//------------------------------//
// Episode 3: Brando, the Luxe Deluxe, and The Chocolate Mishap 
// Story: My Little Pony: The Railways of Railquestria Isle (S1) 
// by TrackthesiaSongrail 
//------------------------------//

It was a beautiful day in Railquestria Isle. It had been a week since Twilight took the throne on the mainland. But despite the occasion, there is still a railway to run.

Brando, the RIML's number 27 GE Dash 8 ponomotive, often has the dirtiest jobs: pulling fish, coal, and pony waste. But he likes to be clean like the rest of the engines.

Brando often uses the train wash near Bufferhoof Central, which is important to him. But Madame Tophoof had terrible news. She trotted up to him upon his arrival.

"Because of the windigo incident a few weeks ago on the mainland, and you know the rest, there's been a shortage of soap," she explained. "All engines will have one wash per day. And also, reliability before neatness."

Then, she trotted off. Brando was cross.

"I get dirty," he fumed. "I need to be clean. Swanson often does it because he feels so important."

"I am important," chimed in Swanson, who was next to Brando, getting washed. "I pull the North Mainline Express."

"You're a grumpy engine honk honk," teased Skeeter, the RIML's number 26 leased Siemens Vectron magictric engine.

"No I'm not!" oiled Brando. And he rumbled off.





At Harmony Docks, Brando was to collect 137 flatbeds of iron girders for Cab City. He was trying really hard not to get dirty. But the crane at the docks was known to be silly and reckless. So he dropped a crate full of Equestria Girls glitter on Brando.

"Hack hack hack hack!" coughed Brando. "Why would you do that for?"

"Sorry about that," said the crane. "Have you ever seen Spring Breakdown?"

"No I haven't. And besides, there are no television sets in Equestria!" he shouted. 

*CLINK!*

Brando then looked back. His mouth dropped. Behind him, was an almost rusty superyacht on 9 extra flatbeds. It had looked like it had been recovered from deep beneath the sea. It was painted white, yellow, green, and mostly, magenta. Soon, a workpony trotted up to Brando.

"This here's the Luxe Deluxe. It sunk after a storm forced it into some rocks in another world," explained the workpony. "Please take it to Cab City with your iron girders."

"Another world?!" exclaimed Brando. "Ohhhh, come on!"

So Brando heaved out of the docks with the yacht and iron girders.





On his way to Cab City, the heavy and oversized load is making it difficult for Brando.

"Oh, come on," he strained. "I can do this."

Soon, he arrived at Sunsetville Junction. Cherry Berry was picking up supplies in her helicopter for Ponyville on the mainland.

"Hi there," said Cherry Berry. She then pedaled harder, making her helicopter lift off. As it did, soot flew from the ground and onto Brando.

"Not again!" oiled Brando. "I am going to the train wash!"

The conductor trotted up. 

"You need to calm yourself Brando," he said. "As Tophoof said, reliability before neatness."

*CLANK!*

57 boxcars had been added to Brando's consist. Another workpony trotted up.

"These are loaded with sugar for the chocolate factory in Cab City," said the workpony.

So Brando set off. It is now heavier than he can handle.





Brando didn't know that the consist's weight, along with that of the Luxe Deluxe, had now increased his braking distance.

Soon, as he approached the chocolate factory, Brando sets his brakes. But the heavy 203-car consist pushed Brando.

"Oh my Celestia!" cried Brando. 

But it was too late. He slammed into the factory, along with the Luxe Deluxe.

*CRASH! CLANK! SPLUNK! SPLANK! KLANK! CLINK!*

Brando soon emerged from the other end, now on his side. He was covered from generator to wheels in sticky chocolate. Even the Luxe Deluxe, who had ripped a gap in the roof.





Vladimir, the 2ES10 magictric multiple ponomotive, pulled Brando to Bufferhoof Sheds. There, was Skeeter, Swanson, Diesel, Cantermore, and Tophoof. The engines thought it was hilarious.

"You look delicious," said Cantermore.

"Bon Brondo," teased Diesel.

"Hershey Hershey Honk Honk!" laughed Skeeter.

"Disgusting," said Swanson.

"Ahem," interrupted Tophoof.  "You had a very bad day, isn't it, Brando?"

"Yes, madame," replied Brando, beneath the chocolate.

"But you should've saw that reliability comes before neatness," explained Tophoof. "So, you can head to the train wash. After that, it's the Rainbowshops for a new paint job."

"Oh, Madame," smiled Brando. He beamed with a huge smile.

Caboose.