After my mother's inappropriately timed joke the only thing filling the room at the moment was silence. I hated silence, because all that meant was there was soon to be a storm on the horizon. This is a storm that has been brewing for a quite a while, I don't know if it will reach its peak here however. The tension was palpable and mom had done a poor job of trying to relieve it. The eyes of all the ponies in this room were on her, and for the first time in a long time. She was crumbling under the pressure, I was making her squirm just as I had seen her do to others when I was attending meetings with her. I couldn't help but smirk at how the positions had been reversed for the first time in my life.

The tension in the room was broken by the cyan pegasus that accompanied Twilight back to the throne room, "Alright, if nopony is going to say it then I will." She flew right up to me and asked, "If you're the Prince of Equestria, then how come we have never heard of you?"

"That's a very good question," I replied to her, "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name, I believe it has something to do with Rainbows?"

"Yeah I'm Rainbow Dash, Wonderbolt Extraordinaire!" She replied cockily.

"The reason nopony has heard of Prince Eclipse, is because..." Twilight trailed off and approached me, "We all thought you had died, no ship could have survived a storm like that, and we found pieces of your ship that had washed ashore."

"The pieces we had lost were superfluous at best and if you recall, the North Star is a prototype Air to Sea ship, we used the winds and momentum of the storm to launch us into the sky. Yes she took some damage and we lost some of our tools, but all ships can be repaired." I explained, "Because we used the storm to launch us into the sky, we were thrown way off course from our original destination."

"Even then, it should've taken you only a few years to get back." Twilight mused.

"And we would have, however the stars kept changing on us every night after 2 years of sailing. Our navigation was thrown out the window when we couldn't find our bearings. Have you ever tried to read a book with the page order constantly changing?" I asked her.

The dark blue alicorn blushed at that. Which didn't go unnoticed by me. I held my tongue though, summoning the royal guard, the princesses and these strange mares that I didn't recognize has already caused enough alarm. Then the pink alicorn stepped forward, skepticism lining her face she walked up to me and said one thing. "Through guiding stars."

"And solar winds. I will always find my way home, no matter the challenge nor distance. That is my promise." I finished, "It's good to see you again cousin."

She couldn't help but split her face into a grin and hugged me as tight as she possibly could, "I'm so sorry!" She blurted out.

I reciprocated her gesture with gusto, "My how you've grown Cadie."

"Not as much as you have Clipsy." She used my old foal nickname. "You need to shave."

"It's not easy to find a razor and shaving cream when you're out on the ocean." I chuckled, then looked her over. "You recently had a child didn't you?"

She took a step back, "How did you-"

"I became very good at reading ponies over time, those bags under your eyes are indicative of one thing. A foal crying at random times in the night begging for their mother or father. Speaking of which, who is the father?" I asked and Cadence blushed.

"It's Shiny." Cadence said.

"Ah, The up and coming Captain of the Guard. Let's conclude our banter later. I'm sure we all have questions to be answered, especially me." I picked up my things that I had brought with me, throwing the now apple core into my saddle bags. "Shall we reconvene in another more...private area of the castle?" I asked my mother.

"Yes, lets." Was the only thing she could mutter from her state of shock.

The royal apartments were as I remembered them to be, well...almost. My apartment had been converted into an apartment for my now Aunt Luna. Whom I found out was responsible for the stars changing and throwing me off course every so often. We had assembled in the apartment of my mother, which looked more barren then I remember. After everypony was poured a relaxing cup of ginseng tea, we had sat down and started out discussions about the state of royal affairs and what had happened since I had been away. "So if I'm hearing you correctly," I started after so many things were exposed to me. "On the day of the 1000th summer sun celebration, the old foal's tale known as Nightmare Moon had turned out to not only be real, but had escaped her imprisonment on the moon. Only to be thwarted by your student and her friends after they had rediscovered the ancient weapons of magic known as the elements of harmony not only saving Nightmare but transforming her back into Princess Luna, which happens to be your sister, or my aunt. Then Twilight was assigned to stay in ponyville and learn about the magic of friendship, saving the nation time and time again and becoming an alicorn princess in the process and now you have selected her to take the reigns of this nation while you retire?" I asked.

"Um...yes?" My mother said shyly.

"No." I replied.

"What?" Twilight asked, "What do you mean no?"

"I'm going to challenge this." I replied, "Not the part about my mother retiring, but the part of leaving you in charge." I told Twilight.

"But it's already been decreed, you can't make her undecree it." Cadence said.

"And what of the High Court?" I asked Cadence.

"Um..excuse me." The yellow one who I believed was named Fluttershy piped up, "I'm a little lost here, what is the High Court?"

"Back when my mother and aunt took over raising the sun and moon and when they decided to start leading Equestria, there had to be a balance. The three pony tribes wouldn't just give away the rights to their land over to the sisters without some way to determine if what they were doing was out of line, just because you're a ruler doesn't mean you're above the law. You represent it, but never above it. So the High Court was made, that way if it was determined that the rulers were out of line in any way shape or form when it comes to ruling that they would be held accountable. The High Court consists of 99 individuals that have the power to overrule a law that is set in place by any of the princesses, 33 unicorns, 33 pegasai, and 33 earth ponies. These individuals must have stellar knowledge of the law and its proceedings. However, the only way to overrule a decision made by the princesses it must be an 75% vote and after the decision is overruled, all members involved in the decision must immediately resign and name their replacements. This is to ensure that no corruption is to take part in the next decision." I explained.

"So you're going to challenge the fact of Twilight being named Equestria's sole ruler?" The one named Applejack asked, "What did she ever do to you?"

"Nothing, Twilight is completely fine. I don't even hate nor dislike her. It's about the fact that I was prince and heir to the throne of equestria before Twilight was even made into a princess." I said.

"But everypony thought you had passed." My aunt pointed out.

"Everypony also thought that Starswirl the Bearded had died as well but he's walking around no older than he was 1000 years ago, and you resumed ruling after your...excursion and everypony thought you were naught but a tale. Would it be too far of a leap for me to resume my duties and to inherit the throne after my detour to get back home?" I asked her.

Twilight gulped, not because he was right in some senses, but because he had a point. He was a prince before she was a princess. "So you're going to challenge the decision that your own mother made?" Twilight asked.

"It wouldn't be the first time." I said as I sipped my tea.

"Excuse me, I have a question." The one that I believe was Elusive...no wait, Rarity was her name. "Now that the more modern questions are out of the way, how come we haven't heard of a prince before you went on your little...trip?"

"That's a good question, because for all intents and purposes...I just happen to be and you'll have to excuse my phrasing. I'm a bastard, my father was one of my mother's most trusted royal guards and well one night of magic and biology later, she was expecting me. I am still a crowned prince, don't get me wrong. My coronation ceremony was just one done in private as opposed to a public affair. And as soon as I was old enough to understand, I had assisted my mother in her meetings within the castle walls. I've always been there, however no one thought we were ever related everypony outside these walls thought I was mere assistant to the crown." I explained.

"How come you were never announced as a prince of equestria?" The completely pink one asked.

"Take a good look around Canterlot...how many earth pony nobles do you see?" I asked her, "If it were ever to be revealed to the public that I was a prince of equestria at that particular point in time they would have put my mother and I through the wringer. More so her because she never married my father."

"What happened to your dad?" Applejack asked.

"He died of a stroke 15 years ago." My mother explained, "He went in his sleep. Never woke up the next morning." After all the time she spent being silent. "Eclipse you can't challenge this, Twilight is ready to lead Equestria. She and her friends-"

"As selfish as this may sound I don't care what Twilight Sparkle is or isn't. Nor do I care of her friends." I interrupted her, "Twilight Sparkle is all you have ever cared for since she came into your life as a foal!" I snapped, I then realized what I had done. I finished my tea and stood up, "I apologize, I didn't mean for you ladies to hear that. I'm going to take my things and occupy a guest room for the night. Have a good evening." I picked up my things and walked out the royal apartment.

I had finished setting my things down in a guest room and had sat down on a bed, running my hoof over the silken sheets. It's been a long time since I lay in a bed that didn't rock alongside the ocean waves. I sighed and looked out the window, the sun setting and the moon rising. A sight I had seen so many times over the ocean, a relief now that I can see it over land. My eyes grew reddened and misty over the sight until I heard a knock on the door. I cleared my throat, "One moment please." I said with a shaky voice. I wiped my eyes and opened the door to reveal Twilight Sparkle standing behind it.

"Hello Prince Eclipse, may I come in?" She asked.

"Of course." I let her in the room, "I wanted to apologize earlier for telling you to get out. I was shocked to say the least when I found someone besides my own mother occupying her throne and I became very angry. That doesn't excuse me for a lack of tact and poise. So, I apologize."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Twilight said, and her feathers ruffled.

"Can I interest you in something to drink?" I asked her.

"No thank you, the tea from earlier was satisfying enough." Twilight answered, "I do have a question to ask you, if you don't mind."

"By all means." I replied.

"Do you hate me?" She asked, "I know you said you didn't hate or dislike me earlier but your outburst earlier was making me think."

"It wasn't directed towards you." I muttered, however she seemed to have picked it up.

"What do you mean?" She asked and I sighed.

"To answer your question Princess Twilight, I hold no ill will towards you at all." I said, "In fact, if anything...I envy you."

"You're envious of me?" Twilight repeated, "But...why?"

"Because you hold my mother's attention and affections more so than I do." I explained, "And that makes me envy you."

"But...how?" Twilight could only go through the simple questions as her mind was sent reeling.

"Because...you were a unicorn, and I was an earth pony." I went over to the complimentary bar within every guest room and opened it up. Pulling out a 10 year old single malt scotch and pouring myself a glass.

"That doesn't make any sense, you're her son, her flesh and blood, you're-"

"Not capable of doing magic." I said as I finished my pour, putting the top back on the bottle, "The evidence is as plain as day, all you need to do is look around Canterlot. Eighty percent of canterlonian citizens are unicorns. Thirteen are Pegasai, and seven are earth ponies. Those earth ponies have middle class jobs, and only if their special talent is something that is associated with business. Or have things changed so drastically since I've been away?"

"Not really." Twilight answered.

"All the things I have done, graduating from the Naval Academy at the top of my class, rising through the ranks and becoming a captain, embarking on my own mission to chart the uncharted. Everything I did was a silent prayer to get my mother to notice my hard work and accomplishments, but nothing I did...would ever compare to what Twilight Sparkle did today. Never once did I hear from her lips, 'I'm proud of you Eclipse.' That wasn't the case when it came to you." I took the glass and drank the scotch. Having the soothing burn within my mouth and throat.

Twilight's ears were splayed back against her skull and neck. Her eyes as misty as mine were earlier. "So that's why you're challenging her decision. It's not based upon my ability to rule, it's because you want your mother to recognize you."

"Recognition would be fantastic, that's not what I want. I want my mother to open her eyes, and see me in the same light that she see you. I have no doubt in my mind that she thinks of you as the daughter she never had. I just want her to think of me as the son she did have." I explained, I heard drips. I looked at Twilight to see that she was full on crying at this point. "I'm sorry for making you upset I-" This time I was interrupted, by a hug. Twilight was hugging me. "Why?" I asked.

"Because I'm sorry." Twilight said, "As unintentional as it was, nopony should ever feel as if they were replaced. Nopony should have to feel bad over what they can't do or what they were born as."

I slowly returned the hug. "Thank you." I said shyly.

Twilight wiped her tears. "You're welcome." She looked at me, "Think a reintroduction is in order. My name is Twilight Sparkle, I'm the Princess of Friendship. I love to stargaze and read books. Would you like to be my friend?"

I could pick up on what she was putting down. "I'm Prince Eclipse Star of Equestria, I'm the son of Princess Celestia and Stalwart Star, I love to draw and sail. And, I would very much like to become your friend." I held out my hoof she touched it with hers.

Author's Note

I thought of the High Court because I was inspired by the Admiralty Board for the Quarians from Mass Effect. It’s a good way to ensure what decision the princess makes are for the good of all people. And as far as where they were during Nightmare Moon well that could be considered a civil war and Celestia was within her ability to do so at that time.