Thomas & Equestria Girls:
Welcome To Canterlot High
Chapter 23: Meeting The Steam Team
The Engines and the Girls were all introducing themselves and getting to know each other. Thomas' friends arrived to Canterlot High after Sir Topham Hatt told them to go look for him, not knowing that he was in another world or that the other engines already knew this. They found Thomas and themselves in Canterlot, where they all agreed to stay with him until a solution is made to figure out how to restore Lady's memories. In the mean time, Thomas' friends from both Sodor and Canterlot High all got together to greet and began introducing each other.
"So, It wasn't you who saved me?" Henry asked Fluttershy.
Fluttershy shook her head. "Mm-mm. I may not be an angel, but I do have an adorable little bunny named Angel."
"That's nice. But, I guess I was sort of close then."
"In a way. I'm sorry you thought I was an angel, but it really was just Thomas who stopped the Gold Dust. You're very lucky to have a friend like him. Someone who's always looking out for you and his friends."
"Yes, I am," Henry smiled. "He is a very good friend. That's why all of us knew we had to look for him. Good thing we did find him right away or else I could've ended up like my other friend, Duck."
"Are you sure you're feeling better?" Fluttershy asked. "You looked like you were in an awful lot of pain."
"I am, thank you for asking. In fact, I haven't felt this good in such a long time. It's like I can't even remember the pain I used to have back before I got my special coal and parts replaced."
"Oh my," she said concerned. "What did you need special parts and coal for?"
He explained to Fluttershy his condition before being rebuild in a new shape. Long ago he had trouble producing steam to make him work due to his small firebox. He had to use welsh coal which burned a lot faster and produced more steam. After an accident involving the Flying Kipper, Henry was taken to Crewe where they rebuilt and gave him a bigger firebox so he wouldn't have to rely on special coal all the time. Though he still needed some most times and eventually more parts on him made Henry ill still, which meant he was often needed to be repaired or have parts replaced.
"That doesn't sound good at all. Are you always needing special parts to work properly?"
"Yeah," Henry said rubbing the back of his head. "But, I haven't had any problems recently so that's a good thing, right?"
"Mm-hmm," Fluttershy nodded happily.
Catching him by surprise, Henry felt something nudge his leg and looked to see it was one of Fluttershy's pets. A brown cat brushed against his leg purring happily. Henry didn't know how to feel about this but admired the cat either way. A bunch of her other animals hidden away in Fluttershy's backpack earlier gathered near the two. Fluttershy giggles and takes a seat on the ground to play with her pets. She takes Angel Bunny and starts cuddling him. Then she notions Henry to take a seat by patting the ground in front of her.
Henry wanted to join but didn't quite know how to sit himself down. He hadn't gotten adjusted to being a person yet and wasn't sure how to move his legs. But he didn't want to look awkward or disappoint Fluttershy by just standing there and not doing anything. So he tried placing himself on the ground by stretching one leg out and bending the other to lower himself down. Losing his balance, Henry grunts as he hits the ground landing flat on his behind. Henry reassures a concerned Fluttershy he was okay much to her relief. The two sit there for a while as Henry watches Fluttershy cuddling Angel and her other animals simply wondering around curiously. More animals, this time some birds and a guinea pig, fly on top of and climbed over him. Fluttershy smiled while she watches Henry anxiously examining the rest of her animals.
"Thomas told me you liked animals. You even have your own forest."
"That's right. It's such a wonderful place."
Fluttershy beamed until Henry continued.
"But, I sort of like being with animals more from a further distance. You know, when they're not this close."
Much like Thomas, Henry's never held a pet before. He didn't quite know what to do with one or what to make of them all, and was a little nervous to be around them. Fluttershy noticed this and thought of away to ease his worries.
"Do you wanna hold him?" she asked holding out Angel to him.
Henry froze and looked at Fluttershy's bunny. He didn't know if he should or not, or if he wanted to.
"It's okay. He won't bite."
"Does he always bite?"
"Not at all. But he does get rather cranky sometimes, don't you sweetie?"
Angel looked back and glared at Fluttershy then back at Henry.
"Oh. Um, oh-okay," He said hesitantly.
She passes Angel over to Henry who held onto him with his arms stretched away from himself.
"There, I held him," he said nervously.
Angel glares at him.
"Um, why don't you bring him in a little closer, sweetie. There's nothing to worry about when your holding adorable little critters."
Henry gingerly brought Angel in a little closer to him. Once he was now pressed against him, Angel nuzzled his chin happily at first making Henry flinch. But as soon as he realized how nice it made him feel, Henry started smiling then laughed a little as his fur tickled his chin. Fluttershy beamed watching the other animals all gather around Henry. He was no longer anxious around critters as he embraced their comfort with the cat, guinea pig, and some birds still crawling around him and all were having a fun time.
Fluttershy giggled. "You see, they're not bad at all."
"Yeah. I like your animals, Fluttershy," Henry smiled.
"Howdy there. You must be Toby," Applejack said offering her hand to him.
"Oh, hello. Who are you?" He said excepting the offer.
"Name's Applejack."
"Nice to meet you, Applejack. So, Thomas has told you about me huh?"
"He told us about all ya'll. Said you were some kinda tram engine back on Sodor."
"Yup, that's me; Toby the Tram Engine," he chuckled meekly.
"Neat. So, what's that like? You know, bein' a tram and all. What exactly does a tram engine do?"
Toby hesitated for a moment. Aside from being uniquely square, there wasn't much that he knew off the top of his head that made him being a tram engine really special. He knew he wasn't strong or fast, but he didn't want Applejack know that he's really some what of a fragile tram engine; one with a very low water tank and coal intake. He couldn't go really fast or pull a heavy, long load of trucks. Instead of listing all of his qualms, Toby took the chance to make a better first impression by telling Applejack only a few half truths to his abilities in order to impress her.
"Oh, it's, uh, great. I pull a coach called Henrietta on Thomas' branchline, occasionally work in a quarry, and deliver goods to different locations such as farm houses and castles."
"Whoa. Now that is some tough work you got goin' fer ya, specially workin' in a quarry. Must take up a lot of strength pullin' heavy loads of rock."
"It sure does. But, luckily, I'm one of the more stronger engines on Sodor, which is why Sir Topham Hatt once left me in charged of the quarry for a bit."
"Really?" Applejack said intrigued. "You're that good with haulin' heavy loads?"
Toby noticed her interest peak and continued to tell half the truth about his abilities.
"Y-yes. In fact. I'm so strong I once had to push Gordon up a hill." Toby started chuckling, "He says he's one of the strongest engines on Sodor, but he can't even pull the Express train up his own hill."
Applejack joined in with Toby as the two laughed for a bit then continued talking to each other.
"He kept on doubting me too. Calling me a slow coach, an improper engine. But I showed him."
"So, you were able to push a big engine and some coaches up a steep hill?"
"Yes, in deed," Toby said proudly.
Though this was an event that actually happened, Toby's forte slowly began to decline over the years, not being able to pull as many trucks or go as fast like he could back in the day. If he were asked to push Gordon up his hill again he wouldn't have any strength left to do so anymore. Applejack didn't know this and Toby kept it that way. She then came up with an offer for Toby and his friends.
"In that case, Thomas told me workin' makes ya'll feel real useful. I'm sure you and yer friends would be a real help back on mah farm. If you're as strong as you say, then maybe Sweet Apple Acres could use a couple of extra hands to lend around the farm; seein' how ya'll are stayin' in Canterlot fer a while that is."
Toby chuckled hesitantly. She wasn't really going to let him work on her ranch, is she? If Applejack does, she'll see that Toby really wasn't as strong as he made himself out to be.
"Good luck convincing James or Gordon to work on your farm. Those two will never do anything that gets them dirty. Probably Gordon if you convince him he isn't able to, but he can still be pretty stubborn about."
"Oh, it won't take much convincin'. They can be sure of that. Ah know a thing or two about being stubborn. I'll have those two harvestin' apples and herdlin' pigs before they know it."
"Well, we're also not quite use to these bodies yet either and we certainty don't want to cramp your style. None of us have actually worked on a farm before. We've just delivered goods to them."
"Don't mean you can't learn to. How's about ah show yah what bein' a farmer is all about, if that helps at all. Sure, it'll take a lot more outta yah now that yer people and not engines, but it gets a whole lot easier once you know what yer doin'. Whaddya say? Offer's there if that's okay with you and yer friends."
Knowing he may not be good enough to learn how to work on a farm, Toby could tell how sincere Applejack was in her offer. She was more than happy to teach him the basics of working on a farm. But what if she sees how weak and slow he really was? Then she'll know that Toby really isn't as strong and won't like of him anymore because he's old and delicate. He didn't want to Applejack to dislike him for those reasons, but he also didn't turn down her offer either. Deciding to be polite about it, Toby thought about working on Sweet Apple Acres then gave Applejack a warm smile.
"Sure, Applejack. I'll give it a try!"
Applejack smiles back then leans her elbow on his shoulder.
"Now that's what ah like to hear. Yer alright, Toby. With a little time and a lot of roughin' it, ya'll will fit in just fine here."
James was examining his appearance disappointed that his bright red paint is gone and replaced with some red clothes. The red colors weren't gleaning and bright like they were when he was an engine. How was anyone suppose to see what a fine engine he is if he doesn't have shiny red paint to show off? The problem for him is, he's not longer an engine, and the red clothing is all he has to work with. Rarity approached James next after talking with the others noticing him looking over himself.
"Oh, this won't do at all. I was just a splendid red engine moments ago. Now look at me. These clothes simply aren't shiny enough to make me look really useful. How is anyone suppose to see how grand I am if the clothes I'm wearing aren't bright and booming like my once beautiful red paint?"
"Hello. It's James, right?" Rarity asked.
He looks over to Rarity. "Yes. Who are you?"
"Well, since you asked," she said bouncing her hair. "I am Rarity, your number one proficient fashion expert in all things style, grace, and elegance."
"Oh, nice to meet you, Rarity. You're an expert in clothes?"
"That's right. Forget asking anyone else because there's no other quite like moi when it comes to the latest fashion trends."
"In that case, would the clothes I'm wearing right now count as anything falling under whatever it is you're an expert at? I mean, are they considered 'splendid' here?"
Rarity examines James' clothing, looming over him from top to bottom and side to side. Then stood in front of him to give Jame her full critique.
"Hmm, the red leather sweater jacket was trendy at one point but no more. The black and red contrast is fine enough, but a little too edgy. But that's just me of course," She giggled then went back to explaining. "Let's see. Oh, yes. The pants have nothing going on and the gold belt makes the saturation of this ensemble mucky and out of date."
"Mucky?! Out of date?!" James exclaimed.
"Yes-yes. I can see Thomas wasn't the only one in need of a new make over."
"It's that bad?"
Rarity saw how distressed he was and smiled tying to reassure him.
"Well, certainly not on you if that's what you're worried about. But if you want my expertise in fashion, I'd say your attire is the most well put together out of the bunch. I will admit however that Gordon and Thomas have a somewhat unique look. I only remark this because I was the one who picked out Thomas' clothes. So, of course I know what I'm talking about when I say they look absolutely divine just the way they are."
James scratched his head quizzed. "But, you said my clothes were out of date?"
"They are. I can't be the one to judge, though it's highly recommended you consider my outlook, however you decided to present yourself is completely up to you. If it embraces the best part of yourself then that's all anyone needs to look and feel presentable."
"R-really?"
Rarity nods. "Which reminds me, I'm going to need a lot of fabric to stitch up some new garments for all your friends here."
"You mean, you're going to make new clothes for us?"
"In deed I am, darling. Seeing so many of you in these lack luster clothing just begging to be embellished by yours truly is the perfect opportunity for me to indulged in the male side of fashion. And let me just say, it is going to be the most marvelous endeavor I have ever experimented with!"
After everything Rarity told him, James had an idea.
"Now I'll need to get started as soon as I can. Who knows how long you'll be staying in,"
James leans in on Rarity cutting her off.
"Oh please, Rarity! You have to make me look splendid again! I don't want to be out of date. I want everyone to adore my red coating and say what a really useful," James paused realizing he wasn't an engine then continues. "If you're the only one who knows everything about clothes, then I need you to make me the grandest most presentable person in this city. Will you help me with this?"
Rarity smiles confidently. "You've come to the right gal."
James beamed while sighing in relief. "Thank you, Rarity! I can't wait to see what you come up with."
"Neither can I!" she chuckled, already thinking up some ideas.
"That James can be a real mixed bag sometimes," Edward joked to Twilight Sparkle.
Thomas and Percy were still catching and discussing what's been happening on Sodor and at CHS. Then Percy turned his back to see Sunset Shimmer standing behind him after feeling something tapping his shoulder.
"So, you must be the famous Percy. Nice to finally meet you. I'm Sunset Shimmer."
"Hello, Sunset Shimmer. Am I really famous here?"
"Only to Thomas," She smiled, "He's spoken about you once or twice."
"Really?" He smiled. "Wait, he didn't tell you about the time I got a crossing signal confused with a backing signal, did he?"
"Um, not until you just did. He did say something about a monster on Sodor or something."
"Oh. Why did he have to mention that?" He muttered to himself.
Thomas chimed in. "Wow, this is great! Both my best friends have met and everyone's getting along. Asking my friends to stay was a good idea after all."
"Wait, both best friend?" Percy said raising a brow.
"That's right. Sunset Shimmer is my new best friend from Canterlot."
Percy felt his heart drop a little. "What? But, I thought I was your best friend?"
Thomas chuckled. "You are, Percy. My best friend from Sodor. And If I'm going to have a best friend on Sodor then why not have one here two? So, I asked Sunset if she'd like to be best friends!"
Sunset beamed as Thomas wrapped his arm around her.
Percy slouched in dismay. "Oh, okay. That makes sense I guess."
"Percy? What's the matter? Are you okay?" Thomas asked.
He shot them a meek grin. "I'm just glad you've made good friends here, Thomas. At least you weren't alone when trying to find Lady."
"Thank you, Percy. If we're here long enough, then maybe everyone else will make a new best friend too, even you!"
"Heh-heh. Yeah."
"You sure you're alright?" Sunset asked. "You look bothered by something."
"Nope. Not bothered at all."
Thomas smiled assuming Percy really was fine but Sunset grew concerned seeing him appear as though he's forcing his grin to stay up.
"Thomas, you're not going to believe what Twilight told me," Edward said going over to the three friends.
The two then join Edward and Twilight Sparkle while Percy stood and watched Thomas and his new best friend get caught up in the conversation. Thinking they weren't paying attention to him, Percy grew more disheartened after hearing Thomas state that he had a new best friend in Canterlot.
Thomas and Percy have always been the best of friends though. How could he find another one so quickly from this world? He wanted to tell himself that he was silly for getting so worked up about it. Thomas did say Sunset Shimmer was his best friend from Canterlot after all, and that he was his best friend from Sodor. Percy remembered a similar misunderstanding when he thought Thomas replaced him for Belle and Flynn the rescue vehicles as his new friends. Although, it was only Thomas being friendly in welcoming them to Sodor seeing as how it was their first few days there. However, he explicitly said that Sunset was his new best friend. Did that mean he was no longer his best friend, or his only one? After watching them talk for a few seconds, Percy sighs and turned away from the group; the feeling of neglect looming over him. Sunset looks back at him worrisome as Percy walks away. She was hoping her and Thomas being best friends wasn't the reason Percy was upset, but it obvious to her that this was in deed the case.
Percy stood slouched near by watching everyone talking and laughing with each other. They all did seem to be getting along great. Everybody had someone to connect with. Henry and Fluttershy, James and Rarity, Toby and Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Edward, Thomas and Sunset Shimmer. Percy slouched thinking about if he really did lose his friend to someone else. On top of that, there wasn't anyone here that Percy could really connect with the same way all of his other friends did.
"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!"
Standing right next to him was Pinkie Pie smiling amiably with her arms behind her back.
"Oh. Um, hi. I'm,"
Pinkie interrupts and turned to offer him a hand shake. "You're Percy, The Small Green Engine From The Island Of Sodor Who Pulls The Mail Train. Nice To Meet You!"
Percy was a bit bemused at first before excepting her offer. How did she specifically know he was a green tank engine? Reaching with the wrong arm, Pinkie Pie vigorously shakes his arm causing him to feel a little dizzy but then recovered quickly.
"Do You Like Parties And Eating Sweets?"
Percy recovered by shaking his head. "Oh, I love parties! Especially ones that have lots or pretty fireworks."
Pinkie gasped. "Me Too!"
"Although, I've never eaten sweets before."
Pinkie gasped even louder. "That's Right! Tank Engines Don't Eat Candy!"
"Well, there was this one time I crashed into a chocolate factory and came out the other side covered in gooey chocolate pudding. Other than that,"
Pinkie Pie blanked out after Percy mentioned his trip through the chocolate factory and getting covered in chocolate pudding. Instead of gasping again, she interrupts again, clutches Percy's face and squeezes his cheeks together.
"You, Are, So, Lucky!"
"Not really. It was kind of gross," he muffled.
"We Need To Get You Some Chocolate, Stat!" She said letting go of him. "As Soon As I Get My Hands On Some Candy. Oh, Wait!"
Pinkie digs through her hair and pulls out a chocolate bar, peeling a bit of the wrapping off and holding it in front of Percy.
"Here, Try Some Now!"
Percy looks at the chocolate bar than at Pinkie Pie. Taking the bar, he hesitates for a few seconds staring at the bar then back at Pinkie again, who still retained her friendly smile as she eagerly awaited him to take a bite. Percy brings the bar closer to his mouth and takes a small bite anticipating for whatever happens. Having never eaten anything in his life, there was no knowing what would transpire after he took a bite out of a chocolate bar. The square piece breaks off from the rest of the bar remaining held under his teeth. The chocolate enters his mouth and he begins to chew. Not even two munches in did Percy stop eating. His eyes lit up and a kaleidoscope of bright colors circled all around him.
"This Is Amazing!!"
"Really?!" Pinkie beamed with pure joy. "You Abso-Tootly-Lutely Like It?!"
"Absolutely! It's like an burst of good feelings filling me up with so much energy."
Percy takes another bite and chomps it down. He then hands the bar back to her but Pinkie rejects.
"You Can Finish It. Consider It My Welcome Present!"
"Thank you, Pinkie Pie."
Percy continues eating the rest of the chocolate bar while the two friends continued talking. It was then after watching him eat the rest of her bar that Pinkie Pie got the urge to ask her new friend a question. Hiding her arms behind her back, Pinkie teetered on her heels bashfully as she asked him her question.
"Hey, Percy. Do You Wanna Be Party Pals?"
Percy paused his eating. "Party pals?"
"Yeah, Party Pals. Two Pals Who Like Parties!"
"Sure. Um, what do as party pals?"
"Exactly What The Title Says! We Have Parties, Eat Lots Of Sweets, And All Around Have An Amazing Honest To Goodness Stupendously Fantastical Time!"
"Oh? Okay, I guess I could give that a try."
"Atutut," She waved her finger, "Before You Accept, You Should Know That Being A Party Pal Takes A Lot Of Responsibility. You Have To Eat Every Single Piece of Sugary, Chocolatey Candy, Help Host Every Party That We Have, And Make Sure Each And Everyone Of Your Friends Is Happy, Laughing, And Enjoying Each Others Company. Can You Handle All That? And Do You, Percy The Small Green Engine, Humbly Swear That We'll Be Party Pals Forever No Matter What?"
"Y-yes?"
"Promise?"
Percy batted his quizzed eyes.
"Cross Your Heart, Hope To Fly, Stick A Cupcake In Your Eye?!" She said lodging her fist in her eye.
"Well, I'm not sure about the cupcake in the, eye?"
Percy stopped talking after Pinkie's pupils grew big like puppy dog eyes and stared at him while her lips quivered and forearms locked together. He didn't like seeing her look so upset. After exhaling a sigh, Percy smiles back at her.
"Yes. Cross my heart and hope to fly. S-stick a cupcake in my eye." He closes he left eye as he places his fist on it.
Pinkie Pie inhaled. "Yippee!"
Bursting with full happiness, Pinkie Pie jumps in the air and cheers while remaining stationary in the air. Landing back down, she hops, skips and bounces all around Percy cheering and chanting their new friendship while he smiles watching her jump all over the place. Pinkie then stops jumping around to grab hold of Percy and hugs him tightly.
"Hey Everyone, PERCY AND I ARE PARTY PALS!" She screamed. "Woo-hoo!"
Everyone smiles, chuckles and cheers looking over at Pinkie Pie and Percy. She hugged him so tight Percy almost couldn't breathe under her grasp. He begged her to let go but all Pinkie did was happily continue holding onto him, even lifting him off his feet. She did loosen her grasp a little bit however, making it easier for him to breathe. And all Percy could do until she let's go was just smile while the two of them remained embraced in a newly made friendship hug.
"And apparently, that's how both our worlds are connected," Edward said.
"Really?" Sunset said intrigued.
"I'm sorry, I still don't really know what's going on," Thomas said.
"We were just talking about how both our worlds seem to be connected," Twilight smiled. "To put it scientifically, Lady was somehow able to use magic to create a patulous aperture allowing for the use of cross dimensional travel through means of an elemental passageway, aka the Magic Railroad. While the disposition between yours and this Shining Time universe seem to be almost anfanglos, it doesn't explain how our world ended up connected to the Magic Railroad if it never resonated during it's inception."
"Anfanglos?" Thomas said.
"Without any beginnings. The Magic Railroad seems to act as a force of nature that came into existence on its own. It was able to form its own nucleus around the two worlds making them interconnect with each other. But if my proposition is accurate, Lady only came into existence after the matter. She was never the one who manifested a correspondence between Sodor or Shining Time."
"How do you know so much about this?" Edward asked. "You're really smart, Twilight."
Twilight giggled bashfully. "Well, based on what Thomas told me and the research I gathered from studying Gold Dust, I'm able to quantitate the existence between the correlation and dependence surrounding Gold Dust, the Magic Railroad and the worlds connected to it."
"So, Lady couldn't have created another portal that leads to a different world before until recently?" Sunset said.
"That's right. Which leaves the question of how Lady can materialize a portal that lead specifically to this dimension, if it was never prevalent that she was capable of such a feat."
Thomas chimed in, still confused but wanted to input his thoughts anyways.
"Um, Mr. Conductor said something about the Sparkles being limitless. He also didn't even know that other worlds are connected to the Magic Railroad until I told him about it."
"I guess he wouldn't know how she used Gold Dust to create a portal either," Sunset said.
"Hey, yeah. Maybe Gold Dust had something to do with it," Edward said.
"Looks like it. I don't think there's really any logic behind this one. She could've just used Gold Dust and thought out a portal that just so happened to bring her to Canterlot High. Just like how we use Gold Dust to counteract the shadow."
"But why Canterlot High out of all the other possible universes that are out there?" Twilight said. "Why did it lead her here?"
"Only Lady knows that answer," Edward said solemnly.
"You wouldn't know if she visited our world at one point, do you Thomas?"
"No. I'm sorry," he shrugged.
"Regardless of how she found herself in Canterlot," Edward stated, "Lady managed to escape Diesel 10 and that Genie from taking away all of her magic. So, in a way, she really could have just created a portal out of her own whims at the spur of the moment."
"I guess so," Twilight said.
The four still pondered the reasons behind Lady's magic and what she's capable of doing with Gold Dust but eventually moved on to talking about other things.
"Hey, you're Gordon, right?" Rainbow Dash asked, approaching him next.
"Why, yes. Yes I am."
"Cool. Nice to meet you, I'm Rainbow Dash," she said offering him her hand.
"Hello, Rainbow Dash," Gordon said politely, though his arms remained crossed.
"Oh-kay," She said rubbing her head. "Um, hey did you know I'm captain of every sports team at CHS?"
"Every team?"
Rainbow Dash nodded proudly.
"Hmm. Quite Impressive, Rainbow Dash. Back on Sodor I pull The Express."
"Whoa, sounds important."
"It is. No other engine can pull the Express quite like me you see. Only the fastest, strongest, and grandest of engines are able to do so. And I fall under all those requirements to a tee. Even Sir Topham Hatt knows I'm the fastest thing around, which is why he should only have me pulling the Express."
Rainbow Dash snickered to herself. Gordon looks at her.
"Something funny?"
"Oh, nothing. I just thought you were joking when you said you were the fastest thing around."
"I wasn't."
She chuckles again. "Yeah, sure you were."
Gordon glares at her.
"Maybe on wheels you might fast, but no one can keep up with me once I take off. You could say I dash in and out like a light."
"Wheels or no wheels, I will always be the fastest. Even on these nimble legs I can out run anyone one, including you."
Rainbow Dash proudly held her Geode locket out for Gordon to see.
"You see this? This is a magic Geode crystal that lets me go faster than even a speeding train. Which means, and I'm sorry to break it to you, that technically makes me the fastest person ever."
"Rubbish. You're only fooling yourself for thinking you can out run a speeding train, regardless of whatever magic item you have."
"Are you kidding? I can sprint out of this conversation to get a bite to eat and back within a blink of an eye, and you wouldn't even notice!"
"Huh, you can never hope to match the kind of speed a grand engine such as myself can preform. So, go ahead and think that you're the fastest all you want because the real expert at speed says you're not."
"Okay. Your call," She said complacently.
Gordon was fuming. Rainbow Dash had her back turned and twirled the locket's string around her finger.
"Yup, when it comes to who's the fastest, it looks like I got you beat."
To claim that she was the fastest around when standing right in front of her was the true fastest thing ever, Gordon thought. He watched with contempt as Rainbow Dash twirled her magic Geode. If she was so fast, why did she need that magic artifact then? It was then Gordon stopped steaming and began smirking.
"I didn't know you needed magic tricks to call yourself the fastest person ever."
Rainbow Dash stopped twirling her locket and froze, clutching her Geode back in her hand. Then turned around and piercing angrily at Gordon.
"What did you just say?"
"Oh deer," Rarity said.
Her and the others over heard Gordon and Rainbow Dash's conversation as they started listening with concerned to the exchanges thrown between the two.
"You can only call yourself the fastest because you wear that thing around your neck. Otherwise, without it you're no faster than a speeding engine," Gordon smirked.
It was Rainbow Dash who was steaming with anger now. Then she rush up and leaned in very close to him scowling at his haughty smirk.
"I can be just as fast without my Geode Crystal! How do you think I became captain of very team at CHS?"
Gordon then leaned forward in front of her. "Oh, I'm sure you can. Just like I can be as fast without my wheels. You may be a head of everyone in your school, but you'll unfortunately never be anywhere near faster than me, Geode or no Geode."
Composing herself, Rainbow Dash smirks after coming up with a clever idea to show him up.
"Alright, prove it. Let's go to the track yard right now and find out who the fastest out of the two of us really is."
"You mean, like a race?"
"What's the matter, Gordon? Afraid you're gonna lose?"
Gordon scoffed. "Not in the slightest. Obviously if anyone out of the two of us wins it's going to be me. I can run circles around you day in and day out. This race will do more than confirm it."
"Then do you accept the challenge?" She said offering her hand again.
Looking at her open palm, Gordon looks back at Rainbow Dash smiling assuredly at him. He does the same and this time accepts her hand shake.
"You're on!"
Everyone went to take a seat on the bleachers as they arrived at the school's soccer field. Gordon and Rainbow Dash lined themselves up behind a piece of white tape laid across a dirt track. The track was a bit muddy and was still drying up. Thomas and his friends sat on the left side of the bleachers while the girls sat on the right. They were curious to see who was going to win. Gordon would technically be faster if he was still an engine. Rainbow Dash had her Geode crystal to make her run really fast, but how fast is she without it? Would she be able to keep up with Gordon if he were still an engine? With no wheels and geode crystal aside, the two now had to rely on their natural speed to find out who is the fastest.
"Hold my Geode," Rainbow Dash said giving it to Fluttershy.
"Do we have to race on such a dirty path?" Gordon asked.
"Sorry, but there aren't any railroads to give you an advantage here," she mocked.
"I told you already, I don't need railroads. I'd just prefer if the track I'm racing on was a little bit cleaner."
"Who do you think is going to win?" Twilight asked Edward.
"Hmm, hard to say. I'd imagine Rainbow Dash would be faster if she has her magic rock. But Gordon is also one of the faster engines on Sodor. Take away both of those aspects from them though and it could be anyone's game."
"I should be down there racing too," James said. "I'm a fast engine as well you know. Quick and sleek, always on the move, the fastest red engine on Sodor."
"This is a race between Gordon and Rainbow Dash, James," Edward said.
"They're just afraid I'll be too much for them. Understandable I guess. I'd be way a head of them before they even realize who's leading the race."
"Not everyone on Sodor is this arrogant, are they?" Sunset whispers to Thomas overhearing the conversation.
"Just those two," Thomas joked. "Most of the time, anyway."
Rarity stood aside where Rainbow Dash and Gordon were lined up and held a piece of fabric cloth in the air. The two leaned in positioned in a running stance ready to start sprinting down the track.
"Get ready to eat my dust," Rainbow Dash said.
"Get ready to see nothing but the number four," Gordon fired back.
"Are the contestants ready?" Rarity said.
The two pierced narrow eyed down the track tensely. Rarity begins the countdown.
"On three. One, two,"
Everyone was anxious. Who was going to win the race? Rainbow Dash, or Gordon? Rarity waves the cloth.
"Three!"
And with that the race had started, with Gordon being the first to take off. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle and their friends watched Gordon pass over the white tape. He was grinning with self assurance, fully confident he was going to win without even being given a real opponent to challenge him. Rainbow Dash however, didn't move yet. Instead she remained positioned while smirking at Gordon. It almost seemed too easy for him right off the bat. Running wasn't as hard as everyone and Gordon anticipated for him. The engines and girls were surprised so far. Gordon was making his first time running look easier than they thought. Then something unexpected happened, but not to Rainbow Dash's surprise.
Not even passing the white tape completely, Gordon found himself plummeting straight onto the ground; Unable to react on time as he fell face first into the muddy track.
The bleachers went silent. All eyes stared at Gordon with his whole face buried deep in the damp mud. Just then, Thomas and all the other engines burst into laughter. Some of the girls snickered but were more worried for Gordon and wondered if was okay. Even Edward, who usually isn't one for laughing at others misfortune, found himself holding back a few snickers himself. Gordon the big blue engine, who always seems to put others down while bragging about how grand, fast, and strong he is, met karma once again in the form of a muddy plunge.
"Looks like Gordon's off to a muddy start," Henry joshed.
The engines laughed even more. Gordon tilted his head out of the dirt hearing all of his friends laughing at him. It became apparent what had just transpired and it all weighed him down even more.
"Ohh, the indignity!"
"How could you all laugh at him like that?" Fluttershy stood up facing the boys disapprovingly. "Can't you see how upset he is?"
Henry immediately stopped laughing after seeing Fluttershy glaring at them all with her arms crossed.
"Trust me, Fluttershy," James said. "If you shared the same shed with Gordon you'd laugh too."
"Gordon could be seriously hurt. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Especially you Henry, I thought you were kinder than this."
Henry slouches, ashamed to have made Fluttershy cross with him. The other boys soon regretted their response after looking over to the other girls. Though not entirely cross, they did express some disappointment in them. Rainbow Dash went over to Gordon struggling to get back up but was having trouble using his arms to push himself and fell back onto his stomach. Gordon gazes up to Rainbow Dash standing over him and smiling confidently with her hands on her hips.
"Look at it this way, all I saw was the number on the back of your jacket, for a good four seconds."
She leaned down and offered him a hand to help him up. Gordon refused, crossing his arms and looking away from her. Rainbow Dash stared at him irritably. Looking back at her, Gordon groans and reaches for her hand coming to terms with his inability to bring himself up. Though he was a bit heavy, she helps Gordon to his feet at first unable to properly balance his legs as he struggled to keep himself standing straight. Rainbow Dash places her hands on his shoulders helping him re-balance his stance. Gordon proceeded to wipe off some of the dirt on his clothes.
"Seeing how Thomas had a rough start with just walking," Rainbow Dash said. "There was no way you'd be able to run without learning how to walk this early."
"You knew this and still challenged me to a race?" Gordon said.
"I had to teach you a lesson somehow. Honestly, I'm more surprised you didn't realize it sooner yourself. But since you like boasting about how great you are, I knew you were setting yourself up to crash and burn. As soon as we lined up all I had to do was wait and see what happened next. And just as I though, you ate it pretty badly." She crossed her arms smirking still.
"Well, what would you have done if I didn't fall? I bet you couldn't catch up with me then."
Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Please, I'm awesome. I would've caught up and ran past you no sweat."
"Is that so? Then how about we start over and see once again who's really the fastest!"
"Uh, sure, if you wanna keep on falling down for most of the race."
Gordon was about to object but then though over what she said and hesitated in his next response. He didn't know how to run. And if he challenged her to another race he'd just keep on falling. Or even worse, fall behind. How would that be a fair race at all? How was he going to race Rainbow Dash if he's not yet use to even the simple act of walking? Rainbow Dash saw through Gordon's confliction then approached him with an offer.
"Alright, here's what's going to happen. I'm gonna teach you how to be fast. So fast that you'll at least stand a chance of keeping up with me."
"You, want to teach me? To be fast?" Gordon said irritably surprised.
"Why not? If we're going to have a proper race, who better than the expert herself to get you started on the right path? As much as I like winning, there's no real challenge if my appointment keeps falling on his face and slacking behind."
Gordon crossed his arms skeptically. He didn't like Rainbow Dash appointing herself an expert at speed and wanted to show that he was really the fastest. Only he can't at the moment, and the person claiming to be faster than him is offering to teach him how.
"Come on, what do you have to lose?"
"My dignity."
She smirked. "Can't lose what you already lost. But take my offer, and you'll gain a chance to race me in an even match."
Gordon stared at Rainbow Dash thinking over her offer. The others watched wondering if he'll actually accept. Gordon never takes advice from anyone, why would he except being taught by someone claiming she's faster than him to train at being evenly matched against her? However, after thinking it over, Gordon groans and glares at Rainbow Dash.
"Fine. But I'm only doing this so that you'll see when our next race begins just how fast I am even as a person."
"Sure thing. Why don't we get started now since you're so eager?"
"Yes. Let's," Gordon then looked over his now muddy appearance. "Can I clean up first?"
Everyone got up from the bleachers and met around Gordon and Rainbow Dash.
"If you two are going to be training for the rest of the day, then maybe we should all start branching out," Sunset suggested.
"Excellent idea, Sunset," Rarity said. "I need to get started on stitching up new clothes for James and the others."
Applejack chimed in. "And ah gotta go to work today, which is a real shame. I really wanted to get to know ya'll some more."
"You all have work?" Thomas asked.
"That's right," Sunset said. "Some of us have after school jobs, including me now that I remember."
"I Don't Have Work Until Tomorrow," Pinkie said. "Which Means Percy And I Could Go To The Sweet Snakes Café And Eat All Of Their Deliciously Tasty Candy."
Then Pinkie Pie came up with an idea. "Hey! Why Don't We Each Bring One Of You With Us To Where We Have To Be? That Way We Can Still Spend Some Time With Each Other While Also Having Loads Of Fun!"
"Not sure you'd be interested sittin' around a smoothie store," Applejack said to Toby.
"I don't think I'll mind," he smiled.
"I'm free for today," Rainbow Dash said smiling at Gordon. "So we got more than enough time to get you started on training."
"Same here." Twilight turned to Edward, "I don't suppose you'd mind hanging out for a little bit?"
"I'd like that very much. Um, what are we hanging out from?"
"Oh, no," She chuckled, "I mean like spend some time together."
"Oh. I can do that too."
"I'd bring Thomas with me but I don't think my boss likes having visitors getting in the way of work," Sunset said.
"Thomas can always join us," Edward suggested.
"I know," Twilight suggested, "let's have Thomas, Percy, and Pinkie Pie tag along and we can all go to the Canterlot Mall together."
"We Can Go To The Sweet Snacks Café! And Thomas, Percy And Edward Can Eat As Many Candy As They Want!"
Thomas and Percy happily agreed with the idea.
"If I'm creating a new wardrobe for you, James, I'll need you to tag along so I can get the precise measurements to accumulate your new look."
"Count me in," He said happily.
Henry approached Fluttershy gingerly.
"Fluttershy? You're not still mad at me, are you?"
Fluttershy turned her back away and crossed her arms. Henry grabbed his arm shamefaced.
"I'm sorry, Fluttershy. It's just that Gordon can be a bit mean most of the time. You saw how he acted towards Rainbow Dash. That's pretty much how he acts around us all the time."
"Teasing him back doesn't make you the better person either. Do you always respond to him this way?"
"Of course, I don't. Not all the time, at least. It's just innocent fun. I knew he was okay. If there's anything you can praise about Gordon it's that he always bounces back. Oh, please don't be mad at me, Fluttershy. I really am a good engine."
She looks over her shoulder at Henry while pondering what he said. He tried grinning in hopes that'll convince her to forgive him. Then she turns to face him.
"I guess it was pretty funny," Fluttershy giggled. "Seeing Gordon talk a 'big game' only to fall down before passing the starting line does have a certain irony to it."
"Irony?" Henry asked.
"He expected the outcome to be in his favor. Gordon though he was really fast even without his wheels. But it turns out he still hasn't learned how to run yet, which caused him to lose the race that he claimed he was gonna win."
"Ah! I see what you mean."
Then Henry chuckled along with Fluttershy for a while. Then both teens looked at each other.
"Um, I better get going too," Fluttershy said stepping back a bit with her arms behind her back. "I promised some friends of mine that I'd meet them at the park this afternoon."
"Oh. You have more friends other than them?"
"Well, um, yes," She said shyly.
Just then, the two birds Hubert and Reginald fly in. Fluttershy holds out her fingers for them as they swoosh in and land on them. She grins back a Henry meekly leading him on to assume that the birds were her friends. Henry was confused at first. The two birds chirp something to Fluttershy.
"I'm sorry. I got caught up in something."
They chirp to her again.
"Right. Let's head over there together."
Henry couldn't believe it. She was talking to the two birds. And they were talking back.
"Are, are they the friends you're talking about?" He asked wide eyed.
"Um, yes. You don't mind that I talk to animals, do you?"
"No, I guess I don't."
She looked at Henry again. Not knowing why or were this sudden impulse came from, something about Henry made Fluttershy want to ask him something.
"Would you, like to join us, Henry?"
"You want me to go with you to the park?"
"Mm-hmm. Apparently Eugene is taking up all the trees and wont let the other poor birdies use them. We're going over to see why."
A little weirded out that her Geode Crystal allows her to speak to animals, Henry still smiled feeling relieved to see she's forgiven him enough to ask him if he'd go with her to the park.
"Yes, Fluttershy. I would like that very much."
Fluttershy giggled and her birds chirped happily.
The group was ready to leave and disbanded after gathering their things together.
"Alright, Canterlot Mall here we come!" Twilight Sparkle said.
"Yippee! Candy And Chocolate And Cupcakes Here We Come!" Pinkie bounced beside her friends.
Everybody branched off leaving in separate groups. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, Edward, Spike, Percy and Pinkie Pie were on their way to the Canterlot Mall to check out the Sweet Snacks Café and a few other places. Sunset Shimmer, Applejack, and Toby were also going to Canterlot Mall but to start their after-school shifts. James and Rarity left to buy some fabric, Fluttershy and Henry went to the park, and Rainbow Dash and Gordon remained at CHS. But unknown to them, a mysterious looking man sitting at the very top of the bleachers watches as Thomas and all his friends walk off and exiting the soccer pitch. Within a flashing light, the mysterious, unknown figure with a cheeky looking grin, suddenly disappears.
To Be Continued.