Switched

The other Equestria was a bit darker. Even during the day. It always took Celestia some time to get used to the new changes in light. This sun was pale and had no warmth just like the Alicorn, who whielded it. Black leaves rustled in the wind, dry and unhealthy. They broke off and flew into Celestia's face.

She stood in front of the stature of Sir Discord. Behind her the marble block hide the portal into her Equestria. Celestia had been bothered by the gaping wound in Luna's shoulder for quite some time. It had worried her so much, that she had decided to go to its source and ask for advice. Also to check on a good friend.

She had made sure that nopony had seen her using the mirror. Nopony should know about it. The dangers were too high. Celestia knew, she could stay out of Equestria for a day and a night, but she had to be back before dawn.

Well, better get moving. With stretched neck and swinging legs Celestia sprinted through the park. It was a representor of what had become off this Equestria. No grass, leaves weak and fragile. The trees looked hollow. Hardly any animal peeked its small head out of its nest or a hole. It was as if Celestia was the only being in this forest.

The park ended in front of a pale looking castle, outwhorn of fights. A few flags trembled in the wind. Guards with egyptian looks stood there. They looked friendly, but sick and tired. Tired of this war. They recogniced Celestia and let her pass. Her hooves clickered over the stones as she climbed up the stairs.

The castle looked prettier from the inside. Marble halls and red carpets. Chandelliers, hanging down the celling. The columns were decorated with symbols and writing. Strange and anciet. Even the drawing style was different from what Celestia knew. The ponies were drawn in frontal, but their heads were in profile. There were no shades added to their colour, just one bland colour.

The drawings told of this Equestria. It showed Earth Ponies, Pegasi and Unicorns, guided and guarded by the Virtues of Good Character Traits. Six ponies, who whield a strange, mythical power, not manifested in gem stones like the Elements of Harmony but in themselves. Celestia saw a grey, proud looking unicorn. Beside him stood a blue Alicorn mare, wearing fair blue scarfes and golden necklaces and bangles. They were confronting a white Alicorn with spread wings and firey eyes.

Celestia stopped and laid a hoof on the image of the grey unicorn. "I hope, you are alright“, she whispered and closed her eyes. Tears trembled in the lids. "I pray for you every night and day. Do not think I have forgotten you.“ Her hoof slid down and rested on the blue Alicorn. "Just like I have not forgotten you. Where is the Lunar that helped me overcome my own sorrow? I want that Lunar back.“

She let go off the image on the wall and slowly trotted through the castle. There was a door and a staircase, which lead her outside. The Alicorn slowly climbed upon it. Her mane and tail trailed behind her. It had started to rain. The sickish grey-green clouds loamed over her like a threat. Small and thine waterdrops hit her cheeks and neck.

Celestia finally reached some sort of balconery. On it stood the unicorn, which had been depicted in the hallways. His long, black, floating mane was blown from the wind and tousled. A few strands danced over his friendly looking, but worried face. His long, blue cloak blew itself up in the wind.

"Sombra?“, called Celestia.

The King of Equestria turned around. Joy and bittersweet love enlightened his face. "Celestia.“ With fast steps Sombra crossed the distance. "What are you doing here?“, he asked, "You should not be here.“

Reluctantly he allowed her to hug him. Her cheek brushed his neck. "I have missed you“, Celestia whispered and gave him a kiss on his lips. She felt a strong leg, laying itself on her shoulders, pushing her in a warm embrace. "And I am worried for you.“

Both stood there, entangled in their embrance. Celestia had opened her wings and wrapped them around Sombra. She felt his chin on her neck, while her breath caressed his fur. "I know, my sweetheart“, responded Sombra with his clear, calm voice, "I have missed you too. But I am worried. Why have you come here?“

Very carefully they let go of one another. Celestia stepped back. The rain wet her coat and wind made her floating mane flow. Her glance turned worried and firm as she explained: "The gap is getting larger. I can feel it. My sister got wounded as if her counterpart had been in a fight. The connection is getting closer and closer. It feels as if the process has speeded up. As if there is an even greater disbalance in our worlds.“

Sombra nodded sadly. He carefully scratched his neck. "Things here have gotten weird, complicated and bizarre“, he admitted and looked at Celestia, "Celestiar has gotten very agressive, but she also seems to shelter herself down. I have gotten a report. There has been a murder in Ponyville. Also Lunar“ – he looked around, before he bent close and whispered into her ear – "She seems to have changed. It feels like she remembers her old self again.“

Celestia lifted a brow. "So you think, she might side with you in the fight against my evil me again?“, she asked. That is strange. My sister too has behaved weird. Are they maybe influenced by one another?

Sombra lowered his head. "I would not go that far“, he responded, "Her loyality towards her sister seems to be rather stable.“

Celestia softly laid a wing on his shoulder. "We will see it through“, she whispered, "I promise you to help, where I can.“

Sombra looked at her, a sheepish, caring smile on his muzzle. "I know, Celestia“, he said and nuzzled her, "I won't give your world away. I promise.“

"How sentimental!“ The flapping of wings. Shadows fell on Sombra and Celestia. They looked up. Against the sunlight they could see the silhouette of the villainous Royal Sisters. Celestiar smirked and lifted a dark brow. "Your timing amazes me“, she said softly with a wicked smile on her lips, "Have you discussed about leaving Celestia's world to me?“

Sombra pushed himself in front of Celestia. He shouted: "I will never give in! You and your offer can leave!“

Celestiar laughed. "Don't be a fool. Unless you want me to toy with my counterpart.“ Smirking she made her horn flare. A ball of fire shot down. Celestia gasped in shock as Sombra used his magic to create a protective child around them.

The flames licked over the blue substance. The unicorn trembled as he used all his strength to keep the spell steady. He opened his eyes a slit and gazed back at Celestia. "Run, Celestia!“, he called, "Run!“ Celestia hesitated and looked up at the evil sisters. She did not wanted to run away. Sombra would need her help.

Another flaming shot. Sombra bared his teeth and stumbled backwards. His spell flickered, before he got the shield stable again. "Run!“, he shouted once more. Celestia sighted. Very slowly she moved backwards, before she whirled around and started to run. Sombra was right. She had to get back into her own world, before the way back home was cut away from her.

Behind her the evil Celestiar shouted: "Lunar, go after her! She must not escape us!“ The blue Alicorn looked at the mean dawncoloured eyes, before she slowly flew down and followed.

***

Luna had been shocked, when Celestiar had asked her to accompaign her during her visit to King Sombra. She did not want to go and confront this king in a possible fight. On the other hand she could not stay in the castle. This would have been suspicious.

And now they stood in the air and all Luna could see was the familiar face of her sister. Celestia! What was she doing in this world? How had she gotten here? Luna did not know. The order that awaited her frightened her. She had to chase after Celestia and probably catch her.

Luna looked into this mean, overconfident face. Celestiar was firing beams of fire at Sombra, who was doing his best to stand against her. Her movements spoke of her power. And that she had time. Every time she needed. She did not minded that those worlds were collading. She was probably waiting for it to happen.

Swallowing, Luna spread her wings and swooped down. Her eyes foccused on Celestia. Maybe if she just got out of her sister's evil counterpart's sight, she could talk with Celestia. She could tell her what was going on!

But Celestia threw her head back and fired a small golden beam at her. Oh no! Luna gasped in shock and avoided the spell, which almost made her collide with a tree. How can she do this to me? I am her sister! Not in this world. In this world she was the Flying Beast, a mean being, which served Celestiar.

It hurt Luna to see her sister, running away from her. Not recognicing her. Of course not! She was wearing reddish boots, a crimson helmet and a black necklace. Violet eye shadow caressed her lids. She must look like a devil to her.

Celestia was sprinting through the forest. Unlike Luna she used the ground. Luna flew after her, but she had not the attempt to catch her. She only wanted to get close enough to call her by her name. But that was easier said then done. The trees were forming a green web above her, which made a flight inside the forest almost impossible.

Still Luna tried. But the branches were sharp and she could get entangled in them. "Celestia!“, she called and looked around. Her wings kept her in the air and on one spot. Where are you? Worry painted itself around her face. Had she lost her sister already?

No. Luna spotted a glimpsle of white fur in a valley. "Celestia!“ Luna bashed her wings and shot down. She cut through the trees and landed on the floor. Celestia turned her head around. Her mane shivered and her dawncoloured eyes were wide. She stared at Luna and then at a stature on the other side of the valley.

Luna carefully tried to approach her. "Don't be afraid“, she whispered, "Please. I only want to talk with you.“ But Celestia was not listening. She whirled around and ran towards the stature. "Celestia!“, shouted Luna. She jerked her head upwards and ran after her.

Her hooves thundered over the grass. Her legs moved fast and swang back and forward. Her sapphirre eyes focussed on the white silhouette. Celestia's rainbowcoloured mane flew behind her and she had opened her wings partly.

I have to reach her, thought Luna as her breath left her muzzle with gasping sounds, I cannot lose her. Who knew, when Celestia would return? Luna missed her sister so much. Seeing her again, made her cling to the hope that she could receive more help at last. But Celestia did not saw her. She saw a monster.

Celestia's horn flared golden. "Wait!“, shouted Luna, who had doubled her speed. Celestia jumped into the air. She shot towards the stature. Her body was engulfed by a golden flash of light as she shot straight to the massive stone. The light faded and she was gone.

Luna reached the marble block. "No!“, she panted, "No!“ Panic arose in her chest. No, no, no! I have to find the portal. Her hooves ran over the stone, feeling their way for a secret lock or latch. Nothing. Just smooth stone. The Alicorn hang her head. Tears soaked her fur and her wings dropped. Please, wait. It was like being on the moon again. But this time not space devided her and her sister but a whole other world.