way.

“I told you all I’d beat you here on hoof.” Sonic Scream flipped his mane out of his eyes and glared at the others.

“That’s not fair, mate.” Stellor said, sweat pouring down his face. “I had to leap over the drumset and take off, while you didn’t even take the time to put your guitar down.”

“Yeah. At least give us a fair chance.” Soprina added, shooting him a look of disgust.

“Hey, I never said you had to put down your instruments. I just kinda yelled that I’d win and took off.” He was backed into a corner, hooves held up in defense while the two were shooting glares in his direction.

“Would ya lay off ‘em?” The griffon spoke, in a raspy voice. “It’s not like it means anything, anyway. These hallways are small and he went first. He was bound to win.”

The two backed off. “It doesn’t mean he’s gotta be a prick about it.” Stellor whispered to Soprina while walking to the couch.

“Hey, I do what I want. Don’t like it, then get the hay out.” The Pegasus added with a smirk.

“So, to change subject,” Soprina gave Sonic a confused look, “can you tell us again why you’re leaving Canterlot?”

“Yeah.” Stellor added. “It’s not like you really have anywhere to go. Or any family for that matter. And what about your therapist?”

“I’ll figure all that out when it comes time. And I’m leaving because I can’t stand the prissy, stuck up lifestyle of the ponies that live in Canterlot.” He laid back on the couch and grabbed a bottle. “And besides, the hiatus is only temporary, unless we all move on to another project. And my therapist is dead. I’ll be getting a new one when I move.”

“But, why do ya have to leave after our fifth year anniversary, bro?” Lemmy had dropped down to all fours and was walking across the room to join the rest.

“I just… I need to get away from it all, ya know?”

“Not really.” Soprina said, a look of sadness on her face. “We’ve been like a family since we found you 6 years ago. We’re worried.” Tears were forming in her eyes.

“I don’t wanna see ya get hurt out there.” Stellor added.

Sonic walked up and grabbed Soprina, pulling her into a hug. “I know. And I love you guys to death,” he pulled out of the hug. “but I just want to be alone for a while. Go somewhere that nopony knows who I am and I don’t get treated differently because I’m famous. And besides, we’ll be able to visit eachother anytime. I’m not moving too far from Canterlot.”

“Where are you going, exactly?” Lemmy asked.

“I’m moving to Ponyville.”