Day Dreams

Mani couldn't keep his eyes open, and by the looks of it, neither could most of the other guards. "Why are we awake at 12 in the morning Jack?" He asked. Normally Mani would be fine being awake at midnight, but getting up at six in the morning and running around since then kind of changed that.

Jack had to suppress a yawn himself. It was late and none of them had much more than a two or a three hour nap. But that didn't matter, once they did this one thing they could all come back and sleep for a while. Well, most of them anyway.

“I told you guys earlier. We need to act like apes. You had some question about what I meant so let me elaborate. In my world there's a set of tactics called 'guerrilla warfare,' it's a type of asymmetric fighting that's useful for smaller, and less developed armies. A large amount of this kind of fighting is just harassment of your enemy. Like a gorilla throwing leaves and mud from the jungle. That's what we're going to do now. Harass them.” For a moment, Jack felt like Twilight explaining a military history lesson.

“We're going to head to the camp in force, and hide in the shadows, not far from these lines of trees and rocks.” Jack pointed to two areas on the Northwest and South side of the camp. “Our two archers will set up here and here. Green Hoof, and half the team will head to the South and take out a few of the guards on patrol from a distance. Leucepiee and the other half of our team will head to the Northwest side and do the same. One pony on each side will run in, just barely close enough to be seen and run back out. With some luck, we'll be able to pull a few of them out of camp and pick them off.” Jack sketched some more lines in the dirt, indicating the various directions everyone should try to move in. “The surprise attack should piss them off, and hopefully rally them up.”

With a shake of his head, Mani had to object.“But wont that put them on edge, make them more likely to look for us?” He didn't really like this idea, and it was evident in his tone. He was also annoyed that Jack seemed to have miss this one glaring problem with his plan, an angry enemy is a more dangerous one.

Surprisingly Jack just nodded in agreement. “Exactly, they will spend resources and time trying to find and combat us. That's why our camp is deep inside the tree line. Shining will never send guards in here to look for us. Eventually, all that extra searching will tire them out and make them weaker, even with their full force.”

Though Mani thought he understood, he still had to shake his head, he didn't full agree with Jack's assessment or plan. Yet so far the human had been right. Mani was just going to have to trust him, as it seemed that almost every other pony here did. In the back of his mind he still wondered if it was right to give the 1st Guardsman command.

Once the briefing was done the small group headed out of the grove into the tree maze. Jack stopped Mani from following him, “Mani, I want you to lead the second squad. I need someone I can count on and you do have officer's training.”

Mani looked at Leuceppie and the rest of the team who were now waiting for him. He didn't exactly relish the idea of leading again, but he would do his best. One quick nod of agreement and the two groups separated in different directions. Wind Runner took point of Jack's group as they made their way to the South side.

Green Hoof wasn't much for fighting, but he did know how to aim a bow well. The first paint arrow he fired flew up and landed right on top of a nearly sleeping Royal Guard at the gate.

“What the hell? I'm hit?” He screamed before throwing a short tantrum. Green Hoof and the squad had all the could do to keep from laughing as the Guard slowly and angrily walked off the field.

Around the camp, ponies began to wake up at the sounds of the ex-player's shouting. On the other side of the camp another paint arrow fell from the sky, just missing another Guard who moved at the last minute.

Green Hoof held up the bow for another quick volley while Jack and Wind Runner prepared for the planned distraction.

Deep inside of Shining's personal tent he collapsed into his cot, oblivious to the commotion outside. His body and mind exhausted at the rather hectic and disappointing day, and he had a hard time focusing on anything but sleep.

"Just six hours" He said between yawns as his eyes closed shut.

However they were not closed for long. A pony ran by the front of his tent yelling something about an ambush. Shining's eyes broke open as he ran out to the see what the yelling was about. Apparently half of the tents in the camp had been torn down as his own guards ran back and forth, searching for an invisible assassin.

Pin Point came running by Shining Armor, his attention focused elsewhere.

Shining grabbed at Pin Point and pulled him close, "What's going on, what damage has been done?"

"Sir, three of our guards were taken out in the night, two by raiders from the Night Guard and… one by our own. They've already started walking back to the gate."

“Friendly Fire?!” Shining Growled. They had enough problems with Night and General Guard, they didn't need to be killing themselves off. “How did that happen?”

Pin Point swallowed hard, it was difficult to tell but he was suffering the same lack of sleep as the Captain, and he had his own reasons to be nervous. “I'm sorry sir. But one of our Guards wandered out into the night to find the sniper on the Northwest side. I saw a glint of armor but didn't realize who it was until after I let my own arrow go.”

Shining closed his eyes. He knew Pin Point was a good pony and was or at least would be, one day, a halfway competent leader. Pin Point was just tired like he was, like the rest of them where. Still he needed to be paying more attention. Shining knew he would have to deal with that later. A large bit of white canvas blew past him as the tent in-front of Shining armor collapsed.

"Why are all of our tents knocked down? Was there another fire?"

"No fire sir. The tents falling is on us sir. The guards panicked when we were attacked. I have them repairing the damage now."

Shining took a moment to look around, and walk past a few of the nearby tents. Something bothered him though, nothing appeared to have been taken.

"No supplies were taken?" He asked his second.

"No. We think they might have been after some of the armory equipment, but we're not sure."

“So the sniper hit us from the Northwest? Then there was a raiding party from the south?” Shining tried to put it all together.

“Actually, we think there were two snipers. We were hit from both the Northwest and south. The raiding party seemed to try and rush the armory in the confusion, but they stopped as soon as we spotted them. At least that's what it seems like sir. Some of the Guards went chasing after the pony who approached the armory tents. They haven't reported back yet.”

It took Shining a moment to put all the dots together. "I want ALL of our supplies under double guard from here on out. Nopony is to leave them unattended. Also, I don't want any Guards left alone, minimum of two pair. We need to shut down these raids before we die from a thousand paper cuts.”

“Sir?” Pin Point didn't quite understand the analogy.

“No one gets left alone, also, double the ponies on patrols too.” Shining began to trot away from his second when a thought crossed his mind. “Oh, and Pin Point Get the men together. I want to talk to them in fifteen."

"Sir, it's almost one in the morning." He tried to protest. Most of the Guards were tired, a few might have been exhausted even.

"I don't care. They need to be reminded how to act. I'll be damned if we're going to be harassed by a bunch of night fliers and a bucking ape."

Deep in the dark, moonless plains out of reach from the light of the Royal Guard camp, nine Royal Guards chased after the one bat pony Night Guard who ran ahead of them. This one had broke off from his companions, and would be an easy target once they caught up to them. The Royal Guard had no idea what they would find or see, but it didn't matter. The Night Guard were suppose to be easy targets, and these brave nine would show that.

A swishing sound came from a distant rock line as a paint arrow landed on the backs of one of the Royal Guards, causing him to fall.

Yes, these eight Guards would catch up with that one Night Guard in front.

More paint arrows were let go, two more hits.

The six Royal Guards stopped running at the sound of their three companions complaining about being hit.

On of them began to scream, “What's happening? What-”

*Thwack*

An arrow hit the talking Guard right in the face. “Bucking hell!” She yelled, rubbing her now blue and sore muzzle.

The five Royal Guards didn't know what to make of anything happening around them. Instinctive they bunched up together, trying to protect each of their flanks. None of them could really see in the dark, and the one torch they carried was too dim to light up more than a two meter circle. They were now trapped in a cage of shadows.

In front of them the shadows began to move and flow. From the pitch black abyss another paint arrow took from and slammed on the side of a Royal Guard.

The four watched as the shadows coalesced into five Night Guard who quickly descended on the remaining Royal Guard. The fight was quick and decisive, three of the Guards fell with barely a fight, while the one coward of the mix turned and ran as fast as he could.

Jack had to almost hold Wind Runner back from chasing him down. “Let him go. His story will demoralize them.” He whispered to her.

Back at the Royal Guard camp, Shining was busy tearing into his Guards when one came running up behind him. He was panting, tired and more than a bit unnerved at what just happened to him.

Shining was not amused, “Guard! What are you doing running out in the night!? Were you and your squad under orders for a midnight scouting mission I wasn't aware of.” His words brought up an interesting question, where was the rest of his squad?

“S-sorry sir. We saw somepony and ran out to catch them. They picked us off and surrounded us. It was like they were part of the shadows.” He whispered meekly.

At least a few Guards felt their heart beat quicken or even skip at the wayward Guard's words. Shining was quick to sense the change in his troops and was very quick to nip it in the butt before it could do any lasting damage.

“Unbelievable. Are you thick soldier? Do you have some kind of disorder that inhibits your thinking abilities? Bat ponies can see in the dark! Far better than any of you can. Engaging them at night is foolish and you're safer in your tents than outside.” Shining stamped his hoof on the ground. Signifying he was serious and agitated. He left the Royal Guard less than three years ago, yet they had already forgotten all of his training and were as sloppy as the day he first entered their ranks as a rookie. Possibly worse. Any discipline he had once instilled in them seems to have faded under their last failed Captain.

Around Shining the Guards began to look at the ground in shame. None of them had really considered any of this when they running about.

“Now. I'm going to give all of you a lecture on the tactics of fighting at night and how to stay as a cohesive group. No one will sleep until I am finished. Do you get me?” The Guards affirmed they understood and Shining began rambling off ideas and lessons he taught long before. The lecture went on for over an hour, and he himself wouldn't sleep that morning. There was just too much re-training to do after the lecture was done.

Quickly, morning had come, and three of the Princesses made their way to the viewing area above the gate. Of the group, Cadance was oddly absent.

Maximus and Fire Wall were already in front of the game board when the three arrived. Tanium was nowhere to be seen, and the Day Guard General had excused himself the previous day after his team was defeated. The two remaining generals were in the middle of a rather heated discussion about strategy and each teams choice in hiding. Twilight's ears perked up on hearing the debate and quickly moved over to observe and listen to the two's banter on the finer point of what sounded like hide and seek.

Luna stood just off to the side of her sister, absently gazing at the game board not more than a few meters in front of her. The same seventeen pieces were still off to the side of the board. Still in play, but in an unknown location. The Wonderbolts had been searching for them for the past several hours but had no luck in finding them. Part of Luna wanted to smile, seeing the Night Guard make it to Day 2 was impressive, yet another part of her wanted to frown that it would now take all the longer to talk to Jack.

Celestia quickly noticed her sister's distant gaze. Gently she pushed her hips into Luna's knocking her ever so slightly off balance. Luna quickly moved her hooves to stabilize herself, then quickly look up at her sister who was sticking her tongue out. “Try not to day dream too much, sister.” Celestia smiled, hoping to pick Luna's spirits up even if just slightly. Given the small forced smile on Luna's lips it seemed to work.

The sounds of light hoof steps could be heard coming up from the stairs. "Good morning girls." Cadence yawned between her greetings.

Luna looked to the newly risen sun, silll low on the horizon. With a bit of effort she returned Cadance’s greeting, "It is indeed a pleasant morning."

The pink princess trotted her way to the game board and studies the markers on it. All in all, it didn't look all that different from yesterday. "Has Shining made any moves in the night? How many General and Night Guard remain?" Cadence studied the game board not quite sure what to make of it. "Where are the Night Guard? I don't see their markers?"

Twilight levitated some coffee to her lips and gave it a quick sip before answering Cadance's question. "We aren't sure. The Wonderbolts lost sight of them again, after last night's raid."

"Raid?" Cadence asked.

"Oh? I thought you knew. The Night Guard raided the Royal Guards' camp last night, causing a bunch of commotion. I don't think my brother has had a chance to sleep all night." Twilight laughed slightly. She was sorry for her brother’s misfortune, but at the same time happy that's Jack's team was still in the game.

“Oh, my poor Shining Armor.” Cadance pouted, sad that her husband as apparently suffering, and sad that her own suffering wouldn't be eased till later. Possibly even tomorrow.

Fire Wall gave a hearty laugh as Maximus walked away from the board, clearly annoyed. "This is turning out to be an interesting game. I wonder what other tricks my Night Guard will show us?" Fire Wall spoke as a pegasus flew down to adjust some of the pieces on the board.

Only a a few hours after sunrise, the Night Guard had awoken amidst their arbor fortified encampment. Most had gotten at least six hours sleep. They were a bit sleepy, but compared to the suffering Royal Guard, were wide awake and ready to move. So move they did, as Jack sent them out on a combination of reconnaissance runs and harassment raids against the Royal Guard's scouting parties.

As the morning burned away to early afternoon, the Night Guard began to return from their own missions, disappointed. The raids so far haven't been much of a success, and Jack eagerly awaited the return of his second raiding party, while Wind and Star went over the report of their own recon mission.

“You're sure?” Jack asked Wind Runner again, for the second time.

“Bucking hell! Yes I'm sure! This is where the General Guard made their camp.” Wind Runner tapped her hoof on top of Jack's make shift dirt map again. The spot was far away from the Royal Guard's and the Night Guard's encampments. In fact it was as close to the edge of the map as you could get and seemed to straddle the Night Guard and General Guard's quadrants. It was well hidden in a small valley between some larger hills. A good location, if you were looking to hide.

This proved to be a potential fortuitous turn of events. Since last night the Royal Guard had upped it's patrols into the Night Guard's original starting area and had almost stopped hunting for the General Guard all together. From what Wind Runner had relayed the General Guard's camp was dark, no fires. They clearly didn't want to be discovered. Also, their numbers appeared to be much lower than originally thought on par with the Night Guards own.

Jack had no desire to fight the General Guard. They just didn't really have the numbers for it, but given how well they were hidden there was the real possibility they might last till the end of the game, damaging the Night Guard's chances for winning. It was a complex problem, one that he didn't have an answer for just yet.

*Crunch*

The sound of Star biting into an apple previously stolen from the Royal Guard brought her into Jack's focus. “Star, you said you saw Break Away in the General Guard's camp?” Jack asked, a bit unsure he had heard their report correctly.

She swallowed, “Yeah, why?”

'She must have been transferred after the shake up.' Jack thought to himself.

“You're friends with her, right?”

A light blush on Star's face suggested that there was a bit more than just friendship between the two of them. “Well, I guess you could say I'm friendly with her.”

That look meant that Star had fucked her at some point. Still, any kind of relationship might help them for what he was planning. “Ok, so you're on speaking terms with her at least?”

Star nodded, and briefly explained their relationship, minus some of the more intimate bits. Wind Runner got impatient with the apparently needless personal drivel.

“What does it matter?” Wind interrupted.

Taking a moment, Jack pieced together his fragmented thoughts into an actual plan. “I think it's time we ask the other underdogs for help.” With that, Jack got up from the log he was sitting on to walk about the camp, gathering his supplies.

Wind Runner rolled her eyes at his statement. “You think they'll just agree to help us? Out of the goodness of their hearts or something?”

A particularly evil smile crossed Jack's lips as he turned to answer her question, “We wont give them the choice.”

After a few minutes of waiting, the rest of the Night Guard had returned from the remaining recon missions, and the minor raid against the Royal Guard's scouting parties. The raiding team didn't have good news to report.

Green Hoof was clearly injured as he limped significantly into camp on his return. The Green pony slowly, and painfully made his way to a soft patch on the ground where he carefully laid down. His eyes wincing as he touched the cool soil and moss below him. A short conversation with the party and it quickly became evident that this raid didn't go over quite as well as the one last night had. The raiding party had taken out one of the Royal Guards, but there was just too many of them this time. Once the mark fell the rest of the Royal Guard quickly spotted them and gave chase. The Night Guard had been able to lose them eventually, but it came at a cost: one of the Night Guard squad, Van Burr had fallen, and Green Hoof twisted his ankle during the chase leaving him in the state he was now.

Jack wasn't too happy to lose one of their squad, their numbers were already so low. To make matters worse, Van was one of the first to volunteer for the raid. He hadn't been particularly skilled or fast, but his willingness was refreshing. They wouldd manage without him, but they were certain to miss the extra set of eyes and hooves. In truth though, Green Hoof's accident was probably the more major setback. He was one of their two archers and arguably the best. While he could still aim and shoot well, he wouldn't be able to run if he was in danger. It would make his next plan that much more dangerous, for all of them.

“Ok, we need to find a Royal Guard patrol or scouting party that's small. Ideally, ten or less. Than-” Jack's statement was interrupted by Mani's shaking head.

“Not going to happen. That was the problem we had earlier. All the Royal Guard scouting groups and patrols are twenty strong, exactly.”

“Since when?”

“Don't know. Probably since last night. Shining upped the number of Guards this morning. Probably knew our numbers were smaller. We tried to attack the one that was about twenty strong, but it didn't work out well.” Mani pointed to Green Hoof for extra emphasis.

It took Jack a moment to process this. The extra guards proved a significant problem for him. He knew his squad could take care of as many as ten guards at once. Pick four to five off from the distance, than swarm them with superior numbers. It had worked so far, but with twenty there was no way to shove their numbers down far enough to make a sneak attack on them viable.

Mani shook his head, “Look, I don't know what your plan was but we can't do any more sneak or direct assaults. We just-” he was cut off by Jack's hand as he came up with a slightly new idea.

“Ok. So we can't take out a scouting squad anymore. We can still do the sneak attack option though, with some varration.” Mani started shaking his head at the idea, but Jack continued. “Hear me out Mani. We'll do what we did at the cave. A small quick group will run in, take out one or two and then pull out. The Royal Guard will give chase and we can lose them, eventually.”

“So we're just going to do more aggressive and dangerous raids now? What if they-” Mani paused at seeing Jack shaking his head.

“No. This is a one time thing, after we're done with this one… we'll figure out what to do about the raids. What we need to do is get the Royal Guard squad to run. Somewhere in back there will be a straggler. There always is. We're going to try and capture them.”

“You mean make them surrender?” Mani asked, not really understanding the plan so far.

“No. Just capture them. We are then going to pass the location of the General Guard to them. Hopefully, they'll take the bait and send the rest of the Royal Guard after them.”

Mani's eyes opened wide, after immediately realizing what Jack was proposing. He had never considered such an idea before or even heard of any other commander doing something like this. It was devious and insidious, but despite that and In truth, it almost sounded brilliant. If they could pull it off. “So we'll get the Royal Guard to destroy the General Guard for us?” He spoke quickly, finally warming up to this plan, even if it was dangerous.

“Yes. But we're going to make sure it hurts when they do, that will be the second part of my plan...”

In short order, Jack mobilized the Night Guard and they took off to an area not far from their camp. A large field where a Royal Guard patrol were just starting their way through.

Just to the sides of the patrol, the majority of the Night Guard stood slightly hidden by tree lines and hills. A perfect spot for an ambush, if the Night Guard's numbers had been just a bit stronger.

From the opposite edge of the field, along a smaller, thinner tree line, Mani poked his head out and aimed the paint bow he borrowed from Leuceppie. Again, he and Wind Runner were going to be the bait. The paint arrow let lose from the bow, flying through the air and impacting a Guard in the front of the group.

As quickly as it flew, the Royal Guard poorly concealed assassins and began to give chase. Mani and Wind made a break through the trees, trying to outrun the slightly slower Royal Guard. A handful of slightly out of shape Guards Trailed behind the disorganized mess running forward

“All going according to plan,” Jack whispered to himself from the tree line opposite Mani and Wind's.

“Yeah, except there's three stragglers, not one.” Star mocked from under her breath.

“Details.”

Jack gave a nod to Green Hoof who was hiding behind a small set of boulders. Placing his hooves on the ground, he began to channel his mana into the grass beneath one of the slower Guard's hooves. Without warning the grass blades shot up and wrapped around the poor Guard's legs and torso, tying him to the ground.

The other stragglers stopped in their tracks, and tried to call out to their fellow Guards who were already past the tree line ahead.

“Ah shit.” One of them called as he did his best to cover the incapacitated guard.

The other guard spotted the glow from Green Hoof's magic and charged after his hiding spot. She raised her sword high as she jumped over the rocks. Only to be shot in the face with a paint arrow.

“Bucking hell! That bucking hurts,” she cried as she held her now blue muzzle.

On the field Jack and his squad slowly made their way to the bound Guard on the ground. The other straggler didn't quite know what to do as he looked around at the slowly advancing Night Guard. Quickly he realized there was no way to beat the fourteen Guard who were approaching him. With little hesitation he looked down at his trapped companion.

“Sorry, Cloudy.” He said and ran off for the tree line, running after his fellow Guards with a speed he hadn't possessed since boot camp.

“Wait! Don't leave! You bucking coward!” Cloudy Days yelled from the tangle of grass as he saw his squad mate running away.

Behind him, he heard the sound of crunching dirt and grass as the Night Guard squad walked up to him slowly. It didn't take long for the sound to stop as they stood right over top of him.

“Buck you ape.” He spat at Jack's feet as the human stood over top of him.

Kneeling down Jack looked the light blue gray pegasus in the eyes, a forced frown on his face. “Aww, that's not a nice thing to say. Especially when I was going to give you such a wonderful gift”

The pegasus' body tightened as he expect the impact of a paint sword against him any moment, but it didn't come. Instead, a round of chuckles could be heard from around him. The laughs corsed through his body like it was a hollow shell, causing his skin to resonate and shake with fear.

His thoughts began to race. 'Why aren't they hitting me? Why haven't they taken me out of the game? Maybe the stories I heard were true? Oh gods! That ape is going to actually kill me and eat me!' He began to shake ever more as the thoughts intensified.

“Oh settle down. I'm not going to hurt you.” The ape's smile and laughter dropped off as he motioned to Green Hoof to let him go.

Cloudy Days felt the tangle of grass loosen as his body was freed from the green tangled jail. He also felt his sword's sheath loosen as it was pulled from his body towards one of the Night Guard around him.

“Wouldn't want you to start swing this and hit one of us.” A purple eyed mare said with a smirk.

Once the pony was free he stood up and quickly ran a few steps from the Night Guard, “You're just going to let me go?” He asked, completely unsure what was actually happening at this point.

“Of course. You can't pass information to Shining Armor if you're a casualty.” The human spoke.

“Information?” He asked.

Jack motioned for the pony to move near a nearby patch of dirt, in which he drew one of his now infamous dirt maps. The Royal Guard's eyes darted between the Night Guard around him, still unsure what exactly was happening. The map on the ground was obviously of the game field but he didn't understand why the human was showing him this.

“This-” Jack pointed to a small circle somewhere between the Night Guard and General Guard's quadrants. “- is where the General Guards camp is. We found them during a patrol. Apparently the whole camp is dark. No torches or fires. I think they're trying to wait out the end of the game, or waiting for an opportunity to attack. Their numbers are less than we expected. Just around twenty we think.”

The Royal Guard had no idea what was happening. He had never heard of another team give out information, or letting another squad's member's go. “I don't understand. Why are you telling me this?” He asked with a mixture of annoyance and fear.

Understanding the pony's fear Jack thought about what he could say to convince him. A set of words crossed his mind and he did all that he could to not to grin like an idiot. Jack gave a quick sigh and as looked into the pony's eyes, “Because the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” In truth Jack had always wanted to say that line, ever since he heard it spoken in that old TV show he used to watch.

“I... I don't understand?”

Jack laughed a bit, trying to further defuse the situation. “You know the Night Guard isn't that strong. We can't beat the General Guard in a one on one fight. But the Royal Guard can do it easily, with few to no losses. We can't win if the General Guard are on the field so we need the Royal Guard to clear them out for us.”

“Ha.” Cloudy Days laughed at the suggestion. “Do your own fighting! The Royal Guard isn't going to help out the Night Guard. That's not how this game works, ape!”

In a surprising gesture, Jack nodded in agreement. “No it isn't, but the Royal Guard is expending resources on scouting for both us and the General Guard. To say nothing of the fight that will happen in time. I'm giving Shining the chance to wipe them out, and free up all his resources to come after me.”

Cloudy Days opened his mouth a few times. Unable to find the words to say what he felt right now. “I-” He paused and sat on his haunches. Looking down at the map he studied the dirt marks once more. His sleepless mind could only iterate the only phrase he seemed to know at the moment, “I don't understand.”

Reaching around, Jack grabbed Cloudy Day's sword from Green Hoof before giving it back to him. “You don't have to.” He said as he gave Cloudy the sword.

Slowly, the pegasus took his sword and backed away from the Night Guard. He still couldn't be sure that this wasn't some kind of weird trap. The Night Guard continued to stand in their semicircle watching Cloudy Days walk back towards the tree line.

“What now, Jack?” Star asked.

“Time to regroup with Mani and Wind before we visit the General Guard. Then, we'll see if I can't work two miracles today.” The human got up and quickly started jogging off to the General Guard's quadrant.

The four members of the Night Guard walked down the sloping hill. Star Screech walked by Jack's side, while Mani and Leucepie walked behind them. The rest of the Night Guard would stay on top of the hill, more a show of force than anything else.

“Why do I have to be in front?” Star complained.

“Because you know one of them, they're more likely not to shoot us with you here… I hope.” Jack tried to convince her, and himself.

In Jack's hand was a large white flag on top of a wooden stick. A common symbol to both species. It didn't take long for the General Guard to notice them, and for their camp to quickly scramble in response to the foreign invader at their door. Their numbers had been razed, and there were now fewer than twenty of them, with no archers present. Just like Wind had reported. That last point was a strong one in their favor. If this didn't go well, the Night Guard at least had a chance to run away.

A single brown colt came out of the camp, intrigued by the white flag the Night Guard were holding. “That's far enough.” He yelled. Just behind him was Break Away.

“So, you're planning on surrendering to us?” The colt asked from a distance.

Slowly, Jack put the flag on the ground. “No. I wanted to talk.”

The colt couldn't help but laugh. “Talk? Talk about what? We're enemies, we're supposed to fight each other not, talk.” All around them, the General Guard began to slowly trot towards them, all their weapons at the ready. The two squads could easily wipe each other out right now, but neither seemed quite so willing to end the game just yet.

“I thought I'd let you know about the Royal Guard's plans, and give you a chance to defend yourselves.” Jack's yelling had calmed down to more of a quiet shout as the General Guard commander continued his slow walk towards them.

“Oh, and why should I listen to you? Did you have a chat with the Royal Guard too? Perhaps Shining Armor made you some crumpets and tea?” He laughed again.

“No.” Jack shook his head. The General Guard slowed it's advance, curious about what the ape and the Night Guard actually had to say.

Jack took the opportunity and thought for a moment about what to say. “Commander, you know neither of us can win the game as it is right now. The Royal Guard are still close to two hundred strong. We're both less than twenty.”

“Oh. So there's less than twenty of you? Why not come down here and the hundred of us will make it quick.” The commander laugh at Jack, not wanting to disclose just how bad his squad was at the moment.

“We both know that's not true, commander...” Jack trailed off, hoping the other leader would fill in the gap with his name.

“Java, Guardsman second class.” Java's eye's winced slightly, as he realized he gave out his rank.

“A second class Guardsman leading? Now I know you can't be that strong.” Jack spoke as the General Guard had surrounded his front.

Java held up his hoof to his Guards, telling them to stop their slow advance for the moment. At the very least he really was curious about what the ape actually wanted. Even if they were destined to wipe each other out, there was no reason to rush it.

“Maybe you're right, ape. Neither of us all that strong right now. Doubt either of our teams will see the winner's pedestal. So what do you actually want?”

“You just said it yourself, neither of us can win this game. As it is anyway, so I'm going to give you the chance to take out as many of the Royal Guard as you can.”

“Why should we agree? Maybe your team should rush into their camp and give us a chance to win.”

This was it. Either Java would take it well, or he wouldn't. He probably wouldn't. Jack took a breath, preparing himself to bolt if he had too. “Because you don't really have a choice. I told you we talked to the Royal Guards already. They know where your camp is and they're probably on their way out here now.”

Java's eyes grew red with anger as his hoof began to shake. “You son of a-”

Jack interrupted his call to arms to say one last thing, “You have the chance to surprise them and take out more than you would otherwise. They're hungry and tired. Even a squad of a hundred strong could be mowed down right now.” That small amount of comfort didn't seem to be enough as Java's rage just seemed to grow.

With one last attempt, Jack tried to disarm the commander, “Strike me down if you wa-”

He wasn't able to finish his statement as Java ran forward and slammed his sword down on top of Jack's own. Leuceppi dropped her bow and readied her sword, with great speed she ran in to help protect her acting Captain. She was quick and strong. With little effort she pushed Java's blade back and forced Jack. But, unfortunately for her, Java was quicker. He pulled his sword back impacted Leuceppi's side in nearly one fluid stroke.

“Bucking hell.” She swore and fell to the ground.

Star opened her mouth, and let out an ear piercing screech causing Java and some his near by Guards to drop their weapons and fell to the ground.

“Come on Jack,” She yelled as she help Jack up to run. Up ahead of them was Mani, who had already taken the opportunity to flee.

For whatever the reason the General Guard didn't follow them very far, stopping at the top of the hill before they walked back down to their camp.

The Night Guard ran, and managed to retreat to some nearby trees, minus their one member. “Buck!” Jack yelled from the safety of a nearby tree line. In the distance, Star saw Leuceppie walk off the field rubbing the red mark on her side.

They were now down to fifteen and had just lost their second archer. Worse yet judging from Green Hoof's worsening limp he wasn't going to be able to walk much more. Not to mention they had no idea what the General Guard would do now.

“What are we going to do now Jack?” Mani asked, the uncertainty in his voice evident to all around.

He needed time to think, so he took a deep breath and poked his head out of the tree line next to Star. Down below he could just make out the edge of the General Guard's camp, all around the Guard scrambled. It looked more like they were organizing, rather than running. Coming back into the line, he looked at Green Hoof as he rubbed his injured leg.

“We wait...” He said before falling down on his ass to think. He knew they'd have to leave soon. They didn't want to be in the area when the Royal Guard showed up for fear of getting caught in the crossfire, but he needed just a moment more to consider what to do, and more importantly, see what the General Guard might do.

Down in the General Guard camp, ponies ran around, not quite sure what to do at this point. Some were trying to grab supplies, others were readying their weapons. Java stood in the center of the camp, looking over his map. He was lost in all the possibilities in front of him right now, and none of them looked particularly good.

'Was it a ruse? Did the Night Guard just lie to them? Maybe that was the trap, try to draw the General Guard out thinking they would fight the Royal Guard only to me raided by the Night Guard.' Thoughts clouded Java's head as he considered what to do.

“What are we going to do?” Break Away asked Java.

Java thought about what they could do. They simply didn't have the numbers to fight the Royal Guard and win. Though in truth that wouldn't change, no matter how much time they had there where no reinforcements in the war games. The human had a point, a good one too. Neither was going to win this game as things were now. The thought of taking more of the Royal Guard with them seemed oddly appealing. The truth was Java wasn't much of a tactician and he spent most of his days hunting down counterfeiters rather than armies, he didn't have the head for this like the other Guards did.

It was only by a bit of misfortune that the original third in command turned captain had promoted him to be his second, before being struck down a Royal Guard's sword. That whole battle was a mess, and it still didn't make much sense to him. First they lost their second, than their captain, followed quickly by their third. They would have been leaderless, if not for those stupid words Java heard before seeing that Day Guard sword come down. No matter how much he tried to justify it, he still felt like a coward for leaving the battle when most of his squad fell. It was only because of the Royal Guard's initial swarm that he was able to run away at all. Part of him wanted to stand and fight, maybe regain some of the honor he felt lost. Still it wasn't just his decision, the fact was he didn't know if could even trust the human.

Turning his head he asked Break Away for some advice, “You said you knew them, that human and the one pony next to them. Do you think we can trust that human ape?”

The pegasus shrugged, “I guess. I trust Star Screech who I know trusts him.” She didn't like to be put in the middle like this, but for whatever reason, Java had made her his second. “I don't particularly like the idea of losing the game, but I don't see how we can win at this point, and hiding just seems… wrong.”

They had managed to do well so far, given their smaller numbers, but they couldn't hide forever. This was a war game, not hide and seek, Java knew this. To hear it from Break Away just further emphasized what he already knew. They needed to do something, otherwise this whole exercise would be a waste. With that, his mind was made up.

“Break Away, gather the troops. We have to prepare.” Java began to trot to their armory to stock up on supplies.

Break Away still wasn't quite sure what they were preparing for, “Prepare, sir?”

“The Royal Guard are coming. We should set up a little welcome party for them.” Java picked up on of the few bows they had salvaged and checked it for damage. They were going to have a surprise ready for when the Royal Guard came. Who knows, maybe with a miracle they could even win? Java couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

The Night Guard slowly made their way back to their camp. Rock Slide had to carry Green Hoof about halfway back. He couldn't walk on his leg any more, and to make matters worse, it appeared to be getting very swollen. There was a chance his spill earlier had actually broken it.

“Oww.” Hoof cried as Rock shifted over a set of rocks.

“Sorry Hoof, didn't mean to do that.” Rock tried to apologize, but Green Hoof just waved his apology away with his good hoof.

Jack looked back at the two as they began to fall behind again. Rock wasn't the quickest of the group, but he wasn't normally this slow. At this point Green Hoof was really starting to slow them all down.

“Patrol.” Wind Runner called back in a somewhat quiet yell. Almost by instinct the Night Guard group had to run off towards some nearby rocks, hoping to hide behind them. Green Hoof, did all he could to not cry out in pain as Rock ran and bounced under him.

From the safety of the rocks Jack peeked around one of the large boulders right as the Royal Guard began to march across the field. There in front their numbers were swollen, at least fifty in total, no more like sixty, he though to himself.

“I guess Shining Armor listened to your message?” Mani whispered in Jack's ear.

The sound of the Royal Guard's marching grew ever louder and Jack made it a point to duck behind the rocks entirely. Off to the side, Green Hoof began to cry from the sharp pain in his hoof which now began to radiate up his side. It was only slight and thankfully he was silent. Jack couldn't help but look at his swollen hoof and leg, and the slightly black and blue skin which could now be seen beyond the green fur. The leg didn't look infected, but the pony definitely had ligament damage if not an out right break.

The ground beneath Jack's ass began to tremble as the large group of Royal Guard crossed the minima of distance between them. Their marching never slowed and never stopped. They had a mission to complete, and they would see it done before sunset.

After a few moments they began to pass, and slowly their hoof beats grew softer, and the ground stopped shaking. Mani let out a breath he had been holding once their march was little more than a quiet whisper on the wind. Jack held his squad there for a few moments more, popping his head up slowly, only once the marching noise had died completely. There way off in the distance, the last of the Royal Guard walked down a hill and disappeared from view.

“Ouch!” Green Hoof's cries brought Jack's eyes back to his squad as he saw Rock Slide try and pick him up.

“Green Hoof. Are you ok?” Jack asked the injured pony.

Hoof looked at Jack through watering eyes. He was clearly in pain, but he nodded through it anyway. “I-I'm fine.” He insisted.

Jack looked up at the sky for any over head Wonderbolts, but there weren't any around. The Night Guard were as usual, unobserved.

Realizing what Jack wanted to do, Green Hoof begged him, “Jack. Please don't.” He pleaded to him from on top of Rock Slide's back. “Please, I want to see this game to the end.”

“Are you sure? You're clearly in pain, and to be blunt… you're slowing us down.” Jack was as concerned for Hoof as much as the game. If Green Hoof wasn't able to move, he wouldn't be much use.

“Please.” He begged again. “I can keep it together till the end. Besides, even with my leg, I'm still the best archer you have.”

That was true. For better or worse, Green hoof was their best, archer, and now that Lecueppie was taken out of the game, really their only archer. Jack kicked himself for bringing her down to meet with the General Guard at all. Though to be fair, if it wasn't her, it would have been someone else.

With a forced smile Jack nodded his head in agreement. “Ok, but if you can't make it back to camp, I'm going to have to get you out of the game. This isn't worth permanent injury.”

With that the Night Guard made their final way back to camp. Neither stopping nor slowing along the way. Green Hoof picked up a branch along the way and spent his time biting into the hard wood, rather than yelling. It tasted like dirt and dead wood, but had the subtle hint of something sweeter, victory. At least, that's what he convinced himself of.

A short time later.

*Burrrrrr*

Off in the distance, the game horn blew, signaling the defeat of the General Guard. The Royal Guard had won the battle, no real surprise there. Though the magnitude of their win would seem closer to a failure when the remaining forces walked back to the Royal Camp.

The squad of sixty strong had been cut down to nine. The ambush by the General Guard had not been expected. Cloudy Days walked back to the Royal Camp, thankful he was still active in the game, but cursing himself for listening to that damned ape.

“Sir, we beat the General Guard, but there were losses.” Cloudy Days tried to keep from stammering as he talked to his sleepless and annoyed captain. “I-I just want to say that this strike was necessary sir. Even with the losses.”

“How many, exactly, were lost?” Shining asked, his red and tired eyes burned, and his stomach growled in need. Of course taking care of the General Guard was necessary to win the game. Cloudy Days didn't need to tell him that. This attack needed to be done, losses be damned. Yet he couldn't celebrate or cheer. The cost had been far to great for that.

“51 sir. Including Silver Leaf, who was the new third in command.”

Shining sat back on his pillow as he tried to put all the data together in his head, but all that came up was a sleep deprived fog. He just couldn't do the math in his current state. “How many, exactly, of us are left?”, he asked with no small amount of irritation.

“118 sir.” Pin Point read off the roster in front of him.

*Slam*

Shining Armor dropped his hoof on the table, shocking both Cloudy Days and Pin Point. Slowly he stood up from his pillow and wandered around the tent, lost in sleepless thought. Finally, after a few moments of consideration he sighed and spoke, “I'm going to need a new third. You want the position?” Shining's tired eyes turned to look at Cloudy Days.

For a moment Cloudy didn't know what to think, he looked down at his chest plate, double checking if his two bars were still there. “Sir. I'd be honored, but I'm only a 2nd Guardsman.”

The Captain snorted in response. “So far this game has been anything but traditional. Who knows, perhaps your insight will be better than Silver Leaf's.”

Cloudy Days swallowed and looked down. It was only with his information that Silver Leaf had even suggested that they make the attack anyway. He couldn't help but feel a bit responsible for that... win. If you could even call it that. Still, he swallowed and nodded his head.

Shining gave a quick nod of his own before returning his attention to the map bellow him. He had been studying this parchment in depth for the past few hours, trying to isolate where exactly the Night Guard had been hiding. For a moment, a feature at the edge of the map caught his attention, and his mind drifted to his wife as he though about what she would be doing right now...

High above the gate the Princesses and Generals heard the clock tower chime five times. It was late in the afternoon, normally all the Princesses would have returned to the castle long before now, but the recent game developments proved more interesting than castle and court matters.

Maximus sat in front of the board with Fire Wall at his side. The expression on his face was solemn and unreadable.

“Well, I suppose that's that.” He said as the pegasus in front of him removed the last of the General Guard markers from the board.

A smile crossed his lips as he remembered the number the Wonderbolt reported back '51'. His nineteen remaining Guards had taken out fifty-one of the enemy. Not a bad score, all things considered, plus they had the captures and kills from the initial battle. His team was at a score of 201.

Fire Wall saw the general next to him smile at the apparent loss. “I see you're happy to have lost.” He mocked.

Maximus snorted at the cocky pony. “I don't think the Night Guard have won a single game since you became general. Besides, my Guards took out more of the enemy then the enemy could take from them. That is one of the best outcomes a General can hope for.”

“Ha.” Fire Wall huffed. “Only because of that last gambit by my Night Guard. If my Night Guard hadn't told your General Guard that the Royal Guards were coming the score would be very different.” Fire Wall protested, but Maximus wasn't impressed.

Sensing the brewing argument, Celestia walk between the two causing them both to pause. “It was an impressive move, for the Night Guard to enlist the help of the General Guard like that. I don't think we've ever seen a similar tactic employed, but none-the-less, if not for the General Guard's quick thinking, they would not have have set up that trap in time.” She smiled to the two Generals who looked between her and themselves.

Cadance let out a quiet yawn before pouting at the game board. One piece in particular had her eye as she sighed. The game was not exactly going well for Shining Armor, and that gave her a sympathetic pang of anguish. If only she could be down on the field with him, she knew just the right combination of moves to cheer him up. Her frown twisted into a lewd smile as she thought about rubbing her hoofs down Shining Armor's flank.

“Heh, heh.” A tiny laugh escaped her mouth as she day dreamed about what they would be doing come the end of the game.

A rather quiet Luna observed the interaction of the two generals and her sisters diffusion of their argument with mild interest. She didn't want to say it, and dared not to for fear it might jinx the game, but for the first time in years, she thought the Night Guard might actually have a chance at winning. That thought brought the tiniest of smiles to her face, even as she thought about Jack running around on that field, leading her ponies. It was a warm feeling, something she hadn't felt in a long time.

As her wing fidget with a minor hiccup of excitement a slight rubbing sensation reminded her of the wing pouch she had on, and in it the note it held. Her smile disappeared as she thought about that letter, even more did it recede as she considered the bet she had made with Jack before he left. Again, her mind and heart were being pulled in different directions.

With little warning the royal group began to get up and make their way back to the castle one, by one. Until only Luna and Celestia remained. Luna was lost in thought as she continued to observe the dimming game board, unaware that she was now mostly alone.

Mostly.

“It has been an interesting game so far, hasn't it sister?” Celestia spoke softly to Luna, as she came up beside her.

“Yes. It has.” Luna responded flatly. “I-” She paused before continuing.

“Hmmm?” Celestia encouraged her to continue her train of thought, but Luna just shook her head no.

“It is nothing.” Luna turned around and began walking down the steps, choosing to walk back to the castle, rather than fly.

With a tired frown Celestia turned away from her sister and flew back to the castle. In her mind thinking about the small smile she saw from her earlier today. Celestia knew, her sister knew what she wanted, but for some reason she was just too instant on denying herself. Whether it was some bizarre punishment like the Tantabus all over again or something deeper, she didn't know.

As night fell, the Night Guard settled in for a short evening rest. Half an hour of eating, followed by a two hour nap for everyone. Well, everyone but Jack and Green Hoof, who took watch. Slowly, Jack gnawed on a bit of twice baked bread sipping his water between bites. He grimaced slightly at the texture of the bread. To be fair, it didn't taste bad, but it really needed some coffee or tea to go with it, rather than just water.

“Not to your liking Jack?” Green Hoof saw Jack's slight frown as he ate his bread.

“Needs coffee.” He said and took another bite.

Green Hoof stared out into the early night, his eyes picking up subtle contrasts caused by the moon's light. Despite the rather intense pain in his leg, Green Hoof was actually enjoying this war game for a change. “You know. I think this is the first game I've actually enjoyed. I've been through four games so far, two under Night Blade and two before that under Malcontent. I've never actually thought we could win, until you took charge.”

Jack stopped chewing on his bread and looked at Green Hoof. His emerald eyes Shining happily at him. Even though the tears and pain in his leg, he really was happy, and depending on Jack to somehow win.

“Well… the game's not over yet. We still don't know the Royal Guard’s full strength. Regardless, they almost certainly still have a major advantage.” Jack spoke plainly, in truth he began to start doubting himself after losing Luceppie. No doubt the Jack of two days ago would have yelled at himself for doubting.

Green Hoof just shrugged. “Probably. I mean, I don't think we will win, but... I actually believe it's possible now.”

Turning away from the hopeful pony, Jack let out a sigh and stood up. The back of his right leg burned slightly as if he had been sitting too long. His mind was too full to eat any more. The fact was he still had no idea what his end game was. He had to prepare for the next raid, which would have to be different since they had no assault archers.

Of course, they didn't need snipers to use bows in close quarters, just at range. An idea began to form in his mind as he thought about the next raid.

'Shining would try to sleep soon…' Jack thought to himself.

He motioned to Green Hoof to keep a careful eye on the captain's tent. They were a distance away, and behind a hill. But there was just enough clearance to see if the tent flaps would move and open.

Just under two hours later...

Shining Armor, fell back into his cot. He was beyond exhausted. As soon as his head felt the light touch of fabric he was done. 'Just a few hours,' he thought to himself. Surely he could have that much. His eye twitched a few times and with in seconds stopped as his mind quickly tried to enter a peaceful and much needed rest.

*Ding, Ding, Ding*

The sound of the camp's alarm bell rang out. "We're being raided! East side! EAST SIDE!" Somepony yelled

Shining's blood shot eyes shot opened and as if by instinct his body rolled out of the cot onto the hard dirt floor. Unfortunately, his combination of sleepless exhaustion and hunger made it hard to focus. Underneath him, his hoofs failed to align properly and he collapsed on top of himself. An odd pulling sensation in his hoof, accompanied by the mild pain, suggested he may have just sprained his ankle.

“Bucking hell.” He whispered to himself as he limped out of his tent. It didn't feel particularly bad, but it was sure to be an annoyance from here on out.

Outside his tent was in disarray again. Everywhere he looked, ponies were running around, most headed to the east side, but a few ran to the supplies to ensure they were properly guarded. Despite the disorganization in front of him, Shining was at least a little thankful that some of his remarks from earlier hit home, and they weren't knocking tents down again.

A twinge of annoyance crept through his weary mind as he thought once more about his squads poor performance, and fall from the perfection he had drilled into them not so long ago.

Pin Point came trotting up to his captain, and gave a quick salute.

"What was the damage?"Shining asked his second.

"We lost two more guards who were on patrol. Night Guard ran out of the dark and shot a few paint arrows. It was odd though. They didn't snipe us this time, just ran straight in and shot." Shining looked around at the commotion in his camp. Everypony was running around in circles again. Most seemed to be moving much slower than last night, a combination of exhaustion and hunger at the root of the problem, and their useless running was just making them more tired. A handful of guards crawled out of the barracks, most look liked they hadn't slept since before day one.

Unconsciously, Shining ground his teeth against one another. It was like the Night Guard were watching them from just out of sight. Waiting for that one moment when they would relax ever so slightly and use that time to attack. It was chaotic, without form, and with no regards to the rules of honorable combat.

Yet, with much as much venom and scorn he had, he was forced to admit that it was effective. If this game continued for a week, the Night Guard might have had a hope in Hades of winning; Maybe, given a week.

*Clunk*

Two of the guards had run right in front of him, and into each other. Their armor clanked against each other as they fell to the ground in a daze.

"GUARDS! STOP!" Shining yelled.

Shining shook his head as his Guards all turned to look at him in confusion. “Does anyone have sight of the Night Guard?”

Silence.

A few of the Guards rubbed the back of their head, or looked at the ground in shame. One or two kicked at the dirt, but none of them spoke up. Shining could only shake his head like a disappointed father.

“Pin Point, gather the Guards again. We need to reevaluate our strategy.” Shining slowly limped to the center of the camp. His sore body suffering from the exhaustion as the aches of sleeplessness and hunger wobbled his gate, and sapped his mind.

"Sir, you requested no one disturb you for the next few hours while you slept. Should I assume you won't be taking that nap?”

With a very heavy head, Shining shook his head 'no'.

"The game ends in another 16 hours or so. I can survive till then." Shining wanted to look back at his cot and cry, sleep would feel so good right now, but he knew he couldn't. He had to keep his troop in line and combat ready till this insane game ended tomorrow.

They were still ahead score wise. They could win just by surviving. A sleepless drunk smile crossed his muzzle as he realized what he just thought. Was he actually becoming intimidated by that group of night fliers and that bucking ape? A very quiet ringing sound coursed through Shining's ears, he tried to shake it out, thinking it was little more than a tired hallucination.

Very far off in the distance, a clock tower chimed 12 bells, just barely loud enough for Jack to make out from his bushes as he watched the effects of his team's raid. The Royal Guard where still disorganized, and were now so much more tired, as was obvious from their slowness and lack of physical coordination. Their numbers were also clearly reduced but Jack couldn't get an accurate count. He wouldn't be surprised if they were still a hundred or more. Amazingly, Shining had managed to keep them together at all. If anything, they almost seemed more cohesive now, if less alert.

Jack held a brief moment of respect for the Captain. He was good at leading his men, even if his tactics seemed simple at times.

Mani and Star stood by Jack's side, watching the commotion in front of them. Each wondering what the last day would bring. Mani's eyes drifted to the human, who seemed very alert and introspective, despite his own limited sleep over the past few days.

"Last day" Jack whispered to himself. Slowly he pulled out his note sheet, which could just barely be seen in the light of the moon. He knew he had to come up with a final plan soon. There had to be someway to win this...