(7:30 the next morning, Parrot Port Island)
Seagulls squawked off in the distance. They glided into the wind catching an updraft that made their flight effortless as the day was bright and sunny, perfect for seafaring. Many of the Parrot Port islanders were out and about taking care of their daily business as they usually did.
The Police, however, were out in force. Every inch of beach was being watched and the town was being covered by roaming patrols as well. Still, the townsfolk were none the wiser about the change in their environment.
Nocturn Armor was on the east beach near the docks where The Queen’s Pearl made birth. He was accompanied by his constantly complaining sergeant Sea Star as they once again checked the pylons.
“ Oh quit your whining, we’re only checking the east shore today, we’ll be done by lunch!”
“ Ugh, I hope so! I think I’m starting to get a headache!” Sea Star exclaimed. Nocturn was beginning to feel annoyed by his understudy.
“ You’re a headache.” He said under his breath. Star looked up at him with a look of confusion.
“ What?” She asked.
“ Nothing Sargent, just keep checking, We only have twenty more to go.” Noc turned to look away from Star hopeful that she didn’t hear enough of what he said because that would be a whole morning of annoyance. Little did Noc know that his morning was about to get really annoying.
______________________________________________________________________________
( 7:30 am, The Griffon King)
Rainbow dash was perched on top of the main mast looking down on the ocean with a land mass slowly coming into view in front of the ship. Rainbow had been flying with the seagulls since six that morning and she was the first one to spot land. All the girls were below deck getting ready for getting off the ship. Twilight was double checking provisions , tents and other equipment for living in the wilderness. It wasn’t apparent how civilized the islanders were so she needed to be able to fallback on contingencies. Captain Nehab came down to talk to Twilight from up top, leaving his first mate in charge of bringing the ship in as close to the shore as he could.
“ Princess, we'll be making landfall in about 10 minutes.” He told her. Twilight was trotting around with spike oh her back reading off the list she compiled. Cadence was on the opposite end of the boat checking the equipment as well.
“ Thank you Captain, We should be ready by the time we reach land.” she said confidently.
______________________________________________________________________________
( East beach Parrot Port Island)
Nocturn Armor took a small break from checking pylons as he sat on the cool sand that had yet to heat up from the sun. He took a swig of water from his canteen when he noticed something on the horizon. He lowered his canteen that was in his ethereal hold and took a better look at the object. It was large and had masts. His eyes grew wide .
“ Star, can you see that?” He asked as he turned to star who was finishing checking a pylon. She looked up at where Noc was pointing. She squinted her silver eyes until she saw something out on the horizon.
“ What is …..It that a ship?” Star asked shocked. Noc nodded his head and stood up. Then he noticed that there was a second vessel, a vessel he knew all too well. It was dark with black sails and very well armed. It was heading east towards the new ship, most likely to intercept it
“ Ugh, of course!” Noc exclaimed with slight frustration. He knew he had to do something to stop the pirates from getting to the new ship which may not have been armed as far as he knew. At that moment Breeze Sentinel swooped in.
“ Noc, did you see….” Breeze was cut off by Nocturn.
“ Yeah I see it! Get the pearl ready, I'm going to take my boat!” Noc rebuilt a row boat from a ship that crashed ashore and added an invention to it which he created, a magic powered motor. The boat was small but it was fast enough to avoid the guns of the pirate ships. Nocturn then looked at Star.
“ Watch over the Pylons, I don’t need any pirates making it to shore while I'm out there.” he said calmly to her.
“ Noc, Isn’t it going to be dangerous?” She said with a hint of worry.
“ What are you talking about? Of course it is! Those are pirates!” He said confused.
“ But What if you get hurt?” She asked even more worried,.
“ What? I….look we need to help that ship out, We can’t afford to let the pirates take more prisoners!” Noc said irritated and still confused as to why Star was acting weird.
“ But Noc, what if….” Noc cut her off.
“ Star you have your orders, I need you to take care of these pylons. You know what to do!” He said as he galloped off to the docks.
“ But Noc…?” Star called out in vien. She was now looking down at the sand wondering if he was going to come back. She knew first hand how vicious the Pirates are, she watched her own parents get captured.
______________________________________________________________________________
( top deck of the Griffon King)
Twilight was now up top chatting with her friends and Cadence. The guards were in their armor and ready for the day. Pinkie was playing go fish with Rarity as they waited to go ashore.
“ Captain, I think I see docks.” Twilight told Nehab.
“ Oh yes I see it too Princess. Thats good news!” He said in return.
“ Oh look I think a ship is headed our way!” Twilight said. Nehab took one look at it and turned pale. Twilight noticed the change.
“ Captain?” she asked.
“All hands on deck! Guests get down below! We’re under attack!” Nehab Yelled at his Crew and the passengers. Twilight continues to look at Nehab in confusion.
“ Whats going on?” she demanded.
“ Princess! Please get below deck! We have pirates coming our way!” He said shivering with fear.
“ Pirates? We can take them on!” Rainbow said as she swooped down to land on the deck.
“ Please Princess You should get below deck! I couldn’t forgive myself if you or your friends were hurt!” He said pleading. Just then a barrage of cannon fire could be heard off in the distance.
“ Incoming!” Said the helms pony.
“ Hit the Deck! Yelled Captain Nehab while tackling Twilight.
Just then a hail of cannon balls hit the water just next to the ship. Twilight pushed Nehab off and got up to peer over the side of the ship. The pirates had almost caught up.
______________________________________________________________________________
( One mile out to sea)
Just as Pepper had reported, the waters were calm almost as if the current had vanished completely, which made it easier for Noc to pilot his boat east ward. He could see the Pirate ship engaging the smaller ship and the crew trying their best to avoid the waves of cannon fire aimed at them. He could also see armored ponies. .
“Crap, almost there!” He said to no one in particular. The motor buzzed erratically as it pushed the small boat through the waves with sparks shooting out every once in a while. He aimed the boat for the pirate ship trying to get on the starboard side of it. A few arrows landed in the water next to him so he swerved the boat trying to throw off the aim of who ever was shooting at him.
“ What in the name of Celesta am I doing?” he thought to himself. Then he saw something that almost made him crash into the ship. A large shield bubble formed around the civilian ship deflecting the cannon fire.
“ Who in hay did that? “ He asked himself. Powerful magic such as teleporting and transformation spells were a rare thing for any unicorn to perform, but shield spells were in another league of their own. Noc tried to form a shield spell once but it backfired and nearly put him in the hospital.
The pirates kept shooting at the shield until it broke. Captain Nehab ordered the guards and his crew to form up.
“Every pony, prepare to repel boarders!” Said Nehab. Twilight was on her knees from over exerting herself from trying to maintain the shield. Rainbow picked her up and flew her to the entrance of the cargo hold. The Guards lined up with the ship’s crew on the port side. They waited for the onslaught to come.
Nocturn managed to tie to the pirate ship. The pirates lost sight of him. He pulled himself up to the side of the deck and rolled on to it. He hid behind a crate.
“this is stupid, this is stupid, this is stupid….!” he kept telling himself. It wasn’t like he was afraid of pirates, but taking on an entire ship by himself was a little daunting . This would take some cunning.
“ Ok noc, focus, you have to get their attention!” He told himself. the Pirates were getting ready to board the Griffon King with grappling hooks. Noc noticed the crate he was behind had bags of gunpowder. He changed his plan from diversion to destruction. One pony aimed a swivel gun at one of the port holes.
meanwhile the girls were in the cargo hold tending to Twilight. CAdence was healing Twilight with her magic while the others did their best to fan her. Rarity was close to a port hole thinking about the prospect of being captured by pirates.
“ What are we going to do? We simply cannot just let these Pirates take any of us!” Rarity exclaimed in fear. Pinkie bounced up to rarity with a look of confidence.
“ Don’t worry Rarity, Spike will protect you!” Pinkie let out a giggle. Spike blushed.
Suddenly something broke through the port window. it was a grapple hook that latched onto the hole it made. it wasn’t long before a pirate swung in, grabbed Rarity and was out the window with her screaming for Spike. Spike jumped to his feet and ran for the hole.
“ Rarity!” He screamed as he lept for the hole. He barely managed to catch the hook with his claw as it let go of the port hole. both spike and rarity were gone.
“Spike! Rarity!” all the girls screamed including Twilight. The all jumped for the hole but arrows stopped them from pursuing.
“ Oh what do we do?” Twilight looked at her friends. Cadence tried casting a spell. Suddenly portal like reflection formed out of thin air and The girls could see Rarity as she was being pulled up to the ship.
Noc was setting up some bags of powder on the stern of the ship when he noticed a white unicorn screaming on her way up to the ship. she was pulled from the Griffon King. Then he noticed a small baby dragon hop on to the deck. He was trying his best to look scary but it wasn’t working. The captain, a muscular pegasus grabbed one of Spikes feet with his wing and laughed at him as he dangled trying to fight back. Noc concentrated and teleported closer to the bow.
“Leave him alone you ruffian!” Rarity screamed at the pirate captain.
“ Ha ha ha, what do we have here? A ferocious Dragon?” The captain continued to laugh along with a few of his crew members.
“ Alright lads! Get Ready to board!” The captain barked.
“Maybe you should reconsider you Ugly Mule!” Noc Shouted from behind a tarp .
“ Who said that?” Growled the captain. His eyes searched the deck for the voice that dared call him a mule. Then a large explosion took out the stern. sending one pirate flying off the ship.
“ Damn it, we’ve been boarded! Search the deck for the fool, I want his head!” The captain was considerably angry.
“Crap….” Said Noc. The others didn't’ go off. This was a bad plan and he knew it.
Pirates Scoured the deck looking for any sign of boarders. one found the Dinky.
“ We Got a boat here!” he yelled pointing with his hoof over the side. another pony found where the explosives came from. He pointed at the missing bags of powder to let every pony know. Tarps were beings pulled up one at a time. It was then Noc made his move, jumping from behind the tarp he was hiding behind and galloping past one of the pirates. They all yelled and screamed while chasing after him. Noc jumped over one pirate and bucked another in mid air. Hi was desperate to reach the fuse he thought should have been burning even though that fuse
consisted of a trail of poured powder.
after collapsing a stack of crates to cover his path, Nocturn managed to find where the fuse stopped burning. He then set it on fire again with his magic. One unicorn pirate blasted the crates out of the way and charged Noc. Noc shot a few bursts of magic towards them and suppressed their advancement. His next problem was getting away from that side of the ship.
Rarity watched the chase in shock and confusion. Spike stopped fighting to watch the strange display of chaos. Noc was cornered and was looking for options.
“ Looks like it’s over for you blue!” said one pirate from behind his cover.
“No not yet…” Noc said to himself as he watched the fuse burn around the corner. he knew he had about a 20 seconds before he was chum. Then he focused his magic, trying to cast something he found difficult to do in stressful situation.
“ Come on, come on!” He said. Then with a flash of light he disappeared. Suddenly he was falling and grabbing onto cloth, black cloth. He managed to grab hold of a rope on the way down with his mouth. It wasn’t long before the deck exploded and the mast he was on began to fall towards the bow. he tried swinging and barely made it past the burning rubble just inches away. he let go and rolled towards the stern. The crew began jumping off the ship to get away from the fire. The other boat look on in horror.
Noc got up with a groan, his entire body was in pain.
“ You! You’re going to pay with your head!” Growled a very angry pirate captain. Noc got up and hid behind a canon. The Captain, his first mate, and two other crew members were still guarding Rarity and Spike, not wanting to lose their prize.
There was a cross bow left behind by a crew member who abandoned the ship. he picked it up.
“ Clearly you don’t know how to properly run a ship!” Noc yelled back.
“ I am Captain Nautical, one of the most feared pirates of these waters! I will have you head as a trophy!”
Nocturne knew he needed an opening and therefore he began to use taunting as a means of getting the captain to open himself up to being attacked.
“ Please, you call yourself a pirate! Your Ship is sinking all because of me! I know you're kind, you’re a fake!” Noc retorted.
“ You’re quite the talker!” Nautical yelled with a laugh.
“ Yeah and you’re pretty ugly and stupid!” Noc said with a pause between each insult.
“ Are They really going to shout petty insults at each other!” Rarity said unamused.
“ I know who you are Captain. I’ve heard you date ugly old mares!” Said Nautical with a roaring laugh. Noc paused for a brief moment before he replied.
“ … Hey don't talk about your mother that way! Shes a very nice Lady!” This was the cinderblock that broke the camels back.
“ I’ll Gut you, you wretch!” The infuriated Captain Nautical screamed while he let go of spike and soared into the air. That gave Noc his chance and he took aim at Nautical. Nautical dove straight at Noc who had moved to the middle of what was left of the deck. It was over in less than a three seconds. Nautical took a bolt to his left wing and he veered left into the deck . Noc Shot two beams of magic at the remaining pirates hitting one of them over the side. The rest backed away from Rarity and Spike who were now squaring up to fight back.
Spike jump on my back!” Rarity yelled. Spike jumped on. Noc Galloped up to them,
“ Come on this way!” He motioned to the side of the ship where he had tied his Dinky. The three lept over the side and Noc cast a spell to let them land softly in it. once they were in, he started the engine and off they went towards the coast. The Griffon King was now following behind .
Rarity and spike both stared at a heavily panting Nocturn Armor as he was piloting his boat to shore. Noc eventually noticed and smiled at them.
“ Welcome to Parrot Port!” He said while grinning.
______________________________________________________________________________
(East Beach, Parrot Port Island.)
Nocturn, Rarity and Spike all made it to shore just before the Griffon King had docked. The Queen’s Pearl swept the waters for surviving pirates to take as prisoners, but Nautical was no where to be found.
Nocturn was hurt pretty bad as falling from the mast like he did plus the burns he received from the explosion that caused the mast to break and fall was enough to make him walk with difficulty. His uniform was burned and ripped with his coat being black in some places. Nothing a night of Magic healing wouldn’t cure, but none the less, it hurt. Every pony converged on the east side docks including the Mayor and many of the towns ponies. Breeze flew to Nocturn and landed next to him.
“ What….the hay….are you trying to do? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Breeze yelled at Noc who was nursing a burn on his left front leg.
“ Yeah sorry,...I uh didn’t mean to make a spectacle of things.” he said sheepishly. He looked up to see Sea Star who was avoiding eye contact with him. He thought that was strange but he felt she would get over what ever she was mad about.
“ Noc, can you please not do that ever again!” Pepper galloped up to him. She was pretty damn angry but she kept her emotions on a tight leash.
“ Ok,ok, Im sorry! I won’t try to bring in an entire pirate crew by my self! Im sorry!” Said Noc. Just then Rarity’s friends galloped off the boat to reunite with her and Spike. Thats when Noc Noticed the armor of some of the guards. They were Canterlot Royal guards. This made him very nervous. He didn’t recognise any of the faces so they all had to be new within the last fifteen years. They formed a box perimeter around the mares.
Twilight stepped out on to the ramp trotting over to Rarity and Spike, giving Spike a huge hug.
“Spike don’t you ever do something like that again!” Twilight said with tears streaming down her face. She joined her friends in a group hug. It was a long hug that lasted five minutes. After they were done, Twilight turned to look at around, trying to find the unicorn who saved her friends. She spotted him staring back.
“ Hi!” She said enthusiastically.
“ Hi.” he replied.
“ I wanted to thank you for saving my friends, I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost them!” She smiled as she spoke.
“ I’ve lost a few friends to the pirates myself, I wouldn’t want anypony else to go through that. You are Equestrian, right?” Nocturn asked.
“ Yes, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria! Former student of our benevolent ruler, Princess Celestia!” Twilight said this with a smile..
“ Welcome to Parrot Port Island your highness, It seems a lot has changed in Equestria in the past 15 years.”
“ A lot has changed!” Twilight replied.
“ 15 years?” Twilight pondered to her self.
“ May I be so bold as to ask, your highness, why are you here?” Noc looked at Twilight wondering if she was about to say what he was thinking she would.
“ I'm on a royal mission to find a lost prince of Equestria, Nocturn Armor!” She proclaimed proudly. Suddenly there were many gasps of shock and Noc received dozens of stares from the ponies that were there. The Mayor’s monocle fell from his eye as well. Noc Turned pale as she said his name and former title. A title that he wished stayed seacret.
Then her eyes opened wide as if she realised something. She looked Nocturn over with scrutinous eyes as she ran through a mental check list. .
“ Hm, Unicorn Stallion roughly a little older than me, blue coat, light green main and tail, vividly green eyes and a Shield with stars cutie mar!.” She took a step back with her front leg up to her chin. Shocked she then hesitantly asked,
“ What is your name sir!” Twilight asked.
“ Noc? A Prince? There’s no way!” Breeze said with a chuckle.
“ Noc? Whats going on? What is she talking about?” Pepper asked her old friend.
“Nocturne…..Nocturne armor!” Noc replied to Twilight.
“ ( Gasp) Girls it’s him!” Twilight exclaimed with excitement.
“ Captain Nocturn Armor!” Noc added , emphasizing the word “ captain” as if to correct Twilight. He was uncomfortable with everypony he knew finding out he was former royalty.
“ Now we can bring you home!” Twilight stated with joy..
“Am I being detained?” Noc Asked worriedly.
“ No of course not Your Highness! We are just bringing you home juat as Princess Celestia has ordered!” Said Rarity.
“ Princess I don't’ mean to be rude but I'm afraid thats not going to happen.” Noc said as he looked at Twilight. .
“ What do you mean? Don’t you miss home? Dont you want to go home now that we found you!” Twilight was now confused.
“ Princess, this is my home and I’m not going anywhere.” Noc said sternly. Then a rainbow colored pegasus landed in front of him.
“ What the hay do you think you’re doing talking to Twilight like that? You’re coming with us whether you want to or not!” She screamed at him.
“ Wait! Rainbow!” Twilight called out to her brash friend. Noc however just used his magic to push rainbow back out of his face..
“ Yeah good luck with that!.” were his only words to her.
“ Hey, don’t do that!” Rainbow Dash yelled at him. Suddenly another voice called out to Nocturne.
“ Little Brother?” Cadence Called out to Noc. She was unsure if it really was him. Noc stopped in his tracks.
“ Cadence? “ He said under his breath. Noc turned to look at the alicorn standing on the ramp. It was certainly her, just a little older and taller.
“ It really is you!” Cadence proclaimed. Her eyes began to tear up as she flew past her detail of guards. She flew up to Noc and threw her forelegs around him.
“ Oh little Brother! I’ve missed you so much!” She was Crying. Nocturne was at a loss for words. His eyes were wide with shock.
“ I….I should have known you’d be with them.” Noc said to Cadence. This made her chuckle.
“ We’ll what did you expect?” She replied,
“ You know what I expected.” He said with sorrow in his eyes.
“ Nocturn, Of course not! Princess Celestia has already forgiven you!” Cadence said.
“ Yes, she told me why you ran away!” Twilight said as she trotted up. Noc looked at both Cadence and Twilight who were looking at him expectantly.
“ Look.. This.. I … This is a lot! Im sorry I have some thinking to do!” He said as he back up from Cadence.
“ In any case, perhaps we can take this off the beach and back to town hall.” Said the Mayor who had stepped in to take control of the situation. Both Cadence and Twilight looked at him with confusion.
“ Styles Hoofington, Mayor of this Town, at your service your majesties!” He said with a bow.
“ Charmed.” both the princesses said.
“ Captain, do you require medical attention?”
“ No sir. Nothing a good shower can't fix.”
“ Then I expect you to be at Town Hall in 2 hours!” Hoofington said to Noc.
“ Yes Mayor.” he said flatly. Every pony was staring at Noc. He looked at his friends who stared at him with confused and some with anger ( primarily Pepper and Breeze). Noc shook his head and turned to walk towards his home.
Cadence trotted up to him and gave him another bear hug.
“ Nocturne, whatever happens and whatever you decide to do, just know that I still care about you like a little brother. Don’t worry about making any decisions now, I just want to spend some time with you! ok?” Cadence loosened her hug and stared him in the eyes.
“ ….Thanks sis.” He said with a smile and hugged her back.
“We’ll all be waiting for you at town hall.” She said as she trotted away.
“ Ill be there!” he said back.
There was a lot of commotion on the beach and many of the ponies were beginning to follow The princesses in an impromptu procession. The police were busy dealing with the pirates that they had picked up from the water. Noc was making his way to his home. Rainbow was glaring at him when her friends were trotting away. Applejack noticed Rainbow dash was looking his direction and not trotting with everypony else.
“ Dash, are you coming?” She asked her long time friend. Rainbow didn’t answer right away but instead continued to glare at Nocturne.
“ No.” she said as she took to the sky.
“ Well ya’ll better not get lost and leave the prince alone!” AppleJack yelled at Rainbow. Rainbow made no indication that she heard AppleJack’s warnings.
“ Ugh, this can’t end well!” AppleJack said to herself before she turned and galloped to catch up with everypony else.
Nocturne was trotting with mild difficulty, his left fore leg hurt from the fall onto the pirate deck. suddenly he heard a whoosh just above him.
“ Breeze I don’t feel like talking about it right now.” He said with a warning tone in his voice.
“ Who’s Breeze?” Rainbow asked with disdain in her voice.
“ Oh it’s you.” Noc said with flatly.
“ Yeah pal, we’re not done!” Rainbow swooped down and landed in front of Noc. All he could do was grunt .
“ Please get out of my way, I’ve got another quarter mile to go.” He said half pleading.
“ No, not till you apologize for pushing me!” Rainbow demanded.
“ Hey if you didn’t get in my face, I wouldn’t have pushed you!” He barked back.
“ Maybe if you weren’t such a jerk, maybe I wouldn’t be in your face!” Rainbow retorted.
“ I mean what gives? We’re here to take you home so you can reclaim your princehood! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” Rainbow was now in his face again.
“ Yes of course it does! but …. ugh damn it, you don't’ know the whole story!” Noc argued back.
“ Oh I know all about it! You used some dark magic and now you’re running away because you think you’re in trouble!” Rainbow Dash was calling him out.
“ Oh you definitely have the whole scoop on the situation!” Noc sarcastically fired back.
“ What? You’re trying say theres more to it?” Rainbow asked.
“ Damn strait! I dont know if you were paying attention or not, but this Island is at war!”
“ What are you talking about? Those Pirates didn’t stand a chance against you! How could they be a threat?”
“ Well. those guys kind of sucked.” Noc said calmly
“ The rest of their fleet though, are ruthless! They’d try anything to get ahold of the ponies here on our Island! We were lucky today!” Noc rubbed his burned leg. Only then did Rainbow notice how bad off he really was.
“ The threat these pirates pose is why I can’t leave. But to be honest, This place has been my home for 15 years. I don’t want to leave.” Noc made his point and Rainbow was silent.
“ ( sigh) I’m sorry I pushed you, that was wrong of me.” Noc said to Rainbow. Rainbow was looking him over taking note of all the burns and cuts he had. She was also remembering that he got those burns and cuts from trying to save Rarity and Spike.
“ I’m sorry I got in your face.” Rainbow Said to him.
“ Are we square? “ Noc asked as he reached his hoof out. Rainbow extended her’s and shook his.
“ Yeah we’re square, but you’re still coming with us!” She added. Noc groaned. He turned to continue trotting.
“ I doubt that very much. “ he said as he was trotting off. Rainbow dash flew next to him keeping pace.
“ Hey Wait up!” She said as she flew next to him.