Hey guys, I'm sorry I was gonna post this like two weeks ago, but I feel TERRIBLE. I just haven't found the time for it. Until now of course. YAY THANKSGIVING! So... ya... Have a good time reading this one... *teeheehee*
Applejack walked through the halls of District 13, carrying a message from General Cheerilee to her new friend Redwall. Redwall was a smaller stallion with an orangish hue to his fur. His bright brown eyes accompanied his short brown mane nicely, and for a nerd he was rather cute. He was the head of creating all the weaponry for District 13, and his colt students helped him create designs.
"Redwall?" Applejack called out in his office. His office was a mess with weapons and designs, so she couldn't see him anywhere.
"I have a title you know," Redwall called back.
"Sorry, Lieutenant," Applejack said back. She followed his voice around the clutter of his guns and weapons to find him at his desk designing a tank schematic. "Message from the big guns."
"Cadence?" Redwall asked. He turned around in his chair and glanced in her blue eyes. He paused for a moment. She was so stunning to him.
"No," Applejack said, her voice wandering, "Cheerilee..."
"The General?!" Redwall asked in surprise, "She doesn't need my warheads until Friday, and she said she wouldn't make any contact until then!"
"She needs them by tomorrow," Applejack said, "I'm so sorry." Applejack walked out of the room, leaving the typed out message from Cheerilee behind.
"Curious," Redwall started. He picked up his reading glasses and put them on, understanding the urgency of the letter. He started reading. "Dear Redwall, it has been revealed to me that the Capital intends to send war helicopters on our position Wednesday evening, which is why I asked for the warheads tomorrow, Tuesday. Thank you for your undoubted cooperation. Also, on a different note, there's something else I need to say to you. It has been quite obvious that you have feelings toward Applejack. But you haven't even given it a shot yet. I'm not technically supposed to interfere with your personal matters, but as your colleague and friend, I require you to come to my office at 19:00 right after dinner. You need some tips on dating… Trust me."
Redwall put his reading glasses down and the letter in his pocket, he jumped up on his desk to shout to all of his work crew. He told them what was coming, and how much work they needed to do. Then he looked at his watch and found that it was 18:56. He missed dinner! But more importantly, he was about to miss a meeting with Cheerilee. That was unacceptable.
"You're late," Cheerilee said as soon as Redwall walked through the door. "But I will work with you anyway."
"It's 19:01," Redwall responded, looking at his watch.
"Close enough Lieutenant," Cheerilee said icily. "Today we will work within your limited knowledge of dating." She noticed the look on his face and said, "Believe me, I was putting it lightly." She continued, "In this lesson you will learn the most important thing about dating."
Redwall tried to ignore the insult he just received and continued with the conversation, "What is it?"
"Getting to know her," Cheerilee responded, "For instance. Give me some of your likes and dislikes."
"Well…" Redwall started in thought, "I really like the design of nuclear weaponry! And how the theory of temporal science manipulates the space-time continuum." He quickly realized that this wasn't what she was looking for.
"Maybe you could work with something more…" Cheerilee tried to water it down a little, "Compatible with a teenager. She is only sixteen you know."
"Of course," Redwall responded with his head held low. He then remembered the cave-in. "What about all of the people trapped underground. We need to help them."
"I agree," she said, and Redwall immediately started walking around the room. "Did I excuse you, Lieutenant?" He stopped. "Cadence has a team down there already. She wants minimal interference." Cheerilee smiled.
Redwall frowned and walked back to Cheerilee.
"Can we please stay on topic this time?" Cheerilee asked. Redwall simply nodded in return. "Maybe we could work with something Applejack likes."
"Well what does Applejack like? I don't know her that well remember?" Redwall joked, "This is what the lesson is about."
"Right…" Cheerilee said, "We'll need some help. Help from someone who knows Applejack."
"Who?" Redwall asked naïvely.
It was 19:35 as Rainbowdash stood in front of the Lieutenant. "Hello there Lieutenant Redwall," Rainbowdash joked, "May I get you something my liege?"
"I had to ask," Redwall answered.
"Oh," Rainbowdash said in response, "Why don't you like me Redwall?"
"Let's not give him time to answer that," Cheerilee interrupted cheerily, "This is for his help Rainbowdash. I myself am surprised by your coming here. With your dislike towards Redwall."
"I don't dislike him," Rainbowdash answered, "He just one of those ponies."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Redwall shouted.
"Now, now," Cheerilee said, "You will have to get used to this. Rainbowdash knows Applejack the best. They have a bond considering they were in the games together. I know what it's like. Which gives me a bond to Rainbowdash as well."
"Just because I was never in the arena?" Redwall answered, "This was supposed to be helpful, not a hindrance."
"You're right Redwall," Cheerilee answered, interrupting Rainbowdash who was probably about to ask Cheerilee a question. "We're getting off topic." She gave Rainbowdash a glare. "Rainbowdash? What are some of Applejack's likings?"
"Well…" Rainbowdash started, using all of her will to not ask about Cheerilee being a tribute, "She likes music. I know she picked up a trombone when she joined District 13, but to be perfectly honest I don't have much of a clue. I may know her the best, but I've only known her for a few weeks."
"Perfect," Cheerilee said -ignoring Rainbowdash's reasoning- as she led Rainbowdash out of her office, "Thanks for the help."
Rainbowdash turned, "But she likes other things. Don't you need me?"
"Not anymore thank you," Cheerilee answered. She shut the door, or so it seemed, she left it open just a crack for her to whisper through it, "I'm so sorry. It'll just be a minute."
Rainbowdash got the message. She left and went down a few levels to her quarters, right next to Applejack's room. She went inside her own room and lay on the bed, bored. Cheerilee's no fun…
"Thanks," Redwall said as Cheerilee led Rainbowdash out of the room.
"No problem," Cheerilee answered, "Didn't you used to play trombone when you were a kid here in 13?"
"Ya," Redwall said, "I dropped it when I became head of weaponry, but I'm sure I can pick it up again. I sing too, you know."
"Great," Cheerilee said, "Let's sing my favorite tune together. You know, as… practice. You can get your trombone if you want to."
"Alright," Redwall left for a few minutes to get his trombone, and he came back in looking nerdier than ever. "What's the song?" he asked.
"You are my sunshine," Cheerilee answered. She picked up some sheets of music from her desk. "I always carry these around."
Redwall read the piece, "I've never seen this before. And it's for trombone!"
"I used to play too," Cheerilee said, "But now I just sing. And the song was popular with the ponies that lived here before us. Before Equestria was... like this."
"Then let's play," Redwall looked at the piece, and had it down soon, it was pretty simple. He started playing the chorus of the song.
Cheerilee chimed in in a beautiful voice, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy. When skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take, my sunshine away." They continued to the first verse, "The other night dear. When I lay sleeping. I dreamt I held you in my arms. When I awoke dear, I was mistaken. So I hung my head and cried." Redwall continued like a robot, in perfect sinc with the song. So Cheerilee sang the chorus, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy. When skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you…" Cheerilee stopped as she realized she was staring at Redwall.
"Why did you stop?" Redwall asked, "You were great."
"I bet you can get that date in tonight…" Cheerilee said, "You'll be fine."
Hope you liked this chapter. Also, feel free to re-read the first nine chapters because they have been rewritten and are better than evah! Make sure to review this chapter too. Buh-bye!