A War of Desperate Measures

A/N: This is the first MLP fic I have ever written. Criticism is greatly appreciated. If you see any mistakes please let me know. This story is rated mature for later chapters. Without further ado, enjoy.

Prologue:

Awake My Child

What had Princess Celestia told me all that time ago? War brings peace? No, that isn't right. War is futile? No...crud. What did she say?! Ah! War isn't the answer. That is what she had told me. Then why do I feel like I was li-

"Rainbow Dash, snap out of it!!! They approach," said a large red stallion with a dirty blond mane and tail.

"Sorry Big Mac. I was...Oh, never mind let's just get this over with." My mind reeled as I saw the approaching army. It was massive. The changlings had taken most of Southern Equestria and that wasn't the worst of it. Not only was the changling army moving in from the south, we had King Sombra's army freshly rebuilt after he somehow escaped again closing in from the north.

"Stay together! Do not! I repeat DO NOT abandon your ground," yelled a blue maned, white stallion I recognized but couldn't put a name with. We did as we were told. We readied our pikes, swords, and bows ready to attack at any moment. I could feel the thundering crash in my ears as the armies approached. I could feel the ground tremble under my hooves as they got closer and closer...I wanted to run. I really wanted to run, but I couldn't. Fear held me in place along with the knowledge that if I did run I was going to die anyway. What better way to die than protecting my friends, family, and country.

"Well Big Mac, I guess this is it huh?" I nervously chuckled trying to stay calm.

"I don't know, but it sure looks to be." He grins down at me and gives me a wink. "Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah, Mac?" He leans in close and I feel my heart beat fast. Within a split second he has his muzzle close enough that I can feel his hot breath against my nose and lips. He kisses me and the world goes black. I can't feel anything. Why can't I feel anything? Why can't I see anything? Am I dead?

***

"Wake up Child! Rainbow Dash! If you don't wake up in three seconds I'm going to nail you with this biscuit! One, two-" My eyes snap open and it nails me right in the side of the head as I begin to move. "Oww, what the hay was that for? P-Princess C-Celestia? I-I'm sorry your highness...i-it won't happen again." I rub the spot that the biscuit contacted.

"I warned you didn't I? Now get up, go shower, and meet me in the Dining Hall straight after. Is that heard?"

"Yes your highness!" I salute her and quickly trot off to the bathing area. Yeah, a nice shower will do me some good. Ugh, I can't believe I fell asleep again. Why does this keep happening? I guess night patrols aren't my thing. I approach the bathing area and realize that I hadn't had the chance to bath since I was given my triple watch duty. Basically a triple watch includes a night, starting at sundown, followed by a full day, and then another whole night. This has been the fourth triple in a row. I should probably tell you that the reason I was woken up by Celestia is because I am now one of her personal servants. Not only that, but a guard as well. I have been at the castle for nearly three years now and have managed to do well so far. Excluding the few times I've fell asleep during my shifts.

"Yeah. I smell terrible. Stupid triples..." I grumble as I strip off my armor, step in the shower, and turn the water on. It strikes my fur and soaks down to my skin. I sigh contently as it warms my body and eases my sore, tense muscles. I wash quickly and step back out. As I dry off I hear hoof steps in the hall just outside the showers. Curiosity gets the best of me and I walk to the doors. I peek out quietly and find Luna sitting at the window across the hall. She has her face buried in her hooves.

"Hey Princess Luna. Are you alright?" I forget about my armor and walk over to her. She looks back at me with reddened eyes as if she had been crying.

"Oh, hey Lieutenant Dash...I was just...no. I'm not alright." I stand next to her and try to smile.

"What's wrong Princess Luna. You can tell me...that is if you want to anyway."

"Well," she says softly. "I feel as if I'm always alone...no matter where I go or what I do no pony sees it fit to just sit and talk to me. Instead, they run and hide. They don't run and hide from Celestia. They don't run from you or the other five...only me." I wrap my wing around her and nuzzle the side of her neck. "Listen Princess Luna."

"Please, just call me Luna."

"Listen...Luna. I'm not running am I? I know how you feel though. You would be surprised if I told you how many ponies run from me. I may be the best flier in Equestria, but I am just as lonely as you are." A noise from our left gets our attention. "Lieutenant Dash! Princess Celestia requires your immediate audience in the Dining Hall. Princess Luna, she would like to see you as well." The brown stallion stands there waiting for a reply.

"Very well, we shall be there in just a moment," Luna answers. He nods and takes back off down the hall which he had came from.

"I guess we'd better go find out what she wants huh," I ask as I grab my armor from where it was hanging and put it on.

"I guess so," Luna replies standing. We quickly make our way into the Dining Hall and I bow as I come before Celestia. Luna merely nods her head and sits on a bench at one of the tables.

"Good of you both to join me. I am in need of discussing a couple of issues with you both." We both nod and I take a seat next to Luna remaining silent for the time being.

"First of all, Rainbow Dash. I have found you asleep six times in the past eight months. That is not acceptable. Each time you had told me you wouldn't fall asleep again while on duty. Yet, here we are once more. The next time I find you asleep while you should be patrolling I shall strip you of your rank, sentence you to fifty lashes, and force you to leave Equestria. Is that understood Lieutenant?"

"Yes, your highness. I apologize Princess." I stand bowing my head and closing my eyes. Dammit, I have to be more careful. I need this job...I can't get banished. I'll not only lose my only source of income, but I'll lose all my friends as well. I bring my head back up as Celestia stands and walks towards where we are sitting. As she approaches I freeze, unable to move as her eyes dig daggers into my soul.

"Sister," She says finally reaching us and turning to face Luna. "Would you be so kind as to keep an eye on Rainbow Dash in the next few weeks, reporting back all of her activities to me and me alone?"

"Of course Sister." Luna replies. I can see by the look on her face that she isn't happy about that.

"Very good. Rainbow Dash, you are dismissed. I expect to see you two hours before sunset in my chambers. Now then, off you go." I bow once more and turn leaving the two of them discussing whatever it was they needed to discuss. I snag an apple off the table as I pass it and head out the doors going to my own living quarters. "Well, I guess that could have been worse." I said this out loud not even caring who heard and took a bite of my apple. "She could have already had me buck off, but I did get lucky...Oh jeez, speaking of getting lucky...I haven't been laid in months!!!" I blush and quicken my pace. I really hope no pony heard me say that. I finally make it to my quarters and slip inside, closing and locking the door behind me before making my way to the bed and crashing.