( Later that next day)
Nocturne had made it to the briefing with time to spare. As he rushed in with Breeze, he was greeted by the Mayor. The old red earth pony tipped his hat to the captain and said in his familiar Canterlot accent, " Good morning Captain, I was hoping you would make it since my time is valuable." If Noc wasn't trying to keep up the friendly facade he would have rolled his eyes. " I wouldn't waste it for the world Mayor!" Noc said in a chipper tone. " Yes..Indeed." The mayor didn't sounds convinced. " Well now, lets get this briefing started!" The mayor said as he moved to a chair that was situated at the end of the table. that made up the conference room. It was a U shaped one and in the middle there was a slide projector. Nocturne's lieutenant Pepper Stowaway, a Black and grey pegasus mare with bright violet eyes and a barrel with a pepper shaker cutie mark, was operating the slide projector. She was the one that was conducting the briefing.
Nocturne sat next to her placing his scroll and quill set in front of him for note taking. Pepper leaned over to him and whispered in his ear,
" Noc, what's going on with you? You haven't been yourself lately." Nocturne leaned in and whispered back,
" Just another bad night thats all."
Pepper had a look of worry.
" Noc, it's like it's been getting worse for the past week. Maybe you should take some time off." Pepper wasn't usually this concerned with her boss, but his well being did mean the safty of the Island. It was his magic pylons, which were placed all around the island, that warded off dark magic conjured up by pirate unicorns after all.
" Relax Lieutenant, Im fine. Now can we get this show on the road?" Nocturne levitated a quill and dipped it in his ink. flicking off the excess, he then hovered it over his parchment, ready to start writing. Pepper was not happy with his respons.
" You know Noc, I hate it when you do that!" Pepper glared at him. Nocturne looked up at her and said, " What are you talking about?"
" You know when you're so dismissive of every pony when they show you least bit of concern!"
" Pepper,Look, Im fine! OK?"
" Ugh, fine but don't come crying to me when you're sick or something!"
" I won't." Pepper shook her head and then focused her attention on the slide projector.
Pepper then turned it on and a slide lit up on the white screen in front of everyone. The lieutenant began her briefing,
"At the beginning of this week we have come across an anomaly regarding the barrier off our east coast. For a week now the barrier that stopped us from contacting the rest of the world, magically or otherwise , has been thinning. Well, last night, it has disappeared altogether and it hasn't come back. Also, the westward sea current has also decreased in intensity." as Pepper said this she flicked through several slides. showing a map and various photos of the coast; some of them showed shipwrecks.
"Due to this strange event, Pirate activity has increased around the main Island. Since we are no longer protected on the east coast anymore it's up to use to further secure the island." Said Pepper.
" Have the other islanders noticed this change?" Asked the Mayor.
" Negative Sir and I suggest we kept it that way for now. We can't risk everypony trying to get off this island while we have the pirate threat." Replied Pepper.
"What about any incoming coms? " Asked a cream colored pegasus with an orange mane and tale highlighted with yellow. Her name was Autumn Bliss with the rank of lieutenant and her cutie mark was a tree with orange leaves.
" So far it's been quite." Pepper Replied.
"Looks like we'll have to beef up our patrols. Sea star, Im going to need you to come with me today; We need to check all the pylons and make sure they're in working order." said Nocturn. Sea star, a blue unicorn mare with a seafoam green main and silver eyes, is a sargent. From time to time Nocturn helped her study magic since she is adept to it. Star was also the only pony Nocturn was willing to allow to mess with the pylons.
" Ugh, I hate dealing with those things! Boss do we have to?" She complained. She had a pouty face as she asked this.
"Star, You know as well as I, I can't be looking after these things all the time. Come on, you'll get the hang of them!" Nocturn encouraged. The mayor was taking a few notes himself when he looked up and asked,
"...and what shall I tell the public? We cannot keep this a secret forever!"
" We'll have to play it by ear for now Mayor. We cannot risk the pirates taking any more prisoners. It's bad enough we still have ponies to rescue." Pepper said. Over the years, The pirates have been able to snatch up ponies who would venture out too far from the protection of the island. Many of them were being used as slaves to produce food or raw materials for the pirates; working in mines and on farms.
" Perhaps Captain, we can ask for help from Equestria." The mayor suggested. He adjusted his monocle with his right hoof while focusing on Nocturn. Nocturn was quite.
" Sir, the Mayor's right. We have a chance to contact them." Said Pepper.
" … Captain?" The mayor asked. Nocturn didn't give a reply at first. He seemed to be in deep thought.
" Oh uh, Yeah of course….Why not?" Nocturn said nervously. The Mayor picked up on this but he didn't inquire.
" Very well, we will try contacting Equestria for support. Until we get a reply, we will keep our current state of affairs confidential." Said the Mayor while sticking the notes he wrote into his saddle bag.
" Right… in that case, I want patrols on the coasts to be doubled. Breeze, I need you to keep the Pearl ready in case we might need it." Nocturn looked at Breeze when he said this.
" You got it Boss!" Breeze said with confidence and a smile.
" Ok everyone, We have a long day ahead of us. lets get to it!"
( That Same day, Las Pegasus Docks. )
"Does anypony know where Pinkie is?" Asked a fussy purple alicorn princess.
"Twilight, will you relax? Shes on her way! shes just packing some snacks for us for the trip!" Apple jack replied with slight annoyance. Twilight trotted past her while triple checking a huge checklist she was levitating in front of her.
" Girls please we need to make sure we have every pony and everything accounted for! Once we set sail, we can't just turn around if we forgot something!" Twilight trotted up to spike who was securing some barrels of apple cider with rope.
" Spike when you're done here, go with Rarity and buy some more produce!" Twilight ordered Spike.
" Oh Come on Twilight, we have plenty for the trip! Can't you just relax? We have everything taken care of!" Spike tilted his head to the right in an exasperated expression.
" No Spike, We have only one chance at getting this journey right. We need to make sure we have enough food for the trip and then some. Remember we're not going to have a lot to do and you know what boredom will drive ponies to do." Twilight retorted.
" Oh yeah." Spike said with a sense of defeat.
Twilight was definitely fussy with good reason. It wasn't every day that a long lost prince of equestria was located. It wasn't necessary for motivating Twilight to do it on her own, but Princess Celestia asked her to go to the islands in the south sea to bring back Prince Nocturn Armor. Twilight had a knack for not letting her Princess and former mentor down so it was all hooves on deck.
The ship they would be taking is an old wooden vessel that had three main sails. It's name is "The Griffon King." It's captain is an blue green earth pony with a grey mane and tale and a short beard. His cutie mark is a sail ship's wheel. His name is Captain Nehab.
"Captain, how long before we depart?" Twilight asked the captain who was sitting at the helm just above them smoking his pipe.
" We are just about ready to set sail your highness, we're just waiting on your pink friend and another group that should be coming in any minute now!" He said in a gruff and chipper tone.
" Another group? We can't be waiting for somepony else, we have a Island to sail too!" Twilights frustration was beginning to peak.
" Relax Twilight, We're here. " Said the Crystal Princess as she trotted behind Twilight.
" (Gasp) Cadence! What are you doing here?" Twilight was pleasantly shocked by her favorite foal sitter's arrival. . Cadence was accompanied by a small detail of Crystal guards who contrasted with Twilight's detail of Canterlot day guards. The two princesses embraced each other.
" What, you didn't think you would be doing this alone, did you?" Cadence nuzzled Twilight which made her blush.
It wasn't long before Rarity, spike and Pinkie pie were trotting and bouncing up the street towards the docks. The sun was beginning to set over the sea ahead of them as the group finished securing everything they had brought. Twilight made a fourth check of the list and then she gave the all green signal to set sail. The Captain began shouting orders to his crew,
" Alright! three quarters mast! Pull up that ancker and bring our heading 36 degrees!"
His crew of experienced sailors repeated the orders and performed them quickly. Pinkie pie was bouncing around the deck having the time of her life.
" Princess, we should be making landfall on the east most island by tomorrow morning." said Nehab.
" Perfect, That should give us enough time to explore the island." Twilight replied. The captian gave Twilight a somber look,
"Princess, I have to warn you,no ships have made it back from that island for years. The only Ships to have been seen coming from the islands were pirate slave ships and that was over fifteen years ago. The only reason I'm willing to attempt this trip is the waters around the islands seemed to have calm down. Still, it's rather risky going. If you want to turn back, now's the time. "
" Sorry Captain, but we need to make this trip, There's a prince who needs our help and I'm not going to turn my back on him." Twilight replied.
" Very well princess, let's hope for the best." Nehab said.
"Yes, lets!" Twilight seconded.
( sunset that evening in Parrot Port)
" Star! are you done with that Pylon yet?" Nocturn Yelled for Sea Star who was checking pylons all day with him. The purplish stones that stuck out of the ground created a magical barrier around the island that repelled dark magic, making it difficult for pirates to create a beach head. Star was next to the last one as her horn glowed a green hue. Checking a pylon was more similar to talking to a system and checking it's operational status. The last one was working.
" Last one Boss! It's working!" She said in her slightly high voice. She let her magic dissipate and she blinked her silver eyes a few times.
" Well done! We'll head back to the station and call it a day!" Nocturn trotted up to her, his badge shimmering in the sun set.
" Looks like we don't have much to worry about, right?" His green eyes were now bright with the sun behind him. His smile glowed just as bright. A slight breeze ruffled his locks with the sea behind him. Sea Star let the image set for a moment before replying. She did enjoy working with Noc.
"Uh...Right!" Star wasn't' sure why but she was happy to work with Noc, not that she would ever let him know.
" I don't know about you, but i'm beat!" Nocturn turned towards the town. He then looked at Sea Star. and said,
" Ok lets go!" She nodded her head.
"It's about time!" She smiled back at him.
( after sunset, on the Griffon King)
The galley of the Griffon King was full of ponies that night and the cook on board was working as fast as he could. Since the galley was only one large room, every pony would be sharing it, from the royalty to the guards. This was no problem for anyone of course. The girls in particular were having a blast. Pinkie was playing a ukulele with one of the crew members and Rarity was singing. Nehab trotted over to where Twilight and Cadence were sitting, which was right next to the other girls.
" It's not quite the Canterlot Dining Hall, But it's the best galley in the south seas!" Nehab exclaimed to the princesses.
" It works for me!" Exclaimed an engorged Rainbowdash. Applejack was too busy eating an apple to reply properly but she made some noises and nodded her head in agreement. fluttershy was in the corner playing with one of the crew members farret.
" I second that Captain!" Cadence spoke up.
The seas were calm that night and lunas moon reflected off the water in a silverlight as the tiny ship sailed in the vast sea.
( 8:00 pm Parrot Port)
Nocturn trotted through the oil lamp light streets, still in his uniform. Most ponies were now going about their night lives as bars and nightclubs were alive with music. Many ponies greeted Nocturn on his way to a specific tiki bar at the end of the street, close to the beach. A couple of foals played with sparklers while chasing each galloped past Nocturn, but one stopped and turned to look at him.
" Hey Noc!" Said the young red pegasus colt with a black mane and tail highlighted with white streaks.
" What's up Red? What are you all doing up so late?" Nocturn asked as he looked around at Red's friends.
" It's summer, we don't have to go to school you know!" Red replied.
" Oh, well have fun!" Noc said as he ruffled up Red's mane with his hoof. red slicked it back fervently.
" Hey Noc, can you play hoof ball with us tomorrow?" Nocturn looked at red as he thought. he knew the possibility of him having any free time outside of work the next day was little to none.
" If it's in the cards, I will!" He said after thinking about it.
" All right!" Red said as he then turned to run off while yelling to his friends,
"Hey guys! He said yes!" Red galloped off quickly.
" Hey, thats not what I said!" Nocturn yelled in vain. Then after seeing the young colt was gone, he shook his head, smiled and trotted off.
soon he came to the tiki bar that was brightly lit with a neon sign reading " Tiki Sue." It's owner was working the bar that night. Noc Trotted up to the bar and sat in one of the stools.
" Hey Moma." Noc said to the Zebra.
" Boy you look like the surf spat you out!" Said the Zebra in a loving tone. her jamaican like accent was there but it wasn't thick. Takola is a middle aged Zebra who came to the island as a little filly. She is one of the longest stayed residents of Parrot port. From the time she was sixteen she began her tiki bar. When Nocturn washed ashore fifteen years ago with several foals including Breeze Sentinel and Pepper Stowaway, Takola was the one to take him in as a surrogate son.
" I saw you out there with that Unicorn. Whats her name? The blue one!" Takola asked.
" Sea Star, why do you ask?" Noc hated hearing his mother talk about finding a mare friend and he knew where she was going with her question.
" Shes very pretty, you two look real nice together." Takola said.
" What? No way Moma, its not like that! She's my understudy, Thats it!" Noc was looking away, Takola moved to look him in the eyes with an expectant look. then after a moment of silence she sighed and asked,
" So what will it be son?" Noc then remembered why he was there, other than paying his mother a visit.
" Oh yeah, Apple jack on the rocks. Thanks Moma." He said. Takola grabbed a fresh glass, filled it with crushed ice and the expensive Apple Jack that Nocturn grew a liking to. A few years ago a huge shipment of the stuff washed up on shore in several crates. There were many bottles that would last for a while.
" (Sigh) I remember you as a small colt, playing on the beach with your friends. It seems like it was only yesterday. Now all you do is over work your self." Takola said as she gave Noc the drink.
" Well someone has to Moma." Noc said
" I was really hoping you would date Pepper." Takola continued
" Mom She's married now and besides we've always been friends!" Noc said with a hint of annoyance.
" Well she was interested in you before she married." Takola said with one eyebrow up. Noc stuttered with his response.
" …..That was a long time ago Ma. Do we really need to talk about this now?"
" Boy, I just want you to be happy is all. You can marry who ever you wish, just don't waste your life away, Those rocks won't bring you happiness." Noc slammed his hooves down on the bar.
" Those Pylons keep us out of slavery!" Noc felt the harshnes of his tone and Calmed him self down a little. Takola wasn't a stranger to his smal outbursts and she knew he was under a lot of stress lately.
"…..Oh Moma I wish I could, I really do, but I can't quit my job and I can't stop protecting this island. There's just too much at stake."
" I know Boy, Just make plans to let it go some day, and soon!"
" I will Momma, I promise." Noc took a sip of his Apple jack.
( 10:30 Nocturnes Home.)
Nocturn Armor shuffled into his home levitating a bottle of Rum that his mother gave him to relax with. He left his door open as he trotted over to his desk. With his magic he lit an oil lamp that sat on his desk. He sat down and put the bottle on his night stand. The small flame flickered casting shadows all about the room. Noc scratched his head and then levitated a piece of parchment from a stack in his drawer. He set it down and pulled a quill out from his collection and began to write,
" Dear Princess Celestia,
I know it's been a very long time since You've heard anything from me and im sorry. These past fifteen years or so have been trying for me and I've had a lot of time to think, yet, I have nothing to show for. I have so much to say and so much to apologize for , yet I dont even know where to begin. I wish you could forgive me.
In any case, As Captain of the Parrot Port Police dept., I write this letter as a formal request for support from the Equestrian nation. Parrot Port is under a constant siege from Pirate forces that intend to enslave our citizens. We need your your help, Militarily and otherwise. I Wait expectantly for your reply,
sincerely,
….."
Nocturn was having trouble finishing that last part of the letter. The part where you write and sign your name and title. His quill trembled dropping tiny splotches of ink on the paper. He knew his place and his title, but writing it seemed so final for him. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't want to, he couldn't. His will failed him. As he realised he wouldn't write "Captain Nocturn Armor," He crumpled the letter and threw it to his trash bin, which was overflowing with similar letters.
Frustrated, He blew the oil lamp out and trotted over to his bed where he slumped into it. He fell asleep, not even bothering to close his front door.
(10:30 pm on the Griffon King)
Twilight was on the bow of the ship looking out on the sea with the moon shining of it's surface. Cadence trotted up next to her. The two exchanged smiles and then Twilight spoke,
" So why did you decide to come? Im sure It was hard leaving my brother behind to look after the Crystal Empire." Twilight was looking out over the sea as she asked this. Cadence stared out over the water as well.
" Yes it was, but this trip is just as important to me as it is to Celestia. It's been so long since I've seen Nocturn. He was like a little brother to me before I met you. He is important to me like you are." Cadence explained to Twilight.
" He seems really special to every pony. I hope I really get to meet him." Twilight said with a smile.
" Yes I hope so too. I really wonder what he is like now that he's grown up. I hope he's alright!"
Cadence sighed as she continued to stare out at the ocean. Twilight Sighed as well.