//------------------------------//
// Chapter Six 
// Story: War For Equestria 
// by Nighthawk154780 
//------------------------------//

The next couple weeks seemed difficult for the young unicorn. Being transferred into new quarters, assigned new armor and just trying to fit in to a new training unit. The cadets, however, mocked him for his father leaving him and others feared him during their training but he kept pushing on enough to impress the generals who instructed the courses. He continued impressing whoever he could with his ability to fire burst of magic from his horn and concentrate them into concussive blasts that tore through armor, or weak enough to stun an opponent. Both Celestia and Luna were amazed with his blade skill specifically with a cavalry saber. The swift momentum and precise strike he made became a challenge to other students and soon got him becoming the talk of the class. 
A couple days passed as the cadets kept on their dueling lessons and Nighthawk, again became the victor knocking a pegasus off her hooves and spun his blade aiming it at her neck. “ALLEZ!” The instructor shouted. Nighthawk pulled away and tried to extend a hoof to help her up but she flapped her wings and backed away. “Very well done cadet. You strike with pride, you’re focused as an officer should be. You all can take this as an application. You all are sloppy, uncoordinated and you let your bias get in the way of striking a blow to the enemy. Uncultured!”
Nighthawk raised an eyebrow securing his blade and felt upset over the fact that he’s been down for the count several times after being mocked and grunted in response.
“Not all of us are as uncultured, sir.” A voice echoed out.
Nighthawk tilted his head as the instructor looked around. “Who said that? Who in their gods forsaken mind said that step forward.”
A white unicorn walked out in his silver armor. A blue stripe was seen painted across the chest plate and his blue short cut mane was seen spiked up and across his face similiar to Nighthawk’s. His blue eyes stared daggers at the instructor as he popped to attention. “Sir, cadet Comet Storm reporting as instructed.”
The instructor walked up to the cadet challenging the daggers in his eyes. “Are you telling me that you are one of the fifteen cadets here that isn’t uncultured?”
The unicorn stood still taking a deep breath. “Sir, my words are sacred, respectfully? I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”
“Prove it.” The instructor snapped at Comet. “Do you know this cadet?”
Comet glanced at Nighthawk and nodded, “Sir, I know that he is the son of a missing captain.”
“What else? Tell me something we don't know.”
“Sir, I know that this cadet admires his work with a passion. I see him reading in the mess hall and watch his excellence with a blade.”
The instructor paced around Comet getting up to his face a time or to. “SO! You stalk him.”
“Permission to speak freely?”
“DENIED!”
“Sir, hardly call it stalking, more so watching him. And ensures that he doesn’t pick a fight.”
The instructor laughed as Nighthawk’s facial impression changed from a raised eyebrow to a mere scowl. “Being watched over from a distance? Either this guy is a nut or I’ve really been that quiet.” He thought to himself.
“And that doesn’t make you uncultured?  Cadet Comet, I’m hearing a future officer with no backbone, NO INTEGRITY TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIM!” The instructor screamed in his ear. “You think you can back up what you are saying?”
Comet smirked and looked at the instructor breaking his bearing. “My word is my life, sir.”
Nighthawk chuckled as the instructor smiled. “Cadet Nighthawk. EN GUARD!” He drew his blade and spun it around waiting to attack.
“Cadet Comet. EN SUITH!” Comet smirked and slowly drew his blade and lowered it downward and secured his face guard before the instructor. “ALLEZ!”
Nighthawk nodded his head, lowering his face guard and skipped towards Comet raising his blade and tried to strike his shoulder but was quickly blocked and pushed away as the opponent spun his blade striking for the chest. Nighthawk took a step back and teleported and reappeared slamming the blade down making Comet flip back and the two went at it with a volley of thrusts, parries and even clashes.
After a few minutes Comet ducked dodging Nighthawk’s swing and Comet put some magic into his blade and thrusted towards the cadet’s chest. Upon impact, the blade sparked with lightning, shocking Nighthawk as he fell down and the class was shocked as well as the instructor who called the match. “Impressive. You are true to your word.”
Comet bowed his head as the instructor grabbed some water and lifted Nighthawk’s guard, splashing it on his face to wake him up. “You anticipated, cadet. Uncultured. However, you have spirit granted your past victories, maybe these, ‘children’ will learn a thing or two. Now all of you, get out of my sight!”
The class walked off as Nighthawk was still on the ground and he noticed Comet extend a hoof to him. “Want a hoof bud?”
Nighthawk took his helmet off and winced, taking his hoof and stood up. “Damn good attack, cadet.”
“Oh please, just some stuff I learned. Call me Comet.”
“Right. Name’s…”
“Nighthawk. Trust me I know who you are. Seem to be the talk of the class since you joined up.”
Nighthawk chuckled as the two were walking towards the mess hall. “Oh god tell me about it. This is way different than I thought.”
“Well you are training to be an officer. And with these rumors spreading around they want tough troops.”
“Can’t be that tough can it?”
Comet laughed. “Oh trust me, I’ve been pushing for the captain rank for a few years. This is a different conflict. One that’s gonna turn ugly.”
Nighthawk tilted his head hearing Comet’s fear. “Honestly bud. I hope you're wrong.”
Over the past few weeks Nighthawk and Comet stuck together throughout their training and honestly he never felt happier to have a new friend. For years Nighthawk has trained by himself and had no friends to guide him or to talk to him. Even during his training the rumors of his father going missing didn’t help him much. But the ace unicorn from Canterlot took no care into his father’s actions and focused more on training as an officer and serving their kingdom which is something both of them can agree on.
The day finally arrived for Nighthawk to become an officer. After all the work his class put in, he had no regrets, but felt a little concerned that he wasn't able to unleash the flame. He did, however, learn more than enough to aid the needs of the queen and to protect Equestria if need be. Nighthawk attached his blade, stumbling a little as he had a small flashback of his years as a filly trying to crawl to his father, and again as he was swinging his old wooden sword. Suddenly He was shaken out of his daydream by Comet. “You okay brother?”
“Yeah. Yeah i'm fine.” Nighthawk said re-adjusting his blade.
Another officer walked over to him. “Hey, don’t get soft now. This is something that you’ve been wanting to do right?”
“It is.” Nighthawk replied. “But, it just doesn’t feel right.”
Comet smiled. “Hey. I know it can be hard. But you should be proud of what you just accomplished. I know your father would if he were here.”
Nighthawk chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”
A couple more officers walked up. “Huge understatement bud.”
A younger pegasus walked over adjusting his new officer’s blade. “Okay boys, leave the cadet alone. It’s not like you all have crazy family members.”
The few ponies looked at each other sighing. “He does have a point.” One stated.
“That I do. Now let’s get into formation!”
The new officers slowly marched out amongst the crowd of cadets, troops and several friends and family members. Nighthawk scanned around the crowds noticing Equinox and Luna, but for a split second he had a feeling that his father would be standing right beside them. With a sigh he slowly lowered his head as Celestia walked up to him and lifted his chin with her hoof. “Chin up. Your father would be proud, Ensign.”
Nighthawk smiled and drew his sword blade on command. “Fillies and gentlecolts! I present to you the first promoting class of Equestria’s Officer Corps!” Equinox began, “Although a select few have been pushed through, they have proven to each of us that they have the experience to protect and defend this peaceful land. Lieutenant Iron Breeze, Ensign Stone, Ensign Nighthawk, Ensign Comet Storm. You all have served your class well. May your service to Equestria flourish! General. Command your unit!”
General Firefly turned around and drew his blade. “Class DISMISSED!”
The new officers secured their weapons and cheered as the crowd ran down to congratulate their children, friends and family members. As for Nighthawk he looked around not seeing a lot of familiar faces. A few just gave him a pat on the back and a well done speech. Others asked about his father, but there was one who Nighthawk spotted right away. The same diamond blue eyes, snow white mane and was in a formal dressed nurses uniform smiling at the new Ensign. The two approached and Nighthawk was the first to fall into tears as Starfrost smiled. “I told you. And I’m so very proud of you.”
Nighthawk was at a loss for words and took her hoof before going in for a tight hug and nodded, having second thoughts that there would be no rumored conflicts.