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.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Dash is back!