Three years.

It's been a long three years, up there in the north, fighting for Equestria.

At last, though, those three years are over, and Rainbow Dash is finally home again in Ponyville. The war is won and she's returned triumphant, having done her part and served with honor. But after what it's taken out of her - and left lingering inside of her - can Rainbow Dash really come home again so easily? Does the Ponyville she once knew still exist for her? And are the ponies she's coming home to getting back the same Rainbow Dash that went out there to fight for them, those three years ago?

Only marked for gore because of a moderate amount incidentally present by necessity in the first part, and it's not particularly bad, so don't let that turn you off if it's not your thing. Most of the story doesn't have any blood or violence at all.