I had never cried so hard in my life as I did now in Twilight’s embrace, my emotions pouring forth in a flood until I was finally able to settle down. “T-Twilight… help me… help me get myself under control again... Even if it takes long hours or even days of rehabilitation."

“I will do everything I can to help you, this is your time of need and not only will I be there for you, but all of us. Me, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Spike and Melodic. We’ll all be there for you.” Twilight assured me.

“I-I heard your conversation with Melodic last night, you don’t have to worry, the company of you and your friends is truly enough to see me through.” I stated, looking into the mare’s eyes.

“Speaking of which, I heard about Amanda.” Rainbow said as she came in. “It must be tearing you up to know she’s gone, but before she passed, she… confessed her feelings for you. I’m sorry you weren’t able to do the same.” she added as she wrapped a comforting wing around me.

“We all heard.” Applejack said as she and the others entered the room. “And we’re all here for you.” she added as I was caught in the largest group hug I had received in the longest time, held in silence as they comforted me.

Suddenly Melodic’s voice broke the silence. “Ahem... Mist, I know you are numbed enough by the loss as it is, we too are numbed by the loss, but the results of the investigation they led to…” was all he got out before I interrupted.

“Was it the changelings?” I asked.

Melodic hung his head low. “It… it was.”

I sat there in a stunned silence as anger washed over me, but I couldn’t let it get the best of me. “I see…” I said after a while. “We will need to send a report to Celestia, the changelings will be dealt with when we get to that point. And no, I will not seek revenge, even though I have thought of it, vengeance will not bring Amanda back.”

This response shocked everypony, even Spike. “Y… you aren’t going to try to hunt down and eliminate them?” Melodic asked, shaking off the shock.

“No.” I replied. “As I said, vengeance wouldn’t bring back Amanda.”

“Those are… the wisest words I have heard in the longest time.” Twilight said as she hugged me tightly. “I had a feeling that you might have said exactly that, but I was afraid I would be wrong.”

I wrapped my forelegs around Twilight and pulled her into a tight hug. “You have nothing to worry about, I was a soldier once, remember?” I reminded. “I learned that the very first day of boot camp.”

“Boot camp?” All except Melodic was confused.

“Oh right, it’s an eight month rigourous military training system to determine who had what it took to be a soldier.” I replied. “Twilight, have you considered having your own guard?”

“No, why?” the alicorn asked.

“With changeling activity becoming more and more frequent again, we’ll need to tighten the security. Celestia’s royal guard is only a temporary deal, so we’ll need to start recruiting and training.”

“He’s right Twi, that would be a good idea.” Applejack replied, the others followed in agreement.

“Rarity?” I said as I looked at the fuchesta colored unicorn.

“Yes dear?” the mare asked.

“I’m leaving the armor design to you, it doesn’t have to be too fancy, just enough to make them stand out. Bring the design to me and we’ll hire and train a blacksmith to forge the armor then return the armor to you for the rest.”

Rarity’s eyes widened at the request. “I-I’d be honored to help in such a way.”

"Leave the smithin' to Big Mac, Sugarcube. He can make any darned thing you ask him to." Applejack cut in as she pointed to her brother, who simply waved with a friendly smile and a nod of acceptance to the task.

“Twilight, I’ll need you to get a message to your brother to send somepony to train the recruits.” I said to Twilight.

“Of course, maybe my brother would like to oversee the training himself.” Twilight replied, the thought of her brother being in town for a while, no matter the reason, lit her face with a giddy smile. “I’ll also notify Celestia of our efforts to build up a town guard for Ponyville.”

“Very well.” I replied. “Applejack and Rainbow Dash, you two will be in charge of recruiting.”

“You can count on us.” Dash replied.

“Pinkie, I need you to post out fliers to advertize the recruiting.” I stated looking at the energetic earth pony.

“You got it.” Pinkie happily replied.

“Fluttershy… I uhh… You can just help me and Melodic observe the progress made for recruitment.” I said, not wanting to give Fluttershy such a daunting task for fear of overwhelming her.

“Umm… okay.” The shy pegasus replied in her usual soft but soothing tone. “But what about a barracks for the guards?”

The question caught me off guard. “I uhh… didn’t think about that, I’ll have to speak with the general contractor about that.”

“I can talk to him on my way back to the library to send out the notices.” Twilight replied.

“Okay, thanks. Now I believe we should get our operation started.”

“Sounds good to me sugarcube.” Applejack said as she headed off to prepare, the others following her example.

~~~~~

A full day of recruiting and a few ponies signed up later, I am back at the library sitting on the couch wondering if I should start writing daily reports to princess Celestia on our recruitment efforts. Deciding it would be a good idea, I call to Spike for his help in writing it.

A few moments later, I finish telling him what I want written down and Spike sends it off with his magical fire breath to the princess.

~~~~~

At Canterlot Castle, in Celestia’s chambers.

Just as she was about to retire for the night, A letter appears before her. She picks it up with her magic and curiously opens it and reads it to herself.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I have decided to begin a daily report on our recruitment process, the first day was successful in getting a few. We managed at least three pegasi and five uniorns, and two earth ponies.

We will update you daily on our progress.

With all due respect,
Mist Shaker.

Smiling at the fact that not only are the guardians taking action against the movement of the changelings, but that they are ensuring further security of Ponyville. Celestia conjures a quill and parchment and begins to write her reply.

Once the princess had finished, she sent it off with her magic to be delivered to Mist.

~~~~~

Just as I was about to lay down to get some sleep for the night, Spike came in with a letter in his hand. “It’s from Princess Celestia.”

“Go ahead and read it aloud for me.” I replied.

“Ahem... Dear Mist Shaker. I appreciate what you are doing and I am glad to say that I approve of this action, as I have said to Twilight earlier. This will make it harder for the changelings to operate within Ponyville and will give us more time to make a carefully planned move against them. I look forward to tomorrows report. Princess Celestia.” Spike read the letter aloud, taking a deep breath after finishing.

“Well that’s good news for us.” I said to Spike.

“It really is.” Twilight said as she walked into the room.

I jumped slightly as I heard Twilight’s voice. “Oh, Twilight... You startled me.”

The alicorn giggled. “Sorry, I didn’t expect you to be awake still, so when I went down into the library to fetch another book for my studies, I heard you and Spike talking and I got curious.”

“It’s alright Twi, I’ve just never been startled enough that it caused me to jump.” I replied with a chuckle.

At the sound of her nickname, she looked at me curiously. “Y-you called me Twi, usually my friends call me that.”

I blushed deeply at the comment. “I-I did?”

“It’s fine, Mist. You don’t have to apologize.” Twilight replied with a slight blush herself. “I-I kinda like it.”

Catching the tone in which Twilight said this, I got curious. “A-are you… getting the hots… for me?”

“No!” Twilight squeaked all too quickly, blushing even deeper as she realized how she had just sounded. “I don’t really think I am ready to go there yet.”

“I understand… I’m not particularly sure I’m ready for another relationship yet either.” I replied. “Let’s just let fate decide where things go between us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Twilight said as she wrapped me in a friendly embrace, which I returned.

Twilight released me and looked me in the eyes, and that was when I saw it, the affection she really held for me, the affection she wanted to give me, but neither of us were ready to confess because I felt the same. Her piercing purple eyes staring into mine, she opened her mouth to speak, but; afraid of how she would act without me seeing it, closed her mouth.

“I can see it Twilight, you want to be with me.” I said to the mare. “I want the same thing, but I think it would be best if we took it slow for now, maybe go on a date to see if we really are meant to be.”

Flustered, the mare slowly nodded at the idea. “Umm… the thing is… I-I’ve never been on a date… S-so… I’m k-kinda nervous.” she admitted. “I’ve never been in a relationship, I’ve always focused on my studies… So…”

“Hey, it’s okay.” I interrupted. “I know how you feel, it’s just your mind wanting something to go wrong that would stop us from going through with our plans.”

Twilight hugged me once more, a content smile on her features as her worries were eased by my words. “Thank you, Mist.” the alicorn said happily. “Umm… I-I know we aren’t in a romantic relationship yet… but…” she paused as a deep blush crossed her cheeks.’I can’t believe I am about to ask him this.’ she thought before continuing. “C-could you… s-sleep with me tonight. Spike is out at the Crusaders’ clubhouse for the night and… I don’t want to be alone.”

I blushed deeply at the request, not having expected such words from a princess of Equestria. “Umm… I-I guess I could do that.” I nervously replied as I followed her to her room, where she laid down on one side of the bed, I made my way to the other side and climbed into bed.

Once I had gotten comfortable, I felt Twilight snuggle closer, her head laying in the crook of my neck. Surprised by the act, I hesitated for a moment, but laid my head over hers, careful of her horn and laid a wing over her as I pulled the covers over us, the both of us falling asleep happily in each others embrace.

Author's Note

I have been trying really hard to make this fic as good as I possibly can, if there is anything you guys can suggest I do that will make future chapters better, I will gladly take in your opinions.