Based 3 years on from Pegasi First, the tattered ruins of Equestria are beginning to grow back to their previous glory and Twilight's relationship with her friends is back in full flight minus Rainbow Dash, officially recorded as being deceased.
Based 3 years on from Pegasi First, the tattered ruins of Equestria are beginning to grow back to their previous glory and Twilight's relationship with her friends is back in full flight minus Rainbow Dash, officially recorded as being deceased.
The hole left by the Princesses has been filled by a new republic, a democracy from the pony states of Equestria with elected rulers.
Leads on from Pegasi First, with much of the same content warnings. It is advised that if you do not enjoy swearing, brutality and combat that you do not read this story.
After the disappearance of Rainbow Dash, Spitfire had taken swift control of Equestria, quickly striking a deal with the Griffons and bargaining peace for the people of Equestria, with the Pegasi's interests at the forefront and the other races after. Some argued that she only wanted peace for the Pegasi and would trade the freedoms of the others to do so, but other argued that she'd done a much better job than Dash, seeing Spitfire as a saviour to the people.
Swiftly after signing the deal, Spitfire led the Pegasi into the skies to rebuild Cloudsdale, declaring themselves as independent and Spitfire currently ruling the skies as Queen of Cloudsdale and the Pegasi - despite this some of their race continued to stay grounded and supporting their pony kind.
Twilight had found herself the sole ruler of the remaining ponies and the raped wasteland that Equestria had become, but swiftly brought about a democratic government system of elected officials to rule the land once run by the four princesses - no-one had anything against their previous rulers, they were mourned and continued to be mourned, a statue erected of the trio in the square of the old palace, the new parliament building. However Twilight knew she alone could not rebuild the land, and took the opportunity to give the power to the ponies, whilst maintaining some influence as the last alicorn.
The name "Rainbow Dash" was scarcely uttered anymore. The things the mare had done were unspeakable, the complete downwards spiral of both her mind and clutch on the lands had had a terrifying effect that the ponies just wanted to forget as quickly as possible. Declared dead by Spitfire, any remaining memorabilia of the ruler had been destroyed and defaced in an attempt to leave no memory of the past...
"Go back to Ponyville, find our friends and keep them safe! Fuck everyone else, just make sure you five are safe ok?! Go, keep going. Don't stop and don't look back, ok?"
"What do you mean? You're coming, right?"
Twilight groaned, rolling over in her bed. "D-dash..." she whispered, in a deep sleep riddled with nightmares
"I'll be fine Twi. I'm awesome, remember?"
Twilight yelled and sat bolt upright "NO!" She panted and took a look around her room. A thin line of light pierced the room through a crack in the curtains, the empty room dead of anything but the alicorn. Slowly, she rubbed her eyes. More and more she was getting the same nightmare. She'd tried to fight Dash's corner when it came to whether she was as evil as ponies remembered, but she had little ammunition to use - to the public she'd been a tyrannical dictator, but behind the closed doors, when the two were alone? Twilight saw glimpses of the young mare she'd become friends with, just overwhelmed with a country in peril at her hooves with invaders on the doorstep.
She shook it off and washed her face, now wasn't the time for bad thoughts. The grass at Ponyville park had regrown and the area was deemed safe to visit again, so the five of them were going to go down for a picnic and a bit of peace and quiet. She smiled and looked at the picture on the wall of her friends - all of them - and took a deep breath. Some of them had had worse experiences of the war than others, but they were still friends. Using her magic she lifted her satchels and made her way towards the park, humming away happily to herself.
She was the last to arrive, the small group already happily talking away and relaxing in the sun. The only two that had had physical wound were Fluttershy and Applejack, AJ wore a long scar down her right flank, and Shy... well, her wings were never going to grow back, but the small tufts if fur nicely covered the scars where they once were. Shy seemed happy though, and wasn't too upset if it was ever mentioned, she seemed to enjoy being an earth pony.
"Twilight!" Rarity smiled, as always her beauty was outstanding "How are you, Darling?"
Twilight smiled softly "Hello Rarity, all of you. Just fine thank you" She sat, unloading her bags "I found this yesterday, I wondered if any of you would like a copy?" She was slightly hesitant to reveal the photo, placing it in the middle of the circle of friends. It was the same photo she had on her wall of the six friends, including Dash. Twilight was genuinely curious however as to how the others saw the mare. She'd barely spoken about the Rainbow maned pegasus with the group.
The group was silent for a moment, all eyes on one member of the photo, before Fluttershy broke the silence "I would like one, please" She smiled. Of all of the mares, she had the biggest reason to despise Dash, but then again Fluttershy was too kind to hold a grudge, and the two were extremely close.
The other three remained quite silent, none of them wanting to be the next to speak. Finally, Rarity spoke up "No, thank you Twilight. I can't... You know... Customers in the boutique and so on..."
Twilight nodded. At least she'd given a valid excuse. The other two just didn't speak, answering the question with their silence. Twilight slowly nodded and put the photo away, sighing "I'm sorry I brought it up... I just... You weren't there"
The picnic was a little awkward for a few minutes, before the conversation continued and the mares discussed things that had gone on in their lives since the last meet up, they'd all been rather busy in the rebuilding effort. As it drew to a close, Twilight smiled and stood "Thank you, girls... This was great, we need to do it more often"
There was a series of murmurs and nods, before they each went on their way.
Twilight watched her friends leave, sighing to herself. She was really missing Dash. She couldn't let that get in the way of her responsibilities, however, heading to the Castle of the Two Sisters - somewhere she hadn't been for more than 3 years now, the castle overgrown and even more derelict. Waste had been left by some griffons, tins of food and the like littered the place as she walked slowly through the dark corridors and headed for the library, before stopping.
Her ears flicked. Her breathing slowed as she concentrated, using her horn to amplify the noises to her - there was definitely the sound of hoof steps coming from the top of the tower...
Slowly, the Princess made her way up the spiral staircase, stopping outside of the door. Light flickered from the crack under the door, and a shadow moved around in the small room. Twilight took a big, deep breath, calming herself as best as she could to see who was on the other side of the door, preparing her horn for a stun spell.
The door creaked as it opened, the violet mare gazing in at its inhabitant.
Rainbow Dash stood in silence for what felt like hours, before finally sighing and speaking "Twilight..." She muttered, looking at the ground.
"You're alive?!" She almost screamed, looking over the cyan mare. Her body was covered in scars, and her knee was mangled and wrapped in tight bandages "I-I... Can't believe this!" She smiled wide, pulling Dash into a long, warm embrace.
Dash flinched, not expecting the hug. It had been a couple of years since she'd last seen another pony, and three since she'd felt the touch of one. She was also expecting something else, like a hit or a flurry of insults, so the embrace was a somewhat pleasant surprise. "Aaaaand.... That makes you happy...?" She raised an eyebrow. Not even the mare herself was happy to be alive.
"Of course!" The alicorn pulled away, a smile cemented on her face, before quickly turning to a burst of rage "Why didn't you visit?! Or at least give me some sign instead of making me mourn for three years?!"
"You're a clever mare, Twilight. I'm sure you can figure out why I didn't come bounding through the streets of Ponyville and banging on your door" Even after so long she still had a vicious undertone to her voice, a patronising arrogance.
Twi sighed. Dash was right, its not as if the mare was particularly liked around here anymore. She cast her gaze from the mare and over her accommodation, the small circular room at the very top of the highest tower. The room was full of books piled up, a few empty tins of food and a handful of personal belongings. One of the only things not covered in dusk was the exact same picture Twilight had on her wall.
"So I got reading" Dash broke the silence, beginning to take a slow walk around Twi "And it turns out King Sombra was only directly responsible for 52 deaths in the time of his reign" The mare chuckled softly "How very... Interesting..." She sighed and sat down.
Twilight sat opposite her. Dash certainly wasn't herself - neither the mare that had left Ponyville all those years ago to fight for her country, or the one that had torn it apart. She seemed more of a wounded animal than a tyrannical dictator, murderer and war criminal. "Reading can be fun..." She muttered "Thank you, by the way" She muttered.
"Hmm? For what?"
"Saving my life. If it wasn't for you, Spitfire would've killed me"
Dash just laughed and shook her head "Twilight. I tore you to shreds then prevented those shreds from being burnt. Don't try to pretend I'm your saviour" She sat up, however, eyes thinning. "Is she still alive?"
"Spitfire...?" She nodded "Yeah... You got what you wanted, the Pegasi are..." She didnt want to say 'free', so decided "Independent" would be better.
Dash nodded slowly, rubbing her knee and thinking, staring blankly at the wall "Hmmm..."
"Do you wish you were still a Princess? or, at least, High Commander?"
Dash frowned again "For such a clever mare, you do ask some stupid questions"
There it was again. That harsh tone, coming out every now and then. Twilight shrugged it off however, and continued to wait for an answer.
"No, Twilight, I don't. It was too stressful, my mane was turning grey" She grinned and chuckled.
Twi chuckled back. It was strange how missing the mare for so long had made her find such a sombre topic comedic. "Hey, you're telling me? Im the one that had to clean up your mess"
Dash laughed softly, nodding. "Hmmm... So um... The others... Did they make it...?" She glanced at her photo.
Twi nodded slowly "Yeah... I mean, there are some things we wont get back, but..." They both knew what Twilight was hinting at. "You should come home"
"I can't... I don't deserve to. Ponyville is just a bad memory for me now"
"So what. You're going to stay here and rot? Alone?"
She shrugged "Maybe"
"Dash, I'm telling you. You're coming to stay with me, in the library. You can rot in there if you want but I'm not leaving you"
Dash stood, shaking her head "I can't! I've fucked everything up enough already, you're only just getting back on your hooves and you can't have me living in your house! Princess Twilight and the evil murdered Rainbow Dash, sharing a roof?! They'll have both our heads on a block!" She yelled.
Twi stood too, imposing down on the smaller pegasus "You're not evil. Look at you. As bad as it was you were doing what you thought was right, after a long and horrible war, as well as having the weight of Equestria thrown on your shoulders"
"It wasn't thrown. It was a burden a cocky little maniac thought she could handle and control. I loved it Twi, I really did. It felt so nice to take a life that I got addicted. Then griffons got boring. So I moved on to Ponies. Then ordinary ponies got boring so I killed my commander. Thats when I got really thirsty" She yelled, glaring at Twilight "So I killed the Princesses, one by one. Like snuffing a candle. When it got to you there wasn't any point. I'd had it all. You were just a pretender, a scared, little filly that just wanted to go home..." She kicked a can away and turned around, grinding her teeth together and lying in her sleeping bag, facing the wall.
Twilight stared in a stunned silence. The mare had truly snapped. She thought about just leaving, genuinely scared of the seething pegasus lying in a huddle with her back to her, but slowly approached "I forgive you Dash" She sighed "You're right. I was, am, no Princess, not like the others. I did want to go home. I cried every night. Then you came. Sure, I hated you for what you did, but at least you did something... We ate like Queens whilst the villages were starved and pillaged, they sat in their chairs as pony after pony came to us crying. You may not believe me, but you were the one that saved us, you know"
Dash took a moment before rolling over, sighing "Trust you to make me look like a hero" She smiled softly "I really missed you. I watched you, the first few months... But... I could never bring myself to look you in the eye, I don't deserve it"
"You know we can never forget what you did. But that doesn't have to define the Dash you become. Come back with me, we'll keep you hidden and introduce you one by one to the group, ok?"
She bit her lip, but nodded "Fine... As long as you're safe" She stood.
Twi hugged her tight, nuzzling her neck "Thank you, Dash"
Dash hobbled slowly through the dark streets of Ponyville, a dark cloak over her distinctive rainbow hair. Twi was alongside her, easily keeping pace. "That knees really bad, huh?"
She stopped and stared at Twi "I had a crossbow bolt fired through the bone and out the other side. Yeah, its bad"
Twi grimaced and shuddered, giving her a supporting arm and continuing to walk towards the library "What other injuries do you have?"
"Earache"
She nodded. It was a fair point. Twilight looked over the mare and couldnt help but chuckle softly "I'm so glad you're back"
Dash nodded, but stayed silent. They quickly arrived at the library, looking good after the refurbishment and headed straight in, Dash sitting down and groaning as she put her knee up. "Could I please have something to eat?" Dash asked.
Twilight tilted her head. She was surprised by the manners Dash had used to ask, she didn't possess them before the war and certainly hadn't worked on them in the military. "Yes... Sure... You must be hungry for something not out of a tin"
Dash nodded, closing her eyes "Yeah, thanks..." The walk had taken it out of her, not in the mood or with the energy to get back up again tonight. "This place is looking much better than when I last saw it... The whole town is..." she muttered, reminiscing.
"How was it the last time you saw it? And when?" She returned, carrying some pasta back to the mare and sitting beside her.
She didn't hesitate to eat, stuffing her face with the food "When the griffons invaded. I told you this, in the throne room" she sighed.
"Oh , yeah! I remember! Right before you were t..." She cut off and gulped
Dash sighed and nodded "Yes Twilight. Before I was tortured. Correct" She turned and smiled "Good food"
Twi nodded slowly. She was struggling to identify just what was going on in Dash's head. She'd expected her to get angry, or have a panic attack, but she'd acted as if it were an everyday event. "We got the place cleaned up and got rebuilding" She smiled "It was quite the state. But, with hard work we're on the way to making it what it was. Just today we opened the park again"
Dash smiled and nodded, shamelessly licking the bowl "Brilliant" She placed the bowl down, wondering just what Twilight had actually seen of the town and the destruction that it lay in. She couldn't stifle a yawn, looking at Twi and groaning.
"Oh, you're tired" She smiled "Lets go to bed..." Twi lifted Dash and escorted her to bed, combing into her large bed alongside the mare. "Sorry, only one bed..."
Dash didnt mind, she loved the feel of another pony. She couldnt get enough right now, three years in segregation and the war spent without company, having Twi to cuddle up to at night was a welcome blessing.
Dash barely slept anymore, whenever she closed her eyes all she could see was the destruction and pain she'd caused. She was going to live with that until the day she died. Twilight was fast asleep, the bigger mare spooning the smaller pegasus, her forelegs wrapped around her like a ring of steel - Dash didn't know if it was to keep her close or stop her leaving, something she had considered many a time throughout the night. The warmth and touch from Twilight did make Dash smile, however, she'd missed her friend and the soft touch of another pony.
The moon was still high in the sky, threads of light shining through the open balcony doors. The only thing going through Dash's head was how much she craved going out for a fly. She'd secluded herself in the tower for so long, too afraid to venture into the skies... She'd be easily spotted and cause too much trouble for herself... But now? Her dusty wings were itching to be stretched. She stared at the open doors, the wind brushing her mane. It was like torture, having the freedom just there for her to grasp and take, but the responsibility of not being seen pulling her back down to earth again.
"Fuck it..." She muttered, wiggling out of Twi's grip and stepping out onto the balcony, taking a lungful of air and spreading her wings, giving them a long awaited stretch, moaning gently to herself, beginning to give them a slow flap and hovering in the air. She gave herself time to get her wings back into the rhythm of carrying her weight - they certainly weren't what they once were, but her natural ability hadn't gone anywhere. Without warning, she zoomed off into the sky, dancing and rolling by herself, laughing for the first time in 3 years. She was perhaps enjoying herself too much, swishing through the streets and skies for hours before the sun began to climb into the sky, swiftly retreating back into the library.
Twi was still fast asleep, she wouldn't know for a second that Dash had left, allowing herself a chuckle as she wiggled back into Twilights grasp and closed her eyes, relaxing.
Twilight hummed softly to herself, managing several frying pans at once. She'd left Dash in bed upstairs and had decided to make her friend breakfast, anything she could do to make her happy and feel at home she would - hence the breakfast. She lifted her head, however, when there was a harsh knocking at the door, frowning and opening it "Yes?"
"Princess Twilight!" The stallion at the door was very much out of breath "Look!" He thrust a newspaper at her, the front cover making her freeze.
The front page was a picture of a blurred Dash from far away in the sky, it was hard to make out due to the blurriness and darkness, but it wasn't too hard to pick out the rainbow hair. The headline differed from paper to paper but all ran with the same theme and picture, stating the return of Rainbow Dash.
"Surely this can't be true...?" Twilight shook her head "T-thank you..." She took the papers and closed the door, silently going back to cooking. She plated up, taking the food up to Dash, who was awake with just her head out of the covers, a goofy grin on her face "Morning Twilight! Y'know, this is kind of like a hotel..."
Twi placed the food down, before throwing the newspaper into Dash's chest "Explain yourself" She stared blankly "And tell me right now why I shouldn't turn you in for being such an idiot" The calmness in her voice made it even worse for Dash.
Dash stared at the paper, gulping deeply "I-I... I was itching to fly and... I... I'm sorry, Twi..." She stared at the picture of herself, reading some of the article "Don't suppose we could pass it off as a hoax...?"
"Do you EVER think about anyone else Rainbow Dash?" She glared. She felt bad about snapping at her, but it needed to be said. "Think for a moment. Everyone wants you dead or at least tortured, so do you think going for a little fly through Ponyville was such a great idea? Canterlot is going to send guards, Spitfire will send guards, and now everyones going to be on their hooves! You can't even risk leaving the library now." She growled, shaking her head and groaning as there was another knock at the door. "STAY THERE" The mare trotted downstairs, Dash not even daring to blink.
Behind the door was, fortunately, Twilights friends, the group of four coming into the library.
"Is it true?" Shy smiled wide, looking excited. She got a couple of looks off the others, but they too were just as curious.
"I dont know" Twilight shrugged "It would be nice, but it could just be some sick joke - just be careful? You don't know what she's like, or what may happen if you can be associated with her" She smiled.
AJ sighed "Look. Ah wanna see my friend, but is she still our friend? She's changed, a lot. I only saw her once but she seemed pretty happy that Griffons were about to attack"
"It has been three years, though" Rarity muttered "But why would she suddenly appear after so long...? And why here?"
"Why do you think...? Because of us" Shy smiled "She misses us, and we miss her. And if she is alive, she's close"
Dash watched from up in the bedroom, peering down from the top of the stairs at the small group. She so wanted to go down, but she'd already disobeyed Twilight once and that hadn't ended well for her. Just seeing her friends made her happy, though, even if now wasn't the time to meet them again. She doubted they'd want to meet her, but some of the things they'd said had been both positive and negative, each one of the group obviously had their own opinions.
"Do you know something we dont, Twi?" Rarity asked "Because as much as she may have been..." she cut off "She is sort of our friend"
Twilight sighed "I've met her" she shuffled uncomfortably "Yesterday"
"You have?! What was she like... I mean, you're still alive so she must be a little better"
Twi squirmed on her feet. She really didnt want to do this, but she couldn't lie to her friends "She's... Upstairs..."
All five heads turned to the top of the stairs, staring at Dash's head, which had been poked around the corner the whole time. She chuckled nervously and stepped out "H-hey guys... Long time..."
The four mares stood in silence as Dash came down the stairs. She was terrified of meeting her old friends, they had every right to hate her.
"Dashie!" Shy yelled, hugging her tight "I was so sad..."
Dash gulped and hugged her back, burying her face into her neck "I'm so sorry Shy... I don't deserve you..." Hearing Shy call her 'Dashie' was heartbreaking, the last time she had... well... Shy hadnt flown since.
The others just stood still, not quite as forgiving as their yellow friend. AJ approached, and just punched her square in the chest before walking back.
Dash coughed, winded and groaning "I-I deserved that..." She muttered.
"Yeah, ya did. Its gunna take a while for us to even consider forgiving you Dash, if we ever will" She grumbled "The things you did? They were selfish, destructive, despicable and unloyal"
Dash gritted her teeth, eyes thinning. She may have calmed down, but there was still a fire burning inside the mare, a flame that was capable of burning a town to the ground if it grew big enough "I'm not asking for your forgiveness, Applejack" She stood.
"Ah'm sure Spitfire would love ta hear that"
Dash stamped her hoof hard "Don't you dare mention that name infront of me. How can you be so happy of her when all she did was stand by my side agreeing with me until she claimed to have killed me and fucked off into the clouds?"
"She ended the war, Dash. And she got rid of you" she spat, her words cutting deep "Twilight and Shy may be quick to think you're the mare you were before all this, but ah don't trust you one bit. And I sure as hell can't forget what you've done"
She chuckled and shook her head "Don't then. I know what I did, and I would do it again if I had to. The sacrifices I made, for what i thought was right and the best for Equestria, took their toll on me. I doubt you'd do the same"
AJ stayed silent, looking away. The two mares clashed before Dash had left, and the events after had only made them clash more. Dash turned her head to face Rarity "Are you going to hug me or punch me?"
"Neither" She sighed. "I'm glad you're ok, Dash, but like Applejack said. It will be hard for me to move past what you did" She smiled softly "But we can work on that"
"Thank you, Rarity" Dash nodded her head. The mare wanted to talk all night with her friends, but prevented herself from giving too much away "We need to make sure no-one knows I'm here, ok?" She directed that mostly to Applejack
"Ah'm not gunna sell you out, for Twi's sake" She grunted "But if you do anything to put me or my family in danger, I'll drag you to Spitfire myself"
She chuckled, grinning evilly "I can't wait to meet her..."
Dash's friends had left, leaving just Twilight and Dash alone in the library as the sun began to set. "Are you going to confront Spitfire?" Twilight asked, breaking the silence.
She sighed and stared into her cup "It would be a suicide mission" Dash admitted "But she's the one thing that I have left to conclude"
"But... why? Why are you so obsessed? She ended the war..."
"Twilight, she would have killed you. She tried to kill me, after staying by my side for so long... I should have just finished her when I had the chance"
Twi nodded "I suppose... But you're home now... Please dont be so quick to leave"
It had been days since Dash had met her 'friends', but Applejacks words were still fresh in the pegasus' mind. It was yet another thing keeping her up at night. Dash hated her. She hated a lot of things, but Applejack was up there with the most hated, a list that was dangerous to be on.
Twilight had catered for her friend since her moving in, the two of them sharing a bed at night, getting into a sort of routine. Security in the small town had been heightened since Dash's sighting, even the occasional pegasus squadrons snooping around town in their distinctive black armour. That had only frustrated Dash even more, Spitfire was obviously on the hunt for her after getting some stick for apparently lying about Dash's death.
Being stuck in the library wasn't such an issue for Dash though, she'd spent years in that tower alone, with books, so the library was only an upgrade - at least here she had a constant supply of food and painkillers for her knee, and the books weren't half bad, and when she got bored of reading Twilight had a very nice knife collection in her kitchen that provided a source of entertainment, Dash definitely hadn't lost her touch when it came to knife handling.
Shy had visited daily - Dash enjoyed her company. Despite Shy constantly telling Dash she didn't care about her wings, she couldn't help but feel awful every time she saw the wingless pegasus... If she could even still be labeled one. She brought treats for her friend with every visit, and her company was much appreciated. Dash was already insane, but the loneliness coupled with her thoughts only made her worse.
Twilight was frequently coming and going, her schedule busier than ever as she commuted to Canterlot and back almost daily to meet with the parliament about Dash and other issues that had arose recently, meaning Dash had to cope by herself and be responsible for hours at a time, something the childish mare was finding very difficult, risking herself and the princess by venturing out every now and then in a cloak. Dash was convinced she wouldn't be spotted, and even if she did what would an ordinary citizen actually do? They'd be way too terrified to confront her.
Today was no different. Twilight was out, Shy had visited and Dash was bored beyond belief. She casually launched a knife across the library, pinning a moth to the wall as she groaned, banging her head on the wall over and over. Something was eating away at her mind, and no matter how much she tried to push it away, she just couldn't. Her mind was playing with her sanity, screaming at her, driving her crazy...
...She needed the taste of blood.
It had been so long since she'd killed someone. She had thought the three years if solitude had made her 'better', but it had only made her thirstier... It quickly dawned on her that to keep her sanity, she'd have to take a life, she craved the feeling more than a starving pony craved food.
Ponyville was thriving, hundreds of ponies out today to visit the market after its re-opening, the commerce of the town thriving yet again, but every movement was being watched carefully by the new squadrons that had been deployed, she'd be spotted in seconds. She continued to watch the crowds, something quickly catching her eye, a thin grin spreading across her face. A pair of Pegasi had landed in a tree out of the sight of the market, deep in conversation as they too scanned the crowds.
Dash swiftly grabbed her cloak, grinning all the while as she opened the door, twirling a knife as it swung open - running head first into Twilight. The princess jumped, but quickly looked down at Dash and studied her for a moment "Where are you going?" She glared, pulling the mare into the house with her magic and closing the door.
"Twilight...." She groaned "You don't understand, I need this!"
"You need what? To go to the market? Need some apples?" She growled, not letting her friend out of her magical hold. "You'll be spotted, and with your knee you'll be captured, cuffed and taken to the dungeons. After a few weeks of torture, if you're lucky, they might execute you" She said matter-of-factly, gritting her teeth. What made her madder was the care free look on Dash's face.
"Twi. I'm an adult. I know what I'm doing and I know the consequences, I've suffered them before" She spoke softly. "You've convinced yourself that I'm a good mare, the mare that I was before I left... I'm not Twilight, I'm sorry."
"No, you're not. But as your friend, I'm going to do what I can to help you"
She laughed "Friend? I don't have any you heard Applejack"
"Stop being so dramatic. I get it, you love to be hated. Well, congratulations, because you're the most hated mare ever. So please, have some common sense and try to keep some ponies that want to be your friend or you'll only end up alone again"
Dash stayed silent. The evil, blood thirsty mare had been put in her place by the Princess, grumbling to herself as Twilight released her. Dash groaned. Her thirst was getting stronger, and soon not even Twilight would stop her. It was eating away at her, a small voice in her head constantly screaming at her, driving her more and more insane by the minute. Reluctantly, however, she apologised to Twi and hobbled upstairs, lying face down in bed. Soon Twilight would be asleep and she could get some sweet release...
Dash's eyes were open as her ears twitched at Twilight's soft breaths. It was now or never. In her mind, killing just one was such better than going on a rampage and killing tens of ponies, right? Well, that was her logic anyway as she wriggled out of Twilights grasp, grabbing her cloak and dagger and jumping off the balcony.
The dark streets of Ponyville were mostly empty, illuminated by street lamps and a distant music playing from one of the few late night clubs in the small town. Dash was like a predator in the dark, perching on a branch overlooking the town square, lit by a sole lamp, a bar populated with ponies enjoying their nights lying in the square. Those that exited did so in groups, innocent ponies enjoying a night out.
Her predatory gaze scanned the stream of ponies, finding no ideal targets... She dropped from the tree and began to walk down side streets, keeping her head down as she passed a group of teenagers drinking and smoking on a corner - the group lucky enough not to communicate with the mare. She began to her frustrated, however, as no-one was suitable for her knife, the walk taking her up a dirt track and to the gates of Sweet Apple Acres, the eerily quiet orchards empty as Applejacks little speech played over and over in Dash's mind as she stood at the gate.
Her mind danced, the mare chuckling softly, a toothy grin spreading across her face as she entered the farms perimeter, lowering the hood of her cloak as she took a slow walk towards the old farmhouse that was one of the last standing original buildings.
Dash stopped at the doorstep, turning her head as she heard the door of the barn open, a crack of light seeping from the doorway. Dash's grin grew, slowly walking to the barn, the door creaking as she stepped inside, eyes drifting over the inhabitance, her head tilting slightly.
"Rainbow Dash?" Applebloom rubbed her eyes "What are you doing? I thought you'd died? W-why are you here"
Dash giggled slightly. Applejack didn't care about herself, but her family... "Did you miss me, Applebloom?" Her grin grew, slowly closing the barn door behind her.
She stepped back, gulping hard.
Dash drew her long blade from her cloak, beckoning the mare forwards "This will only take a few seconds..."
"Dash... Please... I-I Haven't done anything wrong!" She cried, backing up into a hay bail, whining and looking for somebody, anybody to help her.
Dash was loving every second, oh how she'd missed this! As promised, she made it quick for the poor mare, one quick slash severing her windpipe. She chucked to herself, licking her blade clean as she left the barn and walked slowly off into the night.
Dash chuckled softly to herself, curling up with Twilight in bed and burying her muzzle in her friends neck. It had been a great night, her thirst had been very much quenched... for now. Her bloody hooves dragged along Twilights back and over the sheets, creating a stain that wouldn't be going anytime soon, never mind the mental stain for Twilight.
It was safe to say Twilight noticed the blood very quickly after waking, screaming and throwing herself out of the bed, erupting at its other inhabitant "RAINBOW DASH!? What did you do?!" She screamed again, dragging the sleepy mare by the mane out of the bed and pinning her with magic, looking over the red sheets, her body shaking wildly. She'd seen blood before, but this was different... She had no clue whose it was, only knowing she'd slept in it all night and that the mare that was responsible for the mess was not mentally stable.... Bringing her to the conclusion that the blood matted in her fur was... She didn't dare think of what it could be from.
Dash rubbed her eyes nonchalantly, yawning and looking at Twi "Morning..." She cast her gaze across the room and grinning at the bed "Oh that..."
"What have you done..." The Princess looked more upset from the betrayal of her friend than the poor pony on the receiving end. "I trusted you! You'd... changed..." She was close to tears, both of sadness and anger "I-I'm going to turn you in!"
Dash bit her lip "C-cmon Twi... I need help! look at me, I'm a mess... My minds fucked, I really need your expert help..." She whimpered.
Twilight was torn. In ways, she was right... Her mind was truly fucked from previous events, most of which weren't her fault, but on the other hoof the mare had obviously murdered a pony last night, or at least severely injured someone. Could she really give the mare her trust for a third time? She'd saved her life... It would be wrong not to return the favour. "F-fine! But you have to do exactly as I say!"
Dash stopped herself from grinning, trying to look as sincere as possible, nodding quickly "Yes Twi! Please, help me..."
"Now... Who's blood is that?"
Dash licked her teeth and shuffled "Um..."
"Rainbow Dash..."
Both mares turned to look at the door as it was forcefully kicked in, an emotional Applejack hurtling though the door, she was a mixture of tears and pure rage, throwing herself towards Dash "I'll kill you!"
Dash grinned, standing still. She knew Twilight would catch her in her magic before she got anywhere near her.
Dash was right, Twilight holding both mares now in her magic, frowning "Applejack? Whats going on?"
"A-Applebloom" She coughed through tears "She's... dead... Ah found her in the barn with... with... her throat cut"
Twilight slowly turned to Dash, shaking her head "S-surely not... not even you... A filly..."
Dash didn't flinch. "It was supposed to be her. Bloom was just in the wrong place at the wrong time"
Twilight stared in silence, letting AJ out of her magic but not the Pegasus. "She's all yours until tomorrow morning... Then she'll be getting a surprise visit. Take her to the barn to make sure you're not interrupted" With that, Twi sent an insane shock through the mares brain, knocking her out.
Applejack through a bucket of icy water over Dash, waking the mare. Her hooves were bound in pairs, her forelegs twisted painfully behind her back, her rear legs bound at the ankle and knee.
Dash groaned as she came to, blinking hard "Good morning to you too..."
Applejack knew this was going to be hard, but she reckoned she'd manage it. Dash was going to torment her through the day, but Applejack was happy enough to return the favour in pain, farm mare style. Nothing was off limits, Twi had said, so she had free reign of the mare until morning, giving AJ a rare smile on such a horrible day so far.
Dash craned her head to look at the mare, trying to spot something behind her "Where is she? Her blood tasted nice... Some of the best I've had.."
AJ nodded slowly, before bucking her as hard as she could in the face, making sure she was wearing her newest steel horseshoes. They may not be the most practical, but boy did they hurt! "How many ponies have you killed, Dash?"
It took the mare a good while to answer, her head thrown back and hitting the wall hard, it would have knocked her out or even killed her if AJ had wanted it to - the mare knew just where to strike. Dash already tasted blood, spitting it at the ground before grinning weakly up at the orange farm mare. "Directly or indirectly?"
"Huh... Don't like the taste of your own then?" She scooped some blood running down her mouth and tasted it, obviously not enjoying the taste "Twi tells me you've been tortured before?"
"Correct" She answered simply.
"A few long days in store for you, I'm afraid" She smiled "How was it?"
"The torture? Or seeing the life leave your little sisters eyes? Because I definitely enjoyed one much more than the other"
AJ grit her teeth. Even in this situation Dash was still managing to act cocky and on top "The torture..."
"Well, I was much younger. In fact... It was just after you'd all run away from Ponyville, cowering like the cowards you are, whilst we fought an unwinnable battle. But, I don't regret it... It was that day that truly made me the mare I am today. It's interesting, the things war does to a pony. Everyone says it changes them, but no-one truly believes that, do they? But it does... Seeing my commander fly away, leaving us to die like pigs in the mud?" She chuckled "Well. It changed me"
Aj seemed interested in the story, but she wasn't here for story time with Dashie, she was here to punish the cunt that had killed her little sister. The mare took a metal poker from a stove of hot coals, the end red hot and approached Dash, pressing the hot rod into her exposed underside.
The smell of melting flesh filled the room as Dash squirmed, crying out in pain, her eyes squeezed closed. The pain was immense, but Dash was doing surprisingly well at hiding it - despite her cries of pain and desperate squirms. Applejack finally replaced the now cool poker into the ashes, leaving a permanent spot on the mares chest. "You have a very high pain tolerance... I'm almost impressed"
Dash sucked in air through her nose, glaring up at AJ "I much prefer Twilight... She at least tried to repay me after I saved her life... You're just a sadistic little fucker, aren't you?"
AJ chuckled and shrugged "I am enjoying this... But not in that way"
Her glare didn't stop, her eyes locked on AJ "Did you miss me? Honestly?"
"I did" She admitted "For a while. Then I heard what you did to Fluttershy... It all went sour from there, didn't it? Rumour has it you were a very good solider, which I can believe... But then ya lost control, didn't you?"
"One way of putting it... And yes, I was very good. The best. And extremely under appreciated and led by fucking idiots."
"None of those idiots committed genocide on their own people"
"You call that a genocide?" She laughed "I was just getting started" She grinned.
The grin was swiftly wiped off her face as Applejack pressed the hot poker to the sensitive base of her hoof, this time causing Dash to scream out and writhe in her bonds, the flesh melting again before AJ removed the red hot metal and put it back in the coals.
"That sounded like it hurt"
Dash took a little longer to recover, breathing quick, sharp breathes before eventually opening her eyes "I always knew you were kinky"
That frustrated Applejack beyond belief. The fact the mare was still making jokes and mocking her was unbelievable. In one swift action, the mare wrapped a length of rope around Dash's neck, hoisting her up to the rafters and putting a stool under her hooves, her own leg on the stall threading to kick it away and let her hang.
Dash teetered on the stall, coughing and looking down at her torturer "Go on. Do it. I don't fear death, I'm looking forward to it" She growled "You don't think I didn't try killing myself? Make my fucking day and end it"
Applejack thought for a moment, before kicking the stall away, holding the rope in her mouth as Dash hung, swinging gently as her neck was the only thing supporting her.
Dash only grinned, coughing a lot, but not a dash of fear in her eyes. Applejack just couldn't win... She let go of the rope, sending the mare crashing to the ground in a pile, gritting her teeth as she tied the mare to a post, shaking her head "I'll see you in the morning" She growled.
"Goodnight AJ~"
Dash didn't get any sleep, instead attempting to gnaw through her ropes. She'd been extremely unsuccessful, so had given up and relaxed against the post until morning came, bringing Applejack and Twilight with it. "Good morning!"
"Good morning, Rainbow Dash" Came an all to familiar voice, Dash knowing who it had come from before they even turned the corner. Her cocky attitude faded, face dropping. Twilight avoided eye contact with the Rainbow maned pegasus as she followed the occupier of the voice into the barn, Applejack taking up Dash's cocky grin as the last to enter.
Spitfire looked down at Dash in silence, her mind processing the mare in front of her, analysing every single aspect of the cyan mare before her eyes eventually met her rivals. "As soon as I saw the papers, I knew you weren't truly dead" She sighed, shaking her head. "How wonderful. Although, I am quite frustrated that my guards would fabricate your death, the last week has been rather embarrassing after I so publicly claimed to have finished you myself" She stared for a moment longer before turning to Twilight and Applejack "Harbouring a war criminal, Princess... Hm. Interesting" She finally turned to Applejack "My condolences for your loss. I hope you enjoyed the vengeance you got, although it will never make up for the loss of your sister"
AJ didn't quite know how to feel about Spitfire. She was such an active member of Dash's rebellion, and had been the one to finally execute the independence following the end of the war. She seemed to be a genuine mare, despite her past. "Hmm. I'm just glad you can take her off our hooves, before Twilight forgives her again"
Twilight scowled at her friend "I'm the one that called her here, and the one that gave Dash to you" She growled "I have the same feelings towards her as you do"
Spitfire ignored the squabbling mares and turned back to Dash. "I'm sure you're itching to see Cloudsdale"
Dash grit her teeth and shook her head "We both know it's not the same. How dare you even give it the same name" She shuffled and sat up.
"We both know exactly how each other felt that day, you were by my side at the fall" She sighed "We missed it, we needed a place to live. So we rebuilt, much like the earth bound ponies. You don't see them renaming their towns"
"But we're not like them, are we?" She hissed
"You sound sour, Dash. As if you aren't proud of the achievements of the Pegasi race"
"You forget I was the one to instigate these changes... I'd love to move up there, and live as an independent Pegasus. But I don't see that happening, in light of my current situation"
Spitfire simply nodded "Its different up there. You'll be surprised. Co-operate with me and this will be so much easier for you, don't and it'll only make it harder for yourself" She put a set of loose cuffs on Dash's fore hooves, letting her walk but not run before untying her ropes and nodding "I'm taking you home, Dash"
She sighed and looked at her hooves "Sure... Can I say goodbye first?"
Spitfire shrugged "If they want to"
Dash approached her 'friends', sighing "Twilight, of all of them I thought you'd be the least likely to be a traitor and sell me out, especially to her. Enjoy your sad, lonely life. Applejack" A grin spread across her face "Good luck sleeping at night knowing your baby sister is dead because I couldn't be fucked to find you. I'll look for you both in the crowds at my execution"
It hadn't taken long to reach Cloudsdale. Much to Dash's surprise, it was only Spitfire that had come to collect her. She'd expected at least two guards. It was no longer a surprise in the city that Dash was in-fact still alive, crowds gathering to get a glimpse of the mare. She was escorted into Spitfires headquarters and up to her personal office, being sat down on the opposite side of the desk to Spitfire.
"So tell me. How was death?" The mare poured two drinks, setting one infront of Dash.
She raised an eyebrow skeptically "Boring. I'm not one for being ignored"
"Please, your death will be a lot more imaginative then a poisoned drink" She chuckled, drinking from Dash's glass to prove her point.
"Yeah I'm not thirsty." she cast her gaze around the office, looking at all of the artefacts. It was quite an interesting office, not that she was going to tell her that.
The corner of Spitfires mouth curled into a grin. The reason she liked the mare so much was not only her ability, but her utter lack of care even when facing death, her talent at wining up the one supposed to be in control. "Dash, I'm not going to kill you. We have no battle anymore, we both got what we wanted... I have no reason to want to kill you, together we delivered an independent Pegasi race, thats not something we should be fighting over, but rejoicing together"
Dash's attention snapped back to Spitfire "What?"
"I have no intention to execute you, or even incarcerate you. I'm actually going to offer you a job"
Dash laughed. "Seriously? You do remember you overthrew me and tried to kill me, right?"
"And as I told you then... My allegiance is to the Pegasi race. I did what was necessary to deliver our promise to the Pegasi. Look around you, I fulfilled our dream, don't miss out on the chance to be a part of it"
"I am a part of it" She hissed, but sighed, standing and looking out of the window behind Spitfire over the new Cloudsdale, Pegasi thriving in their daily lives "What's the job? I'm not doing fucking foreign affairs"
Spitfire grinned, moving to stand next to Dash "Oh no, don't be silly. Your skill set? I want you to be minister for War and Crime. You'll have the army and police force at your hooves. This is all dependant on your loyalty and devotion to me, of course"
Dash didn't turn away from the window, grinning "Sounds like fun..." She turned and stared at Spitfire for a moment, before lifting a cuffed hoof.
Spitfire nodded, grinning wide and shaking it "Glad to have you onboard"
Dash walked alongside Spitfire towards her new quarters. She didn't trust Spitfire, nor did she like her, but she needed her. It was either work with Spitfire or be executed and this seemed like a better outcome. "So how much does this pay?"
Spitfire chuckled and stopped, turning to the mare "Thats what you care about? Money...? How very unlike you"
"Because you know me" Dash frowned, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course. You are a pegasus, therefore you are one of my subjects... And I know my subjects"
Dash chuckled "Apart from the fact you thought I was dead, hmm? And what about those Pegasi that decided not to live here? What are they?"
Spitfire chuckled "Oh don't worry, we keep tabs on them too. But I suppose they're a form of refugee." She continued walking, Dash eventually catching up "How's your knee?" She grinned slightly.
"Fuck you. How's your hip? Or your neck? I won that fight, you know. The only hit you got was with a fucking crossbow... how cowardly"
"You should take it as a compliment, Rainbow Dash. And also watch your tone"
"Oh come on, my tone is why you love me" She grinned
"Of course"
Dash's room was very nice, nicer than she was expecting. She had a balcony overlooking the edge of Cloudsdale and beyond, Canterlot just in view and Ponyville a speck on the horizon. The room itself was of course made of clouds, but was large and ornately decorated with banners, a large bed sitting in the middle of the room.
"It's alright" Dash shrugged, walking out onto the balcony.
Spitfire nodded, remaining in the middle of the room "It's better than a cell"
Dash didn't turn to look at Spitfire "I wouldn't know, I've never been in one"
"Anyway" Spitfire rolled her eyes and walked to the balcony "You need clothing, and armour of course. Come on"
"Did you change the outfit much after you betrayed me, or is it still the same? Mine might even be back in my room in Canterlot"
She chuckled and nodded "Yeah, its changed a little... The flag is still the same though. Oh, and your armours in the museum"
She grinned "I did do such a good job. And I want to see this museum"
"It's our biggest tourist attraction... Let us go"
Dash walked out of the door "Thats not saying much as only Pegasi can visit it. We should claim so land or something"
"Thats the thinking I like" Spitfire followed, grinning and escorting Dash to a large room full of materials and outfits, as well as an extremely bored looking stallion at a desk - his boredom swiftly disappeared as the pair of mares arrived.
"You're not slacking off, are you?" Spitfire scowled
"N-no Ma'am!" His eyes darted between Spitfire and Dash "R-rainbow Dash...? Oh my god..."
Dash just grinned and chuckled "It's Spitfire you need to worry about for the moment"
"Indeed. Now. Dash here needs all the attire available. By tomorrow. Measure her and get to work"
"Actually, I'd like to make a custom order? I don't want a suit or that bullshit. Just armour and, well, a personal outfit" She grinned "Sorry, Spitty, I'm not gunna dress like one of your drones"
"Don't... Ever call me that again..."
She laughed and gestured to the stallion to start measuring her.
He was quick and efficient, measuring everywhere and quickly noting down her sizes and her specifications "I'll have these to you by tomorrow, Dash"
"Thank you" She nodded
Spitfire escorted Dash out and turned to her "Now that I'm in charge, you're going to have to learn to respect me"
Dash frowned "Like you respected me? I haven't tried to kill you, yet" She hissed
Spitfire stepped forwards "I could always show you our cells" She growled "Be grateful I even let you live"
"I could say the same thing" Dash glared
"You're not what you once were, Rainbow Dash. Your knee, your wings... Those three years you let yourself go. Stop living in the past, Dash. You need me and the only reason you're here is because I want it to be so."
Dash stood in silence for a while, before nodding "You're right."
Spitfire was surprised, but didn't let it show "Good. Let us move past this incident and do what is best for Cloudsdale"
Spitfire sat patiently with her advisors and ministers, staring at the one empty chair. She knew Dash was going to be a hoof full, but she really was starting to take the piss. With a beckon, she brought a guard to her side. "Find her, please" She muttered, sitting back. Their daily meetings were televised when there were non-confidential meetings so the public could see what was going on, only heightening Spitfire's embarrassment.
The guard nodded once "Yes ma'am" He walked quickly out of the large theatre and towards Rainbow Dash's quarters, much to his surprise the two guards posted outside of her door were no longer there. He took a deep breath. He was a trained solider, she was a weakened mare... Slowly he opened the door, and what he saw made him gasp.
Dash and her two female guards were together in the bed, Dash grinning with one hoof cuffed to the head of the bed while kissing a white mare, the other looking exhausted and lying next to her. The three turned to look at the intruder, Dash groaning "Let me guess... I'm late for something important?" She pushed the guard off of her and nodded to the cuff.
"U-uh... Spitfire sent me... They're waiting for you in the council chamber" He shuffled, obviously uncomfortable.
Dash rubbed her hoof and stood, straightening her mane "Fine... I'll see you two later" She winked and chuckled, pulling on her formal attire that had been delivered and taking a deep breath. The outfit was a black leather, the material going all the way up to her chin, the neck of the outfit ribbed. It covered the whole of her body, her tail exposed however, her kneecaps and hooves had intricate gold designs, then pulling on a golden metal and black over armour.
She flew instead of walking, quickly down the corridors and landing just outside the door. She had to make an entrance, it was just... her. "Guards, open the doors for me, would you?" She grinned.
They nodded, pulling the doors open as she stepped forwards into the chamber, no longer grinning just looking annoyed and marching to her seat.
Spitfire watched the spectacle, frowning "Nice of you to join us, Rainbow Dash. I do hope this meeting isn't keeping you from anything"
"They'll be there when I get back, don't you worry"
Spitfire gritted her teeth, glaring at her before straightening up and smiling "Very well. Let us start"
The meeting went on for an hour, Dash not having anything to say for the whole thing. She was extremely bored, not trying to hide it. She wasn't even in an important seat, the mare on the middle row towards one end of the 30 or so Pegasi that sat in the room. War and Crime wasn't that big of a role just yet, Pegasi still settling into their homes and the peace sitting well for now. When the meeting drew to a close, Spitfire waited in her seat until everyone had left, apart from Dash who had also waited in her seat.
Spitfire waited until the cameras were off and everyone had left and stood, looking at the other mare "I don't fully understand why you do this to yourself"
Dash raised an eyebrow and drifted down to Spitfire "I was busy and lost track of the time"
"This is a serious role, that I have entrusted onto you!" Spitfire roared "I am trying to involve you and use your talents for the better of our race and you seem to find this a joke"
"Do you actually want me here Spitfire? Or is this some plan to humiliate me before my death? Because I fail to believe that you intend for me to live out my life in happiness"
"What is it that you want, Dash? I've done what I can to try and help you"
"Why would you want to help me? You hate me, I hate you."
"You don't know anything, Dash. I have a country to run and you can either help me, or return to Equestria. And we both know they'll arrest you and kill you. At least here you'll be free and alive - with diplomatic immunity. Plus... There are projects coming up that I know you'll be interested in"
Yet again she was right. And her attention had peaked at these projects. "Very well" She puffed out her chest "But I won't be kept here like a dog"
"As long as you commit to your role you're a free Pegasi Dash" She smiled.
"Good. Now, I hate to leave so swiftly but I was kind of halfway through something" She grinned, leaving the room.
"Im surprised you still want to see me" Dash muttered, sipping her tea. She had nothing on today so had flown back down to Ponyville to visit Fluttershy, and the fact that she was a foreign politician meant she couldn't be arrested in Equestria.
Shy smiled softly and nodded "I always want to see you, it's just a shame you live up there"
Dash chuckled "I'd love to have you up there with me, but you're happier here. You've got Twilight. And I'm not busy on weekends so I can come to stay. I've got a room in a hotel in town"
"And... How are you finding Ponyville?"
"I haven't been back yet, since moving to Cloudsdale" She smiled, wearing her formal outfit "It's bad of me, but I'm quite looking forward to walking up the highstreet"
"Ooh, can I come?"
"Shy, thats sweet, but I don't think you want to be associated with me just yet" She chuckled "Give it a few years and I'll buy you a coffee" She chuckled and gestured to one of her guards "Can you bring her present in please?"
The guard nodded, returning with a big, black metal box and placing it between the mares "Ma'am"
"Thank you... Go ahead, open it"
Shy blushed and looked at it, smiling and struggling to open the metal lid.
"Now, I know you probably won't ever wear it, but I thought it would make a nice decoration"
Inside the box was a complete set of Pegasi War armour, with a stand to display it on. The black armour was extremely well designed, made of fireproof metal, but flexible and light enough for a Pegasi to wear in flight.
"Unfortunately, the design is different now, but it still looks good, right?" Dash grinned.
"Thanks Dash" She chuckled "Its definitely very interesting" She put the helmet on and laughed "Could I be a guard?"
Dash laughed back "You'd male a very good guard, don't you think, guys?" She grinned and looked at her guards.
"Don't put me out of a job, Fluttershy" One grins.
"Anyway!" Dash stood "I have things to do in Ponyvile, so I'll see you soon" She smiled and hugged Shy, swiftly leaving flanked by her guards. Dash grinned as she stood outside, taking a deep breath before heading to the high street.
The high street was busy, but not packed. Ponies were going about their weekend shopping as if it were just another day in Ponyville. Dash's grin only grew as she walked down the highstreet, quickly being noticed by the locals, a crescendo of gasps and disbelieving stares at the fact that she was not only there, but had the pure audacity to do what she was doing.
"What a lovely day, hmm?" She chuckled to her guards "Would you like a cupcake?" She looked at the big stallion "With pink sprinkles? My treat"
"Well I can't turn down that offer, can I?" He laughed as Dash led him and his partner into Sugarcube Corner.
The cake shop went deadly quiet, everyone not sure whether to leave or stay - the mare that had just entered sent fear into everyones bodies. Dash knew that, the reaction was common but she smiled and walked to the counter "Good day Pinkie!"
"Dash!" She smiled "Are these your friends? Applejack said you're evil and I can't talk to you"
She chuckled "All true. But we can still have cupcakes, right?"
"Ummm... Yeah... But... You can't eat them here"
"Shame." She sighed and shrugged "Guess I will see you soon" She gritted her teeth and walked out flanked by her guards and down the street towards the library "You two wait out here and enjoy your cupcakes. I have business to attend to"
Dash walked slowly in, silently closing the door behind her and walking deeper into the library. Her hoof steps were slow and quiet, eyes darting around the room "Twilight? Are you home?"
"What are you doing in my house... You're not welcome here anymore"
Dash sighed "I actually came to invite you to Cloudsdale. Relations with Equestria are very important for us"
"Is that why you've marched down the highstreet? You're not welcome in Equestria, even with your new diplomacy. A diplomacy that I struggle to believe you've got"
Dash nodded slowly "I'm sorry you feel like that. I'll see you in Canterlot for my speech" She grinned, but it swiftly faded "I'll see you soon"
"Wait. Speech?"
"Yes. It seems the new republic want me to make a speech for them infront of parliament. I was told you'd be there"
"I... Why would they invite you? Dash, be careful..."
"Don't worry about me Twilight, you hate me remember?" She chuckled and winked "See ya around"
Dash sat with her two guards in her quarters - she had gotten quite close to the two mares, Iron Wing and Blazing Trail, they'd been put in charge of her personal protection and had been with her 24 hours a day, so it made sense to Dash to try and get along with them.
"I don't get why you bother going back down there, everything you need is in Cloudsdale" Iron Wing broke the silence, perching on the end of Dash's bed and picking at one of her white hooves.
Dash turned from her desk and shrugged "I suppose. I just lived there for so long I suppose I like to visit occasionally"
"For someone that is so pro-pegasi I'm surprised you ever left Cloudsdale" Blazing grinned, she was just as cocky as Dash once was, the gift of her youth. She was Spitfire's niece, sharing many of the same features.
Dash scoffed "I hate to break it to you, Blaze, but Cloudsdale isn't some utopia. And I wasn't always so... opinionated. The war did that.... Speaking of which, did either of you fight?"
Iron nodded, but Blazing shook her head. "I was too young, I joined when Spitfire had just negotiated peace"
Iron chuckled "I was there at Canterlot the first time, I even had a turn outside your throne room door"
"Oh?"
She chuckled "Yeah... It wasn't exactly what I'd joined for. I'm proud to say I was always faithful in you though, Dash"
Dash laughed "Why thank you~ Shame about this one though" Dash grinned and looked at Blazing "Little traitor only got her job because of Aunty Spitty"
"Hey!" She growled and stood "I'm not a traitor"
"Sit down. I'm joking..." Dash winked "But have you ever been in a battle?"
"No..." Blazing sighed, sitting back down
Dash grinned and stood "Come on then. Let's get you some experience, shall we? It's not quite a battle, but we'll give you a fight"
"You and Iron against me? I can't hit a cripple" Blazing grinned, patting Dash's head
Dash swiftly swiped her legs away, sending her over onto her back "I'll see you at the dojo. It'd be so embarrassing if this cripple beat you there" Dash laughed, walking out of the room with Iron Wing, both laughing their way to the sparring dojo.
Blazing Trail gritted her teeth, facing Dash and Iron. The two were an intimidating pair, Dash was a legend to her, and Iron a close friend, but she wasn't here to lose. She took a deep breath and eyed the two mares, calculating mentally her plan and form of attack.
"Don't forget to bow. It's respectful" Dash smiled, bowing.
"Oh... Right" She lowered her head in a bow, as soon as she did so feeling a harsh blow to the back of her head, sending her chin straight into the ground.
"We're Pegasi, Mini Spitty. We don't fight fair, remember that" Dash grinned, stepping back alongside Iron. "Take every advantage you can"
Blazing rubbed her head and growled, filled with fury as she got to her feet again. She definitely wasn't going to lose now. "Come get it then"
Dash nodded to Iron, who grinned and stepped forwards "Sorry about this partner" She chuckled, getting closer and closer before throwing a swift hoof towards the other mare.
Blazing used her above average speed to duck the blow, before throwing herself headfirst at Iron and head butting her square in the chest. She opened her eyes to see Iron recoiling, but also noticing a blue blur flying past and behind. The mare instinctively bucked, feeling her hoof connect with something hard, not looking back as she wrapped her hooves around Irons neck and twisting, throwing her to the ground. Taking a sharp breath in, she span quickly with her hooves raised, luckily deflecting a cyan hoof before ducking desperately.
Dash was impressed, her chest throbbing from the buck but not going to let Blazing get away easily. She watched the mare duck, before landing a hoof into the top of Blazing's head, whilst simultaneously swiping a rear hoof through Blazing's legs, sending her sprawling yet again. Dash could feel how bad she'd gotten, her knee screaming with pain and her general abilities eroded slightly.
Blazing's youth was showing, she was quick but was also inexperienced. Sure, she'd fought before, but not against someone with as much experience as Dash, the mare still the quickest about even if she had spent 3 years lying about. She squirmed under Dash, flailing her legs in an effort to get away.
Iron walked slowly over to the pair, Dash holding Blazing down as Iron wrapped her hooves around a leg, bending it painfully back until Blazing eventually tapped out.
Dash took a deep breath and shook her head. "Both of you need to get training, and do so together. Iron, you spent most of the time on the ground and Mini Spitty? That was pretty good, you just need to train yourself better-"
Blazing punched Dash square in the face, before spinning and kicking Iron on the bottom of the muzzle, sending both mares to the floor, grinning with pride "Remember, Dash. Pegasi don't fight fair" She trotted to the corner and wiped her face with her towel, wiping the thin layer of sweat away.
"Ma'am" Blazing saluted, standing up straight "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there"
She chuckled "Please, Blazing. At ease. You did well, I'm impressed."
"Thank you" She chuckled, blushing slightly as Dash finally came over to join the pair, holding a towel to her bloody nose. "Spitfire..." Dash nodded slightly "How nice of you to join us"
She chuckled "That was quite the show. Please, continue to train with Blazing, you both need the training"
Dash rubbed her nose and grumbled to herself, before smiling at Blazing "Congratulations. You did well, and did it infront of Spitfire too" She patted her back "Dinner's on me" She laughed as Iron joined the group.
Dash looked at herself in the mirror, straightening her armour. Today was the day she would make her speech and she wanted to look good. Secretly she was nervous, but she would never let that show, especially not to the ponies of Equestria. As always she had Iron and Blazing by her side, the pair would be taking the trip down with her - all three were armed just in case.
"You look fine, come on" Iron rolled her eyes and huffed, Blazing leaning against the wall chuckling to herself as the usually careless mare before her perfectly straightened her mane.
"Ok" She grinned "Lets go"
The trio took their time flying to the Castle, arriving early enough and looking impressive and intimidating in their black and gold armour, walking through the large open doors and into the castle, to be greeted by Twilight. She didn't look happy to be there, almost as if she'd been forced into it as it was a special occasion. "Twilight!" Dash grinned, pulling her into a hug, causing the Princesses guards to step forwards with a hoof on their weapons. Pulling away Dash grinned "Are we on edge today, gentlemen?"
Twilight only sighed "Rainbow Dash... Welcome to Canterlot... I trust you know your way around" She said with venom.
This only caused Dash to grin "Oh, I'm sure I'll get around just fine. Let me introduce Iron Wing and Blazing Trail"
The two stepped forwards, Blazing awkwardly bowing before Twilight.
"What... Are you doing?" Dash frowned, tilting her head and looking at her friend "She's nothing to you"
"Right..." Blazing blushed and stepped back, puffing out her chest and trying to look tough, eyeing the four guards with Twilight.
"Are they guards for your protection, or to keep you in check?" Twilight quipped.
"Both" Dash chuckled "I'm sure Iron will spank me if I'm a naughty little filly" She rolled her eyes and stepped forwards, yet again causing the guards to be on edge, only making Dash grin again "My my... You are afraid of me, aren't you?" She jumped forwards quickly, her muzzle almost touching Twilight's, resulting in the four throwing themselves at Dash, who simply hovered upwards and sent the four into a pile below her. "Good to see Equestria still has the finest and brightest guards around" She laughed, landing between Iron and Blazing "If only Shining Armour was around to whip you into shape"
Twi gritted her teeth and shook her head as the four stood and straightened themselves out. "Let's just get this over with..."
Dash walked alongside Twilight, chuckling softly as a guard pushed his way between the two "Don't worry yourself, stallion. I have no intention of killing Twilight, and if I did you wouldn't be able to stop me"
He grunted and just shoved her aside more.
Dash rolled her eyes and let it slide, the last thing she wanted was to get into a fight before this all important speech.
Twilight stopped "I hate to leave you, but I have things to prepare. The guards will escort you to where you need to go. Try to be civil" She grumbled, standing still as the four guards let the trio on, towards a set of doors.
"Its in there" One growled, pointing.
"Aren't you lovely gentlemen coming with us?"
One just grunted and nodded to the door.
"Very well." Dash sighed, opening the door and stepping inside flanked by her guards. Once they were in, the doors slammed shut, the sound of a bolt locking them echoing off the stone walls of the large hall, empty of politicians, only filled with armed guards. "Well shit..." Dash muttered. She had had her suspicions, but nothing like this. She'd fallen straight into their trap, they had her where they wanted her.
"Throw down your arms and surrender!" A stallion in purple armour yelled.
Dash chuckled softly and shook her head, looking at what must be at least 35 guards stood in a semi circle. "You must be the new Captain of the Royal Guard!" She grinned "Oh, I had so much fun gutting the last one... I wonder if you'll cry and bleed as much as he did" She grinned, drawing her sword, copied by Iron and Blazing.
"This is your last warning, Traitor! Throw down your arms!"
"You're making a mistake!" She almost sang "Harm us and you'll be basically declaring war... Trust me, that's my job!"
He glared at her, the room silent for a minute before he nodded "Very well! Get them!"
They had planned the attack well, picking a big room, but also a relatively low ceilinged one that meant even if the three took flight, the guards nets would be able to bring them back to earth. The first line approached, consisting of 6 guards, wielding standard swords. They were no match for the three Pegasi, however, the training and mentality cut down the guards quickly. The second wave, however wasn't as simple. The line of 10 were in pairs, both with shields and spears, hiding behind them as they jabbed with the long blades. The three fought well, but were ultimately overwhelmed as the other guards joined the fight, surrounding the mares and dragging Iron and Blazing behind their line of shields and pinning them.
"Enough!" The captain growled "Surrender or I'll kill your guards"
Dash looked around the room. She was surrounded, and her two friends were on the floor with spears to their necks. Dash was clever, now wasn't the time to be stupid. She knew she'd have the opportunity to get them back, and the backlash of their actions from Cloudsdale would make them regret their decision.
She took a deep breath, and threw her sword at the ground.
Dash stood still as the guards quickly tackled her to the floor, waisting no time in cuffing her hooves and pulling a black bag over her head.
Dash sat in silence, sharing a small cell below the castle with her two guards. Her fore hooves were shackled together, the two cuffs welded together to give them no movement, her rear hooves connected by a small chain. Her wings were bound by a belt wrapped tightly around her midriff. The grin on her face hadn't subsided though, staring through the bars at the guard standing down the hall.
He shuffled uncomfortably, feeling the mares eyes burning into him. He huffed and walked to the cell, banging his truncheon on the bars "Stop fucking looking at me or I'll drag you out and beat you"
She chuckled and stood, awkwardly walking to the door and pushing her head against them, grinning at him "Be a dear and put the television on, please?" She nodded at the small set in place for guards to entertain themselves "I'm interested to see if I'm on the news"
The guard only chuckled and jabbed the truncheon into her ribs "Egotistical little bitch. Sit in the corner and face the wall or you'll regret it"
Dash shrugged off the jab and rolled her eyes "You're getting a little excited, I know. You have the Rainbow Dash as a prisoner and it's a big day for you! But we both know you're not as hard as you think you are. Now. As a politician, I ask you to put the television on so I can assess the damage of my arrest between our two nations."
The guard stared at her for a long moment before gritting his teeth and nodding, reluctantly switching on the television and leaning next to it.
Dash was correct in presuming her arrest would be the biggest news story, the media swarming over the news. The screen cut to pictures of Equestria's newly elected leader, at what looked like a press conference. "Today, I can proudly say that our valiant guards have taken the tyrannical, murderous Rainbow Dash into custody. Not only is it a triumphant day for the ponies of Equestria, but a time to reflect on the offensiveness of the Pegasi to appoint such a criminal to a role in their parliament. I can confirm that there will be no talks held with Spitfire over the release of the prisoners and their execution will take place in the near future"
After the short clip, it cut back to the two presenters, before shots of Spitfire came on the screen, in a very similar situation. She looked far from happy, trying her best to hide her rage and stay professional and calm "Earlier this morning I received news that the Minister for War and Crime, Rainbow Dash, among with her trusted guards were viciously attacked and ambushed before being taken into custody by Equestrian guards." She ran her tongue over her teeth "This is unacceptable. We are doing all we can to get them back. This is all I can say for now" She blanked all questions and walked quickly off.
Dash looked back to her fellow Pegasi and sighed "Looks like its going to be a long wait" She shuffled back to the pair, sitting next to them and chuckling softly.
"Could be worse" Iron grinned "I actually feel quite at home in this cell"
"Well I hate it. The quicker Spitfire gets us out of here, the happier I'll be" Blazing grumbled.
"Don't worry about it. We're together, in a decent cell and Spitty would never leave a family member to die"
Two weeks later
Dash sat in the visiting room, her hooves cuffed to the table before her. She tilted her head as a door opened behind her, and Spitfire sat down opposite her. She'd been told to expect the visit, Spitfire finally arranging a visit to the dungeons to see the prisoners.
"Morning Dash. They've only given me a few minutes, even getting this took us weeks of negotiating"
Dash grinned and shrugged "Lets make the most of it then"
"I'm doing all I can to get all three of you home, I assure you. But they're being fucking stubborn and not budging at all"
"I appreciate your efforts Spitfire, I'm genuinely surprised" She admitted "However. I want you to get the other two out. It's me they want, and Blazing really isn't coping well"
Spitfire raised an eyebrow "You're telling me to leave you behind?"
She nodded "Obviously I'd appreciate you getting me out of here, but they need to go home"
"I'll see what I can do." She stood and leant forwards, her lips inches from Dash's ear as she pretended to hug her "Trust the blue guard" She muttered and pulled away. "I hope to see you soon, Dash. Stay safe"
"Don't worry about me" Dash chuckled, lifting her hooves "I like hoofcuffs"
Dash had been left in the meeting room all night, taking the opportunity to try to catch up on some sleep. Her hooves were still cuffed together to the centre of the table, her head resting on the hard table. She wasn't one for complaining, she'd had much worse experience in captivity. She smiled to herself in her sleep, but eventually woke, a shiver down her spine. Opening her eyes, she saw an orange pony sitting opposite her, just staring.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you..."
"I didn't expect to see you, Applejack. I thought I wasn't allowed visitors"
"I called in a favour" Applejack sat up straight, no expression on her face.
Dash too sat up as best she could, her back still arched due to the cuffs. "Why are you here? To taunt me? I'm not in a teasing mood"
Applejack only sighed. "I've talked a lot with Twilight, and even more with Fluttershy... I came to make peace with you, Dash. I hate you for what you've done, but Twilight thinks it's just your messed up head after being tortured and so on... And I do still remember the mare that left Ponyville all those years ago"
Dash shook her head "Is this actually what you want? Or has Twilight manipulated you into it?"
"It's what I want. I doubt I'll get a chance to talk to you before your execution, and I suspect neither of us want this on our conscience"
Dash smiled and nodded "You're right... But are you only doing this because you think I'm going to die? What if... y'know. I don't?"
She pouted "I don't expect you will... But if you do? Come and buy me a drink sometime"
"Thank you Applejack. I really didn't expect this, I appreciate it"
"Hmm. Any last requests?"
"Look after Fluttershy for me, please... And... Don't let her watch"
Applejack stood and nodded, placing a hoof on Dash's shoulder "You have my word. Goodbye Rainbow Dash"
"Seeya..." She muttered, not watching AJ leave.
"I don't understand how you do it" Iron quipped, arms folded and staring at Dash, a grin spread across her face
Dash was lying on her back, staring at the ceiling and not paying much attention "Do what...?"
"You're always so calm, and cocky" She chuckled "Everyone out there wants you dead, yet you tease and mock them and get away with it. You're never scared of anything"
"I have nothing to lose... When you have nothing to lose, you can't fear losing anything. And when you don't fear losing anything, or anyone, you realise you don't have much to live for anyway, so you may as well enjoy what you can"
"Woah. Sorry to hit a nerve" She muttered
Dash let her head lol to the side, grinning at Iron "You asked the question, I answered it. You don't seem to phased by this whole thing yourself"
"Because I mostly just copy what you do" She laughed "The model Pegasi and all"
"Me?!" She laughed, shaking her head "Far from it. You should pay more attention in guard class"
"You of all ponies should know this sort of thing isn't taught in a classroom"
"Very true... How you holding up Blazing?"
The third mare was sat alone in the corner, looking between the two mares "I'll be fine... Spitfire will come any moment..."
Dash nodded "Correct! I got you two a pass out of this, Spitfires gunna get you two home"
"What?" Both mares said at the same time, Blazing more relieved than anything else, Iron sounding quite against the idea.
"And where are you going, Dash?"
"Well" She chuckled "I do love a good cell, so I asked to stay a while longer"
Iron stood and shook her head "I'm not leaving you here. It's my job to keep you safe"
"It's your job to follow my orders... And I order you to leave when possible"
"I refuse. Fuck it, I don't care if its treason, or mutiny, or whatever. I'm staying here, with you"
"Iron, I'll be fine. I'm Rainbow Dash, right? I don't think I can die"
She huffed, reluctantly sitting next to Dash "I don't like this one bit"
The next morning, as promised, the door to the cell swung open and a squad of guards roughly began to pull Iron and Blazing from the cell, cuffing them and slamming the door shut. Dash puffed out her chest and saluted her two loyal guards, the pair saluting back before being pulled away by the guards. Before long they were out of sight, and Dash sat back down, casting her gaze back to the television.
"Recent developments in the Rainbow Dash saga continued today, as Spitfire exchanged the citizenship of Rainbow Dash for the release of her two guards, Iron Wing and Blazing Trail. Consequently, the execution of Rainbow Dash has been moved forwards to midday tomorrow, the mare finally coming to justice for her crimes committed, her execution marking the fourth anniversary of the peace treaty with the griffons being signed. More to follow"
Dash stared in silence, barely able to breathe as the news hit her like a train. It seemed unescapable, the mare finally facing her past. Her gaze slowly moved from the television to her bound hooves, gulping hard as a bead of sweat ran down her forehead. She'd always said she didn't fear death, and had always maintained a cocky and hard persona, but the thoughts of her friends from Ponyville wouldn't leave her head as much as she tried to force them away.
She didn't sleep at all that night, spending hours staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. Was there a way to escape this? She had no concept of time, the small cell without a window and the guards sure as hell weren't going to tell her how long she had left. Before too long, she heard the sound of a key in her door and two smug stallions entering her cell "It's almost time, Dash. Get up"
She gulped, reluctantly sliding to her feet before the two stallions, looking between them.
"Now, we're gunna have a bit of fun before we lose our chance" One grinned, kicking Dash harshly in the knee. The mare may have been able to dodge and react, but what then? She was cornered in a cell and could barely move her hooves or wings. The kick would have hurt enough as it was, but the fact it was to her injured knee made it especially excruciating, sending her to the ground, swiftly curling into a ball.
The stallions didn't let up, sending kick after kick into the mare, not caring where they landed as long as it elicited a cry from their prisoner. One grabbed her mane, pulling her up and grinning at her "Not so tough now, huh?"
Dash gritted her teeth, spitting blood onto the stallions face "Bite me, cunt"
He growled, punching the mare in the gut whilst still holding her up "Do you think you're hard?"
"I fucking know I am. I've killed enough of you Equestrian scum to prove it" She hissed, glaring at him.
He was obviously enraged, beating her over and over again in the face, before throwing her onto the cold, hard floor. "Get up. It's time"
Dash slowly got to her hooves, groaning, bruises and cuts covering her face and body as she slowly followed the two guards. She was led out of the dungeon and along the corridors of the empty castle to the front doors, which were closed with a lone pony standing before them.
Twilight stood in her royal robes, staring at Dash as she approached and stopped before her.
Dash took a deep breath, looking up at Twilight "I'm sorry Twi. Truly, I am. I appreciated you trying to take me in and I fucked it up. I'm not asking for forgiveness" She sighed, taking the photo of the six friends from under her wing and handing it to Twilight, smiling softly before stepping out of the doors.
The sun was high in the sky, blinding Dash as she stepped out onto the front steps of the castle, a place she knew well. It was here that she had truly lost the support of the Equestrians all those years ago after sentencing those that dared to speak against her to hang. The courtyard was full, as were the streets, everyone out to try and get a view of the mares impending death. In the centre of the large courtyard stood a gallows, a lone noose hanging from the frame.
Dash bit her lip and ignored the calls from the crowd as she stepped toward it, her rattled breath escaping her chest as she finally stood in place. She closed her eyes, not daring to look across the crowd, feeling a rough pulling at her midriff to ensure her wings were tightly bound, before the rough, coarse rope of the noose rubbed down against her neck.
There was a long silence, before the voice of the executioner echoed around the courtyard "Rainbow Dash. For the crimes against Equestria and it's ponies, I sentence you to die"
Dash took one long, deep breath before the floor beneath her opened.