Viewpoint Twilight Sparkle

Twilight sat in her room after hyperventilating as she had just gotten done with one of her famous freak outs. “I just don't understand it. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna defeated Sombra two years ago after he reconstituted himself and enslaved the empire again.” She says to herself. “I think I'll ask her about it.” She gets up and heads over to the door. “Spike?! Are you here?!” She calls and the dragon in question comes running.

“What's up Twilight? You seemed hysteric when you came back from your visit with Rarity.” Spike asks.

“It's Sombra. He's returned and he was just here a bit ago. I need to tell the princesses.” Twilight replies.

“Sombra?! But that's impossible. The princesses defeated him two years ago.” Spike says alarmed.

“He must have reconstituted again.” Twilight comments. “Please take a letter.”

Spike pulls a quill, inkwell and parchment out of the bag on his shoulder and dips the quill in the ink. Ready when you are Twi.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

I wish I could say this was another friendship report because I know how much you love it when I send them. Unfortunately this is to inform you of the return of King Sombra. I don't know how it's possible but he has returned. I saw it with my own two eyes. I would like to discuss this face to face because I feel a letter would not covey everything this time. Please come as soon as you can.

Your faithful student and friend,

Princess Twilight Sparkle

After the ink dries Spike rolls up the letter and puts Twilight's seal on it before breathing his green flame on it. The ashes of the letter fly out the window off to Canterlot and Twilight walks out with Spike following.

“I need to get the girls together.” Twilight says. “This concerns them too.”

“I can write letters if you like. Knowing them they'll drop everything and come running.” Spike replies.

“That'd be great. Thank you Spike. You're a wonderful assistant and friend and I honestly don't know what I'd do without you.” Twilight says.

“Aww. I just do my best to help you out.” Spike replies with the equivalent of a dragon blush.

“Just between us Spike I think I'd forget to eat or bathe if you didn't pull me out of my study crazes.” Twilight says. “Now about those letters.”

Spike grabs five pieces of paper and holds the quill over the first one. “Ready when you are Twi.”

“Ok these will basically be the same letter just addressed to the girls separately.”

Dear Applejack,

Meet me at the castle asap. Sombra is back and he was just in Ponyville. He has a new power I don't think I can overcome on my own. I'm sending out letters through Spike to each of you as this is the fastest way to do it. I have already alerted Princess Celestia but you girls can get here faster than she can so we need to make a plan for when he arrives. This is going to be a big problem. Please bring your element with you as I believe this is the only way to beat him without the Crystal Heart.

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle

Spike composed the letters addressed to the bearers separately and breathed his fire on them thus sending them off to their respective destinations. “It's done Twi.”

“Thanks Spike. Now all we have to do is wait.” Twilight replied. “Let's have lunch.”

Viewpoint NightReign

NightReign and Discord headed back toward Ponyville in rather high spirits. “You know I think I made more than a friend there. She seemed rather taken with me.” NightReign comments.

“I think she did.” Discord replies. “Will you pursue it?”

“Eagerly.” NightReign says and smiles. “My life is looking up again. For the first time since my parents were taken from me I feel hope for the future. This is going to make things very interesting.”

“So remind me why we're headed back to Ponyville.” Discord says. “We could easily teleport to Canterlot or you could mist travel.”

“While I could do both I'd rather ride the train. I like to see the sights.” NightReign replies. “I have a great love of nature and everything to do with it so I am going to see as much of it as possible.”

“Why don't you just go camping?” Discord asks.

“Because I'm busy. Besides my first camping trip was promised to me by father and mother and they aren't here right now so until they are I am not doing it.” NightReign responds.

“As soon as you help Twilight open her eyes to you and get me my body back we will go camping.” Sombra says. “We can even go camping in the Everfree.”

“I think I'd thoroughly enjoy camping in that forest. I hear it's like that because Nightmare Moon woke up.” NightReign comments.

“That's one reason for it. The other reason is that battle generated so much chaos and disharmony it twisted the land and nearly woke me up.” Discord says.

“Well that makes it an even better spot for camping!” NightReign proclaims happily. “It's settled. We're camping in the Everfree Forest.”

“Camping can wait though. We're here.” Sombra says. We walk into Ponyville and head off to find the train station. “Heads up my son. They're coming.”

NightReign looks around for a moment before spotting the six Element Bearers all racing at them. “This is gonna be fun.” He comments and turns to face them. “Are we going to fight or can we try talking this time?”

“No talk just action!” Rainbow shouts as she flies up and attempts to slam into NightReign who side steps and she plows into the ground. Applejack charges soon after and attempts to buck him but ends up bucking air as he teleports behind her. Twilight fires off a magickal blast which NightReign deflects with a shield and a manticore attempts to swipe at him having been called by Fluttershy. NightReign glares at it with glowing red eyes and bared fangs and it yelps and runs away. Pinkie launches confetti and Rarity, her sewing needles both of which are deflected by NightReign's shield.

“You're going to have to try harder than that if you want to hit me. I am the son of King Sombra and Queen Midnight Sparkle. Why not try the Elements?” NightReign suggests.

“Maybe that's the only way we'll beat him.” Twilight says.

“You never know until you try.” NightReign replies.

“Then we'll try. Girls to me.” Twilight calls and the others gather around her. “Time to finish you.” She says and channels magick into her Element while the others do the same. They all begin floating and glowing. After a minute of this a ball of light engulfs them and they fire a polychromatic beam of light at NightReign. He grins and opens his mouth as the beam hits. Instead of the beam engulfing him it flows into his mouth and after about thirty seconds of this they cut the beam off while NightReign laughs.

“That was a most delicious meal! I must say that might have even filled me up.” NightReign says and smiles before walking over to them. “Now Applejack I want you to listen to my words and look for any lies.”

“I guess since the Elements didn't work I can humor you.” Applejack says and nods. “I'm ready.”

NightReign walks over to Twilight and sits in front of her. “I need you to listen to me. I speak the truth.” He says and she throws up a shield.

“You won't get me to believe you no matter what you say.” Twilight replies defiantly.

“I believe you will.” NightReign says as Applejack walks over. “I am not King Sombra. He was my father. I am Prince NightReign. When you were Midnight Sparkle you gave birth to me. I know that was eighteen years ago but what you might not realize is you gave yourself over to her willingly while you hung back and took mental notes of everything.”

“Ah don't want ta believe it but he's not lying. Ah tried ta find a lie in there. Ah tried real hard, harder than Ah do most things but there isn't a lie there. He's telling the truth Twi.” Applejack says and Twilight shakes her head rapidly.

“This can't be true. It just can't.” She says near hysterically. “The princess will know more.” After a few minutes of her freaking out and her friends consoling her NightReign gets up to wander around Ponyville.

“This is a quaint little town.” He says. “I like it here. I can see why mother would want to live here.”

“Well that and she was originally asked to come here and oversee the Summer Sun Celebration 27 or so years ago.” Discord replies.

“Mother told me the story and how she and the others restored Luna. Then, years later we helped her reconcile with Nightmare Moon and reclaim her true power." NightReign says as he wanders into Sugarcube Corner to look around.

“What can I get for you?” A female voice asks and NightReign looks up to see a light cerulean earth pony looking back at him. This pony also had a two tone pinkish mane and tail with three cupcakes as a Mark of Harmony.

“Some tea and a chocolate cake would be wonderful.” NightReign replies. “Name's NightReign. Who do I have the pleasure of addressing?”

“My so formal.” She answers. “I'm just one of the town bakers. My name is Cup Cake but you can call me Cup.” Cup wanders back behind the counter to collect the cake and tea. “This is Crystal Empire Tea and Prench Chocolate Cake.” She says and sets the tea and cake on the table in front of NightReign.

“It's called the Crystal Kingdom my dear.” NightReign replies and uses his psychokinesis to pick up the fork and begin eating.

“All the princesses call it the Crystal Empire so we do too.” She says.

“They've got outdated information. It was the Empire when my father was corrupted but now that he's been purged of that we call it the Crystal Kingdom.” NightReign replies. “I should know. I'm Prince NightReign of the Crystal Kingdom.”

“I'd say it's not every day we get royalty in here but Twilight stops by regularly and Princess Celestia comes by occasionally.” Cup comments. “They're wonderful guests but a male Alicorn isn't something we see everyday.”

“Considering my mother is Twilight and my father is Sombra it was expected that I'd come out an Alicorn. Flurry Heart is the first born Alicorn. I am the second. We're the only two recorded Alicorns to be born in well over a thousand years. Well three if you count Cadenza.” NightReign says nonchalantly while eating his cake and drinking his tea. “You use the same company I do when you get your tea. Next time you see White Star give him this.” NightReign tosses a bag of Crystal Kingdom bits to Cup Cake who promptly catches it. “Tell him it's the money he's owed from Nighty. He'll know.” NightReign then slides enough bits across the table to pay for his tea and cake along with extra. “Celestia is coming. She's gonna be in a mood for a bit so she'll need her tea and cake. The extra bits should cover it.”

“Well then if the princess is coming I'll have everything set out for her.” Cup Cake says as Pinkie walks in.

“I wondered when you'd get back Pinkie.” NightReign says and she walks over to him.

“Don't pull mean tricks on Twilight like that again.” She replies.

“Not my fault she didn't listen when I told her who I was. She screamed at me saying it was all illusions and that I was Sombra.” NightReign says and drinks his tea. “She really hates him for some reason though I can't imagine why. They were a happy couple when I was younger.”

“Probably something to do with the memory modification spell on her.” Sombra says having decided to manifest himself in a chair next to NightReign. “It wasn't Celestia who did it either. Not intentionally anyway.”

“Well then it's a good thing I can fix that.” NightReign replies and sits back to wait. After a while he turns his head to the door. “She's here.” He says and returns to eating his second slice of cake. “She likes the White Cloud Cake.” After a minute or so Celestia walks in and everyone but NightReign bows. She walks over to NightReign who only looks up. “Celestia.” He says in greeting and she sits down across from him.

“When Twilight told me Sombra was back I expected to find him terrorizing the town.” Celestia says. “I did not expect this though.” Cup Cake brings Celestia her tea and cake and walks off. “How did you know my favorite cake?”

“Mother told father for if you ever decided to visit on friendly terms. He told me.” NightReign replies and takes a drink of tea. “If you couldn't tell I'm mad at you.”

“Now why would you be mad at me?” Celestia replies after taking a bite of cake. “I have never met you.”

“My parents are King Sombra and Queen Midnight Sparkle. Let that sink in.” NightReign replies as he takes a bite of his own cake.

Celestia's eyes go wide for a moment before her horn starts glowing. “So you've come for revenge?” She asks.

“If I wanted revenge I would have annihilated Canterlot.” NightReign says. “Now turn your horn off. You're making a scene.” Celestia's horn stops glowing after she looks around. “Always quick to make a scene and jump to conclusions. I don't want you dead. I just want answers.”

“Forgive me but when you told me who you were I feared ill intent.” Celestia replies.

“Only in your mind could a being who lives in darkness only mean to cause harm to others.” NightReign says. “Father raised me better but I also inherited his temper.” He finishes his cake and the last of his tea as Celestia finishes hers and he gets up. “Why don't we take a walk?”

“Fine by me.” Celestia says and walks out. “My thanks for the delicious cake and tea.”

“Yes, thank you Cup. That was delicious.” NightReign adds as he follows her.

“It was my pleasure.” Cup Cake replies.

NightReign and Celestia walk out and head off toward the park to sit next to the river. “I don't understand you at all.” Celestia says as they walk. “All my knowledge tells me that anything to do with Sombra is inherently evil and corrupt.”

“Father was cleansed of that corruption after the elements blasted him to pieces.” NightReign replies. He and mother ruled the Crystal Kingdom peacefully for 23 years before you decided to interfere and ruin everything.”

“I had to protect my ponies. I did what I felt was right.” Celestia says defensively.

“You left me without a mother and nearly made me an orphan had Uncle Discord not been there to save father.” NightReign growls. “Then again from what I understand you don't really care about who you hurt so long as you maintain your twisted sense of order.”

“I had to get rid of him!” Celestia shouts for a moment before sitting down confused. “Didn't I...?”

“No. You didn't. But maybe you aren't fully in control of your actions.” NightReign sighs. “It is as I feared. The Daybreaker is trying to take you over.” He says after scanning her with his magick. “But don't worry. If you let us we won't let that happen.”

“Who's we?” Celestia asks looking up at NightReign.

“Father, mother, Uncle Discord and myself.” NightReign replies. “We have experience with dark beings like Daybreaker. After all we did help Luna and Nightmare Moon reconcile.”

“I wondered why Luna seemed different when she came back from the Empire a few years ago.” Celestia says.

“Kingdom.”

“What?”

“It's called the Crystal Kingdom. Not Empire.” NightReign says.

“Crystal Kingdom then.” Celestia replies. “If you can help me overcome Daybreaker then we can truly work to rebuild your land.”

“Aunt Cadenza and Uncle Shining Armor are already rebuilding it.” NightReign says before sitting next to Celestia. “Also you won't be overcoming Daybreaker. You'll be reconciling with her. Letting her become a part of you and you become a part of her. That's how you become truly powerful. Maybe even a match for me.”

“I already am stronger than you.” Celestia replies before NightReign's horn glows golden and he lowers the sun and raises the moon effortlessly.

“Luna told me I could do that when I needed to show off.” He says while Celestia stares incredulously.

“But only harmony can control the sun and moon.” Celestia says.

“Harmony for control maybe. But I don't control them because they don't like to be controlled.” NightReign says. “I ask them to move and they do. Just like Luna has taken to asking the moon to raise and lower. Why do you think the moon glows brighter?”

“I always thought it was just Luna getting stronger.” Celestia replies.

“That's part of it yes but she and Moonie realized that they could hear the moon when they became one and thus learned the true power of the moon.” NightReign says.

“Teach me how to reconcile with Daybreaker.” Celestia says.

“With pleasure.” NightReign replies.

Author's Note

Well then. That's the second chapter. Here we see what happened to Luna and Nightmare Moon and see a side of Celestia so rarely shown.