//------------------------------// // Chapter 29: Sour Sweet's Story // Story: Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor // by LPFanFic //------------------------------// Thomas & Equestria Girls 2: Adventures From Sodor! Chapter 29: Sour Sweet's Story It was the next day over at Canterlot City, and all the Engines met at Crystal Prep Academy early morning in order to learn more about the final event for the Crystal Race. Thomas and Juniper Montage also accompanied them this time instead of recording lines for the upcoming Thomas' Adventures On Sodor movie. The two had time to prepare with their friends before returning to the Movie Studio lot. After the Shadowbolts agreed to set aside their differences, both they and the Engines were eagerly looking forward to competing. And given how close their scores were tied, the Engines had more than confident that they'll manage to succeed, and prevent Diesel from forcing them off Sodor forever. But the Engines were begrudgingly following Thomas, who strutted in front with upmost confidence through the cyan colored hallways of CPA. He was loving the fame and attention his movie generated. Students passing by stopped and stared when they spotted the Wondercolts. While some were still against the apposing team, some students happily complimented and congratulated the Engines. Thomas thought they were all praising him, but they were really referring to his friends, who felt humbled and respected. Edward could see Thomas soaking up the admiration as well and shook his head with disapproval. It wasn't long until Juniper and the Engines ran into the Shadowbolts standing near a classroom door. Only four members were present, and looking rather worried until they saw the Wondercolts. They shifted their attention to the Wondercolts. Neither engines weren't sure how true to their apology the Shadowbolts were, especially Thomas and Percy, who were still presently bitter towards some of them. Did they change their ways? Are they really toning down their competitiveness this time? There was only one way to find out. "Hello, Shadowbolts!" Toby kindly greeted. "Are you girls ready for today's final showdown?" James said, excitedly. "You better believe it!" Indigo Zap approached. "Now that we're not arguing anymore, I'm more than pumped to race you head on." "I couldn't agree more. Just try not to fall too far behind, Indigo," He joked. "I want our last run to be a close one." "Say no more, James! Neck in neck is all you'll get; Right after you eat my dust, at least." The two playfully nudged each other while laughing all the while. Thomas found their newfound bond strange. His friends and the Shadowbolts all seemed to be getting along now. Not one of them started an argument. He wasn't quite used to this yet. "What about the rest of you?" Edward asked. "Are the Shadowbolts ready to play a friendly game this time too?" "Absolutely," Sunny Flare declared. "In fact, there's something my team and I want to give you." The Girls then looked over to Sugarcoat, who refused to move a muscle. Sunny Flare had to nudge her elbow a few times while grinning. Annoyed, Sugarcoat caved and finally walked towards the Engines with a long, plastic chart in her hands. Thomas assumed she was about to pass it off to him and extended his hand out, but Sugarcoat walked straight past him, much to his confusion. Instead, Sugarcoat went up to Gordon specifically and handed him the item. "Here," She said, monotonously. Gordon was surprised, but took her offering anyways and looked over what it was after unraveling the long, expansive chart. "What's this?" "A perfect diagram of CPA," Sugarcoat explained. "Accurately detailed to match every square inch of this building; Including classrooms, storage closets, teachers lounge, library, auditorium, gymnasium, ext." The other engines gathered around and looked over the map as well. In deed it was a map of Crystal Prep, showcasing just about every level and every corner of the school. Each room was detailed to accurately resemble the real interior structure, along with bright colors and numbers to indicate which room was which. Each room even had items to better differentiate what room they belonged in. The Engines were all impressed. So far all they've seen of CPA were the hallways and only a few classrooms including a woodworking course and most of the Library. Now they have a good idea what all the other rooms had and what purpose they served. "Today's final event is a simple game of Capture the Flag," Sunny Flare explained. "My team and I, of course, know every ins in outs of this school." "And you guys don't know zilch," Lemon Zest stated. "You can't bring it with you when the race begins," Sugarcoat specified, "but it should be enough to help navigate where your flags could be stationed." The Engines looked at their map again then back at the Shadowbolts. They had no words to say how surprised, or thankful they were most of all over the Shadowbolts pulling through for them. Even Juniper Montage was impressed. But Thomas was still a little indifferent. He knew they were toning down their competitiveness, but now everyone's acting like they're all friends. A part of him was happy over the idea, but his feud with Sour Sweet, and the fact that Diesel's still on their team still left a bitter taste in his mouth. "You made a map of your whole school just for us?" Emily asked. "Participation certificates were another option," Sugarcoat said. "But my vote was overruled so…" "Consider it another apology for the way we've acted," Sunny Flare chimed, shyly. "And, for saying all those things about not being capable to compete." "Don't get us wrong. The Shadowbolts are still gonna beat you guys," Indigo Zap said, "except now we're making sure the Wondercolts have a fighting chance to maybe, sorta, kinda, possibly surpass us. Just not by a lot." Gordon, James, Emily, Toby and Edward all smiled with appreciation. Whatever resentment they may have had, even after the day before's reconciliation, The Wondercolts were now indebted to call the Shadowbolts their friends. "Thank you very much, girls!" Toby said. "My friends and I greatly appreciate this." "It's the least we can do, dearie," Sunny Flare said. "I just wish one of your friends felt the same." The Shadowbolts then turned their attention to Thomas with glaring judgement. Some engines did the same but for different reasons. They were still bitter about Thomas' movie stardom and how sidelined they felt from all the fame, considering their cartoon counterparts are also suppose to be included in the big movie too. Thomas' eyes widened when he realized all eyes were now on him. "Why's everyone looking at me?" "You and Sour Sweet had that argument at the mall yesterday," Sunny Flare stated. "And ever since, she's been acting all sour towards us." "Well, sourer than her usual self," Indigo Zap added. Sunny Flare leaned in on Thomas. "What exactly did you say to her, if you care to enlighten us?" "Oh. Uh, nothing that mean," He claimed, nervously. "Thomas," Edward said, sternly crossing his arms. "What did you say?" "Just to stop complaining about me and my movie. She kept going on and on about how I shouldn't act like myself and that I didn't deserve any of the fame." "Maybe because you keep hogging it all," Gordon grumbled, quietly. Thomas overheard this however and looked over his shoulder to glare back at Gordon. The Shadowbolts were losing patience with Thomas and continued confronting him to apologize to Sour Sweet. "Sour Sweet's sulking in math class right now and won't come out for anything," Lemon Zest said, "I think you should go and apologizes to Sour Sweet, Thomas," Emily suggested. "Why me? The last person she would ever wanna talk to right now is me." "Just get in there already so there's no more animosity during the games," Sugarcoat demanded. "I don't recall hearing an apologize from her end when she said you'd stop being competitive," Thomas complained. Juniper Montage had been standing quietly off to the side when she thought about what Sunset Shimmer said to her days ago regarding her efforts to mend past mistakes. Although Juniper held her own resentments towards the Shadowbolts, Sunset's suggestions, along with lessons she learned from the Engines in the past made her see the situation between both sides a little differently. She didn't have to be friends and side with them, but enough was enough regarding everyone's feud. She then went up and placed a hand on Thomas' shoulder. "The best way to mend your mistakes involves trying to reconnect with people wronged by it. Maybe that should be applied here too, don't you think? I'm sure she'll apologize back once you do. Some grudges aren't worth carrying, Thomas. So, be the better person." Lemon Zest hoped this would've inspired Percy to forgive her as well, but Percy barely made any eye contact and remained quiet, which made her even more upset. Thomas looked at Juniper then around at everyone else still giving him judgemental glares. He didn't like this kind of attention; having ever look at him like he's the instigator. Maybe the Shadowbolts were serious about their claims if even all his friends were siding with them. If even Juniper was telling him to end their feud, perhaps their attitudes really have changed. One thing's for sure, Thomas knew he had to step up and do what's right, despite how much he felt he shouldn't have to considering all the rude remarks Sour Sweet's made about him. But both teams were already in the process of getting over it. Now they just needed some of their friends to do the same. "Oh, alright. I'll see what I can do." Thomas then walked past the Shadowbolts and made his way into the classroom while everyone waited outside. Math class was pinkish purple with blue, crystalline designs along corned wall pillars and other areas over its walls. It had a single chalkboard with an analog clock hung on top and several windows set up against the west end of the room. As he entered, Thomas found Sour Sweet sitting alone at a desk in the middle of twenty other empty table armed seats. Her cheek rested on her palm, which was supported by her elbow. Sour Sweet spotted Thomas and immediately turned her head away in anger. Thomas was nervous to approach her, but he was more willing to get this over with so that he wouldn't have to argue with Sour Sweet anymore. He went up to the desk beside hers and gingerly took a seat. "Hey," Thomas greeted, politely. "Everything alright?" "Oh! Everything's just peachy!" She said sweetly, before descending into sour. "You know, considering this blue screwball keeps following me everywhere I look!" This made Thomas downcast. "I just wanted to apologize for the things I said; about you being jealous and saying those rude things." "Apology accepted," She said, still not making contact. "Now, beat it." "Are you still mad at me?" Sour Sweet kept silent, hoping he would just leave her alone. But Thomas didn't. He could tell Sour Sweet was still upset over something and knew this wouldn't sit well unless he can resolve it somehow. Thomas lets out a remorseful sigh before speaking again. "I really am sorry our teams got in trouble with the kart race, Sour Sweet. But, if you hadn't tried cheating in the first place then you could've-" "That's not what this is about!" She scoffed, cutting him off. "Then what is?" Instead of responding, Sour Sweet shoved a rolled-up poster in his chest. Thomas unraveled it and saw that it was a poster for the upcoming Thomas movie he was staring in. It depicted Cartoon Thomas and his coaches, Annie & Clarabel, riding through a blue backdrop with yellow railway tracks and red sleeper styled banners on all corners of the frame. The tracks he rode on cutt through a lush, forest green land with purple, midnight skies overhead. This poster was different from the one Juniper first showed Thomas. It must've been made after he was cast. "Look, all I need right now is some time alone, okay?" She said. "Seeing you yuk up all the press just made me sick." "Sour Sweet," Thomas inquired, "why do you hate me so much?" Sour Sweet slammed her fist on the desk and stared angrily at a startled Thomas. He forgot that comparing himself to the character he's playing in this world deeply angered her. "I mean… w-why do you hate Thomas and his Adventures From Sodor?" He asked, quickly correcting himself. She shied away and grumbled with arms crossed. "I didn't always hate it." Thomas was surprised. "You didn't?" She shook her. "No... If anything, I considered myself the biggest fan. That's just what it felt like, you know?" She began drifting off longingly, remembering what the feeling felt like all over again. She loved that feeling. But Sour Sweet quickly realized who she muttered it aloud to and reverted back to her sour grumbling when she noticed Thomas looked curious. She didn't know why she was telling him this. The two have done nothing but bicker and butted heads since they met. She couldn't help herself now that it was out in the open. Memories of her past seeped into her thoughts and clouded her emotions. Thomas tried to inquire her some more about Sour Sweet's relations to his show. "So, you did use to be a fan?" "Use to be." "Oh. What changed?" She exhaled quietly before getting up. "Everything." Sour Sweet then walked over to the front and leaned on the teacher's desk with arms and legs crossed in a reflective leisure. Thomas followed and sat on top of the nearest desk. "I know I shouldn't get all worked up about it," She began, "but ever since that movie was announce, it's been driving me crazy. And after meeting you I just-" "What about me?" He intruded. She looked over to Thomas and his solemn complexion. What she was about to say almost made her feel a bit bad. But this didn't prompt her from reeling back the rest of her honest thoughts. She only dampened them a little to avoid making another scene, especially when she now felt so at ease for whatever unexplained reason. Maybe it was the loud silence of the room, or the warm, shining rays reflecting through the window, looking outside to a beautiful green forest and clear blue skies with sunny rays, and the city cape buildings far off in the north. Whatever the case, Sour Sweet found a little hesitance, and a little distraught in explaining herself to Thomas. "The way you always show off," she said, looking away from him, "how you sound and look exactly like him, it just makes reliving those moments more unbearable." "But, don't you have any good memories?" Thomas asked. "There must've been something about it you liked if you called yourself a fan." Sour Sweet hung her head. "I do remember looking forward to it every week. Seeing him laugh, and smile, what adventures his friends went on next. It was like having something special, a friend to come home to that's always waiting no matter what." Thomas smiled, thinking she meant all that about him. In a small sense, she was, given how he was the star and the biggest draw to Thomas' Adventures From Sodor. But Sour Sweet was more or less referring to another character. "Even when things changed, he still brought me joy, especially on days when I couldn't. He was always there to put a smile on my face. Until the day came when he didn't." "What happened?" Thomas asked, considerately. She sighed, heavily. "Just a bunch of stupid stuff I eventually got over." This confused Thomas. If she got over it, why was she still angry over his show? Sour Sweet tucked her knees under her arms, beginning to feel more upset from rifling through her memories. But she allowed them to keep playing. "It's just that… I thought I had someone, or something to depend on when things did get tough. Like a real friend, you know?" Sour Sweet began drifting off in thought as she began to stare out a window to her right from across the room. "Adventures From Sodor wasn't just a pass time or a distraction. It was everything." [A Few Years Ago] Years ago, a little girl no older than four, would sit in front of the television screen in a small living room every weekend morning. Days like these required nothing more than all her favorite toys scattered throughout the floor, a bowl of cereal or a snack every now and then, and her favorite TV show front and centre before the theme tune could even begin its the first few keys. Always on this screen, was an authentic, hand drawn cartoon of a little blue tank engine with his number 1 emblem, six small wheels, short stumpy funnel, and a cheerful grin prominent and on display. "All aboard to new destinations!" With toots of his whistle, Thomas would set off and begin his adventure through an upbeat theme song to engage its audience in a simple, day to day, yet exciting new episode. While this played out, the little girl would play with her toys. She would have a tiny, diecast toy of Thomas pulling his coaches to re-enact the opening title as well as whatever episode was playing. She had a small selection of characters, with most of it comprising of just the show's main engines characters. she loved them all dearly. But there was one character she was particularly fond of. As she pushed along the tiny Thomas toy, she switched over to and grabbed a tiny, diecast toy of Henry after pulling Thomas up next to him. The young Sour Sweet, with her hair tied in twin ponytails held in place by two ties resembling three berries on a leaf, held her toy train in both hands and beamed a gleeful grin. The toy Henry smiled back with his molded face beaming with joy. She brought it in for a hug by pressing the toy against her cheeks. Out of all the toy trains she had, Henry's was one she adored and played with the most. She finished her embrace and went back to playing twirling Henry around in a circling motion, not having a care in the world. She'd often glide her toy train on different surfaces around the house, including couches, dinning tables, entertainment units, and on her bed. No matter how many times she played with the other trains, she always found her way back to Henry and would continue holding it nonstop. There were also nights when Sour Sweet would be in bed, laying her head on her pillow, and sobbing uncontrollably. It had been another rough day. The fearful and dismal state she was in had finally taken it's toll. She hated these feelings, but some days she couldn't help but flush out some tears despite how much she tried to resist. She kept her eyes shut as more tears spill out. When Sour Sweet would open them, laying right in her sights would be her toy Henry, staring back at Sour Sweet with his gleeful smile. Sour Sweet sniffed back her tears. The longer she stared at Henry's plastic but genuine smile, the calmer she felt. And soon all her worries would be swept away when his grin prompted Sour Sweet to slowly crease into her own smile once again. Now she felt all the more relaxed and in a happier state of mind. And as her mother tucked her into bed at night, pecking her daughter a kiss on the forehead and turning on the nightlight, the young Sour Sweet would snuggle in under her covers with her toy train, watching it smile back as she did. A calm, nourishing sense of serenity washed over her while Sour Sweet's eyes slowly collapsed before her, with her hand gently gripping the toy train. Waking up on weekday mornings after the much-needed weekend was hard, but not for Sour Sweet. Every day when the bright, shiny sun beams over a chilly morning, Sour Sweet's mother would take her to school, with Sour Sweet being the first out the door baring all the essentials. A fashionable backpack over her shoulders, fashionable outfit, her lunch, and of course, her diecast toy train. She'd eagerly run across her front lawn waving it in the air while making her way towards the car every school day. And every day on her way to school, she would lean her arm out the car window while gripping onto the toy Henry as tight as ever so as not to drop him. She smiled while holding him out and watching house after house and building after building zoom by Henry as if he were really chugging through the neighborhood with the wind gliding along his plastic face. This was her favorite activity to past time in the car, her favorite means to stifle any apprehension regarding what kind of day school might bring. Sour Sweet had nothing to worry about so long as she held her toy train wherever she went. Sour Sweet returned home one day after playing outside with some friends. But upon entering the house, Sour Sweet heard her Mother and Father in the kitchen, and became extremely upset when they began bickering and raising their voices. They were yelling and arguing again. Sour Sweet hated when they did this. She stood by the kitchen entrance listening to their conversation. But she didn't like a single word that came from their mouths. Shutting her ears did little to draw out their insults so she quietly tried sneaking by. She stopped for a second when their arguments escalated even more, and ran off in a flash before her parents noticed. She returned to her room, shuts the door behind her and leaned against it. Tears were already swelling up. Sour Sweet could barely contain them. So, she threw herself onto her bed and sobbed with complete distraught. Her favorite Henry train laid on one of her dressers, staring back at a young Sour Sweet hysterical weeping into her pillow. But not once did Sour Sweet notice the smiling toy train or think to have it on her for comfort. She was too upset, and remained buried in her bed all while the Henry train remained where it was and collected dust. Days went by and things had only gotten worse. Whatever since of normalcy her house once had, or believed to possess, was now completely stripped away. The only reliance to enact some since of stability was her favorite weekend TV show, Adventures From Sodor. Sour Sweet sat in front of the television screen, with her Henry train clutched in hand, watching Cartoon Thomas puff into frame with his big, cheerful smile. She waited for Thomas, for anyone on his show, to fill her with joy again. But something felt different, and not in a refreshing kind of way. Instead of the usual format she was used to, Thomas' show now had a new format. Its animation was different, the characters too, and everything looked more cell shaded and blocky than authentically hand drawn. The show stuck to a more cheerful vibe and became lenient on education segments over engaging storytelling. Sour Sweet definitely noticed this stark alteration, but still she kept watching, hoping that the cheerful vibes would still make her feel better. But when it was nothing but cheerful vibes and not any kind of emotion aside from out of place conflicts, her feelings towards the show slowly began to change. Years would pass, and the show remained the same, not ever changing its format one bit, not even back to its original. Characters left, and more focus was brought on Thomas, who's smile didn't even look that engaging anymore or made her smile back. Sour Sweet bared nothing but frowns. She looked down at her Henry train, now a little worn and battered from years of play. No matter how long she looked at the tv screen or at Henry, they just didn't invoke the same happiness and joy they used to bring her, or any feelings that helped her escape this reality. And so, after a lengthy reflection, Sour Sweet came to a decision. Staring back at toy Henry, she packed him away in a translucent, plastic box along with the rest of her toy trains. Once she sealed them away with the lid, Sour Sweet remained kneeling in her bedroom, and exhaled a heavy depressed sigh, feeling a huge weight lift off her, not with relief, but with a new weight of baggage. With her childhood toys packed away, it was now up to Sour Sweet to decide if she should find a new comforter, or to simply grow up and face her reality. Her answer would soon become clear. Sour Sweet's bedroom had many posters, a dollhouse, and other frilly items placed everywhere, giving off the typical little girl bedroom in most suburban households. But among one of these posters was of Thomas' show during its original run. But that poster was the first to go, along with other toys and memorabilia she had at a very young age over the next few years. Now, Sour Sweet was in her late, preteens. She sat on the bed in her empty bedroom. The only items that weren't packed away in boxes were her dressers and bed. Her Mother entered the room carrying two small, empty boxes in her hands. "Hey, Sweetie," She tried to say, cheerfully. "Just checking to see if you need any help." Sour Sweet didn't respond and remained silent with downcast eyes. Her Mother sensed she was still depressed but tried not to dwindle on it. "Oh, look at that! Everything seems to be packed and ready to go. All that's left is the furniture." She then laid down the two cardboard boxes in front of Sour Sweet, directing her daughter on which function each served. "Whatever you're not bringing can either go to your father's, or have it dropped off at the donation centre. 'Least it's a good opportunity to purge some of your old stuff, don't yah think?" Still, Sour Sweet barely reacted; staying motionless and monotonous, with lidded eyes idly staring at nothing and only blinking once every other minute. Her Mother's small smile soon faded into a dejected frown. There no use trying to sugar coat nothing was wrong. She then kneeled down in front of Sour Sweet and embraced her with a gently hug. "I'm so sorry, dear. I can't imagine how hard this must be." The Mother lets go and wiped her daughter's eyes dry before placing both hands on her shoulders while trying to make direct eye contact. "Your father and I will never stop loving you. He's even committed to getting you enrolled into that new school you've always talked about. You're excited for that, right?" Sour Sweet looked at her mother, and gave just a single, effortless nod in response. She was excited to start attending high school, especially a sophisticated and well renowned institute such as Crystal Prep Academy. "There you go," The Mother soothed her daughter's cheek. "Something to look forward too. I promise, Sweetie, things will get better for you again." But Sour Sweet wasn't entirely convinced. The Mother kissed her forehead before getting back up and leaving the bedroom. "Let me know if you need any help deciding what to pack. I'll be downstairs." Closing the door behind her, the Mother left Sour Sweet alone in her near empty bedroom to continue contemplating how she got to this point. She shifted from darting the floors to staring at the two boxes, one of which was to be packed for her Fathers house, and the other for the Donation Center. Only, she didn't want to pack anything to drop off anywhere. Looking back at these boxes along with the ones already backed up made Sour Sweet depressed all over again. There was only one solution that she could think of to remedy these feelings. Sour Sweet dragged out a clear container from under her bed and unsealed its lid, revealing all her beloved childhood toys she used to leave around the house. She dug through many trains, passing off a Thomas, James, and Gordon toy, until a green, number 3 tender stuck out. She froze for a moment, then gently grabbed and pulled out the rest of engine by the tender. It was Henry, now laying flat in both open palms. It was a lot more scuffed now, with some missing wheels and paint chips all over. His face received the most damage, having one eye scratched out and his mouth completely missing. Sour Sweet envisioned the times she would carry him in the car and have him puff through the neighborhood by sticking Henry out the window and watching him chuff along. But despite reminiscing on those days, despite looking down at her favorite toy train, Sour Sweet still wasn't happy. Staring back at the toy Henry's missing smile, hoping for the same joy and happiness that he and the TV show use to bring her would somehow return again and make things better, only made her feel worse. She sighed quietly, trying and trying to feel something; something to divert her current emotional state. But nothing changed. Just as she half expected. She took her eyes off him and gazed at the Donation Center's bright, neon green sign shining down on her. All her previous belonging she didn't need anymore, including most of her old toys, were now all packed away into the cardboard box and waiting to be picked up. All except her toy train of Henry. Sour Sweet stood over her box of old possessions, looking down at the broken toy still held clutched in both palms. Her grip began to tighten the more she did. Tears began to swell and leaked down her cheeks. This was more painful than she thought, but given the lack of joy she felt holding him, trying to cling onto some semblance of what she use to feel from holding him, she had no intentions of changing her decision. At last, Sour Sweet allowed the toy Henry to slip out from her hands, and into the box with all her other old toys. She quickly turned her back away, now swelling up a storm from the done deed. There was still no interest in keeping him, for she didn't need it anymore. Sour Sweet then began to walk away while trying to wipe away her never-ending shower of sorrow with no success. She never looked back, not even when the broken toy Henry, leaning on the box's edge, watched her take off to start another day without him through a barren face of lifeless eyes and a missing, scuffed smile that once brought her happy days. [Present Day] Back in the Classroom, Thomas was now completely empathetic towards Sour Sweet, who had been staring out the window the whole time. He had no idea why she had such bitter resentment towards him and his show until now. Even when he still didn't understand most of it, he understood that it greatly effected Sour Sweet in more ways than he could've ever guessed. An awkward pause fell. Thomas has no words to say in regards to her past, feeling like nothing he'd say would be appropriate. He could only feel awful for her. "Just when you thought something you loved would stick with you forever," Sour Sweet continued, "that bringing it back will somehow fill some sort of lost void, it'll only let you down in more ways than I allowed it too." "I'm so sorry, Sour Sweet," Thomas said, reflectively. "That must've been awful." Sour Sweet nonchalantly shrugged and stood back up, taking back the movie poster from Thomas. "Yeah, well, nothing can be done about it now. Just have to move on. Out with the old, in with the new, right?" This reminded Thomas of what Gerard Gisborne told him and his friends. No matter what enchantment he was under, Gisborne still seemed properly motivated to replaced steam with diesels; believing that it would be beneficial for just about everyone. Thomas thought about this some more and it began connecting his upcoming movie with what Gisborne said to him and his friends. Will this new movie he's staring in benefit anyone? Will people like it the same way they did with his show? If it was too different for the wrong reasons, it seemed very likely they wouldn't. Still fuzzy on the details, however, Thomas tried to inquire her again, not knowing he was about to pinch a nerve. "But how does that explain why you hate me again?" She scoffed, bitterly. "Seriously?! I just explained my reasons perfectly clear for you, and you're still just thinking about yourself? Agh, why am I not surprised?!" Thomas was defensive. "Hey! That's not at all-!" "Alright," She interrupted. "I'll humor you this once. Let's 'pre-tend' for a moment that you really are Thomas, because right now I'm seeing a lot more similarities between you two." She sternly stepped closer on a nervous Thomas, who did nothing but try and back away with arms raised out in defense. "See, there was a time when you made people happy. But now all you are is a selfish, annoying, obnoxious little brat who only cares about what makes you happy, and whose only claim to fame is an easy target audience." Thomas was horrified by her and her claims. Each inch she took only added to his fear, with each word digging deeper at Thomas' ego and self-respect. He wanted to be angry and retaliate, but Sour Sweet's harsh words and fiery glaring eyes cornered him into a shake. "You're nothing but a shell of what you use to represent, what you could have represented. And that is why you don't deserve any fame or admiration!" And on that, Sour Sweet bypassed Thomas and began marching towards the door. An appalled Thomas stood in a catatonic state until snapping out of it. He turned back and called to her. "But wait! I'm not like that at all!" She stopped right at the foot of the door and looked over her shoulder. But upon looking back at her, even Thomas was beginning to think about how he's recently acted after discovering his TV show. All the attention he was constantly seeking from his fans, from students at CHS and CPA, there were all so that Thomas could validate his newfound stardom. People were only giving him exactly what he wanted. "Okay, sometimes I am. But I still care about my friends most importantly. I've been trying to help them win so Diesel won't have them sent away for crying out loud." Sour Sweet crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, assuming he was still pretending to be from his make-believe world. Suddenly, Gisborne's motif began to make a lot more sense to Thomas, at least in a way he thought it did when drawing comparisons to how relevant he is in Canterlot High, and how forgotten him and his friends were thanks to Gisborne and the Siren. Was his time up here too? Were all the complaints people did have true, and that this movie is just a poor attempt at trying to make a new comeback to prove their relevancy? Thomas didn't know for sure, but it sure felt like it did the more he and Sour exchanged. "I didn't think I was hurting anyone by being in this film. I especially didn't know how badly I effected you." Thomas sighed, remorsefully. "I just… wanted people to like me." "That won't really matter much now, will it? Because Adventures From Sodor will only continue going down hill from here on out the longer it tries to stay relevant." "Then tell me how I can adapt," He begged. "Please, Sour Sweet! I wanna keep being really useful. I don't want people to hate me." Sour Sweet glared daggers. "Then maybe you should've stopped while you were ahead, so none of us would have to see you turn into…" She scrunched up the poster tightly before throwing it. "This!" The poster flew over and rolled towards Thomas' feet, unraveling itself to reveal the full image in its entirety. Thomas looked down at the Cartoon Thomas and his happy go lucky face promoting his big new moving coming soon, and his movie only. "You're not the Thomas I grew up with," She finished, "and you never will be." At last, Sour Sweet finally left and slammed the door in her wake. Thomas could only stare at this poster like he was gazing at his own reflection, with only both their emotional expressions not matching the other. 'Not the Thomas she grew up with'. Did he really change so much to such a degree that he was completely unrecognizable now? Thomas didn't know. All he knew was that having himself front and center over every poster and frame of his show, seemed to only make people more angry than happy. Because the Thomas they were seeing everywhere, wasn't the same one who used to make them happy and smile. Everyone was alerted when Sour Sweet finally came out. She was still heated from the argument, with her fist clutched tight and teeth grit. This did not give the Shadowbolts or Engines any positive impression of a reconciliation. Sunny Flare was the first to approach her friend by trying to rest a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sour Sweet? How are-" "I'm fine." She refused her gesture and stormed off. Sunny Flare called to her again, forcing Sour Sweet to stop and look over to everyone. "Didn't he-" "I said I'm fine!" She snapped. The Shadowbolts were all shocked. Even the engines had never seen her this riled up. The near mention of Thomas had her boiling to the core. Sour Sweet took off again, hoping to avoid saying anything more that she'll gravely regret. Everyone was confused beyond belief. Thomas soon stepped out of math class as well with the movie poster in hand and a downcast head. His friends all looked worried for Thomas despite current tensions. The Shadowbolts, on the other hand, weren't any happier to see Thomas. "What have you done?" Lemon Zest scolded. Thomas raised his head thinking he had a response. But he didn't. He didn't do anything. That's what he'd done. Nothing for Quibble Pants, for people who preferred the old him, and now Sour Sweet. At a lost for words, Thomas hung his head back down and solemnly walked away, heading down the opposite hallway Sour Sweet took, and leaving everyone more baffled and concerned than ever before. Being the most worried of all, Percy tried following his best friend but Emily prevented him from doing so. Her and the other Engines felt that Thomas should have his space. Whatever it was that happened in that room had made him too depressed for words. The Engines and Shadowbolts made a quick exchange. What does this mean for both teams and their new found bond if four of them were still at odds? Nobody could say for sure. So, both teams went their separate ways. All except Juniper Montage, who stood in the middle while Edward, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, and Emily went down one hallway, and Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, Lemon Zest, and Indigo Zap towards another. She was left on her own; left to wonder why her advice to Thomas didn't work like she thought, why Sour Sweet was fuming, why Thomas was so depressed all of a sudden. Why didn't Thomas make things better? To Be Continued.