Tank grunted as the dirt path to Sweet Apple Acres jolted his body, results of Scootaloo going a bit too fast to be safe. As the filly took a sharp turn into the orchard where the clubhouse lay, the momentum sent him careening out of the wagon. Acting fast, Tank caught some elevation, his enchanted harness put-put-putting towards the direction the little girl sped off too.

Why. He complained as he went along. Why Scootaloo? Why a filly? Why not Fluttershy? At least she's nice and quiet. Or Twilight-- I wouldn't mind getting to chat with Owowlicious again. Fillies are dangerous. The tortoise's head hung low as he slowly avoided a tree, remembering what caused Scootaloo distress in the first place. How am I to get Rainbow's Badge back to her if I have to stay with a flightless filly?

***

Meanwhile, Scoots pulled up the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse, relishing the ride taken to get to her destination. "I bet Rainbow Dash gives you faster rides than that, huh Tank?" Waiting for a reply, Scootaloo realized that the silence behind her was the wrong silence for a turtle. Whipping her head about, she yelled when she saw that Tank was indeed not in her wagon.

"Tank? Tank!!" Prancing nervously, Scootaloo proceeded to give herself whiplash as she looked around her. "Tank!!! This is terrible! What will Dash think if I lost her turtle? I made promise!" Boosting herself frantically, she searched the area. "Tank!? Tank where are you?!"

It was a good thing that she was still wearing a helmet when she got an answer. Careening back and forth after clipping a tree, Tank collided with Scootaloo and sent them both to the ground. Blinking, Scootaloo cracked a grin.

"Geez, Tank, you scared me. I'm sure Rainbow would be worried sick if she knew that you were lost." She grabbed him with her forelegs before he could take off again. "You shouldn't do that. I was worried sick." Placing him on the ground, she grabbed his necessities out of her wagon and cantered up into the Clubhouse. Reluctantly, Tank followed her. Why?

Because she had his food.

***

Tank munched on his juicy lettuce leaves, bought by Rainbow earlier that morning, as Scootaloo preformed the strange ritual of pacing underneath a hanging lamp. The Lead Pony Badge lay safely out of the way, beside him, gleaming like nothing was wrong. Tank forced himself to eat more lettuce than he usually did-- he had to fuel up in order to find the Wonderbolt camp, and he had to leave soon. Otherwise, he might not get the chance.

The annoying orange filly seemed to be entranced by her pacing ritual to the point of obliviousness. He could snatch the Badge, go, and perhaps get back before she organized a neighborhood search. The hard part would be getting Rainbow her badge, yet not being seen. As grating as Scootaloo was, Tank didn't think that her natural annoyingness granted her getting in trouble with Rainbow Dash for something he did.

Finally at his limit, the tortoise gripped the Badge in his beak and willed himself to go sputtering towards the window. He was almost made it out into the open air when, suddenly Scoots shouted in elation.

"That's it, Tank! We have to rent a hot air balloon!" She flapped excitedly, jumping up and gently knocking the lantern above her head. The light blazed to life, as if on cue. "This spot is awesome for thinking up ideas!"

Drat.

Author's Note

Turtle. Turtle. Turtle.
.....It's a tortoise.

P.S. I forgot to mention: constructive criticism would be highly appreciated!