The Price of War

"So," An immediate chill went down Rainbow Dash's spine. It was I bit higher than before, but she'd recognise that voice anywhere. She turned around slowly, fearing who, no, what must be behind her.

"You finally got a stallion."

Rainbow froze instantly, as anger and rage built up inside of her. For the eternal mare she saw standing before her was not Princess Luna in her mind, but none other than Nightmare Moon!

There was a faint navy blue aura swirling around Luna because she had just finished using the invisibility spell. Rainbow Dash took this as a visual warning of a magical strike. Rainbow Dash summoned two kunai in each hoof, and rushed at Luna! She slashed at Luna with one kunai. Surprisingly, the hit landed! The laceration was deep, a thin trail of blood drew from Luna's face!

Twilight was astounded! How could somepony as powerful and skilled as Princess Luna concede the first strike, let alone first blood! Rainbow crouched, and from there, followed up with a swift but powerful back kick to the chin. It sent Luna up into the air! But just as Rainbow Dash was going to finish her off, Luna disintegrated in a flame-like aura.

Of course! An illusion spell! When Luna receded the illusion, she was actually behind Rainbow Dash.

"Well placed kick, any normal pony would be unconscious from that impact force." Rainbow changed her choice of weapon from two kunai to a nine-section chain whip. She wrapped it loosely around her right fore leg, and ran toward Luna. She got about ten metres away, and Luna started to move back. She punched the air and the chain whip unravelled as it flew toward her opponent. Luna caught the chain, and yanked it as hard as she could. Rainbow stumbled for a metre or two as she attempted to hold on to the whip. She dispersed it before Luna could get it and use it against her. She put her hooves together, and inhaled a large breath. Rainbow Dash had fire and wind release element natures, which she used pretty well. She exhaled all at once, and that breath became a fireball technique that flew straight towards Luna. She raised a hoof as her horn glowed, placing a ward in front of her that engulfed the entire fireball technique upon impact. Twilight knew Luna was barely putting any effort into this fight. Rainbow Dash was getting annoyed now. She spread her wings and flew at full speed toward Luna. What followed was a blur of punches from Rainbow Dash, each of which Luna blocked perfectly. Twilight was barely able to follow. Then the right started to move. In a matter of seconds, clouds disappeared, shockwaves were generated, and the peak of a mountain somehow got split in half. Luna had started trying now. The two fighters reappeared on the first cloud. Luna had a serious look on her face.

"If you really want to test yourself," She stepped into a defensive stance.

"I'm ready!" Rainbow Dash smiled. She crouched, preparing to jump toward Luna. At that moment Twilight took it upon herself to stop the fight before it got too serious. She encased her hooves with as much magic as she could spare. She jumped in the middle, just as Rainbow Dash and Luna threw their punches at each other. On the left, Luna's hoof connected with Twilight's fore leg. On the right, Twilight caught Rainbow Dash's punch in her hoof. Their was silence as both fighters tried to figure out how Twilight had pulled this off, even with the magic protecting her hooves. When Luna and Rainbow Dash withdrew their hooves, Twilight receded her magic. Her left hoof dropped to her side, obviously severely damaged. She stood up slowly and looked at both her friend, and her mentor.

"You two done?" The silence continued, serving as her answer. "Good," She turned to face Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash, Princess Luna and I want the same. Neither of us are your enemies. We're only asking for your help." Rainbow Dash's face was blank. Then, she responded.

"Help with what?" Twilight was satisfied with that.

"Princess?" Luna stepped in front of Twilight and, as she thought about it, started to heal Twilight's damaged fore leg.

"Equestria is on the verge of all-out war with Monfoalia, and we need a team of Specialists to help defend against external threats, and sometimes even those from within. My sister and I have already chosen these candidates, we just need to find and persuade them." Rainbow Dash realised what Luna was saying.

"And you think... I'm one of them?" She was actually quite confused. "Why?"

"Because, Rainbow Dash, you're fighting capabilities are exceptional and you try to evaluate your opponent as you fight them, as opposed to just jumping in, not knowing what you face." Rainbow was looking a bit smug.

"However,"

"Hmm?" Twilight almost laughed at her friend's reaction. She had recharged enough magic to begin healing her injured fore leg herself. She indicated to Luna that it was ok, she would do it herself. She was quite surprised at this.

"You lack the ability to know when you are outclassed and outmatched. You just tried to fight seriously with me! Your pride clouds your judgment, meaning you refuse to back down, and you start fights even if you know you cannot win." Rainbow was taking all this in. Twilight was almost finished healing her fore leg.

"However, you're an exceptionally strong fighter, possibly the strongest in Cloudsdale; that is why my sister and I believe you are suitable for the Specialist Unit.

"What do you say to that, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow was thinking.

"This is the only reasonable way I will acquire the strength to protect Cloudsdale from the Monfoalian armies, I will not let harm come to my home..." Twilight waited to hear her friends response. She was on edge during that short time. Finally, she replied,

"I accept your offer."