In Somepony's Shadow

by Whammy


At the Gala - Part 1

“This is the absolute most dreadful thing that could have happened!”

Trixie’s first thought as she watched “herself” pace back and forth in a panic was that it was rather disorienting listening to your voice come out of your body when your body was several feet away. Even odder was that she was not feeling the same level of anxiety. Perhaps she was just disassociating a bit? Instead, out of curiosity, she looked over her new foreleg, really wanting to just take a moment to process all this. Rarity’s coat was really fine and well-maintained. While she liked to think her own coat was pretty well groomed, Rarity’s was on a whole other level. It was pretty impressive, especially once you realized that with a white coat like hers every little speck of dirt would probably show up and yet it looked spotless.

“Trixie! Are you even listening to me! Stop gawking at my foreleg and figure out how to fix this...this...thing you did!”

Her thoughts were interrupted by “her” hoof bumping her on “her” muzzle, her attention now drawn to the rather annoyed yet anxious look “her” face was currently wearing.

“Oh, right, sorry. I was just, uh, still processing everything,” she said, putting the foreleg down. The slight bit of movement was enough to jostle her mane about, however, and she had to wonder just how exactly Rarity dealt with this massive curl. “I’m sure I can get this fixed up in a jiffy..”

The comment seemed to reassure Rarity, who sighed as she stepped back.

“I’m sorry I was so rude, darling. Honestly, this isn’t even the weirdest that has happened to me these past few years, but it was still rather startling to...hmmm.”

“What?” Trixie asked as Rarity went silent and began to stare at her.

“Oh, nothing. I was just taking a moment to look over myself. Mirrors are nice and all, but being able to actually see yourself brings a certain level of realism to the experience…do you think there’s time for you to model a few dresses for me?”

“Uh, no,” Trixie replied. “Just a second ago you were panicking about how being me was the worst possible thing, and I have a Gala to get to anway, so I think it’s best we switch back as soon as possible.”

“Yes, quite right,” Rarity replied. “Though, I do want to clarify that  your body is not exactly the worst possible body I could have been switched into. You do appear to have some rather fetching features, and your mane has a lovely silver shine. You might not be on the level of somepony like Fleur de Lis, but I think I could get you some modeling jobs, if you were interested,” she said, taking a moment to look herself over.

“Thanks but no thanks. I don’t think I’m cut out for that, especially if I’d have to wear my mane like this,” she said, the slight bounce of the giant purple curl in her peripheral vision being rather annoying as she walked back over to the spell book. “Anyway, I think I have an idea on what might have happened.”

“A pity on the no, but otherwise wonderful! Care to fill me in?”

“Well, that giant diagram Princess Luna put on the floor is a transformation magic spell circle,” Trixie said, looking between the book and the spell circle on the floor, which still had the faintest of glow as residual magic faded away. “If I’m honest, she did most of the work on it, but, basically, the idea of it is to kind of make you into your ‘ideal self’ or something like that.”

Rarity glanced downwards.

“I don’t think this exactly my ideal self. No offense.”

Trixie shrugged.

“Eh, I think it was more in the ‘image conceived in your mind” or something like that. Less ‘perfect version of you’ and more ‘what you think you should be’. Luna wanted to be a non-alicorn version of herself, so she’s not an alicorn.”

“Again, no offense, but I did not want to be ‘you’, and I’m presuming you didn’t want to be me,” Rarity replied.

“Well, I think that’s where the knowledge transfer spell came in. See, I didn’t want to ‘be you’, but I did want your knowledge. I think the knowledge transfer and the transformation spells kind of got all jumbled up since we were standing right on the spell circle and decided transferring our minds was the best way to sort it all out. We’re probably lucky it didn’t, like, just decide to explode our brains or something.”

Rarity looked flushed at the thought.

“Anyway, I think all we need to do is just do it again and we should be back to normal,” Trixie said, walking back over to the circle.

“Well, it sounds like somepony has benefited from their lessons with the Princess. But, are you sure we should mess with it again? Perhaps it would be best if we fetched Princess Luna, or perhaps Twilight could help. She’s had experience with this type of thing after all.”

Trixie, who had been busy touching up some of the spots of the circle that had gotten scuffed, felt her eye twitch at the mention of asking Twilight for help.

“No, no, it’s fine. I mean, I helped Luna with the circle and that knowledge spell is pretty low level. There’s no need to bother anyone with this silly little problem,” Trixie replied. “Now, just stand over there like before and let’s get this over with.”

“Well, if you’re sure you can do this,” Rarity replied, stepping back onto the circle.

The two once again touched forwards and waited for the magic to start up.

“Alright then, ready to go in three...two...one....and go!” Trixie said, concentrating on generating a surge of magic and thinking about how she really wanted to be back in her own body. 

The tip of her horn began to glow with a light blue energy, but instead of a powerful wave of magic and knowledge, a few sparks of energy puttered out and then...nothing.

“Heh heh, sorry about that. Must just be a little tired after the first casting. Just, let me try again,” Trixie said, taking a moment to rest before trying again only to get the same results. Gritting her teeth she tried a third time, and yet again nothing.

“Why won’t you work!” she said, glaring up at the horn.

“Please don’t strain yourself, Trixie. Perhaps I can give it a go?”

“Knock yourself out,” Trixie said, watching as Rarity tried to bring out magic, but again all that happened was some sparks.

“Whew, perhaps we’re both a bit tapped out?” Rarity said.

“Maybe. I don’t know, it just felt a little...off when I tried to use magic, you know? Do you think the magic knows we’re not really ourselves right now and is resisting?” Trixie said.

Rarity chuckled.

“I really don’t think that’s how magic works...right? In any case, it seems we have no choice but to sit here until one of us has recovered enough to cast the spell,” she said. She looked down at herself with a look of disappointment. “It is a pity, though, that this dress won’t be down there dazzling the Gala.”

It was then that Trixie had an idea.

“Why don’t you go ahead and go?”

Rarity blinked.

“Go. To the Gala? Trixie, have you already forgotten our current situation? I hardly think attending the Gala is the best idea in a time like this.”

“No, no, think about it. I wanted to be the best Gala guest ever, and everything I was going to use I learned from you, the poor mare who has been so unfairly banished from the Gala by the vengeful Blueblood,” Trixie said, putting a foreleg around Rarity. “And now you have a chance to go to the Gala and show Blueblood up by making me look good. A win for everybody!”

“And what, exactly, would you be doing while I’m attending the Gala?” Rarity said, raising an eyebrow.

“Okay, I’ll admit, I’ll just be sitting up here being lazy, but that’ll help me recover the magic faster so I can switch us back when everything’s done. You’ll just need to get here before Luna gets back and gets rid of the circle after midnight and no one will ever know.”

“Trixie, I understand that winning this bet with Blueblood means a lot to you, but I’m not going to go down there and impersonate you,” Rarity replied, slipping out from underneath Trixie’s grasp.

Trixie sighed and walked over to Luna’s bed, flopping down onto it before getting smacked with Rarity’s curl. Seriously, how did that mare deal with this? Anyway, she settled in before looking back at Rarity.

“Fine, go ahead and get out of the dress then. No point wearing it if no one’s going to see it,” Trixie said, just waving a hoof in the direction of the nearby dress rack.

“I can still wear it till we switch back. After all, you might recover really quickly and still have a chance to wear it,” Rarity said, fidgeting a bit as she looked down at the dress.

“No, no, it’s fine. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable. I mean, the Princess is already wearing one of your dresses so I’m sure you’ll get exposure...oh, except I guess she’s not the Princess right now.”

“...I know what you’re trying to do, Trixie,” Rarity said, looking back at her with a flat expression.

“Too obvious?” Trixie said, rolling onto her back and getting comfy as her mane was smushed, something that elicited a groan from Rarity.

“Yes, and please do not mess up my hair. It takes a lot of work to make it look so magnifique.”

Trixie ignored the order, instead just focusing on the first part.

“I mean, it’s true though, you won’t get to be the one who designed a dress for the Princess’s new apprentice, just some random nobody,” Trixie said. “And meanwhile, if I never show up Blueblood is probably going to spend the whole time boasting about it, so that means my reputation will probably go right back into the garbage, and who knows what that’ll do to what ponies say about the Princess.”

“Trixie! I’m disappointed that you would resort to such obvious and underhoofed manipulations to convince me,” Rarity said, startling Trixie.

“Why would you be disappointed by that?” Trixie replied.

“Well, I wouldn’t have been disappointed by the old Trixie making such comments, because I would have expected that. But, between what Twilight has said about what Luna has said about and having worked with you these last few days, I had really thought that perhaps you had moved on from such tactics.”

“Hey, I don’t need a lecture from you, okay,” Trixie said with a huff. “You’re one of the Elements of Harmony on top of all that high class society stuff. I mean, you said it yourself, I’m a showmare, but I’m a showmare that’s known less for her shows and more for ‘monsters being set on towns’ and ‘being a tyrant.’ Being Luna’s apprentice has been great and all, but that’s only getting me so far on improving what ponies think of me. Getting just this one, little win would really mean a lot.”

Rarity sighed again, putting a hoof to her face as she did so.

“Trixie, you understand that my reputation didn’t come overnight, right?. I worked hard to get to where I am. True, being the Element of Generosity might have opened a few doors here and there, but for the things that really mattered I have spent years working hard to get where I’m at. I know the lifestyle of a fashion designer and high society must look glamorous to somepony on the outside, but it can be absolutely brutal, with its own share of setbacks that you have to just pick yourself up and carry on through. I’m sorry, Trixie, but I can’t do what you’re asking me to do.”

“Ugh, fine,” Trixie said, looking up at the ceiling. “Guess I’ll just have to live with Blueblood rubbing my nose in it for the next year.”

“I do I think you’ve been over estimating how much influence Blueblood really has, Trixie. In fact -”

Before she could finish the sentence, the door to the bedroom was opened as Star Breaker, in her Night Guard armor, hovering in the doorway with the flaps of her bat-like wings..

“Hey, sorry to barge in like that, but ‘Serena’-” she said, making air quotes motions with her hooves, “- sent me to check and see what the hold up was. The Gala’s about to start any minute now.”

Rarity and Trixie looked at each other to try and figure out what to say, but Trixie was quicker on the draw.

“Oh, my apologies, darling. I was just about to leave when I had a bit of a spell from looking at how dazzling Miss Trixie here looks in her dress and needed to lay down. I told her that she could go on ahead, but she was adamant about staying.”

Rarity looked back and glared at Trixie, but quickly followed through on the lie.

“Yes, she looked like she needed someone to watch over her. In fact, I think I’m going to stay here with her, just in case,” she said. “So just let ‘Serena’ know that I’m not going to be able to make it.”

“Nonsense, Trixie. I’m feeling perfectly fine now,” Trixie said, seeing a chance. She moved off the bed, standing perfectly fit as her mane moved almost perfectly back into place. “See, no harm done at all.”

“No, no, I really couldn’t just leave you behind. What if you relapse?” Rarity replied.

Star Breaker, meanwhile, stood by rather confused.

“Hey, uh, I hope I wasn’t walking in on anything…”

Rarity reacted first with a “No! Nothing like that!”

“Okays, but seriously, we do need you down there as soon as possible, Trixie. Considering the whole ‘Serena’ situation, you’re kind of needed if Princess Luna is actually going to get into the Gala. You know, the whole ‘I invited my cousin’ part of your plan that you just had to rope me into for some reason?”

Both Trixie and Rarity had forgotten that part, and Rarity simply sighed in defeat. She turned towards Trixie, nominally to “check one last time if she was okay”, but once close she started whispering.

“It seems I have no choice but to go, for Princess Luna’s sake. I promise not to do anything that will embarrass you, but that is all I will do. Just try and remember what we talked about, okay?” Rarity said, gently brushing at what was supposed to be her mane. “Sorry, you had a strand out of place.”

“Uh, again, if I was interrupting something I could totally let you have a few more minutes,” Star Breaker said, leaning into the room a bit to try and get a better look.

“You didn’t interrupt anything, dear. Like Rarity said, she had just fainted, and I wanted to make sure she was okay before we left,” Rarity said as she turned around, putting on that dainty kind of smile she always had but on Trixie’s body.

“Okay, if you say so. Don’t worry, I’m not a gossip...most of the time,” Star replied, grinning. “I take it you know how to get to the main hall by now,” she said as she moved to the side to let “Trixie” pass.

“Yes, I do,” Rarity said, taking one last look back at Trixie. “Rarity, just be safe, okay? Wouldn’t want to see you harm a single hair on that lovely mane of yours,” she said, with a look that Trixie could easily read as having “or I will personally ruin your life” left unsaid.

“Speaking of being safe, and I do apologize about this Rarity, but I gotta escort you off the premises,” Star Breaker said.

“Wait, what? Why?” Trixie replied, Rarity stopping to wait on the answer.

“Yeah, normally I’d be okay with just letting you go wherever cause, you know, national hero and close friend of every princess. But, it’s standard protocol that on big nights like this no guests are allowed outside of the main areas without supervision, and since both Princesses and Trixie will be at the Gala…”

Oh crap, Trixie thought. Being thrown out of the building all night would be a real problem if they wanted to get this fixed before anyone found out.

“Are you sure you couldn’t make an exception for me,” Trixie replied, putting on a bit of a pout, which got a facehoof from Rarity.

“I really wish I could, but my bosses are pretty tight on this kind of thing and I’m about one strike away from latrine duty. Again,” Star said, shrugging. “So sorry Rares, gotta escort you out.”

“You said she needed supervision, right?” Rarity said. “Perhaps you could simply hang out here with her, make sure she’s alright?” Rarity said, glancing over at Trixie, who was not sure why Rarity was batting her eyelashes and nodding towards Star Breaker, whose attention was completely on “Rarity”.

“Again, I really, really wish I could, but I got floor duty. If I’m not back at the hall in ten minutes...well, again, latrine duty,” Star replied, again looking really confused about the whole situation. “Look, you two lovebirds will just have to meet up again tomorrow morning, okay?”

“We’re not lovebirds! I am just trying to look out for my very dear friend is all,” Rarity said, sounding really offended at the idea, making Star back up just a bit.

“Okay, I got it, sheesh. Look, if she’s really feeling unwell I can take her to the infirmary and have them take a look, but otherwise she’s gotta go.”

It seemed they were out of time and excuses. For now Trixie would just have to go with Star Breaker and figure out a way to get back in later. Just how hard could it be to break into the castle anyway?

“Alright then, darling. If it’s that important to you that I go then I guess I’ll leave,” Trixie said, walking towards Star, who looked rather relieved that this whole confusing mess was ending.

“Like I said, I’m really sorry to be doing this. It really ain’t right that Blueblood snubbed you, but I gotta do my job so - “

“No worries, darling, I understand,” Trixie said, turning towards Rarity. “Enjoy the Gala, Trixie, and remember what I told you earlier. Just be the best Trixie you can be,” she said, giving Rarity a wink as the two were parted.

Rarity, meanwhile, simply sighed and started towards the main hall. It was in moments like this that she knew her title of “Element of Generosity” would be tested. When this was over she was going to have a long, long chat with Trixie. But, for now, she had no choice but to straighten her posture, look confident, and put on a show. Even in the worst of messes, a proper lady remained graceful and elegant, and ‘literally not being in your own body’ was a right proper mess to be in.


Luna was waiting nervously in the line outside of the castle. While she did not look out of place, being just another highly dressed up mare in a line of many very dressed up ponies, she couldn’t help but feel like a fake. In a sense, she was of course - this was, after all, not her usual appearance or identity. At the same time, it had been based on her younger self, so was it really fake if it was just another version of you? 

It wasn’t even that she was being scared of being discovered. After all, she was a princess, so falsifying her identity was just going to be seen as an odd quirk or a prank. It would also mean that her plans for the night would be foiled. That, honestly, was her bigger fear, that this would just turn into another disaster like the dinner party. She really could just use this one night not being the princess to figure out how to deal with these type of social situations.

“Why, cousin Serena, it’s a pleasure to see you again!”

Luna jumped at having her thoughts interrupted, but relaxed immediately upon seeing that it was Trixie standing next to her. Oddly, she seemed rather annoyed by something but was hiding it with a smile.

“There you are Trixie! I was wondering when you were going to come out and get me. Come, come, give me a hug!” Luna said, motioning Trixie to hug her. It was odd to see Trixie so hesitant to come over, but eventually she did.

“Trixie, is something the matter? You look irritated. Is something off with the dress?” she said in a whisper, using the hug as a bit of a shield against the otherwise lack of privacy.

“The dress is perfectly fine,” “Trixie” (who, unknown to Luna still was actually Rarity) said, oddly defensively about it. “There was just some...minor inconveniences while getting dressed. I’ll be fine by the time we get in,” she continued, ending the embrace and standing back.

“Well, then I guess we should make our way in and improve your mood” Luna said, hoping that everything was alright. If Trixie said she would be fine, though, she would trust her.

Of course, they could not immediately go in, and so the next few minutes were spent awkwardly waiting in line. Much of the small talk was focused on Trixie’s surprising amount of knowledge about the outfits and social standings of the various ponies. The lessons with Rarity had apparently paid off quite well. If this was some new passion of hers perhaps Rarity would be willing to offer some tutoring? It would be good for Trixie to have more hobbies, or at least that was Celestia’s view. After Twilight, she apparently thought it would be good to make sure future apprentices had ways to make friends that didn’t involve trying to fulfill ancient prophecies, and Luna couldn’t exactly disagree with the idea.

The small talk eventually ended as the two approached the entrance, where the real test of Luna’s new disguise would really begin.

“Evening Trixie. Could I see the tickets for you and your guest?” the guard, one of the many larger cream-coated stallions that Celestia seemed to like for her Royal Guard, asked.

“Yes, of course, right…” Trixie said, beginning to pat herself looking for the tickets. After a moment of panic, though, she found them in a pocket that had been built into the inside part of the front part of the dress. “Right, there they are. Tickets for one Trixie Lulamoon and her cousin Serena Lulamoon.”

The guard barely even looked, probably thinking this was all a simple formality considering the guest’s status and well-known face among the castle staff.

“Alright, looks good. Enjoy the evening, ladies.”

They were waved through, and Luna felt a breath escape that she hadn’t even known she had been holding in.

“That went well,” Luna said, giddy at the thought she had been completely ignored by the guard! No bowing, no ‘your majesties’ or ‘princess’, just a simple glance to make sure she wasn’t an immediate threat and then indifference!

“So, what do you think of your first ever Gala?” Luna said, looking over at Trixie.

“Well, Blueblood may be an oaf, but he does know how to throw a party,” Trixie said. “Oh, uh, if you’re the really stuffy type, of course.”

Luna laughed at Trixie’s comment. This did indeed seem to be a party of high quality by the standards of Canterlot’s elite, but from her experience she was sure that Trixie would be in agreement with Pinkie Pie that the place needed a party cannon or two. The small band of past years had been upgraded to a full orchestra, and the sound of classical music echoing gently throughout the entire place. The buffet was fully staffed by waiters and other servers, with a variety of hoof-foods, salads, and even some heartier dishes that had some ponies move to the tables to eat, fulfilling both type of party goers needs. Decorations were minimalist but stylish: she had half expected some giant statue of Blueblood somewhere, but instead he had allowed for banners and highlights that served to accentuate the castle’s natural beauty. He had even placed lavender in all the wall scones, which she personally appreciated. Few pony’s ever seemed to have noticed that detail.

“I’m surprised to hear you compliment him, Trixie. I would have thought you would have found this rather underwhelming compared to your usual tastes,” Luna said, gently bumping at her now same heighted apprentice. It was odd how much that made her feel giddy inside to be able to do that.

“Oh, right, uh, yes, this party is totally lame. I should put on a magic show and dazzle the guests with my magical feats,” Trixie replied, though she lacked the usual energy and pizazz such an announcement would have had. Perhaps she was being sarcastic?

“Street performers were not my initial idea for tonight’s entertainment, but perhaps it would be amusing to see you perform for audiences with...more refined tastes.”

Luna glanced over at the new voice, seeing that they had been approached by Prince Blueblood. Being able to observe him without him being aware that his aunt was nearby was probably going to be one of the highlights of the night. Already he seemed to be confirming some of the worse she had heard about him, but for now she would have to hold back on a scolding.

“My, we’re honored that the host would personally come to welcome us,” “Trixie” replied.

“I, uh, yes, welcome to the Gala,” Blueblood replied, obviously unsure how to react to Trixie’s not taking the bait. His attention turned away from Trixie and towards her, giving him an excuse to change topics. “And who, exactly, is this lovely mare,” he said, extending a hoof to her.

“I’m Trixie’s cousin, Serena Lulamoon,” she said, putting her own hoof out in expectations of a hoofshake. Instead, he bent down and gave it a gentle kiss (though not on the actual hoof, of course), and let go. Luna was concerned for a moment before recalling that had apparently developed as a custom at some point in time since she had been imprisoned.

“Pleasure to meet you, Serena. I was not aware that Trixie was related to a mare as refined looking as yourself.”

Okay, this was now getting a bit weird. It was likely some polite introductions, but Luna was not completely unaware of courtships among the court, and the look he was giving suggested his intentions were not of a simple pleasant greeting but a stallion attracted to the mare he was looking at.

“You flatter me?” she said, unsure of how exactly to react to this other than the desire to shut this down immediately. She could not blame him for the attraction, of course, since as far as he was aware she was just some normal single mare, but she had no desire to encourage this.

Before he could continue his flattery, however, a waiter appeared and whispered something in Blueblood’s ear, causing him to groan and roll his eyes.

“No, I told them that the ice statue was to be placed outside, where the evening air would keep it chilled. Must I do everything myself.”

He looked back to the two of them and then gave them a small bow.

“My apologies, but it appears that there is a problem I must address. I look forward to seeing you again, Serena,” he said, giving her a smile that quickly disappeared when he turned his attention to Trixie. “And enjoy the party, Trixie.”

The two of them were soon left alone once again.

“That was an odd interaction, but it is proof that my disguise is working, is it not Trixie?” Luna said, again rather happy about this fact, but watched as Trixie’s eye twitched and she looked at Blueblood with a glare. “Trixie, are you okay?”

“Oh, yes, I’m fine. Just suddenly remembering why I don’t like Blueblood is all,” Trixie replied. “Now, let’s go make this the. Best. Night. Ever.”