War games

The night had gone by without incident. Guards were stationed outside every exit, and a barrier was in place to prevent teleportation. Though she didn't like it, Twilight simply opted to just deal with it for the time being.

As the sun rose up into the sky, its rays invaded Twilight's room. As her eyes fluttered open, she yawned and stretched to start getting ready for the day. After rolling out of bed, Twilight started looking for her weapons, but then remembered they were in a highly secure R&D wing of the castle. She planned on getting them back eventually. Today, however, her schedule would be taken up with stuff to do with her friends from Ponyville.

As she walked through the halls, she had a guard on either of her, neither willing to take their eyes off of her. Some ponies bowed while others cowered away. When they finally arrived at the dining hall, Celestia relieved the guards and motioned Twilight to the table. Waiting at the table was all of Twilight's friends, varying looks of concern on their faces.

"Hey there girls," Twilight said as she approached.

"Hey, uh... good ta have ya back," Applejack said nervously.

"You sound hesitant," Twilight pointed out, "Though, that is to be expected, I suppose".

"Yea, well... we've heard a few rather unsettling things while waiting for you," Rarity said.

"And I don't deny any of it," Twilight said, taking her seat, "Fact of the matter is that I've changed. You may not agree with the changes, but they had to happen for me to survive".

"Survival, ah understand," Applejack said, "But finding enjoyment in fighting, killing, and torture? That's jest not right".

"Rest assured, I won't hurt anybody unless they bring it upon themselves," Twilight said.

"Still ain't right," Applejack said.

"But hey, we'll help you get back to your old self," Rainbow Dash said, "I won't just stand by and let one of the best friends I've ever had throw her life away because she's more hot headed than me".

"It's not going to be so easy to get rid of ten years of killer, survivalist instinct," Twilight pointed out, "But hey, whatever. Let me eat, then you begin trying to reform me".

"Oh, that reminds me," Celestia said, levitating over a piece of paper, "Even though I don't like the idea of you being a hunter, I figured allowing it would help a little".

"I see, and I appreciate that," Twilight said.

"Don't make me regret it," Celestia said harshly, "And before you get any ideas, this does NOT mean you'll get your weapons back. I refuse to let such dangerous tools be used anywhere".

"Woah, woah, woah," Rainbow Dash said, holding her hooves up, "Why do you need a hunting permit?"

"I prefer to kill my food myself," Twilight said, noticing the stares in her direction, "Have none of you taken notice of my carnivorous teeth?"

Nothing else was said, though Fluttershy left the room for a while. After breakfast, Twilight was allowed outside the castle with her friends, escorted by a few elite guards. Before long, Twilight stopped and turned to her right, and started heading in the direction of a griffin at a meat stall.

"Well, hello there, Princess," The griffin said, bowing, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"My nose guided me over here," Twilight said, "So, I am most curious as to what smells so good".

"Well, I imagine it would be my specialty steak," The griffin said, "Secret family recipe, and topped with spicy, Habanero infused steak sauce".

"Spicy, huh?" Twilight asked, "Mind if I try a bite?"

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, your highness," The griffin said, "Meat wasn't made for ponies".

"I'll be fine, I assure you," Twilight said, "Besides, I'm only asking for one bite".

"Well... very well," The griffin said, slightly reluctantly before giving a slice of steak to Twilight.

Twilight was almost drooling as the full brunt of the smell hit her nose. As soon as the slice was in her magical grasp, she plopped it into her mouth. Her pupils grew almost as wide as her visible sclera as an explosion of flavor occurred in her mouth.

"That's... that's really good," Twilight said excitedly, "How much?"

"Five bits per cut," The griffin said.

Before anyone could react properly, five bits clinked onto the counter.

"I'll take the rest of the cut that slice came from," Twilight said, "And you can count on me coming back whenever I'm in Canterlot".

"A pony who likes my food," The griffin said to himself, "A princess, no less... and she's even willing to come back and buy more... I think I need to lay off the Equestrian ale".