“Just to let you know...” Shining Armor leaned forward and smiled conspiratorially. “I'll be receiving my promotion tomorrow during the ceremony.”
Jackdaw smiled in return. “That's wonderful news, sir. I'm sure you'll be putting a good word in for me once you're up at the top, yes?”
Shining sighed. “I was afraid you would mention that. I can't guarantee that there will be an opening in the ranks for you when all's said and done.”
Jackdaw bit his lip for a moment to hold back the first salvo of harsh words that came to him. Instead, he looked straight in Shining's eyes and said, “Who is it, then?”
“You wouldn't know him.” If Shining were surprised or upset that Jackdaw had read him like a book, he didn't show it. “He's in the pegasus division. Smart, younger colt, has a lot of potential.”
“I see.” There was no doubt in Jackdaw's mind who his usurper was. “Swift Wing's boy, then?”
“Flash, yes.” Shining stepped around his desk and placed a hoof on Jackdaw's shoulder. “Look, I know you're probably upset. I know how much you were waiting for this. But I also know you are a strong, wise stallion, and you'll understand why I'm doing this my way. I trust you, Jack. You'll have your own time soon enough.”
Jackdaw nodded and saluted. Once Shining had given the response, he turned and began to leave. At the threshold, Jackdaw said, “Of course I'm fine. It's not as though this is a defining moment for my character that will represent my conversion to the side of evil.”
“Sorry, what'd you say?” Shining asked.
“Oh, nothing~!” Jackdaw replied. But as soon as he turned the corner, his face fell, and he thought only of revenge.
---
“For his exceptional service with the Long Patrol, and for his bravery during the Battle of the Frozen North, we award Shining Armor the Emblem of the Sun, our highest medal of honor, and promote him to the rank of Captain of the Royal Guard!”
All the crowd gave Shining Armor a round of applause, save for Jackdaw, who stood at the back and glowered at his commanding officer. He scoffed, quietly enough that the ponies next to him could not hear him, then slipped out the door before Shining noticed his absence.
Shining Armor was a fool, a lunkhead. He wasn't fit to be a commander; he was more like a weapon, to be pointed at the enemy and let loose. This Jackdaw knew better than anypony else. He'd been serving under Shining's command for years, slaving away in the shadows that matched his coal-black coat in the hopes of riding Shining's coattails up to greatness. But now he'd been passed over, left behind, all his service and offerings forgotten in an instant.
And for what? For that useless moron Flash Sentry to take his place. Flash Sentry… Jackdaw scowled to think of him. There weren't enough mean words in the dictionary to describe Flash. He was dopey, maladroit, undisciplined, and a terrible flirt. Jackdaw suspected that there was something else going on: Flash Sentry was part of Shining Armor's Oubliettes & Ogres games, perhaps. The cause didn't matter, really. It was enough that Shining had chosen some nobody over such an important figure as himself.
He needed to go somewhere else, find someone who would commiserate with him about the injustice of it all. The White Stripe, Canterlot's premium salt lick pub, seemed the perfect kind of place at the moment. He went straight in, signaling to the mare behind the counter for two of “the usual.” She nodded and got on her way. He sat down next to a particularly angry-looking young stallion, turned to him, and asked, “So, what's got you down, guy?”
The stallion looked at Jackdaw as though he were an insect buzzing around his face. “I'm sorry, I'm afraid you've got the wrong impression. I'm not of your… persuasion.”
“What? No!” Jackdaw shook his head. “I'm not coming on to you! Truth is, I'm having a pretty bad day, myself, and I thought you looked like yours wasn't much better.”
The stallion sighed. “Not a day; try a life. I've been trying to court Princess Mi Amore Cadenza for months, but her 'aunt,' Princess Celestia, won't arrange it. She says Cadenza has a 'boyfriend' already.” He scoffed and tossed the notion aside. “What a ridiculous notion! He's not a prince like me, this much I know.”
“Ah, so you're the legendary Prince Blueblood,” Jackdaw said.
“My reputation precedes me, then,” he said smugly.
“It does at that.” He neglected to mention just what sort of reputation that was, of course. Instead, he offered a hoof to shake. “My name is Jackdaw, and I'm currently the advisor to the new Captain of the Royal Guard.”
Blueblood shook the offered hoof, though he seemed confused. “I thought you said you were having a bad day.”
“He'd promised me my own squad if he got the promotion. But when it came time to, you know, give it to me, he picked somepony else, instead.”
“The nerve!” Blueblood shook his head. “I assume you're going to get him back for this shameful action?”
“Sure, sure. But let's talk about you.”Jackdaw leaned down and whispered over to Blueblood. “What's the name of this boyfriend of Cadance's?”
“Shining… something, I believe.”
“Armor?”
“Yes, that's it! Shining Armor! Do you know him?” Blueblood asked.
“I do. He's the Captain of the Royal Guard.”
Jackdaw gave Blueblood a few moments to put the pieces together. “But that would mean...”
“Yes, precisely. We have the same enemy, you and I.”
“How fortuitous!” said Blueblood. “We can kill two birds with one stone, as it were.”
“Yes. In fact, I think I know just how to do it,” Jackdaw said. “What greater revenge would there be for me than to see the love of his life stolen from him?”
“And how would we go about doing that?” Blueblood asked.
“You needn't worry about that. I consider myself a bit of an expert on love, after all.” Jackdaw smiled and tapped the bar with a hoof. “A little quid pro quo from yourself, and I don't doubt I can draw her out from Shining's hoof.”
“You'd do that for me?”
“Of course. We are on the same team, after all.” Jackdaw leaned over and hooked Blueblood in a hug. Reaching out with one hoof, he continued, “You and I, we're not meant to be just little creatures in the world. We're the players in a much bigger story than the rest of the world out there realizes. I think we have the power to destroy Shining Armor and get our happily ever afters.”
Blueblood was caught like a fly in a spiderweb. “You're absolutely correct, Mr. Daw. I'm sure you and I will see nothing but success from here on out.”
“I'm sure we will.”