Discord

Tanks for the Memories

Rainbow Dash: Look at that, Tank! Cloudsdale's here! That means Ponyville is next up for winter!

[ponies running]

Rainbow Dash: You're doing awesome, everypony! Keep it up! We need those leaves off those trees! Once we get autumn cleared away, it'll be hello, winter!

Tank: [yawns]

Rainbow Dash: Was that a yawn I just saw?

Tank: [yawns]

Rainbow Dash: How can you be tired when the most exciting time of the year is right around the corner? And don't forget the best part – our first winter together! Come on, wake up! Once those ponies bring in the big, fat clouds full of snowflakes, we'll have a ton of snow for our extreme sledding! [cheering] And over there, we can play horse hockey, with no shoulder or arm pads!

[imaginary crowd cheering]

Twilight Sparkle: Everything's looking great, don't you think?

Rainbow Dash: Almost everything. Does Tank look alright to you?

Tank: [yawns]

Rose Light: Well, he does seem to be moving a little slowly.

Rainbow Dash: I know, right?

Twilight Sparkle: And he looks kind of sleepy...

Rainbow Dash: Totally!

Rose Light: ...just like he always does.

Rainbow Dash: Yeah, ha ha, I'm sure you're right.

Tank: [yawns]

[heart slowly thumping]

Rainbow Dash: Well?!

Fluttershy: I suppose his heartbeat could be a teensy-weensy-eensy bit slower than usual...

Rainbow Dash: Okay, so give him a vitamin or something!

Tank: [snoring] [yawns]

Fluttershy: I don't think he needs that.

Rainbow Dash: Maybe we're just staying up too late. Uh, too many Daring Do and Poppy Cloud stories.

Fluttershy: Oh, that's not it either.

Rainbow Dash: Well, what's wrong with him then?!

Fluttershy: Nothing! He's perfectly fine.

Rainbow Dash: [relieved sigh]

Fluttershy: He's just going to hibernate.

Rainbow Dash: You do realize he's not a bear, right?

Fluttershy: [giggles] When the weather grows cold and less food is available, many animals hibernate to conserve energy. It's like taking a really long nap during winter, and then they wake up in spring. And see? Even tortoises do it! When the time comes, Tank will leave and dig into the ground.

Tank: [yawns]

Fluttershy: But don't worry. He'll reappear when the spring sun warms the ground back up.

Rainbow Dash: Come on! Tortoises don't hibernate! Somepony put that picture in there as a joke.

Fluttershy: It's not a joke.

Rainbow Dash: Well, then your book must be wrong!

Fluttershy: Rainbow Dash, Tank needs to hibernate. It's healthy for him, just like sleeping is healthy for us.

Rainbow Dash: [short laugh] Whatever. Okay, thanks. Come on, Tank.

Fluttershy: Where are you going?

Rainbow Dash: To get a second opinion from a real reptile expert.