Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor

by LPFanFic


Chapter 9: Meeting The Shadowbolts

Thomas & Equestria Girls 2:
Adventures From Sodor!

Chapter 9: Meeting The Shadowbolts

After their visit to the museum, Juniper Montage, Thomas and the other engines decided to treat themselves to some ice cream. Juniper offered to pay, seeing no issue in buying one of her childhood heroes an ice cream cone to end the day off better than it began. The group arrived at the Ice cream dinner, purchased different flavored cones, and sat by the booths near windows. Thomas, Percy and Juniper sat at one booth while James, Emily, Gordon, and Toby sat at a booth next to theirs.

Thomas was still blown away from his trip to the museum. The idea of him being a famous cartoon character in the world of Canterlot High was something he never imagined. Seeing all the merchandise and television showings they previewed were a surreal mix of magnificence and unbelievability. Some of the other engines weren't as impressed as Thomas was. Everything the museum showcased had nothing but Thomas's name and face over everything. There was barely anything with their faces on it.

Not wanting to feel bitter about it, however, the other Engines instead discussed what they could do to keep busy. There wasn't a lot of activities they could think of. They weren't used to not having work to do.

"So, what are we gonna do while Twilight and the others are saving our friends?" Emily asked.

"I still say we could put in some time at Sweet Apple Acers," Toby said. "Nothing says keeping busy like working on a barn."

"As much as I appreciated Applejack's hospitality," Gordon said. "The last thing I want to do again is work on that smelly farm by stomping grapes or feeding filthy pigs."

"I bet I could take over Rarity's job at her fashion store," James boasted. "How hard can making clothes be?"

"Maybe don't do that, James," Emily advised.

"There's gotta be something each of us can do here," Toby said.

Meanwhile, Thomas, Juniper and Percy were talking about their trip.

"If you thought the Museum had some pretty neat stuff," Juniper said, "wait until you guys see the amusement park!"

"An amusement park?!" Percy said. "You mean like with rides and carnival games?"

"Oh, yeah! The marketing team is going all out for Thomas' comeback. And it's open for a limited time, which means they're really going all out."

"Can you believe it, Percy?" Thomas said. "People must've really loved my show if they're making theme parks and a whole movie around it."

"Actually, it feels kinda weird," Percy admitted. "I mean, it's nice to be admired, but, seeing us on those small screens, acting out all the things we did on Sodor, it's-it's-"

"A bit surreal, huh?" Juniper finished.

"No, not cereal. Just, well, I can't quite describe it."

Juniper rolled her eyes and smiled.

"It's silly, is what it is," Gordon said, overhearing. "Of all the engines to be the star attraction, they chose silly little Thomas."

"Oh, come on, Gordon," Thomas joked, leaning over his booth. "Don't get all fussy because they didn't make coloring books with you on them."

"But you gotta admit," Emily said, "that museum didn't really have much stuff with us either."

"Especially me!" James said. "Why, if it were up to me, I'd demand they make bicycles and bed sheets and anything they could slap my name on."

"Except the show isn't about us," Toby said. "It seems to be about Thomas."

James and Gordon found themselves sulking about it all over again while Emily and Toby reserved their judgment. Thomas sat back down at his booth, still filled with more questions he had to ask Juniper, seeing how she knew a great deal about his show.

"Hey, Juniper, is it true that you know who's making the Thomas movie?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. He's my uncle, actually."

"Wow!" Percy said. "That must be amazing! Do you get to visit him and see the stuff he makes?"

"I used to," She sighed, looking ashamed.

"I just thought of something!" Thomas pondered to himself, "Since the guy who was supposed to voice me can't do it anymore, why don't I voice myself instead?!"

Percy and Juniper were surprised at first. The Engines sitting at the booth next to them overheard this and were a little annoyed. So, they tuned out Thomas' pitch to Juniper and went on talking about other things.

"Juniper," Thomas asked. "Do you think we can ask your uncle if I can lend my voice to the movie?"

"Why do you wanna be in the movie, Thomas?" Percy asked.

"Why not? Like Rarity said; who better to voice Thomas other than, well, me?!" He chuckled.

Juniper liked the idea as well and was excited over the concept at first. Then she was reminded of the incident with the Daring Doo movie. Even if she wanted to, Juniper was laid off as the Director's gofer. She wasn't even allowed to be on his movie sets anymore. This made her heart sink the more she thought about it.

"I'd like to, really. But… I can't."

"How come?"

She was too ashamed to say. Thomas and Percy shared worried glances. All she did was shy away in disgrace.

"I don't wanna talk about it. You won't like me anymore if I did."

"But, that's not true," Percy said.

"Why wouldn't we like you anymore, Juniper?" Thomas asked. "Was it something you did?"

"Was it… Something awful?" Percy whispered.

Seeing both Thomas and Percy staring back with confusion flustered her a little. She didn't want to tell the two engines she had grown up watching what she did. But seeing how they knew everything that the Girls did, then they might also know about Sunset and her past mistakes too. Mustering courage, Juniper inhaled and released, then faced Thomas and Percy again.


While the Engines continued enjoying their ice cream, another group of students sat at a booth not too far were having their own discussion. The group of girls were wearing reddish-purple blazers and vests, whitish-blue shirts, dark-blue bow ties, reddish-purple tartan skirts, and black shoes. These students were the Shadowbolts, from Canterlot High's rival school Crystal Prep Academy. Sour Sweet, Sunny Flare, and Sugarcoat sat on one side of the booth while Lemon Zest and Indigo Zap sat across from them.

Sour Sweet groaned as she looked at her phone. She played up a friendly grin and got her friend's attention.

"Good news, everyone!" She said, sweetly. "I just got a text from our dear friend Royal Pin!"

The Shadowbolts leaned in eagerly.

"And?" Sunny Flare asked.

"And…" Then her sweet demeanor then flipped into a snarling scowl. "That fashion threading, flamboyant jerk says he can't make it on time!"

She tossed her phone on the table in frustration. Three of them exchanged worried glances. Sour Sweet pouted and slouched in her seat with arms crossed.

"Ugh! Why does that Royal Pin have to be such a-"

"Don't say it," Indigo Zap said.

"A royal pain!"

The Girls groaned and rested their hands on their chins.

"Let's face it, dearies," Sunny Flare said. "At this point, we're just gonna have to enroll someone that isn't CPA's top student."

"But we can't just let anyone join our team," Sugarcoat said. "We have standard requirements to uphold."

"Not if we wanna forfeit the race, Sugarcoat," Indigo Zap said.

"If we don't have six people on our team by tomorrow," Sour Sweet said, "then the Crystal Race will be ruined, and Principal Cadance will blame us for not 'working with others in a friendly game' or something along the lines."

While the four were stressing over where to find a suitable teammate, Lemon Zest was off in her own world enjoying her music. The lime green haired girl wore a set of light rose headphones with faint, loud rock music blaring from the ear muffs.

Indigo Zap turned to her. "Hey, uh, Lemon Zest."

But Lemon Zest wasn't listening. The music playing in her headphones drowned out their conversations. She began rocking out a little too much, almost to the point where her energetic outbursts shook the dinner table and nearly spilled everyone's drinks, floats, and Sunday's. Sour Sweet had to wave her hand in front of Lemon Zest.

"Lemon!"

It took her a second to notice, but Lemon Zest finally caught on to everyone trying to get her attention. She impatiently pulled down her headset.

"Yeah, what?"

"Royal Pin can't make it so we have to ask our other classmates to compete with us," Sugarcoat explained.

Lemon Zest rolled her eyes and pulled her headphones back on.

"Fine, whatever."

"Still no word from Upper Crust yet," Sour Sweet said. "But there's still a chance she's available to compete with us."

"Didn't Principal Cadance say this was an open event?" Lemon Zest chimed. "Why not ask someone from another school to compete with us if we're that desperate?"

Indigo Zap scoffed. "Like who? Someone Canterlot High?"

Thomas was a bit surprised when he overheard Canterlot High being brought up. He didn't know where this conversation came from, though, but Thomas knew he heard someone mentioning it. Thomas leaned out to locate this discussion, and saw the Shadowbolts sitting at a separate booth from across the dinner.

"Aka the school we're already competing against in the first place," Sugarcoat added while sarcastically drawling. "Sure, I bet that'll work in our favor."

"I was thinking more someone from Cloudsdale," Lemon Zest explained. "They have some pretty smart students, and their school's athletics are top notch."

"Best not to stress about it too much, dearie," Sunny Flare said. "It doesn't matter who we have on the Shadowbolts. We're still gonna win the Crystal Race either way."

"You guys think the Wondercolts might be having the same problem?" Indigo Zap asked. "We haven't exactly heard from them yet."

"That's highly unlikely," Sugarcoat critiqued. "Canterlot High's students are average at best. Anyone of them can enter and it still wouldn't stack against our team regardless of who's competing."

The Shadowbolts got up after finishing their treats and drinks and headed for the door.

"Well, we still promised Principal Cadance we wouldn't get overly competitive again," Lemon Zest brought up. "Remember what happened last time winning became all we cared about?"

Sour Sweet and a few of the Girls rubbed the back of their heads in embarrassment.

"Let's try toning down our competitiveness," Sunny Flare declared. "It's the least we can do for Sunset and her friends. And better education for other schools, of course."

"We're gonna have the best time ever!" Sour Sweet said sweetly, then turned sour by lodging her fist in her palm, "by crushing the weak to oblivion!"

"Oh-yah! Shadowbolts for the win!" Indigo Zap chanted.

A few laughed as Thomas watched the Shadowbolts exit the diner. Juniper and Percy noticed Thomas' distraction.

"What's up?" juniper asked, looking over what he was staring at.

"I think those girls were from Crystal Prep," Thomas pointed out.

He then got up and walked passed the other Engines at their booth, all wondering where he was off too.

"Where are you going, Thomas?" Toby asked.

"Those Crystal Prep girls don't know Sunset and the others aren't participating in the Crystal Race anymore," Thomas explained. "We should let them know that they won't be back for a while. Maybe even introduce ourselves since we're at it!"

"Introduce ourselves?" James said, annoyed. "Are you crazy, Thomas?! Don't you remember what the Girl's said about them?"

"They seem pretty nice to me, James."

And Thomas had already made his way out, leaving Juniper and all the Engines to share confused glances.


The Shadowbolts walked across the dinner's parking lot with Thomas eagerly jogging over to meet them. The Engines and Juniper burst through the doors only to see that Thomas had already caught up to the group of girls.

The Shadowbolts stopped in their place and faced Thomas once he gained their attention.

"Excuse me, are you girls' part of the Shadowbolts?"

"What are you doing, Thomas?!" Gordon said. "We don't know these girls."

Thomas turned to his friends, still wearing a cheerful grin but the girls all glared or eyed him with disinterest.

"We didn't know Twilight Sparkle or the others either, remember? So, why can't we get to know the Shadowbolts?"

The Shadowbolts were a bit surprised when Thomas mentioned Twilight.

"How do you know Twilight?" Lemon Zest asked.

"Twilight's a good friend of mine!" He said. "Along with Sunset and all the rest at Canterlot High. They met us when we traveled to their school for the first time."

Juniper Montage and the Engines approached Thomas and stood behind him. The Shadowbolts examined the Engines with aloof glances before looking back at Thomas and his friendly grin. They didn't know Twilight had made this many friends outside her usual group from CHS. She must've become very popular as far as they knew. But these people didn't seem to be students of Canterlot High either the more they inspected him. Twilight must really be extending her friendship circle further than she's ever done at Crystal Prep.

"Do any of you know Sunset Shimmer and our friends as well?" Thomas asked.

"We obviously didn't hear about them through you just now," Sugarcoat said, contemptuously.

"Twilight Sparkle used to go to our school," Sunny Flare said. "Then decided she was too good for CPA and transferred over to Canterlot High."

"Really? I didn't know Twilight went to your school," Thomas said, almost half surprised.

"So, you must've been her old friends then?" Emily asked.

"Ye-ah," Sour Sweet rolled her eyes. "Friends aren't exactly the words I'd use. But I guess we have warmed up to the idea. If only a little."

Thomas remained blissfully unaware of their attitude. "In that case, maybe we can become friends too!"

"That sounds like a great idea!" Sour Sweet said in her sweet tone, before turning sour. "And you are?"

"Thomas!"

"You mean like after that baby show?" Indigo Zap mocked.

The Shadowbolts laughed, making Thomas feel embarrassed, and a little angry too. This prompted an angry Juniper to step up in Thomas' defense.

"Hey! It's not a baby show."

"You're right," Sunny Flare joined. "Our mistake. It's for babies, and older toddlers."

The five girls laughed again. Thomas didn't feel so proud about his show now. The Engines and Juniper Montage felt just as insulted. They might as well be mocking the Engines themselves if they're laughing at the show.

"You girls don't like the show?" Thomas asked, bashfully.

"Except for Sour Sweet," Sunny Flare mentioned.

"Yea-wait!" Sour Sweet's rage filled eyes widened. "What?!"

"Oh, yeah!" Lemon Zest chimed. "Wasn't Sour Sweet like a big fan before?"

"No, I wasn't! I've never even brought up that dumb show with any of you!"

Sugarcoat chimed in. "You were literally just complaining about the movie before we got here, and you wouldn't stop ranting how that plus the new show they're making is apparently ruining-"

Sour Sweet grunted through gritted teeth and gestured Sugarcoat to shut it by waving her hand past her neck. Sugarcoat wasn't fazed, but chose to stop anyway and simply rolled her eyes. Sour Sweet looked over her shoulder to Thomas and the others, all confused over what Sugarcoat meant by Sour Sweet being a fan. She turned back to Thomas specifically, then chuckled sheepishly.

"Oh-kay! Maybe I might've been a fan, but I've like tot-ally outgrown that kind of stuff." Sour Sweet crossed her arms and sneered at Juniper. "Unlike some people."

Juniper was fuming. The two groups remained silent for a minute. Both sides shared judgmental glares, before Emily decided to break the mold and remain polite despite some hostilities brewing between both groups.

"So, uh… we heard both your schools were suppose to compete in a race of some sort?"

"What gave that away?" Sugarcoat asked. "The endless advertisements announcing when it starts and which schools are competing?"

Emily felt insulted somehow. She didn't like the way Sugarcoat phased her response.

"Actually," Gordon said. "Our friends from Canterlot High told us. They also mentioned you were the best at your school, not to mention rather competitive to boot."

"Not surprising. Any respectable CPA student displays a gifted or genius level IQ, which is no doubt why many consider us more important than your above average student."

The Engines and Shadowbolts simply shifted their eyes back and forth between Gordon and Sugarcoat's altercation.

"Well, back where I come from, I am far more important than anybody, especially some snotty school students."

"Uh-huh? Is that so?" Sugarcoat said, crossing her arms unconvinced.

"In deed," Gordon bragged. "There's no other better than me. Fastest and best and I pull the Express."

"That's a really lame motto," Sugarcoat said, bluntly. "I'd suggest never saying that out in public again unless you enjoy sounding like the hubristic clown you unintentionally let on."

Gordon was taken aback. This girl was completely up front and didn't care who he is, something he did not like at all. Gordon continued glaring at Sugarcoat, now boiling with more anger than when they started.

"And for your information," Sour Sweet bragged, "Crystal Prep Academy has an unbinding reputation. Principal Cadance chose us because we're it's top students. And it's because we're the best that we always win everything."

"But weren't we chosen because Cadance said we're too competitive," Lemon Zest asked, "And that we're supposed to work on our sportsmanship?"

Sour Sweet slouched and grumbled. "Way to undermine us, Lemon!"

"Just know that we're not to be underestimated," Sunny Flare stated.

"So, tell the Wondercolts that we ain't gonna hold back this time!" Indigo Zap said. "The Shadowbolts are bringing their A game!"

"Actually, that's what I wanted to tell you," Thomas said. "Twilight, Sunset and the others have gone off on an important magic quest. They won't be able to participate in the Crystal Race."

The Shadowbolts shared looks of worry to one another. They didn't want to believe him at first, and write Thomas off as trying to sabotage their team for their friend's benefit. But they were aware of CHS's magic shenanigans. Having to take a trip to solve another magic problem was an excuse they could find believable. Not only were they short one member, but now the entire Wondercolts were short of all six contestants.

"Um, Thomas," Percy chimed. "I'm not sure we should've told them that. They might not know about Equestria or Sodor."

"How much have you girls been told about our friends' magic powers?" Toby asked.

"Enough to know that Cadance is gonna flip if she finds out the Wondercolts aren't competing!" Indigo Zap said.

"What are we gonna do?!" Lemon Zest said. "The race starts tomorrow and none of our teams are prepared. We're doomed!"

Thomas thought about it for a few minutes. He looked back at all his friends, then at the Shadowbolts.

With Twilight and her friends now off saving their world, Crystal Prep Academy was without a team to compete against, which means the charity event might have to be shut down. A lot of people who were looking forward to seeing a good old fashion competition would be disappointed. Thomas didn't like the thought of this possible outcome. After thinking it over, and discerning the likely outcome of their performance regardless, Thomas' idea to their CHS friends earlier sprung back into his head. Even though they've already voiced their reasons against the Engines joining the games, Thomas couldn't help but put it into motion.

He stepped between the two groups and pitched his idea to fix everyone's problem.

"The more I hear about it, the more this charity event seems to mean an awful lot to people who wanna make a difference. Crystal Prep needs a team that'll compete with them-"

"Against," Sugarcoat corrected.

"… Against," Thomas sighed irritably, before continuing. "To raise that awareness for better schooling. I know we promised Sunset that we wouldn't, but we shouldn't just allow their race to fall apart because our friends are out there fixing our problems."

The Shadowbolts all shared confused, collective glances. Some of the engines, particularly Percy and Toby, looked downcast after Thomas mentioned why their CHS friends were on Sodor. The others haven't caught on to Thomas' proposal just yet.

"What exactly are you playing at, Thomas?" Gordon said.

"The Crystal Race," Thomas said with intent. "I say that the six of us should enter the Crystal Race."

The Engines gawked over Thomas' proposition. They do recall Sunset telling them not to enter, but now Thomas wanted to anyways so that Crystal Prep has a competing team to help draw interest. Even though the Shadowbolts themselves seemed like poor sportsmen, Thomas showed a willing determination to put up with it, and anything that the Crystal Race had in store. The Shadowbolts weren't impressed, however. Some even tried stifling their grins and retaining a straight face.

Sour Sweet scoffed and chuckled. "You wanna compete against us? As the Wondercolts?"

The Shadowbolts all laughed again, which continued irritating the Engines even more. The Engines thought it be better to debate whether entering a heavy-handed tournament would be a good idea. But seeing the girls laughing at the thought made them think otherwise. James especially had enough of their ridicules.

"Hey! What's so funny, huh?! You think we aren't capable or something?!"

Indigo Zap stepped up to him. "Uh, no offence, but we'd totally cream you guys."

"Although the not capable argument wouldn't be ruled out either," Sugarcoat stated.

James was having none of it. "Hah! More like we'd leave you in the dust! You girls don't look so tough. We can win this game with our eyes closed."

"Keep dreaming!" Indigo Zap shot back. "You're gonna need more than that birdbrain to keep up!"

The two soon started butting heads.

"Oh, yeah?!"

"Yeah!"

"Well, I'm the fastest red engine on Sodor! So, I won't have to catch up!"

"Big deal! I can run circles around you day in and day out!"

Toby got between the two riled up teens.

"People, people, please! Let's all try and wind things back a little."

"Aw, what's the matter, dearie?" Sunny Flare taunted. "Too intimidating for you?"

"We have better things to do than run some silly games with the likes of you."

"Sure, you do. Like watching cartoons about talking trains for starters."

Toby was fuming, but was true to his words.

"But, Toby!" Thomas objected.

"I'm sorry, Thomas," He stated. "But participating in the Crystal Race isn't such a solid idea. And I wouldn't want to put anymore of us in harm's way if I'm being honest."

"Do you even have any athletic, theoretical, or applied experience in any scholarly field to even compete?" Sugarcoat critiqued.

"Uh... I can deliver the mail!" Percy said, optimistic.

"You girls wouldn't even be playing for the charity itself," Emily said. "All you'd care about is winning over whoever's playing against you."

It was Sunny Flare's turn to be insulted. "Excuse me?! We're not that heartless you know?!"

"Maybe meek little tram engines wouldn't last very long," Gordon boasted, "but I can certainty show these Crystal Prep people what a real champion can bring!"

Gordon and James stepped beside Thomas and stood in a proud stance. This made Thomas glad. Emily hesitantly stepped in next to James and Gordon, along with Percy after looking back at Thomas and Toby, now waiting on Toby to join in. But Toby still wasn't sure. They didn't know what their games were gonna be like or knew anything about being people outside of basic functions. Thomas then rested a hand on Toby's shoulder, shooting him a look of plea. If they're going to enter, they'll need all six Engines in order to qualify. Finally, Toby sighed after thinking it over. Then the two engines stood next to the others. This was a proud site for Juniper Montage. Seeing all the Engines from her childhood TV show standing up for themselves gave her goosebumps.

"Can you believe these people," Sunny Flare pointed. "They actually think they can run against us in the Crystal Race."

"Not to mention how committed they are to their little baby show act," Sour Sweet mocked.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Thomas said, offended.

"The way you're talking, and dressing in similar colored clothing to those trains. I've heard of fan obsessions, but this just takes the cake."

"How would you know any of that's accurate?" Sugarcoat asked.

Her eyes widened. "W-well, y-you know. You don't actually have to watch the show to see that. It's all common place!"

But Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Indigo Zap didn't appear that convinced.

"Oh, just be quiet for once!" Sour Sweet said, bitterly.


Percy wasn't liking the hostility between the two groups and backed away from his friends, who went on arguing back and forth with the Shadowbolts. In doing so, he found himself standing next to Lemon Zest, who had drifted off from the arguments as well not too long ago. She held onto her pink headphones and jammed out to some loud rock music. Percy didn't know she wasn't listening and went on to talk about their friends.

"Things are getting pretty intense, huh?"

Lemon Zest stopped bobbing and turned her attention to Percy. She paused the music from her phone and removed her headphones, sliding them down her head and resting on her neck.

"What was that?"

"I was just saying that things aren't looking good, for our friends I mean. Who knew a race like this could bring out the worst in everyone?"

"Oh, right. That's why I have my music on." Lemon Zest proceeded to pull her headphones back on, "which I'd really like to get back to if you don't mind-"

"I hope Thomas knows what he's doing," Percy said, not paying notice even as he turned his attention to her. "I've never actually competed in a tournament before. I don't even know how far we'll make it in these bodies."

Annoyed, Lemon Zest's pink headphones fell back on her neck. She slouched with disinterest while Percy continued talking, who he believed were having a nice conversation.

"There was this one time we went to an event called the Great Railway Show. And I was supposed to be in the Shunting Challenge but-"

"Are you still talking?" She asked.

Percy felt offended at first. He was only trying to be friendly, but Lemon Zest didn't seem that into it. He thought of simply writing her off for being just as stuck up as her friends, until Percy decided to try something else.

"Um, well… what do you wanna talk about?"

Lemon Zest pulled her pink headphones off entirely and examined them. Then she looked at Percy, who gave her a friendly smile in hopes that it triggered a welcoming response. Lemon Zest loved rock music, but not a lot of people, not even her friends often engaged or even talk about it with her. It was fine not being as invested as she is, but they never seemed to bother showing any interest in what she likes. The little green boy standing beside her, however, seemed more than willing. Lemon Zest shared a friendly smile in return.

"Do you like rock music?"

Percy looked confused. "How do you make music out of rocks?"

"Not that kind of rock." Lemon Zest slaps her headphones on Percy's head, "This!"

Percy didn't know what was put on his head and wanted to take them off. He gripped the ear muffs in preparation to do so, but after hearing nothing being played from this strange headpiece, Percy started to calm again. He waited for something to play, but there was nothing to be heard. Lemon Zest eagerly awaited his response, but seeing Percy look at her with his perplexed expression made her impatient.

"Well?"

"Um, I don't hear anything."

Confused, Lemon Zest checked her phone to see what the issue was.

"Oops. My bad! Forgot to hit play."

As she unpaused the music on her phone, the headphones sitting on Percy's head were met with blaring rock music now blasting into his ears. A heavy, post hard rock grunge beats were all too much to take, too much for poor Percy to even react and take off the headset. Instead, he gripped the sides of the headphones muffs and screamed at the top of his lungs. He collapsed to his knees, still screaming at the intense rock riffs. As far as Lemon Zest was concerned, Percy was enjoying her music just as much as she did.

"YEAH!" Lemon Zest cried in excitement. "Now that's a rocker screech!"

Lemon Zest, waving her horn signed hands, began screaming along with Percy thinking he was crying out like a rock star when really he was in auditory pain. The Engines and Shadowbolts heard their screams. Thomas quickly rushed over and knelt down to comfort Percy, who had now toned his screaming.

"Percy!" Thomas took off the headphones and chucks them away. "Are you okay? What did you do to him?!"

Lemon Zest catches them on time, but she wasn't happy about it.

"Hey, watch the sets!"

"Why don't you watch who you're talking to!" James intruded.

The other Engines quickly came to their side.

"Why don't you tell your friend to back off!" Indigo Zap barked.

"More like yours," Toby said. "She was the one who tried to hurt Percy!"

"Maybe he had it coming!" Sour Sweet said.

The conversation was getting more out of control. Emily decided not to get involved upon realizing this and stood off to the side along with Juniper, who shared a look with Emily upon doing so. Both girls weren't heated like the others. Juniper held resentment over the Shadowbolts, but not enough to challenge them to a series of games. Emily saw no need to argue further as she's already made up her mind along with her friends to take up Thomas' proposition.

"Guys, it's okay. He was just trying to be friend-" But Lemon Zest was cut off.

"Why would we ever allow a bunch of crybabies into CPA when our friends from CHS should be the ones competing with us?" Sunny Flare pestered.

"Hey! They're our friends too!" Thomas berated.

"The same friends who didn't want you entering because they don't think you're capable?" Sour Sweet sneered.

"Oh, that is it!" James called. "We are going to enter the Crystal Race, and we're going to win!"

"Lot of talk for people who probably haven't ran a single tournament in their life!" Indigo Zap said.

"I was in the Great Railway Show!" Gordon said. "And had Victor not forgotten to reassemble my safety valve, I would've won the Great Race."

"Ugh, again with this Thomas act?" Sour Sweet complained.

"It's not an act," Juniper explained. "Thomas, Percy, and the rest, they're from another world where Sodor exist."

Sour Sweet chuckled. "Wow! Talk about delusional, am I right?!"

"But what about our friends and their magic?" Emily glared with crossed arms. "Surely, you don't seem to think they're out of the ordinary."

"Few and far anomalies can extend beyond the realm of possibilities including the magic they and CHS posses," Sugarcoat explained. "This one doesn't, however, come close to exceeding any knack of believability."

Percy remained in a lidded, sedated trance, still recovering from the booming music still ringing in his ears. Thomas glared at Sour Sweet and the other Shadowbolts all looking down on him and the others in a patronizing way. Then, he stood.

"I was asked to tell Principal Celesita that her school can't compete against you anymore," Thomas preached. "But now, I'll be marching over to let her know that Canterlot High has found new Wondercolts. And everyone at Crystal Prep will see just what us steam engines can really do!"

"Doubtful!" Sour Sweet scorned with rolling eyes. "But please, don't let us tell you otherwise."

Emily still kept watching as the two teens continued yelling back and forth to each other. The Engines and Shadowbolts simply shared glares while enclosing fists. Even Juniper found herself engaging with the Engines and their grimaces.

"Tomorrow at CPA," Sour Sweet continued. "You and your friends are going down!"

"Not a chance!" Thomas shot back. "We're gonna come out on top!"

"You're not gonna be so preachy once you step on the playing field!" She argued as well.

"I should say the same for the Shadowbolts!"

"Guess we'll find out tomorrow! Not that we already know the answer!"

"We'll see about that!"

"Yes, you will!"

"Good!"

"Good!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

And on that, the Engines and Shadowbolts both went their separate ways, all flouncing off in different directions.


Emily and Toby helped carry Percy, who was well enough to walk on his own but still needed someone to watch over him.

"Those Shadowbolts were awful," Emily said. "How could they be the ones representing their school? I hope not everyone at Crystal Prep is like them."

"Just wait until they see us in action tomorrow!" James complained. "That girl with the goggles has messed with the wrong engine!"

"The Shadowbolts are gonna regret crossing my path!" Gordon said.

"As mean as those girls were, I'm not so sure this Crystal Race business is such a good idea." Toby turned to Thomas, "But if you're sure we'll stand a chance, Thomas, then we're gonna have to work extra hard to stay in the games."

"Most importantly," Emily finished, "We'll win by working together."

Thomas acknowledged them with a determined smile before inspecting his friend.

"That girl didn't hurt you at all, did she Percy?"

But Percy didn't answer. He remained staring at his friend with a blank, wide eyed expression. Percy dug his pinkie finger into his ear then pulled it out.

"What?"

Meanwhile, Juniper Montage was grumbling to herself. She now shared the same resentment Thomas and the others had towards the Shadowbolts. How could they call them out for not being from another world, to tease her about liking something meant for a different audience. Juniper never felt this agitated in a while. She had an urge to do something about their teasing, until she remembered what Thomas told her.

"I'll show those girls who's delusional."

A fuming Juniper marched up to Thomas, grabbed him by the wrist and tugged him forward.

"Hey, wait!" Thomas objected.

Percy, James, Gordon, Toby and Emily didn't know what Juniper was up to. But they still followed her and Thomas anyways as they exit the empty parking lot of the Ice Cream Dinner.

"Where are we going now, Juniper?" Thomas asked, trying to keep up.

"Come on, Thomas! We're going to make you a movie star!"


To Be Continued.