Thomas & Equestria Girls:
Welcome To Canterlot High
Chapter 38: Return To Magic
Barging through the doors, Thomas & Twilight Sparkle run across the foyer of Canterlot High. Coming to a stop in the middle, they were startled when the lights in their vicinity suddenly went out. Followed by the lights down the hallways to their left and their right, and then the cafeteria in front of them. All the lights in the whole school went out leaving them quivering a little in the dim lobby. Thomas, Twilight and Spike listen to the faint screams echoing down the halls from students hiding in different classrooms until they settle. The three were just as scared but remained hopeful and brave.
Though they were in the dark now, pink lighting from the clouds outside shined through the windows, save for the hallways and other areas in the school without windows. Twilight's tracker also shined its blinking light illuminating their proximity. Their faces, half the foyer, and the doors leading outside were the only sights they can see thanks to the glimmers of pink. But once they delve deeper into the school, the magic tracker will be the only source of light they have. The further they'd be from Lady, the darker their surroundings will remain.
Thomas hid the whistle under his shirt so as to not mess with her device.
"Where do we go?"
Twilight examines her magic tracker blinking a gold light towards the hallway on the right.
"This way," She pointed.
The two stormed towards the halls with Spike gripping Twilight's backpack bouncing in conjunction to her pacing. Thomas and Spike peered a head while Twilight kept an eye on her device for when it changes direction. Twilight's tracker lit up the darkness with each passing hallway they raced through. The blinking light remained pointed forward until it blinks to the left. Twilight directs them to the next hallway coming up. Stopping with a skid across the floor, they proceed down the next hallway on their left.
Upon running, they approached the band room on their trek. Thomas could see the door was slightly open and inside he saw three students peaking from the small gap. They were alerted by the loud beeping and glaring brightness approaching them. He could barely make out the people but saw one girl and two boys from a quick glance. Thomas also thought he recognized the girl but didn't know for sure. They pass by watching them stare back until they were on their way again and out of the hidden student's sights.
They took left turns and right turns; following wherever the device pointed. Thomas and Twilight were determined; Thomas was feeling excited as well. They were finally going to rescue Lady. The only problem they seemed to face was convincing Lady to take the whistle once they find her. None of them worried about that just yet though. It wasn't going to be easy, but both friends knew they'd find a way. They head down and reach a T shaped section of the halls with two directions facing left and right.
But then another problem slid in front of them from the left hallway.
"Here's Diesel!"
Thomas and Twilight skidded to a halt as Diesel 10 looms over and blocks their path with his menacing grin more visible through the magic tracker's blinking light. The two back away fearfully.
"Where do you think you're going?" Diesel 10 asked approaching them.
Thomas plucked up courage. "We're returning Lady's Magic, Diesel 10!"
"Thomas!" Twilight warned.
"You're too late, Puffball," He smiled snidely. "She's gone. Her magic belongs to me now!"
The two stopped and stood.
"No!"
"You're lying," Twilight glared.
Diesel 10 shrugged. "I don't have all of it yet. But she is gone, which means you have as much of a chance at finding her as I do."
Thomas and Twilight look at each other. She must have teleported away once he encountered her. But where could she have gone to? If the magic tracker was active inside the school, then she must be still around CHS somewhere.
Diesel 10 then notices Twilight's magic tracker pointing at Thomas. He was confused by such a device until he pieced together what it was doing. They must be using it to track Lady. And if they haven't found her yet, Thomas must still have Mr. Conductor's whistle, which has all the magic equivalent to her power. If he had the chance to as well, once he has the whistles sparkles, he'll be powerful enough to also steal the device. Diesel 10 eyed Thomas deviously.
"But who needs to worry about that right now when I've got the next best thing right in front of me."
Twilight and Spike gaze at Thomas placing his hand on his chest where the whistle hung. His grin grew bigger while Pinchy chomped sparks and smog from its mouth.
"Run!" Spike yelled.
Before Pinchy could snatch them, Thomas and Twilight take off down the halls they came from. Annoyed at first, Diesel 10 smiled then chuckled as he chases after them. Running away from him only made Diesel 10 more eager.
The two friends made hast through the labyrinth of Canterlot High with Diesel 10 not far behind. They took left turns, right turns, left, right, back and forth. But no matter where they went they couldn't shake off Diesel 10. Spike looked behind and stares wide eyed at Diesel 10 gaining on them.
"You can't out run me, Puffball!" He chuckled. "I'll have that whistle in my possession soon enough!"
Twilight had to turn off her magic tracker realizing the beeping and blinking was what drew him to them. But it was too late to lose Diesel 10. Wherever they went, he'd still be chasing after them, laughing in his maniacal cackle and Pinchy's exhilarate chomping reverberating off the empty halls. Twilight brings them back to the main lobby and leads them to the cafeteria.
They quickly but quietly barge through the doors and ran across the cafeteria. Thomas and Twilight hid underneath one of the tables. Twilight takes off her bag and holds Spike securely. Diesel 10 bursts through the doors. Hearing them shut, the three remained absolutely quiet. Diesel 10 looked around the café confusingly wondering where they might be. Thomas, Twilight and Spike waited for him to check the café really quick then leave, otherwise they'd have to escape the cafeteria themselves if Diesel 10 over stays his welcome. The cafeteria wasn't as dark with the outside lights beaming inside through the large windows. They could almost see things much better than the hallways. This was true when they spot Diesel 10's feet a few inches away from the table Thomas, Twilight and Spike were hiding under. Pinchy purred as Diesel 10 peers around the large room carefully surveying anything that moves. The three held their breaths. He moves on and walks further down.
Seeing this as their chance, Twilight gets up and signals Thomas to follow. Crouching down, they take slow, steady steps towards one of the columns and hide behind it before they're noticed. Diesel 10 looks over his shoulder thinking he heard a noise. The two teens froze. Their hearts raced and their stomachs curled up. After hearing nothing else, Diesel 10 brushes it off and starts checking under all the tables he passes. Twilight and Thomas nodded to each other then inch slowly towards the doors. As they reach the exit, Pinchy arches up and faces the doors where the two teens were about to escape. Pinchy begins chomping and jerking Diesel 10 back with each pounce. Growing annoyed, Diesel 10 peers down the exit and sees Thomas and Twilight leaving through the cafe. He charges after them growling in frustrated.
Thomas and Twilight make their way back down the hall they started right as Diesel 10 emerged from the cafeteria. The two hear doors barged open but kept on running, anxious to get away from him. Twilight remembered the path ways they took and relied on those instincts to guide them so as to avoid leaving her tracker on. They would end up getting lost eventually. Leaving them no choice but to turn on her tracker again. But they waited until they were far enough away from Diesel 10 before they got there. She pulls her backpack over her shoulders and continues on. It was hard for them to see in the dark. Though being in the dark this long as adjusted their vision to see better, having the blinking magic tracker on still provided a much more reliable source of light for the dim corridors.
At first their plan worked. They lost Diesel 10. But knowing he was still inside the school raised their guard. Thomas and Twilight Sparkle stopped to take a breath, leaning on their knees as they panted.
"I think, we lost him," Thomas panted.
"For now," Twilight panted as well. "But he's still after us."
She holds her magic tracker and pressed a button that made the ridged rings around the device illuminate a pink light. Now it was easier to see where the buttons on the control panel are. The two finished panting as Thomas examines Twilight adjusting her device. Twilight Sparkle then turns on the device and the beeping gold light blinks down the direction behind them.
"C'mon, Thomas," She spoke. "We can't be far now. Let's get to Lady before he does."
Spike looks down where the blinking light's pointing. Then his scream alerted Twilight and Thomas. Visible through the blinking light was Diesel 10 standing over them with a crazed grin. Eyes shot wide, Thomas and Twilight look over their shoulders and jerk back screaming before running off down the opposite direction with Diesel 10 chasing after them.
Spike bounced in Twilight's bag seeing Diesel 10 hot on their tail. Pinchy lurches forward snapping its jaw inches away from Spike. He then hid back inside the backpack to avoid another close attack. Twilight anxiously looks over her shoulder and continues running. The two skidded to a stop by a T shaped hallway and head down the right realizing this was the same path they just came from. Diesel 10 was leading them back to the lobby.
Thomas and Twilight pass by the band room again with Diesel 10 closing in. The band room doors were wide open this time as Thomas and Twilight noticed upon running by the doors.
Diesel 10 was still running after them when a magician's sawing box table rolls out from the band room and slams against the lockers. He came to an abrupt stop and stood in front of the table blocking his path. A person hiked up onto the table and stood above a confused Diesel 10 placing their feet firmly on top of the boxes. A prideful, smirking Trixie stood with her hands on her waist sporting a purple wizards' hat and cape with different sized stars colored in blue and yellow along with a cyan gem holding the cape together at the collar. She swings her arm back and throws a round pellet at Diesel 10. The pellet hits and bounces off his forehead. With Diesel 10 impaired, the pellet flops around the air and a burst of thick white smoke emits from the round capsule upon detonation and fogs up their proximity. He coughed and waved his arm to clear the smoke but it only grew larger and made him cough more.
Thomas, Twilight and Spike looked over their shoulders upon hearing Diesel 10 hacking away and see smoke taking up most of the corridor. Snips and Snails stepped out and pushed the table back into the band room after Trixie jumps off and stood valiantly in front of the smoke.
"Go, Thomas!" she called before running into the fog. "The brave and magnificent Trixie has the villain apprehended!"
Snips and Snails follow after her also disappearing in the smoke. Twilight looked to Thomas confusingly while all Thomas did was shrug happily. He knew what that was all about but decided to save the explanation for latter. They follow the trackers blinking light pointing them to the left and turn down said direction. Diesel 10 emerged from the smoke. His cough minimal as he leaned on his knees expelling the last few hacks. He shakes it off and continues on.
As they ran down the halls feeling more worn out from running, the two friends slow their pacing and came to a stop in the middle of the hallway trying to catch their breaths again.
"We can't keep running from him," Thomas said. "He'll just chase us until we're completely out of breath."
They hear Pinchy's chomping reverberating off the walls. The two stared at the alternating device hung around Twilight's neck. The magic tracker's loud beeping and blinking lights were also going to endanger them at this rate.
"I really need to adjust the noise," She comments.
Spike poked out from her backpack.
"What are we gonna do?"
Twilight pondered hard. She looks back at Spike just as worried until Twilight came up with an idea. Taking off the magic tracker, Twilight makes a few adjustments to the controls and presses it against Thomas' chest.
"Follow the light."
Thomas was confused at first until he caught on what she wanted him to do.
"But,"
Twilight interrupts. "Find Lady and give her the whistle."
"But what about you two?"
"We'll stay behind and hold off Diesel 10 as long as we can."
"We?!" Spike said.
Thomas catches and holds the pendent once Twilight lets go of it.
"At this rate, we'll only lead Diesel 10 directly to Lady if we don't lose him. One of us has to stay behind and make sure he doesn't reach her while you deliver that whistle."
But he didn't like her idea and wanted Twilight to stay with him. Knowing how dangerous Diesel 10 is, Thomas was worried he'd do something awful to her. She knew best how to work this device as well and wasn't fully confident in letting it guide him.
"No. It's too dangerous," He explained. "He'll plow right through you."
"I'll be fine," She tried reassuring.
"I don't even know how this thing works."
"Just follow wherever the blinking points. You'll know she close when it starts vibrating like the last time we searched for her."
Thomas stares at the device's glaring light then back at a smiling Twilight hiding the eternal fear flowing through her. She didn't like this anymore than Thomas did. But with the fate of their worlds resting in Mr. Conductors whistle, Twilight had to do something in order to ensure Lady's magic is restored. And that involves giving Thomas time and a chance to escape while she holds off Diesel 10. She takes off her backpack and places it against one of the lockers. Then she steps forward to the middle and clutches her Geode Crystal.
"You can do this, Thomas. We're all counting on you. Now go!"
Hesitant, Thomas stood for a second or two then runs down the hall where the tracker directed him. He looks over his shoulder and watches her readying for anything that comes their way. Spike jumps out of her back pack and stands next to her. Followed by a clash of metal and clanging, an echoing laugh ricochets in their proximity. Twilight and Spike looked around listening to the unsettling laughs and shake in their feet as they stare in the direction a head of them. Emerging from the darkness was Diesel 10 smirking at the sight of Twilight Sparkle and her dog all by themselves. He scoffed.
"So, Puffball left you to stop me? I can't wait to see how this one ends."
She glared at him gripping her Geode. "You're not going anywhere near her. Thomas will find Lady before you can ever reach them. I'm here to make sure of that."
"We'll just see about that!" he snapped.
Diesel 10 then charges at her shouting with Pinchy eagerly leaning over him. Twilight quickly stretches her arm out and her palms glow a radiant purple aura. Suddenly, Diesel 10 found himself frozen solid under Twilight's telekinetic aura covering his entire body top to bottom with her purple magic. He couldn't move a single muscle. Spike hides behind her backpack against the locker watching him struggle under her magic. He growls trying to shift even an inch while he and Twilight stare each other down. Then his left leg begins moving forward. Surprised by this, Twilight forces her magic on him some more, pushing Diesel 10 further back. Growling still, Diesel 10 firmly steadies his right foot on the floor. He fought persistently to break through her telekinetic force. Twilight wasn't expecting him to put up this much of a fight. She reaches out her other arm glowing in a purple aura and forces the magic to keep him down. Nearly bowing to his knees, Diesel 10 pushes and pushes back fighting to remain standing. But the weight of it's pull kept him bounded.
Then Pinchy began to nudge a bit. Its jaw glowed a bright golden aura underneath. Pinchy's jaw pushes against the purple magical aura. And with a strong thrust of it's gaping mouth, Pinchy breaks free from the telekinetic force. The rest of Twilight's purple aura then shatters all the way down to Diesel 10's feet while an aura of Gold Dust replaces and materializes all over breaking away the telekinetic magic in it's wake until he was ultimately free. Twilight and Spike were in shock. He still had a little bit of Gold Dust left and was now fully protected by it. She tried quickly to cover him again but Diesel 10 was too quick. He runs up and yanks Twilight's Geode Crystal off her neck with his right hand then grabs the collar of her pink vest and shirt with his left. Struggling under his grasp, Diesel 10 lifts Twilight Sparkle off the floor punching his arms. She fought restlessly to break his grasp but couldn't so much as get a quiver or a flinch. The Golden aura covering Diesel 10 disappears as he held her at eye level.
"Ever since we've met, you've been nothing but a thorn in my neck," He grumbled. "And there's already too many who fall under that list."
Spike ran over to try and help. "Twilight!"
Viciously chomping, Pinchy hissed and pounced in font of Spike inches away from him. Whimpering, Spike steps back from the crazed claw spewing sparks while fixedly munching the air between them. Twilight reached out to Spike but she couldn't do anything to help him
"No!"
Diesel 10 chuckled and shook his arm a little. She then sees the string of her Geode necklace hanging from Diesel 10's right hand. She tried tapping into it's magic but couldn't do so. It glowed beneath his palms but couldn't use it's power against him. The Geode Crystal was no good under his Gold Dust. Diesel 10 knew this, looking back at his hand then at Twilight. He watched her with amusement as she grunted, kicked her feet, and held onto his arms trying to pull herself off his hold.
"I didn't even care what became of this place at first. I knew it would've disappeared, yes. But thanks to you and the rest of those Circus Freaks, I'll have no problem watching your world fall under my magic as well."
She didn't bother listening. She was still too busy trying to break his grip.
"And what a shame, too. I never got a chance to thank you girls for giving me that jar of Gold Dust before."
Hurt and ashamed, Twilight stopped struggling and stared at him, guilt ridden over his cruel reminder. Diesel 10 chuckled a little.
"Ah, so it was yours?"
This made him laugh even more. He didn't know who specifically owned the glass jar. All he knew was that Splatter & Dodge got it off her and her friends. Twilight was even more ashamed now that Diesel 10 knew whose it was.
"I don't know how you foolishly left that jar alone for two of the biggest idiots I've met to snatch, but those Gold Dust sure helped my cause a lot. I came this close to destroying Puffball and the rest of those other piles of steaming scrap on Fat Hatt's railway."
Twilight was about to tear up. She continued going back to breaking his hold on her with no success still. All Spike could do was watch helplessly, frightened by his claw and for his friend. Hearing him taunt Twilight however then made him growl.
"In light of this, allow me to offer you the benefit of meeting your end in a nice, quick hast. If you like, I'll even spare you for last along with Puffball. Just so the two of you can watch your friends and world fall together!"
Pinchy rose up with it's jaw wide open pointed directly at Twilight gasping in fear.
"Take your pick."
Twilight was terrified. She went back to punching Diesel 10's arm. But all he did was smirk still.
Suddenly, Diesel 10 cried out and yelled in pain. He lets go of the Geode Crystal and Twilight causing her to collapse on the ground. Confused, Twilight looks over and sees Diesel 10 falling on his back while trying to shake Spike loose off his right leg. Spike had bitten onto Diesel 10's leg right when Pinchy was occupied.
Twilight was surprised. "Spike?!"
Spike growled and remained locked on no matter how vigorously Diesel 10 shook his leg. Twilight sat worriedly with her knees and legs to the side watching Spike valiantly tackle Diesel 10 still screaming an aggrieved cry. He tried kicking him off but still Spike wouldn't let loose his bite.
"Get this mutt off me!"
Pinchy reached over about grab Spike. Gasping, Twilight leaps in and pulls Spike away before Pinchy clamped its jaw on him. Now that he didn't have her Geode Crystal, Twilight was able to tap into her magic once again. But this magic was a bit different from her telekinesis. And it didn't come from the Crystal either. Simmering with anger, she hugged Spike close and began glowing head to toe in a misty cyan aura. Then a curved, sharp, glistening cyan unicorn horn materializes on her forehead and a misty, fiery, cyan eye mask appear on her glasses. Her ponytail levitates and her glaring cyan eyes pierced Diesel 10.
"Leave, my dog, Alone!"
With the wave of her arm, Twilight Sparkle's left hand beams a bright magical light and engulfs a bewildered Diesel 10 struggling under her light blue aura. He could barely move under her hold now. An extremely strong push of her magic sends Diesel 10 sliding across the hallway and disappearing into the dark. Twilight angrily panted with gritted teeth while holding Spike and her arm remained stretched out, glowing a light blue glow until a distant thud boomed from down the halls. The horn, mask, and blue eyes shimmer away as Twilight cools down and continued panting when all was quite again. Spike was more than surprised to say the least.
"Whoa. Haven't seen you do that since,"
Twilight then hugged Spike tightly while swaying him under her arms. She was very worried for Spike and overly relieved she didn't lose him to Diesel 10.
"Oh, Spike! Are you okay?"
She stops and kisses him on the head repeatedly.
"Me? What about you?" He asked.
"I don't care," Twilight said cuddling him close again. "I'm just so glad you're safe."
Touched by her concern, Spike returns the hug.
"Aw, me too. Me too."
The two friends remained seated on the floor for a long while fully embraced with one another. Then they hear growling, lockers banging and metal tearing in the direction Twilight sent Diesel 10 gliding down. Standing back up holding onto Spike still, she walks over to her Geode Crystal and kneels down to grab it. Smiling to each other, Twilight then grabs her backpack, puts Spike inside and hangs it over her shoulders.
"Come on," Twilight said hanging her Geode back around her neck. "Let's go find Thomas."
The two friends then take off down the corridors and into the dark.
Diesel 10 laid against some lockers still recovering from his ascending trip across the floor from Twilight Sparkle's magic. Finally coming to his senses, he looked a head down the halls only to see darkness cloud the labyrinth. Then everything that just transpired caught up to him, and a seething Diesel 10 steams in frustration.
Sitting on his knees, Diesel 10 growls, yells and starts slamming the floor with his fist. Pinchy sinks its teeth into one of the locker doors and begins tearing off the hinges.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THESE PUFFBALLS AND CIRCUS FREAKS GETTING IN MY WAY!"
Pinchy tears off the locker door entirely. Still gripped to its teeth, Pinchy threw the door across the halls. Diesel 10 panted furiously. His teeth grit and his head was about to explode with anger. Calming down a little, he then came up with a devious idea inspired by his encounter with Twilight. A smirk slithers on his face as Diesel 10 chuckles to himself.
Wondering around aimlessly, Thomas tried following Twilight's magic tracker the best he can despite it's confusing configuration and function. Everywhere the light pointed, he'd turn towards it's direction. It wasn't until Thomas was nearing the gymnasium that the tracker began beeping and glowing even more. He points it to the gym but the blinking only diminished. He points it down the halls again causing the beeping to ascend and the light shined brighter. Excited, Thomas raced down the halls feeling the device vibrate more and more and the beeping became louder the closer he got to his destination.
Finally, Thomas stood outside the doors of a classroom. The magic tracker vibrated profusely in his hands and the gold light no longer blinked but remained beaming off the pink ridges pointing to the door in front of him. Thomas thought he recognized the room. This was the same room where he had his first-class on the day Thomas arrived at CHS; the one Principal Celestia brought him to when she thought he was a new student. At least, that's what he thought this was. Either way, Lady was in there now.
Thomas' heart raced. He knocked on the door and asked if anyone was inside. Not hearing a response. he peaked through the blinded window and vaguely noticed a student or two back up against the corner. Thomas knocked again and called the people inside to open up after fiddling with the knob. Finally, the door opens and Thomas was pulled inside by Vice Principal Luna. She closes the door as Thomas steadies himself and examines the room.
Upon a brief look, this did in deed seem to be the class he had geography in, just without any chairs or desks lined up in the middle. He notices the students hiding behind desks, chairs, and the teacher's table organized by a corner of the room. They peak out from the barricade relieved to see it was only another student and not the crazed man with a hungry claw. One of these teens he recognized was Flash Sentry. The rest however, from what he could see, he didn't know. This worried him a little. The pendent was blaring, but he didn't see Lady amongst the group.
"What is going on here, Thomas?" Luna asked. "It's complete chaos out there."
"You have no idea," He said.
Thomas heard someone say his name and looked over to see who called him. His attention was brought back to Luna.
"Diesel 10 is attacking the school, and we've just experienced an epidemic earlier that,"
Luna and the students then closed their ears in annoyance to the loud beeping and vibrating from Twilight's magic tracker hung around Thomas' neck.
"What's that thing doing?" Luna asked.
"Oh, this is Twilight's. She made it to track magic."
"Well turn it off," Flash Sentry said.
"It's too loud!" another student complained.
"I don't know how," Thomas said looking over the pendent frantically.
He hands it to Luna after asking to find the off switch herself. Another knock comes from the door and a call from Twilight Sparkle asking to be let in. Thomas runs over to the door.
"Wait, Thomas!" Luna called.
He opens it to let Twilight and Spike in then closes the doors back shut.
"Twilight?" Flash said.
"How did you find us?" Thomas asked.
"We can hear the beeping all the way down the halls," Spike said.
"Let's just hope he doesn't hear it either," Twilight said.
"Twilight, thank goodness. Do you know how to turn this off?" Luna asked handing her the device.
Twilight takes it and presses a button on the center. The beeping quiets, the light dimmers, and the vibrating ceases. Relieved, Luna and the students unplug their ears.
"Now," Luna said. "Can one of you please explain what's happening to Canterlot High?"
"Remember that genie we told you about?" Twilight asked. "Well, he's actually a spirit of chaos and disharmony,"
Before Twilight can explain, Thomas interrupts.
"Where's Lady?! Is she here?"
Twilight, Luna and Thomas look over to the students. Looking back themselves, Flash and the other teens move out of their sight and gaze in their direction. Sitting by the furthest corner of the wall was Mystic Sprinkles with her knees locked under her arms looking lost and frightened. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sat with her keeping Mystic company and protected.
Thomas looks to Vice Principal Luna examining the whistle in his hand. She looks back at him and nods, allowing permission to approach her. She didn't know what he had planned, but if it can help Mystic's memories and possibly stop this madness, Luna would allow them to try anything.
He takes the whistle off and firmly holds it in his fist. Thomas' heart sprinted into overdrive. His stomach curled and his limbs shook finely. Twilight and Spike were also anxious. Taking deep breaths through his nose, Thomas slowly walked over to the group of students pushing desks and chairs out of the way. He passes by the confused group looking back at Thomas and Mystic interchangeably. Emerging from the group, Thomas stood above Mystic Sprinkles and the CMC.
Mystic stared at him confusingly. "I know you."
"Yes. You do."
"You were the one who said I'm a magical talking train?"
"That's right."
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle remained silent and looked at Thomas questionably.
"Right. You, told me so. And you kept on telling me. Why?"
"Because that's who you are."
Mystic hung her head. The CMC all looked at each other. Thomas crouched down to face them.
"Our home and this world will be lost forever unless you're back on the Magic Railroad again. And the only way for Lady to remember herself again is if I restore her power with this." Thomas holds the whistle in front of them.
"Uh, a whistle?" Scootaloo said confused.
"A whistle with all the Gold Dust needed to fix not only Lady's powers, but also her memories."
"Gold Dust? Is that what the glittery stuff clinging to her moments ago are called?"
"Oh," Sweetie Belle said upon remembering. "We've been meaning to ask you something."
"It's about Mystic," Apple Bloom said.
Mystic looked at her friends worriedly. Thomas lowered his arm.
"What is it?"
The CMC then explained what happened earlier before the lockdown. How Sweetie Belle's glass jar of glitter was really Gold Dust that rose magically out of her jar and covered Mystic Sprinkles drawn to her like a magnet. They also told him their encounter with Diesel 10 and how they had to tackle him in order for Mystic to get away by disappearing in a cloud of glistening gold. Both events that involved the glittery substance seemed to worsen her even more. Twilight was confused by this until she remembered why Thomas had to travel to Muffle Mountain. The un-purified Gold Dust were the main reason behind her amnesia, which is why they needed a fresher batch to restore her magic. After this, the CMC expressed doubt in the Gold Dust once they knew what the whistle was for.
Thomas didn't bother questioning why both events worsened her memory. He assumed because she left piles of Gold Dust in her wake, Sweetie Belle must have come across them and then Lady absorbed the sparkles back when they came into close quarters. Since they were un-purified Gold Dust, they must have played a part in instrumentally damaging her memory after Diesel 10 crashed her on their way to this world.
One thing's for sure, Thomas came too far to deliver her this fresh batch and delivering them is what he plans on doing. So, him and Twilight tried explaining the best they can to the CMC why they have to give her more Gold Dust, much to their apprehension.
Apple Bloom spoke with uncertainty. "Um, I don't know if givin' her more Gold Dust will really solve her memory crisis."
"Yeah. It'll only just make her forget even more stuff about herself," Scootaloo said. "There has to be another way."
"But these Sparkles are different," Thomas tried explaining. "Unlike the shavings, these will help her."
"What makes you so sure?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Because I studied them," Twilight interjects.
Everyone looks over to her.
"The reason why she's losing her memory is because her Gold Dust was tampered. The man you saw with the giant claw did something to Lady that caused her to forget herself. And emitting the Gold Dust is slowly draining her magic and sense of self."
"Was that man also from the train world?" Scootaloo asked.
"We all are," Thomas said. "But unlike him, we're trying to help her. Me, Percy, James, Edward, Toby, Henry, Emily, and Gordon."
"Aka the boy that taught a certain someone in this room a thing or two on rope climbing," Twilight hinted.
The CMC gasped and exchanged looks. They knew what she was talking about. And their suspicions earlier were in deed true. Mystic only vividly remembers what she's talking about. She knew Scootaloo had a problem with climbing something and how bad she felt for her. But also remembers her feeling happy afterwards. How she felt about this blue boy and girl with glasses telling her she needed to blow a train whistle was a lot more mixed. Twilight explained the process further.
"Giving her this new batch of Gold Dust should and will reinvigorate her powers and cure her retrograde amnesia."
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle exchanged worried and doubtful glances.
"Yeah, but," Apple Bloom.
"What if she does remember you but forgets us," Sweetie Belle said worriedly.
Mystic was alarmed upon hearing this.
"She couldn't even remember her own name moments ago," Scootaloo explained.
"We don't want her to completely forget about everything else as well," Apple Bloom said.
"Not unless she's given these Sparkles," Thomas said. "Then she won't forget anything again,"
Mystic Sprinkles finally had enough of their oratory and shouted.
"Stop It!"
The room went quiet.
"Please, just, stop," She said gripping her head.
Surprised, everyone in the room looked at Mystic Sprinkles. Thomas worriedly stared at her. Mystic tried to keep composed despite all this tension and confusion. She looks back at Thomas.
"Why is this happening? Why are you people chasing after me? Did I do something horrible? Is it my fault the world is falling?"
"No, Lady. It's not your fault," Thomas said. "Diesel 10 and Discord did this to you. This is happening because of them. But we're here to help. We're trying to take you home."
"Why are you calling me that? Isn't Mystic my real name?"
He tried treading carefully when bring up the fact that she's an engine. But Thomas was getting a little impatient. With everything going on he had to pick up the pace. Thomas slowly and gently reaches over to Mystic and places his hand on top of hers. She flinches at first, gazing at his hand blanketed over hers then stares into Thomas' eyes.
"Lady. You are a beautiful, magic engine," Thomas explained. "You run a magical railway line that powers both our worlds and without you they wont be around much longer."
"You think I'm beautiful?" She asked blushing a little.
Thomas smiled. "Of course, I do."
Looking at his hand resting on hers, Mystic's blush went away as she then stared angrily at Thomas.
"How do I know you're just saying that so I'll believe everything your saying?"
"But it's true. You are an engine. And you do power our worlds. The Magic Railroad bridges us with Canterlot High. That's how you got here,"
Eyes quivering with anger, she yanks her hand from Thomas' and turns her head away. Thomas was shocked. Not facing him, she looks back still glaring at Thomas.
"What if I don't believe you?"
"Mystic," Apple Bloom was interrupted.
"It's like what my friends were saying. The glitter in that whistle could just as well wipe my mind completely and I won't even recognize my only friends anymore."
"But, I'm your friend too," Thomas said dejectedly.
The CMC were beginning to feel sorry for Thomas. Even though they too weren't so sure about the sparkles and what they could do to Mystic.
"That won't happen, Mystic," Twilight said.
"Even if I do remember," She went on. "What makes you think I'd want to run your make-believe railway? Sure they may be fuzzy, but I have memories of me here but nothing of your train world. So how would you know where I really belong?"
"Because we do know each other. I saved you once before," Thomas said growing more concerned. "It's your job to run the Magic Railroad and if you don't,"
"What if I don't want to?" She interrupted.
Everyone looks at Thomas staring at Mystic now facing him. She didn't want to hear anymore from him and continued glaring at Thomas. Then, he had a risky idea. Staring angrily in return, Thomas hangs the whistle back over his neck.
"Then I won't make you."
The room echoed in a gasp. Mystic's eyes widened a little and her brow raised an inch. Along with the CMC's all sharing looks of confusion.
"I won't give you this whistle if you don't want it," Thomas said. "It's up to you whether Mystic Sprinkles wants to take that chance and find out who she really is."
Everyone was just as surprised by what Thomas is doing. What was he thinking? If it's so important that Mystic get's her magic back, why is Thomas suddenly deciding against it? Twilight Sparkle, Spike and Luna didn't know what he was planning either. But Thomas didn't have a plan. If Mystic didn't want to believe him or accept the whistle he wasn't going to force her to.
"But, what about Canterlot?" Spike asked anxiously.
"What about Sodor?" Twilight also asked. "Didn't you say it was starting to fall apart."
He tried not to let it get to him, despite how much it lingered.
Luna chimed in. "Thomas, if this is the only way to ensure the survival of both universes then you must,"
"I don't have to do anything," Thomas interrupted. "And either does Mystic Sprinkles if that's what she chooses."
"You can't just gamble with our worlds like this," Flash said.
"It's not a gamble. It's the truth."
Thomas said nothing more and continued piercing his stare at Mystic. She really was surprised. Mystic wasn't expecting to hear this from him. Feeling the pressure, Mystic then stared at everyone in the room murmuring to each other. When they were done questioning Thomas' sudden shift in urgency, they worriedly looked to Mystic awaiting her response. She sheepishly hung her head. The sudden realization that the fate of the world rest on her shoulders finally struck.
"I mean. Someone else can run the Railway, can't they?" Mystic asked.
"If they could, we wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to rescue you," Twilight imputed.
The realization struck the CMC then and there as well. All three felt even more awful for how they treated Thomas now. He was only trying to rescue his friend and save his world and theirs in the process. But all they did to help was keep him away from her. They were only doing so in Mystic's benefit. Now that their world was on the line, the CMC couldn't help but almost feel half responsible for the craziness taking place.
Scootaloo places her hand on Mystic's arm.
"Mystic. Do you remember why we formed the CMC?"
"Um… To help me find my place in this world?" She asked after pondering a bit.
"That's right," Apple Bloom smiled. "We want to do anything we can to make you remember yourself again. And we all agree that if Thomas says he's here to help, then you should most definitely believe him."
"You do? Don't you think this all sounds crazy though?"
"At first we did," Sweetie Belle said. "But mostly because you thought it was."
"After everything we've seen, it's kinda hard not to now," Scootaloo said.
"Thomas knows more about Gold Dust than we do," Apple Bloom admitted. "If this whistle will sharpen you up again, then ah say go fer it."
"Plus, Twilight is super smart," Sweetie Belle said. "She knows what she's talking about."
Twilight was a little flattered. Thomas smiled too. The CMC were finally on his side and not arguing against his claims about Mystic. Their encounter with Gold Dust and Diesel 10 surely brought them to this realization. Thomas kneels on the floor with one leg while using the other knee to rest his arm on.
"Anyone else would've excepted the job of finding you only because our worlds were crumbing," Thomas said. "Someone needs to set things right; everyone's depending on them. But despite how doubtful I was of myself, do you know why I mainly chose to find you?"
Mystic shook her head shyly.
"Because you are my friend, Lady. And no matter the challenge, I never give up on my friends. You can choose not to believe everything I've told you. But I ask that you at least believe what I'm telling you now."
Everyone in the room smiled. The CMC smiled themselves too. Mystic's head hung to hide her red face. Thomas leans in closer to her and tilts Mystic's chin up with his finger. Water was building up and raining down her eyes as she stared into Thomas'.
"I'm only saying what I think you should do," he said. "The rest is up to you. You have to want this."
Eyes still watering, Mystic stares a head of her after Thomas let's go. She then looks to her friends. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle place both their hands on her arms. All three girls beamed a reassuring smile as well and nodded with approval. How could she let their world crumble? Mystic thought. The CMC, the only people here she could call her friends. Not accepting this meant she would lose them. But what if blowing that whistle makes her forget them in the process and she still loses them? If the world is in serious danger, then everything around her wouldn't exist anymore if she turned this down. They wouldn't exist. Thomas went through all this trouble, despite putting him down for doing so, just to help her realize who she is.
Mystic inhales and exhales. With the help of her friends, Mystic got up and stood on her feet. She stared back at Thomas who took the whistle off his neck and simply held it to his side. Hesitant but determined, Mystic takes a few slow steps towards him. Everyone watched. Thomas out of all of them was in suspense. He anticipated this moment all week. Mystic met and stood face to face in front of Thomas. He brings his arm up above chest level in between them and opens his palm. Mystic looks at the silver, gleaning whistle still feeling very doubtful about this. She looked over her shoulder to see the CMC watching them concerningly.
"It's not going to hurt, is it?" Sweetie Belle asked.
Thomas smiled and shook his head.
"And yer sure it won't make her more forgetful?" Apple Bloom asked.
"You have my word," Twilight promised.
If Twilight says so, that was enough for them to ease their worries even if only just a smidge. Looking back at Thomas however, Mystic still had tears building up. She feared that accepting this might gain whatever memories she had of herself back, but what will happen to all the one's Mystic's made with the CMC? Will they be replaced with who she really is?
"I don't want to forget them."
He didn't say anything. Instead, Thomas smiles, closes his hand and lowers his arm back down to his sides. She looks at the whistle in Thomas' hand again then back at him. Exhaling through the nose, Mystic holds her hand out and exposes her palm. The room was silent. Twilight, Spike, Luna, Flash, and the CMC waited intensely.
Thomas lifted his arms and places the whistle elegantly on her palm. Her fingers wrap around it while Thomas let's go of the chain. She positions the whistle with the tip facing her lips. Staring hesitantly at Thomas one more time still giving her the same assuring smile, Mystic wipes away left-over tears. She was scared. But if this truly is the answer to her qualms, her real purpose in life, and the CMC's safety, it was a chance she literally can't afford to pass off.
Shutting her eyes, Mystic Sprinkles takes a deep breath, brings the whistle to her mouth, and blows on it.
The sound blared in the room while Thomas' eyes widened and his jaw hung with anticipation. Everyone else watched in suspense as well. As Mystic opened her eyes, a descending spiral of gold Sparkles circles around her. Surprised, Mystic let's go of the whistle now levitating in the air with a stream of sparkles still gliding out. Her forearms locked together as she watches the Gold Dust work their magic, surrounding her with a glistening, gyrating dome of Sparkles.
Suddenly, Mystic was lifted off the ground. Her entire body floated mid air while also being covered in Sparkles, materializing and clinging to every fiber. From head to toe, she gleamed of nothing but Gold Dust. Elegant, smooth wind chimes clatter and ding in rhythm to the sparkling gold. The dark room was now bright as can be with the glaring lights shining off a confused Mystic examining her sparkle covered arms, legs, and clothes. This whimsical process was the most jaw dropping sight Thomas, Twilight, or anyone in the room got the chance to witness. She closed her eyes and pressed her legs together feeling the magic's affect flowing through her being. Arms now waved out, rays of light beam off her fingers on her right hand as the sparkles slithered over and covers them. Then they beam off her fingers on her left hand with the sparkles materializing. Her dress and hair flowed and blew against the spiraling Gold Dust never increasing in velocity or slowing. The gold made it's way past her face and covered each and every individual spec of hair flowing in the breeze. Mystic's eyes shot open as the light rays beam off her face and her eyes tinted with gold. A circumference of Sparkles flowed out and blew passed everybody in the room. The radiant, shining sparkles surrounding her beamed off rays of gold so bright everyone had to shield their eyes. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Luna, and the CMC covered their faces from the glaring shine as they waited for the Sparkles to finish.
Finally, the Gold Dust diminishes and fades peacefully into the air with each spec of glistening light flaring out. She was no longer covered in Gold Dust anymore. The room eventually returns to being semi dim again. Floating elegantly, she lowers back down and her feet land softly on the floor. Teetering back and forth, her weary eyes collapse as she falls forward. Thomas steps in and catches her, holding her steady by the biceps while her forehead rested on his chest. Her arms laid on Thomas' shoulders. Leaning on them still, she wearily steadies herself under Thomas' hold. The CMC, Twilight, Spike, Luna, and everyone watches, waiting to see what happens next. Did it work? Can she remember herself now?
Leaning her head up, she looks around the room through squinted eyes. She looks up at a concerned Thomas waiting for any kind of response. Eyes still squinted, she stared directly into his eyes, and spoke.
"Thomas?"
His eyes widened excitedly.
"Lady?"
Her eyes widened too, examining herself and the room they're in.
"Lady… My name is Lady!" Lady beamed with joy staring back at Thomas. "I remember everything!"
Twilight, Spike, and Luna were ecstatic. Thomas on the other hand, smiling brighter than anyone, started tearing up. Lady blissfully smiled back. Memories flowing through her thoughts once again, she had a pretty good idea how long Thomas has been trying to save her and what he did to get them to this point. While all odds were against him, he never gave up; on her or his job. And now Lady finally remembers what she's meant to be, and most importantly, who she really is. She was Lady the Magical Engine.
Despite tears leaking from his eyes, Thomas let out a soft laugh, knowing full well himself just how far they've come. Overwhelmed herself, Lady embraces Thomas in a hug. He does the same still tearing up and laughing along with Lady who also started chuckling along with him. Everyone in the room was happy for them. Twilight, Spike, and Luna were overjoyed and proud of them. All their hard work and the turmoil they jumbled through payed off.
Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle on the other hand were mixed. While they were just as happy for them at first, the past week caught up to them and filled the girls with guilt. Thomas really was right the whole time. He was never playing tricks on Lady. And the Sparkles didn't worsen her memory. They really did fix her. Even worse, now that Lady has her memories back, was there still a chance perhaps maybe she doesn't remember the week she spent at CHS? This worried the CMC even more now as they sheepishly looked away, hid their arms behind their back and tapped the floor with heir toes.
The two friends finish their embrace. Both arms still held one another's as they stared happily into each other's eyes. Arms now hanging by his side after letting go, Thomas felt something tug the sleeve of his sweater. He looks down to his left and sees Sweetie Belle shyly tugging his sleeve. Her head hung and arms hid behind her back as she steps back next to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo also staring at him with hung heads and hidden arms.
"Thomas," Apple Bloom said. "We're awfully sorry for keepin' you away from mys, I mean, Lady."
"We didn't know how important your big job was," Scootaloo said.
"Or how important she is to you," Sweetie Belle said.
They were expecting Thomas to be furious with them, but Thomas could express a sympathetic smile while they continued their apology.
"We hope you can forgive us," Apple Bloom said.
"And that you don't stay mad at us after this," Sweetie Belle said.
"Whatever we can do to make it up to you," Scootaloo said. "We'll try anything."
They closed their eyes and hung their heads again.
"How could I be mad?" Thomas said. "You took care of Lady and protected her when everyone else in this school treated her badly."
During her stay at CHS, Lady came across a girl and her friends who made fun of her for not knowing what a cellphone was. That same girl, Cherry Crush, was among the group of students that hid away in this classroom during Diesel 10's rampage. She stayed hidden behind the group of teen hanging her head in shame.
"I didn't know about Lady's amnesia until it was too late. After that, I was left to believe she was all alone here, until Gordon and Rainbow Dash told me you were with her."
They raised their heads up and stared at him. Thomas knelt down to their level and rubbed his head.
"I saw how happy she was when I found you all sitting by the stairs earlier. You treated her better than anyone. And that's all I could ever have asked for during this time. So, of course I forgive you. And when this is done, maybe we can start over and become better friends?"
The CMC all smiled and nodded. Relieved by their resolution, Thomas got back up and stood next to Lady, who knelt down herself in front of the CMC looking dejected when they came face to face.
"It's okay if you don't remember us," Sweetie Belle said.
"You know who you are now and where you belong," Scootaloo said. "That's what matters, I guess."
Lady smiled. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle."
The CMC gasped.
"You remember us?!" Apple Bloom said.
"Of course, I do. I can remember everything now, remember?" She asked winking playfully.
They beamed joyously. Apple Bloom ran up and hugged Lady nearly tipping her backwards. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle join in as Lady brings them in for one collective hug. Thomas, Twilight and the rest watched happily. The four friends finish their hug and the CMC started throwing random questions at Lady asking her what she remembers. Some she answered happily, others she answered with a tint of guilt. As much as they wanted to fill her in on all the details, Thomas and Twilight looked at each other and nodded. Twilight then walked up to the four.
"We're gonna have to catch up later," She said stepped in. "Right now, we need to get Lady back on the Magic Railroad."
With her memories back, Lady was now aware of how long she's been away. Gasping worriedly, she stood up with her forearms locked and turned to face Thomas.
"Oh, no! How's everyone back home? Burnett! Is he okay? How's he been holding up?"
"I'm not sure about Burnett," he said ominously. "But if it's anything like Sodor, then it's not good at all."
Lady composed herself. "We better get a move on then."
"Yeah! Alright," Scootaloo said confidently. "Let's save the world!"
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom cheered and chanted along with Scootaloo.
"Let's save the world! Let's save the world!"
"Oh, no," Luna said. "You three are staying here until this mess is resolved once and for all."
"Nah-uh," Scootaloo argued. "We're going with her."
"Girls," Twilight insisted. "It's too dangerous outside. You all got lucky escaping Diesel 10. Now that Lady's powers are back, he won't stop at nothing until he has them all for himself."
"And the last thing that needs to happen because of me is all of you getting caught in the mix," Lady said. "Now please, stay here."
The CMC pouted. They wanted to go with Lady and make sure she makes it back home.
"Aw, it's not fair!" Apple Bloom frowned.
"Yeah," Sweetie Belle protested. "We wanna help too."
Lady's hands rested on Sweetie Belle's and Scootaloo's shoulders and looks at each of them with a soft smile.
"You've already helped me. From the very moment we met."
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo faced each other thinking about what she said. Like Thomas said, Lady was lost and alone, she had no friends, no one she could trust, and no idea where, who, or what she really is. It wasn't until they came into her life did they change all of that. The CMC had been helping Lady all along. By treating her as a friend, offering Lady a chance to find her place in this world, and inviting her into their club they humbly named after her. While teens were making up stories, filling her head with accusations, and topped off with the fear of not knowing herself, Lady was alone, scared, distant, and lost. When Lady was with the CMC, she was safe. She had an identity, friends, something to smile about. Lady was happy. And thanks to them, she now had all of that and much more.
This made the CMC emotional upon realizing this. Lady beamed proudly at them. She then embraced all of them collectively in her hug. They hug Lady back and remained that way for a good minute.
"Stay safe, okay?"
Sweetie Belle wipes away a few tears after they let go.
"So, is this goodbye?" Apple Bloom asked feeling tears about to build up herself.
Lady shook her head. "Not yet."
Her finger tips Apple Bloom's chin up. "But for now, yes. I will be leaving for a while. Just need to take care of a few things. Then I'll be back before you know it. Promise."
Twilight and Spike stood by the door ready to leave while Thomas picks Mr. Conductor's whistle back up and joins Twilight. The CMC wave to Lady as she stands up and waves back while walking towards the door. Luna joins the CMC and rests her hand on Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's heads. They look up and smile in return before going back to watching Lady leave with Thomas and Twilight. Flash and some of the students wished them luck too. Lady stood in front of Thomas, both standing face to face with one another exchanging relaxing smiles. Thomas had been waiting forever to say these words.
"Come on, Lady. Let's go home."
To Be Continued.