> Rainbow Dash's new pet > by Robert Emerald Fountain > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Dash loses Tank > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three weeks after being updated in her war training with the Christian Fleet... Rainbow Dash lay in her bed crying. Twilight had come to cheer her up, but nothing could help the poor pegasus. Tank had passed away due to heart failure, and it was too late when Dash took him to Dr. Fauna. "I'm so sorry Rainbow.", she said quietly and sadly. "Tank has had heart failure, which has taken his life. He has passed, and he will be missed. I hope you can find a new pet." Dash broke down in tears at that moment and Twilight heard this as she saw Dash flying home. She tried everything she could think of, but Dash would not cheer up. Twilight began to panic, and called on the others to help, but it was no use whatsoever. They feared as if she would never cheer up after losing her pet to a failing heart. It was in the papers the next day. The article said: "Rainbow Dash in deep sadness" Rainbow Dash has fallen into a deep state of sorrow, because she has lost her tortoise, Tank, to heart failure. Her friends are having a difficult time cheering her up, and they need help. If you have any ideas, send Rainbow a letter about it. > Celestia's Letter > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next morning, Rainbow had calmed down but was still depressed about losing Tank. She was on her way to Wonderbolt practice, and found a scroll for her. It was from Celestia. Upon seeing this, Dash went to Spitfire, and said she would not be at practice. "You're excused, Dash, because it is related to Princess Celestia.", said Spitfire "Dear Rainbow Dash, I am sorry that you had to lose your pet. I would be sad if Philomena died on me. I have a surprise for you. Meet me in Canterlot, and I will discuss it. Signed, Princess Celestia", the letter said. Dash was excited and told her friends about it. "I am SHOCKED!!", yelled Fluttershy "WOW!!", said Rarity. "I agree, this is unexpected.", said Rainbow. "I never knew she would see the article, considering it went all over Equestria." "I can't believe that she would respond first, Rainbow!!!", Twilight crowed. "Me neither, this had better be good.", Rainbow replied excitedly. "I hope she has an idea on how I can find myself a new pet. If she does, I will be so happy." A pegasus chariot came, since it was Royal. She boarded the chariot and the pegasi took off, and she headed for the capital of Equestria. > Celestia's Surprise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spike went with Rainbow, so she wasn't alone. After arriving in Canterlot, they met Celestia at the palace doors. "Follow me.", she said. They followed her to her room, and then Spike was shocked to see Peewee with Philomena. "What's going on?, he asked, motioning towards them. "Rainbow Dash, how would you like to have a phoenix?", Celestia asked. "I am not taking Philomena from you, Your Majesty.", Rainbow replied instantly. Celestia smiled and Philomena caw-wed, and then moved to the side. Spike flew up, looked in the nest, and nearly fell to the floor. "Are you kidding me?", he asked with astonishment. "They actually mated?" "WHAT?", asked Dash. Celestia smiled warmly and lit her horn. A phoenix egg floated up from the nest, and down towards Rainbow. Rainbow cradled the egg in her hooves, as she looked at Celestia with awe. "I found the egg five weeks ago, and did not know what to do with it. I was still in panic until I saw the article that Tank had died.", she calmly said to Rainbow. "That is so sweet of you. I always wanted a pet bird.", said Rainbow with tears of happiness in her eyes. > Rainbow spreads the news > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Fauna examined the egg, and determined that it would be a girl. Then Rainbow took the egg home and followed Celestia's instructions on how to incubate the egg. "You are not going to believe this.", Rainbow told her friends. "I am going to have a pet phoenix." "How is that possible? You don't know where there is a nest.", asked Rarity. Spike chimed in, "Peewee apparently mated with Philomena, and she laid an egg. Celestia gave it to her." Twilight was wide eyed, because she did not expect to hear that. "I suggest naming her Starfire.", said Fluttershy. Rainbow accepted the idea and agreed. She went to Wonderbolt practice on her normal schedule and performed for many ponies while she waited for the hatching. Spitfire was intrigued at what Dash would name her phoenix. "Fluttershy must have had a great idea for you.", she said. Rainbow agreed, and told her parents about it. They requested that she send them a picture from the day that her phoenix hatched. She agreed, and sent a letter to Celestia, saying that she would give Starfire back temporarily. This way, Peewee and Philomena could feed her to the point that she could leave her parents. Celestia agreed with that plan, because hatchlings usually prefer to be fed and cared for by their parents. > Starfire Hatches > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- One morning, Rainbow was woken up by a cracking sound. Excited, she ran over and saw the egg beginning to hatch. She got her camera out, and watched Starfire break her way out of the egg. Rainbow cried as she took the picture, and then sent the picture to her parents. She took Starfire to Peewee and Philomena to be raised for a while. "She is so cute sweetheart.", said Windy, when she looked at the picture. Starfire looked just like Philomena, red, orange and yellow feathers, and similar eyes. Rainbow's friends were glad that nothing went wrong when the egg hatched. Twilight had a similar comment to Windy. Three weeks later... "Dear Rainbow, Starfire has grown significantly. She is ready to return to you. Signed, Princess Celestia." Rainbow was about to get on the train to go to Canterlot, when she saw Starfire flying towards her. She smiled warmly, and hugged her phoenix. Starfire had a note around her neck that Fluttershy translated for Rainbow. It said, "Thank you for volunteering to take care of my baby. Signed Philomena."