Second Verse, Same as the First

by Obsidian Chitin


Reflections

It was pitch black, and quieter than Wob had ever experienced before. She was floating in some sort of black limbo, unable to move.

A mirror materialized in front of her. Her reflection showed Rainbow Dash, her past self.

You don't really know them, and yet you will throw everything away for them.” Rainbow said.

Because they're my friends!” Wob shot back.

Correction: They are my friends, not yours.” Rainbow said. “You may have my memories, but you are not me, no matter how much you want to be.”

W... What?”

You got it right the first time, Wob.” Rainbow said, spitting out Wob's name like a particularly disgusting cider. “You are a pale imitation of me.”

Rainbow's expression inexplicably softened.

Or more of an echo, I guess.”

That's... That's probably right.” Wob said. “I have your memories, but your personality was lost.”

You want to go and help my friends... Why? When you could have a happy life here?” Rainbow asked.

Because if I don't, then the one surviving piece of you will die.” Wob said.

Really? What piece is that?”

Your loyalty.”

- - -

Wob's eyes slowly opened. She slowly got up, and looked out of the window. She could see the steadily approaching Crystal Empire.

That was... A really weird dream. This whole strange adventure must be really getting to her.

Wob shook her head. Now was not the time to be having fever dreams. She had to make a plan to find out what to do when she made it back to her world. There was definitively a changeling imitating her, that much was clear. She gave a small chuckle at the irony of the situation. She had to prove that a changeling was imitating her when she herself was doing the same. This won't be easy.

She continued to look through the window, lost in thought.

- - -

Wob looked at the mirror. She and it were bathed in a similar prismatic light. She didn't understand the process used to get it working again, but she figured that wasn't important at the moment.

“Luna?” Wob said. “It was nice knowing... This version of you. You are as wise and merciful as Celestia herself.”

“Thank you, Wob.” Luna said with a small bow.

“And Trixie?”

“Yes?” Trixie said expectantly, puffing out her chest.

“It wasn't nice knowing you.” Wob said with a playful smirk. “Go buck yourself.”

With that, she stepped through the portal.

“Well that wasn't very nice!” Trixie huffed with more than a hint of annoyance. Luna chuckled quietly to herself.

- - -

Wasn't it just five minutes ago that she came up with a solution to her predicament? Sure felt like it. And already, she was home.

She then blinked. She was in the... Throne room of Twilight's Castle? Something like that?

The room was devoid of anypony, so it figured that they were in town. With a green flash, Wob took on the form of her previous life as she exited through the window. Which hurt a bit, but she figured getting a window replaced shouldn't cost too much.

- - -

There they were. Fluttershy, Twilight, and... The imposter. Wob immediately dove, smashing right into the changeling.

The outside world was lost to her as she began to beat the crap out of the changeling underneath her. It came back with a force as a violet beam shot her off, skidding on the ground.

“Gh! That's what I get for trying to help you?” Wob groaned as she got back to her hooves.

“Well, obviously you're a changeling!” Twilight said, standing between the imposter and Wob.

“The thing you're protecting is a changeling!” Wob replied.

The fake Rainbow cringed, then got angry. “What the hay are you talking about? You're the imposter here, not me!”

“...Which one is the real Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked meekly.

“I am!” Wob and the changeling both lied.

“Well, there is one thing we can do.” Twilight said simply. “I know a spell that can identify changelings.”

Wob's heart sank. This was not going to end well!

The imposter started to stammer as the spell was cast. A red aura was cast on both Rainbows. Twilight's face scrunched up in confusion. “Wait... They're BOTH changelings!”

The changeling, knowing the gig was up, reverted to its normal form and charged at Fluttershy. It was immediately smashed into the ground by Wob. It writhed in her grip.

“Don't you dare hurt her friends!” Wob screamed before using all of her might and snapping its neck. The thing immediately stopped moving and flopped to the ground, lifeless. Wob was panting, staring at the corpse before her.

The world faded away, and Wob collapsed to the ground. Tears ran down her cheeks, though she wouldn't have noticed them if it wasn't for the salty taste in her mouth. How much longer? When will they end her life? Why haven't they done it already?

Suddenly, the gears in her mind ground to a halt as she felt the softest hug she had ever received.

“F-Fluttershy?” Wob choked out.

“Shh, Rainbow. I'm here.” Fluttershy replied, almost too quiet to hear.

“My... My name is Wob.”

- - -

It was dark again.

Rainbow.” Wob said.

The mirror returned, and Rainbow dash with it. She was scowling.

Wob.” Rainbow said.

You can leave now, Rainbow.” Wob said. “I'm not going to try to keep going where you left off. I have to find my own life now.”

Rainbow nodded. “I understand. But, you have to understand this in return: I will never leave.”

Wob shook her head. “I don't need the mirror any more.” She said as she put her hoof onto the reflective surface. “I don't need the reflection of who I was.”

Who's the reflection?” Rainbow replied, stepping forward, putting her hoof on the glass to match Wob. “Remember, you are my echo. You can't have an echo without the original voice.”

But I'm more than that now.” Wob replied. “I stopped being the reflection the moment I stopped using your name. I'm trying to find myself, yes, but I do have a self to find.”

Rainbow finally smiled, and closed her eyes.

Goodbye, Rainbow Dash.” Wob said, as she pushed on the mirror. Cracks started to form on the surface, then shards began to float away.

- - -

Wob Niar looked out the window. It was close to midnight. It was very quiet, and Wob liked that. She moved from under her blanket and off of the couch. She walked to the front door, and noticed that it was unlocked.

Under Luna's light, Wob could see Fluttershy looking up at the stars. She quietly joined the pegasus.

“Can't sleep?” Wob asked.

Fluttershy shook her head.

“Thinking about Rainbow?”

This time a nod. Wob could see the reflection of moonshine on her wet cheeks.

Wob put her forelegs around her in an embrace. The two watched the night sky together.

No words needed to be said.