//------------------------------// // Chapter 25: Hearts Strong As Horses // Story: Thomas & Equestria Girls: Welcome to Canterlot High // by LPFanFic //------------------------------// Thomas & Equestria Girls: Welcome To Canterlot High Chapter 25: Hearts Strong As Horses The gang from Sodor and Canterlot all met by the entrance of the school, standing near and sitting on the steps that lead up to the doors. They were mostly talking about what each of them did yesterday. Each of Thomas' friends from Sodor spent the day with one of his Canterlot friends. James was with Rarity, Henry was with Fluttershy and Gordon with Rainbow Dash. Thomas, Percy, Edward, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie stuck together with Toby and Applejack joining them later on in the day after her shift ended early. Sunset Shimmer was the only one who had to stay at work, and couldn't spend time with Thomas and his friends. Everyone was caught up with what they did and the plans made for the following days should their stay in Canterlot be prolonged. They then talked about the Genie after Thomas brought up his surprise visit from the man himself. He told them all everything the Genie did and what he tried to do. Everything from his crazy magic, his unexpected offer of friendship, and the one-sided plan with him and Diesel 10. "So, let me get this straight, the Genie just appeared before you, told you his entire plan, then asked to be your best friend?" Applejack said. "Pretty much," Thomas said rubbing his neck. "Why would he do that?" Henry asked. "More importantly, why does he even wanna be your best friend?" Applejack asked. "I don't know. I was sort of too surprised at first. It all happened so fast and I didn't know what he wanted from me. He even tried pressuring me to be his friend by showing off what his magic powers can do," Thomas said. "Seems like everyone wants to be his best friend all a sudden," Percy pouted to himself. "And apparently he's been the one causing confusion and delay all over Sodor?" Gordon asked. "I knew half of those accidents couldn't have been my fault!" James said. "It was him all along who caused us to crash and fly off the rails." "And those troublesome trucks of which he created too," Toby added. "They where made with his design to create all sorts of trouble for us this whole time." "I wouldn't necessarily pin the blame solely on him," Edward said. "There are a few instances I can remember that were caused by us." "You heard what Thomas told us, Edward," James said. "He's been hiding in the background all this time, using his magic to influence our actions and cause confusion and delay." Henry chimed in. "But ever since Lady's magic came back he could no longer use his on Sodor. Now he wants Diesel 10 to take away her magic again, and use it himself by granting the Genie the ability to rule over our island." "Only it seems as though both have their own ulterior motives for the Gold Dust," Twilight Sparkle said. Henry quivered. "I don't know which is worse. Diesel 10 destroying our railway and having control over the Genie, or the Genie having control over Sodor." "Anyone else just as curious over who this guy is?" Spike asked. "I mean if he claims he's not a genie then what he's suppose to be?" "C'mon Sunset, this guy definitely has to be from Equestria," Rainbow Dash said. "He's got Equestrian Magic written all over him." "Even if he was, I can only vaguely picture a few that match his description," Sunset said. "He also said you'd all be able to figure out who he is after I told you about him," Thomas said. Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle look at each other. None of them knew who the Genie was. Were they suppose to know by Thomas' description of him? "But we don't know anyone with his type of magic or fought any creature here with such," Rarity said. "Why don't we ask Princess Twilight if she knows anyone with his powers," Fluttershy suggested Sunset opens her book to see if she had any replies from Twilight to no avail. She had written Twilight a few days ago everything that's been going on at CHS. While she managed to reply back to that, other entries she's added asking questions about Lady's amnesia haven't been answered. "She still hasn't replied to my recent entry yet. But I guess I can give it a shot." "Even if we can't get a hold of her," Rainbow Dash said standing up and walked over to Twilight, "We've got the next best thing right here to figure out a solution for us." Twilight rubbed the back of her head. "Oh. I-I don't know if I'd refer myself as that." "Sure you can, sugercube" Applejack supported. "About the only one out of any of us who can figure out what's goin' on is you and Sunset Shimmer. If this Genie fella really is from Equestria then you'd have already found half a solution by learnin' his identity." "But I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm nothing like my pony counterpart. I still don't know how magic here works and if I did I sure wouldn't know how to use it against someone with this magnitude of power." Sunset chimed in. "It's okay Twilight. I haven't found a way to decipher his identity yet either. If we're both able to learn about magic in this world then we'll learn who this guy really is." Sunset got up and went over to Twilight, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Remember when we all band together and save you from Midnight Sparkles? I was having trouble understanding how magic here works too. But when all of our powers combined, that was one of many moments where it all became clear to me." The engines all look at each other confused. "The magic of friendship is what stopped her from taking over you, and it'll be what stops the Genie the next time he shows himself. You've taught me that I'm not alone on this one, and now the same goes for you. With our help, we'll solve this case together. As we always have." Twilight smiled at her friend, feeling a bit more relieved, but still in doubt. "We really need to come up with a better name for this guy," Spike commented. "If he refuses to tell us who he is, I'd suggest we keep on calling him the Genie just to spite him," Gordon boasted. "Also, any idea why the Genie wanted Thomas to be his friend?" Toby asked. "Maybe he just wants a back up engine in case Diesel 10 does turn on him," Sunset said sitting back down next to Thomas. "Well then he can forget it!" Thomas said. "If that's all he wants from me he's going to be very disappointed the next time we meet." "Careful Thomas," Percy whispered. "He's probably still listening to us." "Let him hear it then," James said. "Because we all know Thomas would never turn his back on any of us. Especially for someone who wants to take over our railway." "That's right!" Thomas said. "I'm not gonna help him run the Magic Railroad. That's Lady's job. I promised I would return the magic back to Sodor, and return the magic is what I plan on doing. He said you all weren't important to me. But that's not true. You're all the reason why I'm here. Why I'm still here. You're every bit as important to me as my branchline. Both everyone here and Sodor." "Aw, I Think?" Pinkie exclaimed. "Aw!" Everyone chuckled. They had nothing to worry about in terms of Thomas becoming friends with someone taking over his Island. But now that the Genie has made himself known to at least one of them, it became all the more obvious that time may be running out for Lady. If the Genie has shown himself that must mean he knows they're on to something. He's worried that the gang is close to coming up with a plan of their own to restore Lady's magic. Which means, Diesel 10 and the Genie might be fast tracking their master plan into full fruition. Knowing they made plans for the next couple of days, the gang wondered how long exactly it'll be before Lady recovers her memories. They knew Lady likely won't be able to remember who she is on her own whims, and they now began thinking of a solution to help her before Diesel 10 or the Genie make the first move. Twilight spoke up after thinking to herself. "I know we're just waiting to see if Lady's memories return on their own, but I've been giving more thought on Thomas' transmitted exposure to Lady which caused both of them to start giving off a bunch of magical energy." "What about it?" Thomas asked. "The only way she would've reacted like that is if you were carrying Gold Dust, or at the very least connected to the sparkles somehow." "Thomas did have to get through the buffers by having Gold Dust on him," Rarity stated. "That's right," Toby added. "Mr. Conductor gave Thomas all of his sparkles. Allowing him to enter through the Magic Buffers." "So, Lady Really Was Draining All Of His Magic Sparkles," Pinkie Pie said. "It seems so," Edward said. "Not only can Lady make sparkles, but it sounds as though she can take it back too." "Why would Lady need to take back Gold Dust?" Percy asked. "Good question," Sunset chimed. "Are we sure her being a way from the Magic Railroad isn't the actual reason?" Fluttershy asked. "But Lady didn't lose her memory last time she disappeared," Percy said. "She also never met us before then," Gordon said. "There was nothing for her to forget about." "Lady seemed to know who Burnett Stone was right away when her magic came back," Thomas said. "I think Diesel 10 had something to do with it," James said pacing back and forth. "If he's been depriving her of all her magic then he's also clearly the one responsible for her forgetting who she is. Either that, or this Genie used their magic to wipe away her memory of us and her duty to the Magic Railroad." "The Genie can't use his magic on her case you forgot," Applejack said. "That's kinda the reason why he has Diesel 10 goin' after her." "Maybe James is right about Diesel 10 being responsible," Sunset pondered. "What?" Thomas asked. James brushed his shoulder proudly. "He had to get his first batch of Gold Dust somewhere. Maybe when he first attempted to chase after her, he succeeded in gaining some of the magic sparkles, but at the expense of causing Lady to somehow lose her memory." "Glad we're establishing facts we already knew," Gordon said to Henry. "I don't think none of us knew Lady lost her memory until we arrived," he said. Sunset went on. "If we knew how and why she receives Gold Dust maybe it could be a possible solution to restoring her memory." "How's that?" Thomas asked. "You saw her leave behind a pile of Gold Dust when you first found her here at CHS, right?" "Yes?" "So, what if using the sparkles is what's causing her to forget who she is?" "Isn't fabricating Gold Dust what she's suppose to do though?" Rarity said. "It is. But Diesel 10 must have done something were giving off Gold Dust is slowly erasing Lady's memory," Sunset said. "What Could He Have Done To Do That?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Hard to say," Twilight interjected. "If she never lost her memory the last time Diesel 10 tried to take over the Magic Railroad, he must have taken a different approach than before to steal her magic." "Who cares how it happened anymore, "Gordon said, "how do we get her to remember herself again now?" "There's gotta be some way," Percy said. "What about what happened after Thomas grabbed Lady?" Spike mentioned. "She looked completely fazed after that, like she didn't know where she was anymore." "Well that's not a good thing," James said. Spike corrected himself. "She must have entered this world having no idea who she was prior, right? But when the Gold Dust inside of Thomas moved back over to her, it made Lady look as though she's just finding out she's in a completely different place." "If your saying what I think you're saying, Spike, Lady must have lost her memory as soon as she entered our world," Twilight theorized. "And when Thomas' sparkles transferred over to Lady, it reinvigorated her state of mind back to the moment before her confabulation." "Uh, yeah. I think so anyways." "How do we know the Sparkles didn't just worsen her condition?" Gordon asked. Everyone puzzled over this theory. They had no way of knowing if what they're discussing was even factual. Was Diesel 10 responsible for Lady's amnesia? If so, how did he go about causing it to happen? And when Thomas made contact with Lady it caused both of them to glow a golden aura. The sparkles given to Thomas by Mr. Conductor appeared as they were being transferred over back to Lady, which made her all the more disoriented. Was she dazed because the Sparkles resonated some sort of restored sense of self prior to her oblivion, or made it worse? "Are you saying that if losing her sparkles is what's casing Lady to lose her memory," Edward said, "Then all we'd have to do is give it all back and she'll remember who she it again?" "Maybe," Twilight said inquisitively. "There's no clear evidence to suggest that'd be the case. Especially with a risky case like this. Restoring her magic could either further break or mend her loss of self." "Is there a way you can study the Gold Dust and see how it works around Lady?" Fluttershy asked. "I'd need a sample of something that belongs to her if I were to research any of that. Something with her DNA coated on it. The reaction given off by it can determine if one of the scenarios is deemed plausible. If I can test the sparkles on anything with her tracing then I can determine a quasi surmised outcome." "Like a lock of her hair perhaps?" Sunset suggested. "Ugh," Rarity scoffed. "You want to cut a piece of her hair off?! Never should a girl's hair be dealt with such cruelty!" "Actually, a lock of her hair should work!" Twilight said. "But how do we get it from her?" Spike asked. "Weren't we suppose to stay away from Lady?" Still feeling doubt about studying Gold Dust, Twilight plucked up determination. If anything, she could try approaching this task in a way she figures her pony counterpart wouldn't try doing; not knowing that she actually would given a certain circumstance. Either way it was worth a try. "I'll go and get a lock of her hair. Even a single strand should be enough to analyse how the reciprocation works." "I'm coming too," Thomas got up. "You can't come. Lady will have a nervous breakdown if she sees you again." "Maybe she won't remember him again?" Toby shrugged. "Or The Fact We're Trying To Take Her Away To A Land Of Talking Trains And Magic Railways!" Pinkie said. "Besides," Thomas continued, "You need someone to distract her while your busy taking a piece of her hair." "I mean, I guess, but," Twilight was interrupted. "Please Twilight. I came here to help Lady, and if this is how I can than I must do whatever it takes. Please?" She sighed. "Okay. But don't bring up anything magic or trains related in front of her." "I-I won't." Sunset wanted to come with but felt them staying away from Lady is the better plan, and so was worried for Twilight and Thomas. "Wait" She got up also, "Should we be doing this? I'm sure we can figure out on our own how Lady receives Gold Dust. That is, once we're done scratching our heads over it." "I think we should. Now that the Genie knows what we're doing, he's no doubt going to fast track his plan and inform Diesel 10 to steal Lady's Magic immediately. Which means we have to make a move first before they have another chance. Also, I think it's about time I borrow a page from your book and try a more hands on approach to studying magic," Twilight joked. Sunset smirked. "Okay. If that's what you wanna do. Just be careful." "I will, and yes. Thank you, Sunset." "You be safe too, okay," Sunset turned to Thomas. "Twilight's right. Diesel 10 could be going after Lady right now at this point. You've all been lucky in avoiding him this far. Try not to break that streak, okay?" "I always am. You won't have to worry about me. I've got Twilight and her magic. I will be cautious and safe though!" He smiled. Twilight puts her school bag on. "We'll meet up as soon as we're done. Let's go, Thomas." The engines and girls wished the two friends good luck as they headed up the stairs to the entrance. Spike followed behind Twilight only for her to stop him in his tracks. "You better stay put, Spike. The last thing Lady needs to freak her out even more is a talking dog." "Oh, right" Spike said. "Don't worry" Twilight said kneeling down to pet him. "We won't be gone long." She got up and joined Thomas, both entering the school building. [Yesterday Afternoon/Present Day: Canterlot High School] During their race, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle found Mystic Sprinkles sitting alone and crying. She was upset because people at CHS haven't been all that friendly to her. According to Mystic, some students were making up stories about her, telling her she was someone or something else. Accusations that seemed out of the ordinary. Given she had trouble remembering things, this made fitting in and trusting others much more difficult. She didn't know who was telling the truth anymore and decided that all she's been told over the past couple of days was a lie or a trick. However, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle didn't act mean or played tricks on her. Instead they offered to help find out who she is by asking her to join their club. Named after her, the Canterlot Mystical Crusaders formed in an attempt to engage Mystic in various activates or interests in hopes that it'll jog her memory of who she is, and if she is or isn't from Canterlot. Skeptical at first as to why these girls were being so nice, Mystic excepted their offer and officially became a member of the CMC. There was no knowing if she'll discover who she is by sticking with them. But Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were the only people Mystic met so far in CHS that made a pack to help her with her memory problems, instead of trying to take advantage of or tease her for not being familiar with her environment. They were more than excited to get started on doing different activates. Since the girls didn't know at first what they wanted to do in their club, they could now pretty much do anything. This opened the door to explore all types of interests. As many as they can take if they were going to jog her memory. The three girls proudly marched down the hallways of CHS with Mystic Sprinkles not far behind. They were determined, eager, and prepared to do whatever they needed to regain Mystic's memories. CMC:"We're the toughest little, cuties in town." "Got the moves, got the mojo, no harder working students around." "We are a trio, work as a team." "We're gonna help Mystic Sprinkles find her place in this world!" [Following from behind, Mystic stopped in her place and watched the three girls marching down the hall. She couldn't help but smile at her new friends. They really did want to help her after all. Although she wanted to remain apprehensive about their intentions, Mystic was filled with too much gratitude to feel skeptical about anything. Standing in a tennis court, Mystic hugged her racket nervously as the CMC tries to start a tennis ball machine. They managed to get it going only for the machine to start launching more than the necessary balls needed at Mystic, who used her racket to shield herself from the on coming balls. The machine went out of control and blasted more tennis balls out than it should, rapidly firing all across the court and forcing them to flee the scene.] CMC:"We get going when the going gets tough." "We know our very best is just never enough." [They tried doing baking next. Mystic takes an electronic hand-held mixer and puts it into the bowl. Without checking the speed adjustments, the mixer stirs the batter profusely, causing all of the thin dough to scatter out all over the place. Splattering and splashing the entire vicinity including Mystic, the CMC and a staff member, who glares at the four girls as they quickly pulled off their aprons and ran out of the class room.] "We're kinda short, but so what? We don't get defeated." "We could take a little break, but we don't need it" [Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle marched down the halls again, with each of their shadows resembling their pony counterparts off the walls.] "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hea-a-a-arts, hearts strong as horses." [The girls then tried getting Mystic into roller skating, biking, and even scooting; which only ended up in her either falling on her cushion or crashing into bushes. They tried hair styling, make-up, and sewing, all of course not resulting the way they figured. No matter what they did it didn't seem to interest or resonate anything with Mystic or her memory.] CMC:"When we put our minds together, we can achieve," "Anything that is possible. And you should believe," [The girls were climbing up a large mountain with Scootaloo leading the hike. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom eventually made it to the top with her. Mystic Sprinkles was having trouble climbing however. She reaches to pull herself up but couldn't keep her grip anymore and looses her hold on the rock. Just then, Scootaloo grabs Mystics arm, preventing her from falling. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle grabbed and held onto her arm as well. Mystic looks up and sees them smiling at her. She does the same, grateful that her friends were there for her. They pull Mystic up the 14-foot boulder and cheer over their success in climbing the seemingly small rock.] "We've got determination, to stroll across the nation" "All the way!" [The four were standing on a stage in the gymnasium. The CMC continued their song with Mystic watching back stage.] "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "And we're planning to win, as we gallop to glory." "We can conquer any challenge we're in." [Seeing her friends still determined and proud of helping Mystic find her place in Canterlot filled her with so much joy and appreciation. Something then happened in Mystic. A spark within her ignited. She suddenly had the urge to go out and sing the song with them. Surprised at first, the CMC were ecstatic to see her embracing a side of her they've yet to see.] Mystic Sprinkles:"We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." "We've got hearts, as strong as horses." [Suddenly, Mystic was glowing a magical golden aura that surrounded her entirely. She levitated off the ground and rose up into the air. The CMC were bemused, how is she floating in the air like that? Was there a wire she wrenched herself with back stage to lift her up? And how was she glowing that bright golden aura? Mystic didn't care or seemed to notice she was hovering as she continued to proudly finish off the song.] "There's only so much to me, that I haven't discovered." "It'll take some time to find where I stand." "I've got hea-a-a-art, a heart strong as horses." "Hearts strong as horses!" [Mystic landed back down on the stage, the magical golden aura disappears. Feeling a little light headed, Mystic collapse on the ground, her knees locked together and legs spread out. The CMC run over and assets their friend; who reassures them that she felt great, knowing that they're by her side.] [Present Time: Canterlot High Hallways] "Where do we start looking first?" Thomas said scratching his head. Thomas and Twilight Sparkle were walking down the hallway trying to find Lady. A bunch of students were lounging around the halls talking. He wondered if they'd have to search for her all over again, but Twilight reassured him. "With my magic tracker we won't have to look," she beamed. "It'll take us right to her." "Oh yeah, I forgot about your handy magic tracker!" Twilight turns on her magic tracker and the blinking light immediately starts going off, pointing in the direction a head of them. Then to Twilight's left over at Thomas, then a head of them, then back at Thomas again. Twilight looks at Thomas chuckling awkwardly while rubbing his head. They forgot Thomas still has a little bit of Gold Dust left in him. Maybe he shouldn't have come after all. But then, Twilight's device shook vigorously and the golden light grew brighter and brighter, this time remaining pointed in the direction a head of them. Thomas and Twilight look at each other. None of them has seen her device reacting to any readings this strong. The two ran down the direction her tracker was pointing. The light no longer blinked and instead remained shining its bright golden glare. It shifted left, then right, then left again, and again, then right. The beeping noise acted just as odd, rapidly going off in a consistent stream rather than pausing a millisecond before beeping, than silence, then back to beeping. Following wherever the light pointed, Thomas and Twilight found themselves by the entrance to the gymnasium. The device vibrated and the sound coming from the device remained consistent and piercing. Twilight turns the tracker off and the two peered inside the Gym. There floating up in the air by the stage was Mystic Sprinkles, covered in a golden aura. "Lady!" Thomas beamed. Twilight Sparkle and Thomas turn to each other. "Did you see that? She was high in the air, and glowing with Gold Dust!" As amazed as Twilight was to see Lady's magic in action, she knew they still had a task to preform and consulted the plan. "You approach her from the front. I'll sneak in from the back stage. Keep her busy as long as you can until I snatch a lock of her hair." Thomas nodded. "Got it." It was when they entered the gym that Thomas and Twilight soon noticed Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were also on stage. They were running up to Mystic who landed back on the ground after floating in the air. Checking over her and making sure their friend was ok, while also trying to find out how she rose in the air and gave off a gold light. Twilight stuck to the walls. Shimming across trying to get back stage. Thomas walked down to the center of the court then hesitated to approach her any closer. He walks towards the stage anyway, watching her recover with the CMC brining her back up to her feet. Thomas was a bit nervous. He hoped she wasn't still mad at him over what happened yesterday. "Um, hello, Lady," Thomas said. Mystic and the CMC look over at him. Thomas waved awkwardly. "Are-are you feeling any better?" Mystic stared at him with narrow eyes. "I know you." Thomas eyes shot open. "Thomas?" "Yes, yes It's me. Thomas! You remember who I am?" Twilight successfully managed to get onto the stage undetected and waited for the right time to step in. "I do." Mystic glared at him, "You're the boy who made up all those stories about me being a magical talking train!" Thomas wasn't ecstatic anymore. "Wait, this is Thomas?" Apple Bloom said. Mystic nodded. The CMC share glances, then looked over at Thomas again, this time glaring at him. He didn't know what they were suddenly angry about. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle jumped down onto the court and angrily approached Thomas. Upon seeing them marching towards him, He then recognized these girls as the same ones he saw dancing to the loud music in the hallways while searching for Lady; back when he first entered this world and started attending CHS. "Oh, Hello there, I'm-" "Ah tutut, save it. We know who you are," Scootaloo said crossing her arms. Thomas was caught off guard. "You do?" They all nod. Thomas thought he was finally getting a chance to get to know these girls and hopefully become friends, but it didn't look like that was going to be the case, seeing how the CMC where eyeing him as though he committed a terrible act. He didn't know why he muttered this question, but he figured he's asked anyways just in case. His last encounter with someone who already knew him but never actually met wasn't so pleasant for him to sit through. "You're not magical genies as well, are you?" he rubbed his head grinning. The three girls look at each other puzzled. Is magic all this boy can think of? They thought. "Listen here, mister," Apple Bloom began, "We don't know what kinda game your playin' at, but it ain't funny." "Yeah," Said Scootaloo. "How would you like it if you had memory problems and everyone made up stories to trick you, huh?" "All Mystic wants to do is fit in, but people like you think it's funnier to just be mean to her instead," Sweetie Belle said. "Shame on you!" They all said. Thomas didn't know what was going on with these girls. What did Lady tell them to assume that his purpose was being mean? It seems she also told them about his encounter with her from yesterday, only it appears from her perspective all he was doing was merely making up a story to tease her inability to remember who she is. "Do you go around makin' up stories about everyone?" Apple Bloom said. "Cause if so you sure do like milkin' that joke dry don't cha?" Still getting harped on by the CMC, Thomas looks up and sees Twilight Sparkle, scissors in her hands, approaching Mystic Sprinkles with her arms crossed glaring at him still. "Thomas, I think you should go. Whatever it is you came here to do it can't be any worse than-" A small but audible creek goes off as Twilight took a step on the floorboard of the stage. Alarmed, Mystic was about to look behind her to see what caused the noise. All Twilight did was freeze up. She was about to be seen. Panicking himself, Thomas had to deter her attention back to him again. "Uh, uh, Lady, Please! Just hear me out. I wasn't doing any of that to tease you. I just, I thought," Mystic turned to him again. "What? That I wouldn't catch on what you were doing? Well I did. I think I've heard enough from you already. And stop calling me Lady! My name is Mystic. Myst-ic Sprink-les! If you aren't here to mock me you wouldn't still be calling me that." With a quick snap of her scissors, Twilight managed to cut off a reasonable amount of her hair. Immediately she zoomed off the stage and out the doors, unnoticed by anyone. Mystic rubs her head puzzled and looks behind her. Thomas looks back at the CMC still disparaging him. "Mystic doesn't need anymore meanies telling her she's someone else," Sweetie Belle "If you really weren't tryin' to tease her, then tellin' Mystic she's a talking train isn't the best approach," Apple Bloom stated. "So, unless you're here to try a different one, or at the very least apologies for the last attempt, I'd get lost," Scootaloo said. Were other people at this school being mean to Lady? Thomas thought. But, how could they? The students Thomas encountered have all seemed really nice to him. How come Lady never received the same acceptance? Was it really because of her memory? Did people think they could just take advantage of her amnesia and toy with her sensibilities? He had no idea about any of this. Her reaction yesterday made a lot more sense. All poor Thomas could do now exhale a contrived sigh. "You're right. I'm sorry La-Mystic Sprinkles." Mystic raises her brow at him skeptically. He slouches sheepishly. "I didn't know you had memory problems when I first saw you. None of us did. Or that everyone in this school is picking on you. No one deserves to be treated that way. I shouldn't have said all of that stuff to you. I was-I was only…I don't know what I was thinking. If it makes you feel better, I won't bother you anymore." Mystic didn't expect him to apologize. He really seemed sincere about what he's saying. Could he be telling the truth? Regardless, she still had her arms crossed, but looked at him with a more open by formal countenance; Not wanting to appear too angry at him anymore but not entirely forgiving either. "Well, thank you." Thomas' heart sank. "I'll leave you and your friends be now." He took one last look at the four then repentantly walked away. The CMC all look at each other. They two weren't expecting a genuine apology from Thomas. It made them wonder if maybe they ragged on him a little too much. They look back at Mystic watching Thomas leave the gym. "I mean, he's gotta be still fooling you with that, right?" Scootaloo said. "Why would he say your beautiful anyways if he wasn't luring you into his trick earlier?" "Aw, maybe he just likes Mystic but doesn't know how to tell her," Sweetie Belle said. "He made up stories because he wanted to spend time with her." "Yuck." "Let's just keep him away from Mystic as much as we can," Apple Bloom said. "Tellin' the truth or no, he made Mystic upset. And if we can prevent one less person at CHS from actin' mean to her than that's what we'll do, right Mystic?" Mystic made an audible acknowledgment under her mouth; her eyes gazed down. Out of all the things Thomas told her, she really believed for a moment that one statement from him was true. Or maybe it still is? Regardless anymore, she remained truthful to her own facts that her name is Mystic Sprinkles, and she had to be a student at CHS. She didn't know what to believe, but the latter seemed more truthful to her everyday than Thomas' claims. Her name and residence here were the only thing to work off of. The CMC wasn't so sure anymore what they or Mystic felt about Thomas either. But none the less agreed to remain loyal and continue safeguarding their new friend no matter what. Thomas joins Twilight Sparkle waiting for him outside the entrance to the gym. "Mission accomplished!" Twilight said holding Lady's hair up clutched in her hand. "Yeup" He said meekly. She looks at him concerningly. "Thomas? Are you gonna be ok?" He didn't respond. Thomas was hunched over and looking very upset. He was too disheartened over Lady, and her fully convinced she is Mystic Sprinkles. Would things have been different if he knew a head of laying out her duty to the Magic Railroad she didn't remember so? Would he have taken a different approach? Too many scenarios pop into his head. He wanted to start all over again and fix the mess that's been done, just like in Sunset Shimmer's video game world. But this wasn't a video game, this is an issue he was now stuck with. Twilight was listening in on what Mystic and the CMC said to him, and what he said to her. She knew what he's be going through, and felt awful for Thomas. It didn't seem easy knowing someone he cares about rejecting her name and title, and convinced she has a life somewhere where she never belonged. Worst of all treating him like an enemy when the real threats are at large, ready to steal her magic at any given moment. Seeing him trying to muster a smile back at her, Twilight then hugged Thomas hopping it would cheer him up a bit. It did in a way, as he returned the offer back, and hugged Twilight too. "Thank you, Twilight," Thomas smiled. "Any time," She beamed. Both remained hugging until the two let go, smiling at each other before walking off. Thomas felt lucky to have a good friend like Twilight to cheer him up. He found a new appreciation for his new friends after hearing what Lady as been going through. "At least she has Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. So, she's not entirely alone anymore," Twilight reassured. "Yeah, you're right. Although those girls were a bit too pushy." "They're not bad at all once you get to know them. When this is over they'll see themselves who she really is too." Thomas smiled. The school bell ringed which meant it was time for classes. "Come on, we'll meet up with the others later," Twilight said. "Okay!" The two made their way down the corridors of the school. They now had a sample of Lady's DNA, a strand of her hair. Enough of it to study if and how Gold Dust reacts around her. Will this lead to a solution they've been looking for? Will this restore Lady's memories, or ruin them even more than they already are? Thomas kept on worrying even though he didn't have to anymore. Even if he didn't realize this yet, he had the best group of friends, both Canterlot and Sodor, by his side to take on this journey with him. And to see to it, that they restore balance back to harmony before the magic is gone forever, or fallen into the wrong hands. To Be Continued.