//------------------------------// // Preparations // Story: Railway Adventure // by The Blue EM2 //------------------------------// February was cold and bitter. The wind stung the cheeks of the people of Canterlot, and there was still snow and frost. The streetcars sparked as they rolled down the line, the heat from the wires melting snow. The main park was still dotted with snowmen and ice still gripped some of the pathways, in spite of the maintenance team’s best efforts to maintain them. It is was on one such day that Cheerilee wandered through the park, dressed in a thick winter coat to keep out the cold. Winter had never really been an appealing time for her, reminding her of being stuck indoors with little to do. On the other hand, she wasn’t a big fan of summer either, given it was so hot around here. No, her favourite time of year was autumn, not only because of the falling leaves, but because it was the time of year she had welcomed her little girl into the world. True, there were some bits she would rather forget about, but on the whole, she hadn’t regretted having Scootaloo. Not one bit. Although a bit of a handful, the joy she had brought her more than outweighed the negatives. And now her daughter was dating. Ever since the kiss they shared at the Fall Formal, it had been obvious that Scootaloo and Rumble were in love. They had always been close, and, to Cheerilee at least, Rumble was the son she never had, but this was certainly a crucial reminder that her daughter wasn’t going to remain a little girl for much longer, and she had resolved to make the most of that time remaining before her child flew the nest. The few months since that event had been...eventful, to say the least. Not long after the reveal of the railway, a gas main had exploded outside. That, at least, was the official story. They had seen it all, after it had died down. Sunset had taken the crown and changed into a monster. Cheerilee had made sure to get the younger ones away from her before she mind-controlled most of the student body, but what came next was what was most memorable. There had been a spectacular rainbow-coloured fireworks display, and by the end of it, Sunset was...changed. She had been granted forgiveness, by Twilight at least, but the student body wasn’t so quick to forgive. At least Scootaloo had got a quick flight out of it, some of the girls having sprouted wings, tails, ears, or any combination of the above. A few weeks later, things got stranger still. 3 new girls had appeared, of whom Cheerilee had been suspicious, as something seemed...off about them. They had sung in the library, and anything after that was a complete blank. Her memory only picked up after the ‘Battle of the Bands’ that had apparently happened, with the Rainbooms, the band formed by Rainbow Dash, giving a truly spectacular performance. The odd thing was that the entire student body couldn’t remember the incident either, not even the Crusaders themselves! There was also that Christmas incident that nobody wanted to remember. Cheerilee shuddered at the thought of it, and swiftly passed over it in her mind. It was now February, and the railway would soon be opening. There had been a massive surge in volunteers following Apple Bloom’s speech, which had allowed them to relay the track to smoother specifications, and reballast the entire line up to Lake Everfree (this meant they now had an advantage over Talyllyn; they actually went to the place in the railway’s name). In addition, the entire locomotive fleet was now operational. Coaches had been built, trucks prepared, and signalling had been installed along the entire route. They could now have a maximum of 3 trains running at any one time, which dramatically increased operating capacity. Cheerilee was so deep in her thoughts she nearly didn’t notice another woman walking toward her. She had peach skin and brown hair, and wore a pink T-shirt and blue jeans, as well as a pair of brown shoes appropriate for the weather. She also had a thick coat on, to protect her from the cold. “Good morning, Cheerilee!” she called. “Oh, Hi Elaina!” Cheerilee replied. Elaina was Button’s mother. Like the other parents, they had met at the parenting group formed by the school, which was how Cheerilee also knew Pear Butter. It was strange, that this group of women were only friends with each other because they had had their children around the same time. “How are things?” Elaina asked. “I get the impression that the railroad is occupying a lot of Scootaloo’s time. It sure is occupying Button!” “That’s true,” Cheerilee answered. “I still make sure Scootaloo gets her work down, though. Not that she really needs prompting.” Elaina smiled. “I often have to bribe Button to do his,” she laughed. “He’s getting better though. Sweetie Belle seems to distract him, though. We can’t get through a single day without her being mentioned once!” “They’re friends,” Cheerilee replied. “It’s entirely understandable. Scootaloo’s typical conversation pattern usually mentions Rumble somewhere or other along the line.” “I wonder what they’re up to now,” Elaina asked. Button Mash looked behind him as he brought the engine into Ponyville Station. This engine was No.2, Spirit of the Forest. The other engines were Gaia Everfree, A Falcon Foundry 0-4-2ST, Stuart the Brave, a Kerr Stuart Tattoo class, Stoat, a R&H diesel loco, and Donald, an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0. Having the whole fleet operational was certainly a boost, as it allowed for backup locos should one fail, but nothing was going to be left to chance. Everything had to work perfectly. Which was why they were practicing stops and starts with loaded trains. Button checked the distance, and started applying the brakes. The train rolled to a smooth and gentle halt...with 3 coaches outside the platform. “Button!” Sweetie Belle said. “You braked too early. Don’t do that on opening day!” “Oops,” Button replied. “Sorry.” On the other track, Scootaloo opened the regulator on Gaia Everfree. The engine moved forward, around the front of the train, and coupled on. Button uncoupled his engine and moved it backward into the runround loop. He then pulled on the whistle, to let them know that he was clear. The other engine sounded its whistle, and pulled away. At that moment in time, Scootaloo and Rumble were headed up the line, and Apple Bloom and Pip were currently at the middle station. Cozy had taken Stoat and an engineering train up to the top station, as the station building wasn’t quite ready yet. Meanwhile, Cheerilee and Elaina were still having their chat. “I take it Will was back over Christmas?” Elaina asked. “Yes, it was very nice having the entire family together,” Cheerile replied. Will was Cheerilee’s husband. “He’s considering requesting a transfer to a Home Defence unit stationed here.” “Why, if you don’t mind me asking?” Elaina enquired. “Scootaloo has grown up without a father for most of her life, and he feels as if he barely knows her. He at least wants to be there for what’s left of her childhood”. Meanwhile, Scootaloo brought her train into Everfree Junction Platform 1. She applied the brakes, and brought the engine to a perfect stop. She poked her head out of the cab, and saw Apple Bloom running towards her, followed by Pipsqueak and Cozy Glow. Wasn’t she supposed to be up at the top station? Scootaloo then saw Stoat parked in a siding, and Stuart the Brave in the other platform. Apple Bloom yelled some incomprehensible gibberish at her. “Please repeat that, I didn’t understand!” Scootaloo called. “It’s Spirit of Everfree!” Apple Bloom called. “Somethin’ bad’s happened!” Scootaloo whipped out her phone, and immediately dialled a number. Cheerilee’s phone went off. She checked the number, and put it to her ear. “What is it, Scootaloo?” she asked. The answer caused her face to go pale. “What’s wrong?” Elaina asked. Cheerilee looked at her. “I’ve got to get to the railroad immediately!”