//------------------------------// // Dating Dilemmas // Story: The Adventures of Tank and Angel // by FlutterDash979797 //------------------------------// "Well, there is this girl I always see near the fields while mom and I are flying... But I don't even know her! And I'm not that great!" Tank was perched on a table at Sugarcube corner, enjoying the company of his two best friends. "Then it's set! Come on man, if Angel can do it, you sure can to!" Gummy replied. The alligator had used Pinkie as a messenger to invite the pair over. Just as expected, the pink mare opened the idea with welcome arms, eagerly grabbing the pet pair and welcoming them with treats and company. "Hey! I got the hottest bunny ever to date me! It was all my skill!" Angel boasted. He was sipping a large vanilla shake several times his size. Despite it being several days after his unorthodox victory, the bunny wouldn't let his friends forget his success. "She was like please date me! You're the most handsome and charming bunny ever!" "Let it go man! You can brag after your date tomorrow," Tank said, clearly annoyed with his brother. "Both of you be quiet! We got off track. What about that tortoise Tank?" Gummy attempting to force pressure on Tank. "I don't know man. She's cute and stuff. I like her shell; it's really pretty, has nice patterns, and fits her well..." "Too much information! That's just weird man!" Angel interrupted. "Have you talked to her?" Gummy resurrected the subject. "She has said hi a couple times. I usually reply back. Is that okay?" Tank was obliviously limited on his knowledge with the opposite sex. "Yeah dude! Why wouldn't it be? In fact, if you didn't it would probably be pretty weird. Almost as weird as your bro." Gummy tried to divert attention away from the bunny, who was busy rolling in laughter at the increasingly awkward conversation. "What do girls talk about? Can I read anything for it? I'm good at that." Tank's head began to slowly retract inside his shell with the increasing amounts of anxiety. They talk about me. What else could they talk about!" Angel teased. "We're not getting anywhere. You are cool guy Tank. You shouldn't be like this. You're athletic; after all, you live with Rainbow Dash. You're really calm and nice... On top of that you are really loyal to your friends! So I don't get why you have so many problems with girls! You shouldn't have any trouble!" Gummy reasoned. Over the past few days, Tank has likened Gummy to his "best friend", due to the similarities between the two reptiles. Though Angel was his brother in every sense of the word. it was nice having another friend. "Thanks Gummy. I'll give it a try I guess..." Tank finished his second can of soda and scratched his head. "Well... What are we waiting for? Let's get to it!" Gummy exited his chair and led the pair out of the doorway. "Oh, going on an adventure? Have fun boys! Remember to bring lots of duct-tape and candy, for duct-tape and candy emergencies!" Pinkie waved the trio goodbye; apathetic to whatever trouble they would get themselves into. "Maybe I can invite Dashie and Fluttershy over for some cake?" She bounced at the idea. "It will be the greatest thing ever!" "Wait... Hold on a minute! I need something for my date tomorrow! Let's stop over at Opal's and get her mom to make me a real nice bowtie!" Angel suggested. "Okay... Let's go I guess. But how in the world are you going to convince Rarity to make you something?" Tank followed Angel into the doors of Carousel Boutique. "The same way I got a date with Ashtail. A little charm and a ton of handsomeness." The bunny flexed his tiny muscles. "That's not even a word," Gummy replied. The fashion pony didn't notice the trio as they walked in; instead she sprang back and fourth between forests of clothes racks. "We gotta get her attention," Angel suggested. The bunny climbed on a clothes rack, timed the white mare's speed, and lept towards her. He impacted her nose, forcing the pony to stop in confusion. "What recklessness is this?' Rarity found Angel on the ground moaning in pain. "Angel Bunny? Fluttershy's bunny? Such a little ruffian! I shall tell her about this travesty!" "Angel, you okay?" Tank and Gummy attempted to pacify the fashionista. "Tank? Gummy? What are you doing here?" She offered her hoof to the injured Bunny, who firmly refused it. "Uh..." Tank and Gummy searched their minds for a proper way to get across the message. "Just follow me, man." Tank pointed at Angel, who was just barely on his feet. "What about that little devil?" Gummy hopped several times in a manner reminiscent of Ashtail. Tank followed by outlining a heart. "He's in love?" Several scaled nods soon followed. "I'm hoping it's another bunny." The pair reassured her and signaled the men's section of the shop. "Oh Celestia, he wants me to design something for his date, doesn't he?" Tank and Gummy offered another nod. "Does this lady bunny have any taste? He's a little ruffian! But fine... But only because Fluttershy is my best friend." She reached for measuring tape and sized the tiny bunny. "This shouldn't take too long, considering your size. What do you want? In clothing, I mean." The bunny rapidly tapped his chest using his finger. "A bowtie?" Angel lept in joy. "Okay... This shouldn't be long at all. I haven't ever created for a bunny, but I'm sure I can whip something up..." 'Fluttershy! Dashie! So awesome to see you! I made a huge cake! Like huge! I'm so happy that you two can eat it with me! We have so much to talk about!" Pinkie hugged the couple as they entered Sugarcube corner. "It's our pleasure Pinkie. With the boys out and all, we were kinda bored. So it's nice to see one of our friends!" Fluttershy smiled. "Yeah totally! Where's this monster cake?" Dash cheered. "It's right here girls!" Pinkie focused their attention to a massive cake resting on a dinning table. "Awesome!" Dash flew to the cake and began to dish a serving. "Could you get me a piece Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked. "Of course! I would be a pretty bad marefriend if I didn't, huh?" "So girls, I have to tell you something. But I'm going to pinky promise it. Remember that..." "Losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend. We got it Pinkie! Now, what's on your mind?" Dash's words were slurred as she filled her mouth with cake. "Yes Pinkie, you can tell us. We promise!" Fluttershy offered assurance. "I have a crush on Twilight!" Confetti exploded alongside the truth. "Well, here it is Angel. It's quite the special bowtie. I'm sure you'll look smashing for your date. Try to act like you look and you might just win her little heart!" Rarity had found a balance to drive her work; as much as she disliked the bunny, she loved the thought of a blossoming romance. The bunny offered his thanks using a open hand which Rarity proceeded to shake with her hoof. "Well, it looks like your friends are back.Good luck on your date! Does Fluttershy know about this ordeal?" Rarity began to work on another design. Angel shook his head. "She's so delicate! She thinks you are her little baby! Maybe it's best not to let her know for a while," Rarity said, losing interest in the situation as she paged through various orders. "Hey stud! Nice bowtie!" Gummy laughed. "You're jealous!" Angel proudly clipped on his bowtie. "I gotta say man, looking pretty spiffy!" Tank joined in. "Yeah... What did you guys do when you left?" Angel asked. "Well... Tank practiced a little... With mixed results." Gummy tried to ignore the awkward nature of the conversation. "You gotta tell me what happened! Please, I just gotta know! Did he get slapped? Pushed in the dirt?" Angel lept towards the pair. "Nothing violent... Just awkward..." "Your secret is safe with us Pinkie," Fluttershy hugged her softly as a sign of assurance. "Yeah, I'm not going to tell anyone, but Twilight? Are you sure she's your kind of mare?" Rainbow Dash felt the rush of a stomach-ache; a reminder of how much cake she overate. "Oh silly Dashie! Why do you think you and Fluttershy love each other so much! You're different in many ways, but you're also the same in a lot! You bounce off each other so perfectly! It's like cake and frosting. If you put frosting with frosting... It's boring! Nopony will ever just eat frosting or plain cake. But when you add em' up together, you get a super-awesome, super-exciting, and super-original treat! Better than before!" Pinkie stood proud of her views. "Yeah... I guess you're right. So what do you like about her?" Rainbow investigated. "She's so smart! Book-smarts I mean! She isn't as smart as me when it comes to Pinkie senses or reality-warping..." Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash attempted to make sense of Pinkie's blabber. "She's really sweet, loves to dance, and she's so cute! Oh my gosh!" The party pony bounced several times. "I just think she is awesome! So can you two help me?" "Huh?" "Help me with Twilight silly!" Pinkie quickly gulped a piece of cake while the couple gathered their thoughts. "Well, to be honest Pinkie Pie, a lot of it has to come naturally. When Dash and I found out we loved each other, it took a while. Even after Dash said she loved me I wasn't sure. Just spend time with her. It's really simple," Fluttershy smiled. "Do something awesome with her! Maybe help her with her library one day... Nah that's boring. Maybe you could write a story with her? She's a really good writer and you love to tell stories..." Dash suggested. "That's an awesome idea Dashie! I'll call the book The Adventures of Tank and Angel." "Umm.... Okay.... Guess you like our pets, huh?" Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "Yeah! They're so silly and funny that a story about them would be an awesome idea!" Pinkie cheered. "I don't know. I don't there is much to talk about when it comes to those two..." 'There she is Tank! Just be easy with it! Don't worry! You'll do fine! Remember, what are you going to say first?" Gummy quizzed. The pet trio was back to their usual spot in the meadow, over watching Tank's crush. "You can do it man! I don't want to be the only single pet around her! Wait... I do! Never mind! Totally blow it!" Angel giggled. Tank had learned to ignore the bunny during any mention of romance. "Oh hi! What's up?" Tank shivered, hoping it to be the right answer. "You got it man! Now go do it!" Gummy knocked his shell. "Of course he's got it! It's only four words!" Angel continued his banter. Tank crept towards the female tortoise, checking every step to ensure he was walking perfectly. His crush seemed oblivious to his approach; which was a positive to the socially-awkward creature. "Oh hi! I know you! You're that tortoise who always flies by! How are you doing?" She turned her eyes onto his, forcing Tank to retract slightly into his shell. "Oh hi. What's up..." Only Tank's snout remained outside his shell. She giggled several times. "I asked you that! But anyways, just doing some grazing. What are you doing around here?" T Oh shell... What the feather do I do? Tank was silent for a few seconds before managing to piece together a sentence "You know, just hanging out. Was walking the fields and I though I'd stop by and say hi." "I haven't seen a tortoise fly before! Now how in the world is that possible? I just gotta know! I've always wondered!" "Well, I fly with my mom. She's a really athletic pony. So she had her friend build me a magic propeller. And it works really well! I'm able to keep up with her and it's a ton of fun!" "You're a pet? That's awesome! I've always wanted to be one! What's your mom like? Well, other than athletic." "I actually have two pony moms. It's a long story. But they are awesome to live with! I also have a bunny brother, who's a pain in the flank! But I love em' all!" "That's quite a life! A flying tortoise with two moms and a bunny brother! I'd say you were the strangest tortoise I had ever met, but I'd be lying. You're the strangest animal I have ever met!" She laughed in a playful manner. "I'm not going to disagree with you on that one! But is strange a good thing?" "Yeah. Strange is good! We should hang out! What's your name?" "Tank." He offered her a foot. "Turby. It's a strange name I know. But you still have me beat in the strange category!" The pair shook their hands for a few seconds before parting ways. "See you around Tank!" "You see Angel? That's the right way to talk to a girl. I'm surprised Tank did so well!" "I don't care! I still have a date with Ashtail! Give me five!" Angel held out his palm. "No... Just no..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not as funny I know! But I still hope you enjoyed it! (Including Pinkie's reality warping of the fourth wall). I know Twilight-Pinkie is an odd ship and I don't know where it will go in this story, but I still think it's fun to play around with. Pet girlfriends FTW! And Tank's awkwardness with the opposite sex is completely fictional and not inspired by real events! I promise ;) ~Dino