Rainbow Dash slowly emerged from her blissful daze and began to sink into a dark depression. A feeling of pathetic helplessness overwhelmed her, and she felt like waves of sorrow were washing over her. She noticed that she was lying in Twilight's guest bed. Her wings were sprawled and she began to panic when she realised that she didn't know where her pills were. At her initial attempt to get out of bed, her entire body felt numb and useless. Panicking, she continued her effort and eventually got feeling back into her limbs. Struggling out of bed, the pegasus managed to get to her feet. After this moment of relief, she resumed panicking about the whereabouts of her pills. She glanced about the room and began pacing frantically.

"I know what you're looking for," Twilight said down to Rainbow as she descended the stairs.

The pegasus opened her mouth in surprise and gaped stupidly as the smug unicorn brought forward several bottles of pills, but held them out of reach, with her magic. She also summoned a flask of water and held it out for the pegasus. Realising how thirsty she was, Rainbow Dash gladly took it.

"Thank Celestia you're finally awake. Anyway," the unicorn cleared her throat and began an obviously rehearsed speech, "Now, I know you think this is the solution to all your problems, but it'll end up doing you more harm than good. It's addictive, Rainbow Dash. It'll ruin your life. I want to help you through this difficult time." The condescension in her voice was thickening as she proceeded, "We've all been through a lot, but you can't just numb yourself like this. Do you have any idea how harmful these things can be if you abuse them? You were out for three days! I had to drag you off to the doctor. We thought we might need to pump your stomach, for Celestia's sake!"

Twilight realised that the addict was still drinking from the flask and gasped in fear. "Hey, don't drink that too quickly!" she said, yanking it away with her magic.

"Three days?" Rainbow was momentarily taken aback, but quickly shook off her concern and said "You eggheads really think you know what's best for every pony, don't you? I can take care of myself, Twi. I'm a fully grown mare."

Twilight resisted the urge to point out that the junkie clearly couldn't take care of herself, knowing it would only drive her further away.

"We're stronger as one, Rainbow Dash. Together, we can overcome anything."

"Those days are over, Twi. Fluttershy's dead, I killed an entire community of dogs, Pinkie's gone through some serious stuff I'd rather not think about, and you-" Rainbow hesitated and, avoiding eye contact with her friend, decided against finishing her statement.

"I what?"

The former athlete paused before looking Twilight directly in the eye and saying, "you led us through the whole damn thing. I know that you must've gone through hell in that tunnel, but I killed- I don't even know how many dogs. At your order. Do you have any idea what it feels like, having something like that haunting you?"

"Well, like you said," Twilight replied coldly, "you can't blame yourself. It was entirely my fault."

"I didn't mean it like that."

"You have every right to blame me. I blame me. It was my fault. Please, let me help you through this. I owe it to you. I can't live knowing that you're throwing your life away because of something I've done."

"You're not responsible for any other pony's decisions. I'm unhappy, Twi. These pills replace all my bad thoughts with good ones. Hay, I'd rather be dead than live with that terrible feeling I get when I'm sober. Talking about our unhappy thoughts, which is ally you want to do, has just made both of us feel even worse. I can make my own decisions. Just give me the pills."

"What happens when you run out of money? What happens when-"

"Like I said, I can make my own decisions," Rainbow interrupted.

"You're killing yourself, Dash! Let me help-"

"-Just like you helped Pinkie Pie in the tunnels?"

Twilight stared at the pegasus with a completely blank expression. Rainbow dash returned this look. She felt like she went too far, but didn't want to admit it, so she waited for the unicorn to make a move. Without a word, the lavender pony magically hurled the pill bottles at her friend with restrained aggression.

"Before you drift off into another daze, I should probably let you know that Rarity's gone. She's trying to run away from her problems. It looks like you're doing the same," Twilight stated before disappearing in a flash of magic.

Late that afternoon Applejack resolved once again to show her friends the way of the Hand. They clearly just didn't understand her. If she could explain herself clearly they were sure to convert. Rainbow Dash had drifted further from the path than any pony else. Sage taught that addiction weakens the soul and clouds the mind. Drugs create a sensation of happiness which ought to only be known by embracing the Hand. When Applejack arrived at the library she was greeted by a dejected looking Spike.

"Howdy Spike. How're ya doin'?" asked Applejack.

"Fine," Spike hesitated before continuing hastily, "You know, that's the first time any pony has asked me that since... you know. It kinda feels like no pony cares about me."

"Oh. well look, sugar cube, we've all had a lot on our plates this week. No Pony's been thinking about no pony but themselves. C'mon now, let me tell you 'bout the Hand."

Spike rolled his eyes, having been informed of Applejack's newfound evangelicalism by Twilight. He reluctantly opened the door wider to let her in. Rainbow Dash had was leaning against the bookshelf. She was curled up against the wall, shivering. It looked like she was trying to appear as small and insignificant as possible, like a small animal playing dead to avoid a predator. Beholding the pathetic sight, Applejack sneered briefly before offering her unwanted analysis.

"See now, this is what happens when ponies try to fill the void in their lives with the artificial pleasures of the physical world," she said judgementally.

"Why does every pony think they know what's best for me?" Rainbow Dash said angrily.

"Oh, howdy there sugar cube. Thought you were out of it."

"Applejack, before you even go there, don't."

"Beg pardon?"

"Don't go there. Don't try and tell me what's best for me. I can take care of myself."

"Well hay, sugar cube. No pony can really take care of 'erself," preached Applejack, resisting the urge to lose her temper at the pegasus's arrogance, "I wanna tell ya'all 'bout the Hand. See, the Hand is this all-powerful, err, thing that controls everything. Everything that happens is part of the Hand's plan to deliver ponykind to eternal salvation!"

"Wow. Hey Spike, I've been out of it for a while, so fill me in. What's AJ here tripping on and where can I get some?"

"Now see here, Rainbow Dash. What I'm tellin' ya'all is the honest truth. The Hand-"

"So who told YOU about the hand?"

"What?"

"Did some pony trick you into giving them money with this line or did you invent it in your head to feel better about yourself?"

"Well sure there's a small joining fee. But as it happens, the Hand sent one of its agents when I was in my time of need to-"

"When?"

"Well, truth be told I met a missionary near the bottle shop."

Rainbow dash burst into exaggerated laughter, rolling on the ground. "Ok, ok, so let me get this straight. They set up outside a place where desperate and sad ponies flock to," she said, her voice losing its humour and becoming bitter and mean spirited, "then they feed you this line and say they can make your life good, as long as you fork over your bits?"

"If all you're gunna do is mock me, I'll just show myself out then, shall I?"

Applejack shook her head in indignation before storming out. Once she had left, Spike turned to the momentarily sober Rainbow Dash and said "You know, you shouldn't insult her like that. She's just trying to help, you know." Spike's eyes began to well up as he continued "I wish some pony would try to help ME like that."

"Look, kid. A lot of crazy stuff's been happening lately. I don't think any pony is really in the state to help any pony else. I mean, look at Twi and AJ: sure, their intentions seem good, but at the end of the day they're only sticking their noses into other ponies' business to feel better about themselves. The bonehead thinks she can redeem herself, and the mud pony's probably been brainwashed. Besides, what do you want them to do? You can't just talk your way out of sadness."

"No pony's even TRIED to help me though! None of you care about me!"

Rainbow sighed in frustration. She slowly pulled herself to her feet and struggled to move over to the crying dragon. Kneeling down and placing a hoof over his shoulder she smiled weakly at him.

"Ok, Spike," she said, "I'll try to help. What now?"

"Well, it's bad enough seeing all my friends going through this. And what happened to Fluttershy- I mean, she never deserved that, you know? To top it all off, the mare that I love is gone!"

"The mare you love is gone."

The pony's words hung heavily in the air. She was momentarily disengaged from reality, lost in her mind. A tear ran down her cheek as her weak smile faded away. Suddenly, she got to her feet and made for the door.

"Spike, I need to go see some pony. I should be back by tonight. If Twilight shows up, tell her I'm sorry. Okay?"

Without waiting for a response, she left the library and moved with conviction to the resting place of her best friend.