//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3: Test 
// Story: Vexes of the Multiverse 
// by Crowborn 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3: Test


Verse looked into Queen Twilight's eyes with an emotionless mask. She could not tell what the mysterious stallion was thinking. Before Twilight could speak, Verse began talking. "A few things first. Important things. First, change your form, you can use your old pony form, but it is probably wise not to appear as a changeling, at least not in public here. Second, be wary, Spike is a full grown dragon here, and you know how fiercely loyal he is. Not to mention this world's Twilight has Discord under her beck and call. Third, this alicorn version of you is quite powerful on her own, it is entirely possible that she is more powerful than you, but I hope that this is not the case. Also remember that they are all immortal." 

Queen Twilight didn't like the sound of that. "Well how am I supposed to defeat her then?" She asked frowning deeply. Verse gave a sly smile. "It's called a test for a reason. The last bit of advice is that the only person you truly need to defeat here is the other you, once she is defeated, hopefully you can get her to free these ponies from their curse..."

Again she frowned, "I've already promised I would do it, and I will, but I don't understand why you don't just do it yourself, if you are so powerful and all..."

Verse lowered his head, his pitch black eyes that seemed to reflect a starry Summer's night looked to the ground. "I could, but it wouldn't end well. If I spoke to her, she would not listen. And if I do it by force, I will cause far more harm than good. Plus interventions of my level of power could attract even more dangerous threats in the universe. My direct interference could also end up doing the opposite of what is intended. Some things I can interfere with, but for other things, I am just not the right pony for it. That is why need tools, why I need someone like you...We want these ponies free, but not dead, if that makes any sense."

Twilight was still not satisfied with his answer, but she felt that she would not get anything more out of him. With an encircling green flame, she changed shape to appear as a blue coated pegasus mare with a mane of grey curls. She decided against taking her usual pony form, as it might cause her more trouble than she needed. No need to cause a commotion of two Twilight's running around, not if it could be avoid it. 

She turned to Verse, "I am ready," she said, gathering her confidence as she breathed in, her mind already coming up with a plan. Verse led her to a nearby alleyway, and then tapped her muzzle with his hoof, suddenly she felt solid again. She blinked and was about to ask what had happened, but Verse was suddenly nowhere to be seen. "Verse?" She called out, however she received no answer from the earth pony. She called his name again, "Verse?!" However, there was again no reply. With a sigh, Queen Twilight Sparkle realized that she was on her own...

The young changeling queen slowly made her way back to the castle, where the guard promptly stopped her. "Sorry, Princess Twilight is not having visitors at this hour, come back tomorrow morning during visiting hours..." The guard explained, his tone was that of one who had rehearsed the line a thousand times. His expression was that of clear boredom. 

Queen Twilight paused, noting his armor was completely different from the guards of Luna or Celestia. Their armor held a more purplish hue, and was designed with engraved sculptings of alicorns, and the helm was adorned with an engraving of Twilight's cutie mark.

Queen Twilight quickly scoured her brain for a believable lie. Until it clicked: this world's Twilight Sparkle was also a Princess of Friendship, like she had been, before her mother had died. "But, I-I have a friendship problem..." She told the guard, feigning heart break. The guard remained emotionless, his eyes, as Twilight now noticed, were sulken, and distant. The pain of life hidden just behind those tired eyes. The guard stepped aside, "Go ahead." He spoke in a monotone bored tone.

With an inner sigh of relief, she moved her hooves forward. The castle entrance thankfully looked somewhat familiar as she approached. She noted significant lack of guards patrolling around. There were a few, of course, but not nearly as many as she was used to....

Not everypony she saw had dull expressions on their face; some did indeed smile and laugh with their friends, but even then, the changeling queen could tell something was off. The love energy they emitted felt saturated and not nearly as vibrant as it should. The only ones who did not emit such stale love energy were the children, but that was expected due to their young age.

As she made her way towards the throne room doors, she noticed how most in the castle did not pay much attention to her. For a moment, she even worried that she was invisible again until a young unicorn foal bumped into her, and quickly apologized before hurrying off. He had several papers and books floating above his head, clearly signifying he was very busy.

As the throne room doors opened, Queen Twilight could only gawk at how different the throne room was. The room was large, but mostly empty. The only guard detail in the room stood stationed by the doors. There was a deep chasm were the floor should have been, with only a narrow crystal path that led to the throne that sat in the middle of the room. Queen Twilight peeked over the edge of the narrow path, staring at the chasm below. It didn't bother her as much, since she had wings and could fly, but she couldn't imagine this to be very safe for any of the ponies who couldn't fly. As she looked around some more as she walked the narrow path, she spotted above memorial sigils of her friends, each baring the cutie mark of the respective friend. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Apple Jack, and Pinkie Pie.

She then turned her eyes towards the throne.

Indeed, upon the throne sat another Twilight, who stood as tall as Celestia, and had a gazing white stare in the imposing alicorn's eyes. Twilight stared at this other version of her. It felt wrong to her somehow, a realization of a dream she dismissed long ago. At the throne's feet, just a little to the right, sat a very gloomful looking Discord, and behind the throne sat a very large dragon who strongly resembled Spike. 

Verse was right, a fight against these three would not end well for her. At least, not if she had to face them all at once.

As she approached the throne, the other her spoke. "Who are you? I know everypony in my kingdom, but I have not seen you before. Explain yourself." Her eyes were scrutinous, trying to analyze the pony before her. A green flame engulfed Queen Twighlight as she dropped her disguise and revealed her true form.

In a serious and deadpan tone, the changeling queen spoke, "We need to talk."