The next day, Nighthawk was out early on the training field getting started on his daily routine when Princess Celestia came to check in on him. Penelope turned her head and began squawking at him. Nighthawk ran over and bowed, "Why Princess Celestia. What brings you here?"

Celestia smiled, "Just came to see how you were doing. And please, enough of the princess thing with me and my sister. We've been friends for too long for you do that."

Nighthawk sighed, "I guess you're right."

"You guess?"

"Have you seen the Captain this morning?"

Celestia grinned, "Why no I haven't. Did something happen?"

Nighthawk lowered his head, "We got into a fight about the whole dropout issue last night, and now I don't think I'll be able to see him again."

He closed his eyes trying to hold back a tear, but felt Celestia's hoof under his chin and his head go up, "Chin up Nighthawk, I'm sure you'll see him again. And as for the dropout issue. The queen wants to talk to you about that."

Nighthawk grinned, as Celestia walked off, "What is there to talk about?"

She laughed and looked over her shoulder, "That's something for you to find out. Oh, I suggest you look presentable."

Nighthawk and Penelope looked at one another in confusion and then looked at his dirty hooves. "Was it something I said?" He asked Penelope.

In the throne room, the Queen was busy working on some papers with Celestia while Luna was doing some sword practice with another pony in shining, light blue armor and a crystal saber. One of the guards bowed, "Excuse me my Lady, but cadet Nighthawk has come to see you."

She saw Nighthawk and nodded, "Very well sir, thank you."

Nighthawk turned over to observe the fight that was happening. The two fighters clashed swords and tested their strength. Their horns began getting brighter. Suddenly, the pony put all of her force into the sword and pushed Luna back with a blue slash of light shining in the center.

The Queen smiled, "Very well done you two."

Nighthawk nodded, "Excellent work. What were you doing though?"

Luna took off her helmet, "Sword practice my friend."

"Then who's the one in the crystal armor?"

Celestia put out a faint chuckle. "Nighthawk, meet Princess Cadence, daughter of Queen Mi Amore Cadenza."

Nighthawk grinned, "The queen of the Crystal Empire up North?"

"Precisely." Cadence said as she took her helmet off. Cadence looked beautiful, her colorful mane reminded him of cotton candy, and her velvet eyes, brighter than a sapphire.

"The young princess has been friends with my daughters for a while. They make a great group." The queen said as she stood up out of her seat.

Nighthawk bowed to the princess, "Well, any friend of the princesses has my respects."

Cadence smiled, "Thank you cadet, I will keep that in mind."

"Will you three excuse us for a few minutes?" The Queen asked with a smile.

After the three princesses walked off, Nighthawk grinned, "So why did you want to see me?"

The Queen smiled, "I suppose you have heard of several prophecies during your class training?"

"Yes?" Nighthawk said sounding confused, "What does that have to do with me being here?"

"Did you hear of the sacred prophecy of the Defender of Equestria?"

Nighthawk rolled his eyes, "A legendary defender of fire will spare the world of Equestria from a war with the help of six other defenders. I practically lived off of that story."

The Queen laughed, "Oh there's much more to that story than you think."

"What do you mean?"

"Nighthawk, the council has seen potential in you. They believe that you are the legendary defender?"

Nighthawk laughed, "Me? I'm sorry my Lady, but I can't possibly be the one."

"Oh?"

"Well look at me. I'm not even ready to command a squad, and according to my cutie mark, I'm a fighter of fire. At least..." Nighthawk looked out of the window, "That's what my father always told me?"

The Queen grinned, "You don't even know what your cutie mark means?"

Nighthawk was always told that his mark made him a fighter of fire, symbolized by a phoenix. His mark, with a phoenix symbol with fiery wings meant something more to him, but he never knew what.

"My dear Nighthawk." The Queen began with a sigh, "This prophecy states more than just a defender of fire. This defender is also stated to be courageous, kind, and loving to all of Equestria. You alone have proven all of those traits to me alone."

Nighthawk lowered his head and sighed. "Please Nighthawk, the prophecy chose you to be its defender, and you lack faith in the matter." The queen said as she knelt down. He looked at her eye to eye, "Think about it cadet. And come back to me tomorrow."

Author's Note

Will he accept his true destiny, or hold back...?