Switched

The wind caressed her wings. Celestiar was gliding through the air. Her eyes were searching the ground. The Alicorn with her dark soul knew the way to Canterlot by heart. The capital city of Equestria laid on the flank of a mountain. The castle towered over the many houses of the city, which formed small hallways and sidewalks. It had silvery marble walls and several towers with onyxblack bricks. On their top, Sombra's flag trembled in the air: A blue shield with an olive branch.

A powerful flap and Celestiar tilted to one side. She flew a sharp curve and aimed at the castle. Her dawncoloured, cold eyes stared down at the ponies, who stood the watch. There were several guards, who blew a horn at her sight. A group of armed soldiers dashed out of a nearby house. They threw several spears and fired arrows at her.

With ease Celestiar kept herself in the air. Her horn flared purple and a magical shield appeared around her body like a weird shimmering bubble. Her eyes were narrow. Pleased Celestiar watched the arrows and spears burning in her shield, before the ash rained down on the guards, who choked and coughed angrily. "Well, well“, Celestiar said and let her shield vanish. She eyed the soldiers, who crawled beneath her like insects. "What is that for a welcome?“ She snorted and lifted her head. "How plain rude!“

"Celestiar!“ The loud shout made her open her eyes and looked at the tall, handsome stallion, who sprinted towards her and stopped, his blue cloak bulged itself from the wind, caused by his short sprint. He had a pearl grey coat and a black mane and tail. He was wearing a clean, blue shimmering armor. The light broke itself on his crown.

"Sombra“, purred Celestiar, "You are right on time.“ Her eyes glittered devilish and the smile that pluged at her lips was sly and sinister.

Sombra stood his ground at the Alicorn, loaming over him. "What do you want?“, he demanded to know, "Another hour of taunting, I persume? Besides, where is your sister?“

Celestiar landed in front of the King and smiled. Her horn glowed violet and she made herself a purple scarf, which wrapped itself around her neck, together with a black, slender pullover. She yawned. "Taunting? Oh, no“, she mumbled and smiled in the most friendliest way she could muster, "I just came by to say friendly hello.“

Celestiar stepped by Sombra's side and explained: "I was wondering: Had you found the time to reconsider my offer?“

The King stamped on the ground. "You and your offer can go!“, he shouted.

You will never learn, won't you? The evil Princess sighted about that stubborness and shook her head.

"While we speak, my sister is probably rampaging one of the nearby towns“, Celestia said and laid a wing on his shoulder, pushing Sombra awkwardly close to her, "Think rational, Sombra. Whom are you helping with saying no? Your ladyfriend? I hardly believe, that she wants your land to crumble, while her land is kept safe and sound. You have not only her to worry about.“

Celestiar slowly walked around Sombra, her snout close to his ear, as she whispered: "An entire nation looks at Canterlot. What do your people think of you? They have little food, less water and are so poorly treated. You could set an end to their suffering. While we speak, my powers grow stronger and stronger. My influence is spreading over your land, Sombra. The ponies turn away from you. Just because of your stubborness.“

King Sombra pushed himself free out of the tempting grip of the Solar Alicorn. He walked towards the balconery and looked at the wasteland. "I will not bow, Celestiar“, he said and closed his eyes, "You can allure me as much as you wish. I will not fall like Luna did.“ Sweet remorse and sadness swang in his last sentence. "I know, what I am doing. Your efforts are in vain.“

For Creator's dumb sake! Celestiar groaned and hang her head. Her horn flared violet once more and she changed her clothing style out of pure boredom. This time she wore a silky, black hat with a wide brim. Her outfit was completed with a small vest. Red fabric laid at the corners and her legs were almost free.

"Don't be a fool, Sombra.“ Celestiar approached him once more. "You would not lose anything. You would keep your throne and your land. Moreover you would even gain something. You and that pretty ladyfriend of yours could live her without anyone disturbing you.“ He opened his eyes and looked at her.

Celestiar smiled and her eyes gleemed viciously. "Just give me the key to her world“, the mare said and placed an hoof on her chest, "and I will be on my way.“

Sombra put back his ears and growled: "I will never give in. No stop begging for something, you can never have!“

Celestiar's cheeks flushed red and she bared her teeth. You dare to say it. "Fine, Sombra. You won this conversation.“ Her wings bashed the air as she took into the sky with a mighty leap. In her fury and frustration Celestiar changed her clothes back to the original style. "But this is not over yet! I will come back, Sombra. You cannot say No forever!“

Sombra just stood there and watched the villainous Princess, flying away. He waited, before he pulled something out of his armor. It was a piece of parchement. On it a word was written: Forever. "And always“, whispered Sombra to himself and his voice was soft and sweet with care. The stallion pressed the parchment against his chest, before he stuffed it away. "I will never let her get your world, my sweet Celestia.“

***

The sun was setting and Luna was walking back to the Castle of the Royal Sisters. She had talked with Twilight Sparkle and her friends about this world and her counterpart, but the six bandits had not given her really many valued information. They were not really liked and even wanted by King Sombra. They only knew, that Celestiar had always lived in this castle, which towered above them, protected in the heart of the Everfree Forest. Sadly they did not knew, what had changed Lunar to become evil.

Okay, that was informative. Luna rolled her eyes and snorted. She knew a bit more at least. But still, there were too many questions in her head: Who was King Sombra? Who ruled over this Equestria? Were the citizens of Ponyville really Celestiar's citizens? And what about her counterpart? If she had been Sombra's friend, what had made her fall from grace? How had she been before that? What had she thought about her sister? And what made her change her mind?

Luna realized, that there was one other way to get on information. I hate doing research! She was not that kind of pony, who could sit in a chair for hours, tons of books in front of her and searching for a possible answer through the pages. And it was not even sure, if she found out anything. But on the other hand: What other option did Luna have?

"Kibitz!“, called Luna and took of her cloak. The unicorn bowed and watched her folding the cloak and placing it in his arms. "Can you bring me to the library?“

The grim stallion grunted through his mustache. "Sure, your Highness. Follow me.“ They trotted through the long hallways and walked down several stairs.

Finally they found themselves in a large room. It reminded Luna of one of those ancient halls, were the collumns pressed themselves against the walls and celling like ribs. Hundreds of shelves were standing there, which spilled over with books. A bookrest stood in front of a window. Luna's wings trembled and her eyes widened. Great, just great! She felt so tiny in this room like an ant. How was she supposed to find any information in here?

Luna cleared her tongue and ordered with a lifted head: "Bring me every single history book, Kibitz.“ She walked to the bookrest and sat down. I need to check something. The brown unicorn sprinted through the halls. Luna could hear the thumbs of things falling down, together with the soft hiss of magic, being used.

Finally a catching for breath Kibitz ran to her and placed down twenty large books around her. He bowed and pressed a hoof against his side. "Anything more, your Highness?“

Luna shook her head. "No“, she replied and waved an hoof, "You can take your leave.“ She heard his hoofsteps as he made his way out of the library.

Sighting Luna levitated the very first book on the bookrest and put her head in her hooves. Here we go. The mare chewed her lips as she directed her eyes on the labyrinth of letters and started to read. Only the dim light of a candle was her companion as her horn glowed and she raised the moon, allowing the night to begin.

The books were informative. More informative then the Malicious Six or anypony else had ever been. King Sombra was the ruler of Equestria, the tenth in line. Celestiar had been the foe ever since his reign began. King Sombra lived in Canterlot Castle, which was – surprise, surprise – the capital city.

This Equestria did not had something like the Elements of Harmony, but there were the so-called Virtues of Good Character Traits. Luna chuckled. Such a long word for something we have. According to the book the Virtues were no real objects, but an energy, that was hold by a certain pony. There were Wisdom, Love, Humility, Good Cheer, Alturism and Temperance. In a report it said, that the actual bearers of the Virtues were Sunset Shimmer, Maud Pie, Duchess Chrysalis, Princess Trixie, Dinky Doo and Gilda, a Gryffon. Maybe they can help me.

Luna yawned. Her lids felt heavy. She stretched herself and flapped her wings, before folding them again. But how could they help her? What use could the Virtues be in the search for a way back to her world?

Luna had scanned the history books in the hope to find something about interdimensional travel, but it had all been in vain. Maybe nopony in this Equestria had ever travelled to her Equestria? But then how did Celestiar know about her world? Could it be that somepony had entered this Equestria from her world? But who could that be? Very dark Luna remembered Celestia, speaking about Starswirl's experiments with interdimensional travel? What gate had they used? I cannot remember.

Frustrated Luna hit the bookrest with her chin. Her concentration was low, she was tired and exhausted. The mare yawned once more. I think about this in the next morning. Using the nearest history book as a pillow Luna laid herself half over the table and closed her eyes.

Her lids trembled as she opened them. Luna blinked. What woke me up? It can hardly be morning already! The Alicorn looked around. Finally she spotted the reason. A door behind the bookrest had opened. Luna narrowed her eyes confused, because she could not see what was behind the door. Only bright light.

Suddenly the mare felt the urge to go to this light, to find out what was behind it. Luna stood up and slowly walked through the door. She turned her head around. Hey! Confused the mare saw, how the library was swallowed by darkness and vanished. Now that is odd. Was it reality? Or only her imagination? The line was so thine and fragile.

Luna found herself in a small, narrow hallway. The wooden scantlings creaked under her hoofsteps. A lamp dangled from the celling, swinging back and forth. Its light trembled. Luna slowly walked through the hallway. Her fur prickled with exertion. This hole place was dark and twisted. And it somehow seemed to react to her.

As soon as Luna was out of the light's reach of the lamp, to others enflared and guided her way. The Alicorn was leaded towards a staircase, which went towards another door, through which this bright, white light shone. The steps were small, caved and bleached out. With her head stretched forwards Luna started to approach the door. Every single hair in her pelt was up and she felt gooseskin all over her body. Something was not right.

Luna finally entered the place. White emptiness as far as the eye could reach. Still Luna felt a weird presence. Someone else was here. „Who are you?“, called the Moon Princess, „Where are you?“ Behind her she could her a crashing sound like splitting glace. Luna whirled around. The doorway now was a black, violet mass like a portal. It shattered in front of her eyes and vanished.

Luna turned around once more. She spotted something odd in her shadow. It started to stretch itself, became larger and thicker. Black weird vibes came out of it and started to transform. They enwrapped themselves together and formed a mare, who stood with her back towards Luna. With a fast whoosh she opened majestic wings.

Luna's eyes widened in terror as the mare turned around. Her horn was sharp like a sword. But that was not what terrified the Princess of the Night. The Alicorn's face was engulfed by blackness and shadows. It seemed as if she had none. Luna took a step back. Her wings opened partly and she felt her mane dancing around her, making her look bigger then she was. What is going on?

The mare folded her wings. "Hello, darling“, she said and approached Luna. Her horn glowed and she made a small, golden necklace appear. "Look, what pretty gift I have for you.“ The voice didn't sound scary at all, but cool and smooth. It almost appeared friendly. Trustfully Luna let the Alicorn enwrapp the necklace around her neck.

She smiled shyly. Suddenly something odd happened. Luna heared a buzzing sound and felt the necklace thicken a grip around her neck. It transformed itself into an iron ring. Luna yerked her head backwards in pain as out of this ring several links came, forming a chain. It ended in front of the faceless Alicorn, who picked it up.

Luna started to panic. That is not good! Not at all. Around her the place started to change. The wide was replaced by a room, looking like a lair. Several books laid around and candles burned. The whole place looked like a sinister cave, where some crazy wizards was mumbling over a brew.

The chain rustled as the facless Alicorn pulled at it. Luna panted in shock as the hard iron burned itself into her flesh. No, get off! She used one of her hooves in an attempt to pull the ring over her head. It was in vain. Luna stared at the mare, who pushed even stronger. If I can not get the chain of me, then I get away from her.

Without thinking twice she turned around and started to sprint in the hope of getting away from the Alicorn's clutches. That one was tilting her head back. Luna shouted in panic as the chain made a weird jump, flunging her upwards. She hit the celling with her forehead. Luna screamed in pain and grunted. Ouch! The pressure of the blow had made cracks in the stone.

Luna stumbled back on the floor. She felt the furious thug of the chain, the ring pressed against her throath. Luna gaged and her tongue hang out of her maw. It hurt and she felt her vision become blury. The Alicorn snatched the board and tried to held on the board. No, no, no! Luna's ears twitched and her eyes were so wide, that one could see the white in it.

The place seemed to crumble. The floor fell off, but the faceless Alicorn still stood there. It pulled and pulled at the chain, lifting not only Luna in her direction but the board as well. Flames emerged around her. Luna greeted her teeth. No, no, no! The faceless Alicorn stared at her and Luna thought, she spotted a pair of crimson eyes, glowing like the one of a cat.

"No, no, no!“ Luna's scream finally made her woke up. She was not falling into the flames. Instead she laid on the wooden floor, struggled like a helpless child. Her coat was wet from sweat and she felt cold with fear. Luna sat up. The books laid around her, closed or half open. The Alicorn panted and stared at the moon, which was not hers, thinking: What is that supposed to mean?