*Credit goes to NCmares for the NightMares headcanon idea and the cover art!*
Equestria, having established friendships through Twilight with other nations around the world now has extensive trade networks. These budding, undefended trade routes quickly became favorite targets of pirates, looters, and state enemies looking for easy gains. When the Royal Guard went looking for a solution they found it in the far north. The robust Earth-pony tribe roaming the northernmost woods below the tundra did not disappoint, and the mares were augmented into a weapons platform- the NightMare. This story focuses on a very dedicated former NightMare I&T engineer and his favorite NightMare.