Applejack was able to win this year’s rodeo. Also, the CMC were able to help find an unlucky Troubleshoes a job as a rodeo clown. Once again, I changed nothing because there was nothing to change. Applejack restarted her rodeo streak, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were one step closer to finding their true talent.
It was late fall when the air got colder and clouds were brought in from Cloudsdale. I stood on the balcony. With the lowered temperature, I resorted to wearing my black hoodie.
I heard the doors behind me open followed by some hoofbeats approaching. Starlight revealed herself and leaned against the railing. She donned a pair of earmuffs and a striped scarf.
“I can’t believe winter is coming so soon,” Starlight said as her voice produced a cloud of its own. “It feels like only yesterday that it was warm enough to swim in the lake.”
“That’s what seasons do,” I said. “Unless you live in a desert or a mountaintop.”
As we were talking, a bundle of balloons floated in front of us. I didn’t have to guess who they were tied to.
“Hey, guys!” Pinkie greeted us. “Special invitation for you!”
Pinkie handed me a pink envelope. It had Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark stamped in the middle.
“Say, could one of you give me a teensy nudge in…” Pinkie pointed. “...that direction?”
Starlight leaned forward lightly pushed Pinkie in the direction she wanted.
“Thank you!” Pinkie said as she floated away.
I opened the envelope with my finger and read the card inside.
“‘You and your pets are invited to Rainbow Dash and Tank’s super awesome going-away party! Food and entertainment will be provided!’”
“A going-away party?” Starlight asked. “I didn’t know Rainbow Dash was leaving Ponyville.”
“Me neither.”
I knew that since winter was coming, Tank had to hibernate since he was a tortoise. But since Fluttershy already told Rainbow that when the latter got him, the events of “Tanks for the Memories” should have been changed. At least changed enough so that Rainbow wouldn’t ruin the weather factory.
Was this a change for the worse, though? Instead of accepting that Tank has to hibernate, Rainbow decides to move to a warmer climate so Tank wouldn’t have to?
Starlight and I went into the castle and showed Twilight the invitation. The party was going to take place at Rainbow’s house on the last day of fall, which was right around the corner.
“Strange. Rainbow never mentioned that she was moving away,” Twilight pointed out. “I thought she liked it here.”
“You know what was also strange?” I asked worringly. “Pinkie Pie seemed cheerful when giving us our invitation. If she helped Dashie arrange the party, wouldn’t she feel a bit down after hearing her sudden departure?”
“We’ll just have to wait and see.”
On the day of Dashie’s party, the girls, their pets, and I arrived at her house via balloon. Twilight cast the cloud-walking spell on all of us including the pets.
“Well, here we are,” Twilight said as we got off.
The pets were hesitant to walk on the clouds. Most of them were anyway. Winona rolled around like she was playing in the snow.
“Easy, girl,” Applejack said. “Don’t wanna fall through, after all.”
“Ow!” Rarity glared at Opal on her back. “What did we say about using your claws on my back?”
Opal glared back as she clung on to dear life.
Pinkie pronked to the door with Gummy on her tail.
“We’re here!” She announced as she rapidly tapped on the door.
Rainbow immediately answered. “Hey, girls and Spike. Glad you all could make it. Come on in, and we’ll get this party started!”
The party itself had its fair share of usual arrangements. There was food, games, decorations, and music. There were even a few activities for the pets.
We spent the day chatting and eating snacks.
“I have to say, this seems nice,” Twilight said as she sipped her punch. “It’s not everyday we have a party together, let alone one with all our pets.”
“This is like one of our Pony Pet Playdates,” Applejack pointed out.
Owlowiscious landed on Twilight’s back, and Starlight scratched his head.
“It’s sweet that all of you are enjoying this,” Rainbow said.
“Yeah. We’re all gonna miss you, though,” I said.
“Miss me? How come?”
“This is a going-away party, is it not?” Rarity scratched her chin.
“Well, yeah, but it’s not for me: it’s for Tank.” Dashie pointed to her flying tortoise. “I guess I should’ve had that invitation written better.”
“Oh, is Tank going somewhere?”
“Is it someplace tropical?” asked Pinkie Pie.
“Uh, no.” Rainbow shook her head. “It’s not that kind of going-away.”
Rarity looked at Tank and widened her eyes. “Oh! Are you saying that…that…?”
“Tank's hibernating,” I concluded.
“That’s right,” Rainbow replied.
Murmurs of understanding filled the room.
“You threw all this for Tank?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow nodded. “I’m not gonna see him for a long time. That’s why I got Pinkie to help set this up. I want Tank to enjoy one last time with me before he hits the sack for the winter.”
“I thought he was hibernating, not working out,” Pinkie said.
“You know what I mean.”
“It was nice for you to throw this party,” Fluttershy complimented. “In fact…I don’t normally do this…but I propose a toast…” Fluttershy lifted her cup. “To Tank!”
“To Tank!” The rest of us cheered loudly and raised our cups as well. Fluttershy flinched a little.
The party continued, but this time most of our conversations were related to Tank. We all showed sympathy for Dash. She was the only pony whose pet had to hibernate for the winter after all, and there was no doubt that she would feel lonely this winter.
The party lasted until Pinkie noticed white specks at the window.
“Hey! It’s snowing!” Pinkie announced. “It’s…oh…”
We all rushed to the window. The flakes no bigger than a Breezy’s pupil emerged from the silver clouds.
“Oh, my.” Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hoof. “The weather team is early this year. The first day of winter isn’t until tomorrow.”
Tank gave a big yawn. It didn’t matter when winter was coming. He was still going to hibernate regardless.
Rainbow Dash bit her lip and sighed. “Guess this is it…”
The wilting grass disappeared under the ever-thickening white blanket. The girls and I wore heavier winter clothes as we followed Rainbow Dash to a nearby forest. She already had Tank in one of her bags. His flying equipment was removed back at her house.
“I know Tank has to hibernate eventually,” Rainbow said. “I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon.”
“Yes, some dates tend to sneak up on you even when you expect them,” said Twilight.
We went deeper into the forest until we came across an empty burrow. Fluttershy nodded to Rainbow Dash. The latter took Tank out and placed him down near the entrance.
“See ya, Tank,” Rainbow said somberly. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Tank slowly walked into the burrow and buried himself underneath the dirt. Rainbow put a rainbow-colored flag near him.
“So I can find you when winter ends,” she said.
The rest of us said goodbye to Tank as well. A tear ran down Rainbow’s eye. It was the first time I saw it raining and snowing at the same time.
“We’re here if you need us,” Fluttershy softly spoke.
We all stood silently. The only audible noise was the flakes landing on the soft snow.
In a way, this episode was an improvement. Rainbow Dash never destroyed the weather factory, and since she knew Tank was hibernating, she hardly got upset. Although, it still was going to be a long winter for Dashie without Tank.