The Price of War

"Twilight, there is a reason the University failed your test." Twilight was curious now.

"Yes, what was that farfetched reason?"

"Because we asked them to." Twilight Sparkle was left speechless. She began stuttering.

"Yo-y...you did... wh-what??" Luna now tried to calm Twilight's distraught demeanour.

"Twilight, if you'd listen to what I have to say, you'll understa-"

"Why should I listen to you?!! Well?"

"Twilight, I'm-"

"What? You're sorry. You understand what I'm going through? You and Celestia ruined the only chance I will ever have to become somepony who matters!! Now I'm either gonna get killed, or die of boredom!!!

"You two were supposed to be my mentors, I trusted you, and now it's like you've both abandoned me!!" Luna switched in that instant. She looked to the floor between her hooves.

"Twilight, I'm not going to sugarcoat my next words," She looked up, the anger and torment of hundreds of years all directed at Twilight. "You wouldn't have gotten in anyway! Your ego constantly clouds your judgment and makes you overconfident in everything you do!!" This shut the young mare right up, she had never expected to see this side of Luna directed at her of all ponies! The eternal mare explained her and Celestia's choice.

"Tension is ever-increasing between us and The Crystal Empire, and Japony & Monfoalia; and the *E.D.A.* is in need of a Specialist Unit to protect Equestria, because war is looming on the horizon." Twilight was confused at one thing though.

"Sorry, but I don't exactly know what a 'Specialist Unit' is. Care to elaborate?" Luna answered calmly.

"A Specialist Unit is a select few fighters who are each skilled in a different national fighting style, except for drunken, that's generally widespread and used by those who street fight for small amounts of money or fun. Anyway, back to the point; a Specialist Unit could best Royal Armies in the hundreds before even breaking a sweat. Their skills are unrivalled, except by other Specialists, across the whole country. Add a unique ability to this already broad set of skills, such as Element Control or Teleportation, and you have a near invincible fighter... Celestia and I believe you to be such a possible candidate."

"Hold on a minute!" Twilight Velvet, after being on the outskirts of the conversation for quite a while, finally decided to chime in. "My daughter is not doing that! Especially with the kind of intense training involved. It would destroy her body and mind!!" Luna prepared a response instantly.

"I've considered the personality and physical abilities of each possible candidate. Twilight won't be a soldier, instead she'd be a General or Lieutenant, a figure of intellectual prowess, somepony who thinks more than they fight. A pony who saves lives rather than takes them." Twilight was still sceptical about Luna's proposition.

"Mom. It's the only chance I've got... And I'm taking it." Twilight Velvet stood, stunned at her daughter's sudden change in behaviour and mentality.

"Twilight, honey, you can still manage the library with me, just like we always have."

"Exactly. I've been doing the same things as hobbies for my whole lifetime. I want some variety for once." Twilight Velvet looked disheartened, she knew her daughter was stubborn, and that there was no changing her mind.

"If you're absolutely sure that's what you really want right now... I'm not gonna stop you." Luna looked at Twilight Sparkle and spoke to her telepathically using a mental connection spell.

'I need to speak with your mother alone now; wait outside.'

'Ok.' Twilight started to walk away. 'Wait,' She thought. 'Outside the door, or outside the library?'

'Just outside of the door will be fine. I'll be out there in just a minute.' Twilight acknowledged Luna's request, and waited for her outside the printing room.

"Twilight," the mentally broken mare looked up at Luna. "Your daughter is very intelligent, and I respect your protection of her from the dangers of potential war, but that intellect is the reason we need her to help us. Yes, she will learn to fight, and yes she will eventually lead her own battalion of troops, but she will be safe in Celestia's care. That, I am sure of." After hearing this, Twilight Velvet was less pessimistic towards the prospect of her daughter being trained under the princesses.

"And you're certain of this?" Twilight asked, her voice changed from sad to stern.

"Absolutely. On this you have my word." Twilight smiled.

"Thank you. I trust you will help my little filly become much stronger." Luna chuckled at this.

"Believe me, she will grow in every possible way, shape, and form. She will be gone for a few months, but when she returns she will be a Specialist by the end of this season, and she will be able to protect Ponyville with no help at all. She will be one of the best fighter in this army, and she will lead our fellow soldiers to victory!" Twilight thanked Luna for reassuring her. She picked up her family's treasured blade, the 'Getsukiri', it's name translated from ancient equine to 'Moon Blade'. She walked out of the door, and addressed her daughter, telling her to step outside. Luna reactivated the disguising spell, and followed them out.

Twilight Velvet put her hooves on her daughter's shoulders.

"Twilight, I love you very much, you know that. But Princess Luna is going to take you to Canterlot until autumn, and I want you to have this." She gave the Getsukiri to Twilight Sparkle. "My love for you will never waver. It will remain strong, and protect you like this blade will." Twilight looked at the blade her mother had just given to her with great surprise. She felt along the blade's scabbard. It was solid pine wood with plant-like patterns carved in it. She grabbed hold of the handle, and drew the magnificent weapon. The sword glimmered in the sunlight. Twilight waved it a tiny amount, and there was a quiet whistling sound. A wave of shock and sadness came over her without the slightest warning. Reluctantly, she offered it right back to Twilight Velvet.

"I'm sorry Mom, but... I can't take it. I don't want to hurt other ponies."

"But Twilight, you'll need it to-" She stabbed the blade into the earth.

"Keep it safe for me. Someday, I'll come back and get it." Luna walked out of the Golden Oak Library. She spoke to Twilight Sparkle, resulting in her walking some distance away. Luna turned towards Twilight Velvet.

"I'll protect her, you have my word. One day around the beginning of autumn season I'll bring her back to you, much stronger and wiser than she is now."

"I appreciate this. But don't let her get too used to fighting please; she's a strong pacifist." Luna remembered these statements and nodded.

"I'll see what I can do." Luna and parted ways with Twilight Velvet and caught up with Twilight Sparkle, who was still walking. She turned around and saw her mother rip the Getsukiri out of the ground. She waved, and turned to look where she and Luna were heading. Her mother walked back inside the library, and closed the door.

"So Princess Luna. Where are we going?" Luna pulled out the map, and selected a random dot. She smirked. She had chosen the cyan dot.

"Cloudsdale. To see an old friend of yours."