Fall came to an end and the pegasi began to bring winter for Equestria. Ponies all over were doing their part to help prepare their town or city for the coming cold. Ponyville was no exception, the animals that needed to, prepared for hibernation. That included Tank, not that Rainbow noticed at first. She was looking forward to spending their first winter together. She began to worry when her friend was moving more slowly than usual.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked looking at her friend closely. “You’re moving slower than usual.”

The look he gave her made the light blue pegasus worry even more. It was filled with sadness but also contentment.

"Maybe some work would wake you right up.” Tank shook his head chuckling internally. “Don’t give me that.”

He watched her get distracted by Twilight and turned his attention to the green armored soldiers moving through the halls. He missed that life, being a soldier was everything he knew. The tortoise directed his flight path over to the Spartans as they talked out of earshot.

“He does seem to be moving slowly.” Twilight spoke observing him as he just hovered there for a second. “And he looks kind of sleepy.”

‘You have no idea Princess.’ Tank thought as he yawned wanting to just settle down and take a nap.

“Just like he normally does.” he chuckled inwardly at the Princess’ conclusion. He felt a hand pat him on the shell. It was Michaels, even though it was more of a pet pat it was still comforting.

-Tank’s POV-

I look back at Rainbow who was waving me over and headed in her direction. I knew what was going to happen and I know that she was going to face everything she kept deep down inside. When she saw us get killed she just sat there eyes wide. Most of us at the time didn’t know what to say to her, but I think she just didn’t know what to do. This is going to bring up many unpleasant memories for her and now it is time for her to deal with death. My slow heart clenches beneath my chest, this was going to be painful to watch.

-End of Tank’s POV-

Rainbow wasn’t sure how to process the new, she had taken Tank to Fluttershy’s for a check up.

“You do know he’s not a bear, right?” the rainbow maned pony told her friend after hearing the results. Fluttershy sighed before going to get a book from the shelves.

“When the weather grows cold and food becomes less available, many animals hibernate to conserve energy.” the pale yellow pony explained as she flipped through the pages. “It is like taking a really long nap during the winter, and then they wake up during the spring. And see even tortoises do it. When the time comes, Tank will leave and dig a hole in the ground….”

Fluttershy snapped her mouth shut when she saw her friend’s eyes widened before shutting tight.

"We will remember those who have fallen.” Senator Organa spoke, he was the one who insisted on burying the clones that had died. They were without armor and all looked like they were sleeping but Rainbow knew better. Most of the time the bodies were just burned but Bail Organa wanted them to be honored with something different. So that they would always be remembered by those that they had saved. Rainbow just stared at the graves each with a holoprojector revealing who was there. She didn’t know what to feel, she almost couldn’t believe that they were gone. These men had saved her life and she couldn’t do anything.

“But don’t worry.” Fluttershy’s voice broke her from the memories as she just stared at her friend in disbelief. “He’ll reappear when the spring sun warms the ground up.”

“Come on! Tortoises don’t hibernate!” protested Rainbow as she shook her head closing the book. “Somepony put that picture in there as a joke!”

“It’s not a joke Rainbow Dash.” the pink maned caretaker warned looking at her friend.

“Well then you’re book is wrong.” this earned another raised eyebrow as the fast flier grabbed her pet. “I’m going to get a second opinion from a real reptile expert.”

“Rainbow, are you sure that there isn’t anything else on your mind?” the question made the weather pony pause.

“I’m fine!” was the reply before the door was snapped shut. Fluttershy sighed before moving to sit down and began to meditate. Angel hopped to her side patting her hoof and tilting his head to the side.

“She will learn Angel.” the shy pony said quietly as she went back to meditating. “We will be there for her in the end but she needs to work through this.”

Soarin was helping with the delivery of the snow clouds, being a Wonderbolt didn’t mean that he couldn’t help with this. Plus it gave him an excuse to see Rainbow Dash. He looked around for the rainbow mane only spotted it when she was leaving the Palace of Friendship with a frown on her face. The Wonderbolt made to fly down towards her when his eyes spotted the tortoise by her side shaking its head. Backing away the stallion flew off to find out what was going on.

Rainbow Dash let out a groan as she hit the ground snow surrounding her. She looked around wildly for a moment before pulling Tank into the snow. She sighed before flopping back into the snow. The Pegasus was just tired now, she had tried to stop winter and failed. She even ended up getting angry at her friends.

“Are you alright?” she asked looking at her tortoise friend just as her friends ran up. Soarin was right behind them, he had the same look of sadness that she was feeling.

“Are you alright?” Twilight inquired, Rainbow looked at her friend before picking up Tank. “I’m fine.”

With that she flew off leaving concerned friends behind.

“We’ll go talk to her.” the Princess of Friendship told the Wonderbolt before the friends ran off to find them. Echo cocked an eyebrow before flying after them. He had talked to several of the Castle residents about figuring out a way for Rainbow to cope with loss and death. Every person had either given him a cryptic response, no response, or didn’t know her that well to help. Midnight had given a helpful hint on just being there with her.

Fluttershy looked at her friend with sadness, she knew that these words were going to snap her out of the stupor she was in. Yet inside she didn’t want to say them, it would hurt the rainbow maned Pegasus.

“Rainbow, your winter is going to be… pet less.” she had to stay firm, Rainbow jerked before looking at her straight in the eye. “You have to let them out.”

The fast flier sobbed before tears began to fall from her eyes. Everypony knew the meaning behind the words. Fluttershy moved to her side and gave her a hug before crying as well. She to had to mourn the lives she saw cut short. She felt comforted when Rarity and Pinkie Pie sat down next to them sobbing. They weren’t crying because they were crying. ‘They all have lost something or someone they care about.’ thought the caretaker as she spread out her wings and wrapped them around her friends.

“Come now, there is somepony here who needs to speak to her alone.” Rarity said looking towards the door as Pinkie chastised Twilight for not crying. The fashionista shooed them out as Soarin walked in.

“I don’t suppose you want me to be with you when he starts to hibernate?” asked the emerald eyed stallion, Rainbow looked towards him before nodding her head. “Come on, let’s go. He’s looking tired as is.”

“You really want to do this, don’t you?” the Bearer of Loyalty whispered looking at Tank as he nodded his head. “Alright. Let’s go.”

The two Pegasi flew towards the Earth with the tortoise in tow. They found a good spot that he dug into watching as the snow fell on top of him. Rainbow read him a story as Soarin sat by her side listening as well. He even rubbed her shoulders when she got cold. Finally when the story was over did he speak. “Come on, let’s go to the castle and get warmed up with your friends.”

“Thanks.” chuckled Rainbow looking exhausted, she stood up and they walked towards the Castle of Friendship.

“Was that there before?” Pinkie asked as the friends stared up at a large statue of Rainbow that was now sitting behind her throne.

“I don’t think so.” Twilight replied as Rainbow walked into the room with Soarin by her side. “Rainbow, how are you?”

“I’ll...be fine, just tired right now.” the rainbow maned mare answered not even trying to force a smile. “Where did the statue come from?”

“I don’t know, it wasn’t there recently.” the confusion was written all over the face of the studious alicorn. Rainbow walked up to the statue touching the stone. All the ponies in room backed up as the statue’s head looked down at her. A yellow light began to shine drawing her hoof in. The mare let out a yelp as she tried to pull her hoof out and her friends leapt to aid her getting drawn in as well.

“I don't know what’s going on anymore!” Pinkie shouted her eyes shut tight. The ponies looked around in the area they were at seeing nothing but yellow.

“You have passed the trial set before you.” a voice spoke causing them, Rarity looked around wildly knowing the voice. “I will serve by your side.”

“Who’s there?” asked Rainbow looking around before her eyes landed on a sword and shield floating in front of the group. Walking forward she reached out a hoof and touched the blade. It fell to the ground and the shield dropped on top of it. The resounding clang was loud enough for the ponies to cover their ears and close their eyes. Once the sound died down the roar of an engine caught their ears. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see the apartment she stayed in Coruscant.

“Where in the hay are we?” Applejack sounded very confused as she looked around. “I don’t recognize any of this.”

“We’re on Coruscant, the home of the Republic Senate.” It was Rainbow who said this and the rest of the Bearers of Harmony looked at her in shock. “How is this possible?”

“It could be some form of magic.” suggested Twilight as she observed the area. “This place seems to have a connection to you. The statue was yours and the sword reacted to your touch.”

“It’s good to be home then.” Dash mumbled a peaceful smile on her face as Soarin moved next to her, she leaned her head against him whispering. “Act like you are enjoying the view.”

The Wonderbolt nodded his head slightly and they just stood there looking at the view. The former clone looked down at her saying. “I think you should talk to the residents of the castle, they could help you deal.”

The rainbow maned pegasus nodded her head knowing that she didn’t know how to deal with this on her own.

Sombra walked down the icy halls of his makeshift palace, his breath coming out in puffs. His eyes looked around waiting for the spirit that would normally come to talk him out of his ways. A pale silver light glowed behind him causing him to spin around his scythe cleaving through the air. His eyes widened as he saw the figure fall.

“You… no!” he roared as the body began to fade, his horn glowed encasing the head in crystal.

Moonlight Wisp opened her eyes letting out a small crying before coughing slightly. Her breathing got harsher before she calmed down and went back to sleep.

Author's Notes:

I do not own MLP