The first few days became a nightmare for Nighthawk. Ponies not listening, pegasuses not paying attention when they were flying, and even unicorns firing at targets that were not even theirs. He finally had enough with the Battalion, he froze everyone during the morning briefing, not even breaking a sweat, but it gave him a headache. "Here's the problem that i'm seeing, We're not communicating on something that's making each and every one of you blow each other up. So I want to know before this headache gets worse. Why you're frozen in your training?"

All that the cadets can do is breath hoping that he doesn't pick anyone, but one spoke up, "We're new sir!"

Nighthawk grinned and teleported right next to the cadet's face, "Is that so? Then I must be doing something wrong here." All that Nighthawk saw was sweat roll down the cadets face. "So tell me. What am I supposed to do?"

"Have mercy on him sir." another cadet said, "The Crystal Guard is expected to be treated fairly among their officers. Even if we screw up."

Nighthawk began to laugh, "So your telling me that I should just ignore the mistakes made?"

The cadet looked at Nighthawk dead in the eye, "That's what the manual says sir."

Nighthawk grinned and looked out at all the cadets, "Then how I see this situation to be resolved can be stated like this. You will no longer be considered Rookies, Newbies, or Children! From here on out you will be called Shinnies. Long lasting, disciplined Shinnies! Whoever wrote that manual apparently needs some extra training with the Canterlot Guard."

"That doesn't mean anything Captain!" One of the cadets shouted.

Nighthawk smiled, "And apparently since you want to challenge me, you all will miss out on lunch, and instead, clean your barracks."

Several cadets began to mumble words and phrases, and were unfrozen by Nighthawk, "I'm giving you an opportunity to defend the land you love, the Queen you honor." Nighthawk sighed, "There will be a time where all of your training will be tested, don't waste it. If there was one thing that I learned as a cadet it would be to learn as much as you can, and use it to defend your land."

All the cadets stood up straight and saluted, "Now who's ready to train?" Nighthawk shouted.

"Hurrah!"

"Then get out into that field and lets begin!"

That night, Nighthawk was in a meeting with Cadence and the Equestrian engineer examining some new tech."

"And this will help us how?" Nighthawk asked with a grin.

The engineer moaned, "This tech is top of the line, it will be so much better than what we use now."

"But how?" Cadence began, "My mother, nor Princess Celestia will accept this without knowing what they do."

The engineer pulled out a data pad, and pulled up a picture of armor with two mounted guns, and metal wings, "This little piece will give unicorns or earth ponies the opportunity to fly, and fire weapons.

Nighthawk adjusted his hat, "I implore your work sir, but that discriminates between a pony's true destiny."

"It will not be given to all the ponies in Equestria, just the military."

Cadence coughed, "That will turn into a disaster quicker than you can say please."

Nighthawk nodded, "I agree, unless you have some other policy?"

the engineer frowned and pulled up another picture of just the mounted guns, "How about this, the power of deadly magic on the shoulders of a pegasus, and an earth pony to shoot and kill."

Nighthawk began to laugh, and Cadence didn't know what to say, "What if this tech gets in the wrong hooves. I'm sorry, but no." she said as she and Nighthawk stood up.

The engineer sighed, "Fine be that way, I guess a pony's true destiny will never be found."
Nighthawk stopped behind the door and looked over his shoulder. "Excuse me?"

Cadence turned around, "Blackmail is tolerable by death. You want to take that risk?"

Nighthawk got to the engineer's face and lit up his horn, "I always thought that metal weapons was a bad idea, but apparently we have spears, swords, and arrows, don't you dare say that one's destiny can be found in tech like this, cause let me tell you something." he drew his sword and brought the tip of the blade to his face, "I can bring this down from your eye to your leg faster than you can teleport across this room." He put his sword away but his horn was still lit, "Don't test me."

The engineer slowly nodded, "When can I meet with the Queen?"

Nighthawk took a step back, "Tomorrow morning, but she will never accept this work. I would make note of that."

Author's Note

New tech, new choices...what is to come?