Nighthawk's squad was already in position waiting for him as he galloped towards them wearing a brand new set of red ruby armor. He got closer to the squad and called them all to attention, "This is it guys. This it the time where all of you prove your true colors to Equestria. I understand that you all are cadets, but that's what I don't see in you. I see brave soldiers ready to fight for the kingdom that they love. Don't let opinion stand in your way of victory. Each second is our precious moment to cherish, and I would be a fool not to spend every second cherishing it. Hoorah!"

All the cadets smiled, "Hoorah, sir!"

Nighthawk smiled, "Alrighty, here's the plan, we'll split up into four groups..."

The base began getting to work, Sunny Glider walked in equipped in his armor ready to begin the search. A guard called the entire room to attention as he walked in, "Carry on boys." Sunny said as he got to the main screen, "Give me life signs and status of the squad."

Another guard pulled up the information, "They split up into four groups, three ground one air. Would that be enough?"

With a heavy sigh Sunny closed his eyes, "Let's pray that will be enough."

The forest was dense, barely any sunlight penetrated the trees, a perfect place for someone to hide.

Nighthawk looked around a bit, breathing deeply in the process, "All squads check in?"

Comet was the first on the comm, "Comet here, all accounted for, still no clues."

"Bulk here, nothing out of the ordinary."

"This is Sunshine, the group hasn't spotted anything."

Sunny was transmitting with the group, "This doesn't make any sense, we're getting your signal, but there's something scattering another signal, that we can't locate it."

Comet laugh, "Maybe we should make this like a game. Whoever find this killer first gets first draw during poker night."

One of the guards grinned and looked at Sunny, "Poker night?"

Sunny chuckled, "Something that you will understand another time. Nighthawk, I suggest we-"

Nighthawk stopped, "Hold that thought..." The rest of the group paused, and drew their swords. Nighthawk lowered his hat and activated his mouth guard. All that the group can hear was the vegetation and the breeze. Suddenly he heard a large explosion and a pony fly out of the bushes and land on the ground with a hole in her armor, and a burn mark on her side."

Sunny's eyes shot up, "Where did that come from?"

"I don't know, but I heard the blast as well." Bulk said on the comm.

Nighthawk sighed, "What group was she with?"

Comet and his group jumped out of the bushes and saw the body, "What happened?"

Sunny tilted his head, "So she's not with Comet, not with Bulk and doesn't have the flying equipment?"

Nighthawk shook is head, "She wasn't with mine."

The guard looked at Sunny, "She's not with anyone. That pony was a captive."

Sunny looked at the screen, "Celestia help us."

Sunshine flew by when a dark colored streak of magic shot up in front of her face and strike the wing of another pegasus, making him fall to his death. The others broke formation and prepared to fight. The ground forces drew their weapons except for Nighthawk who turned towards the bushes. He looked at them closely and saw a flash of light...he ducked down and the blast blew a few other soldiers away. Bulk lit up his horn and fired a blast at the bush. As soon as he did, the shadow jumped out, pulled out an axe and swung at a couple other cadets. Nighthawk lit up his horn and shot a blast of his magic at the shadow pushing him into the bushes.

Sunshine and the group formed back up, and fired their weapons into the trees, they went around for another round, but before they could, the shadow materialized in front of Sunshine horn lit up. Nighthawk teleported in between them and the two fired their magic and the power created a super heated ball of energy that exploded, launching Nighthawk and the shadow away.

Nighthawk slid on the ground and drew his weapon. The shadow jumped out with a scythe and swung it at Nighthawk. He teleported and fired another blast, but it went through the shadow like nothing. He brought his saber to a defensive stance and lowered his visor. The shadow fired another blast, but Nighthawk jumped out of the way and charged after him. The shadow swung his scythe to the ground and missed. Nighthawk jumped up and took his saber and stabbed it into its back. Nighthawk flipped back over and shot a powerful beam of his magic pushing the shadow into the trees.

The cadets with their guns began firing into the trees, Nighthawk called a seize fire and raised his visor and guard. He walked up to the shadow and saw a helpless unicorn with broken, crystal clear wings. The unicorn began panting for breath. Nighthawk brought the tip of the blade to the pony, "Who are you?"

"I-I'm the one they they wanted me t-to kill..." The unicorn said.

"Kill who, and why?"

"Th-the two Queens. Changing t-t-times the Darkness will rise." The unicorn closed his eyes and took his last breath Leaving Nighthawk to question what "the Darkness" was.

Back at the base, all of the soldiers and cadets celebrated their wondrous victory over killing the assassin, but something kept hitting on Nighthawk and walked into the office to breathe. He walked up to a window and looked out into the sunset. He began thinking about his friends, about the assassin's statement and about Starfrost.

"You know." Sunny said as he walked into the office, "You have a pretty large crowd out there, possible some new fans."

Nighthawk sighed, "Thanks Sunny Glider, but I'm not in the mood."

"You miss your friends and family, don't you?"

"More than ever." He said as he closed his eyes, "I've just been in thought about what 'The Darkness' is."

Sunny put a hoof on Nighthawk's shoulder, "If there's anything that my cousin taught me. It's to relax. Don't let the future get in the way of your present."

Nighthawk smiled, "Thanks Sunny."

"So are you going to enjoy that party now?" Sunny asked with a smile.

Nighthawk nodded, "You still have the poker tables open?"

The two laughed and walked out of the office, when they got to the steps Comet shouted, "Attention! To Nighthawk, Captain, Commander and dear friend. Without him, we wouldn't be here at all."

Everybody gave a mighty, "Hurrah!"

Nighthawk smiled, "Comet, deal me in my friend." Cheers filled the room as the party continued. Nighthawk thought that the time would be as memorable as ever, but sadly terror was just beginning.

Author's Note

ooh, who is this darkness group?