Commander Twilight Sparkle stood just outside of the training area watching as the doctors tended to the ten Royal Guard who just suffered the beat down of their lives with a neutral expression. “I don’t see what the problem is; I did exactly what I said I was going to do.” She said to the ponies behind her, she was sure at least one was scowling at her back.

“I gave you permission to give my guards some extra training, not to beat them senseless.” Celestia said with a voice that oozed both disapproval and disappointment, tactics that may work on her Alicorn counterpart but didn’t have any effect on the military mare who idly wondered how long it would take this Celestia to figure out how to get to her, it had taken her Celestia almost two years to figure out exactly how to make the Commander feel bad and she hated that fact.

“The two are the same.” The Commander said simply.

“How are they the same?” The Princess demanded and walked around in front of the Soldier and proved her theory correct as she was scowling and clearly trying to imitate her former mentors disapproving vibe, she didn’t quite have it though as her look was more of an annoyed scowl rather than disapproving. “How is injuring the guards to music of all things the same as training them?”

“Simple Princess, they know what it feels like to have their asses handed to them by a superior force.” Twilight said simply. “And they started to learn how to adapt when they started using weapons and spells and moving as an organized force with tactics.” She tilted her head towards the weapons still lying where they had been dropped. “We are facing a force that we do not know the numbers of and is using magic we are not entirely familiar with but we know from the past is at least partly able to counteract chaos magic, tell me Princess, how often have you come across magic that can do that as effectively as what the Purifiers have done?”

The Princess opened her mouth to speak and froze. Twilight nodded. “Exactly, you haven’t and I haven’t. We know at least in the past they were powerful enough to do that so it is safe to assume they are at least half that strength and if they are less then we still can’t handle them if they are more so, then the guards will at least be able to react and regroup fast enough to survive and fall back. That was the entire point of this, to show teach them that when facing a stronger opponent you need to do absolutely everything you can to win.” She said and fixed the Princess with a level glare. “People like to think there is honor in battle, well I can tell you from firsthand account there is no honor in war, it is dirty and messing and has no rules, you do whatever you have to survive.” She said firmly. “A good friend of mine once told me that when you are in the field, when you are facing your opponent it is you or them, kill or be killed. It is that simple.”

The Princess stared at the Soldier and paled slightly as she took in the cold hard facts of what they were facing. “If I could get my own soldier and use them to fight so as to spare your Royal Guard from having to get involved in this unpleasant business I would gladly, but I am limited in what I can work with and what that is what amounts to a glorified police force who knows how to keep the peace but now how to fight a war do to so many years of peace.” Twilight sighed.

“Look I’m not saying the peace is bad, peace is great, peace means I don’t lose soldiers as often, but the fact is peace causes you to not be able to face the unpleasantness of war. I don’t know who said it but I read a quote once that I have taken to heart back home. “She said as she removed her sunglasses and locked eyes with the Princess, she knew the others behind her were listening to and this was for them as much as the Princess. “Pray for peace, prepare for war” I read that in a book and it made a lot of sense to me. I did that in my Equestria and though it has had draw backs it has also allowed us to deal with a lot of situations before they got bad. And that is what I am trying to do here. I have an unknowns amount of time, probably not a lot, to try and turn your guards into at least semi-adequate soldiers, there is no way I can make them the same level as the EDF and I don’ want to, I just want them to be able to face the enemy and come home alive and not in a box.”

The Princess was silent for a while before her head drooped. “I’m sorry; I should have knowns you knew what you were doing.” She said.

Twilight sighed. “Don’t apologize, you have nothing to be sorry about, you care about the guards and what happens to them, that is good, never apologize for caring Princess.” Twilight said smiling at the Princess to show she meant it. The Princess looked up at her and nodded after a moment. “Anyways I supposed its going to be at least a day before I can work with the guards again, that is if I am still doing that. “Twilight said as she turned around to face the Royal Sisters as well as the Captain and his wife, The Princess’ friends had left after the lesson was over, their opinion of her no doubt down again, they were like a pendulum always swinging.

Celestia still wore that disappointed look and after a moment she spoke. “While I may not approve of your methods your reasoning is sound, however I would ask you not to do this. “She gestured to the guards who were being loaded onto stretchers. “Again.” She looked back at Twilight. “Understand, I will not stand for my guards being used as punching bags.”

Twilight nodded. “I can work with that, I hadn’t really planned to do this again as this was just to give them a taste of what they could face in the field.” She explained and Celestia nodded.

“Very well, I have court to attend so I will leave you for now.” She said and did as she said leaving Twilight with Luna, The Princess, the Captain and his wife.

“Twilly if you don’t have anything you need to do with the Commander I was thinking we could catch an early dinner.” The Captain said and the Princess looked at the Commander to see if she needed anything. Twilight merely shrugged and waved her off.

She smiled as she turned back to the Captain. “No I don’t so I’m free.” She said and he nodded and they too left, leaving Twilight with Luna.

Twilight looked at his dimensions Moon Princess who stared back from where she had been sitting, she hadn’t said a word the entire time she had been in the training room, not even after the Royal Guard beat down and now she merely stared at the military mare.

Twilight was feeling very uncomfortable as she didn’t like being stared at, made her skin itch and she felt like she should duck and attack at the same time after a while. “So…..”Twilight said hopping to break the silence while having absolutely no idea what to say.

“You fight very well Commander Twilight Sparkle; I have not seen such a well-trained pony since my return.” Luna said. “I must say it is refreshing as back before….my absents the Royal Guard knew how to fight as Equestria was always in danger from one threat or another, though my Sister seems to have dealt with most of the threats through either diplomacy with the other nations or the monsters have been contained for the most part.”

Twilight nodding. “I thank you for the compliment and u must agree with your assessment, before I made the EDF there wasn’t anything resembling a trained soldier back home.” Twilight said.

“Also what you told Twilight, our Twilight, about never being sorry for caring, that was very good of you.” Luna said.

Twilight shrugged. “It was the truth, one should never be sorry for care about what happens to those under their command or anyone for that matter.”

Luna nodded. “Yes that is to true.” She said and tilted her head to the side. “If I may ask, where did you hear that quote you mentioned, “Pray for peace, Prepare for war.” I like it, tis a good saying and one I wish my sister would take some heed from.”

Twilight shrugged. “I read it in a book of mine, I don’t know who said it, I could find out but unfortunately the book is back in my office and that is a bit out of reach.” She said.

Luna smiled. “Tis true I suppose, perhaps one day I shall learn who said it, in the mean time I shall remember it well.” She then eyed Twilight. “You are a very strange mare Commander Twilight Sparkle, nothing like the ponies I have seen since my return.”

“As you said before.” Twilight said. “And that is because I am a soldier, and that is an occupation that is very alien to a land as peaceful as this.”

“Yes, tis.” Luna said and nodded before sighing. “I still clearly remember when the Royal Guard was more than simple decorations and an actual fighting force that could repel attacks.”

“Some of the history books I have read say as much, frankly it is hard to compare today’s guards to those from the history books as they might as well be a completely different group.” Twilight said and looked around. “Perhaps we should talk of this somewhere less public then the Royal Guard training room.” She said, luckily the room was empty so no guards heard what the Lunar Princess thought of the guards.

Luna blinked and looked around realizing where she was. “Yes, you are right Commander Sparkle.” She said and looked back at the military mare. “Would thou care to join me in my study for an afternoon drink?”

Twilight smiled as this Luna seemed to share the trait of occasionally slipping into old Equestrian. “I’d be honored.” She said.

Luna nodded and turned for the exit and began to make her way to her personal study, Twilight following behind till they came to a simple looking door whose frame was topped by a crest moon insignia. The Lunar Princess opened the door with her magic and Twilight followed her in looking around to compare it to her Luna’s study back home.

It was exactly the same, decorated with dark blue sofa and chair, dark wooden end table and coffee table with a rug in the center with a patter reminiscent of the night sky with a full moon dead center and on one end a simple dark wood writing desk with dark bookshelves packed with either ancient tombs or trinkets the Moon Princess had collected since she had returned, all of them old and appearing to have been found in archeological dig sites. And of course the room was dimmer then the hall outside and long shadows were cast upon the walls.

Luna made her way to one of the chairs and took a seat and twilight joined her, sitting in the other seat. She counted in her head and sure enough five seconds after they sat down a dark furred earth pony stallion with a dark crimson mane seemingly appeared from nowhere between them, how Luna’s personal aide did that she still didn’t know.

“Tea m’lady?” The stallion aced in an upper Canterlot accent.

“Yes please Nightgale.” Luna said.

Nightgale bowed his head. “Very good m’lady, it will be but a moment.” He said and seemed too disappeared into the surrounding shadows.

“You know I still haven’t figured out how he does that.” Twilight commented as she looked around for where the stallion disappeared to as the door never opened and she knew there wasn’t a hidden passage from the room as it would have been found during the reconstruction of the castle after the Battle for Canterlot.

“He is a very good aide is how.’ Luna said with a small laugh.

“Yes I know that, still doesn’t explain how he can get out of a room with only one entrance and repaper without making a sound.” Twilight said as she relaxed back.

“An aide should only make his presence known when he is needed.” “Luna said and Twilight knew she was quoting the stallion himself as he always said that when questioned.

“Yes, I suppose.” Twilight said. “Tea is here.” She said and sure enough Nightgale appeared between them setting a tray with a dark blue, almost black tea pot and two matching cups on the coffee table along.

“Your tea m’lady, I do hope it is to your liking Commander Sparkle.” The Stallion said turning his gold colored eyes on the mare in question.

“I’m sure it will be fine thank you. “She said with a slight nod. She didn’t question how the aide knew who she was as the stallion would simply state, it is the job of a personal aide to know who his lady’s guests are.”

“Very good, should you need anything simply call m’lady.” He said with another small bow to the Lunar Princess before vanishing into the shadows once more. Twilight had to admit she liked Nightgale for one simple fact, while the stallion surely knew just about everything about everyone in the castle, he never really played The Game unless it was to aide Luna and even then he never played it against Twilight as, as he liked to put it. “You are m’lady’s friend, what gain would I have in destroying you?” The simplicity and calmness way he had said that had unnerved Twilight and she was sure that if he wanted to, Twilight would find herself on the losing end of The Game and be the lowest pawn possible.

Twilight used her magic to turn the cups over and poured herself and Luna a cup and added two sugars in Luna’s while leaving hers without anything added. “I see you know how I like my tea Commander Sparkle.” Luna said with a smile as Twilight moved her cup towards her as she lifted her own.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with your counterpart and have no reason to think you have too many differences from her.” Twilight said as she sipped her tea, just as expected it was perfectly heated and the exact type Twilight would enjoy, Twilight had no shame in saying Nightgale scared her a little bit as Twilight had a different taste in teas then the Princess do to enjoying stronger teas these days since her trip and there was no way this Nightgale could know that as this was the first time Twilight had had any tea or even talked about tea since arriving in this Equestria.

“So tell me, how did you became so skilled at combat Commander Sparkle.” Luna said as she sipped her tea.

“War.” Twilight said. “I was doing an experiment and ended up being drawn into a war that at first wasn’t my own, but the people I was with needed my help and I owed them. So their war became mine and I learned.” Twilight said looking into her dark tea.

Luna nodded. “Yes, I figured it was something like that as from what I have heard your Equestria didn’t change till you changed it an you were the same as out Princess till a certain point.” Luna said. “It can be difficult being changed so drastically from what you once were till you aren’t even recognizable anymore.” She sad looking into her tea and Twilight knew what she meant.

“Yes, but as long as there is even a shred of who you used to be left then you aren’t really a different person, merely changed and sometimes you can go back to your old life.” Twilight said.

“Yes I suppose you are right though that can be difficult at time as you may face many obstacles.” Luna said as she took another sip.

“Yes but one thing I have learned is no obstacle can’t be overcome, either by oneself or with the aid of others.” Twilight said as she sipped as well.
“Perhaps, but that can be hard when one has few who would aid them to overcome those obstacles.” Luna finished her tea.

“Yes, but even if the number is small it does not change the fact that they can help you, gods know I don’t think I would have made it without my friends after returning home. Hell I don’t think I would have made it back without friends.” Twilight said as she finished her own tea and poured them both another cup.

“It sounds like you are blessed by the gods Commander Twilight. “Luna said with a small smile over her tea cup.

Twilight shrugged. “Perhabs, and perhaps not, I tend to focus more on what is before me and what I need to do.”

“Yes I thought that you were that type of mare.” Luna said with a small chuckle before she sipped her tea. “You are a very interesting pony Commander; you seem like our Twilight one moment and then the next you someone else.”

“War has a funny way of doing that to a person, I just prey this issue with the Purifiers can be wrapped up before your nation learns the extent of how war can change someone.” Twilight said and sipped. “With luck it can be dealt with as little impact to your way of life as possible as I don’t want this Equestria’s peace to be shattered.”

Luna sipped her tea. “For this not being you’re Equestria you seem to care about what happens to it, aren’t soldier supposed to be loyal to your home nation?” Luna asked.

“I am completely loyal to my homeland but I also believe in doing what is right and your Equestria does not deserve to know the horrors of war the likes of which the Purifiers will most likely bring and I’ll do what I have to ensure this crisis is over as quickly and efficiently as possible.” Twilight sipped her tea. “Besides I already got clearance from myself to provide military aid to your nation so it’s all good.” She said with a chuckle.

Luna chuckled as well. “Well then that is good to hear Commander Sparkle; I would not want you to get in trouble for helping us.” She said and quieted down as her face showed a bit or worry. “Do you think the Purifiers can be stopped before there is another Horseton Incident? That nearly destroyed Equestria with the tragedy alone and Equestria was used to battle and death, I fear this Equestria would not survive such a tragedy.”

Twilight nodded her head and thought about it, she had to agree with Luna that a tragedy on that scale would break this Equestria, possibly irreversibly so. “I have no intention of allowing them to do that again, last time they had the element of surprise that they would go that far, now we know they are fanatics with no limits to what they will do and I can assure you I am prepared and willing to do whatever I have too to complete my objective.” She said and sipped her tea once more. “Heh, guess I may be just as fanatical as them about my objectives.”

Luna looked over at the mare and tilted her head in confusion. “No, I do not believe so, you are dedicated, not fanatical and I do not believe you would destroy and entire town and surrounding area just to kill a single pony.” She said.

Twilight thought about it, while she knew the lengths she would go to achieve her objective she did have to admit, sacrificing an entire city full of civilians, even one that had her enemy with it, was beyond even her. “Yes I suppose you are right.” She said as she finished her tea and poured another cup. However before she could take a drink there was a thud against the door.

Twilight was out of her seat with her side arm drawn and aimed at the door in half a second and Luna was not far behind with her horn wrapped in magical aura. Carefully they two advanced on the door and Twilight moved to the side and nodded to the Lunar Princess who said her shield as she stood before the door.

A moment later Twilight there the door open and flipped around the doorframe, making sure to leave Luna with a clear shot, as she raised her sidearm. What they found was Nightgale calmly standing over a pony dressed as a castle servant looking at them with his calm demeanor that always seemed with him.

“Forgive me m’lady I did not mean to disturb you; I merely noticed somepony had left trash outside your door.” Nightgale said as he gestured a hoof at the servant who Twilight realized was still conscious but seemed to be completely paralyzed. “I believe you will find this of interest Commander.” The stallion said as he reached down and pulled a necklace from under the servant’s uniform. It was the same type of amulet the Purifiers who attacked the party were armed with.

Twilight looked down at the servant, no the spy and realized they must have been listening at the door, Luna didn’t see the point in having the Royal Guard posted at her door as they were not very effective. The medical information her eyes told her said that nothing was broken in the spy, he was just temporality paralyzed and from what she could tell, from a single blow as Nightgale ambushed the spy.

Twilight looked back up at the stallion who was calmly standing there, face nothing but calm as if he was simply serving tea. “If there is nothing else M’lady requires I shall take my leave.” He said and started to walk up the hall as if nothing had happened. Yes Twilight decided, Nightgale made her wary and she was glad he was on their side as he reminded her of the black ops soldiers or even White Rabbit himself.

Twilight stood beside the paralyzed spy as she watched the stallion till he disappeared behind a corner at the end of the hall then she looked down at their captured spy. “Well, seems we have our intelligence source.” She said as she lifted the paralyzed spy and noticed their eyes were locked on her and filled with revulsion.

A moment later the spy’s lips started to move as the paralysis started to wear off. “Twilight waited a moment as she wanted to hear what the spy was trying to say and after about a minute she got her answer. “Damn you to Tartarus Agent of Chaos, you shall not break me.” He said with determination and Twilight had to chuckle at that.

“We shall see my little spy, we shall see~~~.” She said and smiled her friendliest smile at him.

Author's Notes:

Originally this chapter was planned to just follow CTS as she killed time around the castle and Canterlot, then as i wrote it it went to her killing time with Luna around Canterlot as i haven't done a lot with Luna and then some how ended up with them drinking Tea in Luna's study, i have no idea how that happened.

As for were Nightgale came from, i though Luna needed a personal aide and two seconds later Nightgale in his entirely was born and you see the result.