"Have him do it again!" The Captain shouted at the soldier. He looked back at the fainted unicorn who was already kneeling on all fours, and breathing heavily not knowing what to do.

"Sir?" The soldier began, "This cadet can't continue anymore!"

"Let him do it again!" General Firefox bolted out.

The soldier sighed and looked at the tired cadet. "Cadet Nighthawk, please report to the infirmary!"

The Captain and General both grinned, "That was not our order son!" The General shouted.

"I'm not standing around letting this cadet die of dehydration and bruises!"

Nighthawk slowed his breathing and nodded to the soldier, "I'll be fine." he silently whispered to him.

The soldier frowned, slowly nodded and walked off. He looked over his shoulder watching the Captain slowly nod at him. You want to use me as a pawn? Then ill play as a pawn. Nighthawk thought to himself as he drew his sword with his magic. The color was darker than the blue sea and his armor was shining from the suns reflection. He took a deep breath and nodded to the soldier controlling the gate.

The gate started rising, and behind it, a Minotaur, taller than any house that a pony lived in. His horns were sharper than even his sword, and he was strong enough to lift an entire bridge. The beast reared his hind leg and roared like the thunder. Nighthawk activated his mouth guard and began walking around the beast. The minotaur began sliding his right leg in the dirt, ready to charge after his prey. Nighthawk stopped and lowered his visor. Suddenly, the beast ran toward Nighthawk. He lowered his head and teleported above the minotaur. He flipped over and fired a blast of magic at the beast.

The minotaur roared in pain and tried to hit Nighthawk from above. Instead, he teleported again and fired another blast at the beast. The minotaur roared and began charging. Nighthawk drew his sword and dove in between its legs. The minotaur slammed into the wall, sending a shock wave at Nighthawk and sending him across the arena. Nighthawk kept his balance and slid on the ground with his blade aimed at the beast. He began feeling sweat come down his face, his heart pounding, and breath getting heavier by the second. The minotaur turned around and looked down at its chest that had a red scratch that began dripping blood. The creature roared, and scratched at the ground again. This time it was on all fours. Nighthawk closed his eyes and controlled his breathing.

The creature charged after Nighthawk at full force. He fired a blast of his magic to trip the beast. He jumped in air and spun around to face the minotaur with the tip of his blade. He started coming down ready to slaughter the beast when all of a sudden, Nighthawk was pushed back into a wall and was knocked out. The General and Captain looked over and saw a young, white alicorn with a beautiful, pink mane walk to the beast. The two stallions bowed in respect and began wondering why Princess Celestia was doing in the training arena.

Celestia looked at the beast and sighed. She began using her magic to heal the minotaur of its wound, and then looked at the stallions. "The queen wishes to see both of you immediately!" She looked at Nighthawk, "And get this cadet to the Infirmary. He's relieved of duty until further notice."

The Captain nodded and walked off. General Firefox watched the Princess walk off, and then looked at Nighthawk as he got back up and raise his visor and mouth guard. "Is that enough for you! Am I to be a mere pawn in your petty challenges?"

General Firefox looked at Nighthawk with an angered expression as he walked off, never to be seen from him again.

Author's Note

Chapter One, yay!!!