//------------------------------//
// Chapter 28: Bowled Out 
// Story: Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor 
// by LPFanFic 
//------------------------------//


Thomas & Equestria Girls 2:
Adventures From Sodor!


Chapter 28: Bowled Out

Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Spike exhaustedly chuffed through the mainline with sore wheels clanking against the tracks. They weren't about to stop for any diesel that might still be after them. While they managed to escape an ambush from Ffarquhar Quarry, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and the twins, Bill & Ben, had gotten separated when Sir Topham Hatt saved them from a class 50 diesel locomotive that nearly knocked them off tracks. Twilight, Pinkie, and Bill & Ben had to retreat back where they came while the rest had to carry on, not knowing of their separation until finally steering clear of their persistent pursuers.

At last, the Girls made it to a spot where they could rest. They stopped at a shunting yard beside Knapford Station and took time to take their breaths. There weren't any diesels around, thankfully, as they had all congregated to Ffarquhar Quarry in order to capture them. It'll be a while before a diesel catches up to them again, which meant the Girls would have to get a move on soon.

Spike was just as anxious to get going. He wasn't exhausted like the others were, and was the most impatient to rescue his friends.

"Ugh, come on, guys!" Spike insisted. "They might've caught Twilight by now."

"It's too late!" Rarity exclaimed, hysterically. "The bad guys have us on the run! Oooh, of all the worst possible things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!"

Rarity looked around as saw there were no lounging chaises to sob on, which prompt her to start dramatically exclaiming her woes again.

"SOMBODY GET ME AN TRAIN SIZE COUCH TO SWOON ON!"

"Rarity," Applejack scolded, "will you pull yourself together? Spike's right, we gotta make sure Twilight, Pinkie and the twins made it out alright."

"I'll just zip in and snag them before any diesel can," Rainbow Dash confidently volunteered.

"What about your coal and water?" Spike reminded.

This made Rainbow Dash groan with annoyance after a second thinking on it.

Applejack sighed. "I hate to admit, y'all, but wranglin' a few of them diesels might be our only way of gettin' to any of 'em."

Meanwhile, Sir Topham Hatt was climbing out of Spike and made his way up front to face everyone. Sir Topham Hatt had enough of all the fighting and was fed up with all the damage he and everyone was leaving in their wake.

"No, no, no, absolutely not!" Sir strongly advised. "I've allowed this to carry on far too long. No more biffing, no more bashing, no more confusion or delay! There's got to be a better way!"

"That might be, Sir," Applejack said, sincerely, "but against a never endin' stock pile of rustlers this bad? I'm not sein' any other choice."

"Well, there must be something that can be done that doesn't involve hurting anyone. I mean, could they have made it to the Steamworks, perhaps?"

"I can ask some local wildlife to check for us," Fluttershy said, using her Geode to summon nearby animals. "But I'm not sending any animal into that Quarry."

A few squirrels and birds climbed onto and landed on her footplate while Fluttershy politely gave out instructions to see if Twilight, Pinkie and the twins made it to the Steamworks.

"Uh, Sir, you're not still thinking about what BoCo said, are you?" Spike asked.

Spike was right on the money, but Sir Topham Hatt didn't want him or the others to know it. Ever since BoCo accused Sir Topham Hatt of endangering the Girls and everyone on Sodor in order to regain his position back, he's been bent on finding alternative options that didn't involve destruction of property, derailing engines, and delaying service for the North Western Railway, all the accusations Gerard Gisborne had laid out to Sir Topham Hatt before when he took away his position in the first place.

Sir Topham Hatt simply crossed his arms and didn't say another word on that matter, which only confirmed everything the Girls caught on about Sir's frustrations regarding his position.

"All I'm saying is," Sir continued, "there are other means of helping our friends that don't involve disrupting Gisborne's, I mean, my Railway and its engines."

The Girls took Sir Topham Hatt's comments into consideration, but they were mostly sticking by what they've been taught in terms of adapting to Sodor and its unpredictable clash with their magic.

"Why not use that magic of friendship thing you were trying to conjure before? You all seemed to think that was the trick."

"But we do," Rarity claimed.

"Then how and when exactly are you going to use it?"

Nobody had a straight answer. They could see their magical bond defeating a Siren, but not an army of diesels that nearly got the better of them like they almost did. The Girls were unsure of themselves. Were their new forms becoming more of a hindrance for their routine magic use than it ever has? Sir still had a point, and it made them think about what they discussed at the beginning regarding the Magic of Friendship being on their side despite their magic being limited to this world's reality.

The Girls tried thinking of other ways they could fend off diesels, but any idea was dropped when the outcome or consequence led to an accident on their end, or caused confusion or delay to a degree that Sir Topham Hatt strictly advised from committing. It was now Applejack turn to express impatience.

"Ugh! I ain't sittin' around while they're tryna out run diesels," She insisted. "Somethin' has to be done. Twilight's counting on us."

"What about our powers?" Fluttershy said. "And what we'd be doing for the Siren?"

"Twilight would want us to use our powers for this exact emergency," Rainbow Dash said. "I say, we head back and try to save our friends without getting caught. They could be on their way to meet us for all we know. And those diesels have probably cleared out by now. But there's only one way to find out! Who's with me?!"

Everyone remained stone silent. They wanted to rally with Rainbow Dash, but nobody would, because Sir Topham Hatt was giving out disapproving scorns. At last, Sir couldn't contain his frustrations any longer.

"I may not be this Railway's controller anymore," Sir said, strictly, "but that doesn't mean I can't prevent it from falling into even more chaos and confusion. Which is why, from here on out, I forbid you girls from tussling with anymore diesels."

Though the Girls agreed on not causing conflict, Sir might've also implied that also meant defending themselves or rescuing someone in danger from diesels. Sir Topham Hatt didn't intend either of those, not counting the former, but everyone still assumed he specified such intentions. They were still a little on edge from their friend Mavis succumbing to the Siren's enchantment, and we're in no mood to take any chances with anyone taking advantage of them.

"I would've thought Twilight and Sunset had taught you all to better adapt to this Railway, but it seems the Siren might as well have encouraged you to act on aggressive instincts without any magical singing gem."

Applejack glared before speaking back. Her and the others did not approve of Sir telling them what they failed to do what so ever, especially when bringing Adagio into the equation.

"Sorry, Sir," She said, bluntly. "Our friends need rescuin'. And any diesel that gets in our way, or try's somethin' funny is gettin' kicked to the curve. End of story."

The rest all agreed despite some reluctance from a few not wanting to actually face against diesels again. They knew they had to, but there was still very little to look forward to should the occasion call for immediate action heading forward. One thing was for sure, they had to recuperate with Twilight, Pinkie and the twins again. But Sir Topham Hatt, on the other hand, had had enough of all the argy bargy. He scanned everyone with disappointment before declaring a tough and heartbreaking decision.

"Then I suppose you'll just have to do this without me."

Everyone was shocked. He wasn't quitting on them, was he? Sir Topham Hatt grabbed his shunter's pole from Spike's cab and walked off. All anyone could do was watch him depart despite their objections.

"You-you don't mean that?" Fluttershy whimpered. "We need you, Sir!"

"When you girls are ready to do things properly," He said, still walking, "I'll be at the Steamworks; waiting for your broken and battered return."

Applejack wasn't having it. "Whatever happened to bein' a good Railway Controller that cares about his engines? Yah gonna abandon all that because of some uptight diesel and fancy railroad representative stompin' all over your gape farm?!"

This only pushed Sir Topham Hatt to flounce off more. He didn't want to hear none of it, for it only made him feel even worse about his decision. Applejack soon regretted snapping back and looked to her friends also trying to process what to do now that Sir walked out on them.

Rarity scoffed. "How ever does he expect us to defend ourselves without giving the Siren more power?"

"I'm sure he didn't mean it like that," Fluttershy reasoned. "None of us should've been fighting to begin with. Especially since some of those diesel use to be very nice."

"Uh, used to be," Rainbow Dash emphasized. "Pretty sure Paxton and Derek are infected now too."

Fluttershy didn't like the idea of that being true. She then thought of another idea.

"Well, maybe we don't have to always resort to fighting. Maybe the Magic of Friendship can still be useful on Sodor."

Sir Topham Hatt stopped and looked over his shoulders when he overheard Fluttershy's suggestion.

"I wish that were the case, darling," Rarity sighed. "But In light of recent events, I'm not so certain our song can reach those diesels as much as I initially did."

"Sure, it can!" Spike happily encouraged. "You girls can do anything! Just look at how Twilight had Rarity plow through diesels with her awesome diamond plow?!"

"Don't forget me and Applejack helped speed things up," Rainbow Dash boasted. "None of those diesels were stopping us!"

"Hmm... I suppose Applejack's song did prove quite successful," Rarity admitted, "despite almost dragging us all into the ocean."

"Are you kidding?" Spike said. "You were practically beaming with pony magic. If you can make that happen here of all places, then nothing else can come close to impossible."

"We did do all that, huh?" Applejack reflected. "Guess we woulda never gotten outta that jam or learn engine control if it weren't for…"

Applejack paused when the last ordeal came to her realization. Nobody could figure out why this didn't become apparent to them either until each of them loomed on a reflective pause. Applejack was the first to look down at her orange geode lantern. Then Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity did the same, in turn reminding themselves of what Twilight Sparkle had told them minutes before their escape from Ffarquhar Quarry. Twilight believed in them to utilize their magic so they could work together. And in doing so, they succeeded in evading capture. The thought of this lingered on everyone.

Sir Topham Hatt turned his head away from them and contemplated for a bit. Then reluctantly made his way over to Knapford's station after a dismissive headshake.

"Only," Fluttershy said, timidly, "how can we pony up in a world without Equestrian magic? Unless, using our magic rocks somehow brought Equestrian magic to Sodor?"

"I think you might be on to somethin' there, Fluttershy," Applejack beamed.





Suddenly, the Girls and Spike were alerted by two low toned steam whistles approaching them from across the junction. A head of them were the Scottish Twins, Donald & Douglas, who came chuffing up to the Girls and stopping in front of them. Everyone was surprised to see the Scottish Twins.

"The Twins. Are here. Tae save the day!" Both Twins announced.

"Donald, Douglas?" Rainbow Dash said with an arched brow. "What're you guys doing here?"

"Uh, tae save the day!" Donald repeated, in a matter of fact.

"Dinnae ye hear our introduction, Dashie?" Douglas joked.

"Which we dinnae rehears at all, in case ye weres askin'."

"Ah-hah!" Called a voice. "There you are."

Puffing up and parking between a surprised Donald and Douglas was a peeved Duck.

"I thought I'd find you two here."

"You came to help too, Duck?" Applejack asked with an arched brow.

"What? No! I'm taking Oliver and the twins back to Ulfstead Castle."

"Oh, no yer no', Duck!" Douglas protested.

"Juist because ye refuse tae help them, doesn't mean we cannae too," Donald added. "Ye no' keepin' us from savin' Sodor, Duck."

"Nor are we goin' anywhere whiles they be fendin' off dastardly diesels."

"You told 'em they couldn't help?" Applejack said, sternly.

"I thought you were on our side?" Fluttershy added.

"I am on your side," Duck said. "Just not on the getting ourselves in trouble side, that is. It's not the-"

"Great Western Way," the twins finished.

"Yeh, we know, Duck," Donald said, annoyed.

"But Gisborne and that Siren must be stopped!" Douglas said.

"Do you two want to be sent away again? 'Cause that's what'll happen if he finds out you're involved. Along with Twilight, Sunset and all the rest. That wouldn't be fair for either of us."

Donald and Douglas shared worried looks. They didn't want to be separated again, but what they and Oliver had laid out was going to help the Girls so that it won't come to such. The Girls kept glaring at Duck, which did well in compelling him to feel disgraceful for intervening. But he still felt what he was doing what right, and kept to it despite conflicting feelings.

"Have you forgotten who Gisborne's dealing with," Rainbow Dash argued. "There's no way he's getting rid of us. Who made you the boss of them, anyways?"

"I really am sorry, Girls," Duck said, sincerely. "I'm counting on you to save Sodor and all, but simply put it… what you're doing is not the Great Western Way."

"Then tell us what is already!" Rainbow Dash said, impatiently. "Enough with all this cryptic back seating."

"But if you three are with us," Rarity chimed, "then where's Oliver and Toad?"

"Ah, they're gettin' ready tae put that 'ol, sleezy diesel in his proper place," Donald said, proudly.

"Aye," Douglas added. "More payback for sayin' we engines ought tae be scrapped and replaced with his type."

The Twins shared their elaborate plan to stop a diesel from carrying the Wild Nor' Wester Express train, Sodor's fastest and primary locomotive transportation service on the North Western. The Express was one of many services they were going to interfere with in an effort to give Gisborne's control over their Railway a bad reputation, decrease diesel traffic, and help their new friends from having to fight and avoid diesels more often. This was in hopes of preventing any conflict, reliability to Gisborne's management, and giving Adagio Dazzle's pendant more negative energy.

"If the diesel pullin' the Express comes tae a halt," Donald explained, "people will blame it's delay on Gisborne's diesels."

"An' the confusion will cause people tae complain about how badly he's runnin' this Railway," Douglas added.

"Em, how did Oliver say he planned on doing that again?" Duck asked, sternly.

"With runaway trucks!" They said in unison.

This made everyone, especially Duck, aghast.

"He-you… what?!"





Donald & Douglas then took the Girls closer to Knapford Station to get a closer look at who the diesel. To not be seen by anyone, the engines had to remain hidden, so they peaked out from behind the Station's southside corner. One by one, they puffed discretely forward to get a glimpse of Platform 1 across from the junction.

Applejack poked out first, then Duck, then Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Donald & Douglas, who could barely see past the others along with Fluttershy, who was left to rely on the engines closest to a good enough view of Knapford Station. What they saw parked beside platform 1 were seven, green Express coaches, along with Sir Topham Hatt waiting with other passengers for their engine to arrive and collect the Express.

The group heard a light, diesel horn approaching Platform 1. It was Class 40, smugly but slowly backing in so as to not scuff his polished buffers. He took his sweet time too, which angered passengers who had to wait until Class 40 was coupled up to his coaches. A squinting Duck soon recognized this particular green diesel with a yellow warning panel upon closer inspection, along with the yellow numbers D261 painted on his side.

"I recognize that diesel anywhere," Duck said. "He came to our sheds once and claimed diesels are easier to get going then steamies. Lot of talk for having his air-intake jammed right before he could show off with the Express."

"Aye. That's that very same diesel alright," Douglas said, disdainfully.

"As much as I'd hate helpin' out that fandangled diesel," Applejack said, "there's no sense in lettin' Sir or any of them passengers get cooped in y'all's shenanigans."

"There must be some way of stopping his train from taking off," Rarity deduced.

"Anyone have a bowler hat?" Duck asked, half joking.

Everyone pulled back when Sir Topham Hatt looked over and noticed a few engine buffers poking out from across the station. He was becoming suspicious of their activity.

"Why on earth would you boys set up such a ludicrous ploy?" Rarity asked the twins.

"Edward told us the Siren's usin' yer magic tae get even stronger," Donald said.

"So, Oliver thought of havin' us deal with diesels instead of yous," Douglas said. "That way, she wouldnae steal any more of yer pony magic."

"Even though she'd still be sealing regular negative energy created by you three?" Fluttershy said.

Donald was about to speak until the logic of their plan dawned upon him and Douglas, who both shared the same worried glance.

"Uh-Oh!" they repeated.

Meanwhile, the passengers were still waiting for Class 40 to back into his coaches. His glistening, silver buffers inched closer and closer to the Express coaches. Passengers complained and moaned all the while.

"Patience, patience, patience," Class 40 announced, proudly. "Your humbled conveyor will be coupled up to his coaches in no time."

Class 40 stopped inches before his buffers could connect with the Express, to which they were finally coupled up by the impatient guard. Sir Topham Hatt shook his head over the ordeal and begrudgingly began boarding the Express along with everyone else.

"Did none of y'all stop and think about all the people who are gettin' on said train?" Applejack scolded.

"One of which is Sir Topham Hatt!" Rainbow Dash said, urgently.

"Sir Topham Hatt!" Both twins yelled.

"Where're Oliver and Toad now?!" Duck asked.

"Further down Knapford Yards!" Donald said.

Duck immediately stepped up to get everyone organized. They had no time to dawdle on whose to blame and had to take action before a terrible accident can occur.

"Alright. Applejack, you and I will have to prevent Oliver & Toad from starting that runaway."

"Now that I can agree on. Rainbow Dash, you…"

But before Applejack could give her a job, her and the others found Rainbow Dash had suddenly left the Junction. She looked everywhere, but Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen.

"Goldarn it! Where'd Rainbow Dash go?"

"Must've gone off tae stop that train," Douglas said.

"Let's go, Applejack!" Duck blew his whistle. "Before it's too late."

He began reversing towards her, which prompted Applejack to reverse where she came back towards Knapford's shunting yard. Just then, flocks of birds, squirrels, and a duck flew in and scuttled towards Fluttershy and her glowing Geode. They began relaying their findings at the Steamworks and the condition it was currently in.

"Oh, dear!" Fluttershy worried. "Rarity, something awful has happened to the Steamworks!"

Rarity looked just as worried but tried keeping her composure, then spoke to Fluttershy and the Scottish Twins.

"Guess it's up to us to see what has become of the Steamworks. No worries. I'm sure we'll hold our own against those big, brutish diesels," she said, with a slightly unhinged laugh.





Applejack and Duck quickly arrived at Knapford Yards. There were a few diesels present, but thankfully they were already taking off with their trains. No sign of Oliver and Toad to be had. Applejack advised Duck to scout out the two while she patrolled the perimeter in case a diesel showed up, sending the two on their separate was.

At last, Duck spotted Oliver and Toad up a head, parked into and coupled up to a long load of Troublesome Trucks. The goods train consisted of regular 7-plank trucks, slate trucks, and 8-ton vans loaded with varying goods to be delivered and dropped off at their respected destinations.

"Oliver!"

Oliver was surprised when Duck rolled up beside him and Toad. He didn't look very happy, which made Oliver glare back at him and gazed away to give Duck a cold shoulder.

"Don't bother trying to talk me out of it, Duck," He said. "Nothing you say will change my mind or abandon our friends like you did."

Duck groaned. "Fine, fine, I never should've said you couldn't help. But you have to listen to me now, Oliver."

Just then, Devious Diesel shunted himself at the front of the train and waited to be coupled up. He was still fuming about losing the Kart Race to Thomas' team during the Crystal Race, and how the Shadowbolts almost had him removed from the Crystal Race.

"Listen," Duck insisted, "you can't let these trucks stop that diesel from pulling the Express. It'll only do more harm than good."

"But the Siren's gem only absorbs direct conflict." Oliver confidently lets off steam, "Well, let's see her try to feed off indirect accidents that send her followers crawling to the Dieselworks."

Toad was beginning to second guess their idea following Duck's urgency.

"I think it might be best to hear Duck out on this one, Mr. Oliver," He suggested.

"Hey! Whose back there?! Come on! Show yourself!"

Diesel's familiar voice startled both Great Western engines and their gaping eyes. He must have heard the two talking along with Oliver's steam hissing. Both shared nervous side glances. Then, tooting boldly, Duck decided to reveal himself by puffing forward to meet with Diesel. Oliver was worried for his friend. He begged him not to go, but Duck refused to listen.

Diesel was certainly surprised when Duck pulled up beside him.

"Duck?"

Duck cleared his throat and greeted him with indifference.

"Diesel."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in a museum," He teased, "where they keep all the other fossils?"

"Oh, good one, Diesel," Duck smiled, smugly. "Did your new Siren friend teach that to you?"

Diesel gasped with shock. How does Duck know Adagio wasn't really a steam engine? There was only one way he could know. Duck continued toying with Diesel without letting him catch on to his involuntary involvement to what's taking place beyond his peripheral vision.

"Ah, yes, I know all about you and Adagio, alright. Don't suppose you're playing along in return for some kind of reward, are we?"

"B-but, how… Those magic girls told you, didn't they? You're in cahoots!"

"Who? The Rogue Steamies? Oh, good gracious, no. Everybody's already well aware of your little alliance. Word spreads pretty quickly on this Island, mind you."

Diesel eyed him suspiciously. "Then why are you out and about? You're not allowed to work here anymore."

"Why, yes, you're absolutely right, Diesel. But since I'm here, I should uncouple those trucks you're currently carrying! They appear to be the wrong load!"

Duck kept yelling this hoping Oliver would catch on to his implication, but it only made him arch a confused eyebrow. An unamused Diesel lost patience.

"Teh. I don't have time for this silliness."

He blew his horn and began to take off. Duck, in a fit of panic, saw a pare of switches in front of him and used them to swerve onto Diesel's line, blocking him off from leaving with Oliver and Toad. This made Diesel cross as he and Duck revered back in their place.

"Doooh! What is it now, Duck?! You're making me late!"

"Sorry, Diesel. Truth be told, I only wanted to help out one last time before I'm put on display at the Earl's museum. I figure, what if I shunted a goods train for my good pal Diesel-"

"We were never pals," Diesel corrected, candidly.

"Right. But why not give you this one last solid before hanging up the old wheels. You know, for old time sake."

"You did that for me?"

Duck forced a smile through gritted teeth.

"You alone."

Diesel tried looking back at his load, where Oliver and Toad remained quiet so as to not give themselves or any sneaking suspicious on Diesel's end away. Diesel didn't know how to feel. He still felt something suspicious given how Duck knows about Adagio. But if he's only here to preform one menial labor for him personally, what harm could it possibly bring to him or any other diesel?

"Huh. Uh, thanks, Duck. How, eh, thoughtful of you."

"Us Great Westerns are always happy to be useful, Diesel," Duck smiled, boastfully. "Doesn't take just any engine to know how to shunt a simple line of troublesome trucks, you know."

"Rrriiigghht," He said, rolling his eyes.

Diesel blew his horn and took off again. Duck still tried lessening the inevitable accident heading their way.

"Safe travels, Diesel! Treat these trucks with a little more respect this time around. Don't let any of them slip your sights."

"I don't need your silly Great Western ways telling me what to do! I'll pull these no-good troublesome trucks however I like."

The Troublesome Trucks were insulted and started becoming rowdy and bumpy. Duck continued grinning his fake smile until Toad and Oliver trundled past, which he then rode along side of and begged them to cease their take off.

"Oliver, Toad!" Duck whispered, urgently. "Uncouple those trucks!"

"We can't, Mr. Duck," Toad said. "We're already on the move."

"The Girls are going to be so thankful for us once these diesels are out of their way!" Oliver said, excitedly.

"No, they won't! You don't understand! You're only adding to their problems."

But it was too late. Diesel had already left the junction with Toad and Oliver coupled up to his goods train. Duck stopped and hopelessly watched the two get carried away. Applejack was still patrolling Knapford Yards when she stopped Diesel's train taking off with Oliver and Toad. Duck pulled up next to her and her disapproving frown.

"Tell me that wasn't Diesel's train Oliver and Toad hitched a ride on."

"Funny you'd bring that up," He smiled, sheepishly.





Back at Knapford Station, Sir Topham Hatt and the other passengers have boarded the Exprees. The guard blew their whistle, and Class 40 blew his horn, ready to take off with his train. But before he could, Rainbow Dash popped in out of nowhere in a streak of blue and rainbow colors beside him along Platform 2.

"Stop!"

A startled Class 40 panted from the sudden steam engine's appearance.

"You can't leave with this train!" Rainbow Dash warned.

When he looked over and realized who it was, Class 40's fears shifted into annoyance.

"Y-you! You're-you're one of those steamies!"

"Yeah, I know I am," she said, impatiently. "But you gotta listen to me. It's an emergency!"

"Hah! Me listen to a steamie that's been disturbing our Railway? Gisborne's gonna have you and your friends stock piling the scrap yard when I get to him."

And Class 40 blew his horn once again and embarked from Platform 1. But he hardly gained any distance from Knapford Station when Rainbow Dash used her super speed to zoom in front of him over a set of points getting in his way. Class 40 came to a sudden stop, in tern biffing his coaches and rocking the passengers inside.

"Will you stop that!" Class 40 complained.

A confused Sir Topham Hatt opened his window to look outside and spot the commotion.

"Rainbow Dash?!" He said, surprised.

"I'm telling you," She explained, "there's a train of runaway trucks on its way to crash into you."

She tried everything to keep delaying the Express, but Class 40 made things difficult.

"How did you get in front of me so quickly? No slow poke steamies are faster than I am!"

Rainbow Dash eyes popped with offence.

"Excuse me?!"

She backed out of Class 40's smug smiling way and parked beside him.

"Oh, did I pinch a nerve? See, my class is far superior to steamies, so much so that I can even top their maximum speed limits."

"Do you know how many laps I can run before you even start your engine? Just blink and I'll have been all over Sodor!"

"Not possible. I'm designed to meet expectations, even if it is being squandered on an insignificant little Railway such as this."

But Rainbow Dash and Class 40 overheard the passengers complaining about the diesel pulling them from his coaches, and saying what a bad Railway this was for being constantly held up. This began to infuriate Class 40.

"So much for that," Rainbow Dash joked.

"And whose fault do you think that is?!"

Rainbow Dash soon got her answer when passengers soon turned their anger on her when they saw that she was the one blocking their line. An embarrassed Rainbow Dash didn't take their complains so lightly.

"Doesn't matter," she said. "I'm still lightyears faster than you."

"Well then," He smirked while blowing his horn, "If you're so fast, just try and save me from your make-believe runaway trucks!"

Class 40 cackled and took off again in a speedy trundle. Annoyed at first, Rainbow Dash quickly slipped into a confident smile.

"Challenge accepted."

She hissed steam, her valves and pressure gauges whistled, the firebox crackled, and her blue Geode lantern glistened its magical light. Then, in a speed of light, Rainbow Dash took off herself. She was already passed Class 40 as his entire engine rattled from the blue and rainbow streak's waves brushing up against him. Class 40 was admittedly impressed, but refused to be showed up by a steam engine. Still, the unearthly zoom of the impossibly fast steam engine continued to baffle him.

"HOW IS SHE DOING THAT?!" He cried.

Rainbow Dash laughed while zipping along the tracks. But then, she remembered what happened last time she used her speed too much. She could be low on water and coal, which would make this a really bad time to run out on. And the more she thought about it, the slower Rainbow Dash paced herself until she no longer rode in her blue streak, and instead chuffed at a near snails' pace with dejection.

It was frustrating and difficult not using her speed, one of many aspects about her newfound equestrian powers Rainbow Dash grew immensely fond of and relied upon at lot. But Rainbow Dash and her friends remembered through trial and error that their powers worked differently on Sodor, hers especially. She had made a promise to her friends not to use up all her speed, and get better at handling regular engine control. As much as she hated it, Rainbow Dash had to be mindful and rely on the speed she had.





Meanwhile, Duck and Oliver were still traveling with Diesel and his goods train through the Mainline. The two quietly went over their plans again, with Oliver more eagerly on board with this method while Toad was beginning to think otherwise.

"Once we reach Gordon's Hill, Toad," Oliver instructed, "that'll be our cue to get the trucks all riled up. When they're about ready to snap, you'll uncouple us so as to have a head start in getting out of their way before they come charging after us."

"You sure this is such a wise Idea, Mr. Oliver?" Toad asked, uncertain. "Mr. Duck didn't seem to approve of this much."

"Duck doesn't approve of anything that isn't the Great Western way."

"You mean he doesn't approve of the wrong way."

Oliver was ready to object until the thought of it lingered on his funnel. Was this the wrong way of helping the Girls? Oliver tired convincing himself it wasn't seeing how he was already confident their input will at least hinder one diesel from giving their friends a hard time.

Diesel's train finally curved around a bend and arrived at Gordon's Hill. By this point, the Troublesome Trucks had already become rowdy and loud in retaliation for Diesel's rudeness earlier. They began to sing a song in their squeaky voices along the way in an effort to annoy him, which it rightfully did.

"Diesel's slow, does he know, he can never pull us!"

"Diesel's slow, can't he go, faster than a dozer!"

"Oh, be quiet!" Diesel snapped.

This was exactly was Oliver hoped for. Diesel was already becoming peeved and unsettling the Trucks. He didn't even have to convince them to do anything.

"Now for our plan, Toad!" He whispered.

"Yes, Mr. Oliver," He said, reluctantly.

Halfway climbing up Gordon's Hill, Oliver applied his brakes to slow the entire train, which encouraged the trucks to join in on the supposed fun and let loose their own brakes.

"Hold Back! Hold Back!" The Trucks chanted.

Diesel struggled to get his train moving up the steep grade. He struggled and groaned on grinding wheels to reach the top summit. But Oliver and the Troublesome Trucks kept holding him back. Doing so began to cause a strain on Diesel's coupling connected to his train.

"Okay, Toad," Oliver said. "Time to go."

Toad was uncoupled from Diesel's train and the two began descending back down Gordon's Hill as fast as they can. The truck coupled up with Toad kept jerking forward to drag the others with him, but they were still attached to Diesel.

"Break free! Break free! Break free! Break free!" They chanted.

Diesel's face was red with exhaustion, but he kept on pulling as hard as he's able. The only thing holding him back from crossing Gordon's Hill were the gigging Troublesome Truck, who were eager to branch off and chase after Oliver and Toad. It would seem the Trucks were about to get their wish, as Diesel's coupling stretched from their dragging weight until it finally snapped off, sending the laughing Troublesome Trucks plummeting down Gordon's Hill.

"Oh, no!" Diesel cried.





"Come on, come on!"

Rainbow Dash frantically puffed along the mainline, hoping to find a set of switches to swerve onto the Express line and get in front to stop it from moving. But there were no points anywhere in sight. When at last she did finally come across one, the time she spent searching for points allowed Class 40 and the Express to catch up and zip by a surprised Rainbow Dash.

"So much for being lightyear fast, eh?!" Class 40 taunted with a laugh.

Sir Topham Hatt looked out his window again to see Rainbow Dash disappearing from his sights. Rainbow Dash glared and started building up speed without tapping into her Geode Crystal. She chuffed with a quick haste, catching up and riding along side the coaches, but not enough to gain further distance. Her wheels clanked, rods ached, and cheeks redder than an apple. Running and staying active back in Canterlot was much easier than this. Exceeding these kinds of speed without her Geode was not all like running, and she soon began to feel tired. Sir Topham Hatt could see her struggling, which worried both him and Rainbow Dash as she soon began slacking behind.

'How does Gordon run like this?' Rainbow Dash thought. She imagined how hard it really must've been for Gordon to adapt to his human form when they trained for their race. He must've really pushed himself to find the same inner speed he had here.

Then it dawned on her. Flashes of their race, Gordon's struggle, and her prep talk to him when Gordon blamed his speed for Edward and Henry's capture echoed through her thoughts.

["Must you keep reminding me, Rainbow Dash?"]

["I'll always keep reminding you. 'Cause If you hadn't learned from those falls, you never would've gained the speed you always had! And no amount of enchanted diesels can ever take that away!"]

Class 40 cackled some more at her dismay. Rainbow Dash peered down at her buffers. She may look different in this world, but deep down she's still got her speed. All she needed was a little push. Rainbow Dash didn't need her magical Geode to upstage this diesel. She already had everything she gained back home to give her an edge.

Then, before the Express' brake coach could leave her behind, a determined Rainbow Dash started chuffing much faster. Wheels turning, she puffed past the brake coach, then another coach, and another, then soared along the remaining four while giving it everything she's got.

Rainbow Rash raced beside the first Express coach, where Sir Topham Hatt was watching from his seat.

"Rainbow Dash," He called. "What are you doing?!"

"Runaway trucks!" She replied while straining. "Heading your way! Gotta… stop… this train!"

The news was a surprise for Sir Topham Hatt, but then he smiled determinedly.

"You can do it!"

This made her smile too. And, pushing herself even harder, a straining Rainbow Dash forced herself onward to reach Class 40 fully, who became dumbfoundedly surprised when noticing her pulling up beside him. Rainbow Dash kept on going. Her wheels ached, her rods rattled, and her boiler boiled to a steaming hot degree. But Rainbow Dash kept going. The wind blowing against her funnel and face was too good a feeling to lose.





Further across the Island, Duck and Applejack were racing down the Mainline trying to catch up to Oliver & Toad. The two finally did, only to find them already speeding backwards away from where they were heading. The two engines slowed as Oliver, carrying Toad, ended up biffing against Applejack who managed to stop them in place.

"There you are!" She said, sternly.

Oliver and Toad were surprised to see them.

"You two have any idea what kinda hornets nest you've gone shaken up?"

"Uh, Duck," Oliver warned, "you might wanna move from that line."

Duck was puzzled at first until a roaring, collective chuckles of Troublesome Trucks thundered closer and closer to their proximity. Applejack heard it too, and looked ahead to see Trucks charging into view, and heading straight towards a gasping Duck, who soon realized which side of the track they were on. Oliver, Toad, and Applejack expelled their own horrors at the site.

"Run, Duck!" All three repeated.

"Not again!"

Wheels slipping, Duck tried to reverse away from the on-coming train of Troublesome Trucks laughing and trundling faster than he could build up steam. Toad, Oliver and Applejack began receding back as well to try and stop the runaway while rescuing Duck. The three could barely keep up at the rate they had to travel. Duck managed to keep his distance from them, but the Trucks wouldn't slow down, and kept at a consistent pace on par with his.





The Express would soon be nearing Wellsworth, a station consisting of two platforms, each with a building and connected by a green, metal footbridge, with three lines running through. Rainbow Dash had only little time left, and there were still no points to switch onto Class 40's line. That was, until one finally came into view way a head of them. Rainbow Dash smirked with boiling intent when she completely gained the lead from Class 40, flabbergasted by this engines' unwinding drive.

Rainbow Dash swiftly switched onto the Express line just before Class 40 could cut her off, having successfully overtaking him. Then, shutting her eyes, she applied her brakes right when the two engines approached Crosby Station. Class 40 was forced to do the same as the two slid with screeching wheels through Wellsworth. Rainbow Dash stopped just outside the Station while Class 40 halted his train right next to its platform.

Peaking with one eye before opening the other, Rainbow Dash prematurely celebrated her victory.

"AH YEAH! I still got it!"

The passengers got out of their coaches, still confused by the steam engines presence. Sir Topham Hatt quickly ran over with his shunting pole to uncouple the Express from Class 40. Passengers were put off by his rugged attire and questionable reasons for uncoupling the Express.

"How's that for a steamie, Mr. exceed expectations?"

But instead of getting a retort, Class 40 simply bumped into Rainbow Dash and pushed her towards the red bricked railroad bridge. She tried applying her brakes but her wheels screeched along the tracks.

"It's bad enough you steamies keep making a fool out of me," Class 40 seethed, "now you're making me spoil my shiny buffers! Get! Out! Of! My! Way!"

It was upon reaching a set of points leading to a goods yard that the two stopped and heard Duck's whistle echoing far off a head of them and about to approach from just around the corner. Rainbow Dash knew exactly what this was.

"Sure thing."

She then quickly backed into the siding through the points and out of Class 40's way. Duck soon entered Wellsworth through the red bridge and made his way safely over the points as well. When Duck cleared from Class 40's vision, the next thing he saw hurdling towards him were laughing Troublesome Trucks.

Class 40 didn't have time to react when the Troublesome Trucks crashed and totaled straight into him head on.

The first truck imploded into many pieces on impact, then the one behind that one, and the van behind that one shattered as well. Wooden splinters and crates exploded everywhere with a crash and a bang. Goods flung and splattered Class 40, covering him with sticky and powdery residue that filtered the air in a demolished fog but soon cleared to reveal the mess left in their wake.

Duck and Rainbow Dash reopened their eyes upon hearing the crash subsiding and replaced with Class 40's screaming. A plethora of damage inflicted both his front section, and the open planked trucks and vans now carrying mashed and sticky goods scattered all over. But there was only one think Class 40 was concerned about.

"MY BUFFERS!"





Passengers looked on to the damage up a head. The giggling Trucks still intact were soon dragged out of the way by Applejack when her, Oliver and Toad arrived on scene. She cleared the line for Duck and Rainbow Dash to exit from, plowing through debris of wood and smashed goods, and soon met their friends closer to Wellsworth Station's Platform.

"You two alright?" Applejack asked.

"I believe so," Duck panted.

"Tired," Rainbow Dash panted as well, "but better than ever! Not bad for someone who out ran a diesel without using magic, huh, Sir?"

She looked to Crosby's platform for Sir Topham Hatt but was wasn't amongst the crowd of people. Applejack, Duck, Oliver and Toad noticed his absence as well.

"Uh, Sir?"

The five friends scanned Wellsworth again. They assumed he was perfectly fine considering he might've been the one who separated the coaches from Class 40. But where did he go?

"Better recuperate. Can't be seen front and centre of them on lookers." Applejack scorned at Oliver and Toad, "We'll discuses you four later."

This made Oliver nervous. Taking one last look over the platform, Rainbow Dash also reluctantly agreed. Then her, Applejack, Duck, Oliver and Toad quickly took off before anyone could question their involvement. People were more distracted from the broken-up trucks lying everywhere and all over Class 40. But their frequent presences and passing at Wellsworth weren't left unnoted by anyone.

Off on the sides close to the Station itself, Sir Topham Hatt was being escorted to a purple patrol car by a police officer. Sir Topham Hatt showed no restrain but tried talking the policeman out of taking him away.

"No! You've got it all wrong! A creature is trying to turn us all against each other!"

The Officer placed him in the back seat and was about to close the door before Sir Topham Hatt held it open with his foot.

"You've got to believe me! Our whole Island, no, the whole world is at stake!"

"The only steamies causing any damage are yours, Mr. Topham. Now, Director Gisborne would like to have a few words with you on that matter."





To Be Continued.