Twilight and her parent held each other for a while before they finally let go. Twilight could tell the exact moment they actually noticed her face. It after her mother wiped the tears from her eyes and then they widened in shock as did her fathers. “wh-what happened to you Twilight?” Her mother asked in disbelief.

Twilight sighed at how many times she as having to explain this. At least Shinning hadn’t asked. She pointed to her right eye. “Knife fight.” She then pointed at the mass of scars on her left side. “30mm grenade.” She could tell none of her family knew what 30mm grenade was but that was to be expected in a world where they still used swords and spears.

She watched her parents eyes go down to her legs and saw even Shining and Cadence perk up like as they looked at well. Before any of them could ask she sighed and lifted her left front hoof. “Same as my left eye lost them bot at the same time.” She lifted her right. “Landmine.” Then shifted her back legs. “Building fell on me.”

She watched as all of them winced with each explanation and look at her with sympathy. “I’ve gotten over it and adjusted to my steel hooves.” She said and they looked at her in confusion. “It’s what I call them as they are made out of high grade steel. Makes them very heavy but also makes them nearly indestructible. So it was a good trade off in my opinion.”

He parents; Shinning and Cadence just stared at her. “What?”

Twilight sat at her parent dining room table, her helmet sat on the table beside where her plate would go. After a bit of explaining on how she had gained her cybernetics and Twilight going on record that it was a bitch trying to explain what a landmine and 30mm grenade was to people who have no concept of what modern weapons are, she had suggest they have some dinner. Her mother had been more than happy to agree and went to make food. That left Twilight her brother and his wife and her Father sitting at the table.

“So….” Twilight said not really sure what to talk about. She was used to talking to either her squad or other soldiers so wasn’t really sure what to say to civilians anymore.

“How have you been Twilight?” Her father asked.

“I’ve been good all things considered.” She said.

“That’s good. Did you make a lot of friends wherever you were?” her father asked, probably do to the fact he knew friendship meant so much to her.

“Yeah, I made a lot of friends though I mostly spent time with Nightmare.” She said smiling. For some reason this made everyone else’s eyes widen. “What?” She asked tilting her head in confusion.

“Nightmare? You mean like Nightmare moon Nightmare?”” Shinning asked with some concern.

Ah that was it. “No not like that. “She couldn’t help chuckling. “Nightmare was the name of my Squad. Wilkerson came up with it after we raided a Fed Armory by using the Cloud walking spell to drift in over their defenses. Then I teleported them down while I remained on the cloud and provided covering fire. The Fed fucks were in such chaos that when the other two squads attacked they weren’t able to put up a fight at all.” Twilight couldn’t help but laugh at the fond memory.

Unfortunately thinking about that memory brought up what happened after that raid and her smile slipped away into an angry scowl. Her father was quick to notice this and while he had be disturbed by the fact his daughter swore and seemed to remember attacking other as a happy memory she was still his daughter and something was clearly wrong. “Are you ok Twilight?” He asked her.

“Yes…just…shortly after that while we were returning to base we were ambushed and Wilkerson was killed…I was able to recover his Dog tags but had to leave his body behind as we were getting surrounded.” She said and couldn’t stop herself from slamming her hooves on the table and grinding get teeth. While she had made the Feds pay for Wilkerson and Rook 1 it still made her blood boil getting them killed. She noticed the look of concern on her family’s face, even her mother had poked her head in due to the sound of hear hooves hitting the table.

Twilight closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to get herself under control. “Sorry, just…Wilkerson was a good friend and my first command got him killed.” She opened her eyes once her anger was under control once more.

Her father still looked at her with concern, he could tell his daughter was bothered by what had happened but he also knew there wasn’t much he could do to help her besides just be there for her. “So…what about the outfit you are wearing?” He asked changing the subject away from her unpleasant memories.

“Oh, this is standard issue armor for the PFDR, it’s basically recolored Federal Army armor but it’s very effective.” She said. “Another Friend made it for me by modifying a set of armor and helmet.” She said smiling a bit sadly.

“Well he must be a skilled blacksmith if he could modify armor. “Shinning said.

“Yeah….he was really skilled. And he had been our Supply Clerk, not a black smith. He had been in charge of getting us everything we needed and kept track of everything that wasn’t a fire arm.” Twilight said remembering how the Pinkie like human seemed to be able to get anything and everything you could want within a couple of days.

Shinning raised an eyebrow and Cadence moved to stop him but was too late. “Was?” He asked.

“He was killed when our base was attacked by Mercs that a Traitor let it.” She said and sighed looking down. “The crazy son of a bitch took out the three Mercs that stormed SHOP but he was out numbered and though PARTY TIME is a very powerful gun, it is slow.” She sighed. “Even still he helped me after death by leaving me his notebook that had all the information he had gotten about how I had gotten there and how I could get back.”

She chuckled mirthlessly still looking down at the table. “Even while bleeding to death he managed to write me a message on the cover of the notebook so I would take it.” She said and closed her eyes. Taking a few deep breaths she wiped her eyes. Even after all this time his death still hurt.

She looked back up to see the other looking at her sadly. “I’m fine, really, it happened a long time ago.” She smiled at them. “But can we change the subject to something less depressing? I’ll be happy to tell you all later but right now I just want to enjoy being home.”

The others nodded. “Yes of course.” Her father said and shortly after that her mother came in with a serving bowl of vegetable soup. Twilight couldn’t help smiling as the smell hit her and she scooped up a large serving of it, though she did with it had some beef in it but she wasn’t going to impose with that little fact as she hadn’t told anyone but spike about her new eating habits.

Even without the addition of meat the soup was some of the best she had ever eaten. Cook would be jealous of my mother’s cooking. Twilight mused as she ate happily.

The next morning Twilight had woken well before dawn as was her habit, she had slept at her parents as her and Shinning had stayed late talking about what all had happened while she was missing and Twilight had told them a little about what she had been up to. Her Parents had been both Prod and horrified by her accomplishments, becoming second in commander of an army in just a few weeks was a big thing. Though they were horrified as she described some of the battle she had been in and she had touched a little on what had happened to her in the Labs.

As they had talked her mother had asked why she was wearing her armor when she was home and Twilight had explained she was more comfortable wearing it. After talking about the fact she was home safe in Equestria Twilight had relented that she would look into getting a uniform to wear rather than her combat armor.

After Twilight had competed her morning run, this one being between the castle gate and the Canterlot train station for a few laps, the Gate Guards gave her odd looks the third time she showed up and turn around but they said nothing as they silently watched her.

After that it had been morning exercise and then she made herself a simple breakfast. She chose to read while alone and waiting for everyone else to wake up.

It was well past dawn when the rest of the house hold finally joined her and she had a small breakfast with them, having to explain why she was already awake. Even Shinning had looked surprised when she told them she usually averaged about four to five hours of sleep a night.

It was late morning when a Royal guard had knocked on the door and told Twilight she was requested in the council chambers. Twilight had retrieved her helmet and bid her parents farewell before heading for the castle.

Twilight stood in the center of the council chapters saluting the two Princesses who sat at the center of the held circle raised platform that dominated the Council Chambers. She had ignored the sic other nobles that sat in the room as they were not her superiors; they weren’t really anything to her.

The Council Chamber was a circular white marble room with a raised dais on one side for the Council to sit at, behind them were dark red curtains that hid the far wall. Behind Twilight was a set of duel dark wood doors used for speakers to enter to room and the wall to Twilight’s right was dominated bare large windows to let the daylight filter in. Running along the wall were also ornate candle holders and above her was a large chandler. In short the room was designed to look nice and not for defense Twilight noted.

“You may relax Twilight.” Celestia said and Twilight dropped into rest. “Thank you for coming.” Celestia said giving her a small smile. “I wanted you to explain the threat Equestria is facing as you have experience with this Federal Army.”

Twilight nodded. “The Federal Army or Feds as we of the People’s Free Democratic Republic call them are a well-trained and well-armed military force that acts as both Law Enforcement and regular military force. They are very efficient and depending on which units you are dealing with extremely ruthless.” She told them. “They are not just an infantry based army though that is the bulk of their forces but they also use armored jeeps, APCs, Tanks, and Gunships as well as long rang Artillery when needed.”

“That’s all well and good.” One of the councilponies said looking at Twilight clearly with displeasure at having to be here. “But surely the Royal guard would be more than a match for this so called “Federal Army” just with magic alone.”

“I can assure sir, they aren’t far from it.” Twilight said calmly.

“Bah, of course a single unicorn would have trouble facing an army.” The councilpony said.

“Sir, I was working with an army of people who had been fighting with them for year, I can assure you they are in fact not to be taken lightly.” Twilight said.

“Perhaps we should take her word for it as she has actually dealt with them before. “Another councilpony said this one a mare.

“Just because she had dealt with them does not mean she can properly gauge how much of a threat they are to Equestria.” The first councilpony said.

“I must agree, she is young, she could not have accurately be able to asses this army.” Said a third councilpony.

“She is the Element of Magic, surly she can judge whether something is a threat to Equestria.” The second councilpony said and a fourth agreed with her.

Before the argument could go any further the council room echoed with 6 loud bangs which caused the guards outside the door to run in just in time to see Twilight step to the side as the chandelier crashed to the floor scattering broke crystals everywhere.

Twilight calmly reloaded her sidearm and looked at the stunned faced of the council and the Princesses. “Forgive me but I felt a demonstration was in order.” She held up her side arm. “This is a Grop 45; it is a standard issue sidearm for the Federal Army. A sidearm is your backup weapon, which means it is used when your primary weapon is out of ammo or you don’t have time to reload.” She said. “Currently I have this loaded with standard ammo meaning there is nothing special about it.”

She holstered her sidearm and unslung her rifle, no one had figured out that these were weapons yet. She turned and looked at the Royal guard that had entered the room after her demonstration. “I’m borrowing this.” She said and levitated the helmet from one and moved it against the wall opposite the windows then lifted her rifle.

“This is an MX3B assault rifle, also standard issue to the Federal Army and currently loaded with armor piecing ammo.” She said and before anyone could move to stop her she took and pulled the trigger three times. With a loud ping each round ripped through the Royal Guard helmet. Twilight then clicked the rifle to full auto and pulled the trigger. The resulting stream of AP rounds shredded the guard’s helmet and impacted the wall behind it within seconds.

Twilight gave the guard his destroyed helmet and reloaded her rifle before looking back at the Council who stared wide eyed. “These are just some of the more common weapons the Feds use; they have many different types of these weapons will be in the hands of their soldiers if they invade.” She said staring at them.

“And all the magic won’t help the Royal Guard against a sniper team that can easily kill from half a mile away. Our forces would be dead before they ever heard the shot. And tanks are armored killing machines that used explosive shells to destroy their targets. And Gunships are flying units armed with 30mm cannons that will tear infantry apart and usually come with Anti-tank missiles that are very effective against groups of infantry.”

“As for those of you thinking of the Pegasi the Feds have Anti-Air weapons that will lock on and tack a target in the air if they don’t just shoot them with their guns.” She said as she slung her rifle. “The Royal Guard are not capable of stopping a Fed Strike Team much less if an entire army were to come.”

The council was quiet for a long time just staring at her as if she had grown a second head. It was Celestia that broke the silence. “Would you be willing to train the Royal Guard so that they would be able to face this threat?” She asked calmly.

Twilight immediately shook her head. “No that won’t work, the Royal guard have already been trained so no matter what I tried there would be a chance they would fall back into old habits that could get many ponies killed.” She said simply.

“Then what are you suggesting we do Twilight?” Celestia asked.

“Simple Princess.” Twilight said. “We create a new branch of the Royal Guard, one that will be trained as an actual military force and equipped with weapons based of the ones I brought with me to actually be able to face the Feds with the same force they will bring.”

“You are suggesting replacing the Royal Guard?!” The first councilpony asked angrily.

“Not at all, The Royal Guard will continue to operate as they always have; I have no intention of them being replaces as most things they can handle. What I am suggesting is a branch that will handle situations that the normal Guards are unable to do so.” Twilight explained.

“And you would train this new branch?” The Second Councilpony asked.

“And lead it.” Twilight said, the room exploded much as she thought it would at that. Twilight waited for the shouts from the few Councilponies that didn’t agree to die down before she spoke again. “I have experience leading forces against the Feds; I know how to lead troops into battles where they may never come back. I am the best choice to lead the new branch of the military.” She said.

The room was quiet and Twilight saw Celestia close her eyes as she thought. The minutes stretched on for a very long time before she opened her eyes again and looked at Twilight with the most serious face she had ever worn. “Very well Twilight you shall have this new branch of the Royal Guard and may run it with my full support as you see fit. I trust you with this Commander Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia said, Twilight had told her of her rank but Celestia had never used it before till now to show how serious she was taking this.

Twilight saluted. “You can count of me ma’am. I will not fail to keep Equestria safe from all threats.” She said. Inside she had on a wide smile. She not only had the full support of the Princesses on her side but had her own branch of the military to train, equip and run as she saw fit. The smile nearly broke free from her inner mind. If the Feds ever did invade they would be met by an army ready to cut them down the second they showed their faces on Equestrian soil. Twilight could see the looks on their faces as they stepped through the rifts only to be met by bullets. It was a glorious look and she nearly shook with excitement.

Author's Notes:

so have an Interlude on the same day as a chapter.

I've also noticed a running gag in these interludes seems to have cropped up.