Authors note( It's been way too long since I've posted to this story. I hope everyone who reads it, still likes it.)

Nocturne's mind toiled in torment as he analyzed the situation that had unfolded on his small Island, Those natural and magical forces that prevented contact with Equestria were now gone, Two Princesses, Including his sister Cadence, and their entourage were trying to take him home to Equestria, and the Pirates were now missing a ship and it's crew. Things were now bad. No Solutions were clear as they all included getting Equestria involved with the Islands plight. Not only would this escalate the conflict, but this would also propel Nocturn into an inevitable meeting With Princess Celestia, a meeting he was not yet prepared for. It wasn't' like he couldn't just buckle down and get it over with, and he did believe Cadence when she said that Celestia had forgiven him for what he had done, but he still had his Inhibitions.

He trotted lazily along the beach towards his home with the ocean to his left. on the eastern horizon thick black clouds were lurching in from the east. Apparently Cloudsdale was overstocked on rain clouds again. The atmosphere was foreboding as the winds had picked up.

" Why Is she so damned determined to bring me back to Canterlot?" He muttered to himself. He then kicked a sea shell which skidded across the wet sand. The tide was coming in a little too high tonight. Apparently Celestia was also working overtime, making the moon bigger and brighter in the night sky; or so he thought.

It wasn't long before he was approaching his home, It's palm log walls beckoned him to enter. When he got closer, he noticed his front door was open.

" Oh What the hell!" He said as he cantered up to a gallop, racing to his front door. He didn't remember leaving it open or unlocked. He thought, maybe that damn Twilight was snooping around again. He didn't care if she was a Princess, Trespassing was trespassing.

He bolted in to his front door, only to be met with a calamity of activity. Twilight was in fact looking around his home without permission, but she was accompanied by her friends. Each one was going about destroying his home. They were actively turning potted plants and furniture over searching for more secrets he might have been keeping. He could clearly see Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Spike, but he could barely make out the other figures in the dark room.

" That's it! All of you stop what you are doing and come out side… Slowly!" Nocturne shouted. Instead of compliance, he was met with laughter, condescending laughter. Noc took that as his que to start wrangling the girls outside with his magic. He was considerably pissed off. How could these girls have the gull to break into his home, illegally search his property and then refuse to listen to an officer of the law when they were caught? His horn light up, but then it suddenly went dim. shocked, he then tried again but he felt nothing.

" What? What's wrong with my magic!?" Noc shouted to no one in particular. Twilight began to laugh at him and said,

" Looks like you aren't as good at magic as you thought you were. How did this Island get by with somepony like you protecting it?" As Twilight finished delivering her low blow of an insult. Rainbow chimed in saying,

" Ha ha! Good one Twi!" The two mares then gave each other a high hoof. Noc became more frustrated.

" I said get out of my house!" He was still a little drunk, so trotting was a bit of an issue. for some reason he felt like he was constantly falling over. He couldn't even make his way to the girls and physically bring them out.

" Noc, you know you can't help these ponies, you're not good enough! Why don't you come home with us instead?" Twilight fired again at him.

" I can't go to Canterlot with you, I am needed here still! I won't go!" Noc shouted at the purple Alicorn.

" Then why do you have this ticket for the cruse home?" Spike shouted as he popped out of one of Nocs desk drawers holding a one way ticket to Equestria. Noc could only look in embarrassed shock.

" Where did you get that? I didn't have any tickets like that!" Noc shouted. The girls began laughing at him even more.

Suddenly Noc noticed a couple of figures standing behind him. They were Pepper and Breeze and they were noticeably angry.

" Noc, what are they talking about? Are you just going to leave us to the pirates?" Pepper was furious.

" Way to go ' Your Highness'! I should have known you were weak like this!" Breeze shouted.

" Wait! Guys it's not true! I'm not leaving!" Noc tried to explain. his two friends then turned their backs on him and began trotting away. Noc wanted to go after them to explain, but his hooves wouldn't budge. Then he could see Red with his bandaged up wing standing at his front door. The colt was crying with large tears leaving trails down his cheeks.

" Noc, why would you do this!, Why would you leave me?" Red asked him.

" No, Buddy I'm not going anywhere!" Noc continued to explain. Red wasn't having any of it though and he galloped off down the beach. Noc began shouting his name.

To Nocs horror, he then saw ships off in the distance, lurching towards his shore. It was a large Pirate fleet, the biggest one he has seen to date.

"No.. No No no!" Noc said to himself. He didn't have time to check all the Pylons and he wasn't' sure if he had checked them that day. It was Crucial that they all be working so the pirates couldn't make their way on the the beaches. Noc tried to get up from where he had drunkenly fallen over, but he couldn't pick himself up. The more he tried, the harder it became for him to get up and the more frustrated he became.

Suddenly he could see the Queen's Pearl making it's way over to the large fleet of Pirates. It's sails were on fire and ponies were jumping off it's main deck from the fires that were engulfing it.

" NO Damn it! Put those fires out! Their gonna reach the ammo dump!" Noc screamed at the ship from the beach. Suddenly it exploded, sending derbies all around it. Noc grew quiet as he knelt there in utter horror. Then, as if things couldn't be worse, He noticed a mare trotting up to from afar. She was familiar, in fact she was very familiar. Her long gold locks from her main and tail blew in the breeze, her pink coat shined in the dark with the moonlight and her ghostly figure featured bright shining blue eyes. her wings were neatly folded at her sides, not attempting to take her into flight. Nocs eyes grew even wider as she trotted with in several meters of him. She was frowning at him with a gaze that stung at his heart.

" Aster?" Noc muttered.

" Noc? Why did you let it happen again? Why didn't you protect Red?" The apparition demanded.

" Aster, I tried! I tried! You know I tried!" Noc began to sob, it was clear the pirates were gonna take over the whole island, and every pony was either going to be enslaved or killed.

" Remember what you let happen to me! Remember how I waited for you to come save us!" Aster hissed at Noc.

" NO, I can still save Red! I can still find him and get him out of here! I'm not leaving your Brother!" Noc Shouted , how ever, Aster was now gone. Noc searched for her and shouted between sobs,

" Aster, Wait…. Aster don't go…. I love you!" Nocs crying was then interrupted by the shouting of hundreds of Pirates galloping up the beach towards him. They had set up a beachhead and were unopposed. It wouldn't be long before they would reach him and considering how much trouble he gave the pirates over the years, they would most likely kill him on the spot. Noc just continued to cry again and waited for the inevitable to come.

" Aster, Mom, Celestia, I'm sorry!" He continued to mutter. It was a while before Noc noticed he wasn't currently getting stabbed by some random cutlass or blasted with a magic attack. He looked up and what he saw shocked him. The entire beach was empty, there were no ships along the beach, and the skies were clear with no wind. The burning Queens pearl wasn't off in the distance and the shouting pirates were nowhere to be found.

Noc continued to look around in bewilderment until he heard a mare's voice resonate.

" Ah there you are Nocturn Armor. We were afraid we would have trouble finding you again!" The enthusiastic and regal sounding voice said.

"Who… who is that? Identify yourself!" Noc shouted, turning his head around both directions to see where the mare was.

" Ah yes, introductions are in order, We… I mean I am Princess Luna, the princess of the Night and sister of Princess Celestia…" Luna said as she materialized in front of Noc. His further shock was evident. She then finished her introduction,

" … However, you may probably know me better as the mare in the moon." She said while smiling warmly at Noc. There was a moment of silence as Noc continued to stare at Luna in pure shock. He stuttered for a moment but then he said,

" Ok I was beginning to think I was dreaming…. but there's no way I can make that up on my most creative day." This prompted Luna to giggle.

" We are in a dream, however I am most certainly real."

" Aunt Celestia never mentioned she had a sister… and you're the mare in the moon? That really happened?" Noc asked. This turned Lunas warm smile into a more solemn expression.

" Indeed it did," she said just as somberly as she looked.

"So, you're a long lost princess, but why are you here if you don't mind me asking?" Noc was still hesitant about trusting her.

"To find you and to talk to you of course. I can understand what you have been through. The anger, the frustration, the fear, and the uncertainty, it's all too familiar to me. I am here for the same reason Twilight has traveled to meet you." Luna explained. Noc eased up. Luna then looked around and then she asked Nocturn,

" You certainly have much to talk about." She explained as she looked at him.

" It's nothing, I have these dreams every once in a while…. except the parts with Twilight of course." Noc could feel his tension easing up as he continued to talk to Luna. She certainly didn't seem like the evil night queen he had thought Nightmare moon to be. Luna giggled again.

" You'll have to forgive Twilight for her conduct since arriving at your Island, She is very loyal to my sister."

" You know about what happened?" Noc asked.

" I found her in her dream while trying to find you in yours. Long Distance dream walking can be difficult. She explained to me what had happened her first day here." Luna said. Noc cried as he understood that Princess Luna, who is possibly now the second most powerful alicorn in the Equestria, now knows about his drinking problem.

"To be honest, I have no clue as to what I should do. We've been able to hold it together so far, but now things are changing and I know the pirates are gearing up for an attack. I … I wish I knew what to do. I wish I had Aunt Celestia's guidance."

" I now know that you are under considerable stress all things considered, You must know that nopony blames you for the actions of thieves and slavers and that it isn't just your problem." Luna said and then she lifted Nocturnes chin with her hoof.

" You know you have the support of not just your friends and fellow islanders, but you also have our support as well." Luna looked into Nocs eyes. His own gaze shifted as he wasn't sure if he should be looking into hers.

" But, what about the Escalation?" Noc asked.

" All ponies, Foreign or domestic, are our responsibility. How can I and my sister sit idly as your people are under the threat of enslavement?" Noc slowly shook his head. No I suppose not. He then looked down releasing Escalation was inevitable.

" You said you wished you could seek guidance from my sister, correct?" Luna asked.

" I did." Noc replied.

" I'm not sure you are aware, but being able to dream walk gives me the opportunity to bring others with me." Luna smirked. Noc began to think about the implications of what she was saying.

" If you wish, I could take you to my sister who is waiting for you." Luna said nonchalantly. Noc became nervous, instantly.

" you… can?" he asked.

"That is the plan, as it were!." Luna replied enthusiastically.

" In fact, she is on the other side of this door. She is so excited!" Luna said as she made a door appear next to her. Noc stood there quietly contemplating the situation. She then began to turn the knob with her magic.

" I… I … I don't… No I'm sorry, I can't." Noc said while looking away from the ominous door. Luna stopped turning the knob and turned her head to look at Nocturn with a look of shock.

" Are you sure?" She asked. Noc looked up at her with a sorrowful look.

" I mean, where do i begin? The part where I broke into the library and used dark magic, or how about the part where i disappeared for fifteen years without so much as a letter?" Noc rhetorically asked with concern. He had then fixed his gaze on the door.

" I mean, who am I to be forgiven for any of that?" Noc continued. Luna didn't respond right away. " How am I supposed to apologise to anyone, especially my brother?" Noc asked.

" If you don't try to make things right, how could you ever know that they can be fixed?" Luna replied calmly and warmly. This prompted Noc to look her in her eyes. He could see that they were warm and welcoming.

"You really think she wants to see me?" Noc asked. Luna looked at him with surprise and confusion.

" Yes, I can assure you." Luna replied.

" I suppose you are right princess..." Noc replied. His legs began to visibly shake.

" It will be alright." Luna assured him as she turned and continued to open the door. Even though, in his dream the day was sunny, the light that began to pour out from behind the door was bright. Nocturne had to squint his eyes as he nervously stared into the threshold of the door. Luna opened the door wide.

" Come now young prince. I wish for you to reunite with my sister." Luna said with enthusiasm. Nocturn slowly nodded his head.

Noturn eyed the open door with reluctance, His body shivered with nervousness but he managed to put each hoof in front of the other as he marched towards the door. Luna smiled at him and began to enter the threshold. Her body vanished in the white light. Nocturn continued to move towards the door with increasing nervousness, but he pushed ahead nonetheless. He drew closer and he could feel a calming wave of energy flow over him as he entered the door. Soon he made it to the other side, not knowing fully what he would see on the other side.

Nocturnes head pushed through to the other side, and he opened his eyes. The room was't as bright as the threshold and he saw several figures on the other side. He made his way inside the long corridor that had what appeared to be many doors. His eyes had a hard time adjusting but soon the room came into focus. Standing around him were Twilight, her friends, Spike, Luna and Cadence.

" You're all here?" Nocturn asked as he looked around. The were all looking at him smiling, even Rainbow dash.

" Well I came across everyone trying to find you so I invited them all." Luna explained.

" I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier!" Twilight exclaimed.

Then a calm, motherly voice called out from behind Luna.

" I'm glad We can all be here." said the voice. Nocturn froze in place. His eyes were wide with shock as they slowly turned to gaze at Luna. That voice, it had been ages since he had heard it but he could never forget it. For years he had longed for it and feared it. This duality had haunted him from the night he ran away. Now the meeting he was not sure he wanted was upon him. Moving from behind Luna and the others, a white alabaster alicorn slowly trotted towards Nocturn. Her magenta eyes, though one was hidden behind her mane, stared expectantly at him. They looked him up and down with amazement, curiosity, sadness and concern. Nocturne felt the need to run but his hooves stayed in place as his eyes began to widen further.

Celestia looked him up and down, taking in the adult that was her long lost nephew. He had grown up with many changes. No longer was he the cheerfully optimistic colt that played around the palace with his older brother, but instead he was a full grown stallion, complete with a wisdom that showed through his gaze, a uniform that proved his responsibility and an evident character that surly was forged through many hardships. He was even handsome. Unfortunately, Celestia could also see the fear that played across his face. She herself wasn't sure how to react though she dreamed of this moment for many years but did not know how to act. Now she could see he was just as unprepared.

"Nocturn?" Celestia asked after a long moment of silence. Nocturn seemed to tense up at the sound of his name.

" Aunt Celestia?" He said at a near whisper. Celestia didn't waste any more time, She instead strode over to him and wrapped her nephew in a tight hug. Nocturn didn't have time to react.

" Oh Nocturn! It's been So long!" Celestia cried out. She rubbed her cheek against his. Nocturne felt many emotions at that moment though the biggest one he could feel was a sense of overwhelming relief. He could feel through her hug, she had no ill will towards him. Her motherly embrace was all the conviction he needed to overcome his fear of retribution for what he believed he had done.