Twilight & Friends - The Complete Season 1

by ThomasZoey3000

Duck and Rainbow Dash

It was a busy morning at Tidmouth Station. Gordon the Big A3 pacific was waiting at the front of his local passenger train, but before he could go anywhere, he had to take on more water. Due to heavy traffic coming in and going out of the station, Gordon wasn't able to do that. To make matters worse, his Driver had gone to speak with the Stationmaster and hadn't returned yet.

"What's keeping him?" groaned Gordon. "My passengers are going to be complaining if they don't get going."

"Uh Gordon, I think you're going to have bigger problems than grumbling passengers." The fireman had been keeping an eye on the water gauge and as they waited, the water level started to go down even more. "We got to get you some water, otherwise we're going to have a repeat performance of two years ago."

Gordon shuddered, remembering that two years ago a rock smashed a hole into his boiler and caused him to leak all his water, and soon led to him stopping right on the main line. He did not want to go threw that experience again.

"You're lucky we didn't do any damage that day," said the fireman. "Still, we got to get you to the water tower. Ohh, where is your Driver?"

The fireman looked, but couldn't see the Driver. However, he did spot Rainbow Dash, kicking a football up and down several times. "Well we need someone to watch over you. Hey Rainbow Dash, can you come over here for a minute?"

Rainbow Dash came running over, "what's the matter Uncle Donnie?"

"Well Gordon's running low on water and I can't see your father anywhere. Do you mind watching over Gordon and making sure the water level doesn't go out?"

"Uh I guess I could do that, but wouldn't it be simpler just to drive Gordon over to the water tower?"

"That's why I need to find your father, we need to know of when we can go threw. As you can see Rainbow, it's quite busy right now, going threw would be too dangerous. Just watch over Gordon, we should be back soon."

And with that, the fireman went off to find the Driver. Rainbow Dash had been in Gordon's cab many times in the past, so she knew which gauges to keep watch over.

"Waiting, I hate waiting."

"And you hate losing too."

"Right you are Big G, right you are." Big G was the nickname Rainbow Dash had given Gordon several years back when she became a teenager. He didn't mind the name, he actually liked it.

The duo waited a long time while more trains came in. The time for Gordon's departure was coming and his water level was nearing to the point where his fire would have to be dropped.

"Come on Driver, where are you?" Gordon groaned.

Rainbow Dash groaned too, "I'll be late for Football practice if those two don't show up soon."

"I rather just go to the water tower now. There's no traffic now, so we can go threw."

"Big G, I like the way you think, let's go." She uncoupled Gordon, then once back in the cab, she opened the regulator and Gordon moved out of the station.

The Driver and fireman were on their way back after finally learning of when they could move. They were shocked though to see Gordon moving and with Rainbow Dash at the controls.

"Riley stop!" cried her father. "Three trains are..." but what he said next Rainbow couldn't hear, they were too far off.

"I hate it when he calls me Riley. No matter, I'm sure he meant to say those three trains will be waiting for us, don't you think Big G?"

"Uh, actually I think we're the ones who are suppose to wait! BRAKES NOW!"

Rainbow Dash slammed on the brakes and Gordon went into a screeching halt. James was coming in with a train of his own, he had to slam on his brakes. Luckily, signalmen switched him onto a different track to avoid a disaster. James stopped, but with his trucks blocking a few lines. Charlie came in with several vans and screeched to a stop, blocking more lines.

Finally came Henry, a rebuilt engine that looks like a London Midland Scottish Black 5 in green. He was bringing in more passengers. When he saw the mess ahead, he slammed on his brakes and stopped with inches away from James' brake van. Signals went red at once, not that anyone could move with three trains blocking the tracks.

"Uh, whoops," said Rainbow Dash meekly. "Maybe we won't get caught."

"GORDON!"

"I think you're wrong on this one Rainbow Dash."

A stout gentleman hurried over angrily, alongside Gordon's Driver and fireman. The stout gentleman in a fancy suit was Controller of the North Western railway, 'Sir Topham Hatt', but some call him the Fat Controller.

"Oh Riley, what have you done?" sighed her father unhappily.

"I didn't mean to, I was just trying to help."

"I want you to go to my office and wait there!" the Fat Controller said firmly to her. "As for you Gordon, you will get your tender filled up, then you're going back to the sheds. I'll have another engine take your train!"

"Yes sir," groaned Gordon.

Rainbow Dash didn't argue, she climbed out of the cab and walked sadly over to the Fat Controller's office.

She waited there for roughly twenty minutes all by herself. With each passing second, she grew more and more worried of what the Fat Controller would have to say about what happened. At last, the Fat Controller arrived.

"So, Rainbow Dash is it?"

"You can call me Riley, that's my actual name."

"Right, just like 'Big G' is Gordon's nickname." The Fat Controller sat in his chair, staring firmly at Rainbow Dash, "now you do understand the seriousness of the situation right? You nearly caused rear-end collisions, derailments and passengers could've been hurt."

"I know Sir and I'm sorry, I just wanted to help by giving Gordon some extra water. At least then he wouldn't have to run late."

"It's thoughtful, however your actions held up the main line and it's taken up till now to get the trains moving again. I even had to ask Murdoch, our orange giant to take the train and he wasn't even in steam yet."

Rainbow Dash looked down shamefully to the floor.

"However, Gordon has confessed that he came up with the idea that caused the incident."

"Yes, but I went along with it."

"Indeed, but I won't scold you like I just did with Gordon. However, your father and I have agreed that maybe it's better if you work with a different engine instead of Gordon, maybe then you'll learn to be more careful."

"Another engine? Like Henry or James?"

"Not quite, someone different." The Fat Controller looked threw his timetables, "we'll put you on the night shift. You can go home after this talk and get some rest, then go to your football practice and come back here to work with that engine."

"Okay, but which engine is it?"

"Well let's see, my two big diesels are away, so that leaves...Duck."

Rainbow Dash gasped, "No! Not Duck, anyone but Duck!"

"Duck had offered to take over the duties of the late night goods until the diesels return. I think Duck would be a most suitable engine for you to work with."

"Please Sir, I don't want to work with Duck. He goes on and on about the Great Western, he doesn't understand me at all! Please Sir, anyone but Duck."

But the Fat Controller was firm, "you will work with Duck, you could learn a few things from him. Good day Ms Dash."

Rainbow Dash walked sadly out of the office, and out to where her friends were waiting for her.

"What kind of punishment are you getting this time partner?" Applejack asked.

"The worst kind."

"You have to work the coal chute at Crosby. Ugh!" groaned Rarity. "Just thinking of that dirty dusty place makes my skin crawl."

"It's worse than that."

"You're not being banned from the yards are you?" Twilight asked.

"No not that, it's worse."

"How can it be worse than being banned from the yards?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Rainbow Dash fell to her knees and cried out, "I have to work with Duck!"

There was silence amongst the group, then Applejack burst into laughter, "well it serves you right for thinking you always know best," she said. "Good luck working with him Rainbow Dash."

"What's wrong with working with Duck?" Twilight asked. "He's a fine engine that works by the rules."

"Oh yes Darling," said Rarity, "however he does have a tendency to talk about the Great Western."

"Not a tendency," groaned Rainbow Dash, "more like he's always talking about the Great Western. He won't stop talking about it. Twilight, you got to help me, talk to Sir Topham Hatt and ask him if I can work with someone else. Please!"

"I'm sorry, but I don't have time for that, I got to meet up with Sunset Shimmer at Crovan's Gate, you're on your own for this one."

The others left, leaving Rainbow Dash alone and miserable.

Sadly, Rainbow Dash didn't get much sleep that afternoon and at practice, she messed up quite a bit. Her coach was actually worried about her.

"I'm just having an off day," Rainbow Dash groaned to her coach.

As the sun set for another day, Rainbow Dash arrived back at the yards. It was all clean now and the few trains that ran in the night were just leaving. She watched sadly as Neville, a Black Q1 Ugly Duckling steam engine, pulled away with one of the last local trains of the day.

"I wish I was riding with Neville," Rainbow Dash muttered to herself.

She soon found Duck in a siding and being prepared. Duck is a Great Western 5700 Pannier tank engine with the Numbers '5741' on the sides of his cab. His actual name is Montague, but after hearing everyone say he waddles, he went along with the name he has now. His Driver was just fitting him with a lamp when Rainbow arrived.

"Ahh Ms Rainbow Dash, you're on time," said Duck.

Rainbow Dash kicked some stones, "really? I was hoping to be late tonight," She said sarcastically.

Duck didn't find that remark funny, "never joke about being late. There are only two ways of doing things young Rainbow, the Great Western Way or the Wrong Way. And you're talking about doing things the wrong way."

"Yes I get that! Now let's just get going. The sooner this job is done the better."

"Hold up there Rainbow Dash, we can't go anywhere until we're sure all the joints have been oiled and Duck is ready to go."

Rainbow Dash waited another fifteen minutes, which to her seemed like forever. At last they were ready, Duck took on plenty of water and coal, then once coupled to a small goods train, he set off into the night, slowly.

They stopped at every station and picked up more trucks. Rainbow Dash was in charge of coupling them up, but that seemed to be the only bit of excitement she would have during the journey.

"No Talking, no music and no fun," she groaned, "it's no wonder why I don't want to work with you."

"Well we do talk Rainbow Dash," said Duck. "We often talk about the good old days. Oh yes, the Castles, the Kings, the Halls, the Auto Tanks, all of which were on the..."

"Great Western, yes I am aware of that!" snapped Rainbow Dash. "Thank you Duck, but you've already given me the most boring night of my life, don't make me suffer anymore. Even Duke on the Skarloey Railway would be better."

"Now that's just rude of you to say."

Rainbow Dash went silent after that, and so did the whole journey, with the only sounds coming from Duck and the rattling trucks behind him.

By early morning, the work was done, but the duo were not speaking to each other. Duck thought Rainbow Dash was the rudest girl he ever met, and Rainbow Dash, well her opinions hadn't changed a bit. She was actually quite pleased to get away from him.

Duck puffed back to the big engine sheds where he found several of the engines waiting.

"How was your night out with Dashie?" James asked in a sarcastic way.

"I think you know how it went James," Duck answered crossly. "I'm only trying to share my knowledge with that kid and she has the nerve to say I give her a headache."

"Well you always give us a headache when you talk about the Great Western," muttered Gordon.

"Typical of you lot, never willing to listen to good advice. You just go on with your judgment, which is how you and Rainbow got into trouble Gordon."

Before an argument could break out, BoCo, a Co-Bo Metropolitan Vicars diesel engine, broke into the conversation.

"Well Duck, if trying to do things the Great Western way didn't work on Rainbow Dash, maybe something else can."

"But what? I don't know any other way."

"Have you forgotten when you and Thomas took Harold back to the Search and Rescue center? You learned another way to do things and you got Harold to the center, albeit with some damage, but you got him there regardless."

"Hmm, that's true," muttered Duck. In the background, Gordon and James were quietly laughing under their breath. "But Rainbow Dash can be a little bit reckless from time to time, and rather boastful."

"Perhaps, but if you can find a way to work with her, maybe she'll enjoy working with you."

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try."

So later that day, when Duck saw Applejack heading off for home, he asked her on how he could work with Rainbow Dash. She of course laughed at first, but then got serious.

"Well from what I know about that gal, she likes things to be '20% Cooler' and she likes to get the jobs done quickly."

"But we can't work too quickly, we could have an accident."

Applejack paused, thinking about it even more, "Well she sometimes likes working with music. She often says it helps her to pass the time, plus it brings a smile to her face."

"Music huh? Hmm, well it's different, but I guess it's worth a shot."

"Good luck, though I doubt Rainbow will be excited to work with you again, uh no offence Duck."

"None taken."

Applejack said her good nights and headed off. Duck asked his Driver if he had his mobile music player, "I do Duck, but I don't know about working with music."

"Okay fine, we won't use music, we'll just listen to her complaining all night."

"Fine, we'll use it."

The Driver was also tired of listening to the complaining, so he set up his mobile music player in a corner of Duck's cab and hooked it up to some portable speakers. He often uses these during breaks.

At last, Rainbow Dash arrived and still looking rather annoyed.

"Good evening Rainbow, ready to work with us again?"

"I guess, but it's not going to be any fun," she sighed and climbed into the cab.

"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Duck was coupled up to some more trucks, then he puffed out of the yards at his usual pace. Rainbow Dash still wasn't happy, she watched the sights go by and sighed.

"Such a nice evening tonight isn't it?" Duck asked sometime after they started.

"I guess so." Then Rainbow Dash went silent again.

"Certainly quiet too. If only we had something to liven things up...eh Driver?"

The Driver nodded and reached down to his mobile music player. He pressed a button and music came out instantly. Rainbow Dash was quite surprised, "are you sure we should be listening to music? Is that the Great Western way of doing things?"

"While I admit we didn't listen to music while we worked back then, as we didn't have these modern devices, it was okay to listen to music, as long as we focus on our work."

Moments later, Duck started singing along to the song, which really surprised Rainbow Dash. Then came the biggest surprise.

"Come on now Dashie, don't leave me as the only singer tonight."

But Rainbow Dash didn't sing. Not at first anyways. In the end, she couldn't resist and started singing along with Duck. They sang all the way down the line, they sang as they collected more trucks and they even sang as they waited at red signals. Compared to the previous night, Rainbow Dash was actually enjoying herself.

"Maybe Duck isn't as bad as I thought he was," she thought to herself.

In what seemed to be no time at all, the train reached Barrow station. The diesel from the Other Railway was very surprised to see them early, but said nothing as he was coupled up and rattled away.

The journey back was just as good as before and soon they reached the yards, just as the sun began rising for the day.

"It's amazing how time flies when you're having a good time," Duck commented.

"I can agree to that," Rainbow Dash smiled.

The Driver turned off the mobile music player before they entered the yard, but still Duck and Rainbow Dash sang, very quietly, as they shunted the trucks into place. At last the work was done and Rainbow Dash came up to the front to speak with Duck.

"I'll admit that when I was told that I had to work with you, I wasn't happy as I thought you were a...uh, how do I put this?"

"A fuddy-duddy?"

"Yeah let's go with that. However, you proved me wrong Duck, you're actually quite cool. 120% Cooler than what I thought."

Duck chuckled, "I never thought I'd hear you say that Dashie. Still, we all enjoyed working with you, it'll be sad when your punishment's up and you can go back to your regular lifestyle."

"Well who says I can't visit you on the Little Western? I can ride your train anytime, and maybe we can work together again someday." She looked around and confessed, "I enjoyed working with you and your crew too, just don't tell anybody else, or I'm going to deny it."

"Don't worry, this will be our little secret," and he winked to her, like this.

Rainbow Dash smiled and winked back at Duck before leaving for home.

Rainbow Dash worked with Duck for a few more nights, and while at times he did talk of the Great Western and the way they did things on his old railway, Rainbow didn't mind. She listened to every word with great interest, and Duck always listened to her many stories as well without complaining once.

They were sad though when her punishment ended and Rainbow Dash went back to her original lifestyle.

"I'm glad that's over with," Rainbow Dash said to Gordon and her friends, "that silly Great Western engine was driving me crazy with all of his stories. It was giving me a serious headache."

"You weren't much better yourself," grumbled Duck as he puffed off.

Gordon felt sorry for Rainbow, but Applejack just smirked, "serves ya right anyways."

But Twilight knew differently. She had seen the duo have a normal conversation in the yards once, but for her friend's sake, she said nothing.

"Wouldn't do us any good if everyone knew," she thought only to herself.