Tanks for the Memories
Pony's Log Number 505: The bond between a pet and its pony is a strong one. Even if its temporary, separation from each other can be very difficult...
One late fall day, Rainbow was enjoying herself as she zoomed across the sky at high speed. She then zoomed right past her pet tortoise, Tank, who spun about in place due to the momentum. Rainbow then hovered back to him.
"Look at that, Tank!" said Rainbow as she held the tortoise under her fore-leg and pointed toward a familiar cloud city hovering in the sky, "Cloudsdale's here! That means Ponyville is next up for winter!" Rainbow then let Tank go and descended below as some ponies were charging through the woods. It was the annual running of the leaves as the racers did their best to knock off all the leaves off the trees. One would have thought Mario would have participated again, but since he was so fast, he didn't think it was fair for him to do so. So he chose not to.
"You're doing awesome, everypony!" said Rainbow to the racers from above, "Keep it up! We need those leaves off those trees!" It was then Tank hovered nearby, looking rather exhausted as Rainbow landed on a cloud behind him.
"Once we get autumn cleared away," said Rainbow to Tank, "it'll be hello winter!" Tank's only reply was a yawn. Rainbow looked at the tortoise skeptically.
"Was that a yawn I just saw?" Rainbow asked in a suspicious tone and gave him the stink eye. Tank just yawned again.
"How can you be tired when the most exciting time of year is right around the corner?" Rainbow retorted as she got into Tank's face and held his head, "And don't forget the best part - our first winter together!" Rainbow then sent Tank into a tailspin away from her. Tank just started to descend while slowly rotating clockwise and looking rather drowsy.
"Come on, wake up!" Rainbow retorted as she pointed at some Pegasi pulling in clouds full of snow, "Once those ponies bring in the big, fat clouds full of snowflakes, we'll have a ton of snow for our extreme sledding!" It was then a dream sequence was shown of Rainbow and Tank riding some sleds down a hill together. The two swapped positions twice before Rainbow started riding her sled while standing on her hind legs. Back in reality, Tank was still looking drowsy.
"And over there, we can play horse hockey, with no shoulder or arm pads!" said Rainbow as she grabbed Tank and pointed over to a nearby lake. It was then another dream sequence appeared with Rainbow wearing full hockey gear minus the shoulder and arm pads. She skated about the ice at high speed before going to take a shot at the goal. Tank, who was wearing a giant football helmet with a flame design on his shell, caught the hockey puck with his teeth. An invisible crowd cheered loudly as Tank held the puck in his mouth and wiggled his eyebrows cockily. Back in reality, Tank was literally dozing off. Rainbow smiled, but then noticed Tank's drowsy condition and gave him a concerned look. It was then Twilight and Mario arrived.
"Everything's looking great," said Twilight, "don't you think?"
"We should get winter right on schedule at this rate," said Mario as he hovered beside his wife, "Everything's good to go."
"Almost everything," said Rainbow, "Does Tank look alright to you?" She then pointed at Tank who was just rotating counter-clockwise and started yawning again.
"Oh dear. Is something wrong with Mr. koopa-troopa?" Mario asked, using the nickname he had come up for the tortoise as he hovered next to him.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him that," said Rainbow with an eye-roll.
"He never seemed bothered by the nickname," Mario pointed out as he examined the tortoise.
"Well, it bugs me," said Rainbow annoyingly.
"Okay, okay, sorry," said Mario as he finished his examination, "well, I don't see any immediate problems other then looking a little sleepy. What about you, honey?"
"Well, he does seem to be moving a little slowly," said Twilight, not bothering to get closer to the tortoise.
"I know, right?" said Rainbow in agreement.
"And like my husband said, he does look kind of sleepy..." said Twilight as Tank continued to rotate about.
"Totally," said Rainbow.
"...just like he always does," said Twilight casually.
"Yeah, ha-ha, I'm sure your right," said Rainbow as Twilight and Mario flew off together. Tank then yawned again as he hovered by. Rainbow just looked at him with a worried expression on her face.
"Hey," said Mario, "if it will put your mind at rest, try asking Fluttershy to give him a check-up."
"Yeah...that would be a good idea," said Rainbow. Mario smiled and gave her quick hug before flying away, but Rainbow was still rather worried.
(Main Theme)
At a familiar cottage, Dr. Fluttershy and her husband Shenran were busy giving Tank a check-up. Fluttershy was using her own personal stethoscope to check on Tank's heartbeat as the tortoise up sat on a pillow. Fluttershy made a few faces as she tried to come up with a diagnosis. Shenran just stood nearby holding a clipboard with one of his wings and holding the pencil with his mouth. Rainbow was just standing nearby, waiting impatiently.
"Well?!" Rainbow snapped.
"I suppose his heartbeat could be a teensy-weensy-eensy bit slower than usual..." said Fluttershy.
"Just by the teeniest amount," Shenran added, his voice muffled by the pencil in his mouth.
"Okay, so give him a vitamin or something!" Rainbow demanded. Tank then fell asleep and tumbled to his side.
"I don't think he needs that," said Fluttershy.
"Maybe we're just staying up too late," Rainbow speculated as she leaned down by Tank and rubbed his head, making him smile at her, "Uh, too many Daring Do stories."
"Oh, that's not it either," said Fluttershy.
"Well, what's wrong with him then?!" Rainbow asked as she sat up and pointed at Tank.
"Nothing!" said Fluttershy, "He's perfectly fine."
"Perfectly healthy," Shenran added simply. Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief as she reclined against Tank's shell.
"He's just going to hibernate," said Fluttershy. Rainbow blinked and sat up with a start.
"You do realize he's not a bear, right?" Rainbow remarked. Fluttershy giggled and Shenran chuckled. Fluttershy then made her way to a nearby bookshelf.
"Need help dear?" Shenran asked.
"I got it, honey, but thank you for asking," said Fluttershy and then spoke to Rainbow as she pulled a book down from the shelf, "When the weather grows cold and less food is available, many animals hibernate to conserve energy." Fluttershy then showed Rainbow pictures of various animals sleeping underground.
"It's like taking a really long nap during winter, and then they wake up in spring," Fluttershy explained as she showed Rainbow a picture of a tortoise, "And see? Even tortoises do it! When the time comes, Tank will leave and dig into the ground." Tank yawned as Rainbow glared at the picture.
"But don't worry," said Fluttershy, "He'll reappear when the spring sun warms the ground back up." Rainbow was looking most annoyed.
"Come on!" Rainbow retorted, "Tortoises don't hibernate! Somepony put that picture in there as a joke."
"It's not a joke," said Fluttershy.
"I can show you plenty of other books that say the same thing, Dashie," said Shenran, using her nickname since he had her permission to do so.
"Oh like you know anything about animals!" Rainbow snapped as Shenran gave the blue Pegasus as stern glare.
"I've been teaching Shenran all about animals," said Fluttershy as her husband smiled proudly, "His studies have advanced so quickly that he nearly knows as much about them as I do. He would know how many books say that tortoises have to hibernate."
"Well, then those books must be wrong!" Rainbow said angrily as she reattached Tank's propeller to the top of his shell.
"Rainbow Dash, Tank needs to hibernate," said Fluttershy as she and Shenran walked up to Rainbow, "It's healthy for him, just like sleeping is healthy for us."
"My wife wouldn't steer you wrong," said Shenran, "Her special talent involves knowing the needs of creatures and critters alike. If she says Tank needs to hibernate, then you shouldn't prevent him from doing so."
"Oh and if Fluttershy said animals need pink skies and chocolate milk you would agree with her on that too!" Rainbow retorted sarcastically.
"No, I march up to Discord and ask why he decided to corrupt my wife's mind," said Shenran indignantly as Fluttershy gave him a discreet glare that went unnoticed. Rainbow gave a short but angry laugh.
"Whatever," said Rainbow as she activated the propeller to make Tank fly, "Okay, thanks. Come on, Tank." Rainbow then flew off in one direction while Tank flew in the opposite direction. At least until Rainbow sternly grabbed him and carried him away.
"Where are you going?" Fluttershy asked.
"To get a second...err...a third opinion from a real reptile expert," said Rainbow indignantly as she and Tank left. Fluttershy just watched Rainbow leave with a sad look on her face. Shenran was most annoyed.
"Honey, why do you let her talk to you like that?" Shenran asked with concern.
"Rainbow Dash has always been a bit brash, especially when something's bothering her," Fluttershy answered, "besides, I'm more concerned as to why it bothers her that Tank needs to hibernate."
"Same here, dear," said Shenran, "I may be part of your best friend group now, but that doesn't mean I like her mistreating my girl." Fluttershy giggled.
"Well, I appreciate you looking out for me, Shenran," said Fluttershy, "But I can handle Rainbow now, alright?" Shenran sighed as Fluttershy kissed his cheek.
"Okay," Shenran conceded, "but...what did she mean by another reptile expert?" Fluttershy just gave her husband a blank look and shrugged her shoulders.
At the Castle of Friendship, Rainbow was now talking to her so called reptile expert. Spike now had his own room and it was furnished and decorated to his liking. He didn't need long to notice that Rainbow was just asking questions and not listening to his answers.
"I told you, Rainbow Dash," said Spike for the umpteenth time as he sat on top of his wooden table next to a rather sleepy Tank, "I'm a dragon!"
"Come on!" Rainbow Dash retorted, "You're practically twins!" Spike just glared and then looked at Tank with a annoyed look on his face.
"I'm purple," said Spike.
"But if you don't have to hibernate, why should Tank?!" Rainbow asked.
"Because he's a tortoise and I'm a dragon!" Spike replied firmly.
"Same family though, right?" Rainbow replied as she hovered behind Tank and Spike.
"NO!" Spike yelled as he stood on the table.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Rainbow.
"Ugh!" Spike groaned as he jumped off the table, "Look, if Fluttershy and Shenran say tortoises hibernate, then I guarantee tortoises hiber-"
"Well, what would you know?!" Rainbow interrupted angrily as she hovered into the dragon's face, "You're a dragon!" Rainbow then left with Tank with a huff and slammed the door, leaving Spike completely shocked and dumbfounded.
"Nopony knows you like I do, Tank," said Rainbow as she exited the castle, "All you need is some hard work to get the old blood pumping." Tank was just sleep hovering as he continuously banged the other door, which was closed.
"Come on!" said Rainbow sternly as she grabbed Tank and they flew off together.
While Rainbow was dealing with Tank, several Pegasi were flying over to a small airstrip and bringing in large clouds filled with snow. High up in the sky above them was Rainbow, who was doing her part to move the large clouds into place.
"These things are heavy!" Rainbow huffed as Tank hovered behind her, "Chock full of snowflakes! We're gonna have such a killer time in the snow, Tank." Rainbow then noticed that Tank was nowhere to be found. It wasn't long before she found the tortoise trying to burrow into some dirt.
"Tank?" Rainbow called out, "Tank!" But Tank wasn't listening. It was then Pinkie arrived.
"Aww, look at the cute wittle Tankie," Pinkie cooed, "all snuggly-wuggly, getting ready to hibern-"
"Don't say that word!" Rainbow yelled as she hovered down to the pink pony.
"Which one?" Pinkie asked innocently, ""Snuggly"? "Wuggly"? "Tankie"? "Hibernate"?"
"That one!" Rainbow snapped as she shoved a fore-hoof over Pinkie's mouth. Pinkie just casually removed the fore-hoof from her mouth.
"I was just saying how cute he-" Pinkie tried to explain.
"If you think hiber..." Rainbow blinked, looked at Tank for a moment, before looking sternly at Pinkie, "you know, that napping thing - is so cute, why don't you go do it?! Somewhere far away from here?!" Pinkie just walked sadly away as Rainbow glared at her. It was then she turned to see the rest of the Mane eight just looking at her with a mixture of worried and concern looks on their faces. Pinkie had moved to standing just behind the blue Pegasus.
"What are you looking at?!" Rainbow yelled, "Pinkie Pie and I were just have a conversation!" Pinkie just winced and then rolled her eyes.
"More like she was just trying to make you smile and you exploded at her!" Mario said sternly, "I don't care of Pinkie was blasting you with confetti, but you do NOT talk to my baby sister that way!"
"I thought Apple Bloom was your baby sister!" Applejack asked rather defensively.
"She doesn't like being called a "baby"," said Mario, "I just use little sister like I do with you, but that's not the point. Rainbow you have no right to talk to Pinkie like that!"
"Don't tell me what to do or you're gonna get it!" Rainbow snapped, feeling her temper flare.
"Don't you threaten me, Rainbow Dash!" Mario warned sternly in a rather fatherly tone, "You're the one throwing a tantrum right now!" Rainbow growled as she raised a fore-hoof to slug him when Twilight pulled Mario back before Rainbow's fore-hoof could connect with Mario's face.
"Look, Rainbow Dash," said Twilight calmly, "we all know upset you are about Tank hiber-"
"Shhhh!" Pinkie said fearfully, cutting Twilight off as she got behind the purple pony and hid behind her, "Don't say that word! That's what started this all!"
"Don't you worry Pinks," said Mario as he glared at Rainbow while standing beside his wife, "I'll take care you. It's not your fault Rainbow has issues with Tank hibernating!"
POW!
Rainbow slugged Mario's cheek.
"Hey! Not cool!" Mario said sadly as he rubbed his sore cheek and looked deeply hurt as Rainbow panted in rage.
"We all know how upset you are about Tank," Twilight repeated, "but you shouldn't take your anger out on your friends. All my husband was doing asking you to do is keep your anger in check. You didn't have to slug him!"
"Who said anything about anger?!" Rainbow yelled as Applejack and Rarity approached, "I didn't say anything about anger! I'm not upset! And I am not angry! DO I LOOK ANGRY?!" Rainbow gave them all a face of pure rage. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight cringed as Shenran and Mario raised a fore-leg in front of the three girls protectively. Both stallions stared her down, letting her know with their faces that they weren't going to tolerate her bad attitude.
"Come on, Tank!" Rainbow grumbled as she reactivated Tank's propeller, "Let's get out of here!" Rainbow quickly stormed off as the rest of the Mane eight just shared worried looks with each other.
Back at her cloudominium, Rainbow was busy talking to Tank.
"I need you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed," Rainbow told the tortoise, "not sleepy-eyed and scaly-tailed! Which...is exactly what you are. But get up anyway!" Tank just stood before her looking even drowsier than ever. She then stared at the tortoise while standing on her hind legs, but all Tank did for a reply was another yawn.
"You can't hiber-you know," Rainbow retorted, blinking and biting her lip when she nearly said hibernate, and then leaned beside the tortoise as she spoke, "What about all the primo things we're gonna do together this winter? Building snow ponies, starting snowball fights, sipping hot cider by the fire?" Tank yawned again in reply. Rainbow was losing her patience.
"Don't you wanna do those things with me?!" Rainbow snapped, waking Tank up with a start before he looked at the blue Pegasus, nodded, but then went back to sleep. Rainbow rolled her eyes.
"Think, Rainbow Dash, think!" she told herself to she looked at her reflection from her vanity mirror, "Tank's only hibernating because it's cold, right? Well, I'd rather have him awake in the heat then asleep in the cold..." Rainbow gasped.
She got an idea. An awful idea.
Rainbow Dash got a wonderful, awful idea.
"I just have to stop winter!" Rainbow said as she rubbed her fore-hoof as a very devious and crooked smile appeared on her face.
You're a mean one, Rainbow Dash
You really are a...
"If you finish that statement I'm gonna slug ya!" Rainbow yelled at...Me?!
Okay since when can anypony beside Pinkie talk to me?
"You let Applejack do it for your 100th chapter special!" Rainbow retorted.
Touche
And now back to our story.
Back outside, several Pegasi were continuing their work setting up the clouds in the sky. One particular purple Pegasi mare, named Sunshower, had a very bored look on her face.
"So where do these clouds go?" Sunshower asked a nearby stallion named Open Skies.
"Over by Clear Skies," said Open Skies.
"But there's clear skies everywhere," Sunshower protested.
"Yo, Clear Skies right here!" said a pink Pegasi mare as hovered between the two talking Pegasi.
"But there's clear skies over there, too!" said Sunshower.
"That's Open Skies!" said Clear Skies, thinking Sunshower was referring to the stallion hovering next to her. As they were talking, Rainbow was sneaking behind some clouds in the background.
"There's open skies everywhere!" Sunshower protested as Rainbow started moving one of the background clouds away.
"I'm not everywhere," said Open Skies, "I'm right here!" Sunshower sighed as Rainbow went to move another cloud.
"Wait. So you're Open Skies, and you're Clear Skies," said Sunshower as Rainbow moved a third cloud away, "then what's all that?"
"Open, clear skies!" said Clear Skies and Open Skies together.
"Hey, where'd our fluffy clouds go?" Open Skies asked when he noticed their clouds were missing.
"Fluffy Clouds?" Clear Skies asked, "He's over there!" She pointed words a cerulean blue Pegasi stallion wearing a dark orange bow tie, who waved at the group. Back at the ground, Rainbow was busy trying to stuff all three snow filled clouds inside the hole of a nearby tree trunk.
"Hah!" Rainbow boasted, "Stopping winter is gonna be a breeze!" Rainbow, with Tank at her side, flew off as an earth pony stallion noticed the clouds stuffed inside the tree trunk. The clouds then exploded and the stallion found himself buried in a large drift of snow. Rainbow never noticed, she was too busy flying above some other ponies raking some leaves and then headed into town were some others ponies were setting up icicles on the underside of roof edges and balconies. She then flew higher into the sky where jumping on top of the clouds to make them release their snow.
[Rainbow - She sneaked around and hid behind some clouds. She then gave Tank a hug and set him down on the ground below.]
When life gives you lemons
You can make lemonade
But life gave me Tank here
And my choice has long been made
[Rainbow - She then played leap frog into some puddles of ice, turning them back into water. Then she grabbed some skiis, pulled up the grass like a rug, and threw the skiis underneath the grass. She then sat beside Tank, giving him another hug and then took off into the sky alone.]
No winter will come to Ponyville
I'll do it on my own
I will keep you by my side
So I will not be alone
[Rainbow - She then flew up to a formation of ducks. She quickly tied on a duck bill over her nose and bashed the leader out of the way. She then checked her compass before re-directing the ducks to fly North instead of South. Then the leader duck went to guide the flight as Rainbow waved goodbye them and flew away.]
And I'll fly, and I'll fly
Until the end of the sky
So I'll be the one who doesn't
Have to say goodbye
[Rainbow - She then zoomed through an extra large cloud and busted it apart, which made the sun shine brightly in the sky. Tank was just trying to sleep when Rainbow created a mini-cyclone around the tortoise. Rainbow had created a makeshift beach with a single beach chair and umbrella. Tank was sitting on the beach wearing sunglasses. Rainbow had put on blue ladder shades, a tank top and floral swim trunks. She then squeezed some sunscreen from a bottle and started rubbing it on top of Tank's shell. She noticed that despite her best efforts Tank was still sleepy and then looked up see Pegasi still making more snow fall from the clouds.]
I'll clear the skies forever
So we won't be apart
I'll keep the weather warm for you
And the winter will never start
[Rainbow - She smirked deviously as she redirected some of the Pegasi ponies in the sky. She then made the entire group position themselves so the snow fall circled about in opposite directions in the sky. Rainbow bit her lip to avoid snickering.]
Weather-makers Pegasi
You make the seasons in the sky
I don't want to sabotage you
But you see, I've got to try
[Rainbow - As the sun shined above, Rainbow then used a giant magnifying glass to shine some bright, warm sunlight at Tank, who started to wake up and stand up. But then two Pegasi moved some clouds in front of the sun, ending Rainbow's efforts to warm Tank up. Poor Tank sat down and shivered. Rainbow looked both worried and indignant.]
No winter can come here now
I'll keep the warmth and the sun somehow
I'm sorry, ponies, this has to be
For I need my friend and he needs me
[Rainbow - She tried putting small bunches of leaves back onto the trees. A stallion then walked by and noticed the leaves. Then Daisy and Cherry Berry were busy making a snowpony together when a stallion walked up to them wearing snow gear. Rainbow then did a fast cyclone so Daisy and Cherry Berry were wearing summer hats and drinking summer drinks. The stallion was sitting in the middle of a pool made out of snow. The three ponies just looked stunned and confused over what had happened. Rainbow then shaped a cloud into the giant heart and flew right through it while holding Tank with her fore-leg. She then dived downward, busting every cloud in her path before hugging Tank again.]
I know it's wrong, but what does it matter?
'Cause nothing's gonna stop me now
I'll change it all, it's only the weather
And nopony's gonna bring me down
I'll keep the sunlight shining free
And I'll bust the clouds apart so you can stay with me
[Rainbow - She then flew at high speed as she held one of his legs with her own fore-leg. They began to dance and spin in the sky. Rainbow smiled at him while they did so, but Tank was just asleep. Rainbow pretended not to notice as she flew at high speed again while holding one of tank's legs.]
And I'll fly, and I'll fly
Until the end of the sky
So I'll be the one who doesn't
Have to say goodbye
[Rainbow - She then tossed Tank forward, making him spin about as she held one of his fore-leg again. Then gave him a hug as they twirled high into the sky together, and then twirled back down the ground where the snow had already started appeared in Ponyville and the surrounding area. Rainbow then had herself and Tank pose on their hind legs as they finished their dance.]
I'll clear the skies forever
So we won't be apart
I'll keep the weather warm for you
And the winter will never start!
Tank then gave a yawn and went back to sleep. Rainbow just glared at him.
"Here comes the next shipment!" said Sunshower as Rainbow looked up from below, "Move those clouds over!" Elsewhere, the leaves had nearly been raked and cleaned up. The lake was already covered with a thick layer of ice with the surrounding area covered in snow. Rainbow hovered behind a nearby cloud.
"Ugh! For every hoof step back, they go three steps forward!" Rainbow groaned as she slumped forward on the cloud.
"It's a good thing Prince Mario came to help us out," said Clear Skies, "Winter for Ponyville is definitely gonna be early this year."
"HUH?!" Rainbow gasped aloud when she heard a familiar toot-toot. Mario came flying past her position pulling a very long train of roped clouds filled with snow.
"And ponies said I could never pull a train in the skies," Mario remarked with a laugh and then gave another TOOT-TOOT with his horn and flew away. Rainbow was devastated.
"What are we gonna do?" Rainbow asked worried when she noticed some snow falling above her. It was then she noticed several Pegasi pulling in clouds from the city of Cloudsdale. She also noticed where the clouds were being spat out from the weather factory as another pair of Pegasi were busy tying a cloud up with ropes to be transported.
"Cloudsdale," said Rainbow, "That's it, Tank! If I can't stop winter in Ponyville, maybe I can stop it at the source!" Rainbow quickly attached Tank to a leash and pulled him along as she made her way to Cloudsdale.
(Cue "Mission Impossible style" music)
Once inside the city limits, Rainbow sneaked about behind a pair of pillars, then ducked behind a cloud and used it to inch closer to the weather factory when she knew nopony was watching her. Rainbow then zipped away, did a forward somersault, and she ducked behind another cloud as she reached the main entrance to the weather factory. Tank just yawned as he hovered nearby until Rainbow pulled him down so he wouldn't be seen. It was then a whistle blew and the doors opened as several Pegasi exited the building.
"Lunch hour! Perfect!" said Rainbow to herself as she saw Tank peeking out and pulled him back down behind the cloud while several Pegasi walked past her hiding spot. Rainbow then used the cloud to get herself closer to the factory. Rainbow wasted no time sneaking into a nearby air vent.
(End "Mission Impossible style" music)
She then quickly found a universal locker room, unscrewed the bolts to a metal grate and then bucked the metal grate away. She quickly looked around before hopping out of the air shaft, but then saw somepony and ducked inside a conveniently opened locker and closed it. Once the two Pegasi had left the area, Rainbow reopened the locker. She was now wearing a work shirt and hat and so was Tank, though a pony has got to wonder how there was an outfit already made for Tank inside that specific locker. Rainbow then sneaked around as quietly as she could until she noticed the doors leading to a specific room and smirked as Tank hovered beside her. Rainbow then went into the room as quietly as she could, but she was in such a hurry to get inside that she forget that she was pulling Tank behind her. Tank just kept constantly bumping into the doors until Rainbow finally pulled him inside and through both doors.
"The winter lab," said Rainbow as Tank hovered beside her, "We're in, Tank! Now we just gotta figure out a way to shut it down. Rainbow flew off toward a tall bending magnifying glass used for crafting elegantly designed snowflakes.
"Sabotage snowflakes?" Rainbow pondered aloud, "I think we gotta go bigger than that. Wait here." Rainbow then tied Tank's leash to one of the magnifying glasses and flew off, thinking it would be enough to keep Tank from flying into trouble. As Rainbow flew toward a large machine, Tank started dragging the magnifying glass along as he tried to fly forward.
"Hmm," Rainbow pondered as she flew about and collected a small fluff of cloud on her fore-hoof, "We could get rid of these clouds, but...that's still, not big enough." She then blew away the little cloud on her fore-hoof. It was then she noticed a large tank filled with water that was bubbling.
"Slam dunk!" said Rainbow with a hoof pump and hovered over to the tank, "With no water, they can't make clouds or snow! They can't make winter!" As Rainbow was checking out the water tank, her Tank was still flying about with the magnifying glass clanking about as the tortoise dragged it along the floor.
"I hate to do this to those weather ponies," said Rainbow, "but desperate times called for desperate measures!" She then twisted a valve and then bucked one of the tubes to the water tank, causing the water to gush out.
"Oopsies!" said Rainbow in an unapologetic tone, "Looks like these were a little loose!" She then bucked another tube off so the water gushed out of that opening as well.
"And there goes winter down the drain!" said Rainbow as the water level in the tank and gauge went down. Rainbow was feeling pleased with herself. Meanwhile, Tank was still hovering about and dragging the magnifying glass behind him when it bumped into a switch that caused a giant fan to activate. The air draft then started pulling Tank right toward a fast moving fan. Fortunately, Rainbow heard the fan and saw Tank as she intercepted the tortoise just in time so only the magnifying glass got sucked into the fan, damaging and jamming the fan to a stop. Rainbow gave Tank a smile, but she wasn't watching where she was going and smacked into a barrel filled with snowflakes. Tank went flying as Rainbow was buried under all the snow. She then peeked out looking like a snowpony with coal for eyes.
"Uh, I can't see!" said Rainbow as she tried rubbing the snow out of her eyes. Tank slid toward another door, which opened up and let in a very powerful gust of wind. The wind blew the snow off of Rainbow and made her lips flap about. Tank then smacked into her face.
"Aaaaaah!" Rainbow screamed as the blue Pegasus went flying through another door and into another room. Rainbow groaned and rubbed her head until she realized she was inside a room filled with jars that had bolts of lightning inside of them. Unfortunately, one jar was rocking and wobbling about on the shelf. Then to her horror, the bottle of lightning dropped, causing a huge electrical chain reaction.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Rainbow shrieked as she was sent flying out of the room backward. She landed, her outfit, fur, and mane slightly charred and electrified, beside a machine with a large red button. Then one of the loose lightning bolts struck the red switch, which not only cause the machine to run on overdrive, but also caused the machinery to short circuit. Rainbow looked up to see dark clouds filled with lightning forming above her and that the floor was getting flooded from the excess water. She then noticed Tank just hovering in the midst of all the chaos.
"Let's get out of here!" Rainbow shouted as she attempted to make their escape. It was then the fan that had gotten the magnifying glass jammed into managed to clear out the obstruction from its fan blades. The fan began to spin again, powering what was a giant vacuum tube. Rainbow, with Tank in her fore-hooves, got caught in the suction. She tried as hard as she could to fly out of the current, but was sucked into a set of twisty clear pipes and right inside of a giant machine. She spun about inside a device like she was caught in washing machine during spin cycle and was forced inside of the larger part of the machine below. As Rainbow and Tank clanked about, the machine began to become unstable and started hissing and wheezing. Outside of the weather factory building, they could see smoky clouds and out of control lightning shooting out of the roof. All the commotion didn't go unnoticed down below either.
"What in the name of Celestia's goin' on up there?" Applejack asked as Twilight, Mario, Fluttershy, Shenran, and Rarity looked worried.
"Looks like there's trouble up at the weather factory," said Mario.
"Oh boy," said Shenran wearily, "I hope there hasn't been a meltdown!"
"A meltdown?!" Mario exclaimed fearfully, "But that could mean they might have to..."
"...it looks like they will, honey," said Twilight, "Prepare yourselves, everypony! Winter is coming!"
Back inside the weather factory, Noteworthy was trying to stand his ground, but then gave a Wilhelm scream as he was literally blown away. Parasol then screamed at the top of her lungs as two other Pegasi got to work twisting a valve. This particular value was intended to remove the "blockage" that was causing the machine to overload. The problem: It meant that a snowball as big as Twilight and Mario's castle was ejected from the pipe...right at Ponyville!
"INCOMING!" Mario screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Everypony, look out!" Twilight called as she, the rest of the Mane eight, and several others ponies ran to try and find cover. Rainbow screamed since she was stuck in the middle of the giant snowball. It was long before...
BOOOOOM! SNOWBALL ATOMIC 'SPLOSION!
The impact left Ponyville and the entire surrounding area covered in several feet of snow. Several ponies poked out of the deep snow, which also included Pinkie, Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Shenran, who were all groaning from the impact, but unhurt.
"That was horrible!" said Shenran, "I thought it was the end! And it wouldn't have been fair! I only got to be married for a short time!" Fluttershy chuckled.
"Oh Shenran," said Fluttershy, "It'll take more than a giant snowball to separate us forever. Now don't you worry. We're gonna have a long marriage together." Shenran smiled as she and Fluttershy nuzzled each other until they saw Twilight help pull Mario out of the snow. Mario groaned loudly.
"Is everypony okay?" Mario asked weary as the group shared general comments about being shaken, but fine. Twilight kissed his cheek and they both shared a loving nuzzle together. It was then Rainbow has finally peeked out of the snow. She then panicked as she dug around the snowdrift since Tank was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, she found his shell, and then pressed a fore-hoof into it to find that Tank had hidden safely inside.
"You okay, Tank?" Rainbow groaned. Tank just yawned in reply, making Rainbow feel very sad as well as defeated. Her plan had not only failed but her actions had done alot of damage to the weather factory.
"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out as the rest of the group stood behind her, "Are you alright?" Rainbow just sighed.
"No..." said Rainbow as she plopped on her back. The other girls shared worried looks with each other. Mario and Shenran looked at her sternly.
"That was your doing wasn't it?" Shenran asked her, pointing to the still smoking weather factory above them. Rainbow just sat up, giving Shenran a look of a pony who had lost all her hope. It was a heartbreaking sight for both Shenran and Mario.
"We won't ask why you did this," said Mario in a firm but gentle, "Because Shenran and I already know, but you are in alot of trouble, Rainbow Dash."
"I know," said Rainbow sadly, "I know..."
All Rainbow knew was that she owed Mario big time. Within a few days, Mario had managed to help repair the damages to the weather factory with his little mini-Mario ponies. Because of that and the fact the blockage had caused the work needed to bring winter to Ponyville to be completed far ahead of schedule, Rainbow was only given a suspension from her weather job for the rest of the season. But this also included being banned from entering the weather factory until further notice. Rainbow was grateful things worked out and Shenran and Fluttershy said they would help her if she was ever short on bits. However, the fact of the matter was that Rainbow still had to deal with Tank, which left her feeling very depressed. Aside from apologizing to the weather team, she hadn't left her cloudominium in days.
Inside her bedroom, Rainbow, now wearing a robe and some tortoise slippers, was just sulking on her bed. Tank was with her, wearing his own robe and slippers that looks like Rainbow. Tank let out another yawn as Rainbow put a fore-hoof on top of his shell and sadly looked at him. It was then the rest of the Mane eight walked into her bedroom through her bedroom door.
"Knock, knock!" said Pinkie as she walked right through the bedroom wall since it was made out of cloud, which left Shenran and Mario rather annoyed.
"How are you feeling, Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked.
"Whatever..." said Rainbow in a dreary and depressed tone, keeping her back against the group.
"The poor thing looks so sad!" Rarity said to the others, "Just what are we going to do?"
"I don't know what we can do," said Twilight.
"Twilight Sparkle," said Mario appalled, "just because we can't change the issue at hand doesn't mean we can't help her! What kind of friends would we be if we didn't at least try to help her deal with how she's feeling inside? I know Rainbow has the hardest time opening up with her feelings, but if she's ever gonna feel better, we need to get her to do just that."
"Fair enough, Mario, but how?" Twilight asked. Before Mario could reply, Applejack walked up to Rainbow's bed.
"Buck up, Sugarcube," said Applejack, "You just ain't yourself these days."
"Whatever..." was all Rainbow could say.
"Uh, how can I say this tactfully...?" Rarity pondered before saying quickly, "You've lost your sparkle Rainbow Dash!"
"You're also looking only 10% cooler instead of 20%," Shenran remarked as Rarity and Fluttershy gave her dirty glares.
"What?" Shenran replied innocently, "I thought it get a rise out of her and she'd snap out of it!"
"Whatever..." said Rainbow.
"Oh boy...this is starting to get close to home," said Shenran, feeling rather uncomfortable.
"Same here, buddy," said Mario, "We've both have had moments of feeling that blue in our lives." Twilight and Fluttershy gave their husbands sympathetic looks.
"I hate to say this," said Pinkie nervously as she headed toward Rainbow's bed, "But, well...you've become...!" Pinkie then whispered the last part, "A party pooper!" Pinkie then covered her mouth as if she had said a bad word. Rainbow was still glum but now rather indignant.
"Didn't you hear me?" Rainbow said in a dreary but now irritated tone as she sat up and faced the others, "I said "whatever". I don't know if you're here to cheer me up or what, but I'm fine!" There was a brief silence before Mario snorted.
"Okay...that's it!" said Mario, "If being gentle isn't going to work, we're gonna have put our hoof down." Mario stepped forward.
"Wait Mario!" said Fluttershy, "Let me handle this and just come with me," Mario blinked but then obeyed.
"Rainbow Dash," said Fluttershy in a firm voice, "your winter is going to be pet-less."
"You're just going to accept the fact that you're going to have to say goodbye to Tank until Spring," Mario added. Rainbow blinked and sat up with a start with wide eyes. Fluttershy and Mario gave her blunt looks as she looked at them for a moment. Then within seconds her walls came crashing down as her eyes rapidly built up tears and her lips quivered.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA...ha...ha..." Rainbow cried out as she burst into loud sobs, hiccupped as she looked at Tank, and hugged him and continued sobbing. Shenran just closed his eyes as he felt his own eyes water. The rest of the group were in deep shock.
"Whatever did you do that for?!" Rarity asked.
"We didn't want to, but sometimes tough love is the only way to get Rainbow to let go," said Mario, "I hate using tough love on anypony, but this had to be done."
"Mario's right," said Fluttershy, "She'll never get past this until she lets it all out." Rainbow let out a wail before she tumbled back down on her bed, sobbing and hugging Tank for dear life. It was then Applejack was startled when Twilight used her magic to push her forward. Applejack glared as Twilight gestured with a fore-leg to her sister-in-law to do something. Apparently, only Shenran, Fluttershy, and Mario were the only three ponies who Rainbow would cry openly around. Everypony else was taken aback at seeing Rainbow having a meltdown, as well as a little overwhelmed at the sight.
"Uh...it's okay," said Applejack, feeling a little awkward at seeing Rainbow cry so heavily, "Tank will come back in a few months." Mario winced, knowing that was not the right thing to say.
"Months?!" Rainbow exclaimed and then let out a loud wail, "I DON'T WANT HIM TO GO!" Rainbow now lay on her back, kicking and having a tantrum as she held Tank tighter and sobbing and screaming loudly. Applejack and Pinkie winced. Shenran just had a very sad look on his face while Fluttershy and Mario remained strong.
"Alright, alright," said Applejack uneasily and patted Tank's shell, "There, there." She then leaned toward Fluttershy and Mario.
"Nice going, Fluttershy and Mario," Applejack whispered, "How do we get her to stop?"
"Give Rainbow some time," said Mario, slightly annoyed at their impatience, "Just let her cry! I never rush any of you when you need to cry yourself out."
"Besides," Fluttershy added, "She got to be about done by now. Can't be too much left in there."
"But if she's as sad as I think," said Shenran quietly, "She might have backup tears." Rainbow cried out a few more times before she finally settled down as her tears continued to pour from her eyes and rubbed her nose on the sleeve of her robe.
"Feeling better?" Fluttershy asked as she sat on the bed with a cute smile on her face. Mario sat behind her giving Rainbow a caring smile on his own.
"Uh-huh..." Rainbow whimpered before...
"WAAAAAAAA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"
Just as Shenran had predicted, Rainbow got a second wave of fresh tears and started crying again. This time Fluttershy and Mario couldn't stay strong. It was breaking both their hearts to see Rainbow crying like this.
"Oh, you poor, poor thing..." said Fluttershy sadly before she held her best friend and started crying.
"It's going to be okay, Dashie..." Shenran added as Fluttershy pulled him in so they could hold Rainbow together as the stallion started crying too.
"We love you Dashie," Mario croaked, he had already started crying and was now holding Rainbow as well. Soon there was a chain reaction as both Rarity and Pinkie started tearing up.
"I can't bear to see Fluttershy, Shenran, and Mario cry!" said Rarity as she walked over to the group.
"It's just...heart-wrenching!" Pinkie added, already crying before she joined the group as well. Soon all six ponies were literally dog-piling poor Rainbow as she buried her face into Tank's shell as they all cried hysterically together. Twilight and Applejack were the only ones who kept their composure. Twilight could feel her own need to want to cry because the sight reminded her of the time Mario had his own meltdown and the other girls had all dog-piled him and cried together. She might not have been there, but she had Mario tell her in exact detail about what had happened. Twilight's train of thought was derailed when she saw Applejack tip her stenson hat forward over her face.
"You too?!" Twilight asked.
"Nope, I'm good," said Applejack, keeping her composure and lifting her hat up.
"Look, everypony," said Twilight as she approached the group of crying ponies, "I know how hard it is to say goodbye-"
"I'm mostly sad because you're not sad!" Pinkie sobbed as she pulled Twilight onto her back against the side of the bed.
"What?! Me?! What about Applejack?" Twilight protested.
"Applejack cries on the inside, Twilight!" Pinkie snapped.
"It's true," said Applejack as a matter of fact. Twilight just glared. She could easy refute that statement since her husband had seen firsthand that Applejack didn't always cry on the inside.
"It's alright, Fluttershy, Mario," Rainbow croaked to the two ponies since she had finally settled down enough to speak, "It's alright." Fluttershy and Mario gave her a warm but teary smile as they and the rest of the group backed up a bit. But Mario did plant a soft kiss on Rainbow's forehead before backing away. While Rarity carefully wiped her eyes, the others hadn't bothered to dry their eyes just yet.
"You think she's done or just getting a third wind?" Applejack asked in a hushed but worried tone to Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity.
"I don't know..." said Twilight, "Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?" Fluttershy and Mario stood beside the bed with caring smiles and teary eyes as Rainbow set Tank beside her and climbed off her bed.
"I think so," Rainbow sniffled and looked at the group with teary eyes and tear-stained cheeks, "I feel better. Really, I do. Thanks, everypony. I don't know what I'd do without you." Everypony gave her warm and supportive smiles. Rainbow then noticed Tank walk up to the edge of the bed giving her a smile. Rainbow felt her eyes tear up again.
"Or him..." said Rainbow, her voice cracking a bit as she knelt beside the bed so she and Tank were making eye contact and sniffled, "Oh, Tank...I'm sure gonna miss you." Tank smiled and placed a fore-leg on top of her own. The two shared a nose nuzzle as Rainbow quietly shed a few more tears.
"Mario..." said Rainbow softly as she stayed still.
"Yeah, Dashie?" Mario asked gently as he stepped forward.
"You were right," Rainbow said, her voice cracking a bit, "Crying with your friends does make a pony feel better. Thank you for helping me find my courage to let go..." Mario smiled and hugged her from behind.
"I love you, Sis," Mario told her in a soft voice, but Rainbow was too busy holding and crying with Tank to reply.
The next day, the ponies were enjoying the snow. Some were ice skating, others were taking turns raiding a sled down a hill. A few other ponies were playing hockey on the ice lake as Spike showed off his figure skating skills. Up in the sky, two pegasi were having a snowball fight. Down below, all but Rainbow were gathered around outside in the snow and were equipped in winter gear. Applejack had her usual stenson hat with a denim jacket and green scarf. Pinkie had a light blue arctic style jacket with matching boots and knit cap. Twilight had a yellow scarf, yellow-orange earmuffs, and yellow boots. Mario had a dark brown sweater with a green and red stripped scarf and matching earmuffs. Rarity had on a turquoise Cossack hat, grape sunglasses, fuzzy turquoise boots, and a fuzzy white scarf that had her cutie mark on it. Fluttershy had on a purple sweater with blue earmuffs that had white and purple flower decals on them. Finally, Shenran had on a green sweater, which Fluttershy made for him, along with a matching Yukon hat.
"Well, guess we're starting winter with a bang," said Twilight to the group.
"A bang is definitely a good way to describe it, dear," Mario added when a snow ball hit in square in the face, "Sis!"
"The fun's come early!" Applejack shouted as she bucked another snow at Mario, "Yee-haw!" The two ponies bucked one snowball after another until Applejack ended up nailing Pinkie in the face and knocking her into her back. Pinkie didn't seem to mind getting hit.
"You think we could mess up winter every year?" Pinkie asked as she made a snow angel, "It's way less work!"
"Uh, I don't think Rainbow Dash could handle it," Twilight remarked.
"And I don't think most ponies enjoyed getting hit with an atomic snowball," Shenran added.
"You can say that again," said Mario in agreement.
"Riding that entire season from Cloudsdale to Ponyville was pretty awesome," said Rainbow, wearing a purple knit cap, red scarf, and purple boots that had rainbows on them. She also had Tank riding one of the pouches of her saddle bags.
"Awesome or not, please don't do that again," Mario asked wearily. Rainbow chuckled.
"I won't," said Rainbow sheepishly when she saw Tank give a yawn, "I thought you guys might like to say goodbye to Tank. He's ready to hibernate."
"Ooh, you're using the word!" said Pinkie excitedly to the rest of the group, "Oh, she's using the word!" Pinkie then zoomed over to Rainbow.
"And when Tank finishes hibernating, I'm gonna throw him the biggest welcome home party ever!" said Pinkie, "Or wait! Should it be a "welcome above ground" party? Or a "happy wake-up" party? Maybe an "it's about time!" party!"
"And I'll design him a very special suit just for the occasion," Rarity said as she walked up to Rainbow, "whichever one it ends up being."
"I'm glad you're feelin' a little better, Rainbow Dash," said Applejack.
"Yeah, me too," said Rainbow with a brave smile on her face as she walked up to a tree and dug away some snow so some soft dirt was visible. Tank slowly walked over and buried himself into the dirt as the Mane eight just watched with smiles on their faces. Tank was just about ready to burrow into the dirt and snow when Rainbow approached him.
"So, you really wanna do this hibernating thing, huh?" Rainbow asked Tank. Tank smiled and gave her a nod.
"Goodbye, Tank," said Rarity.
"Happy winter," said Fluttershy.
"Sweet dreams, Tank," said Shenran.
"See you later, little feller," said Applejack.
"Have a good sleep, Tank!" said Pinkie.
"Goodbye, Tank!" said Twilight, "We'll miss you!"
"See you in the spring, Tank!" said Mario. Once the goodbyes were said, Tank buried himself completely under the snow and dirt. Rainbow felt like she was about to lose it again when Twilight and Mario walked up to her. The former put a fore-hoof on Rainbow's shoulder as the latter gave her a side hug. Rainbow gave them both a teary smile to say thank you. It was then all but Mario and Twilight walked away from Tank's hibernation spot.
"Well? Ready for some winter fun?" Twilight asked the blue Pegasus.
"My saddle bag is loaded with plenty of gear for just about any winter sport you wanna do," Mario offered.
"Uh, I'm gonna hang here and read to him a bit," said Rainbow as she headed over to the tree Tank was sleeping next to, and then sat down and grabbed a Daring Do book from her saddle bag, "That little guy can never get to sleep without a bedtime story. I'll be right there."
"Alright then Dashie," said Mario and then looked at his wife, "Come on, honey." Twilight smiled, wrapped a fore-leg around one of Mario's fore-legs as they went to go enjoy some winter fun together. At least that was the original plan when Twilight found that her husband was in deep thought.
"Are you alright, dear?" Twilight asked curiously.
"Huh? Oh, um...yeah," Mario replied, "Guess I'm just worried about Rainbow is all."
"Well, she seems to be doing alot better now after she had a good cry," Twilight pointed out.
"Well, it probably helped," said Mario, "But I had an idea but I want to know if you think it would be a good idea."
"I'm listening," said Twilight. Mario then whispered into Twilight's ear, Twilight blinked but then smiled excitedly. It was couple of hours later before Rainbow had stopped reading to tank. She couldn't help but let a few more tears leave her eyes as she finally walked away and let Tank sleep in peace, but she wasn't feeling up to doing much of anything. It was then she walked up to a steep mountain slope that had a giant and very steep launching ramp and what appeared to be a giant landing strip in front of her.
"Where did this come from?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack called out, "You're just in time to see Mario attempt to break the record for the farthest ski jump in Equestria!"
"Really?" said Rainbow in surprise as she looked up and saw Mario was just sitting on a platform near the top of the launching ramp. He waved at Rainbow, but she had a stunned look on her face as she waved back.
"Care to see if he makes it?" said Applejack, "Twilight could use the moral support." Rainbow looked to see Twilight breathing heavily as Fluttershy and Shenran held one of her fore-legs in an effort to calm her down.
"He'll be okay, he'll be okay, he'll be okay," Twilight repeated anxiously before growling, "He better come out of this in piece or he's gonna get it!" Fluttershy and Shenran leaned away as Applejack just rolled her eyes.
"Have some faith in Mario," said Applejack, "He's done this before right?"
"Nope," said Pinkie, "This is his first time! But he learns quickly plus the snow at the landing area is extra soft so he won't break anything. I think..." Now Applejack started looking uneasy and even Rainbow looked a little anxious.
"Maybe we should tell him to not to do it," Rainbow suggested nervously.
"Too late!" Rarity shouted as Mario made his descent toward the jumping platform.
(Cue "Mario and Sonic Ski Jumping music")
Mario squatted as low as he could on his skis so he could accelerate and pick up as much speed as he could. Then everypony below gasped loudly as Mario rocketed off the jumping point of the ramp. Mario posed like a ski jumping pro, on his hind legs and at just the right angle so he took off into the sky. Everypony smiled in amazement as Mario soared through the sky...and with his wings closed for that matter. As he made his way down, the group grew worried again since Mario had not only flown past the record landing point, but was also past the area marked for a safe landing.
(Cue "Good Jump" fanfare)
That didn't matter to Mario. He landed perfectly on just his hind legs before bringing his skis to a complete stop. The group cheered excitedly as Twilight tackled him off his skis and into the snow.
"You were amazing honey!" said Twilight before slapping his shoulder hard, "but don't do that again!" Mario flinched as the slap and his wife's yelling and just sighed.
"I've done that before you know," said Mario, "Mother taught me how." Pinkie was stunned. She had honestly thought Mario had never done ski jumping before.
"You mean Celestia?" Twilight said surprised as the others gathered around.
"No, she's Mom," Mario corrected, ""Mother" is what I call Twilight Velvet, Your Mom, dear."
"Oh!" said the rest of the group while Twilight just snorted.
"Of course my Mom would teach you something like this," said Twilight, "Why didn't you tell me?" Mario blinked.
"I thought I did," said Mario with a raised eyebrow, "Oh, I remember now, it was before we started dating." Twilight looked puzzled until she realized what he was implying.
"I tuned you out didn't I?" she asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Eeyup," said Mario as Twilight's cheeks turned a darker shade of pink.
"Well, be careful when you do stuff like this," said Twilight quietly, "I got scared watching you. I don't want you to get hurt...or worse...I need you after all." Twilight hadn't meant to start crying but the tears just started falling on their own. Mario just smiled and gave his wife a loving hug to help her feel better. Everypony else smiled, except for Rainbow, who sniffled at the sight.
"Must be nice not to be alone this winter," said Rainbow sadly. The others gave Rainbow sympathetic looks as Mario and Twilight shared smirked with each other.
"Rainbow," said Mario, "My wife and I were wondering...would you like to spend the winter with us at the castle?" Rainbow was surprised.
"R-r-really?" said Rainbow.
"Of course," said Twilight, "Nopony should spend winter all alone. We'd be more than happy to have you at the castle. What do you say?" Rainbow smiled as she gave both Twilight and Mario a warm hug.
Later that night, Rainbow was getting settled inside her own personal guest bedroom. It was slightly bigger than her bedroom back home, but still cozy once Mario helped her move some personal items into it. Rainbow was just looking through a photo album that had pictures of her and Tank. She just sighed sadly when she heard a knock on her bedroom door.
"Come in," said Rainbow as Mario allowed himself in with a big smirk on his face.
"What are you up to?" Rainbow asked suspiciously. Mario then showed the blue Pegasus a medium sized tortoise plush toy in his magic grip. Rainbow looked at it skeptically.
"Are you trying to have me replace Tank?" she asked.
"Of course not!" said Mario as he pulled out the giant plush toy of Twilight and held it with a fore-leg, "Whenever Twilight and I are apart overnight, I keep this plushie close so I don't feel alone at night. It's like she's still here with me even when we have to be apart. I thought a tortoise plushie might help you feel like Tank is still with you while he hibernates. But I won't force you to take it or use but I figured..." Mario was then cut off as Rainbow snatched the plushie away from Mario's magic grip and hugged it tightly as a pair of tears left her eyes.
"Thank you," said Rainbow, "for the plushie, letting me stay here, and for fixing the damage I did to the weather factory. I owe you one for sure this time."
"Don't worry about it, Dashie," said Mario, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Wait," said Rainbow quietly, "Can...can I talk to you about something? Sis to Bro?" Mario noticed the worried look on the blue Pegasus's face as he took a seat on the edge of her bed.
"What's up?" Mario asked. Rainbow let out a long deep breath before looking at him sadly.
"You don't...think I'm weird for...acting the way I did?" Rainbow asked timidly.
"Not at all," said Mario, "You and Tank have a close friendship with each other. Even when you try and hide it, I could tell you love Tank more than anything. It's perfectly understandable that being apart from him for the rest of winter hurts you."
"True," said Rainbow, "He's very special to me, but...there is something else...it's kind of dumb actually..." Rainbow seemed at a loss for words as Mario snorted.
"Dashie, do you remember who you're talking to?" Mario remarked, "tell me what's on your mind." Rainbow chuckled before settling down.
"Ever since Fluttershy found her special somepony," Rainbow explained, "I've just been feeling more and more...alone. I mean, I have all my friends and spending time with you guys helps and all. Shenran is a really cool guy too. It's just...seeing him and Fluttershy so happily married to each other...I can't help but feel...jealous..."
"Ahh, I see," said Mario.
"Yeah, I said it was dumb," said Rainbow sadly.
"Wanting to be loved isn't dumb, and it doesn't mean you're soft either," said Mario, "It doesn't matter if your into cute and girly stuff or an awesome athlete, everypony deserves to find their special somepony."
"Too bad there's nopony who wants a somepony with a big ego," Rainbow whimpered as her eyes watered.
"Dashie..." said Mario gently as Rainbow began to cry.
"It's not fair!" Rainbow sobbed, "Between Fluttershy and I, I'm the outgoing one! I'm the one full of confidence. The pony the stallions would pay attention to! I'm awesome! But what happens? Fluttershy finds her special somepony and within just a short time, they fall in love, and are now married. Ever since Fluttershy and Shenran got together, Fluttershy's gotten more confident in herself. I've never seen her come out of her shell like this before. It's all I ever wanted to do, but in the end, my way of trying to help her only made her resent me. Now she doesn't need me anymore!"
"Fluttershy still needs you, you're her best friend after all," said Mario, "And you're getting better at encouraging her confidence without being pushy. I can see your progress even if other's can't."
"Maybe..." Rainbow sniffled, "But it doesn't change the fact that I have nopony to love me. Tank clearly doesn't..."
"That isn't true, Dashie," said Mario, "and you already know that Tank hibernating isn't because he doesn't love you, but just a part of staying healthy. You have your friends and just like you're always there for us, we're going to be there for you. We all love you and we're gonna make sure you don't spend your winter feeling alone. You're going to have an awesome and fun winter season. That's a pinkie promise!" Rainbow smiled as Mario gave her a hug. Once they pulled away, Rainbow used a fore-leg to dry her eyes.
"Okay," said Rainbow, "Thanks for hearing me out, big brother."
"Anytime, Dashie," Mario replied, "You gonna be okay for the night?"
"Yeah," said Rainbow, "and Mario?"
"Yeah?" Mario asked curiously.
"I still owe you a day wearing that giant bow," said Rainbow, "If I wear it tomorrow, can I at least get a different color other than pink?" Mario laughed.
"Sure," said Mario, "I'll go make a purple one so it matches your winter gear. Good night, Dashie."
"Good Night," Rainbow replied. Mario smiled as he left her room. Rainbow then snuggled her new tortoise plush toy and feel happily asleep.
Though she couldn't help but wish winter would go by as fast as possible.
She couldn't wait to see Tank again.
Apologies in advance if you used up alot of tissues for this chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed the alternate ending. Mario wasn't just going to let Rainbow spend her winter alone after all.
I've always wondered if Rainbow got any punishment for damaging the weather factory. So I came up with an idea up for a "punishment". It might not have been as severe as many ponies would like, but keep in mind, Rainbow was already dealing with having to let Tank go, plus her meddling did get Winter to Ponyville ahead of schedule. So things did work out in the end.
Next time, it's looks like Mario is going to have to play undercover sheriff with his three filly deputies. Though neither me or Mario are looking forward to dealing with stubborn, irrational ponies...again...
Peace Pony Fans!