The more Twilight explained herself, Faye Lau became more and more interested. After about forty-five minutes of talking, and with a small break for a magic demonstration (Involving a coffee cup and a 9mm pistol) she sighed.

"That's pretty much it." Twilight said.

"So, this...mirror portal...when you tried to enter it, thinking you were going to a equine/human combo high school, you ended up here?" Nick asked.

"Yeah." Twilight replied.

"And where you're from, you are also royalty?" Harper asked, shocked.

"Yeah, that too." Twilight said.

"Well, Miss, I think It would be best if you stayed with us for the moment. Ever since the Clear Sky incursion, we've had trouble getting supply flights out of Manhattan. So, if you want to stay safe, you should stay here." Captain Benitez said.

"Fine." Twilight said.

"Wait, Lau? Not to screw this whole thing up, but people are gonna find out sooner or later. The best place for her isn't here." Nick said.

"What's better than the safest place in Manhattan?" Adam asked.

"On my squad." Nick said.

"Wait! I mean, I've never shot anyone, I can't even shoot a gun straight..." Twilight said hastily.

"First time for everything." Nick said. "Listen. We can't keep you cooped up here, we're already low on supplies as is. I don't think we have the kind of tech needed to build an inter-dimensional portal. And from what I've heard from you, your magic doesn't always work when you need it. So, in my opinion, if she wants to stay, she needs to do what's she's capable of to help." Nick said.

"I have to agree, Lau. I mean, we need all the help we can get!" Logan said, and Dimitri and Harper nodded.

"Miss Twilight, do you agree to this?"

Twilight sighed.

"I guess I have no other choice. Fine. I accept." Twilight said, standing up.

"Then welcome, Agent." Lau said, shaking Twilight's hand. "Let's get you kitted up."

========================================================================================
"Focus, Twilight." Nick repeated, for the umpteenth time. He was currently teaching Twilight how to shoot, inside the Security Wing Firing Range, and suffice to say, it wasn't going well. Twilight had nearly dropped the Police M4 she had been given upon firing it for the first time.

"If she's going to be in the SHD, she really needs to get the basics down." Nick said. Twilight continued to fire at the targets, missing more than she hit. She emptied the magazine, and reloaded rather slowly.

"Twilight..." Nick said. "You can't take your time when reloading. By the time you've finished, you're going to be dead. It'll become instinct when you really learn how to do it. For now, reload and keep shooting."

"Alright..." Twilight said, still unsure of her performance. After fifteen minutes, she had managed to drop a few targets, but she was still rusty. Upon reaching the forty-five minute mark, she set her rifle down, along with her head. Nick walked over and crouched next to her.

"Listen, Twilight. We need to keep going. Trust me, I wasn't as good of a shot as I am now. My firearms training when I arrived in New York was shooting a couple of bottles. I didn't have this luxury when I first got here. Take advantage of it. So, shall we?"

Twilight groaned, stood up, and loaded her M4 once more. She fired a few more bursts, and after twenty minutes, she seemed to be more comfortable holding and shooting the rifle.

"Good enough." Nick said as Twilight set down her rifle, after managing to down all the targets in less than two minutes. "Let's get you some proper clothing."

=======================================================================================
After thirty minutes, Twilight stepped out of the bathroom and into the light. She was clad in a pair of black hiking pants, a white t-shirt, purple jacket, and a ballistic vest, with knee pads and gloves. A rucksack completed the set. Her hair had been done in a combat style. Harper walked over and smiled.

"You look good, Agent." She said, and Twilight blushed.

"Yeah. Not exactly my style, but It'll suit."

"Until you get better gear, that is." Harper said.

"What do you mean by that? " Twilight asked.

"Often, Agents will appropriate weapons and gear from fallen foes for personal use or repairs to current gear. You know that Jacket Nick wears? He got that off a Looter in a clothing store." Harper said.

"You steal from dead humans?" Twilight asked, shocked.

"Scavenge, more like. Often, we have to so we can repair or donate old gear to folks who need it." Harper said. "Warm clothing, like pretty much everything else, is in short supply here. Anyway, let's get you some actual firepower."

As they walked through the base towards the Armory, Twilight sighed.

"What's wrong?" Harper asked.

"Just thinking of my friends back home." Twilight said.

"They'll be fine." Harper said. As they entered the armory, the rest of Nick's team was waiting.

"Here. Got these for you." Nick said, holding out a M9 Sidearm, which Twilight holstered.

"Beretta M9FS. Standard JTF sidearm. 9MM rounds, use this up close." Nick said, and he then handed her a MP5, which Twilight shouldered.

"MP5 SMG. Same caliber as the sidearm. Fires faster and hits harder. Easily modifiable." Nick said. At that moment, Lau walked in.

"You kitted, Agent?" She asked Twilight, who nodded.

"Great. Rookie, got a new mission for you. We've got a new nest of Cleaners camped in the NY Boardwalk, and they're getting at our supply shipments straight from Brooklyn. Get in there and cut off the flow." Lau said.

"Copy that. Sierra-Kilo! Let's get a move on!" Nick said. As the team walked out, it began to snow lightly in the sky.

Author's Note

Sorry for the lack of updates.

Next chapter-The Sea Cleaners.

EDIT-5-10-17-Added the firearms training scene.