//------------------------------//
// Episode 7: "Twilight's New Recruit" 
// Story: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 13 
// by twilightsparkle3562 
//------------------------------//

…

…

Being princesses of Equestria had its perks for Twilight and her friends. For one thing, they didn't have to always travel like all the other ponies that they watch over. But the transportation they had was old and sometimes even old royal modes of transport needed updating.

This would come true when one day, Twilight and Spike were in Appleloosa, meeting with Sheriff Silverstar over reports of spies from Grogar's forces hiding at the edge of the town.

"So, this is all true, yer highness," Sheriff Silverstar declared, detailing as much information as he possibly could while Twilight listened with. "They looked more donkey than pony from what my sources told me."

"Did you get all that, Spike?" Twilight asked her royal advisor as he drew on a sketchpad.

"Well, I'm not exactly the best artist," Spike replied as he showed Twilight what he had been drawing. "Is this it?"

Twilight looked at Spike's drawing which was a hybrid between a pony and a donkey. "Sorry if I couldn't get all the donkey," Spike apologized, much to Twilight's slight embarrassment. "But hey, 'A' for effort', right?"

"I can assure you, yer highness," Sheriff Silverstar declared. "These donkeys have been snoopin' around here for days. I've sent posse after posse, but they are nowhere to be found. I'll bet you anythin' those donkeys did somethin' to 'em."

"Well, I'm going to tell you what, Sherriff," Twilight declared at last. "I'm giving you the authority to find these donkeys and ship them right over to Ponyville for questioning. But we need them to be kept alive, that way we can interrogate them for information. "

"Right," Sheriff Silverstar acknowledged. "You have my word, princess. I'll supervise the next posse I send out and make sure we're prepared."

With the meeting over, Twilight returned to the staton and boarded the royal train. But she couldn't help but hear the sounds of creaking coming from the front. She went over to investigate.

"Princess, what can I do for you?" The engineer asked as he peaked out from behind the cab as the squeaking sound was heard again. "This here squeaking sound's been here for a while now."

Studying the bulk of the engine, the young princess could see the age of the equipment showing outwardly. It seemed like it was barely holding together and functioning properly with how much rust it was coated with. "Seems to me like this engine may need to be replaced soon," She replied to the engineer. "Do what you can to get us back to Ponyville, but as soon as we return this engine will probably need to be retired."

Patting her engineer on the back, Twilight returned to boarding the train and joined Spike in the main royal car."Twilight, I know that I am not the best artist, but…"

"It's all right, Spike," Twilight said, sitting next to the young dragon advisor. "At least you put the effort into it." And then she said nothing more as the train began to move slowly away from the Appleloosa station.

For the rest of the journey, Twilight continued to try and listen for the sounds of creaking coming from the engine. Eventually, she spotted a royal attendant pony coming down the aisle. "Excuse me, Peppermint?" She asked, catching the young green unicorn mare's attention. "Have you noticed anything unusual with this train lately?"

Peppermint became confused at her princess' odd question. "Unusual? No, nothing I have noticed, your majesty. But if you want my opinion, this entire locomotive could benefit from an overhaul. I can't recall the last time it was sent for repairs."

Suddenly, they heard the sounds of the engine squeaking again followed by the sights of gray smoke drifting past the windows.

"Funny, there shouldn't be smoke coming out that way." Spike commented to Twilight.

Twilight just walked towards the front of the royal train, the sounds of squeaking continuing to grow louder and louder. Finally, she arrived right behind the locomotive and the sight of thick, black smoke greeted. One billow hit the unsuspecting alicorn in the face, causing her to cough loudly. "Ugh!" She cried, trying to get the smoke out of her eyes with her alicorn wings. "Okay, that settles it!"

Opening the front door of the car, Twilight turned her attention to the engineer and the stoker before activating her royal Canterlot voice. "SMOKEY! STEAMER!" She called to the two ponies, immediately catching their attention. "HAVE THIS ENGINE BE INSPECTED UPON ARRIVAL INTO PONYVILLE!" As yet another squeak was heard, another billow of dark black smoke hit her in the face.

…

…

"Princess, what are you doing up here?" Tempest Shadow asked as she entered the front car. "You know that you must be in the royal car at all times for security."

"Well, this is more important right now, Tempest," Twilight declared while trying to brush the smoke's residue off of her face. "I think it's time we get a new locomotive."

"Are you sure about that, Twilight?" Spike asked. "This is the same locomotive that served Celestia and Luna while they were princesses."

"A train that's been around for years and years has to be retired eventually," Twilight answered as more strands of smoke came out from the leaking engine followed by more squeaks, causing Twilight, Spike and Tempest to cover their ears. "And I mean right now! If this keeps up it might break down and strand us in the middle of nowhere, or worse."

Just then, the train neared Ponyville and by the time it reached the station the smoke began to grow more and more with each puff. The smoke continued to billow out onto the platform, causing other ponies standing on the platform to back away.

Seeing the smoke billow, Smokey and Steamer immediately set about shutting down the engine as quickly as possible.

"Get some water, Smokey!" Steamer shouted, pointing to the hot burning coal. "Or these ponies are going to be inhaling smoke all night!"

Taking a bucket of water, Smokey ran onto the platform and filled up the bucket with cold water, immediately throwing it onto the fire, causing it to slowly burn.

"Ugh, a tough nut to crack, Steamer!" Smokey groaned, strands of smoke already blackening his long orange beard.

"Yeah, I think we need another locomotive to pull our princesses around, don't we?" Steamer suggested

"Well, you can't pull them yourself!" Smokey remarked while pointing to Steamer's rotund figure.

"Hey, are you calling me fat?" Steamer retorted.

"Hakuna Matata, Steamer!"

A little while later, the engine was cooled down and then towed back to the roundhouse in Canterlot. But, Smokey and Steamer still remained in Ponyville.

"With all due respect princess," Smokey declared as they stood before Twilight in her study. "Steamer and I can't just keep driving this engine anymore. Sooner or later, something might happen to it that in turn would harm you. Nothing short of a complete overhaul may be needed, and that could take ages."

"Guys, I would love to get a new engine for my train, but it isn't that simple," Twilight replied. "There is a lot of tradition when it comes to the royalty of Canterlot. The engine must be fit to royal standards."

"They have a point, Twilight," Spike suggested. "I mean, don't you kind of represent the fact that traditions were made to be broken?"

"Some, not all, Spike," Twilight corrected. "The changes that were done were built around my mental health."

"But begging your pardon, your highness," Steamer suggested while taking off his hat in respect. "Your royal advisor does have a point. There's a lot of bad stuff inside some of the smoke that was coming from the engine."

"What kind of poison?" Spike asked with a slightly terrified look on his face.

"Carbon Monoxide, all that sort of stuff," answered Smokey. "Trust me, my pal and I are exposed to carcinogen all the time. Why…"

Almost as if out of nowhere, they began to sing:

When he was a young big colt

When I was a young big COLT!

The loud note caused some of the overhead windows of Twilight's study to crack slightly, much to the embarrassment of all except Steamer.

"Very nice," remarked Smokey, twisting a hoof in his ear to see if he still could hear.

"Thanks!"

"In other words, you are exposed and yet you are still here working for us," Spike declared. "That's dedication!"

Taking a deep consideration, Twilight felt that her two engineers had a point. There was a matter of safety involved that no long standing tradition could cover. "Now that you mention it," She commented while briefly looking over at Spike. "I think we may need to bend the rules again for the sake of personal safety. Spike, there's a train leaving for Dodge Junction in the morning."

"What's in Dodge Junction… uh, if you don't mind my asking?" Smokey asked.

"We have a friend there who runs a cherry farm out there and who may have a train that we can hire," Twilight answered as she began to think of the one pony who could help her in the search for a replacement engine. "It's a very special one from what I hear."

…

The next morning, Twilight and Spike left the Castle of Friendship and arrived at Ponyville Station to catch the morning train to Dodge Junction, but they weren't going to be alone.

"Sorry we're late, Princess!" Smokey gasped as he pulled Steamer behind him. "Little late finishing breakfast, you know how it is!"

"Uh huh," Twilight remarked while trying to stay focused on the task at hoof. "So, you guys know what needs to be done, right?"

"Twilight, are you certain Cherry Jubilee will be able to give us one of her engines?" Spike asked with concern.

"I'm sure of it, Spike," Twilight whispered to her royal advisor. "If there is anypony who can help us out, it's her."

As the Friendship Express arrived, the supreme princess, her royal advisor and two engineers boarded the train bound for Dodge Junction.

"At least this time we aren't searching for Applejack again," Spike remarked. "And without Applejack, there will be no broken Pinkie Promises. So, what kind of engines are we looking for, Twilight?"

"Just one that can do the job as required," Twilight answered while looking down at a book of train engines. "Something that is dependable and willing to learn how to be a royal engine."

Twilight then turned towards Smokey and Steamer with pained and hurt looks on their faces. "Guys, I'm not going to fire you," She chuckled much to the relief of the two engineers. "In fact, you are going to be the ones who will drive whatever locomotive we get."

"That's a relief." Steamer sighed, before rising from his seat.

"Smokey, remind me to put him on a diet," Twilight muttered. "Or at least have you two switch roles."

…

Very soon, the Friendship Express arrived in Dodge Junction and Twilight deboarded the old locomotive, much to the delight of all who were gathered.

As they rode towards the ranch in a carriage, Twilight and Spike along with the two engineers were amazed by how each and every citizen was being respectful. Although to Twilight, it was slightly embarrassing. Eventually, they arrived at Cherry Hill Ranch just as an old gold colored engine was leaving the ranch with a shipment of cherries.

"Excuse me," Twilight called to the old engine as he struggled with his load. "Do you happen to know if Cherry Jubilee is anywhere?"

"She's somewhere, youngin'," The old engine replied with a smile. "If anythin', she's probably in the sorting room. Be sure to tell her old Jebediah directed you to her. I owe her a lot for my new lease on life. Not many places will take an old timer like myself even though Doc says I'm in good workin' order for my age." Laughing and coughing, the old engine departed.

"Definitely too old for what we're looking for." Spike declared as all proceeded towards the sorting room where Cherry Jubilee stepped out and felt her mouth drop when she saw Twilight.

"Why, feed me a cherry pie!" Cheery excitedly gasped while bowing down to Twilight. "If it isn't the Supreme Princess herself! It's so nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again too, Cherry," Twilight laughed while gesturing for the mare to rise to her hooves. "I see you are busier than ever."

"'Fraid so, but we all enjoy it, don't we, y'all?" Cherry declared. As she spoke a group of cherry sorters walked out of the room and waved at their boss. "Now, what can I do for you?"

"Well, you see," Twilight explained. "We were wondering if maybe you could allow one of your engines here to replace the royal engine I've got. It's seen better days to put it mildly."

This made Cherry's eyes widen in slight shock! Twilight was asking a big request of her. "You want me…" She gasped! "To give one of my engines to you?"

"That is the point," Spike added. "You see, our old engine is being taken out of service and we need a…"

"Oh, Tillie will be so happy to hear of this opportunity!" Cherry declared with a smile.

"Who's Tillie?" Steamer asked while scratching his head.

"Must be an engine with a name," Smokey answered to his friend, nudging him on the side. "Don't you always name everything?"

"She's over in the roundhouse," Cherry said excitedly. "Come on and meet her, Princess! She loves to make new friends."

Feeling slightly confused, Twilight and her companions followed Cherry Jubilee to the roundhouse in the back of the ranch. It was a roundhouse painted in rich brown western colors with areas of red and yellow representing the two types of cherries grown on the property.

"All right, Pete! Let's get going!" A loud voice belonging to a tall tower shouted as a red burgundy engine emerged from the roundhouse, letting out puffs of smoke as he coughed. "For Pete's sake, Pete, watch that smoke! How many times do I have to tell you that?!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Pete muttered and coughed under his breath. "Where to today, boss?"

"See those loads of cherries? Over to the Crystal Empire! In fact, it should have been done two days ago!" The tower grumbled. "Now get goin'!"

"Nothin' to it boss, be back in a while." Pete declared as he continued to blow out smoke that caused the tower to sneeze quite audibly.

"Tillie, where's Farnsworth's load?!" The tower roared once it had composed itself. "It should have been here an hour ago!"

At that moment, all saw a small blue switch engine struggling to pull in a load of freight cars. "Right here…Tower!" Tillie gasped, but Tower wasn't impressed. "I told you I can do it!"

"I've said it before and I'll say it again," Tower said while glaring down at the young engine. "You are too little, kid! Yard work's where you belong, not tryin' to pull entire trains!"

Uncoupling herself from the cars, Tillie puffed away past Twilight and the others as a small tear came down her face. Immediately, Twilight realized that something needed to be done.

…

"Since when does anyone or anypony take that kind of abuse?" Twilight cried, feeling shocked over what just transpired as Cherry Jubilee shared in Twilight's sympathy. "How long has this been going on?"

"It's been going on for a while, princess," Cherry Jubilee sadly commented. "Tillie and the others all came from a roundhouse far away that was closed down. In fact, Tillie did something that none of the others had been able to do. She was able to pull a special birthday train over a dangerous mountain, all by herself no less. And it was after all the other engines either couldn't or wouldn't pull it."

"Something tells me these guys are jealous," Smokey remarked. "Nopony deserves such disgusting garbage!"

"Do you think that maybe she could be the one?" Spike asked Twilight. "This engine named Tillie?"

"She may look small, Spike," Twilight replied. "But I like her determination! I sense great things in her."

"Oh, of all the nerve!" A voice belonging to a tall diesel engine with a horn nose groaned. "That little switch engine is feeling sad again because she can't face the truth!"

"Whatever, Farnsworth!" Tower snapped. "Just get your express shipment over to Canterlot, all right?"

"Consider it done, old man!" Farnsworth declared. And with a laughing noise from his horn, he took off.

Cherry Jubilee had heard enough as she went over to her supervisor. "Tower!" She remarked, causing the foreman to look over at her. "What is going on here?"

"It's that Tillie, Ms. Jubilee," Tower sighed. "She thinks that just because she took the birthday train over the mountain to the town, she deserves to be working like the rest of the engines. Well, I say different!"

"And I say you are forgetting who the boss is around here, whistle nose!" Cherry Jubilee snapped, reaching up to Tower's whistle nose and pulling him down to her level. "It's clear to me that there is a lack of respect amongst my engines lately and I say that stops now! Now, where is Tillie?"

Just then, they saw a small brown bird flying towards them from the roundhouse. Immediately, Cherry Jubilee recognized who it was. "Ms. Jubilee?" The brown feathered bird declared. "It's Tillie, she's all upset and crying to herself again!"

"Oh, the poor dear," Cherry Jubilee sighed. "Thanks for letting me know, Chip. I'd better go check on her." As Cherry Jubilee made her way over to the roundhouse, Twilight, Spike and the engineers followed.

…

Inside the roundhouse, Tillie was left alone to sulk at her latest round of abuse from the other engines.

"Tillie?" Cherry Jubilee asked as she walked into the roundhouse. "Oh, Tillie honey, I'm sorry this has been happenin' again."

"I don't get it, Ms. Jubilee!" Tillie cried, a puff of gray smoke coming from her smokestack. "Why can't I get the respect I deserve? It's what I have been asking myself ever since I came here. I thought for sure things would turn around after I got the birthday train over the mountain, proving to everyone that I can pull trains just like the other engines. But of course, Tower still doesn't think so."

"Tillie, I've been telling you this for a long time now," Chip declared as he landed on her lamp. "Why are we even here if you think you're better than the other engines? I know you're better than most of them, Cherry knows it too. I mean, you pulled the birthday train and aside from Georgia and Jebediah, they still don't respect you!"

"I feel that I have to agree with Chip, sweetie," Cherry Jubilee spoke up. "I know you are a hard worker and have accomplished so much already, Tillie. Still, it's hard when your equal had to retire unexpectedly."

Tillie looked over to the far end of the roundhouse where another one of her fellow engines had once rested. "It's too bad she isn't here with me right now," Tillie sadly sighed. "I could sure use Georgia's advice. I always thought Jebediah would be the first to retire given how old he was. I didn't expect Georgia's breakdown to be that bad." And she could still remember the last words Georgia had said before the old railway and roundhouse had closed.

A still bandaged Georgia smiled as she did her best to show a brave face to the little engine who had helped her so much. "You'd know I'd join you in a puff if I could, Tilly. But Doc says my days of pulling trains aren't coming back anytime soon. But I know you'll make a fine engine on your own with your own trains to pull, just like with the birthday train."

Clearing her throat, Twilight approached the young blue engine, determined to give her as much of a chance as possible.

"Who…who are you?" Tillie asked.

"The pony who is going to give you the respect you deserve," Twilight firmly answered. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, Supreme Princess of Equestria!"

Letting out a sharp gasp, Tillie immediately bowed back to Twilight except for Chip. "Chip," Tillie muttered under her breath. "Bow down to Princess Twilight." Realizing his error, Chip did as he was told.

"I can see that you are an engine filled with spirit and confidence, Tillie," Twilight declared. "I am looking for a replacement locomotive for my royal train and I believe you're just the engine to do it. I would be honored to have you at the head of my royal train."

Tillie could not believe what she was hearing!

"Will you accept my offer?" Twilight asked the little blue switcher.

Without any hesitation, Tillie loudly blew her whistle longly in triumph!

"Well, I guess we'll take that as a 'yes'." Spike remarked.

…

Immediately, preparations were already underway for Tillie to be moved from Dodge Junction to Ponyville. Smokey and Steamer inspected the cab and found that it would be too small for one part.

"All right, you," Smokey said to his partner. "If you are going to drive this gal, you are going to need to lose some weight."

Smokey pointed to Steamer's gut and although he was downhearted that he needed to lose weight, Steamer was looking forward to driving Tillie. Smokey was just as equally excited about stoking into the heart shaped hole containing Tillie's fire.

Getting right to work, Smokey and Steamer drove Tillie out of the roundhouse as several Cherry workers placed a coach for Tillie to couple onto.

"I told you that you will always get that second chance someday, honey," Cherry Jubilee said with a smile. "Come back and visit me soon!"

"Thanks, Ms. Jubilee." Tillie declared as she whistled at her former boss one last time.

Then Cherry turned to Twilight. "She's a hard worker, Princess," She declared. "I can promise you that she won't let you down."

"I have no doubt about it," Twilight replied. "I have no doubt about it."

Soon, they were on their way back to Ponyville with Twilight finally finding her replacement engine and Tillie finally getting her second chance at being more than just a switch engine…she was now a royal engine for Equestria's six princesses and she couldn't be any prouder for starting her new life in Equestria!

…

…