Chapters Balancing the Scales: NightReign
Viewpoint NightReign.
NightReign wanders down the path toward Ponyville where his mother resided and had returned to after the unfortunate incident that took her away when he was only two years old. “Celestia and Luna just had to go sticking their pompous muzzles in where they weren't wanted.” NightReign grumbles.
“What are you going to do about it then?” An incorporeal Sombra asks from beside him.
“I'm going to demand answers after I find mother. What else would I do? They blasted you into shadows two years ago so I wander. I know you're still here though.” NightReign replies.
“And what will you do about your food issue?” Sombra asks. “You can't keep hiding and thieving off of ponies from the shadows forever.”
“I know father. I've been thinking about that. After I see mother I am going to the badlands where a unique race of beings is said to dwell. They should have the answers I seek.” NightReign answers. “From what I hear they feed off of love like I feed on harmony. They should have a way to help me.”
“Be wary of them. They are distrustful of strangers and may view you as food.” Sombra warns.
“Father I can handle it. If it comes down to it I'll eat their harmony before they can get my love.” NightReign says with a dismissive wave of his hoof. “I just hope it doesn't come down to that.”
“You think you can reason with them?” Sombra asks.
“I think I have to try. I am a wondrous negotiator. I did learn from the best after all.” NightReign says.
“You flatter this old stallion.” Sombra says. “But I can't take all the credit. Your mother did have a certain way with the civilians that was...well...divine.”
“I wish I could have seen it.” NightReign sighs. “All I have are the stories you and Uncle Discord told me of how wonderful she was. But if my plan works I'll get to see her for myself.”
“Can you bring the Midnight out of her?” Sombra asks.
“If I have to but I'd rather not. I want Twilight to understand who I am and that she can't run from what she did or blame
“Well here's your chance.” Sombra says. “Here she comes.” NightReign had to duck to avoid a charging Twilight before smirking.
“Here we go.” He says as Sombra vanishes.
“SOMBRA!! HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOUR FACE HERE OF ALL PLACES?!” Twilight screams and summons the Rainbow Power. “Well if you think the elements were bad you're gonna hate this!” She lets loose a blast from her Rainbow Powered horn and NightReign laughs and opens his mouth. The beam enters it and he begins absorbing the energy.
“Thanks for the meal mother. I needed the pick-me-up I was getting hungry again.” NightReign replies and walks over to Twilight. “I'm not Sombra. Or did you not notice the streak in my mane and tail and the heterochromic eyes?”
“Illusions!” She screams and throws up a barrier. “I'll finish you off for good this time!”
NightReign simply sighs and walks off. “I don't have time to play combat with you mother. I'm going to see Chrysalis.” He walks off as Twilight fires another beam. NightReign simply turns his head and eats the new beam as well before wandering off toward the Badlands.
“Well. That went about as well as I expected it would.” A voice says before a face appears on a nearby tree. This face had bright yellow eyes with red dots for pupils one of which is larger than the other, a white antler on the right side of his head, a blue goat horn on the left and one longer fang that sticks out of the right side of his mouth. “Did you honestly think Twilight would even listen to you let alone recognize you weren't your father?”
NightReign brightens up considerably upon seeing this face and smiles. “Hey there Uncle Discord. No I expected she'd behave like that but not try to outright attack me. I calculated about a 1.2% chance of that.”
Discord laughs before emerging from the tree and picking NightReign up in his magick before hugging him. “You and your silly calculations. You are just like her sometimes. You know it's a good thing you have me to help keep you insane.”
NightReign laughs as well before hopping down out of Discord's magick. “Yes. You always did enjoy pulling pranks on me but I did get you back plenty of times.”
“Oh yes. Yes you did. Like the pie in the present trick? I was not expecting that from you.” Discord says as they walk (or float in Discord's case) toward the Badlands.
“What? It was your birthday. How could I not give you your birthday pie? Though I did hide the real present under the pie.” NightReign laughs.
“I remember. I did enjoy that present and the pie.” Discord says. “Chocolate Crème was always my favorite.”
“That's why I put it in there. But you did get me back on my birthday with the exploding cake routine.” NightReign says and smiles. “Oh we are quite the pair.”
“That we are Nighty.” Discord replies. “So we're off to see the queen of the bugs eh?”
“Yep.” NightReign responds. “She should be able to help me with my harmony issue. Though if I can eat the Rainbow Powthat defeated Tirek I think I might just keep the issue. I'm quite satiated.”
“I never expected you'd be able to do that.” Sombra says appearing once again.
“If I had known 18 years ago I could have saved mother.” NightReign sighs.
“NightReign you were two years old. You couldn't have known.” Sombra replies.
“I know. That's just misplaced guilt I don't understand but I promise you I will have her back. One way or another.” NightReign says determinedly.
“Maybe you'll find the way to get my body back along the way?” Sombra asks.
“That's a given. I haven't been able to touch you in five years.” NightReign replies. “Besides I want my family back and I want, no I demand, answers from Celestia and Luna. They had no right to do what they did. We weren't hurting anyone.”
“It was because of who I am. They can't possibly find it in their hearts to trust me though they went after Midnight first because they couldn't stand the fact that she was dark.” Sombra says angrily.
“It all stems from Nightmare Moon.” Discord comments. “Nightmare Moon was Celestia's greatest failure and thus she couldn't abide anyone else losing themselves to darkness even if Twilight asked for it.”
“Well I don't like it, don't approve and I am going to fix it.” NightReign proclaims with conviction.
“We'll fix it you mean.” Sombra corrects. “We'll all do it.”
“I agree with Sombra. You're not in this alone Nighty.” Discord adds. “We all want Midnight back and we're going to make it happen and with the King of Chaos, Lord of Darkness and Prince of Disharmony together nothing can get in our way.”
“We are an odd bunch but not as odd as the Element Bearers.” NightReign says. “We have Neurotic Magic, Spastic Laughter, Farm hoof Honesty, Lazy Loyalty, Vain Generosity and Timid Tree Kindness.”
“What did you call Fluttershy?” Discord asks.
“A timid tree. She wants to be a tree and let's be serious, the only time that pegasus is brave is when her animals are threatened. Yes Uncle Discord I know you have a soft spot for her but I'm only describing their personalities.” NightReign says.
“Well it's not very polite.” Discord replies.
“I'm blunt Uncle. I always tell it like it is.” NightReign says and throws a pie at Discord.
“Sometimes I regret teaching you chaos magic.” Discord grumbles.
“No you don't.” NightReign laughs.
“You're right. It wouldn't be fair otherwise.” Discord says merrily before a pie throwing war breaks out between the two.
“Sometimes I'm thankful I'm incorporeal.” Sombra sighs and waits for them to finish before they continue on toward the badlands.
Discord snaps his fingers after a bit to clean the pie mess up. “Can't have anyone wondering why there's a mess of pies everywhere.”
“This is true. They'd think you went bonkers. Oh wait...you already did.” NightReign laughs.
“You're not far behind on that front Nighty.” Discord says and grins.
“I blame you.” NightReign says.
“Why thank you.” Discord replies and Sombra simply facehoofs.
The last bit of travel to the badlands was relatively quiet until they hit the border and run into a few disguised changelings. “You're a long way from home pony.” One of them says.
“You sure you don't need any help?” Another asks.
“We could take you to our home if you need a rest.” The third offers.
“We'd actually love that you see I am terribly hungry. I'm not sure if my companion even gets hungry but I sure do and I'm famished.” NightReign replies with a smile. 'Yeah. They're changelings alright.' He thinks to himself. 'I can feel their lack of harmony.'
“Follow us.” The first replies and they lead NightReign and Discord off toward the hive. “We'll be meeting up with a couple friends along the way. Hope you don't mind.”
“Oh we love friends. They're so delightful.” Discord says.
“The more the merrier.” NightReign adds while Sombra stays silent and hidden.
“We agree.” The second replies. “Our mother would also like to meet you. We just know it.” The second says.
“Mother loves guests.” The third adds.
“Mine did too but right now she's not herself.” NightReign replies and after a while they all meet up with a couple other changelings and head to the hive.
Once they all reach the hive the changelings turn to face NightReign and Discord. “We're gonna need to tie you up now.” The first changeling of the group says.
“That won't be necessary. Especially since you changelings are who we came to see.” NightReign replies.
“How did you know what we were?” The third asks incredulously.
“I can sense harmony like you sense love and you five have none.” NightReign replies. “Now you can take us to Chrysalis or you can be unconscious and we can find our own way. Your choice.”
“You? Knock us out?” The second scoffs. “That's a real riot.” The five drop their disguises and charge their horns.
NightReign fires off a polychromatic beam from his horn which knocks the changelings out and he walks up to one. “Chrysalis. I know you can hear me. I am Prince NightReign of The Crystal Kingdoms. I request an audience.” He says.
“You may enter.” Chrysalis says through the unconscious changeling. “You will not be harmed.”
“My thanks. I'd rather not get into a scuffle with the very beings who could possibly help me.” NightReign says. He and Discord enter the hive and make their way through the shifting hallways guided by NightReign's ability to sense harmony and disharmony. After what felt like hours but was probably only a half hour of traveling they make their way into the throne room.
“Oh? You brought Discord as well?” Chrysalis asks from her throne. “What ever for?”
“He is my best friend and uncle for all intents and purposes. He's also the only one who can make me laugh at any time and his conversations are simply fascinating so why wouldn't I bring him?” NightReign says.
“His conversations? You mean you can understand half the words coming out of his mouth?” She asks incredulously.
“I met Pinkie Pie, the element of laughter, I can understand Discord perfectly fine compared to that nonsense.” NightReign replies.
“I'm easier to understand than Pinkie? Well she might have a mental defect or something.” Discord says.
“Too much time on a rock farm will do that to a pony.” NightReign says. “But that's not why I'm here. I have an issue you may be able to help with. You see, I have a condition similar to your own. Due to being born of the two most disharmonic beings in all of Equestria I cannot generate harmony within myself. Thus I must feed on the harmony of others to survive.”
“It is a similar condition to our own. But from what we have discovered you would need an extremely massive burst of harmony in order to be cured.” Chrysalis replies.
“I did just eat a portion of the Rainbow Power that defeated Tirek.” NightReign says. “I came here thinking I wanted a cure but if I can consume that much power and survive I may not want to be cured. Though I didn't come here wanting information without offering something in return.”
“What could you have to offer that would equal my information?” Chrysalis asks.
“Uncle Discord could you manifest some Amor crystal please?” NightReign asks.
“Of course I can.” Discord replies and manifests the crystal with a snap of his fingers. “What do you need it for?”
“You'll all see.” NightReign replies cryptically. “Please excuse this Chrysalis.” He fires a beam at the tip of her throne to make it into a singular point and another at the ceiling directly above it to create a downward point not unlike the stalactites found in caves before carving the Amor crystal into a heart shape and placing it in between the two points.
“What are you up to NightReign?” Chrysalis asks suspiciously. “That looks like the Crystal Heart.”
“Oh it's the same stuff. Amor crystal has the unique property of storing and generating infinite love energy but it just needs a kick.” NightReign replies and fires nearly every bit of harmony within him at the heart thus sufficiently charging it. “The last time they made or rather remade the Crystal Heart they used the love energy from the Crystalling of Flurry Heart but since we can't do that I figured we'd use the massive burst of harmony stored within me. Now. It just needs one last thing.” He sits down and pants for a moment. “Love.”
“We have enough in our reservoir but we can't just give that out.” Chrysalis says. “I might be able to make an exception but if it fails we'll all starve.”
“Then I starve right along with you. I'm on the verge now. Do it and if it fails I share your fate willingly but if it succeeds you take me to one of your prisoners and let me feed.” NightReign replies.
“Agreed.” Chrysalis says and calls up the love energy from the reservoir before letting it loose at the heart. The energy is then absorbed into the heart and it begins spinning rapidly before emitting a wave of pure love. “It worked? Amazing! I feel better than I have in centuries!” She laughs as the changelings gather in the throne room to feed upon the heart.
“Take as much as you can consume.” NightReign says with a weak smile. “You will never starve again.”
“No we will not and as promised you will feed.” Chrysalis says and calls a cocoon with a pony inside down from the ceiling and opens it up. NightReign smiles and fires a beam of darkness at the head of the pony which begins drawing the harmony out of him. The harmony flows straight into NightReign's mouth and he begins swallowing it. After a bit of time he cuts the flow off and stands. “It's no Rainbow Power but it'll do.” He says.
“So then what will you do with those prisoners since you don't need them anymore Chryssi?” Discord asks.
“That's Chrysalis.” She replies annoyed before answering. “I'll let them go but they'll need a mind wipe. We're going to recede into the shadows and recover for a while.”
“I can cover the mind wipe thing.” NightReign says and fires another beam of darkness. This one is aimed at the ceiling and cocoons and designed to selectively erase anything to do with the changelings from the minds of those inside. “There. That should cover it. They'll have no idea who or what a changeling is.” He says.
“Your mind magick is formidable.” Chrysalis says. “I'm happy we're on good terms.”
“Well when you're the son of King Sombra and Queen Midnight Sparkle you tend to pick up a few things.” NightReign replies.
“Sombra's name I recognize but it's Twilight Sparkle.” Chrysalis attempts to correct.
“Midnight is the dark side of Twilight much like Nightmare Moon is to Luna.” NightReign says.
“Midnight Sparkle was created by Twilight in the human dimension they call Canterlot High.” Discord adds. “That was however created by their world's Twilight not ours and as such Midnight exists in both because what happens to one happens to the other.”
“Interesting.” Chrysalis replies. “Where will you two go now?”
“Canterlot.” NightReign says simply. “I need answers and Discord is dying to see Celestia again.”
“Be careful. She will likely attack you.” Chrysalis warns.
“Her, I can handle. You might have given me trouble since I don't think I can eat disharmony.” NightReign says. “She took my parents away. I'm going to get answers.”
“Well you're always welcome here.” Chrysalis replies. “I don't extend that welcome lightly. But for the savior of our race I am making an exception.”
“My thanks Chrysalis.” NightReign says and he and Discord leave the hive.
Balancing the Scales: NightReign
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.
Balancing the Scales: NightReign
Chapter 3: Teaching the Princess
Viewpoint NightReign
“Oh dear Twilight is going to have a major episode when she finds out you're not really evil.” Celestia says as they walk along the river outside Ponyville.
“I already told her with Applejack's help. She still can't process it though I fully expect Pinkie to throw a major party when they're all past it. Something along the lines of 'Welcome to Ponyville NightReign and Sorry We Were Such Jerks' party.” NightReign says before looking at a bush knowingly. “Did you get all that Pinkie?”
“But...How did you know I was here?” Pinkie asks after stepping out of the bushes.
“When you know chaos magick as well as Uncle Discord and I do you can see through anything. I know you travel through the fourth wall to get places.” NightReign replies. “Yes I can see it too. No I don't care.”
“Makes sense.” Pinkie says. “Wouldn't be any fun if I was the only one though for some reason that does tend to happen. Anyway. Party planning and stuff. Sorry about the noise.” She jackhammer bounces off after that and NightReign laughs at Celestia's confused face before moving on.
“You really don't want to know.” NightReign replies as they hover above the ground to avoid the Pinkie Shockwaves.
“When Luna was Laughter she could do similar things but to a bit of a lesser extent. Didn't you ever wonder where she got those strange objects in her room from?” Celestia asks. “Discord must have shown you her stuff.”
“We may have borrowed some of her things from time to time yes.” NightReign responds. “So that's where she gets them.”
“Yes she acquired them from beyond the fourth wall years ago.” Celestia says. “I tried to study it once but unfortunately if you can't see or sense it you can't study it and therefore I gave up because I don't have the talent.”
“Discord tells me he can do it because he has been to different dimensions and that I can do it because I am the epitome of disharmony.” NightReign comments as they fly down the river. “I suppose that would make sense being born from Magic and the Umbra King.”
“I suppose that would make you more powerful than both Luna and I.” Celestia says.
“No just very hard to beat. Luna could do it since she is balance now instead of just pure Harmony but you? You don't stand a chance. At least not yet.” NightReign responds.
“Why wouldn't I stand a chance? I have more power than Luna.” Celestia asks.
“Actually you don't. With all that sitting around you do you haven't really been using it and if you'll recall Starswirl said 'If you don't use it you lose it.' That applies to your mana pool as well. Right now you only have the magick required to lift and lower the sun and do basic magick and simple combat spells. Back in the days of Discord you could have given me a challenge but not as you are now. I also eat harmony so I could easily stomp you.” NightReign says. “But mother spoke highly of you and I have no issue with you so I will help you train and become the princess you were meant to be.”
“When would you like to start?” Celestia asks after taking a few minutes to let NightReign's words sink in.
“Now.” NightReign replies. “Let's start with unleashing everything you've got.” NightReign casts a giant magick dome barrier infused with harmony, disharmony and chaos. “You're probably wondering about the harmony. No I can't naturally use it but as I'm still digesting the power of the Elements I have access to it. At least until it finishes digesting that is.”
“I can still feel the sun through this.” Celestia notes before she starts unleashing all her power.
“It's meant to keep magick from escaping, not entering.” NightReign says. “Mother and father designed this as a means to shield the Kingdom from your assault years ago. I just inverted it. Their design was meant to keep magick from getting in. I also made it opaque so no one can see when our training begins. They'll try to interfere.”
“Well then let's get started.” Celestia says having unleashed everything.
“Not very interesting.” NightReign replies and starts charging up his own magick. “You see I never stopped using my own magick. I wandered the land these last two years fending off everything from windigos and Ursa Majors to Tirek himself during a failed return. Yes he tried to return but he and I didn't exactly see eye to eye. As he was filled with harmony magick at the time I simply ate it and returned it to everyone. Though I kept a bit for myself and told the villagers that was my payment because they tried to offer me gold and things.” NightReign's power quickly eclipsed Celestia's and he smiled.
“Ok how do you have this much power?” Celestia asks.
“I'm fueled by the Elements right now. That'll wear off soon though.” NightReign replies. “Of course it'll definitely wear off after this session because I'm not holding back.” NightReign charges a spell in his horn and launches it at Celestia who puts up a shield to deflect it. The blast overwhelms and shatters her shield and NightReign cancels the spell. “Do you hear the voice in your head? The one saying she could tear me to bits if you'd stop holding her back?” He asks.
“How did you know that voice was there?” Celestia asks incredulously.
“It was the same with Luna.” NightReign replies. “Now don't be afraid of her. Unleash the Daybreaker.”
“She'll destroy everything.” Celestia says and sits down. “All of Equestria will be in danger if she is unleashed.”
“Celestia Galaxia. She will not destroy anyone now relax yourself and let her out. She wants a challenge and to stretch her legs.” NightReign scolds. “Daybreaker only wants to be free. You need to stop being afraid of her.”
“You try having a dark side with an inconceivable amount of power and then tell me not to be afraid!” Celestia shouts.
“My father is King Sombra the Crystal Tyrant and my mother is Midnight Sparkle the Nightmare of Magic! Do not dare to talk to me about dark sides! I am the King of Dark Sides!” NightReign roars. “Now stop being a chicken shit and unleash your power!”
Celestia's irises turn golden with draconic black slits for pupils and the whites of her eyes turn black. “Do not dare to yell at me I am the ruler of all Equestria!” She roars back and her mane and tail turn to fire while her armor changes and becomes orange with a yellow sun shaped jewel in the center and flame like designs around the edges while her shoes take on the same style and her helmet and crown change shape to match her armor. “I AM DAYBREAKER QUEEN OF EQUESTRIA, MISTRESS OF THE SUN AND DAY!”
“AND I AM PRINCE NIGHTREIGN CURRENT SOLE RULER OF THE CRYSTAL KINGDOMS! I AM OUTSIDE YOUR JURISDICTION! I AM YOUR EQUAL IN TERMS OF ROYALTY!” NightReign roars right back and they begin laughing before staring each other down. “Care to fight me or shall we skip the meaningless combat?”
“Combat is never truly meaningless.” Daybreaker replies. “But yes let's skip that I can sense you could beat me as I am now. So now that I am out what do we do?”
“This.” NightReign replies and fires a black blast of pure darkness at Daybreaker which splits her and Celestia apart. “Now. Celestia, Daybreaker. We're going to sit here and discuss things until we reach an agreement at which point I will put you both back together and we can continue our day.”
“How in all the cosmos did you pull this off?” Celestia asks. “Even we don't know this spell and we were taught by Starswirl himself.”
“Simple. Starswirl visited us at the kingdom once and we taught him dark magick.” NightReign replies. “He taught you two dark magick right? Well he didn't teach you everything he knew just as we didn't teach him everything we knew. He was time traveling at the time and was thus younger than when he met you. Mother squee'd very loudly that day and I think I heard him do the same later on when he didn't think we were listening. I confronted him about it and he admitted he always wanted to learn from the legendary Twilight Sparkle. You see he was aware of her existence for a long time and had seen everything she could do with being the element of magic and he wanted to learn from her as much as she wanted to learn from him.”
“Starswirl regretted teaching us dark magick when he realized Moonie and I existed.” Daybreaker says. “He thought we abused his teachings when we came about.”
“No you and Nightmare Moon are just the dark halves of Celestia and Luna. You were created when they learned dark magick so you could balance it out.” NightReign responds.
“And you know this how?” Celestia asks.
“Twilight did it when she learned dark magick from father. She unleashed Midnight Sparkle though I suspect that was not the moment of mother's creation. You see her other half in the world you call Canterlot High ended up taking in a very dark force and became Midnight Sparkle. At that time our Twilight became this world's Midnight Sparkle and has since become a Balance Alicorn.” NightReign replies.
“Well that makes sense.” Daybreaker comments. “We long suspected those worlds were connected to ours though which one is the original even Starswirl didn't know.”
“No. I suspect we won't be finding out either. That isn't the point of this story.” NightReign says cryptically.
“Whatever. Moving on.” Daybreaker replies bored.
“Yes enough talk about things that aren't here.” Celestia adds.
“Alright then I think it's time we got to the reason I did this. It's time you two came to an understanding about each other. You are both the same being you have the same thoughts and desires though different ideas on how to achieve them.” NightReign says. “Daybreaker, your fire and wild temperament are needed to make Celestia more assertive and less willing to be walked on by the nobles and other ponies of Canterlot. Celestia, your calm and collected demeanor are needed to calm the wildness in Daybreaker and help her to make less rash decisions and not be so impulsive.”
“You do need to toughen up Celly.” Daybreaker says.
“And you could use a bit more logic Daybreaker.” Celestia replies.
“I know it won't be easy for you two to get along but I ask that you try to agree to try working together instead of against each other. Just think about how much more effective you both will be at ruling.” NightReign says.
“I can see your point.” Celestia says. “Alright Daybreaker. I know this isn't going to be easy for either of us but let's try doing this together for once.”
“Does this mean you finally accept me as part of you instead of trying to push me away and make me disappear?” Daybreaker asks hopefully.
“It means I am willing to try if you are.” Celestia replies.
“That's all I truly wanted Celestia.” Daybreaker says and walks over to hug her while NightReign smiles and looks away. A bright light engulfs them both as they merge on their own. The mare standing in their place looks like Celestia with the armor of Daybreaker and the mane and tail of Celestia but with a fiery orange added in with the other three colors. Her mark of harmony also looked like Celestia's sun on Daybreaker's orange background.
“So this is the power you spoke of. I feel so much stronger now that we're merged.” She replies. “Unfortunately as much as we have the urge to change our name to match our new look we cannot do so as it would cause too much panic. But if we are ever to enter a battle we will be known as Princess Solar Flare.”
“Solar Flare? I like it. Just wait until you meet Princess Lunar Eclipse.” NightReign replies.
“I thank you for your assistance. Now I must head off to Canterlot to inform Luna of the new me and that you are indeed not Sombra.” Celestia says. “Farewell Prince NightReign and thank you.”
“My friends call me Nighty.” NightReign replies.
Celestia giggles at that and smiles. “Farewell then Nighty. I shall bring Luna next time for a proper vacation.” She vanishes in a flash of light and NightReign wanders off back to Ponyville.
“Now to help mother.” He says to himself.
“That was rather unexpected. I daresay if Solar Flare and Lunar Eclipse had faced me instead of Celestia and Luna I may have died.” Sombra says appearing beside NightReign.
“The same can be said for me. Those two can be scary.” Discord replies popping into existence on NightReign's other side.
“Be glad then that I can win over just about anyone with my charms.” NightReign laughs.
“Charms you got from me.” Sombra corrects.
“Mother was rather charming and seductive when she wanted to be. I watched her do so once when an invading king thought to try to move in when you were gone.” NightReign replies. “She seduced him before kicking his ass from here to the moon and back. He left with more cuts and bruises than a punching bag by the time she was done venting.”
“I don't often see Midnight lose her temper like that.” Sombra comments.
“She doesn't like sexists.” NightReign says nonchalantly.
“No one likes sexists.” Discord replies. “So will you be reawakening your mother in a similar manner?”
“I think I might though I might do something else. At least the Sisters didn't fight their dark sides.” NightReign says. “Though I may just talk to her. You two shouldn't be around for that.”
“Right. I can understand that one. I'll be wandering this Ponyville unseen.” Sombra says and fades away.
“Might as well go check on Fluttershy. I can smell unhappiness and I hope it isn't her.” Discord adds and pops off while NightReign walks back over to the Friendship Castle. He then knocks on her door and Twilight answers.
“What do you want NightReign?” Twilight asks nervously.
“I want my mother back and for you to accept her.” NightReign replies.
“I can never accept her. She's a monster obsessed with darkness.” Twilight says.
“Is that what Celestia told you?” NightReign asks. “Because I think you'll find Celestia has had a change of heart on that little problem. As has Luna so there's no going to her about it.”
“What did you do to the princesses?” Twilight asks starting to get angry.
“I made them see the truth.” NightReign replies. “The same truth you once understood before Celestia's failed spell destroyed your personality and your memories of Midnight and me.”
“Princess Celestia was trying to save me!” Twilight yells and NightReign sighs before blasting her with the separation spell he used on Celestia earlier. Twilight and Midnight separate in the blast and NightReign walks in to sit on the couch.
“This is where she's living now?” Midnight asks. “Way too bright and cheery.”
“It's an eyesore.” NightReign replies.
“NightReign? Is that you my son?” Midnight asks and walks over to him. “My how you've grown. You're the spitting image of your father.”
“Yes. Much to everypony else's chagrin.” NightReign says and hugs Midnight. He then looks over to Twilight to see how she's holding up only to discover that she's a catatonic mess. “Well. There goes that idea.”
“I guess we have to put her back together.” Midnight sighs. “It isn't her fault though. That spell of Celestia's basically erased her.”
“So we're going to have to put her back together again?” NightReign asks and Midnight nods. “Wonderful.”
“But first we should catch up a bit.” Midnight replies.
“I'd like that.” NightReign says and they sit together on the couch talking about various things. Midnight showed a major interest in NightReign's ability to absorb any and all harmonic abilities and the harmony from ponies which led into a talk about the changelings and what NightReign recently did for them.
“I always wondered how to fix their little issue.” Midnight comments. “Well we had better get to work fixing my other half. I do need her to make myself whole after all.”
“Right. Let's get that started.” NightReign replies.
Author's Note
Well. That's chapter 3 out of the way. Yes he can see the 4th wall. No he doesn't care about it. No it's not gonna be one of those stories. I don't like meta stories any more than you do.
Balancing the Scales: NightReign
Author's Note
This prologue is the reason for the mature tag. If you're viewing mature stuff and don't like this process described here I am not responsible. They didn't have a warning tag for it so consider this my warning. Read at your own risk.
This story is separate from the Nexusverse. I had this idea running through my head. I hope you all enjoy it. As always constructive criticism is welcome. Hate bashing comments get deleted and this is not technically a parody but honestly aren't most of the stories here considered parodies?
Prologue: Beginnings
Viewpoint Midnight Sparkle.
Midnight lay in bed surrounded by doctors and her husband Sombra and she was screaming in agony while a doctor helped her to give birth to her foal. “My dear everything will be alright. Just breathe and focus on me.” Sombra says.
“I CAN'T FOCUS ON ANYTHING! IT BUCKING HURTS!” Midnight screams at the top of her lungs.
“Just a little bit more my queen. Keep pushing. He's almost here.” The lead doctor says.
“I AM PUSHING!! YOU TRY HAVING A TINY PONY COME OUT OF YOU!” Midnight screeches.
“I had two.” She responds.
“You'll have to forgive my wife. She's not normally like this.” Sombra says.
“I know. The birthing process can change a mare's personality. Oh? And we're done. Congratulations your majesties. It's a colt.” The lead doctor replies happily and Midnight sighs in relief. The doctors begin cleaning him off and after they are done they hand the colt to Midnight.
“Hello there my little NightReign.” Midnight says after the doctors leave.
“He has your streak. And your lungs.” Sombra laughs and Midnight only glares at him for a moment.
“He has your fur.” She replies with a smile. “He's perfect.”
“Yes he is. And he's all ours.” Sombra says.
Fast Forward 20 Years.....