//------------------------------// // CH 03 Cherry Spark, Moon-fall // Story: Cherry Tune: A New Tune // by CherryTune //------------------------------// After the recruits start to flow in and are trained for patrols the shifts go under one more change allowing weekends for the guard. Cherry and Sapphire still work days on the first half of the week while Moonlet and Nightfall worked nights for the first half of the week as well. While the back half of the week is patrolled by the new guard. During shift change Cherry tells Moonlet what pranks she and Sapphire have been getting into and Moonlet acts distracted and says, “That’s really cool CT, shift is getting real busy so I better go.” Moonlet then trots off. “Whoa, what was that all about?” Cherry asked. Sapphire Spark walks over to Cherry adjust her mechanical wings “What was what all about?” she asked Cherry Tune. “Nothing, let’s go.” Cherry said softly. During the next couple of weeks during shift changes Moonlet spends less and less time talking with Cherry Tune. Moonlet also made excuses during the weekend to avoid talking with Cherry saying “It’s these long nights, I just get so tired and want to sleep during my time off.” Cherry would often understand and wouldn’t really press the issue any further. One day Cherry begins to open up to Sapphire and tells her about how distant Moonlet has been. Sapphire says she should try to surprise her with a gift or a scavenger hunt one night during her shift. Cherry likes the idea and makes plans for a special scavenger hunt around the castle. Sunny SIde lets Cherry finish her shift change early and heads out to gather the supplies. Moonlet arrives to relieve Cherry but Sunny had let her off just a few minutes ago. Moonlet takes the news a little poorly even though she had been avoiding her and shuffles off. Nightfall shows up moments later. “Good morning Moonlet! Or good evening in our case.” he said. Moonlet just scowled. “Are you okay?” Nightfall asked. “I’m fine!” Moonlet snapped. “Soooooo not so good.” Nightfall replied. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.” Moonlet said. “You’re alright, what’s on your mind?” Nightfall asked. “…… can we wait until our patrol?” Moonlet replied. “Of course.” Nightfall said. They get the daily reports and patrol plans and head out. Moonlet remains quiet for a few minutes as they walk along the wall overlooking expanse of green towards Ponyville. Moonlet had been walking ahead of NIghtfall during the patrol when he asks “So how are you? What was that back there?” “It’s….Cherry… She seems to be really happy...” she sneered. “with her new “friend” Sapphire Spark.” Moonlet said. “That’s pretty good news! I knew the changes would be stressful for someponies. Glad she is finding it easy to get along with Sapphire!” Nightfall said with a slight smirk. Moonlet whipped her head around and stared at Nightfall with eyes that could kill. “Thanks.” She said with contempt. “You feel like she’s forgotten you and moved on because she’s been having fun with Sapphire much like you and her did.” Nightfall said. “I’ve noticed y’all during shift change. I am guessing you are upset that she was gone when you arrived for work today.” He continued. “If you knew why’d you ask!” Moonlet asked. “Dunno, maybe I was hoping you’d open up yourself.” Nightfall said then quickly darting his eyes away. Moonlet and Nightfall stood in silence for a moment. “What am I going to do…..” Moonlet asked. “Talk to her.” Nightfall said. “I know she’s sharing with you all the fun things she’s been doing but it’s not to rub it in your face, I am sure.” He continued. “I know! I mean… I don’t know…” Moonlet says before letting out a sigh. “Look it’s our last night this week and Cherry’s too, maybe y’all can hang out during the weekend and talk things out.” Nightfall said. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just let it go.” Moonlet said. Moonlet and Nightfall arrive at the fountain and Luna flies in behind them. They discuss Moonlets dilemma and Luna suggest much the same thing as Nightfall. Moonlet says she’ll consider it over the weekend and reiterated that she might just ignore it and move on. The morning crew arrives as the night ends and Moonlet and Nightfall head into their weekend. Moonlet asks Nightfall to show her his storefront between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. He agrees saying, “You are always welcome to join me while I tend to my shop and check out how busy it’s been since the six spirits!” “Oh thank you! I’ve always wanted to check out how the outpost has come along. I’ve heard it’s developing into quite a respectable town.” Moonlet said. “Indeed, it has been a remarkable place of training for all creatures for the defense of Equestria and the school house is currently getting its accreditation as a university.” Nightfall added knowing full well that Moonlet is hiding something but he didn’t pry. The two hop on the train and head out to Nightfall’s shop at Midway station. Over the three days of the weekend Nightfall shows Moonlet the shop, the guard posts, and the schoolhouse. Moonlet takes note that the school house will train new guard captains in addition as hold joint training for other nations. The site had gained some some renown with leaders from all over the lands and envoys of diplomats arrived on a regular bases to tour and learn about Equestria. Moonlet takes a special interest in the guard captain schooling but doesn’t bring it up to Nightfall. By the third evening Moonlet and Nightfall head back to Canterlot to begin there work week. When they arrive Nightfall asks Moonlet if she’s going to talk it out with Cherry Tune but before she gave an answer Cherry Tune and Sapphire Spark were heading over to give their nightly report. Nightfall nudges Moonlet and points over to Cherry who was taking off her armor. Moonlet sighs, “Do I have to?” “Yes you do …” Nightfall says. “Ugh, fine…” Moonlet says hanging her head low while walking over to Cherry. “Um Cherry.” She said. “Moonlet! I was just coming to find you! I wanted to talk to you about something!” Cherry Tune said excitedly. “Oh? Me too actually.” Moonlet said. “Uh oh… is this about Sapphire and I having fun together? I haven’t forgotten about you Moonlet!” Cherry said. Moonlet whipped over at Nightfall with a scowl and he just shrugged as he hadn’t said anything to anypony. She looked back over at Cherry and asked “How’d you know?” “You’re my very best friend. And I know you like the back of my wings!” Cherry said. “Cherry, you can’t see the back of your wings.” Moonlet said in a lighthearted manner. “I know, but just because I can’t see it doesn’t mean I don’t know it’s there and it needs to brushed and cleaned and taken care of!” Cherry said. “But if you knew why didn’t you brush… I mean why didn’t you say anything?” Moonlet asked. “Because I knew you needed time to think things through, and to be honest I wasn’t really thinking about how my stories about how Sapphire and I might affect you. I just wanted to share our experiences with you.” Cherry said. “But! I do know a way to share not just the stories but the activities as well!” she continued. Moonlet looked on. “It was mostly Sapphires idea cause she knows how much you mean to me. Here take this note and don’t read it until check point one!” Cherry said. “It’s a scavenger hunt for you! Oh and Nightfall too I suppose.” She continued while glancing over at Nightfall. He slumped and leered at Cherry and she poked her tongue out and winked. Moonlet and Cherry part ways for the night on a much happier tone then the previous weeks. Moonlet grabs Nightfalls hoof and says “Come on! Let’s go find out what she hid!” She gets to check point one and opens the letter it says “through a looking glass you’ll see an arrow. Closer than the arrow is but in the direction it points is your next clue”. Nightfall hands Moonlet a telescope and she looks out to find an arrow marked out on the side of the mountain. She follows to the left and sees another arrow on a tower pointing down to a door in-between checkpoint one and two. They go through the night following clue after clue and during their break they invite Luna to find the next one. Cherry knew Luna would be present for the break and added something only Luna might figure out. The next couple of days went much the same but now Luna, Nightfall, and Moonlet were setting up their own scavenger hunts and pranks for Sapphire and Cherry. Some nights Luna was too busy to make the breaks. During those moments Moonlet and Nightfall began to grow closer sharing more intimate details about each other. Because of this they both grew to like each other in ways that surprised each of them. Moonlet never mentioned it to Nightfall, Cherry, or anyone else, nor did Nightfall mention it to Moonlet. As Nightfall was captain of the guard and Moonlet a guard pony, such relationships were not acceptable. Even their friendship was skirting the edge of what was accepted. They still had fun on shift but they both kept to themselves on personal levels as best they could.