Day Dreams

The next afternoon started as all the most recent ones had: Upon waking up, Jack went to his armor stand and began the tedious process of polishing each and every part to perfection. Once done, he dressed himself in his Airforce T and Sweats before heading out to start his now routine jog.

However, this afternoon would have one new addition for him; As he left his room he was greeted by a particularly naked Star Screech. For a moment he was surprised. He didn't really believe she was serious last night when she asked about running with him.

Star cocked her eyebrow at the overly dressed human, "So, you wear heavier cloths when you exercise...." She tapped a hoof against her chin in thought, "I suppose... No I don't get it." She shook her head at the human.

Jack just smiled and laughed, "Yeah, well at least I'm not naked."

Walking past his door she swish her tail back and forth a few times, exposing herself to him. "You really should try it Jack it's quite liberating." Smirking, she continued to walk on a head of him.

Silence permeated their walk outside towards the courtyard and the track. Both Jack and Star were still unsure of the boundaries in their renewed friendship. Yet already, Star was continuing her old behavior by making subtle moves towards Jack. Making it a point to show herself off when she could, or lightly bump into him when she was next to him. She was pushing the boundaries he had tried to set last night, testing him to see where he would draw the line. Hoping he wouldn't draw any.

Sighing to himself, Jack worried that he was going to need to talk with her again once they were done with their run. In truth, he didn't want to, and the more he thought about it, the more he was worried that she would take it the wrong way yet again. He enjoyed hanging with Star and liked her company, she was fun to be around, and for reasons he couldn't really explain, he felt stronger when she was around.

But, there was a fear inside of him, that by continuing his friendship with her he would lose any chance of wooing Luna. As much as Star may bother him at times and despite the risk she brought with her, Jack didn't want to lose her friendship. In his heart, he feared that one day he might have to make a choice between Star's friendship and Luna's love.

Glancing down at her Jack sighed again. Star was able to catch his gaze and she looked back up at him with her sparkling amethyst colored eyes. A smile spread across her muzzle, which was light and subtle. The very tip of left fang poked out from the edge of he mouth. It was cute and it made her seem so innocent.

Jack got lost in her smile. Then with a wiggle of her eyes she open her mouth and ruined it, "What's wrong Jack, do you want a pony ride before our little run?" She started to laugh at him and jogged ahead once more.

'Yeah, I'm definitely going to need to talk to her.' He thought to himself.

He picked up the pace, slowing down when he was next to her again. The innocent smile she just had, now had an added air smugness to it. She knew just how to get under his skin, and under his pants.

Star let out a slight chuckle as a thought ran through her mind, "You know, I've never really been one to volunteer for extra duties or anything. You might be the first positive roll model I've had, Jack." She swished her tail around his right leg before trotting ahead few steps again.

As much as he didn't want to, Jack couldn't help but smile at her antics. True, their relationship may have become more awkward now, at least for him, but it still felt good to have her back as a friend. The more he thought about Star and her attitude, the more he came to think that a bit of flirtation with Star might be ok. It was just her personality.

'So long as I kept it in check there shouldn't be a problem, right?' he thought to himself.

Outside in the court yard, the guard ponies where everywhere. All most all were jogging around the perimeter, a few were doing other exercises near the starting marker, and a smaller few were huddled in a group, waiting orders.

Jack and Star walked out into the yard, making their way to start of the track. As he got close, Jack noticed that Moon Shadow was out today instead of Night Blade. Shadow saw the rookie and guard approaching the starting point. The gray bat pony couldn't hold back a subtle sneer at seeing these two together. Trying to ignore them he turned around and started working on the guards who where out for their assigned runs.

Shadow's attention was focused on a particularly tired Mani who was laying in the grass, rather than standing at attention. "Mani! Get up..."

Standing at the start of the track, Star fidgeted around nervously, "So... Just two laps, right?" There was a subtle hint of nervousness that permeated into Star's voice. It wasn't something he expected to hear from the normally brash pony, it may have even been cute if it was on anyone else.

Jack tried to just shrug at her comment, but he couldn't hold back his smirk, "Eh, I usually do three, but you can stop when you need to Star. You don't have to keep up with me." He said with a challenging tone in his voice, hoping to push her into running more.

Star Snorted at his comment and quickly started running. Jack stood at the starting point finishing his last stretch as she ran ahead of him.

"Come on Jack!" she shouted.

Jack's only response was a dismissive shake of his head as he started jogging. He knew Star was going to regret not warming up.

The first lap was easy for the both of them. Star kept picking up her pace only to slow down when she found the human had fallen behind her. Each time she fell back, she gave him a few choice jabs at his speed and physique. Jack just shrugged off her comments, trying to refrain from making his own until the next lap.

Once the second lap came up Star was oddly quite, aside from her voracious panting anyway. She was no longer ahead of him, and was in fact pushing herself just to stay at his pace.

Jack turned and smiled at his running companion, it was now his turn to make some choice jabs. All of which were met with silence, or a crass, "Buck you."

Star's vision was narrowing as the starting point came up again. Her tunnel vision obscured everything but that white stone. Her legs were going numb, her lungs were burning, and her eyes were blurry, everything on and in Star's body seemed to hurt. Yet, despite the pain, she wasn't giving up. She had to at least make it to two laps, there was no way this ape was going to beat her like this.

'Buck this ape,' she thought as she passed the starting marker. Star was barely able to move after completing her second lap. She found her self limping and wobbling off to the side of the track, until she collapsed on a tuft of rather soft and cool grass. Her fur and mane were matted with sweat and dirt. Her fur was stuck to her skin with the same mixture of filth. All Star was able to do, was lay there, panting hard, trying to catch her breath, and maybe cool herself down.

Jack jogged up next to the resting pony. Jogging in place once he was in front of her, "Come on Star, we're only thorough two laps. Got one more to go!"

"Buck. You." She tried to yell, but it came out much more like a squeak. 'How the hell does he keep running?' She thought.

Jack stopped jogging and knelt down to look Star in the eyes. He was trying to hide that smirk on his face but it was hard. "I told you I usually do three laps. If you can't keep up I could just leave you here," he tried to goad Star into pushing herself just a little harder.

Sighing, Star attempted to pick herself up but quickly fell back to the ground, "Nope. Not going to happen," she huffed. Her legs refused to work, and she didn't have the energy or will to force them.

Jack shrugged and started jogging away from her, leaving her there to cool off and rest. She watched him running away from her. He had a slight bounce in his rear as he moved away. During his last lap around the track, Star kept a close eye on his movements. Seeing his body move was stimulating for her, his physique seemed so much more tight and well formed than a pony's. Even in his lose fitting pants and shirt, she could see his muscle groups move and flex, and she paid very close attention to the muscle groups in and around his ass.

Her cheeks were growing warmer, not cooler, and there was a slight tingle as a subtle wetness enveloped her lower lips. Her previously calmed breathing was become ragged once more, as she felt herself start to heat up again. If she wasn't in public she would have been tempted to relive herself. Once Jack left her sight, all she could think of was his body and how it moved. She lowered her head to the ground with a sigh. “Why does he have to be so cute?” she asked herself.

Finally, Jack returned to her side after completing his third lap, "That makes three. It's not too hard star. You just have to pace yourself."

Star raised an eyebrow up, "Pace myself, eh?" Another dirty thought ran through her mind as she shook it off.

Jack sat next to his fellow guard. He was mildly aware that she was still breathing heavy, "You really do need to work out more, Star. You shouldn't still be out of breath."

She squinted at Jack before poking him with her hoof, "You know something, Jack. You're one of the dense stallions I know."

Star shook her head, part of her wanted to get up and go shower, but for the moment, sitting here next to Jack felt better than any shower could.

Jack too, was enjoying the feeling of sitting next to his guard mate. He was unaware of the turmoil starting to stir in his own heart.

Guard duty was proving rather difficult for Star that night. She could barely stand much less walk. When Luna walked down the thrown room Star's leg nearly gave out on her. She stumbled slightly, catching the ire of the princess and her captain; who proceed to chew her out afterward. It was a relief when Leucippe asked her to help clean and organize the armory. All she would have to to do was sit and polish things all night. Boring work, but easy.

As usual, Jack was also recruited into the menial task.

Several hours into the cleaning and organizing and Star was bored out of her mind. She was grateful she didn't have to move to much, but sitting there hurt her mind rather than her body.

Taking a break, she looked up from the sword she had been cleaning. She saw Jack carrying a large shield meant for a minotaur or possibly somepony larger towards the oversized shield rack. He was moving it around as if it were a feather rather than the very heavy chunk of metal it was. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it." she said to him.

Jack looked to Star unsure what she was getting at. "What do you mean?"

"Just... how you're able to work after that run earlier. I can barely stand and move, but you..." She watched Jack put the shield down. "You're picking up armor pieces that weight as much as a pony!"

Rolling his shoulders, Jack could feel the tightness in his back and arms. He was actually quite sore, but it wasn't anything he hadn't felt before. "Well, before I came to Equistria, my ROTC squad and I had to train very hard. My world's armed forces aren't as easiest to get into as the Equestrian Guard. Carrying this shield is nothing compared to what they made us do every Saturday."

*Clang, bang, tunk*

There was a clattering of sounds, as steel and wood impacted the hard stone ground.

"Damn it." Leucippe swore to herself. "This stuff is hard to carry."

She took a seat next to Star and started going over the equipment she brought with her, checking for damage and looking at what might need to be cleaned and what needed to actually be repaired.

Leucippe had overheard Jack talk about his physical strength and grew curious about the human's training and capabilities. In the past few months she never really sat down to talk with him before, even when at the bar he was more or less just there. "So, what did they actually make you do. Back in your world I mean?" She asked him.

He thought back to his time in ROTC, "Well, we had to run in full gear, which weighed close to forty five kilos. Depending on what mood our CO was in, that run could be as short as a mile, to as long as five. Beyond that, there we are few other challenges and exercises we were meant to do. Push ups, pull ups, things like that. Though, honestly it was nothing compared to what the Marines and Army had to do."

Leucippe blinked a few times as she thought about all that weight and work. "Wow... and you flunked basic here because of physical limitations?"

Jack remembered all the test they made him do here. Most of them were easy, picking up weights, doing a few simple exercises. The sword and bow tests were a bit challenging, but only because he'd never really used them before. The only truly difficult part was, ironically enough the running. "Well, I actually passed most of basic easy, the only part I failed was the running portion."

Not quite she heard him right, Leucippe asked "Running? But I thought you were a great runner? Can't you do like three or more laps outside?"

Nodding, Jack continued to explain "Yeah, I can run long distances fine, but that's not what they test or train for in basic. You're expected to run a full mile in less than four minutes, with some species they'll make an exception up to five, but I just can't do that. Maybe if I had a year to train I might be able to make it under five. That's also why I rarely run with you guys, I just can't keep up when you run."

Sitting down, Jack picked up a sword from Leucippe's pile and looked it over. He could see some small chips in the bade, but along the center was a hairline fracture that stretched the length. "I think this sword needs to go back for reforging."

He took the sword and walked out of the armory. Just outside the room was a large cart with an assortment items on it, mostly swords, but also a few shields and bows. All of them seemed to have minor imperfections.

*Ding, ting, ding*

Right as Jack was about to put the sword on top of the pile he heard a slight cling sound. Like a tiny bell off in the distance. Looking up caught sight of a moving silhouette further down the hallway. He turned his head to look for where it might have gone, but it was already out of sight or maybe just not there at all.

Jack was vaguely aware of Leucippe coming out of the armory behind him. She dropped something in the cart and was now trying to say something to him, something about running. However, Jack was more focused on the phantom in the hallway. Travailing down the hallway, he searched for the something or someone who might have been their, but there was nothing but darkness and still shadows.

"Is something wrong rookie?" Leucippe asked.

Jack shook his head, "No, just thought I saw-"

On the ground he saw a tiny glint of pall yellow light, a golden ring lay by his feet, reflecting the subtle moon light in the hallway. Kneeling down jack looked over the item.

Seeing the item too, Leucippe also looked down, "That looks like a horn ring." she surmise.

Using a bit of cloth from his armor, Jack picked up the ring to examine it. It seemed awfully small to be a horn ring. Too small in fact, but it was just about the right size for his index finger.

Leucippe came in closer to Jack's hand. "Wait a minute... I think I've seen this before. This looks like it was from one of the artifact collections on display in the main foyer."

Reaching her hoof out she took the ring and looked it over, examining it more in depth. "I'm not completely sure, but I think it is... We need to show this to somepony else, this shouldn't be here."

Taking another look around Jack spotted something else in the darkness. Not more than two feet from him was a gray and tan feather stuck to rough patch of a support pillar. He reached out and picked it up, slowly turning it over and examining it. The color looked familiar, but he didn't know why.

"Leucippe, what do you think of this feather?"

She looked at it studying its markings and colors. "Well, it's a larger feather, probably off a pegasus or a griffin. I don't know for sure. Do you think it's important?"

He looked the feather over once more before placing it in his chest plate for safe keeping. "I don't know. Just thinking I've seen it before." The two pushed the cart into the armory before locking it up. They could deal with the gear later. Right now the small squad had a more important job to do and they made their way towards the throne room. The sooner they did it the better.

As they left the hallway, a pair of eyes followed them. The small squad was unaware that they were being watched from the shadows. A winged figure snarled in the darkness before running off deep into the shadows.

The next day Star again meet Jack outside of his room. Jack was more surprised to see her out today than yesterday, "Ready for more Star? I figured you were going to give up after yesterday."

Star flicked her ear in annoyance. "Ha. I'm not giving up till I beat your monkey ass, Jack." She poked at his chest with her hoof, and had a tight smile on her face, as if saying "Try me."

The two walked to the court yard. Star had a slightly slower pace to her today, and walked more by Jack's side rather than ahead of him. He could see her labored movements, and she looked like she was in a bit of discomfort. "Are you sure you're up for this run Star? You seem kind of sore." He asked

"Eh, a bit. Nothing too bad. Besides, I said I was going to run with you, and I plan to keep to that. Anyway, I've got a great idea to make this more interesting."

"Oh, and what's that?"

She laughed, and gave him a wide smirk, "How about we make this interesting. Who ever stops first has to do what the winner says?" Star licked one of her fangs in anticipation. She knew she'd probably lose, but if she won, she was going to have some much needed fun with Jack.

Jack of course knew what she wanted, and what she meant. He wasn't quite as dense as she thought he was. Remembering what happened yesterday, he began to wonder if he should have said something to her then. Still, Star's stamina was so much lower than his own, there wasn't any real risk to accepting it, or so he thought.

Star's smile shrank as Jack started to laugh, "That wouldn't be fair Star. But I'll tell you what. You out lap me ONCE, anytime this year and I'll consider it." He emphasized the once, knowing full well it would take either a miracle or months of hard work for her to lap him.

Her smile twisted into a smirk, "Fine Jack, you're on!"

Once they reached the starting marker Jack began stretching his legs, then his arms. Star stood at the starting point and watched him. "You really should stretch Star." He said between flexing his arms.

"Nah, I stretched back in my room. It was quite enjoyable." She said with a flick of her tail.

He felt like she was insinuating something, but didn’t want to push it any further. Instead, he just rolled his eyes.

Once star started the jog, she quickly moved ahead of Jack just like yesterday. He could only fall back and shake his head. Star turned, and was going to make some more jabs but seeing his shaking head she remembered what happened the last time.

Instead of insulting him, Star took the time and thought about yesterday for a moment. Then, she began to slow down a bit. Even thought, she was still ahead of Jack, she was now focused on keeping pace with him, instead of racing him.

It was almost painful for her to run this slow, but Star was rewarded once she passed the starting marker. She could feel her legs and lungs burning from fatigue, but it was nothing like yesterday. In fact, the slower speed made the ache almost pleasurable.

Jack could sense the change in Star and see the extra energy she seemed to have. He couldn't help but comment, "See, what did I tell you. Pace yourself, Star."

"Shut up," she barked, not wanting to admit the human may have been right.

With surprising quickness, the end of the second lap came up. Star panted as she crossed the marker once more, her legs burned, her lungs burned, her fur was matted from sweat and dust again. She wanted to quit and find that nice soft patch of grass again, but she knew she could still run, she had just that tiny bit more energy in her this time. 'Just a bit further,' she said to herself.

There was no way she was going to make three laps today, but maybe, just maybe she could make two and a quarter. Star was rewarded once she pass a gate that marked a quarter around the track. Passing it, star stumbled off to the side and found a nice cool patch of flowers to lay in.

She was vaguely aware of some gardener yelling at her, but she didn't really care. A smile crossed her lips, the feeling of the cool flowers eased her aching muscles. She could do it, eventually. All she would need is time.

Star closed her eyes, she felt good. Up until the gardener started hitting her with his rake.

Every day for the next few weeks, Star would meet with Jack before his afternoon jog. Every day Star pushed herself just a bit further. Jack tired to tell her to slow down a bit, and give her body time to adjust, but Star was a stubborn one.

This day, her stubbornness would be rewarded as she passed the halfway marker. 'Two and a half laps,' she thought as she pulled off to the side of the track to breath.

Once Jack finished his 3rd lap he continued on at pace for another half to meet up with her.

She watched him, her smile waned slightly as she saw him still running that extra half. Eventually he stopped at the halfway marker, and walked over to her. She gave him a light scowl as if he was rubbing salt in her pride. Picking on her agitation he smirked and gave her a short Jab, "You said lap me, not just run 3 laps."

The two bickered for a moment, before settling in to rest a minute more.

Neither of them were expecting Mani and a few other Guard to walk up to them. "Mani," Star and Jack both greeted the officer.

Mani responded, "Hey Jack... A couple of the guards were impressed with your and Star's stamina. How do you do it?"

Jack thought about how to explain. It was so simple really, "Well, you just have to train for it."

Mani rubbed his hoof over his tilted head, "How?" he asked.

Jack shrugged and thought about how to explain it, "Well, the guard leaders and captains tend to focus on speed, but that speed comes at a price. You burn out quicker. If you want to go further, you have to pace yourselves more. Slow down a bit. I mean, you'll also need to work at it. A few years ago when I first started running it took me almost a month to get in good enough shape to run a full mile." Jack trailed off as he thought about his time in the ROTC. He had come in very overweight, and it took a lot of effort to shave that all down.

Mani thought about how far Jack could run, and the improvement in Star's stamina as well. He wanted to have the same capabilities that these two had. In fact he wanted the whole squad to have it, "I think it would benefit the squad if we could run as long as you two do. Would you mind if some of us join you tomorrow?"

Jack thought about it, and smiled, "If you want to try and keep up."

The next morning came and went. The afternoon took hold, and sun was low on the horizon. Jack and Star stood at the start of the track, they were met by Mani, Leucippe and a small group of four other guards who came out to meet them. In total there were now eight.

Jack smiled at his small group of running mates, he was expecting to see maybe two additions, and not six in front of him. "Wow, I'm impressed. Wasn't expecting to see this many." Jack commented to Mani.

"Actually, there may be more in the future. There are a lot of Guards who are actually eager to improve themselves, there's just not to many opportunities for it."

Nodding his head, Jack had come to understand full well that the Guard units were not as regimented or formal as the military he had come from.

"Now then, you're going to be tempted to run at full speed. Don't. That's the first lesson I want to teach you." He turned his head to look at Star impatiently waiting at the starting marker. "Normally I'd tell all of you to stretch beforehand, but I'm assuming that like Star here you already did?"

The in ability for any of them to look Jack in the eye told him all he needed to know. "Stretching is important. You need to remember to do it next time, or come out earlier and do it at the track."

"I run three laps usually, don't feel you have to keep up for the whole thing. Being able to do two is an accomplishment."

He walked to the starting marker and counted, "On my mark. Go!”

The squad of ponies started running behind Jack and Star. A few pushed ahead a bit. Stone Breaker, a smaller bat pony guard kept running at near full speed. Jack tried to tell him to slow down, but being eager to show off he didn't listen.

Once the rest of the group passed the marker for the first lap, they saw Stone trotting along, trying to keep up any kind of pace. He quickly pulled off to the side at the halfway point and rested.

Mani, Leucippe and the others managed to push themselves past the second lap, but quickly left the track before the quarter marker. Star, trying to impress the lot, and Jack especially, push herself as hard as she could. She saw the halfway point come and go, yet still she was next to Jack.

Looking down at his running mate Jack gave her a quick nod. She responded with a smirk of her own.

Her legs ached and burned, and then, “Owww, oww...” Right before the three quarter marker Star limped off the tack. “Damn it.”

Jack stopped and walk besides her. “You ok Star?”

She winced a bit as she rubbed her back leg, “Yeah, I'm fine, my leg just started cramping a bit.”

“I told you, you need to stretch beforehand. Come on, well speed walk the rest of the way.”

She looked up at him, mildly annoyed that he was slowing down for her. Yet, also a bit happy as well.

The two meet the squad, which was now grouped up at the starting marker. “Well guys, that's it. If you can keep coming out here, at least every-other day I think you'll all be able to do two laps in a few months.” He looked over at Stone Breaker who was still laying on the grass. “Just remember to pace yourselves.”

The sun light of the next afternoon peaked through Night Blade's window string him from his sleep. Sitting up in his bed stretching his legs. He gave a hardy yawn as he began to force himself out of bed, causing his companion to sir.

"Mmmm... it's too early to get out of bed. Come back and cuddle with me." The sounds of a young stallion could be heard under the sheets.

Blade looked over the pony like shape in the sheets with a smile, followed by a frown. "You know I have work to do. Shadow's busy with some nobles today, so I have to pick up my second's duties."

An orange furred bat pony with a very messy and reddish mane stuck his head out of the covers. "You're a captain, can't you delegate?" He said with a frown.

For a moment, Blade was tempted to skip the hearings today to push it all off to somepony else, maybe Mani. Yet he knew he couldn't do that. As much as he wanted to stay in bed with his lover, he had to do this.

Leaning down in bed he placed his lips firmly against the orange stallion's. Opening his mouth he kissed him deeply. "Look love, I am a captain. That's why I have to do this. I can't make anyone else answer to the princess and generals."

The orange pony continue to pout as Balde got up and wandered away from the bed. A small tent began to form under the sheets as he watched blade put his armor on. Biting his lower lip the orange pony began to slowly stroke himself at the sight of his lover covered in armor.

Once Blade turned around his eyes opened in a bit of shock as he saw his mate pleasuring himself. "Be a dear and turn back around, I'm not finished yet." He said between strokes.

Blade smiled and shook his head, "I thought you like it when I watched." Walking back over Blade kissed him again. Reaching his hoof under the covers he gave the orange pony a quick few strokes before sighing.

"Autumn, I want nothing more than to rut you silly, but I have a job to do." He kissed Autumn one last time as he walked out of the room. "Make sure you're ready tonight though, I have a feeling I'm going to need to blow off some steam."

Autumn smiled and hummed lightly, "I hope that's not all you're going to blow."

Reluctantly Blade closed his chamber door. It was one of the perks of being a captain, having your own room in the castle. Sure there was a bit less privacy than having a house in town, but it was a spacious accommodation, and considered a mark of honor amongst the guards. He walked down the hallway, thinking about all the work he had put in through the years, all the ass kissing he had to do to get here.

In truth though, a part of him just wanted to run away from this life. To leave with Autumn and head somewhere else, maybe into the northern mountains. They could work in a rock quarry together, maybe even adopt some foals one day and start a family. He shook the thought out of his head.

A few months ago he would have slapped himself for even thinking that. But now, with all these thefts, and the pressure from his superiors, not to mention that ape guard of his, Jack. Blade scowled when he thought about him. All the hard work Blade had to put in just to be accepted to the Guards, the years of bullshit just to be promoted so he could have his own room. Meanwhile, Jack was just given opportunity after opportunity on a lavender platter.

Night Blade couldn't help but resent the Guardsman.

'He had to go and find that blasted ring on his watch. If he hadn't turned it in, no one would ever have known!' He thought to himself. Blade knew this meeting wasn't going to go well for him.

He took a deep breath as he entered the Royal chambers of princess Luna. Sitting on the side of the room, was Luna, Celestial, Fire Wall and a few other very important Guards, including the Royal Guard captain, Janis.

"Ah, Captain. Please shut the door, we have somethings we need to discuss." Fire Wall commanded.

He gulped and shut the door behind him.

It was nearly two hours before the doors opened again.

Night Blade left the room, shutting the doors behind him. He rubbed his eyes with his hoof before walking down the hallway towards the castle courtyard. The meeting ran through his head, over and over again. “We aren't blaming you.”, “It's not your fault.”, “We just think you need help with this”, all their placation. In the end they just didn't trust him to catch this thief so they were enlisting the help of the Day Guard, and that jerk Janis.

Night Blade walked to shove his hoof down the captain's throat. Just to wipe that smug smile off his face. That whitish gray pegasus just rubbed him the wrong way. Always doing things just a bit off, bending rules that shouldn't be bent, and generally being an ass. Blade didn't trust him, no doubt he would throw him under the wheels of a passing cart if it benefited him. If he wasn't able to catch this thief soon, Blade feared that Janis would back stab him and somehow use his failure to hurt him.

Looking out a passing window Night Blade could see the sun very low on the horizon. The last bell had run six times. It was getting late, no doubt his squad was slacking by the track, assuming they were there at all. He needed to get out there as quickly as possible to get them moving.

However, once he reached the castle court yard Blade couldn't help but blink in surprise. Most of his squad were already out on the track preparing to start their run. He watched the small squad start, being lead by no other than Jack.

Blade ran after his squad, stopping next to Mani who was running slightly behind Jack.

"Gaurdsman, what's going on?" Night Bladed barked at Mani.

"Uh, sir. Didn't think you were coming out today. We're all just out for a run."

Night Blade seemed upset at what should have been a pleasant development, "You're all going to slow," he commented.

"Captain, sir. We're trying to push our endurance today." Mani tried to explain to Blade what they were doing, but this just seemed to make the captain more upset.

"Let me guess, this was Jack's idea? If you insist on extra laps, then you need to run like everypony else. You can't let this ape slow you down." Night Blade gestured towards Jack. "It looks bad to our unit if we can't keep up with the other guards."

Jack stopped running, the rest of the squad followed suite. He felt like he needed to defend his idea and Mani from the captain, "Night Blade, Sir. With all due respect we're training for endurance today. Not speed. If the Guards run a bit slower, they can-"

The captain walked up to Jack and started to poke him in the chest, "Listen Rookie, I'm the captain and I set the rules for my squad. Guards are expected to keep a certain pace. I don't care how many laps you can make. If you aren't doing it in the minimum time then you might as well not be doing laps at all."

He turned to face the members of his squad with an angry look in his eyes, "So, you guards want to do extra laps? Then lets go! Everypony double time it!" He looked Jack square in the eyes, "That goes for you too Jack. You may have special dispensation, but you're going to run this time. Do I make myself clear?"

Jack tried not to wince or grimace; With a stone cold face he responded, "Yes, sir."

Everyone started off with Night Blade pacing. It was grueling and Jack couldn't help but start to fall behind. Jack was surprised to see Star running besides him. Any other time she would have tried to be ahead of him. "Fuck Night Blade, I'm going to run with you Jack," she said.

Night Blade ignored the two slower guards to focus on the core of his squad.

A small smile almost crossed his lips before he shook it off, "No Star. You'll just get in trouble. I don't want that."

"But Night Blade is a dick, and he's wrong," she continued.

"He might be a dick but he's not really wrong. The Night Guard expect a certain speed. He's just following orders and protocol as he understands them." He thought about Night Blade's attitude. Blade was definitely an asshole, but Jack had to believe he had his reasons. "Please Star, if you're interested in helping me, then try to keep up with everyone else."

Star hesitated before nodding. She slowly picked up her pace to join the rest of the Guard. Looking over her shoulder as Jack continued to fall behind. 'This feels wrong,' she thought.

"I know how you feel," as if sensing her thoughts Leucippe whispered in her ear.

Jack pushed his legs as hard as he could, but still found himself falling farther behind with every step. His lungs and legs were burning him from the inside. Trying to run a five minute mile was just beyond him for the moment, even with all his extra traning.

Eventually he managed to cross the starting point, more than a minute behind everyone else. All the extra running over the past month gave him the strength to beat his best time, but it was still less the minimum the Guard normally required. He stood off to the side of the marker, watching the rest of his unit continue on for their second lap.

A series of angry thoughts crossed through Jack's mind as he sat to the side of the track and considered his failure. He wanted to push himself and at least try for a second lap, but he couldn't. Not at the speed they were running. Sitting down in the grass, his mind began to cloud over with thoughts of this failure and others.

"Hey Jack," Jack looked to his side to see Star standing by him. He forced a bit of a smile as she sat down next to him.

"So, it looks like I finally lapped you," Star smirked at the disgruntled Jack.

He winced slightly at her comment. For a moment Star was seriously considering calling him on his beat from earlier. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how much of a dick thing that would be.

Instead, she thought about something to say. Something to pick up the down beaten human, "So, you beat your best time. That's impressive, for an ape," She smirked at Jack.

He huffed. Jack suspected that Star had ulterior motives behind her conversation, he knew she wanted to call he bet in. Yet, she didn't, and that made Jack think. A slight twinge appeared in his shoulder as he thought about her. "Yeah, well at least I'm not some blood sucking bat horse," He rubbed at the two small scars on his shoulder.

Star smacked his side with her hoof, "Jerk." she said sticking her tongue out.

Jack knew what Star wanted, but the fact that she didn't try to ask for it, or force him into it did mean something. 'Maybe she will calm down a bit and our friendship will actually work', he thought. 'Maybe...'

Off in the distance the sound of bells could be heard. A count of seven in all.

Mani walked towards the two guards. "Hey Jack, do you have a minute?"

Trying to save his breath he just nodded.

"I know Night Blade was a jerk today. He got his ass chewed out by Fire Wall and some other generals today. Apparently the number of thefts have increased and they are all happening on his watch. You three dropping that ring off last week didn't exactly help you as much as it should have."

Jack nodded, his response again.

"The rest of the squad appreciate that you're pushing yourself. I also wanted to say thanks for trying to help the squad out. You're a good guardsman Jack," Mani placed his hoof on Jack's shoulder. Jack smiled, it felt good to be recognized.

"We all still want to try and run with you tomorrow if you're still up for it?"

Jack thought about how Night Blade reacted today, "I don't know. Night Blade was pretty clear Mani. He doesn't want the squad to slow down."

"I'll talk to Night Blade. I'm sure I can get him to see reason."

"Well, how about you talk to him before we try to run again. I'm not sure my legs can take another beating like this so soon." He said with a forced laugh. Tonight was going to be a long night for him. 'Hopefully tomorrow will be better', he thought.