My heart pounded in my chest, my muscles tensed, as I made my way down the corridor. I stopped and stared up at the door to the club, the music barely more than a soft thump from this side. Could I really do this? I tried to stretch my left wing, only to have a dull pain flare up my shoulder. It’s too late to turn back now. My eyes drifted to the floor, staring at the metal I walked on, as I began to feel doubt wash over me. No! I had to do this. I looked to the door once more, steadying my resolve, and slowly began climbing the steps.

With each step I could begin to see the visions of my recent past. The same visions Braeburn, or the spirit that had taken his form, had shown me. The visions of a killer, a monster, mercilessly slaughtering anypony, anything, that stood in her way. Yet I still couldn’t bring myself to believe such a thing. Even though I had seen it, I still could not believe I wasn’t doing what was right. These thoughts haunted me, with each moment a new scene played before me, trying to cloud the view of reality. What was that reality, maybe that is the true question? When I sleep I see my mistakes, and shades of the past. When I’m awake I bear witness to the dead. It seems with each passing day that I find myself more out of touch with reality, more distant from the world I’m so desperate to protect.

I suddenly stopped my ascent, eyes wide, as I stared up at the door. Was… was this be the weight, the burden, Braeburn spoke of? Could these things I see be the echoes of souls? The remainder of a life that I ended? I shook my head, as if trying to forcibly throw these thoughts from my mind. No!That wasn't it. They’re reminders, moments frozen in time, to make sure that I never forget what has been done... Or what I must do. I sighed and continued my climb, shortly reaching the door to the club. The music had grown steadily louder, as I had made my way up, and now I could hear it more easily. I waited a moment, trying to clear my mind of the few straggling thoughts I had, before slamming my hoof against the door. There was a pause, then the mechanism of the door turned causing a loud thud, before the door swung open.

I smiled as I saw AJ standing there and she returned my smile, before stepping aside as I walked through the door. The lights and music of the club continued, despite the lack of ponies dancing. The aforementioned ponies now pressed against the backwall of the club, trying to stay away from anything that could, and undoubtedly would happen.

“Glad to see you’re awake, Sugarcube.” I heard AJ say as she moved to my side and nuzzled my neck.

“I’m glad to be awake,” I chuckled. I looked to Redheart, who stood on the dance floor, and nodded. She smiled in return only allowing her attention to leave the club entrance for a moment. “She seems really focused.”

“Yeah, she is.” Aj sighed and leaned more of her weight against me, using me as a prop to hold her up. “She was the first one to get the information about the attack. Apparently something about that information got her worried, which makes me think this ain’t your run of the mill attack.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Ah’m saying that something big is on its way here, ain’t too sure Ah wanna know what it is.” She stood up straight and stretched, moving past me as she headed towards Redheart.

“How did anypony first receive word of the attack?” I asked. I walked at AJ’s side, falling into step with her, as we made our way to the dance floor and Redheart.

“We’ve, well I should say Trixie and I, had scouts combing the city since our initial arrival. We knew we couldn’t head into the city blind, so we quickly established a connection with the underground resistance.” Redheart answered, her attention now resting on me. “Vinyl and Octavia just so happened to be the leaders of said resistance, which made everything a bit more convenient. We found ‘The Mechanic’, the resistance and everything else we’d need all in this club.”

“That’s all well and good,” I began, standing before Redheart. “But that still doesn’t answer how we received word of this attack. I can only assume the scouts you mentioned?”

“Indeed.” Redheart smiled her usual smile as she spoke, offering me a small nod in confirmation. “The scouts were the first to catch wind of the Changeling movements.”

“Alright, I get that part. Now how about you tell us why this attack has you so on edge?”

Redheart wasn’t quick to answer, in fact, she seemed quite distressed by my question. She turned away from AJ and I, before letting a deep sigh escape her. “The attack itself isn’t what’s worrying me. It’s who’s leading the attack.”

“Well it can’t be anypony to scary. Ah mean, hell… We’ve all seen our fair share of fearsome opponents.” AJ added, pushing the brim of her stetson up.

“AJ’s right. I’m sure whoever heads this attack is no different than any opponent we’ve faced so far.”

“That’s just it.” She replied. She began pacing the dance floor, her head hung low in thought. Finally she came to a stop and looked to me once more. “Tell me, Rainbow, have you learned anything since Las Pegasus?”

I was confused by what she said to me. I simply stared at her, her soft gaze focused solely on me, and thought about her words. “What do you mean?” I asked finally after a moment of silence. “Was there something I was supposed to learn?”

Redheart sighed deeply, her eyes taking on a hint of disappointment. “Do you remember your battle with Bane Tooth?”

My body tensed at the mere mention of that name, thoughts of our battle flooded my mind, and I could feel the all too familiar sensation of rage fill my soul. “I didn’t fight Bane Tooth,” I replied, my very blood boiling with anger. “I fought a fake, a pretender, not the real thing.”

Redheart nodded and stepped towards me. She stopped just before me and placed a hoof on my shoulder, just above my left wing. “Do you remember the rage that burns in you? I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice, I can practically feel it…”

“Bane Tooth was the one who cut off your wing, right?” AJ asked, remaining at my side.

My gaze shifted to her and I nodded. “What does any of this have to do with the attack?” Just think about it. A dull pain ran through me as I heard the voice of my dark self, causing me to grit my teeth in a mix of annoyance and frustration.

“There it is again. There is your rage getting the better of you… Clouding your judgement. I had hoped you would have learned from that battle how to control your rage.” Redheart turned from me and shook her head, before glancing at me over her shoulder. “I cannot allow you to take part in this battle Rainbow.”

“Like hell you can’t! This place is about to be under attack! There are ponies huddled against a wall scared for their lives! I-” Suddenly I could feel the cold metal of Redheart’s scalpel against my throat, and a quick glance towards AJ confirmed she was in the same predicament. “What do you think you’re doing?” I asked calmly, as AJ stood silent. Ha! She’s gonna put you under the knife! I closed my eyes as I heard the darkness within slowly grow louder.

“What would you do?” Redheart spoke. “What would you do if you ever faced the real Bane Tooth?”

“I would kill him.” The scalpel pressed harder against my throat at my answer.

“What would you do?” She asked again.

I went silent, my eyes opened and focused on Redheart. “I… I wouldn’t be able to control myself.” You’re right, you should just give me control. Another smart ass remark, another pain, and another moment of suffering my dark half. “I wouldn’t be able to focus. I’d be so caught up in what has happened, that I would forget what is happening. I would go after him with all of my anger and fury. I wouldn’t stop until…” I suddenly stopped, my mind filled with the images of Ponyville, Appleloosa and Las Pegasus. The image of my coat soaked in blood as I smiled. “I wouldn’t stop until his blood covered me and I crushed his head beneath my hoof.”

The scalpel pulled back quickly and Redheart smiled. “That pause, that small hesitation… Did you see it? Did you see what your anger has brought you? Did you see how it clouds your judgement and makes you careless?”

I opened my mouth to answer, when my darker half spoke. Why don’t you tell her what you really saw? I grimaced and turned from Redheart and AJ both, slamming my hoof down. “Maybe… But that anger, rage and fury have brought me this far. Even if they make me careless and reckless, my body can make up the difference.”

“They are killing you, Sugarcube.” AJ suddenly spoke up. She moved to my side and nuzzled her face against mine, kissing my cheek softly. “Ah used to fight with anger and hatred. That’s how Ah made it through each and every day. Ah held onto it and used its strength, but it’s not true strength. Those feelings are just a crutch, that help us get by. They don’t make us any better… They only hold us back. Make us clumsy and irresponsible.”

Yeah, yeah. Bleeding heart this and bleeding heart that. But hey, you should probably just smile and nod. Don’t wanna piss her off or you might not get any of that apple pie later, If you know what I mean and I’m winking… just incase you couldn’t tell. I let out a low growl of frustration and stepped away from AJ. “What does any of this have to do with anything? Shouldn’t we be more worried about the attack?”

“We’re worried about you, Rainbow. Because the pony leading the attack… Well the Changeling leading the attack… Is Bane Tooth.”

“WHAT!?” My eyes went wide and I whipped around, closing the distance between Redheart and myself. “Bane Tooth is coming here!?” Oh… Oh shit… Hold on, I need to get some popcorn. This is gonna be good. “Shut up dammit!”

“I didn’t say anything.” Redheart replied, her face showing confusion from my sudden outburst. She cleared her throat, collecting herself, before smiling. “Bane Tooth, the real Bane Tooth, is leading this attack. Apparently he was sent here and given his orders directly from Chrysalis. I had wished you’d stayed asleep for this battle and avoided all this, but it seems that isn’t happening. At the least I had hoped you would be able to fight him with a level head… But that isn’t going to happen either, I see.”

I think she just insulted you with a smile, I like her. Why haven’t you been playing nurse with her?

“Enough of this!” I roared. My wings flared open, my left side burning with pain as they did. “I don’t know why the bug queen decided to send her top general and honestly I don’t give a flying buck! I don’t care that you,” I said as I pointed a hoof to Redheart, “don’t want me to fight! I’m gonna rip that monster's head off and wear it like a damn hat!” Hell yeah! You could even put some beads or… You know… Something decorative on it. I mean, why stop there? You could make a nice coat or some boots. I hear Changeling skin boots are all the rage this year.

Redheart only sighed and returned to where she had stood when I first came up. “Fine. I cannot choose the path you take. But know this, Rainbow. No matter what you can’t allow yourself to die. You cannot allow your anger to make you careless.” She paused and looked to me. “You lost a wing against a fake… You’ll lose your life against the real thing.”

“What the hell ever. That bug wants to come get squashed then bring him the buck on!”

“You know… Ah’ve only ever seen you this mad once before.” AJ said, stepping past me. “It was at Canterlot and we both know how that turned out.”

Hey I remember that! Blood everywhere, chaos gently floating through the air and a whole lot of your friends died. Good times, good times. My body trembled and I started to chuckle, as if I’d finally lost my sanity. “Fine! The two of you want me to keep calm? Then I’ll keep calm and keep on killing every bug that walks through that door, until there isn’t a single one left!” I had no sooner finished, before we heard a loud thud against the door and an explosion rocked the club.

My body felt heavy as I rose to my hooves, the shock of the blast having caused me to fall, and coughed as I tried to see through the dirt and debris. Finally the dust settled as light poured in through the breach in the wall, casting elongated shadows of the creatures that began pouring into the club. The clicking of hooves and wings, the scent of the changeling filth. My mind immediately returned to Canterlot, flashbacks of that battle now on full display within myself.

“Dammit Rainbow, snap out of it!” Redheart shouted. I could feel the back of her hoof smack me across the cheek, knocking me from my lulled state. “Rainbow they’re coming!” I turned from Redheart to see the door of the club completely blown apart, and a sea of black pouring in through opening. Foot Soldiers, Elites, and every scaly thing else in between… But I didn’t see Bane Tooth. I looked to my other side and saw AJ ready to get this shit storm kicking. I couldn’t help but chuckle, causing her to shoot a ‘quit it or Ah’ll kill ya’ glance my way.

“Alright you dirty bugs!” I shouted, stepping towards the writhing mass before me, “you came all this way for a fight? Well we’re gonna give you one!” The moment those words left my mouth all hell broke lose and the fight kicked into drive. Redheart unleashed a volley of scalpels, dropping a couple dozen from the start, while AJ and I rushed in. It was chaos in the club and everypony who hid behind the three of us finally got to see what the war really was… It was horror, pure and true.

AJ and I pushed through the center of the Changeling force, carving a path to the center of their mass, back to back taking on every challenger. My sword swung with rapid, deadly, precise attacks that cleaved many of the Changelings in two. While AJ put on a splendid show of strength, tossing and bucking anything that stepped near her.

“I’ll send every single one of you to hell!” I roared. Even though it was chaos… Even though it was the purest form of brutality… I was in love with this. The pain of my wing, that had plagued the greater part of my left side, just melted away as my body began to move on its own. That’s right, just let go. “SHUT THE BUCK UP!” I demanded of the increasingly growing voice, the darkness within, that wracked my mind. I spun and rolled across AJ’s back, slicing through several more changelings as I landed.

“Where’d you learn to fight all fancy?” AJ called out.

“I didn’t! I just go with the flow!” I yelled back, impaling a changeling on my blade, as I heard the sickening crunch of another’s face meeting my hoof. Seeing you like this makes me so proud, but let me show you how a pro does it! A sharp pain spread through my skull, as my body seemed to will itself to move. Suddenly I was rushing towards AJ, my sword tightly grasped between my teeth. “Give me a lift!” I shouted, through the hilt of my blade, without even thinking. AJ nodded quickly and steadied herself in response, clearing back a few changelings. I leapt into the air, my back hooves landing on AJ’s front, as she catapulted me into the air. LIFT OFF!

I spun in the air, a flurry of scalpels being unleashed beneath me, and watched in awe as they all missed AJ, finding themselves embedded in a number of changeling skulls. Hey, you ready? I heard the darkness call, causing me to worry. My wings flared open and stretched, quickly folding back against me as I dove back towards the dance floor. I slammed down onto a changeling, the sound of his body breaking beneath me rang out like a symphony of the damned, bringing me nothing short of pure ecstasy. That moment of twisted joy was soon over though, as my gaze came to fall upon the object of my hate and rage... Bane Tooth. The Changeling General now stood at the destroyed club entrance, a cocky smile displayed just below his condescending gaze.

I could see Redheart turn her attention to me, quickly putting down the enemies that separated the two of us, so she could stop what she knew was about to happen. The world… No… The entire universe seemed to standstill when I looked back to Bane Tooth, and our eyes meet. Would you like me to take care of this? “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” I could feel my body lighten and the pressure that had been exerting itself over me lessen, after I spoke. I’d like for you not to get us killed, not before I can kill you and take this body for myself. I scoffed at the words the darkness spoke, giving them no concern. “You can try to kill me, but I’ve told you once already. I’M THE REAL RAINBOW DASH!” Just like somepony had flipped a switch or removed some kind of spell, the universe was suddenly back to full motion.

“Rainbow, don’t!” Redheart shouted. “You can’t just rush in!”

“Oh… But I can, or have you forgotten? I’m Rainbow Dash.” I’m Rainbow Dash. I crouched down and in an instant I was headed for Bane Tooth, slicing through any changeling that stood in my way. Bane Tooth’s sword became covered by his magic and was drawn within a mere moment. Sparks erupted into the battle filled air, the sound of steel ringing out above all, as our blades meet and skimmed off each other. My hooves slammed against the club wall, while Bane Tooth simply turned, our eyes meeting for just an instant, before I kicked off the wall. This time we meet, our strength being tested by the other, trying to force a quick finish.

“You’re the Pegasus filth that killed my second!” The Changeling General roared, planting his hoof into my stomach with great force.

I was sent flying back, slamming into a group of changelings that quickly became fodder for my blood lust, before laughing. “Yeah that’s right! That bug got squashed, just like you’re about to be!” I rushed in once more, staying low, attacking the general’s legs. His defense was astounding, easily blocking every attack I threw at him, until I swung my back hoof up and connected with a kick to his jaw.

Bane Tooth turned his head and spit out a tooth, licking the small trickle of blood from his lip with a sadistic grin. “I’m going to carve you into tiny pieces and feed you to the Diamond Dogs, but only after I use that fur of yours to line my armor.”

“You’re doing a lot of talking for a changeling that’s about to die.” I didn’t have time to say much more before the general was upon me, bearing his weight down against mine. The force of his body made his blade seem like it weighed nothing short of a large stallion, his killing intent all too clear. His eyes burned with an intense rage, yet there was no lack of control, no lack of composure… only serenity. “You are still far too inexperienced to face me. Because of that, this will be your last battle, Rainbow Dash.” A sudden shift, a quick blur, he moved so fast that I could barely believe it as I was sent soaring back again.

I slammed into the wall of the club, every speck of air rushing out of my lungs, before falling to the floor. I dropped my blade, gasping desperately for air, my hooves moving to my ribs. Wow, he just knocked the shit out of you. I think he even cracked a rib or two with that last kick. “How in the hell is he this fast!? I didn’t even see him throw a kick!” Are you sure you don’t want me to handle him? “Buck off! I’ll be damned if I’ll cower behind your power!” I grabbed my head, squeezing it tightly, as I fought against the voice within. Oh… Poor Dashie. You’re already damned, but you’re about to be dead… if you don’t move.

My eyes suddenly shot open and I saw Bane Tooth standing above me, his sword held high. “Poor creature, it seems as if you can’t accept your own weakness. Killing you now will be more of a kindness than I had originally thought.” He brought his blade down swiftly, with the same speed that he’d been able to use against me only moments before. This is the part where you get out of the way~. “I told you to be quiet!” I roared. I barely avoided Bane Tooth’s blade as it sliced through my mane, allowing my body to fall to the ground. I had no time to rest though and spun, sweeping Bane Tooth’s legs with my hind legs.

The Changeling general toppled to the ground, a shocked expression clear on his face, as I leapt up. “Poor Dashie! Poor creature! I don’t want anyponies, any creatures, pity! I am Rainbow Dash, Celestia dammit, and all I want is your life!” My right wing flipped my sword into the air as I caught it between my hooves, bringing it down with all my strength. Once more sparks erupted and the sound of steel meeting steel rang out, but this time I was the one with the advantage. “I will destroy you, your queen and myself if I must!”

“You are nothing but a foolish mare who refuses to accept that her kind has lost everything, and it will never be reclaimed!” Bane Tooth roared in reply. He reared back one of his hind legs and planted it into my stomach, the force sending a shock wave throughout my body. I screamed in pain, blood erupting from my mouth, as I stood there refusing to give into his strength. “Die damn you!” Another, then another, kick after kick, Bane Tooth continued his assault.

I could feel my hind legs strain, they screamed to give in, as I stood my ground. “I… Will not… DIE HERE!” I screamed. Blood flew from my mouth as he landed another kick, but this one would be his last. I grabbed a hold of his leg, and smiled sadistically, the scent of my own blood fueling an already intense desire to kill.

“You fool! You just sealed your death!” Bane Tooth pushed me back, as I kept my hold of his leg, and brought his sword back fully prepared to cut me down. “For my queen,” he smiled.

Let go dumb ass! “Kiss my ass… Both of you.” I dove forward as Bane Tooth swung, my head barely ducking the blade, exposing my back. Well, congrats, you’ve done bucked up. Now we’re both gonna die. I only laughed at my darker self and brought my sword down, severing Bane Tooth’s right leg, before rolling safely to the ground. Wait a damn second! Why aren’t we dead!? “It’s because I knew they wouldn’t let me die,” I replied as I turned and gazed at Redheart and AJ. “Thanks for the help girls.”

AJ just scoffed at me and rolled her eyes, her metal foreleg held up against Bane Tooth’s blade.

“You’re quite welcome, Rainbow. But please be more careful going forward,” Redheart replied with a smile, holding a pair of scalpels against Bane Tooth’s blade, alongside AJ.

“M-my… My soldier's,” Bane Tooth managed, gritting his teeth in pain.

“We killed a whole mess of em’,” AJ started, knocking away Bane Tooth’s sword. “Then the rest of em’ got smart and ran. Guess they don’t believe in their queen, at least not as much as you do. Can’t blame em’ though, Ah think she ain’t nothing special myself.”

“You damn ponies! You pathetic filth! How dare you speak about my queen in such a way!”

“My, my, such language,” Redheart said suddenly. She threw one of the scalpels she held at Bane Tooth’s injured leg, embedding it just above where my blade had sliced through it.

Bane Tooth roared in pain and swung his left leg at Redheart, only to have it go soaring through the air and land several feet away. The Changeling general gritted his teeth, several cracks ringing out, as they cracked from the pressure. “I will not yield,” he said slowly, fighting through the pain. His horn began to glow and his magic enveloped his blade once more, as he brought it closer.

“I’ve taken both of your hind legs, you can’t even stand,” I chuckled, stepping closer towards him. “You might as well give up and die with a bit more energy… Insect.”

“A true warrior will never surrender! Even if I am made lame, blind, or deaf… I will continue to fight on, until I die, because that is how I’ve chosen to show loyalty to my queen!” Bane Tooth swung his blade at me and I simply knocked it aside with my own, following through and slicing off his horn. “You bitch!”

“Yeah, that’s it, call me a bitch. Get it all out of your system now, because you’ll be dead soon,” I grinned. “Don’t worry though. I’ll be sending your queen to meet you, very soon.” Bane Tooth looked at me with a gaze of sheer hatred and disgust, spitting in my face. Oh shit! Did he… He did… Oh shit! I growled in annoyance as I wiped my face and suddenly brought my sword up, before bringing it down across Bane Tooth’s neck. I felt a divine satisfaction as I watched Bane Tooth’s head fall to the ground, that look hatred forever frozen on his face.

“Dashie… Ya alright?” AJ asked suddenly, a nervous tension in her voice.

“Me? Oh I feel amazing,” I smirked, turning to AJ. “Bane Tooth is dead, the Changelings routed and the ponies in the club are now safe. Why wouldn’t I be alright?”

“Rainbow, sweetie, you’re covered in blood and grinning from ear to ear.” Redheart stepped to AJ’s side as she spoke, and I could see that they both looked worried. I turned from them and looked to the ponies against the back wall, each one looking more and more terrified.

I dropped my sword and took a few steps back, my eyes darting between my companions to the club ponies. “I… I need to go,” I said suddenly, turning and running from the club.

“Dashie!” I heard AJ yell and looked over my shoulder at her, pausing for only a moment. She started to run after me, when Redheart grabbed her and shook her head. “Let Rainbow go…” I could feel tears cascade down my face, as I gazed at AJ and heard Redheart's words, and broke out into a full gallop.

Why are you running, you just saved the day? “Just shut up! Just leave me alone!” Where the hell are you even gonna go? I skidded to a stop and kicked at the stone beneath my hooves, biting my lip in frustrating until it bleed. Are you absolutely losing your shit? “I have to get rid of you! I have to get you out of my head!” I shouted as I took off running again. Know where you’re going now, or are you hoping you can run me out of here? I let out a frustrated growl as I kept running, trying to quiet my darker side. “I’m going back to where I first found you.”

I was surprised at the sudden silence, the wonderful reprieve I found, from my darkness. Well, this should be... interesting. I heard my darker side chuckle, causing a chill to shoot up my spine. But what about your injuries? Think you’ll make it back there with those? “I’ll deal with them when I can, right now I just need to put space between myself and the others.” Awww don’t want your friends to know you’re crazy? “Piss off… I just don’t want them to try and stop me.” You’ll come to regret that decision. “It won’t be the first one.”