Guardsmare Twilight

Training went by fast, and the end was finally in sight, and everypony had calmed down after the attack. Things were not so peaceful in Canterlot, however. News had spread about an armed altercation between hired mercenaries and the guard and the attack on Twilight. A large-scale investigation was set in motion to find the puppet master behind the attacks against Twilight, and what came to light was far worse than anypony had expected.

Many of the most influential and wealthy nobles had banded together to strengthen their hold on the nation, going so far as to call for the Princess to step down. Most of the country wasn't having it, and after suggesting that it be put to a vote, the situation escalated. A large portion of the Royal Guard used their position to attack the Princess directly, not expecting the rest of the Canterlot Guard, under the command of Shining Armor, to stand in their way. The fight was brief but not any less bloody, and order was soon restored.

The ongoing investigation brought to light many officers in the guard who were on the pay role of those nobles. In Fort Everfree alone, three high-ranking officers were discharged and put on trial. Everypony could see the disappointment on Captain Shield Strike's face; he had worked with these ponies for years and never noticed something was up. It was good to know that the well-being of the recruits was at the forefront of his mind. Twilight had a victorious smile on her muzzle when Cold Comet was dragged away. He was screaming about consequences the entire time before another guard finally stunned him with a spell to shut him up.

All that was left to do was wait for the training to end. Making it this far into training was already proof that you had passed your training; no pony would be sent home at this point. The only question would be your starting rank. Most would start as private, with only a selected few receiving the honour of a promotion to private first class.

Now that graduation approached, the training shifted. After morning physicals, the recruits would spend their day in classrooms, learning about the last bit of theory they would need to be a proper guard. A deep understanding of the law was a requirement to be allowed to enforce law and order. Many of the recruits would continue their training for a position in the military branch, something that took the skills they already learned to a whole new level. Twilight was happy with where she was; she looked forward to living in Ponyville. The Princess had not told her directly, but she figured this was all a setup. Why would she put so many ponies from the town into her squad if she didn't intend to keep them together?

The day was finally here. Families of the recruits arrived all morning to watch their son or daughter become a proper guard. Looking out into the crowd, Twilight could already spot her parents and her two brothers. She missed having Spike around, but a guard training camp was no place for a baby dragon. She dearly hoped he would join her when she moved to Ponyville, but in the end, that was a decision for her parent to make. Twilight might be technically his mother, but things got complicated when she hatched his egg. She was far too young, and her parents took custody of the little dragon. She always saw him as a little brother, but now, with all the growing up she did during training, something more had started to blossom, true motherly feelings she had never felt before.

A slight pang of doubt entered her mind. She had not visited her family once during training, which she also never really did when studying under the Princess. Looking back at it, she could only shake her head. Were books so important to her back then that she ignored her family? Already making plans to visit them regularly, she approached. She had time before she needed to be ready for the ceremony and could spend some of it with them.

"B.B.B.F.F!" she shouted, attracting the attention of three unicorns and one dragon. "Mom, Dad, Spike, it's great to see you all." Without hesitation, she embraced each of them in a big hug.

Nightlight was the first to speak up, the older Unicorn gasping for air once he was released from the hug. "By Celestia, what do they feed you down here? You're more muscular than an earthpony."

She sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, her short mane slightly ruffling before finding her voice again. "Well, I have to keep up with them; without magic, I need other ways to fit in."

That got a gasp out of her mother. Clearly, no pony told them about what happened. In hindsight, Twilight never directly told anypony about it. "Dear, what happened? Are you alright?" It felt good to hear her parents' voices again, and she began nuzzling all of them.

To stop her mother's panicked questioning, Twilight gave her a smile, "Yes, Mom. I don't need my magic to do good. I have friends and ponies who trust and depend on me, and I can still read about magic. I couldn't be happier with where I am now."

That got a mischievous smile out of her brother. "Who are you, and what have you done to my adorable sister?" Twilight could feel his pride in her achievements in his voice, bringing another content smile to her.

She punched him playfully in the shoulder, getting a genuine huff out of him. He was muscular for a unicorn, but even he had to admit, she had him beat in the strength department now. "How is life in Canterlot now? Being Captain of the Guard can't be easy for a pony with so little experience."

"Ha! Little experience she says. I have more fights under my hoofs than anypony out there. After the battle in the castle, they bagged me to take charge. Couldn't leave them hanging now, could I, so I took the position. Trust me, never accept a position of leadership; it's too much work."

"It's too late for that, I'm afraid." Her brother shot her a knowing smile, her parents a confused one. "I'm going to be in charge of a new garrison in Ponyville if the Princess holds up her end of the deal we made." Getting a "She does" from her brother, Twilight continued her explanation to her parents.

Another question soon entered Twilight's mind, something that was important to her now that she got to see her little brother again. 'No, Twilight, he is more than that now,' she corrected herself. "Mom, Dad. I was wondering if I could take Spike back?" She looked to the ground, full well knowing their answer. She was still too young to look out for a foal, or dragon in this case.

"Of course, Twilight, the Princess, had asked if we would be okay with him helping you with your studies and all. It's not that far away from Canterlot, and we can visit often. We know you are close to your little brother and old enough to look out for him. He is not the baby he once was he can look out for himself."

"No, Mom, I mean truly take him back." A small tear rolled down her cheek. "I miss him so much."

Only the tiny claws rapping around her leg stopped her from breaking down in tears entirely. "It's okay, Twilight. I know how you felt about me. I'm your number one assistant, after all."

Silence stood between them, and Twilight was the first to open her mouth. "No, Spike, not like that. You're a great assistant, but you're so much more to me, and I never showed it to you. I want to make this right and be there for you like I should have all this time."

"Twilight dear, this is a monumental decision; if we do this, you can't simply return him once he becomes too much for you. It's a big responsibility," her mother added, concern for her daughter clear in her voice. She had never seen her like this, full of conviction, standing tall even in a situation like this. This was no longer her little Twilight that needed to be protected; no, she was standing on her own four hoofs now. She would not deny her the chance to be reunited with her son. As a mother, she knew precisely how Twilight felt right now. "I will send the papers to you once you settled in."

Twilight embraced her mother in another hug. " Thank you so much. I will take good care of him, trust me. I learned a lot during training, and I'm mature enough to take care of him."

"Twily, you should get going. The ceremony starts soon, and you still have a lot to do."

Twilight let go of her mother, placed her soon-to-be son on her father's back, gave him a quick kiss on the head, and stood to attention, snapping a salute to her brother. "Yes, Sir, right away, Sir." After getting a nod from him, she lowered her hoof and made for the barracks, a tiny tear of joy rolling down her cheek.

"They grow up so fast; I can't believe my little star went from a small little blossom to a beautiful flower in such a short time." Twilight Velvet muttered, rubbing her own tears away with a hoof.

"Now, now, dear, we can still visit her. You said it yourself: She is only a short train ride away." Night Light held his wife close, watching as their daughter vanished into the crowd.

The one hundred and twelve recruits that made it this far were lined up on the large training field. In front of them stood the crowd of gathered families watching intensely as their children became guards. With her eyes forward, Twilight could only hear the oaths being recited by the new guards next to her, the sound getting closer and closer with every passing moment. She only truly paid attention when it was Wind Sheer's turn. Twilight had to keep her proud smile at bay when she heard him getting a promotion to private first class right away. She could only guess how the chain of command would work, but judging by this, she would likely receive the same promotion, and a corporal from a nearby garrison would be in charge. It made sense to have a central command for all the smaller towns of the area.

The voices had come closer again, and judging by the volume, she was up in a few minutes. Taking another deep breath, watching her family's smiles and the eager waving of her soon-to-be son Spike, she couldn't help but let a small smile on her muzzle as well.

"Something funny, Recruit?" She stood straighter immediately, wiping the smile from her face. Reciting the oath of the guard came automatically; it was trained enough to become second nature at this point. "Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle, it is my honour to grant you a place in the guard. Stand proud, Corporal." Her jaw dropped, and time froze. Only the frown on her brother's face brought her back to reality. "I knew you couldn't handle it. Thanks for earning me ten bits."

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'm honoured to receive this promotion and will do my best to live up to the trust put in me."

Twilight again stood tall, letting Shield Strike put the corporal pin on her uniform. "I know you will. You earned this; let no pony tell you otherwise." With a final nod, he continued to the next recruit in line.