Later that night Phoenix was in a dark office looking out the window and heard a deep sigh from Firefox. “She wants to train him?”
“It was her suggestion. Seems she sees potential in him.”
Firefox nodded, reading Nighthawk’s training file and personal record. “So do we, yet if we do not act on it then this will all be for nothing.”
Phoenix sighed. “It will all be for nothing either way. Nighthawk won’t give in to this cause.”
“Were you not the one who said that he can unleash the flame or join our cause?”
With a hesitated sigh, Firefox could see the panic fall on Phoenix and he slammed his hoof on the desk. “Don't play this card on me, Captain! Can you or can you not get him on our side before this starts?”
“How can I when there’s someone of higher power willing to do the work for us?”
“You forget that she is the one we are needing to get rid of. It is a mere waste. Understand?”
Phoenix looked out the window and noticed a shooting star and he closed his eyes. Firefox sighed and sat down. “What are you thinking?”
He opened his eyes, looking at the file a second time. “I have a way to get rid of her, and to get Nighthawk on our side.”
“Then I suggest you get to it son. Time will not be on our side for long.”
The next morning, the academy was active with cadets marching and singing. The loud PA system ringing with announcements and Nighthawk galloping to the Captain’s office. Inside, Phoenix was reading a couple of files as well as a letter from a contact before he heard a couple knocks at his door. “Enter.”
Nighthawk walked in keeping to his facing movements and stopped at attention giving a salute. “Sir, cadet Nighthawk reporting.”
Phoenix saluted and relaxed. “At ease son.”
Nighthawk relaxed himself, flicking his tail. “You wanted to see me? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine, son.” Phoenix slipped away the first file and revealed Nighthawk’s file. “I wanted to talk to you about your future here.”
Nighthawk blinked and almost out of instinct he took a breath. “Okay I’ll admit I may have tipped off a couple of guys to get me some new armor.”
“Son you….Wait you paid guys to get you armor?”
The two ponies were frozen as Nighthawk broke the silence and coughed. “I know it sounds bad but…”
“No no, I don't care how you get the armor. This is something completely different.”
“Oh. Okay well I guess I can let that off my…”
“Nighthawk you are being reprimanded.” Phoenix blurted out. Suddenly the young cadet truly froze in shock. Unaware of what to even say. “Wh…what?”
Phoenix sighed. “Nighthawk, you’re brave as you are intelligent. Why would you want to waste that away serving and protecting the royal family?”
“Isn’t that what you do?” Nighthawk asked in a confused tone.
“Of course, but this requires discipline and training…”
Nighthawk backed up and blinked, feeling frustrated. “And you dont think I’m not that trained?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Oh don't play with me. All that training to help me unleash a special gift that I can’t pull off.”
“Nighthawk.”
“Come on, be honest with me, is that it?”
Phoenix slammed his hooves on the table, losing his patience. “Enough! You are unfit to serve as a royal guard and always have! Your reprimand is solely on the fact that you have been slacking off!” It took him a second to realize what he just told his own son. For years he saw Nighthawk wobble around as a little filly with a wooden sword, protecting his mother as if he was a guard, and all that he wanted was to serve by his side. Phoenix blinked seeing Nighthawk frozen in the look of pain as if he was just stabbed in the back.
“Y…you didn’t…”
Phoenix shook his head. “Nighthawk.”
“You never…” Nighthawk couldn’t find the words as tears began to fall.
“A Cadet doesn’t shed tears!”
The stallion turned around, lowering his head. “Wh…what cadet? What son? No. All you care about is glory and your fucking work!” He walked off and opened the door as Phoenix blinked. “Cadet, fall back in! Nighthawk!” He slammed the door shut and started to panic. He took a breath and ran off in anger.
Mere seconds later Nighthawk stormed into the house spooking Penelope who tilted her head watching her master pace around the room in tears hearing only the screams of his training and hearing what his father said before striking that finishing blow. “You’re right…he is not worthy…” Nighthawk screamed as his horn lit up and began trashing up the home. He began flipping the table in sheer rage as Penelope flapped her wings and screeched.
Suddenly Nighthawk fired a concussion blast into the wall knocking off a portrait of the family. He heard the crack and froze, looking down he slowly picked up the picture and noticed a crack across the picture of his mother. Tears began to form as he sat down and began crying, cradling the picture tight. Penelope chirped, flapping her wings to Nighthawk and slowly cooed to help calm the crying stallion.
That night, Nighthawk was cleaning up some glass from his rage earlier. A knock came from the door and as he answered he could see a concerned Starfrost tilting her head. “N…nighthawk?”
“Starfrost.” Nighthawk said blinking and closing the door on him so she wouldn't see the horrible mess he made. “What brings you here?”
“Your father contacted me. He wanted to know if you were okay?”
“What’s it to him if i'm okay?”
Starfrost sighed and nodded. “That bad huh?”
Nighthawk looked over to the dirty mess and back at Starfrost who walked closer. “Can I come in?”
“As long as you don't mind the mess.” Nighthawk replied backing up. He saw Starfrost smile and walked in looking around and nodded. “Hmm…not too bad. Tell you what, you offered me a dinner date, so let’s have it.” She closed her eyes and her horn began to shine and out of thin air two dinner dishes appeared in front of her and she placed them on the table. Penelope perked up and tilted her head seeing the stunt in her cage.
“Wait you want to have it he…”
“Hush and sit.” Starfrost barked, making him chuckle. “I don't want to see you this sad, so let's start with what happened.”
Nighthawk sat down and gave her the rundown about what happened throughout his training and the meeting he had with Phoenix that made him storm out. “And…well, you should know the rest.”
Starfrost nodded and lowered her fork, finishing her dish, “Hmm…So he’s removing you because of your training or he doesn't think you're ready?”
“Both I suppose. But who am I kidding, he’s right.”
“How?”
“Because I'm not even worthy of…”
“The rumored Phoenix flame?” Starfrost finished shocking Nighthawk and Penelope who screeched from the name.
“How do you know that?”
Starfrost chuckled while playing with her mane. “I…umm…may have requested the training reports for medical checks?”
Nighthawk sighed and nodded. “Well there you go.”
“But that doesn't answer my question dear. How is your father right about your training?”
“What do you think? I'm a worthless unicorn who doesn't have the talent that he has and he’s given up on that idea.”
“Have you given up?”
Nighthawk took a bite of his food, not willing to answer the question and merely lowered his head.
“Nighthawk, as a nurse it's my job to ensure the health and safety of all the trainees and instructors in this academy. Do you think that's an easy task?”
With a chuckle, Nighthawk replied. “Well, I bet you get away with that with how beautiful you look.”
Starfrost blushed and coughed. “My point, smart ass, is that If I were to drop everything and give up over one patient, then I wouldn't be saving lives. Not unless I can prove that they are wrong.”
Nighthawk blinked and tilted his head. “You think I should prove him wrong?”
She nodded and moved her hoof closer to his. “If you truly think that you can become a member of the Royal Guard, and wield this flame. Then you do it. It doesn't matter what your father thinks.”
With a reassuring smile Nighthawk took Starfrost’s hoof and nodded. “Th…thanks Starfrost.”
She smiled and hopped down, giving Nighthawk a hug and nuzzled his nose. “If it makes you feel better I think you will be the best guard out there.”
Nighthawk felt better and nodded before hearing a knock at the door. He walked up and upon opening the door he blinked seeing a pegasus pony in a silver officer's uniform and noticed the three golden stars across his collar. “Cadet Nighthawk?”
Nighthawk blinked and snapped to attention. “S..sir?”
The officer motioned him to relax. “General Firefly, Canterlot Council. I need you to come with me. It’s about your father.”
Nighthawk blinked as Starfrost walked beside him. “Wh…what about him?” He asked with concern.
“He’s missing. The queen would like to speak with you right away.”