//------------------------------// // Ch 01 Who We Are // Story: Cherry Tune: A New Tune // by CherryTune //------------------------------// At a Canterlot guard post, Sunny Side and Cherry Tune are discussing changes to the guard schedule as Cherry starts her shift. “I’m going where!?” Cherry asked. “I’m, sorry Cherry but the day shift lost both Bulldozer and Sunspot when we fought the horde. We need you to cover that position while we train more recruits.” Sunny Side said. “I... I understand.” Cherry replied. “Don’t worry a friend will be there with you, she’s been completing training since she got to Canterlot from Klugetown and will be your partner.” Sunny said. Cherry tilted her head waiting for Sunny to reveal who it was she meant. “It’s Sapphire Spark. She’s is a rather talented unicorn and will make a fine guard.” Sunny said. “Sapphire? Wants to be a guard?” Cherry asked. “I sure do!” Sapphire said walking in to the office. “Right on time Sapphire! Punctuality! A good quality for a guard!” Sunny said. “Cherry this will be your last night shift, you’ll have two work periods to switch to days.” Sunny continued. Sapphire continues to talk with Sunny and Cherry leaves to break the news to Moonlet and Nightfall. She arrived at the evening brief awaiting for the daily tasks. Moonlet arrives shortly after and sits next to Cherry. “Hi Cherry!” Moonlet said with a smile. “What’s wrong?” she asked. “I’ll tell you later ok?” Cherry responded. “Mmhmmm!” Moonlet said. Nightfall walked out to address the dozen or so guards in the auditorium. “Alright, we have some changes to the guard. The recent loss of two off our dear friends has put a lot of stress on us, but most notably their families.” Nightfall said. “We’ve adjusted the schedule and some of you will be moving to days to cover for those on days. Now you all have your tasks on your daily board. Review them and continue your duties.” He continued. Moonlet sat silently and gathering from what Nightfall said she asked, “You’re moving to days aren’t you?” “Mhmm.” Cherry replied. “That sucks.” Moonlet said. Cherry and Moonlet review their tasks and go on patrol. They mostly stay quite checking their route and following procedures. Cherry and Moonlet get to the fountain a little late and Luna was already there. “Oh dear. Is something wrong my friends?” Luna asked. The two looked at each other and began venting at the same time. Luna sat back at the barrage of words and said “Please ladies one at a time!” The two settle down and both sigh. “Cherry is being moved to day shift to fill in for …..” “For Bulldozer and Sunspot. Yes.” Luna said. “I have reviewed some comments from the captains saying that the guard have concerns.” She continued. “But I am staying on nights…” Moonlet said. “Yes, you two are the most experienced and will train the new recruits. But one of you had to be moved to days to train those on days.” Luna said. “I left the decisions to the captain's to best mold our guard and they have done what is best and most efficient.” She continued. Luna looked over at Cherry’s and Moonlet’s sad faces. “I know it will be tough for you two. I much rather have you two here with me but I can’t undermine my captains.” “But you’re a princess.” Moonlet said. “Moonlet, it would be wrong for me to keep both of you here for my own personal reasons.” Luna said. “As much as I wanted to tell them to keep you two together, I know that the two of you will shape the future guard for the better with this arrangement.” She continued. “Will we ever be able to come back together?” Moonlet asked. “Eventually Moonlet.” Luna replied, “But I cannot predict how soon or far these changes will need to be in place. Despite the six spirits being sent to their tomb, since their escape, guard enlistment has been down, not to mention Reapers influence.” She continued. “Yeah, I have seen a lot less in our ranks as of late. It doesn’t help we sent our reserves to the watch over the ancient burial grounds.” Cherry Tune said. “Indeed Cherry, preparations are already underway to remedy our shortages and if you two can train your new company we’ll have plenty more options to maneuver. But enough of these talks, our break is almost over and we haven’t so much as looked at Moonlet’s dish!” Luna said. “Yeah! And I haven’t foaled up a tune on my banjo yet either!” Cherry Tune chimed in. Moonlet smiled and reached in her basket and pulled out a covered plate. “I made little pony smiley sandwiches!” She said. “Hopefully they’ll last us through our other breaks!” Luna looked over the faces and said “These are adorable Moonlet! Reminds of Celestia’s pancakes she makes me in the morning!” The night went well from then on with Luna returning for their subsequent breaks. Morning was well on its way and while Luna departed to her chambers, Cherry Tune and Moonlet gave their pass down to the day crew. Cherry said her goodbyes to Moonlet and they parted ways. The next night Nightfall had filled in for Cherry. Moonlet and Nightfall patrolled their route and it went by as normal. Moonlet was still upset but Nightfall was doing well to cheer her up and make her smile. They continued to their breaks with Luna and Nightfall brought some ciders from his shop for the sandwiches. This was his contribution in place of Cherry’s banjo. A few days go by and Sapphire Spark is scheduled to work the day shift. Cherry is supposed to work this day as well to show Sapphire the ropes. She would follow her route as usual but just during the day and she’d teach Sapphire how the routine is performed. Sapphire grows bored with the dull duty of walking the perimeter. “Ugh, is this all we do? You guys were doing way cooler things back in Klugetown, hunting Reaper and fighting dragon zombies. I thought this would be more exciting.” Sapphire said. “Nah this is pretty much it, those missions are super rare especially with Twilight and her friends being the “go to” heroes.” Cherry said. “Well what about the spirits, the whole kingdom of Equestria fought them?” Sapphire asked. “Yeah I guess a lot of the guard were there. But that sort of thing does not happen all that often and most of the time it’s up to Twilight to defeat the baddies.” Cherry replied. “So what do you do for fun around here?” Sapphire asked. “I normally throw small parties for close friends and we all crash at my place.” Cherry responded. “And how do you get through the day at work! It’s sooooo boring.” Sapphire said. “Well Moonlet and I usually keep each other entertained but sometimes we would pull pranks for the day shift.” Cherry replied. “Pranks huh? Not usually my thing, but go on.” Sapphire said. “Nothing elaborate, just buckets above doors or charcoal on the rims of helmets.” Cherry said. “Pssh lame, Hey I have an idea!” Sapphire said. “I’m listening.” Cherry said. Cherry and Sapphire set up an elaborate scavenger hunt. They take all of Sunny’s armor and hide it all over the castle with a single note on her desk to start it off. Sunny arrives to her office and sees that her armor is missing and checks the note. “…… someone’s in trouble.” Sunny Side growls. Sunny finds the six pieces of armor throughout the castle, on, in, and around various objects and rooms. Her helmet was on a statue in the courtyard, her chest plate was in a bucket of water placed in the freezer of the castle kitchen, and her hooflets were on chair legs spread through several rooms. She gathers her armor and immediately calls Cherry and Sapphire into her office. “Cherry someone has gone a little too far with this elaborate scavenger hunt.” Sunny said. Cherry Tune and Sapphire Spark stand at attention and become uneasy. “You are one of the best investigators Cherry. Find out who did this and report to me as soon as you discover the culprits. Sapphire take note because you’re training to be an investigator too.” Sunny continued. Cherry and Spark let out a light sigh of relief. “Yes ma’am! I won’t let you down.” Cherry said. Cherry and Sapphire calmly leave the office and when they are far enough away, they trot off giggling.