//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: A Test of Colors // Story: Vexes of the Multiverse // by Crowborn //------------------------------// Chapter 17: A Test of Colors It was early the next day, just after the group had finished eating breakfast. Twilight got a good meal both from the food and the love energy from Rainbow Dash. She wasn't able to get much off of Rarity or Trixie, but after what they had gone through, she didn't blame them. Verse walked into the room, interrupting them as Twilight and Rainbow Dash were trying to answer some of the lingering questions Trixie and Rarity had. "Rainbow Dash," he spoke in a calm, but authoritive tone, "Come with me. I found a suitable world to test you." There was a moment of stunned silence. Rainbow Dash took a breath, "O-Okay," she said, slowly building the confidence in her voice. "Wait, if she goes, I go too," spoke Twilight, stepping forward. She would not take no for an answer. To her surprise, Trixie also stepped forward, "Us too." However, Rarity hesitated, giving Twilight an untrusting stare. It wasn't until she looked at Rainbow Dash, and then to Trixie, that she finally agreed. But even then, Twilight took note of how the white unicorn mare made sure to stay on the other side of Trixie, away from her. Twilight couldn't help but feel a slight pang of hurt in her chest, even if she understood her feelings. Verse twitched his tail in mild annoyance, but gave no complaints. He led the way out of the mansion into the empty whiteness of Nowhere. The mansion dissolved behind them, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. Trixie gave it a questioning look, but she said nothing. Rarity did not seem to notice. They walked for a while, with no concept of time, until the familiar pop brought them to the Worldscape. The travelled in silence for a while as Verse continued to guide them, until Rarity spoke up. "That's...strange...." "What do you mean?" asked Twilight. "Every time I think I have a question to ask, it seems to....slip away..." she replied. "Huh, I have noticed that too..." Trixie chimed in. "Me, as well" said Rainbow Dash. Twilight's eyes widened as she realized what was going on, but she also noticed that she felt no such thing herself. She could form questions just fine. "Verse! You liar! You said you wouldn't use that spell again!" Twilight accused, magic beginning to charge in her horn, just in case. Verse scoffed, "I did not. And I am no liar. I only promised not to use the spell on you. But your companions? They are free game as far as I am concerned." She glared at him. She had a feeling the others did too. Verse made the gesture that implied he was rolling his eyes, "Fine." He blinked and the spell seemed to dissipate from her friends. Questions formed without obstruction, but Verse gave no answers. "Geez, why is he such a jerk?" Trixie asked. Twilight could only give a shrug as she continued to glare at the spirit. Verse continued to ignore them until they finally came to a stop above a sea of stars that seemed to emulate the motion of the sea, moving back and forth as if it had waves. Most of the stars were purple or orange, however there were a few of varying colors sprinkled about. Verse drew attention to a Cyan Star, and touched it. He then offered up his other hoof for them to grab, and as the last of then did, there was yet another pop. Once more, they appeared in yet another world. It was night here, but a bit more lively. The group quickly recognized it as the train platform just outside of Ponyville. Verse turned to Rainbow Dash, completely ignoring the others as he began to explain the situation. He pointed to a small philly in the small crowd that the group quickly recognized as Scootaloo. She was waiting with her scooter in hand, watching the tracks for the train. "A pony is going to cause her great harm. All you must do is stop that pony. Remember to play your cards carefully. You are not her world's Rainbow Dash," he explained. He then led her to the back of the platform, out of the sight of any onlookers. "Your test begins now." With a sudden pop, she felt herself be entered into the time stream. Verse, Twilight, and the others were nowhere to be seen. "Guys? Where---? Guys?" --- Twilight and the others watched as Rainbow Dash gave a confused look, no longer able to see or hear them. The test had begun, and all they could do now was watch. Twilight noticed Verse walking away. " Wait, where are you going?" She asked. Verse just waved a hoof. "I have other things to do." "Aren't you going to watch? Isn't that the whole point of the test?" inquired Trixie. Verse chuckled, "You forget who you speak to. I am the master of Time and Space within the Multiverse. I can be gone for a thousand years and still have plenty of time. I have all the time in the Multiverse, after all." And with that, he vanished, leaving the girls stranded outside the time stream. Twilight shouted out his name several tines, demanding that he come back and explain himself. But he did not. However, she felt a chill go down her spine, as if unseen eyes were watching them. The girls could do nothing but watch as Rainbow Dash began her test. --- Rainbow Dash called out for friends for a few more moments before finally coming to the conclusion that she was all on her own. Rainbow Dash walked back towards were the small crowd that was waiting on the train was. She was about to go and talk to Scootaloo, but the memory of Verse's words stopped her cold. You are not her world's Rainbow Dash. For some reason, those words stung her, but she couldn't figure out the reason why. Regardless, she decided to keep her distance and stay hidden, and hope nopony noticed her. None did. It wasn't long before the familiar sound of the train could be heard in the distance. A little over a minute later, the train finally came to a halt at the station. Rainbow Dash watched as Scootaloo eyed the passengers coming off eagerly. Who was she looking for? Upon not finding whomever it was she was looking for, Scootaloo went inside the train. Rainbow Dash watched her progress through the many windows of the train until she came to a stop at a window with a sleeping pony in it. Rainbow Dash froze as she recognized the pony. It was herself. Scootaloo awoke the other Rainbow Dash, and after a minute, they both got off the train and began to leave the station. Rainbow Dash ducked and his, as to avoid being spotted. Thankfully, that was much easier since it was dark. She decided to tail them, as she needed to jeep an eye on Scootaloo to make sure she stayed safe from whatever pony it was that Verse had warned her about. She took notice that the other Rainbow Dash did not seem to be in a good mood. Rainbow Dash followed them at safe distance. She frowned, if she still had her wings, she could get closer more stealthily. But since that was no longer an option, she would have to make do. From what she could overhear, the Other Rainbow Dash hadn't made the cut to become a Wonderbolt. That explained her bad mood. Even though Twilight promised they would get her new prosthetic wings, becoming a Wonderbolt was a lost dream for her, too. The other Rainbow Dash still had her wings. It made her ponder what could have possibly happened to make her not make the cut. Rainbow kept an eye out for any other pony who may come around and attack Scootaloo, but she didn't see any, granted the dark of night did little to help her field of view. That is when she heard a sickening thwack. Rainbow Dash turned to see Scootaloo on the ground with a broken nose. The other Rainbow Dash stood with a glare of anger and a bloody hoof. Rainbow Dash froze in shock. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She would never hurt Scootaloo! Unfortunately, it wasn't until she saw Other Rainbow Dash buck Scootaloo hard in the side, that she was able to shake off her initial shock. Anger flooded her veins, another version of herself or not, nobody hurts her friends. Especially not Scootaloo. She was like a little sister to her. Without even thinking, she charged the other Rainbow Dash and bucked her in the side, shoving her away from Scootaloo. Other Rainbow Dash, caught off guard by the sudden attack, dizzily got back to her feet before regathering her focus. There was a long silence as the two Rainbow Dashes locked eyes. "R-Rainbow Dash?" she could hear Scootaloo call in confusion. Other Rainbow Dash, having gotten over the surprise of seeing another her, snarled. "What's this? A changeling? You will pay for that, bughead. You can't even get my form right! I'm a pegasus, not an earth pony. And what's with the bandages? Trying to pretend to be a mummy too?" Other Rainbow Dash spat, hatred and contempt seething in her voice. "I am not a changeling, dummy! I am you from another universe, and I am here to kick your sorry behind for what you did to Scoots!" Rainbow Dash yelled back. Other Rainbow Dash charged, but Rainbow Dash was ready and spun to kick her straight in the face. However, Other Rainbow Dash was faster than she thought, and dodged by flapping her wings at just the right moment, and then kicked Rainbow Dash in the face. Rainbow Dash staggered, but quickly got back to her feet, only to then be tackled by Other Rainbow Dash. They rolled for a bit, kicking and biting until finally, Rainbow Dash managed to slip both of her hind hooves underneath the other Rainbow Dash and bucked her hard in the stomach, knocking her off of her. Other Rainbow Dash skid for a bit before getting back up onto her feet. She snarled. Unfortunately for Rainbow Dash, the Bandages she was wearing had torn, and her still healing wounds burned from damages of their brief scuffle. Her wing stumps and flank scars were now visible. Scootaloo gasped in surprise, and even the other Rainbow Dash had paused for a second, before anger and hatred returned to her face. "You...you piece of shit!! You mock me!" Other Rainbow Dash seethed, disgusted by what she saw. Other Rainbow Dash grabbed Scootaloo's scooter and took flight. She then rushed strait at Rainbow Dash, slamming the scooter down upon her. Rainbow Dash was able to mitigate some of the damage by throwing her hooves up to block it, but pain still surged through her body as she was slammed back across the dirt. Her wounds flared up again in protest, and her left ear began ringing, but she got back to her feet. She spat out a splash of blood before wiping her mouth with her hoof. Other Rainbow Dash glared at her, pure hatred in her eyes now. "You liar! There is no way a piece of useless pegasus trash like you is me!! You don't even have wings anymore! A pegasus who can't fly is a useless piece of garbage!" the other Rainbow Dash spat, "There is no way I would ever be that useless!" Rainbow Dash bit her lip, tears beginning to form in her eyes. The words of her counterpart had stung her deeply. But she refused to give in. "I may not have my wings anymore, but I am more Rainbow Dash than you will ever be!" she retorted. The two clashed again, this time Rainbow Dash punched Other Rainbow Dash as hard as she could. The Other Rainbow Dash returned in kind, but she kept punching over and over with her hoof until Rainbow Dash was finally able to kick her away again. "A worthless nobody imposter like you is nothing like me! You don't even have your cutie mark anymore!" Other Rainbow Dash scowled. Angry tears fell down Rainbow Dash:s face. Her body was sore both from the fight and from her wounds being riled up again. She was just about to retaliate when she heard a familiar voice speak out. "What in tarnation is goin' on here?" Both Rainbow Dashes turned to see a confused AppleJack holding a crying Scootaloo.