Cloud swallowed, trying to think of something to say. His father stepped forward.

"So, what happened?" Cloud sighed, both filled with dread and relief that the silence was broken.

"Um... a changeling detection spell marked me as a changeling and every... pony beat me to a pulp." His father nodded before awkwardly saying,

"My condolences." The silence resumed, just as awkward as before. Shining Armor and Cadence were having a whispered conversation that Cloud caught bits and pieces of.

"...Not very happy... haven't even called him their son... no hugging..." it went on and on. Finally his mom stepped forward.

"Cloud, we have something to say as a family." Cloud perked up. Would they actually apologize for before? Maybe they could work on repairing their relationship and--"

"We're willing to accept your apology about before."

"So long as you've changed your ways." His father added in. Godspeed looked on in shocked silence while the three others maintained their stern demeanor. By now Princess Luna had joined the onlookers and with a quick motion signaling the prince and princess to leave. Cloud's left eye twitched. Were they... serious?! That's what they say?!? Pandora squeezed his hoof reassuringly which caused Cloud's father to notice the remaining changeling.

"Nurse, this a family issue. Would you please give us some privacy." Pandora looked confusedly up at them. Cloud glared at his parents and sister.

"She's not a nurse, she's my fiancé." Cloud's parents blinked before looking in horror at the unicorn sitting beside Cloud. His mom gasped,

"A, a, a unicorn!? Why are you with a unicorn!" Cloud slammed his hoof on the table.

"That's it, get out. Now." His family looked shocked. He continued his steely visual assault prompted his parents and sister to leave in a huff. Cloud growled in frustration while Pandora gently nuzzled his cheek. Suddenly Godspeed stepped forward. Cloud instantly shot him a venomous look. Godspeed withered under the look.

"I'm so sorry about them, um... so, you're engaged?" He turned to Pandora,

"Hi, I'm Godspeed, it's nice to meet you." Pandora just joined Cloud in glaring. Godspeed wilted even futher before moving directly beside his brother.

"Cloud please, I-I'm so sorry about everything. Not just about the entire issue two years ago but... for everything! I was such a horrible brother, I always treated you poorly and you always kept smiling through it until..." He looked down, guilt and shame obvious on his face. He looked up and Cloud saw he was on the verge of tears.

"I never realized how much I enjoyed you being such a little knuckle head but then... I saw the pictures in the trash after I told you I hated you. I just, I miss my brother and I know you have every reason to hate me so... just consider it, please?" With that Godspeed left leaving a shocked Cloud behind. Pandora climbed into his bed and started gently rubbing his side. Meanwhile Cloud was deep in thought.

"You're not our son anymore!" Cloud grit his teeth as his parents circled around him yelling and screaming about how much they hated him. His sister then joined the circle joining her yells with his parents. Finally, Cloud lost it,

"SHUT UP YOU WORTHLESS PILES OF TRASH!" Suddenly, everything shattered and in his families place stood Princess Luna.

"Greetings Cloud." Cloud quickly bowed to the lunar princess.

"Your dreams are troubled, care to talk?" Cloud sighed before nodding. As much as he dreaded sharing his personal life with strangers, one simply didn't refuse a princess.

"I know how you feel Cloud, I too have struggled with my family in occasion." Cloud looked at her incredulously. She really thought she could relate to his family issues? She smiled at him,

"Thou art incredulous? Allow me to share. Many stories say I became Nightmare Moon simply because I was jealous of my sister's popularity with our subjects, but that is not the case. The real cause of my descent into the darkness was the resentment I held for my sister. She spent so much time worrying about her subjects that I often would go weeks without speaking with her. I had nopony to converse with, nopony to laugh with, and nonpony to care for me... or so I thought. I know you and your family do not see eye to eye, and despite their flaws, don't alow hatred to keep you from giving them a chance at redemption. They might not seek it, but if they do, please, don't be too quick to push them away." Cloud sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, she had a valid point.

"I, I'll think about it. Thank you Princess." Luna nodded before vanishing in a flash of light, leaving Cloud to his dreams.

Author's Note

You know the drill.