*Ring, Ring, Ring*

*Slam*

A fist slammed on top of the metal alarm clock next to Jack's bed, silencing it. A burning feeling scratched at his eyes as they blushed red with tiredness. Reaching up he tried to rubbed the sleeplessness from them. It was going to take some serious work for the human to get into his new routine of waking up early.

The room was unusually well kept, all of Jack's cloths had been cleaned and put away nicely the morning before. Even his armor, which was usually just scattered about, was now sitting on its dress doll for a change.

Once Jack got out of bed he moved to the armor on its stand, examining it with his hands and eyes. As he ran his fingers over one of the many small scratches on the chest plate Jack couldn't help but sigh. While the armor was not in horrible condition, it had clearly been neglected. There were small scuffs on the chest plate; bits of dirt still clung to the boots and leg armor. It was clear that the armor would need some love and care to bring it up to code.

With that in mind, Jack took each piece of armor of the stand and started polishing them, smoothing out the scuffs and small scrapes that had built up. Once he finished, each part shinned and gleaned with new life. He did this for every part of the armor, from the overly large cuirass down to the smaller spaulders that protected his shoulders. Finally, he held the last armor plate in his hands, a tasset that protected his upper right leg. The tips of his fingers traced the shallow grove on the inside and began to realize just how much work was put into fitting his armor to him. Sure he had been aware of the extra measurements and time it took to fashion the metal sheets. But until now, Jack had never really paid close attention to the level of detail and work that had gone into his custom armor; the slight trim around the edges, and small pop marks in the rounded corners. It really was quite exquisite and deserved more attention than he had given it. The more he focused on it, the guiltier he began to feel.

Jack shook his head at the intruding thoughts. 'That was going to change,' he told himself. He was going to do what he should have done to begin with. He was ready to start being a real solder, to maybe make something out of himself. Maybe he would even have the chance to win the hand of the princess.

'Hand?' That word rang in his mind causing him to pause. Jack put the armor piece down and rubbed his eyes trying to clear both his vision and his head. Small little things he was used to saying and thinking were still so different here, even after more than a year he still wasn't used to it all. In the back of Jack's mind that intruding whisper crept back into his ear 'She not human, none of them are.'

Of course Jack knew in his heart and perhaps somewhere a bit lower, that it shouldn't really matter. Yet his head screamed otherwise. Why did this still bother him so much? He had already been with a pony; a few fleeting images of Star Screech and him ran through his mind. Jack didn't have time for this. None of it matter. Different or not, they were human enough to him.

As Jack stood up he saw his slightly distended stomach and his mind switched gears. After spending the better part of an hour on his armor, it was time to polish something else, his physique. To be fair, he wasn't really out of shape just pudgy, but he knew this was something else he would have to work on. The worries of is love life left his mind for the time being as there were now other things that Jack needed to occupy his mind with.

The clock on his desk showed he still had two hours till his shift. The guards were required to complete a small set of bi-daily exercise, but in truth most slacked a bit when it came down to it. Especially Jack.

Outside his window he could see a few guards doing laps around the perimeter of the courtyard. These laps were often used as a form of mild punishment by the captains. Jack watched them move about, and a thought crossed his mind. A few laps around the castle would go a long way towards removing his extra flab.

Inside his dresser were some older clothes he rarely wore anymore: An old T-Shirt with Air Force written on it, and some sweats that he had arrived in Equistria with. They would do well as make shift exercise gear.

Wasting little time, began putting them them on, finding that the shirt in particular was somewhat tight, but not unbearably so. His sweat pants expanded, taking the little extra girth with no signs of complaint. A glimpse of himself passed by the mirror as Jack made his way out of his room. Had it been possible, he would have sworn his image nodded at himself in approval.

Quickly he headed out into the castle corridors and then out to the castle exterior. There was a certain pep in his step as Jack moved with purpose and effort. At least one Day Guard paused to watch the human wander.

The castle court yard was rather large. The inner perimeter of it traced a path that was just short of 2km and very near the mile he used to run back on earth. Most guards were required to run the whole thing twice a week, with guard captains adding extra length for various demerits. A twinge in his back legs reminded Jack that it was no small occurrence.

A large gathering of ponies made note of Jack as he was walking towards the starting marker. Jack's joints popped and cracked as he started to stretch at the starting point. More than a few of the guards watched the human with mild amusement. A few random comments were made; one asked if he was being punished. Responding with a shrug he simply said, “I just feel like a run.”

Just before he could start his run, he was interrupted by a loud annoyed voice, “Jack? What are you doing out here?” Night Blade had walked in front of the rookie, preventing him from starting his run.

“Just going out for a run sir. Thought I could use the extra exercise to be honest.” Jack tapped his belly fat around his tight shirt as if to emphasis the point.

The captain was more than a little confused. While he would agree that Jack could more physical training, none of his solders ever volunteered for extra laps or exercise. “You know you aren't being punished right? You don't have to do laps?”

Jack could only shrug in response, and reiterate that he wanted to.

Night Blade was in a bit of shock at the development. While he was happy when any of his squad volunteered for extra duties, he was a little perturbed that it had to be Jack this time. Blade shook his head and moved behind the group of ponies and one human.

Picking up a whistle he blew into it, signifying that they all were to start running. Jack began at much slower pace than the rest, and quickly began to fall behind.

“Come on Jack. You want to run, then you have to keep up.” Night Blade barked from behind him.

Speed was the one think he lacked compared to the ponies. While they were comfortable trotting along at a good six minutes a mile, Jack had to push it to make it in eight. Night Blade was still Running behind him when he hit the half way point.

“Jack, you're too slow. Why are you even out here if you aren't going to try to keep up?” Blade barked at him.

“Sorry, sir.” Was Jack's response, as he began to push himself a bit faster. His legs were burning with the additional speed and he could feel his lungs starting to sting from his rapid breathing.

'I can do this,' was all Jack could think.

Eventually Jack crossed the starting point with Night Blade still in tow. Looking around he saw a number of the guards off to the sides of the track, each of them resting for a moment. A few were still trying to catch their breath, but most seemed fine enough. Paying them no more mind he passed them, continuing his run.

“Going for more Jack? You're too slow rookie; you need to speed it up.” Night Blade continued to tail him. It was a common tactic the Captain used to push the slower guards up to speed. But Jack wasn't a pony; he just didn't have the speed they did. Thought, there was one thing he excels at when it came to running: Stamina.

“Sir. You know I'm not as fast as you are. I'm pushing as hard as I can.” Jack's speech was a bit labored from the running.

Night Blade shook his head in disdain and snorted, “And you call yourself a guardsman, Jack?”

“With all due respect sir. I may not be as fast as you. But I can still out lap you. Even with how out of shape I am.” Jack spoke between even more labored breaths.

Night Blade snorted once more and finally passed Jack, running to catch up to some the ponies ahead had fall behind the main group.

“Just give it up Jack.” Blade called back to the human as he started to ignore the hopeless case.

Jack shrugged and kept running. His legs were starting to ache a bit, but it wasn't anything he hadn't handle in ROTC. Now that Night Blade wasn't pacing him he didn't need to keep up with the insane speed he demanded. As he able to slow down his pace some of the fatigue began to subside, and his breathing started to normalize.

After a few minutes jogging the slower pace he began to smile a bit. This jog was almost enjoyable now, and Jack's mind began to wander as he moved in a giant circle around the court yard. More thoughts about the past few days began to flood his mind.

'That talk with Star Screech could have gone better', he thought. At first she took it well enough, even seemed to laugh the whole fling off. It seemed she understood fully, they were guards and they couldn't be in a relationship and shouldn't have been fooling around in the first place. But as the night ticked away it quickly became more awkward for him as Star grew very distant towards him.

It wasn't the normal distance you would expect solders to keep, it was wider than that; like she was trying to keep away from him entirely. She wasn't even speaking to him by the end of the night.

The more he thought about it, the more he came to understand why the rules on fraternization existed in the first place. The short encounter he had with Star had already strained their relationship, and made working in a team so much harder. There was nothing left for Jack to do, other than try to move on from it all or at least he hoped he could.

After he tried to shrug Star Screech off his mind, thoughts of Luna came up. Aside from last night, It had been over a month since he talked to her last, and in truth it felt good. The way she laughed when she spoke of her pet Tiberius almost caused Jack to melt. Luna was such an amazing person or rather pony. She was complex, interesting, and beneath her formal exterior she was quite soft. True her sanity might be a bit on the wobbly side, if anything it just made her more interesting.

There was the hope in Jack's heart that Luna and him might one day actually have something. Of all the creatures in this world, she was the first to actually make Jack seriously consider the idea of an extra species relationship.

Though he certainly liked Luna, Star was the first to actually make a jump on him. The relationship Star and he had was an odd one to be sure, and part of Jack's mind couldn't let her go. Even if their encounter had been short and even after what he told her last night, there was just something about that little bat pony.

'Relationship.' That word echo in his mind. The whole idea of dating outside his species still just felt wrong for some reason. He knew it shouldn't, but it did.

The call of a Guard snapped Jack out of his trance. “Hey, Jack. You've already done two laps. Don't you think it's time you stopped?” The Guard, his comrades and their captain had finished their second lap several minutes ago and they were all standing by the side of the track, all very clearly out of breath.

Jack smirked and shrugged. “Haven't heard the bells yet. Figure I still got another 20 minutes before I need to get ready for my shift.” Jack quickly passed the ponies and continued to run.

Most of the Guards thought the human was nuts for trying to push himself so hard. Not a small few were surprised the human could keep running for so long.

Again, Jack's mind drifted into day dream as he continued to run. More random thoughts popped into his head as his eyes moved along the path he ran. Memories of his long stay in Ponyville.

The blue sky above reminding Jack of that lazy Pegasus pony who always had a new trick to show off. Well, when she wasn't trying to take a nap. He almost expected to see her rainbow tail hanging off a low cloud when he looked up.

In front of him and off to the side of the track where some flowers, particularly a bush full of pink roses being tended too by a griffin Gardner. The pink roses kind of reminded him of the bubbly pink pony from Ponyville, and her self proclaimed world famous celebrations. He tried to remember that first party she threw him, but for some reason Jack could not explain, all he could think about was the gardener instead.

He ran past him and continued to try to remember that one party, but just couldn't.

Jack turned his head back around to look at him again; Perhaps he had seen that gardener somewhere else? Yet he was gone from the rose bush already. 'Strange,' he thought to himself.

The starting point was close up head again. Jack was about to complete his third lap when...

*Dong*

Jack slowed his jog down to a quick walk. That was the sound he was expecting. There would be six more to denote that it was seven at night.

*Dong*

He'd have an hour to shower, get dressed and get something to eat. 'Just enough time,' he thought.

*Dong*

Jack crossed the marker and completed his third lap. He turned around and made his way back to the barracks.

Jack took his position next to Star Screech, who still seemed very cold to him. She out right ignored him when he said “Hi”.

'Going to be one of those nights', he thought to himself as the bells chimed 8 o'clock.

Luna walked into the hall graceful as always and her ethereal mane drifted about. She allowed her gaze to drift ever so slightly towards Jack, but only for a moment. A small subtle smile crossed her face as she walked by, aware that that human was paying some attention to her, though he tried to hide it.

Jack continued to stand at attention while his eyes slowly drifted to the Princess. The two's eyes crossed for a moment, but Jack was quick enough to pull his focus back in front where it belonged.

Luna was amused by the human's attempts to hide his interest in her. She made a mental note to see if she couldn't get some more of a reaction out of him in the future. A slight sour taste in filled her mouth as she remembered the scathing remark she gave Jack a few days earlier. She tried to ignore it.

The Moon rising ceremony was uneventful, but still beautiful all the same and, once it was over the Princess made her way down the line of guards. Only, she chose to stop for a moment as she passed Jack. She looked at the human guard as a few thoughts passed through her head.

“Captain Night Blade.” She turned to face the captain. “We require an audience with one of your guards. We assume it will not negatively affect your squad's performance tonight?”

Night Blade stood tall and his face showed no signs of agitation, yet in reality he was mildly annoyed by the request. “Of course your highness, if there's anything I can-”

“No, thank you. I require the services of a particular Guard, Jack.” She pointed her hoof towards the human.

A bead of sweat suddenly formed and rolled down his face. Worry began to fill him, as he feared what Luna might have him do, and also what Night Blade might do to him for interrupting his plans.

The blank and professional expression on Night Blades face persisted even as he was glaring at Jack. Yet, under neath it Jack could almost taste his scorn.

“Of course your Highness. Jack, Please see to Luna's needs.” Blade's eyes tore through Jack's as he stared down his subordinate.

“Yes, sir,” Jack responded.

Luna held her head up, trying to hide the subtle smile over her features. “Come along Guard, we shall not be left waiting.”

But, before Jack could leave, Night Blade trotted up to him and in one quick whisper he said, “Don't make a mockery of my unit, rookie.”

Jack's focus was on Blade as he left, and he wasn't able to see the sour expression on Star Screech's face as he passed her.

Walking down one of the long hallways together, their end destination was unknown to either Luna or Jack. The silence finally got to Jack, “So, Princess Luna wh-”

She stopped him, “I asked of you to call me Luna, Jack. Just Luna. At least, while we aren't around others.” The persistent smile on her face held some mild bemusement as her head turned over the term.

Taking the hint, Jack relaxed slightly, “Of course Luna.” Her smile grew as she nodded in response.

“To answer the question you were going to ask, we would like your company for a while. There are somethings we would like to discuss with you.”

Though Jack could imagine a few things she might want to discuss, he didn't know of any that would cause her to pull him off his normal duties. He uttered an unsure, “OK?” in response.

Luna though about where to start. 'Business should probably be first', she thought. “To start with, general Fire Wall and I spoke briefly yesterday. He said he was quite impressed with your skills as a tactician. Apparently he gave you some kind of test?”

Jack couldn't help but laugh at himself, “Impressed? Assuming he was talking about that game we played, he beat me. Decisively I might add. I'm not sure what there was to be impressed about.”

“Well Fire Wall has been playing that game of his for most of his life. You shouldn't be surprised he beat you at it on your first attempt. But, the point was he put forth some suggestions...”

“Suggestions?” Jack asked. The word left a bad taste in his mouth as he wondered what the general could have meant.

“Yes Jack, he suggested two things to me and your captain as well. First off, he said you were probably bored with normal day to day operations and that we should find things to challenge you.”

'Challenge me,' Jack thought about that statement. He unsure and almost afraid of what it might entail.

Luna continued, “He thinks you might be bored in the Guards, which brings me to the next point. He put your name forth as a potential candidate in our seasonal war game, and I'm inclined to agree, but there could be some... complications.”

That caused Jack to pause, “You know I keep hearing about these war games, I'm not too sure what they're about though?”

“Really? I know they aren't as popular in Ponyville and the other out skirt villages, but I had assumed everypony knew of them. Anyway, the war games have been going on since before even Celistia and I became rulers. It's an ancient tradition which first started between the pegasuses and Earth ponies. Once a year, in celebration, they would hold a mock battle. Each side would fight over a flag and the one to clam it would win. It gave each a chance to improve their skills and gave the locals a chance at some entertainment.”

Luna's lecturing reminded Jack of a certain purple librarian he knew. “So it's like a gladiatorial match?”

“Hmm, not quite the same, but similar. Once my sister and I started to rule the games had already transformed them self into something more regimented and grew to include the unicorn tribes as well. Each of the three Armies would gather twice a year to test themselves in a contest to see who could control the flag the longest. The biggest change our sister and me made was to make the games quarterly. Over time some rules have changed as well. We now look to it as an opportunity to train our Guards and prepare ourselves.”

“I see. So I take it the night Guard is in this contest? Have they done well recently?” The subtle hint of optimism in his voice, begged to be crushed by Luna's response.

Luna lowered her ears and head almost in shame. “Unfortunately no. The Night Guard hasn't won a single game in a very long time.”

She didn't tell Jack that when Fire Wall had talked to her, he had hoped Jack could help change that. While Luna trusted his advice and council, she wasn't yet convinced about Jack's capabilities. She didn't want to get the human's or her general's hopes up.

“So you want me to be in these... games than?” He repeated, just to be sure he understood.

“Yes. Especially after what Fire Wall said of your performance. Thought as I said there could be complications. Rookies are never invited into the games. It's not a rule per-say, but it is traditional.” She sighed, “I'm willing to try to over look tradition for this. In truth the Night Guard could use all the help it can get, though you will need your captain's permission.”

Now it was time for Jack to look downward, “Well, I'm honored that you think I'm so capable. Maybe I am OK at board games, or at least Fire Wall thinks I am. But I don't think I'm all that good in real life situations. At least not yet, I mean, I haven't exactly proven myself have I?”

She was taken aback by that statement, and at first didn't know how to respond. “But you already have proven your self Jack. Back when you arrived here, you save Princess Twilight! That counts for much more than you'll ever know!”

“With all due respect Luna, I didn't do much to save her.” He spoke honestly.

“Nonsense! If you weren't there, why she might have frozen to death. Or worse!”

Jack couldn't really respond to Luna's points. In fact the whole event was still a painful point for him as it lead to his being in Equstira in the first place.

Luna laid a wing over Jack's shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Jack, you being on that bridge that night, your selfless bravery... You were a great guardsman even before you ever joined the Guard.”

He sighed and took a deep breath. In the back of his mind he could smell the sublet floral sent of her shampoo. He wanted so badly to tell Luna the truth. To tell anyone the truth. “I never did tell you why I was on the bridge in the first place, did?”

Her mind tried to remember all the things he had said, but she couldn't recall a single time when he would open up to talk about it. “No? You don't really like to talk about that night. I just assumed you were out for a walk. You did mention that you had a lot on your mind that night, but you never seemed to want to talk about it. We didn't want to push the issue.”

He nodded and smiled “Thank you for that by the way. It's been a bit of sore topic for me.” Jack took a long drawn out breath, debating with himself if he should even talk about this.

“I told you that I had screwed up in my world, but I never told you what I meant by that. You see Luna, I had just been kicked out of my University, and because of that the ROTC program and also my country's armed forces. The people I tried to talk to about it blamed me, and perhaps they were right to.”

Luna pulled Jack into her side, “I'm sorry to hear that, but you have to admit things didn't turn out all that bad in the end, did they?”

Jack Felt the warmth of Luna's body and words. The rest of that night's events danced in his head, mocking him. “No... I suppose they didn't.” He gave a bitter laugh, “I'm really glad I didn't end it all.”

“End it? I'm not sure I understand. What do you mean by, 'End it'?” Luna watched the human push away slightly.

“Eh, it's nothing Luna,” he lied. “It's just a dumb human expression for doing something stupid.”

Jack pushed himself out of the princess's embrace. Fearing he might do or say something foolish if he didn't.

“If you don't wish to talk about it further, then we understand.” Her voice was soft as velvet, and Jack just wished he could wrap himself up in it.

Jack nodded, “Thank you for caring princess, but this is something I need to deal with on my own.”

“Of course Jack. Though if your mood doesn't improve, we may have to drag you out again. Thou does remember the last time?” She began poking Jack with her wing tip, as if threatening to fly off with him.

Jack's sour expression quickly lightened as a smile stretched across his face. “Ha! How could I forget. I remember you practically kidnapped that night, and dragged me to that small movie theater to watch that silly Daring Do movie.” Jack rubbed the back of his neck. “I swear I still have whip lash from when you grabbed.”

“Oh, but be honest with us. You did enjoy the movie, did you not?”

He couldn't help but smile, “Yeah, I suppose it was pretty good, but I still say Indian Jones could beat Daring Do any day of the week.”

“Ha, your Indiana and his whip would be no match for Daring and her Wings!” Luna's voice echoed through the hall as yelled in deference of one of her favorite characters.

The two continued the banter, discussing the intricacies of each others fandoms once more. It was a conversation they had many times before, but it always felt new. A small warmth grew through Jack chest as he remembered the times he spend with the princess prior to becoming a guard.

“Luna, I know this question might seem a bit forward from one of your guards but-”

She shook her head at his statement, “You aren't just one of my guards Jack. You are a friend.” She warped her wing around him again, pulling him back towards her side and closer to her muzzel. Their faces meet, mere inches from each other. Luna smile, her face and eyes sparkled as she nuzzled next to Jack's head in a pony hug.

“Still.” He took a breath in hailing the slightly sweet sent of Luna's mane.

“Hmm?” Luna hummed.

Jack could feel his face warm slightly as he thought about taking this conversation in a different and more serious direction. “Have you ever considered dating, or trying to find someone? I'm just curious is all.”

Luna loosened her grip on Jack and stared out the window in silent thought. The words moving through her mind. He was bothered by the silence and about to back track, when Luna fully release him and started to walk away slowly. She turned to answer him, “I... don't think that would work.”

Walking slowly back to her side Jack responded, “But why not? You're a great mare from what I can tell. I can't imagine a guy or stallion rather who wouldn't be interested in you.” The blush on Jack's face betrayed his attempt at anonymity in the question.

Luna gave Jack a bitter sweet smile. “Jack. We are regularly courted by stallions from all over Equstria. Most are nobles looking to expand their influence. A few are in fact expressing genuine feelings but…” She paused unsure what exactly to say.

The painful silence burning both of their ears.

Finally, she shook her head. “It simply couldn't work.” She tired to smile.

“You don't know that Luna. There could be someone out there who could be good to you, who would love you and care for you.”

Her smile grew as her eyes began to water. “Of that we have no doubt. There was a time, very long ago when we... tried.”

More silence.

Jack breaking the painful silence spoke bluntly, “What happened?”

Luna looked down an in a flat almost whisper she spoke, “They died Jack. Both of them.”

Her answer struck Jack harder than he expected. He didn't quite know what to say or how to pull his foot out of his mouth. “I'm sorry... I didn't know. I guess I should have thought before-”

Luna shook away Jack's apology. “It's alright Jack. It was a very long time ago, and though I loved both, neither are particularly happy memories for me. You know, I doubt many ponies even know of this.”

She paused thinking about the two colts. A very bitter sweet smile crossing her lips as she did. “My first love spent his whole life waiting for me. A life which was little more than a blink to me. And my second... I had him sent away to the far end of the kingdom.”

“Ouch.” Was all Jack could say.

“Oh it was actually his idea! He didn't want to be around to hurt me, so he wanted me send him away. So I discharge him from his royal duties and he moved to a small village. He eventually became a famous merchant in the area, married a kind mare and sired several foals with her...” Jack could see a tear roll down her cheek. “Not a day or night goes by where I don't think about them both.”

That wasn't quite what Jack meant, when he said 'Ouch'. He tried to correct the misunderstanding, “Luna, I-”

She cut him off again, turning her head to look straight into Jack's eyes. Her cheeks slightly blushed and moist. “Why do you like me Jack?” She peered into his eye gazing at what lay beneath them, looking for something. A semblance of insincerity with which she could focus on, something with which she could just dismiss him and his affections.

“Please don't try to hide it from me. I mean it's painfully obvious that you do. We noticed it the first time we spoke to you. Please Jack. I just want to know why?”

The more Jack thought, the harder it became to actually come up with a simple answer. “I... I don't know. It's not something I can easily express in words.”

Luna looked away from him. Not liking his overly simple and almost dismissive answer. “I see...”

He thought about how to explain it, in a way that wasn't dumb or insincere. “It's like asking someone to explain the beauty of stars at night, or describe the complexity of the celestial dance they preform... or to explain why the radiant moon can be so amazingly wonderful. It just... is.”

A lump formed in Jack throat as the words ran through his head, “You just click with me Luna. I don't know if it's your laugh, your smile, your personality. I don't know why, but...”

Jack had to almost physically hold his arm back. He so desperately wanted to stroke Luna's cheek, to touch her, and let her know that he wasn't going to leave her. He felt his hand start to move as it came closer to her side, only to be stopped by Luna's next statement.

“I know that you have... been with one of your fellow guards. Star Screech I think her name is.”

His hand fell back to his side, “So you've heard about that?”

“I more than heard about it. I saw you two together in a dream. Reminiscing and fornicating in the dream scape, like you did in your bed.” She had a small false smile as her face blushed at the thought.

Jack was at a loss for what to say or do. How could he even respond to that? Luna had seen into his mind, into his hidden precious thoughts. His calm interior was suddenly shattered as he thought about what she just said. There was a wave of heat through him as he felt some anger start to push itself up.

“You saw that?” Was all he could say. Hoping that maybe she would clarify, or say something else.

“Yes, I see-”

The word 'Yes' hit his mind as he cut her off. “No wait. Luna I get that you can dream walk, and I get that it helps some people, but my head is mine. You have no right to tread there!” Jack was nearly yelling at his princess. For a moment he forgot who she even was as anger filled his veins. His mind and thoughts where his own and should be private. What right did she have to trespass in his thoughts?

His anger was fulled by confusion and her earlier dismissal of him. In the back of his mind he knew it wasn't right to yell at her, but he just couldn't help it.

Luna was taken back by his fury and anger. While she could understand and even sympathies he didn't have to act so aggressive and ape like. “Jack, you don't understand.” She tried to reason.

That rubbed him the wrong way. What more was there to understand? She trespassed in his mind. “What don't I understand Luna? Please tell me how I can misunderstand you mind reading me without my permission.” He continued to speak with force and venom. He saw her ear fold back slightly as she clearly took the anger to heart. A part of him that questioned his anger engulfed his mind, and he began to feel bad for yelling at her, but still what right did she have?

Now Luna was starting to get angry. She did not like to be talked to like this, “First off Jack, while I understand your concern remember who you are talking to! We are friends, or so I would like to think, but I will not have my rule so quickly besmirched.” Luna herself yelled as she stomped one of her hooves.

There was a look of shock on Jack's face as he processed what the princess just said and how she said it. He was not expecting her to yell back.

Luna calmed down a bit and took a breath, “Secondly, I can not enter anypony's mind who does not wish me to enter! A pony's mind is personal, and locked with very powerful magics that even I can not break. Only if a pony is in distress can I easily enter, or a pony who... invites me in.” She finished much more calmly then she started.

The two persisted in yet more painful silence while each considered what to say next. Jack didn't want to fight with Luna, he didn't want to yell at her. Neither did Luna wish to yell at Jack. No matter what happened, they were and wanted to remain friends.

Jack thought about his dream for a moment, he didn't remember letting anyone into it. So how could she enter. “I don't remember inviting you into my mind.” He spoke, his words were more quite then before, without the anger but still held bitterness.

Luna looked down as if in shame. “That's because you didn't. In truth Jack, I'm not sure I could ever enter you mind, even if you allowed me. It is... different from most ponies.”

Now Jack was just confused, more so then angry. “I don't understand? How did you know what I was dreaming than?”

“Your dream was linked with Star Screech's. It is unusual, and very rare, even among ponies. Somehow you two were able to dream walk with each other, and do other things.” Luna's face blushed noticeable as she remembered some of their debauchery.

“I entered through Star Screech's dream. She... invited me in.”

“She invited you?” Jack suddenly felt some twinge of anger returned, this time directed towards Star Screech now.

“Well, in a sense. Any pony can invite us in by opening themselves up and allowing us entry. She opened her dream to me and I entered it. I was not... expecting what I saw. I think... she wanted me to see it all. Though I can not fathom why she would?” Which wasn't completely true, but Luna had no reason to speak of rumors she might have.

The whole conversation felt like a ton of bricks were being placed on him. He really had no idea what to make of the things Luna was telling him. His mind felt fatigued from jumping between confusion, anger towards Luna, more confusion, followed by a bubbling anger towards Star.

“So how are my dreams different?”

Luna tapped a hoof against her chin, “I am not completely sure. I tried to enter your dreams long ago after you first came here. You seemed to be in quite some pain, and you were calling out, and I don't just mean in your dream. I tired to help, but even being close to you, I could not make sense of your mind.”

There was a look of confusion on Jack's face the more he thought about his dreams. In particular that dream Star Screech and him had apparently shared. He never considered at the time that the Star Screech in his dreams was anything more than that, a dream.

Looking out the window Jack could see the moon high in the sky, it was close to midnight already. “I think I should get going. No doubt Moon Shadow has a lot of work for me. Unless there's more you wish to talk about, Luna?”

“Of course we've kept you long enough. And Jack...” Jack looked into Luna's watering eyes, “Please don't hate us.”

The weight on Jack's shoulders grew heavier. He didn't mean to upset his princess. “Luna, I could never hate you. I may not like the idea of you reading my thoughts, directly or otherwise, but I...” He hesitated on what exactly to say next.

“I like you Luna. I hope that maybe we could... Maybe...”

Luna rubbed her eyes and shook her head knowing where Jack wanted to go with his line. A small very bitter sweet smile crossed her lips. “I do not think I could ever be with another. Assuming that's what you were going to ask?”

“Luna. I can understand why you hesitate, but I'm not going to let you go so easy. You are my friend, and my friend I hope you will stay, but I'll be damn if I'm not going to try to make you more.” Jack saw the opportunity and came in close to Luna. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek. Just a peak really. It may have been a simple and silly gesture for most, but to a princess who had so rarely be touched, it was powerful expression of his desire towards her.

Luna's cheek's lit up, and her eyes went wide in astonishment. “Jack!” She exclaimed as she looked around the halls to make sure no one saw his indiscretion.

“S-Such actions are-”

“Inappropriate, I know. But my feelings are true Luna. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm also not going to give you up so easy.”

In response, Luna held her mouth a gap, unable to find any words to respond with.

Sensing the princess' shock, Jack ran his hand through his hair, scratching the back of his head, in an unsure gesture. “Umm, maybe I should get back. To see if there's anything that needs to be done.”

Luna tried to regain her composure. “That would be best I think.”

Smiling, he turned around, and began walking away from the bemused princes. She could not see the nervous perspiration on his face, or the way his mind flickered with questions of whether he did the right thing.

For a moment, Jack's anger toward Star was replaced by a grateful warmth. If she hadn't bedded him those few nights ago, Jack doubt he would have had the confidence to kiss Luna. Though the idea that she was a pony, still bothered him a bit. The distinction was starting to get very fuzzy for him.

As she stood behind, Luna continued to stare at her human guard as he walked away with a strong blush and look of puzzlement on her face. She was at a loss for words and did not know what to say or do.

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, then turned away. As she started to walk, a smile crept up her lips. Inside she felt positively giddy and bubbly. She hadn't felt this way in many years. Over a thousand in fact. She stopped by one of the many large windows and peered out into the clear night sky. The stars shined and moved with the moon. Luna's smile grew.

A slight glint in the courtyard caused her to look downward. An object in the yard caught her eye, and her smile began to fade. A reminder of why she kept herself alone.

She looked at the statue for a few moments. She shook her head, and wandered further into the castle to fulfill her nighttime duties.

Author's Note

Reedited Dec. 31 2015.