Chapter 18: Earned
"Rainbow Dash and...Rainbow Dash?" AppleJack said in a confused tone.
Other Rainbow Dash spoke first, "I'm the real Rainbow Dash, this one is a imposter!"
Rainbow Dash growled, "I am not an imposter! And at least I wasn't the one who attacked Scootaloo, you bastard!" The two scuffled once more.
At first it looked like there was going to be a confusion, but when Other Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "Well, she deserved it!", AppleJack knew which one to buck.
With a sharp turn she pulled back her powerful legs and bucked the Rainbow Dash whom still had her wings. She was sent flying into a tree, and with a groan, slumped to the ground.
AppleJack turned to Rainbow Dash, "Now, ya care to explain what's been goin' on here?"
Rainbow Dash sighed, more out of relief, than anything, then twitched in pain as her wounds flared up. "Ow! I can explain. I am a different Rainbow Dash from another universe! I was tasked with saving Scootaloo here from any pony that would harm her. I just didn't expect it to be, well, me. Or rather, her." Rainbow Dash pointed at Other Rainbow Dash, who was beginning to stir.
Anger and hate began to form in Other Rainbow Dash's eyes as a snarl formed on her lips, but before she could do anything, AppleJack gave another buck, this time on the head to knock her out.
Scootaloo continued to cry, but to Rainbow Dash's surprise, she ran over and hugged her. "Ow!" cried Rainbow Dash as pain briefly shot up her back and shoulder. Scootaloo, quickly backed up. "S-Sorry!" she exclaimed in between sobs.
AppleJack frowned. "We need to get the two of you to a hospital, and then we need to take her to Twilight and the others. She'll know what to do with her," she said, pointing to Other Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash didn't get to reply as there was a sudden pop and she was no longer there. She was back at the Worldscape.
---
Twilight and the others watched as the two Rainbow Dashes fought. Twilight's worry grew as she saw Rainbow Dash's bandages get torn and come undone.
"She seems to be doing well," a voice from behind the group spoke, making them all jump in surprise.
Twilight turned to see Verse casually walking toward them.
"I thought you left us to rot!" spat Trixie, stepping forward. Both Twilight and Rarity shared this sentiment. All three of the girls scowled at him. Verse continued, seemingly unfazed.
"I have many other things to attend to, besides this, you know. There are many worlds to watch, many tasks to complete, and many duties to preform that are expected of me."
Twilight scoffed, "That doesn't mean you can just abondon us here, outside the time stream!"
Verse did another rolling eyes gesture. "I did not abandon anything. I merely multitasked. I did the same thing during your test, Twilight, and will likely do so again. I must manage my time precisely. It is an important measure to be taken for a spirit of my nature."
They all were going to protest more, but Verse silenced them with a hoof, and pointed towards the scene before them.
It seems that this world's version of AppleJack had come to her aid, and the other Rainbow Dash lied slumped up against a tree.
"It seems she has completed her Test."
---
It wasn't long until the others appeared around her. She noticed the scowls on her friends and grew worried. "I passed the test, r-right?"
Rarity turned and stared at Verse, whom only gave a brief nod. "Yes, Darling, you did great. That isn't why we are angry..."
Rainbow Dash gave a confused look, "Then why--"
Trixie then spoke up, anger in her voice, "Because SOMEPONY decided to up and ditch us half way through your test and abandoned us outside the time stream!"
Verse scoffed, "Stop being so mellow-dramatic. You weren't abandoned. I watched the whole thing. Besides, I have told you, I have many other things on my to-do list than just this. You couldn't process everything I do for this Multiverse."
And with that he began walking back. The girls did not immediately follow him, but as he began to get farther in distance, they begrudgingly realized that they would be lost in this place without him, and begrudgingly began to follow.
They walked for what seemed like hours before they hears a familiar pop and the emptiness of Nowhere once again came into view.
It was not long after that the Mansion began to rise and build itself around them.
When they were finally inside, Verse departed from the group. "You may rest until I have further need of you. I must find a suitable world to test her." He pointed at Rarity before he turned the corner, and walked out of sight.
Twilight frowned, she had many thoughts on her mind, but the safety of her friends took priority. "Come on, Rainbow Dash, let's get you patched up again, I'm worried about your wounds." Rainbow Dash winced in agreement.
Twilight then turned to Rarity, "I can take a look at you as well, since your wounds are still relatively fresh as well." She reached out a hoof to touch her, but Rarity suddenly flinched and darted off, "Don't touch me!"
Rainbow Dash raised her voice to call after her, "Hey! That's not nice! Twilight isn't a monster!"
Twilight sighed, "No, it's okay, Dash. She is still suffering from the traumatic events that she has recently been through."
A shiver went down Trixie's spine and tears begin to well up in her eyes, "I'll...I'll go talk to her. Trixie will try to talk her down..." and with that, she darted off after her, heading towards the bedroom.
The two remaining girls stared for a brief moment before Twilight spoke
"Well, we need to get in there as well. You still need to have tour wounds cleaned and bandaged up. The last thing you need now is getting an infection."
Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. "Y-Yeah, you're right."
Twilight couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt in heart from the way Rarity had reacted to her, even though she understood it. She wanted to talk to her, to explain she wasn't like that other Twilight. But, she decided to let Trixie talk to her first. Rarity seemed to trust her the most out of their group. She was not sure what led to those having such a bond, but she figured that would be a question best saved for later.