Nocturn Armor was fast asleep clinging to a glass of rum like a baby with a bottle. His fore hooves wrapped around the smooth exterior, some how keeping it up right from spilling It’s contents. A violet aura of magic enveloped the hoof blown tall glass and levitated it out of his grasp. Nocturne squirmed around disturbed from his deep sleep into a slightly more consious state as he frowned at the turn of events. Twilight then gave a giggle at his child like actions while half asleep. Finally after a few minutes of his hooves searching around for his elusive liquor, He opened his green eyes and picked his head up. His half closed sleepy eyes met a pair of violet eyes and a purple muzzle. It took a few seconds before his mind registered that there was another Pony in his home. His body jolted making him fall out of bed and knocking his head on the floor.
“ AAAhhh!!!... What the…?” Noc struggled to say a complete sentence as his mind grasped wildly for a coherent thought. Twilight’s hoof went to her mouth as she gasped in shock. Noc rubbed his head as the sting lingered. Then he peered over the top of his bed; Twilight was still there looking back. Noc stood up, Anger adorned his face.
“ What the …..What are you doing here?!” Noc asked angrily. Twilight couldn’t hold it in anymore, she began laughing. The whole scenario was too funny to her. This only encited a low groan of annoyance from Noc.
“ I’m sorry Captain, I didn’t mean to scare you like that!” Twilight only momentarily stifle her laughter.
“ But… I thought…. No, I Definitely locked the door!” Nocs looked around as he said this. His gaze fixated on the open door.
“ Great! Now the overgrown parrot Gonna waltz right in!” As he said this,
Rainbow Dash yelled from outside,
“ I heard That!” A pillow flew into the open door landing at the foot of the bed. This made Twilight burst out in laughter similar to Rainbow Dashes own laughter. Neither Nocturne Armor, nor Rainbow Dash were amused. Immediately Rainbow Dash flew into the space, landing just short of her thrown pillow. Spike had been rolling around trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard at Noc’s comment.
“ Are you done?” Rainbow Dash asked Twilight who was starting to stiffle her giggles.
“ Sorry Rainbow, I didn’t want to say anything.” Twilight began another giggle fit.
“ Look, I’m tired and i want my privacy, so can you girls just leave? No offence Princess but you are trespassing!” TWilight coughed and cleared her throat.
“ Sorry Captain, I'll be out once I have said my piece. It appears you have not been very truthful with us.”
“ What do you mean?” Noc looked her in her eyes, ignoring Rainbow’s glare. Twilight set Noc’s drink on his nightstand and levitated one of the letters she found in the trash. she began to read,
“ Dear Princess Celesia,
I hope all is well in Canterlot. It’s a beautiful day here in Parrot Port. The water is very warm today, somthign having to do with geothermal vents under the surface. Also the sun has been very warm today as well, Thanks to you Im sure. The ponies that live here have all been very kind to me and they don't’ even know who I am. They remind me of my friends from the school of magic. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I think about you and everypony from back home. I hope you are not too angry with me, but I understand if you are. I hope all is well in Canterlot.
Your student and nephew,” Noc growled and narrowed his eyes at Twilight. It was unbearable to hear her read his personal letters out loud.
“ Heres another one I think is interesting.” Twilight levitated another letter from the pile. She began reading,
“ Dear Princess Celestia,
It’s been raining for the past several days, surely Cloudsdale is overstocked with rain clouds and is sending them our way, not knowing that we are being affected. It’s a shame I can’t get this letter to you, we could use your help. Many of our friends here in Parrot port have had their homes ruined by landslides from torrential rain. We don’t have enough pegusie to divert the clouds so we’ve been forced to sit through this never ending storm. I’d say there there was a silver lining in this fiasco, that the pirates are dealing with this same problem, but unfortunately the Ponies they have been enslaved are probably the ones who are taking the brunt of this. I wish you were here to help me, to guide me, but I guess It is my fault for burning that bridge and getting myself stuck here. In any case, I have drawn upon your teachings as best I could and I can only hope you would be proud of me, despite my shortcomings. I hope to see you again some day, maybe I could at least find closure in what ever punishment you have waiting for me.
Sincerely,
Nocturn armor.”
“ And then there is this Gem!” Twilight levitated another letter. Nocturn winced at it, He knew which one she was about to read.
“ Dear Princess Celestia,
Happy Hearts and Hooves Day! I hope all is well in Canterlot as our little town in paradise is making the most of today. It’s hard to imagine not knowing the ponies of Parrot Port because they have become my family over the years. Contemplating this makes me remember everyone from home, It’s been 13 years and I miss everyone. I miss Cadence and the games she’d play with me, I miss Big brother and our adventures, I miss my friends, I miss sargent silver wing and his royal guard stories, but most importantly I miss you. There are days I feel lost without you guidance. If only I hadn’t…”
“ Princess!” Noc Yelled. His eyes had become watery making his green eyes shine more. Droplets threatened to flow down his cheeks.
“ ...If only I hadn’t ruined everything,” Twilight finished. She lowered the letter, making eye contact with Nocturne. Rainbow’s gaze turned to one of pity. Noc’s horn glowed green, levitating his unfinished glass of rum to him from his night stand. Then he downed the rest.
“ Captian, you gave us the impression that you don’t want to leave, but these letters suggest something different, don’t they?” Twilight asked demandingly.
“ Princess, I never told you I didn’t want to leave.” Noc looked at the floor, He trembled as he tried holding back his tears. He mentally bludgeoned him self for being weak, an emotion he had been trying to hide from everyone, especially his friends. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to quit and go back to Canterlot. Yet, he knew of the consequences if he would forsaken the island. As much as he wanted the option to go back home, he feared the day it would come. Now that he could get on Twilight’s ship and go home, he was tormented my his wants. Escape from the Island was here and he struggled with everything he had not to pack his bags and leave. He was weak, and he needed to keep that weakness from surfacing.
“ Captian, what do you mean?” Twilight asked. She cocked her head to the side. She hadn’t expected to get this kind of emotional response from Noc, she was beginning to regret her actions.
“ Belive me Princess, I so very much want to go with you back to Canterlot! But, I can’t. I made a promiss to rid these islands of the pirates and free the ponies who have been enslaved. It’s something i have to do so please stop tempting me with your offer.” Noc then began to sob. He was so weak and he hated himself for it.
“ Nocturn, I...:” TWilight was cut off from Rainbow Dash.
“ Twilight, come on lets go…” Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with a pleading expression. Spike looked on with owe. Everything made sense now.
“ Ok….lets go Spike.” Twilighted looked down in shame. Spike hopped onto Twilight’s back. Twilight, Spike and Rainbow Dash exited Noc’s house and trotted on to the beach. Twilight stopped, turned and looked back at the house. She could still hear Nocturn Armor, a well seasoned deffender and former prince of Equestria, sobbing. She used her magic to shut the door.
“ Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked with uncharacteristic trepidation. Twilight turned to look at her with surprise.
“ Do you really think we should try to bring him home?” Rainbow was looking down at the sand. Luna’s moon was high above the horizon and it’s reflection shimmered in the sea beyond the sand of the beach. Twilight looked down at her hooves.
“ I….No. Not like this.”
“ What are we going to do?”
“ With Noc,”
“ No, I mean, what are we going to do to help? Do you think Princess Celestia would send help?”
“ You mean military help.”
“ Yeah, I mean I wouldn’t mind fighting these Pirates!” Rainbow Dash had a sudden burst of bravado, sounding like herself again. Twilight thought about it. She knew Princess Celestia wasn’t very Keen on entering any wars, but...
“ Theres only one way to find out!” Twilight said with a smirk.
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