Switched

It took Luna almost fifttheen minutes to get into the outfit of her counterpart. She had to use her maw to pull each boot over her hoof. They felt silky and smooth on her coat and Luna wondered if she lost her mobility, because the boot went until her knees.

She used her magic to get the helmet on her head. It was a bit difficult, because of the weird sea-snake like fins, that hit her ear painfully. Luna cursed. She added the horn ring. The cresent moon dangled between her eyes. The necklace was easy to get on as well. Luna levitated the cloak with her magic and eyed it. It was so large. What if her wings got entangled in it? Sighting Luna wrapped it around her and closed the broosh.

The Princess was not sure what the other, smaller rings were for. She decided to not wear them. She also did not want to wear the eye shadow. Luna slowly walked through the castle. It reminded her of the Castle of the Royal Sisters, decades ago, when they still had been young.

The corridors were long and small. Wooden doors with golden handles. Luna found carpets and banners, hanging from the walls. They were rethorn as if somebody had not found the need to repair them. Luna caught glimpsles of ponies, she did not knew. One of them was a stallion with grey fur and a black mane. He looked like a king. Luna thought, she spotted a crown on his head.

Another rethorn carpet showed some blue mare, wearing a small silvery crown. Of course Luna also saw carpets – less rethorn this time – which showed her and her sister's counterpart. Their looks made her shiver. It does not look like we are benovlent rulers in this world. It seems more like it's best not to tangle with us.

The castle itself seemed to be rather dark. Only fires in torches, which hang on iron chains from the celling enlightened the place just a bit. Their light threw shadows on the grey stones. Windows cut through the walls like shimmering eyes. Luna felt her fear, quivering over her back. This place was so creepy. Because it was familiar. A twisted version of her old home.

It took Luna quite some time to find the throne room. One could only tell, that it was the throne room, because a gothic looking pair of chairs stood at the end of the hall. They were made out of darkbrown wood. One of them had a silver line and a crimson pillow, the other one had a golden line and a violet pillow.

Fire burned in a chimney. Its light danced uneasy over an organ, which stood in a corner. Two guards flanked the throne. They had dull, tired faces and wore an agyptian-like helmet on their heads. In their hooves, they hold a spear.

„You are late.“ The Alicorn, who spoke the words in a harsh tone, could only be the reflected Celestia of this world. She had a white coat and her long, multicoloured mane was sticked up, forming several, small locks around her face. The Cutiemark was shaped like a sun but its center was pitchblack. She had dark pink eye shadow and her crown was shaped like two dragon horns behind her head. The golden necklade had a violet collar with it. Her violet boots were as high as Luna's and had a golden line at their end. There were golden rings in her tail: One at the tail's root and one close to the end of the tail. There was also a weird, golden harpoon tip at the end of it.

„I am sorry, sister“, said Luna and lowered her head, „I should have cut the whine short last night. I had a little hangover and needed more time.“

The reflected Celestia finally looked at her and blinked. „What happened with your mane?“, she demanded to know. Luna realized, that her mane still floated around her without being held back by something.

„Is it bad?“, asked Luna and posed carefully.

Her sister from the other side called: „It looks horrible! You have a reputation to keep up, Lunar. Moreover we will have guests. And you do not want to look like that in front of Queen Cadence and King Shining Armor, do you?“

Queen Cadence and King Shining Armor? What?, Luna thought baffled, Okay. This world is even more weird then I thought. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Just try to act normal. Show your confusion later. I still need more information.

Luna responded: „You are right, Tia. I really should look better for our guests. Sorry, because of my chaotic looking mane.“

Celestiar seemed to flinch at the word Tia, but maybe it was only a trick of the light. She levitated a small bell. While shaking it wildly, the Alicorn called: „Maids!“

Two small unicorns entered the throne room. Luna was reminded of the two Spa Twins, Aloe and Lotus. They probably were it even. But their coats was darker and they wore black outfits with frills. The two maids bowed. As soon as they laid eyes on Luna's normal mane, they called: „Oh, dear!“

Faster then Luna knew it, Aloe and Lotus had forced her into a chair and were combing her mane and tail. They levitated the rings, which the mare had not used. „Ouch“, grumbled Luna as they pulled on her mane and made several, small praits, pushing the rings over them.

Celestiar laid herself lazily on the throne and mumbled: „If you had been doing it yourself, you would not have to ensuffer this now.“

Luna leaned back her head and grumbled: „Yeah, I got it.“ Blimley, I think, my counterpart's sister is as ennerving as Celestia. She needed to close her eyes when Aloe (or Lotus, Luna could never tell who was who) painted the eye shadow on her lids. The maids bowed and left the room.

Luna now had several locks in her mane, together with a long praits. Her tail had a long ring at its root and she had another ring near the tail's end. Only the harpoon tip of Celestiar was missing. Luna nervously looked down and thought: If I now look in a mirror, I could not tell, who I am. Celestiar stood up. She softly lifted Luna's chin and eyed her. A weird smile spread her lips. „That looks much better, Shining Star.“

Luna had to force her brows from not going upwards. Shining Star? Celestia had never called her like that. Always little sister, Luna, Lulu or now that she was older Lu. But somehow Luna liked this new nickname. Shining Star. It had a nice ring to it.

At that moment one of the guards called: „Announcing Queen Cadence and King Shining Armor.“ Both Royal Sisters – the one from the world of the mirror and the one behind it – looked up. O...kay! Luna had to bite her tongue to prevent her jaw from hanging down. Next to her Celestiar returned to her throne.

The reflected Cadance had a pale pink coat and a grim expression on her face. Her mane in shades of violet, pink and yellow hang straight around her small face. Blackish shadows laid at the end of her strands. Cadence's Cutiemark resembled a shattered crystal hearth, split in two. Her shoes, necklace and crown were made out of grey iron and Luna could tell, that she was walking slowly because of this weight.

Shining Armor trotted behind her, head hung. His coat was pale white and his cobaltblue mane had shades of grey in it. Luna blinked in pity and surprise. Despite wearing a cloak and a crown, which was too big, his hole body language seemed to speak one word: Coward. Weakling.

Cadence turned her head back. She clicked her tongue. „Shining, do not make such a face“, she shouted, „We want to make a good impression on the Princesses.“

Shining Armor sighted and forced himself to stood taller. „Yes, Mistress“, he mumbled.

Luna leaned towards Celestiar and whispered: „Guess, who wears the hore shoe in this house.“ The evil Princess chuckled.

Celestiar looked at Cadence and said: „I am glad, you could come so soon.“ A wave of her hoof towards a table. „Make yourself at home.“ While Queen and King took their seats, the Alicorn waved the bell again. „Servants!“, she called. Immediatley a group of Unicorns showed up. They brought plates, filled with breath, cheese, milk, cake, fresh salad and chocolate. Then they left.

Luna blinked. That looks nice. But something was weird. She could not tell, what it was, but the smirk Celestiar had on her lips, while taking small pieces from everything, darkened her mind with worry. Carefully Luna filled her plate with cheese and bread and poured some milk in her glass.

„No coffee, Lunar?“, asked Celestiar and held a bottle with an inkblack liquid in it.

Luna had to avoid jumping backwards. Coffee? What the hay is coffee? Does she want to poison me? The mare laughed weakly and shook her head. She made a defensivley movement with her hoof. „No, thanks, sis. Milk will be just fine.“

They ate in silence. Luna found that the bread tasted rather dull and boring, almost dry like capboard, but the cheese was creamy and soft in her maw. The milk too had a cool and refreshing taste. But still this was a rather small meal for a Princess. Maybe they had nothing better in this world.

„So?“, Celestiar asked after they finished breakfast together. With a swing of her horn she made a map appear, which showed Equestria. Luna found it looked rather much like her own Equestria, but her counterpart's sister had made many small Xs on the map. „Have you succeeded in taking over the Crystal Empire?“

Cadence let out a snort. „No“, she barked and slammed an hoof on the table, „Princess Trixie's guard have taken our guards out in single combat. Not to mention that one certain mister“ – she glared at Shining Armor, who ducked down and whimpered – „seems to have proven once again that he is a complete idiot and useless.“

She put her forehead in her hoof and shook her head with a sigh. „We really need your guards, Celestiar“, she grumbled, „You have promised us help if we keep King Sombra busy for you.“ Luna looked at Celestiar and then at Shining Armor, who kept nibbling at his hooves like a foal. They are plotting something. Something big. That is not good. And who is King Sombra? She knew her world's King Sombra, but it was sure, that they did not mean the mad King with his reddish horn. And did Cadence mentioned a Princess Trixie? What kind of world was this?

Celestiar rolled her eyes. She moved several small figures on the map, forming a circle around the figure of a heart. „I told you, I will get you your soldiers“, she responded, „Besides, when I said keep Sombra busy, I meant keep his guards busy.“ She moved a few guard figures over the map. „I do need Sombra.“

Shining Armor asked with a feeble shout: „Then why don't you send your guards? If we attack the Crystal Empire together, Sombra will send his guards there in no time! Cadence could have the Crystal Throne and Hearth and you have the throne of Canterlot. Wasn't that our deal?“

Under Celestia's ruthless glance, the white stallion ducked down and even backed away from the table. The Alicorn snorted dangerously, before she said: „Yes, this has been our deal. But I have helpt you and your wife more then once. Cadence, if your pathetic husband can not manage to lead my faithful soldiers, then maybe I should cut them off completley.“

Shining shouted: „But Captain Good Guy and his magical tricks….“ He was knocked off by his wife.

Cadence hissed: „How often must I tell you: I speak, when we are negotating with the Princesses.“

Luna shivered. They only pretend to have a deal. But in fact this is a fight for power. She looked at Celestiar, who stayed rather calm. Nopony dares to fight against her, because she holds all the power.

Cadence looked up at Celestiar and bowed slightly. „I am very sorry for the actions of my husband“, she piped, „He really is good-for-nothing. But I fear, he is right about that Draconeques. If you still feel the mercy to send guards, we would be rather pleased.“

Celestiar lifted the stallion stature with her hoof. It was wearing a small crown. „Maybe I will“, she said smoothly, „But Equestria is no longer my priority.“

Cadence lifted a brow. „What?“, she asked confused.

Luna's eyes widened in shock. No! Do not think that. It is impossible! There was no way Celestiar could know about Luna's Equestria! Or was there? Don't be ridicolous, Luna!

Celestiar replied: „That is none of your business, Cadence. Now get out.“

„But“, the pink Alicorn protested. „Get out!“ Snatching her knocked out husband at his tail with her magic, Princess Cadence ran out of the throne room.

Luna trotted to her side. „It does not seem like this meeting got so well.“

Celestiar placed the figure back on the map. She bared her teeth and slowly walked back and forth along the window. „I knew, I should not have gotten entangled in this ridicolous deal with Cadence“, she grumbled, „She cannot even fullfill one simple job. And if she thinks, she gets the Crystal Empire, well, then she does not know me so well.“

Celestiar stopped and looked at Luna, smiling briefly. „As soon as Sombra agreed to our offer, we shall be free to rule like we have ever dreamed it“, she said.

The Princess of the Night forced a smile on her lips. „You are right, Tia. Eh, what offer?“ I should not have said this! Celestiar lifted a brow suspiciously. „The deal, that we may get the key to his ladyfriend's world“, she responded, „Seriously, Lunar, are you sure you are alright, Shining Star?“

Luna laughed weakly. „I do not feel that well, Celestiar“, she mumbled, „Maybe if I just take a small walk, I will do better.“

The evil Alicorn laid a wing on her shoulder. „Do this, my younger sibling. In the meantime I will visit our good friend, Sombra.“