Battery

Sitting at her desk at the SVU offices, Detective Benson was going over some paperwork that required documentation, mainly the statements she collected in Ponyville. Upon her return, she had requested a couple officers to prepare a few of the suspects for a second interrogation and question them with the new information she obtained. That would take some time, so she decided to take advantage of the time in between to catch up on her paperwork.

As she did, her mind thought hard and carefully about everything regarding the questioning she did with the ponies on the defensive side of this case. She thought of the worry the Princess of Friendship had shown, the determination the two-tailed fox showed for helping out, and the unsurprising amount of fear and pain Nyx had shown in that hospital. It wasn't the first filly Olivia had ever worked with, but it never got too much easier to see and hear the little pony's pain.

It was all part of the job for her. Helping ponies who have been hurt in most of the worst possible ways was her destiny, and her cutie mark was proof was that. Helping ponies was something she has always done, all the way back to her foalhood. Even with the heartache that can linger from what horrors her job made her see, she drove herself to help whoever needed it.

But there were a couple firsts for her career this time around.

This was her first case having a direct involvement with the Royal Four, most specifically Princess Twilight. She was hoofpicked for several cases by Princess Celestia herself, mainly for the successful record and name in Equestrian law enforcement, but none of the previous victims had direct relations to royalty, only mutual or close relationships. Never had the detective needed to work on a case specifically towards royalty, let alone the newest crown alicorn princess no less, making this the highest profile of cases an officer had worked with.

Another was the victim she was working for, the former Nightmare Moon herself, Nyx Sparkle. This challenge put Olivia in a position where she had to help a pony that, for the most part, was the source for the crime to begin with, and thus had the likely chance of dealing with more ponies who did not like the former Queen of Equestria still amongst everypony. Add the good chance of seeing this case taken to court, who would know how many anti-Nyx citizens would fill a courtroom, if the public could attend the court in audience. She would have to carefully tread over thin ice to make sure more trouble doesn't rise, for the filly and her family's sake.

But even all that didn't shake off another thought of a first-time curiosity she had about the involvement of Rainbow Dash. Before leaving Ponyville, the detective made sure to stop and find the pegasus for a restarted session of question, given how the first attempt went. Rainbow Dash gave a more thorough and detailed explanation of what her involvement in everything was, but that wasn't what bothered the detective. What was really bothering her were the emotions she read.

Olivia could tell that there were definite strong emotions from Rainbow Dash, more so than what could be expected from another involved pony. The cyan mare showed a lot more care and concern that previous ponies in her position have expressed in similar cases, especially with how often Twilight Sparkle was mentioned. She judged how there seemed to be strong emotions shown for the princess, more so than Rainbow being known as the Element of Loyalty. What could provoke such strong compassion a friend had for her friend and said friend's family, unless...

"Olivia?"

The detective snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head to see a strong-built earth pony next to her desk. He was a stallion just beyond being middle-aged, bronze in color with a darker brown tail with strands of gray in it, wearing a collared shirt and tan coat. His cutie mark was a set of handcuffs, one end open and the other looped shut.

"Yes, Captain?" Olivia asked, addressing the highest ranked officer of Canterlot's entire police force, and the middle link between the police and the Royal Guard.

"Forgive me for interrupting your train of thought, but the lawyer for your current plaintiff's has arrived," said the captain.

"The offense lawyer?" Olivia inquired. "You mean for my next meeting with Silver Lining."

Captain nodded and replied "She's here to help see if we can avoid your case actually go to court. Unfortunately, I've come to understand that he has full intentions to take this to court."

"There's still no harm in trying," said the detective. "Please send her over."

The captain nodded, turned around a waved his hoof to motion the attorney to come over. A mare trotted her way to the desk, an emerald green unicorn with a briefcase carried by her magic. Her mane and tail were straight strands of light red hair with blonde highlights, and her cutie mark was a barely open scroll with thin lines representing text. Olivia recognized this lawyer all too well, as she was the SVU's district attorney, and one of her best friends.

"I heard you got the most royal case of your career," said the mare, smirking as she spoke. "Thought I'd join in and give you a hoof with your fun."

The detective smirked back and gave her sarcastic reply. "Yay. Now I don't get to have all this fun alone."

"I'll leave you two to work," said the captain. "For now I must be off to a meeting with the Princesses and the Royal Guard at the castle. I'll be back afterwards." With that, he took his leave.

The attorney set her briefcase next to the detective's desk, and then used her magic to pull over a nearby open chair to sit on. Sitting the chair to the left side of the desk and making herself comfortable, she opened her briefcase to take out its contents. During the latter, she said "So Liv, how much fun are you having with this? Word spread around quick that you were personally investigating a princess's family."

"It's as fun as ever, I suppose," Olivia replied. "This is one of the more difficult cases for me, specifically the royal family that's involved. It's the family of Princess Twilight Sparkle, but more specifically her adopted daughter-"

"Nyx." The unicorn mare cut her off literally at the end of the last syllable of 'daughter.' The tone of it sounded very mixed. "That news didn't make it to my office. Heck, I just got some of the documents regarding this case when I walked through the door coming in."

The detective knew why she sounded the way she was, but unlike with her clients, she didn't ease into the topic. "I know you're not as forgiving of Nyx as others, but a case is still a case, and she's going to need your help. Let's start with negotiations with the stallion that caused all this in the first place..." She pointed a hoof at one of her papers, a file of the statement by Silver Lining.

The lawyer read over the copy of the statement, seeing how he flat out said he did what he did. Statements like this, a flat out confession, would make things easier in her world, but most times it doesn't work that way. During those times, the culprits would make their confession without remorse or care and expect their actions to be justified as acceptable before a judge or princess. However, this just meant that she had to work hard to expose the culprit's words in the twisted ways they envision.

After reviewing the statement, she set the paper down and said "At least he's smart enough to admit to doing it. Hopefully he'll be the same when I offer him a deal."

"Hopefully," Olivia stated with little enthusiasm. "I still need to bring Nyx to Canterlot to try to identify him and a few other ponies involved in attacking her. Even if he points him out, he won't go down without a fight."

The lawyer didn't say anything, and the detective could easily see why. After allowing a moment of silence pass, she added "Legal Justice, you won't be cold at her when she comes here, will you?"

The lawyer didn't reply immediately, but did so when she found the right words to say. "No. Only professional, and nothing more."

Olivia did not like that tone, as much as she understood why. It was as cold as she expected her friend to be at the filly; the victim of the crime. There were times to not have a keen eye towards somepony, given the circumstances, and this was definitely not one of those times as it would hurt not only who would be targeted, but justice itself in the long run. The detective furrowed her eyes and spoke sternly at her best friend.

"L.J., look at me," she practically ordered, getting a fairly cold stare in return. "I love you like family, but I will not let you near Nyx or anyone in her association if you can't- no, if you won't be at least a little compassionate to win this case. It's not exactly easy remembering what happened when Nightmare Moon was in power, especially you practically broken until that time was over, and I know it's nothing compared to how you were. However, it still gives you no right to be disrespectful to your client, a filly victim of battery, in any way whatsoever. Nyx, Princess Twilight and their friends and family will be looking towards you to help prevent Silver Lining, or even anypony, doing this to them again, and you need to be the dependable attorney you are to them. I can't make you promise me anything, professionalism and all, but can I at least know that you will be a reliable resource here?

"Or do I have to go get your brother to convince you?"

/)∞(\

"Good morning, Your Highness, and good morning to you too, Nyx."

Doctor Monitor and Nurse Redheart had entered the filly's hospital room, the latter pushing a wheelchair in and the former levitating a clipboard in his magic. He was a pony Twilight and Nyx were both becoming anxious to meet with all morning. Around breakfast time, a couple nurses came in to check on Nyx's condition, and a little while after that was one of Ponyville's pediatricians as a double-check. They were giving their patient one last round of tests of her health before acting on a promise made to her yesterday, and everything they tested came back in results greater than originally anticipated.

And for the first time since Nyx was admitted into the hospital, Rainbow Dash was nowhere nearby. Twilight had requested, and with some unneeded convincing, the pegasus to fly over to the castle and let Nyx's 'escorts' know that they were almost ready. It was agreed that they would meet in the lobby, and it was around the time that they all thought would be the likely time.

"Good morning, Doctor," Twilight said.

"Good morning," Nyx said as well.

Both the doctor and nurse had a smile across their face as they approached her bedside, the opposite side from where the purple mare sat. As they approached, the doctor said happily "I've got some good news for you, Nyx. After a final set of tests, all of your stats have come out perfectly. It looks like all the care you've gotten has had its payoff, so congratulations, you get to go home today!"

"Really?!"

"Really."

Nyx wore the happiest grin and jumped out of her bed, finally freed from the constraints of needles stuck in her forelegs and replaced with a series of colorful bandages. She was waiting for this the moment she woke up, and now it could finally happen. Nyx can go home with Twilight, and a little selfishly, have a sleepover with her best friends, something she could really use after everything that had gone on the last few days.

"Now hold on there, little filly," said the nurse, cutting off Nyx's joyous display. "Don't get too jumpy just yet. You still need to be wheeled out of here before you go in full gallop."

Nyx let out a whine in displeasure and looked up at Twilight. "Do I have to? I've been on my flank for days."

Twilight nodded and replied "I'm sorry, Nyx. Those are the rules." The filly retorted with a 'humph' and a kick of her hoof, just what she was expecting. "It's only for a few minutes, just to get you out the doors safe and sound. Isn't that right, Dr. Monitor?"

"Yes, Princess," he responded. "Also, I saw some of your friends returning to the hospital on my way here, so they should be waiting for you in the lobby right now."

Hearing about that did crack a smile on Nyx, but she still felt upset about the wheelchair. She thought that she would be walking out the door with perfect horse health, not having to be strolled out. She was going to feel like a foal, something that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would endlessly make fun of her about if they caught the sight, but she didn't expect to be anywhere near the hospital when she'd exit.

Looking up at her mother, she saw her motion her hoof towards the wheelchair with a warming smile to try and cheer her up. Nyx, however, did not feel any better as she climbed up and sat in the chair. She positioned herself and kept a disapproving pout on her face.

"Now don't be like that," Nurse Redheart said with attempted optimism. "It's only a two-minute ride down the hall and nothing more." With that she began to move the now occupied wheelchair out the door and down the hallway.

Twilight was beginning to follow when Doctor Monitor stepped alongside her at the door. "Princess Twilight, may we have a talk during your way out?"

"Of course," Twilight replied. She imagined it was more specific details about Nyx's overall condition and nothing more to worry about, which she really hoped. The two began their way down the hall as the doctor began to speak.

"As I told your daughter, she is in perfect health. All of her vitals are in check and her body recovered just as it should, and I would be grateful of having such friends as yours to help accelerate the process. However, one of our tests did show a different result as compared to our original predictions. Are you familiar with an MRS?"

Twilight replied "Yes: The Magic Rating Spell. Unicorns use that to check on the magical quantity a pony has in their body, to make sure it isn't completely depleted."

"Correct. Well after our last MRS of Nyx, we discovered that her magic has increased in level, and for a filly her age- or size, as it were, it is far above greater than the average foal unicorn's would be. This isn't like when you first found her and having Nightmare Moon's level of magic, but it is great enough for me to caution you to help sure her magical abilities are kept in check.

"Other than that, you have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you bring Nyx in for a checkup by next month. The front clerk will give you a copy of all the medical information you'd like to take."

"Thank you, Doctor, for everything you've done," Twilight said kindly. They had reached the main lobby as she said "And thanks to your entire team for helping my daughter. I know she has been in good hooves with you all."

Dr. Monitor bowed to her as he said "No need to thank us, Princess. It was our duty and our honor to service you and your family." When he raised himself up, he leaned in to quietly mention "But on a more personal level, consider this our way of saying thanks to Nyx for saving us during the invasion of Everfree. You should be proud of yourself for being the mother of such a brave pony."

The purple mare grin and watched the doctor make his leave. She turned her attention to Nyx and found Rainbow Dash standing by the door, her friend looking ready to open the door outside. Twilight quickly turned to the clerk's desk and got the medical records she asked for and levitated the folder containing them inside one of her wings. She then walked up to Nyx's side, the two alicorns smiling, as she began to use her magic to open the front doors, only to be stopped by Rainbow.

"Here, Twi. I'll get it," the pegasus offered, and pushed the door open with her head.

The reveal of the other side showed a bright and sunny day, with barely any clouds in the sky. And standing just a few feet from the doors were Tails and Cosmo. The sight of them brought instant joy to Nyx's face, and the moment the nurse said she could get out of the chair, the filly did to run up to the couple. It was a sight that made Twilight very happy, seeing her daughter smiling and joyous with being with their friends. Both alicorns could really use that, especially for the many days to come if a trial was to take place.

Following wishing everypony a good afternoon, Nurse Redheart took herself and the wheelchair back into the hospital. Nyx, on the other hoof, didn't hear a single word of the farewell as she was too busy hugging Cosmo. It took a moment, but the Seedrian finally managed to break the hug and speak.

"Good to see you out of that bed, Nyx," she said happily. "Are you feeling all better now?"

"Yeah! I feel wonderful," replied Nyx. "Thank you for keeping your promise to meet us here."

"Oh of course we would," Cosmo said in return.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash walked up from behind, catching a glance from Cosmo but the two's attention being drawn from Tails.

"I managed to talk with the Master Four, and they agreed to Cosmo and me staying here until your trouble with those others ponies are officially left behind. Twilight, I hope it's no intrusion if Cosmo and I-"

"Don't even bother asking," Twilight interrupted. "For what you and your friends did to help Nyx, you both are more than welcome to stay in our home, just as I promised before. I'm just so grateful that you came to walk with us back home."

Tails motioned one of his hands towards the cyan pegasus standing next to the alicorn. "You can thank Rainbow for letting us know when exactly Nyx was discharged. Hell, she even made sure today's weather wouldn't dampen the trail."

Twilight turned to Rainbow to see the pegasus's cheeks glow with a blush of red, and her mouth grinning a less than innocent smile. At the time of year they were at, the Ponyville pegasi would have started some of the season's rain showers to help water the plants, and their next shower was due around that day. The only reason Twilight knew this was because of her friendship with Rainbow and getting the weather forecast a little farther ahead than most other ponies in town every now and again.

"Well," Twilight said, "what do you say we get going then? We can use a nice stroll to get back home, wouldn't we Nyx?"

The filly nodded happily, and the group began making their way from the Ponyville Hospital. Twilight led as her daughter closely followed, with Tails and Cosmo just behind them, and Rainbow Dash flew just over the alicorn family, all making their way back to the Sparkle family castle.

/)∞(\

The stroll came to its end as the group came up to the final stretch of path leading to the crystal castle. It was very uneventful compared to the last few days, but it was nice and peaceful. During their walk, townsponies bowed to their resident princess, told Nyx they were glad to see her alright, or both for most. Nyx may have known of the ponies who were not happy with her being around, but those who did like her and didn't mind in the slightest were showing their colors and that made her all the happier.

But even for a peaceful stroll that it was, Tails wore a smile in front of a vigilant state of being. He kept his eyes open for anything that, f his experience, would deem suspicious or a potential misdeed by anypony. Deep in this thoughts he knew he was probably take things too seriously given the place he was in, but he didn't want to take any chances. Harm an adult friend was one thing, and harming his beloved was the worst of all, but somewhere in between, harming a child, especially one he knew personally, made him angry enough to be the way he was acting.

Then again, he wasn't the only one acting like that, as Rainbow Dash kept her focus up the same way. She, however, was asked by Twilight to settle down after the cyan mare went face-to-face with Filthy Rich, claiming she saw his daughter stick her tongue out at Nyx when the group was walking by Barnyard Bargains. Honoring her friend's request, Rainbow backed off and rejoined the group, getting on her hooves and walking alongside Twilight for the remainder of the trek.

By the time they had reached the castle's front doors, both Cosmo and Twilight calmed Tails and Rainbow Dash down, both of whom agreed and did so. Nyx was completely oblivious to what they were doing, and didn't even think a second thought about the entire walk, as she was finally home. Getting through those was all she wanted to do all day, and see if her mom's promise for a sleepover with her friends would still happen. She ran through the center of both doors like a battering ram and entered the castle.

"Hello?! We're home!"

"Oh, Nyx, you're finally back!"

The group was met by a voice that, when Twilight last thought, belonged to someone who wasn't always around Ponyville. Racing around a corner into the foyer was Twilight Velvet, who showed no sign of slowing down until she reached Nyx. She immediately embraced the filly in her hooves and hugged her tightly.

"Oh my sweet, sweet little granddaughter. Thank Celestia you're safe. I couldn't believe the news when the Princess came to our house and told us. Are you still hurt anywhere? What horrid brutes did this to you? Tell me and your Nana Velvet will find them and-"

"Mother!" Twilight yelled and cutting her off. "Calm down, you're suffocating her!"

With what little breath she had in her lungs, Nyx managed to let out four little squeaks. "Grand... Ma... Can't... Breathe..."

Twilight Velvet noticed what she was causing, and released Nyx from her suffocating embrace. "Oh goodness. I'm so sorry, Nyx," she said, waiting for the filly to regain some air in her lungs. "We were so worried about you, your grandfather and I. The moment we found out, we packed our bags and caught the soonest train to Ponyville. We were scared you weren't okay... So, so scared." The dam holding her tears in her eyes began to break as two small streams went down her face.

Nyx nuzzled herself into Velvet's crook and wrapped her hooves around her neck. "Don't cry, Grandma. I'm all better now," the little pony said. "I'm happy you and Grandpa came."

"And so are we," Night Light said, who had run up behind Velvet along with Spike. The blue unicorn stepped over to his daughter and gave her a hug, which the alicorn returned. "How are you feeling, Twilight?"

Wearing an assuring smile, Twilight replied with "I'm fine; a little sore from being bucked in the chest, but fine."

Hearing what her daughter said made Velvet's eyes open wide with pin-sized irises. "Bucked?! You were bucked?!" She jumped on her hooves, the filly hugging her hanging onto her neck to avoid falling. "Who hurt you?! You tell me who he is so I can go find him and give him ten times the-"

"Velvet, calm down," Night Light said to his wife, trying to keep her out of rage shift levels of anger. "They're home now, so let's not worry about what happened right now."

"But they got hurt," the grey mare argued. "Your daughter and granddaughter got hurt, and you're not going to bother about it at all?!"

The stallion shook his head. "If it means spending quality time with my family, then I won't." He helped Nyx get off of Velvet and on her hooves, and then decided to play an old trick he does every time he sees her. "I think I noticed something. What's this behind your ear, Nyx?"

Nyx smiled cheek to cheek, knowing what he was going to do. He pulled his hoof back from behind her ear to reveal a chocolate chip cookie. She took it and devoured half of it with one bite, and her smile grew wider as her taste buds discovered that the chocolate chips were dark chocolate. After swallowing the first half, the second was devoured just as greatly before meeting its timely end.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Nyx yelled as she wrapped her hooves around his front legs.

Night Light chuckled and said in return "You're welcome, Nyx," and returned her hug. When the two broke apart, he then added "Now what do you say we go make some lunch and go-"

"SOLDIERS, ATTEN... TION!"

Near one of the entrances into the foyer, the sound of several marching hooves was heard. It only took a moment to reveal Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo marching and stopping in a single file line, all of them facing out towards Nyx and everyone else. Stepping in front of them was Shining Armor, whose voice was heard making that exclamation, and everyone watched him act as a general towards his pretend soldiers.

He paced back and forth in front of the trio, monitoring the focused looks they shared. "Alright, listen up! We have been training for this moment over and over again. Now, the time has come to act! Are we ready?!"

"Yes Sir!" Yelled the trio.

"I can't hear you, little fillies. I SAID ARE WE READY?!!!"

"YES SIR!"

"Very good! Now tell me how we are going to take on our mission!"

"With focus and determination, sir!" Apple Bloom responded.

"Full of energy, sir!" Sweetie Belle squeaked.

"Without surrender, sir!" Scootaloo followed.

Shining Armor nodded and said "Again, very good! You are ready for the mission!" He then turned towards the group from not so far away and said "Private Nyx Sparkle, front and center!"

As happy as Nyx was to see her uncle and best friends, she couldn't put a hoof on why they were putting up the military act. The last time she remembered him acting in his commanding form was back when she was Nightmare Moon and controlled him with the Blessing to command her former military, and that wasn't a time she'd like to have remembered. She began to trot up to the group, leaving behind a confused Rainbow Dash and Twilight, but everyone else caught on to the fun facade being portrayed.

When Nyx reached them, but keeping herself just so distant, she looked at them with a brow, trying to get a read of them. It wasn't until Shining Armor gave a smirk only lasting two seconds that she got the idea something surprising was about to happen.

Focusing on the trio of fillies, Shining Armor gave the command. "Cutie Mark Crusaders, proceed with the attack on my count!" With a raise of a hoof into the air, and a quick glance at who was approaching from down the corridor, he gave them his countdown.

"3...

"2...

"1...

"ATTACK!!!"

The CMC began to charge towards Nyx once their commander gave them the order. All three collided into her and knocked her down onto the ground. It took her a second to realize it, but Nyx was tackled and being hugged by the three as they all said "Welcome home," and other things over each other. When the trio got off their friend after the hug began cutting off her oxygen, she stood back up to see her uncle, now with her Aunt Cadance and cousin Skyla, and he began to speak to her as he did with her friends, but much gentler.

"Good to see you home again, Private Nyx," he said. "Now I have a mission for you..." He then dropped the authorative tone and lifted a leg open in a welcoming way. "Come give your favorite uncle a hug."

Nyx galloped up and jumped at him, wrapping her forelegs around the lower part of his neck for a hug as he wrapped his open leg around her. Following a couple seconds, she told him "Shining Armor, you're my only uncle."

"And that makes me your favorite, doesn't it?"

Many of the older ponies' eyes rolled at that, but no one paid no mind to it. "Don't mind him, Nyx. He's just glad you and Twilight are safe and sound," Cadance said as the two separated from their hug so the filly could hug her aunt next. That hug was short as a little foal jumped onto Nyx and hugged her tightly.

"Neex! Neex!"

Nyx giggled and hugged her little cousin next. Little did they notice Twilight and the others walking up behind them, the purple mare greeting her brother and sister-in-law with their own hugs, and Tails shaking hand-and-hoof with Shining Armor.

"Mission accomplished, Captain," Tails commented humorously. "You have quite the squadron in your service, if I say so myself." They both shared a good laugh, with Night Light and Twilight Velvet joining in as well.

"Oh that was just adorable. I wish I wasn't in such a rush packing or I would have remembered to grab my camera," said Velvet.

Grinning as happy as she could, Twilight added "Yes, that was quite the little 'ambush' you organized. Thank you, BBBFF."

Before he could say anything, everyone heard the foal of the group start yelling again. "Neex! Dance!"

Everyone looked down at Skyla, who was looking at her cousin with wide-open eyes and the most excited smile a foal could try to make. For those outside Twilight's family, they weren't familiar with what was meant by this, but they didn't know that, after Skyla was born, Cadance and Twilight handed down their old greeting for each other onto their daughters. Every so often, Nyx did it with her aunt, but that stopped around the time Cadance was too pregnant with Skyla to do it anymore, and in trying to be a good cousin to the newborn filly, Nyx began to do the dance for her.

"What's she yellin' about?" A curious Apple Bloom asked.

"You'll see," Nyx replied, and space was cleared for her and Skyla. The two stood across from each other and began to do the dance, or with the younger cousin attempting it as well as a foal could.

"Sunshine sunshine, lady bugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!"

They shared a laugh following the dance's completion, and Skyla leapt into Nyx for another hug. Nyx gladly returned the hug until putting her cousin back down on the ground before she looked up and around her extended family. "When did you all get to Ponyville?"

"Not that long ago actually. When we got the message about what happened to you, Shining Armor practically charged through every pony standing between him and the train station. I had to use my magic to levitate him into the air before he was out of reach and talk him down a bit," Cadance replied.

Twilight looked over at her older brother with a look of near disbelief. She knew he cared about his family, and was more than willing to do whatever he could at a moment's notice, but even disregarding that one Hearth's Warming where Nyx met the rest of the family she did not expect him to just charge on like that.

"You tried to get here without questions asked?" She asked him.

"Well, I tried, yes," he replied, letting some slight embarrassment show. "The moment I heard you and Nyx got attacked and beaten, I had to act fast." He then put on a more serious and authorative tone and posture. "If anypony dares to mess with my family, they'll have to deal with me, too."

"But what about the Crystal Empire? Won't they need you or Cadance there if something comes up?" Rainbow asked.

"The crystal ponies were informed of our departure and that it will only be for a few days at a time. We are here to support Nyx and Twilight, even if it means going against the best interest of the Royal Guard and spend my time as a personal guard," replied the captain.

It didn't take too much for Tails to see what the stallion meant by his last statement and addressed it himself. "I take it it's looked down upon by some ponies to see soldiers take it upon themselves to guard their families," he said.

"It is a lot of times," Twilight answered. "It's considered selfish to put one's family before everypony else in the Equestrian military, especially if not requested by the highest ranked soldier or a member of the royal family."

The purple mare then turned to face her big brother, a soft but firm tone formed so speak to him about his intentions. "Aren't you setting a bad example for the Royal Guard by being here as Nyx's personal guard?"

"Don't worry, Twilight," Cadance told her. "Celestia has given Shining Armor her own approval to be here and help, to monitor ponies' actions in Ponyville that could show any danger to you or Nyx."

"I see..."

"Don't be upset with him, Twilight," Night Light said. "If it was up to me I'd do the same for you, too. Your brother is, of course, far more experienced and knowledgeable of Equestrian Law and how to handle things than I could ever be."

"It's not about that, Dad."

"Then what is it?"

"Because Tails and Cosmo are here to do what Shining Armor is doing," Rainbow Dash answered for her friend.

A curious expression crossed the faces of Twilight's extended family, all of whom turned towards the mentioned couple standing by their friend. Cosmo nodded as she added "It's true. We'll be staying in Equestria until the end of the trial."

"Trial?" said Velvet, to which Twilight nodded in return.

"I see," Shining said, his eyes mostly focused on the two-tailed fox. He was aware of Tails and his unique abilities, learning most and seeing a portion of it back during the Equestria Games, and heard what had happened during the final battle with Lord Tirek. His issue was, as much as he respected what he knew and witnessed, this matter put in his perspective the necessary requirements that most of Equestria's Royal Guard couldn't take on. "That's very noble of you two to do, but-"

"Shining, don't start," advised his wife. "This is a family matter, but having help from outside the family is good to have."

"Yeah, I'm glad they're here." The adults almost didn't acknowledge the fillies' presence during the conversation until Nyx spoke up. "They're here to help us stay safe, Uncle Shining, just like you."

All of a sudden, a sound was heard from a distance inside the castle. Velvet knew that sound, belonging to a timer she had set back in the castle kitchen for the oven. Not too long ago, she was starting to prepare a big dinner for everypony to enjoy to celebrate Nyx's release from the hospital. "Oh horseapples, the oven's already preheated. I swear, the appliances in these castles work six times faster than the new stove we have at home. I'll be right back!"

Before anyone could say anything, Velvet was rushing to the kitchen to continue cooking. Nyx chased after her, calling out to say she wanted to help, and with her three friends running behind her. This left everyone else standing in the castle foyer as Twilight smiled seeing her daughter run off happily. Having her family with them was indeed a wonderful surprise to have, to have their support right there with her. Sadly, it still didn't change the fatigue she developed from the last couple days, and finally being home again, she wanted to relax.

"I think we should go relax somewhere until dinner. Anyone want to join me in the library?"

"Sure, Twilight," Cadance said, "anything you and Nyx want to do." She then called for Skyla, who quickly tried to jump up on her mother's back but found herself magically lifted up by Shining Armor.

"I'll go prepare some tea," Cosmo said, "and make sure Velvet doesn't have her hooves full with the girls."

She made her way to the kitchen as the others followed Twilight to the castle library. As the three mares took the lead, the two stallions and one fox followed behind. This was intentional for Shining Armor, for he still had a few words to say that he wanted to tell his interdimensional friend.

"Don't take it the wrong way, Tails. Having you two here will make Nyx and Twily more relaxed, but this is still a delicate matter. I want to see to it that this doesn't-"

"Escalate into my brand of fighting experience." Tails cut off Shining, knowing what he was getting at. "You want to keep things at Equestria protocol, to prevent things from getting out of hand- sorry, hoof."

Night Light chimed in and added "Remember that the Princesses asked them here, son. They wouldn't if they didn't feel it was right."

"I know, father," the son replied, "but like I said, this is a delicate situation, and not to doubt how Tails will handle it, I don't want any more violence than what already happened."

As understanding as he was, Tails didn't want to be known for reacting violently. Granted most of his defensive actions in Equestria have been along those lines, he knew better of how to act. "How about this, Shining Armor. Let's sit down and you can explain how you would handle this. I'll follow your instructions to the letter and will exercise my position as a guardian for Nyx within reason...

"But if danger through violence is imminent, I'll do what it takes to protect your family."

The Captain considered this offer carefully. It was not often, or more so ever, that the protocol of the Royal Guard was just handed over to, for lack of his better description, 'foreign' beings. His decision, though, was made reasonably easy. "You have a deal. I'm sure Twily has a book we can reference."

"Sounds good," Tails said smiling. By that point they had reached the library, where tens, possibly hundreds, of thousands of books sat on the shelves that lined every wall inside. As they entered, a BBBFF asked his LSBFF where there was a book on the Equestria military.