//------------------------------// // Scootaloo & the Late Night Trains // Story: Twilight & Friends - The Complete Season 1 // by ThomasZoey3000 //------------------------------// Twilight & Friends A Thomas & Friends/My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Crossover Written by: ThomasZoey3000 Episode 8: Scootaloo & the Late Night Trains "Be careful Apple Bloom, that ladder doesn't look very safe to me," said Sweetie Belle. "Don't worry Sweetie Belle, it may look unsafe, but it's not. It's a dependable ladder that the Apple Family have been using for many years. Anyways," she continued, "I'll come down as soon as I get the roof hatch open." Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were hanging out at the little clubhouse at the Vicarage Orchard, more commonly known to many as Sweet Apple Acres. It was such a beautiful day and Apple Bloom wanted to let some sunlight into the clubhouse. After a minute, she opened the hatch and the sun started shining in. "Now that's better," she smiled and climbed carefully down the ladder. She had just gotten off when she suddenly heard a shrill whistle, followed by a "What in Tarnation!" from Applejack. Both young girls looked out their clubhouse and saw that another friend of theirs had just missed Trevor by inches. "Watch where you're going Scootaloo!" Trevor cried firmly. "Huh? Oh sorry Trevor! Sorry Applejack!" The girl's name was Michelle Scooters, but she often goes by the nickname of Scootaloo. She has many friends, including her idol; Rainbow Dash, but her best friends in the whole world were Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. Usually, Scootaloo is energetic and always has a smile on her face. Today though, she looked exhausted and unhappy. "I wonder what's wrong with Scootaloo," pondered Sweetie Belle. "I think we got bigger problems to worry about, she's fallen asleep!" cried Apple Bloom. Scootaloo had indeed fallen asleep and was now riding her motorized scooter towards the club house. Both girls cried out her name, and at the last second, she awoke and swerved to safety. The sudden movement though made her fall off her scooter and onto the grass. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle climbed down to check on their friend. Applejack and Trevor had seen everything, and went over to check on her too. "Scootaloo, are you okay?" Sweetie Belle asked with a concern tone in her voice. "Yeah I'm fine," she groaned. "Thank goodness I wear my safety gear." "I don't think it would've helped with your close call with Trevor," said Apple Bloom. Applejack nodded in agreement, "it's lucky both my sister and Trevor were keeping a good look out." "Why would you do that anyways?" asked Applejack. "It's just as dangerous as going in front of a train." Scootaloo yawned, "I fell asleep and I wasn't aware of what was going on until I heard you guys shouting out to me." Trevor raised an eyebrow at this, "why were sleeping while riding on your scooter? Don't you get enough sleep at night?" Scootaloo sighed, "no I don't. You see I live near the Small Railway, and lately they've been doing night runs to the ballast mines and back." "So it's their night runs that have been keeping you up?" asked Sweetie Belle. "No it's not the night runs they do, I've gotten used to the sound of the small railway engines. No, it's the arguing, teasing and grumbling that's coming from Mike and Rex." Scootaloo yawned again and fell back to go to sleep. Her head the grass and she awoke; "those little engines are just too loud." "Well maybe it'd be best if you talk with the Small Controller about this," suggested Sweetie Belle. "Nothing will get sorted if you don't tell him." "I know that, and I have spoken to the Small Controller, but they won't listen. They get shut up in the shed for a couple of days, then they're back at work and doing the same thing again." "Right then, maybe I should speak with the Small Controller this time," said Applejack, "and I better do it fast before anyone else gets hurt." So while Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom helped their tired friend up to the clubhouse, Applejack got out her mobile phone and phoned the Small Controller. An hour later, the Small Controller came to the sheds to speak with Rex and Mike. "Again I have to talk to you two. When is this going to stop?" "What's what going to stop?" asked Rex. "Are you asking Mike to stop whistling loudly, cause Sir, you'd be doing us all a great favor. He gives us quite a headache with his whistle." "Shut up Rex!" snapped Mike. Like Bert and Rex, Mike is a small miniature steam engine, but painted in red where as Rex is green and Bert is blue. There are other engines on the line, Jock is a yellow steamer, Frank the diesel is grey, the Blister Twin diesels are painted black with yellow and black hazard stripes on their fronts, while Sigrid of Arlesdale the passenger diesel is painted in a different shade of blue compared to Bert. The Small Controller stared firmly at the two engines, "it's not the whistling that's brought me here, it's your constant chatter in the middle of the night." "Oh good idea Sir, Mike's..." but Rex was cut off by the glare of the Small Controller. "I just received a phone call from Applejack who said that young Scootaloo nearly had an accident with Trevor the Traction Engine. She said that Scootaloo hasn't been sleeping well at night, and there's only one reason why. You two are at it again. By now I've lost count of how many times I've had to talk to you two about this." "Well it'd be a lot easier without Rex being a slowcoach like he always is," sniggered Mike. "Well at least I take care, you fly down the tracks so fast that sometimes I wonder how you don't fall off the tracks." "Why you..." "Enough, both of you!" The Small Controller shouted. He paused to take in a deep breath, "I swear if Blister I, Jock and Frank were not in the workshops, I would have them take the trains." He calmed himself down and spoke to the engines again, "I will be putting in a distance limit between your two trains so your bantering doesn't wake everyone up." But as he left, the Small Controller was wondering if it would actually work. Scootaloo managed to get threw the rest of the day without incident. As she climbed into her bed that night, she listened carefully. She could hear Rex puffing along the line, but the puffing was the only sound she heard. "Oh good, maybe now I can sleep," she yawned. As she leaned back, her eyes shut before her head hit the pillow. She was out like a light. Rex puffed down to the mine where his trucks were loaded with ballast. He was doing his best to be quiet, but he was growing bored with no one to talk to, other than his driver. "How much do you want to bet that Mike will wake everyone up tonight?" "He won't, his Driver is being firm with him, as I am with you," said the driver. Rex pouted. At last, the ballast was loaded and the miniature green engine started away. The area was quiet and peaceful, but it wouldn't be for long. Mike was making his way down to the mine with empty ballast wagons. In the distance, he could see Rex. "See Rex, I'm more quiet than you are!" he called out rudely. "You're not being quiet now blabber mouth!" "Blabber mouth! Oh why you little..." and they started their arguing again. The resulting arguing woke up Scootaloo and everyone who lived nearby. They got on their phones and called the Small Controller's office. Mike and Rex were unaware they had caused trouble, so they carried on, thinking they wouldn't be blamed again. The next morning though, the Small Controller thundered angrily over to the sheds, "again I have to come here and talk to you two!" he snapped. "Whoa Deja Vu all over again," snickered Rex. "Will you be quiet!" snapped Mike. "The Controller is talking." "Hush up now you two!" snapped Mike's Driver. Both engines went quiet at once, "we do apologize for last night Sir, but when they passed each other, that's when they started up again. We tried to stop them talking, but..." "Yes I'm aware you tried, but it seems I may have to take more extreme measures to keep them from talking." Both engines gulped. "For this point onwards, when one of you is at the mine, you don't leave until the other one arrives. There are hardly any people living near the mine, so you won't wake anyone up." "But Sir, I can't wait around all night for Slowcoach Rex," protested Mike. "I have a right to leave when I want to." "No you don't, you leave when the Small Controller tells you to." The Small Controller groaned, "you two are taking your little banters to the point where it's getting out of control. As soon as the others are back from the shops, you'll be put in the shed and you'll be left there to learn some lessons on being quiet." The Small Controller turned on his heel and left for his office. Nearby, Scootaloo was riding along the pathway with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle walking beside her. They were not only hanging out with her, they were making sure she didn't get injured. "Really guys I'm fine, I just need to keep my eyes open," Scootaloo yawned. "You can barely keep your eyes open right now," said Sweetie Belle. "We're just concerned, that's all." Nearby, Sigrid of Arlesdale rolled by with her passenger train. She could see the tired Scootaloo and felt sorry for her, "bother Rex and Mike, why do they have to argue at the worst possible times?" She rolled away and heard a thump from the pathway. Scootaloo had fallen off her scooter, but she wasn't hurt. "Maybe I should walk for a while," she admitted. Sigrid spoke to her Driver, "I do hope that the Small Controller is able to stop Mike and Rex from arguing tonight." "So do I," agreed the Driver. "It's not only a problem for the Small Controller, but it's a problem for all of us as people complain about us making too much noise, and that would never do." That night, the plan was put into motion. Mike went first with his trucks, and this time, he was quiet as he passed the line of houses near the line. Scootaloo, amongst the other residents, was sleeping away and having a nice dream about winning a competition, hosted by Rainbow Dash of course. Mike arrived at the mine and got his trucks loaded with ballast in no time. Once finished, he wanted to leave, but his Driver was firm with him. "We're not leaving till Rex arrives." However, the night duty foreman had forgotten what the Small Controller said, and noticing that Mike was still waiting, he went out to speak with the miniature engine. "This delivery is going to be late Mike, get going!" "But we can't," said the Driver, "Small Controller said..." "I know what he said, and I'm telling you to go now before you make yourself later than ever." "As you wish Sir," said Mike. The Driver sighed, "this is going to result in trouble again." He opened the regulator and Mike started away. They were just leaving the quarry when the foreman remembered, "oh no! Mike's not suppose to leave yet! Come back! Come back!" But it was too late, Mike was already on his way and Rex was just down the line. "I might be given the sack tomorrow." Mike's Driver's worries came to pass when the two engines passed, and they started up again. Rex faulted Mike for leaving too soon, and Mike accused Rex for being too slow. The resulting argument woke up the residents nearby, including Scootaloo. "Huh, what? Oh come on, not again," she groaned. Scootaloo's father had also been woken up, "That Small Controller's going to hear it from me tomorrow." The next day, Scootaloo and her father went to speak with the Small Controller. He listened to every word, "Believe me Mr Scooters, I don't like it when they disturb people in the middle of the night, it gets me upset too. My blood pressure is going through the roof because of those two. Well them and the night foreman at the mine." "Sorry," groaned the night foreman, who had been called to the office too. "You won't be given the sack, but don't let this happen again." "I won't sir, and thank you for not sacking me." The Small Controller then turned back to Scootaloo, "I am truly sorry that my engines are keeping you up. Most of our fleet is either being repaired or overhauled, so Rex and Mike are the only ones that can do the job." "Maybe, but I can't listen to their arguing anymore. If I lose one more night's sleep, I will snap." "I know, and I'm sorry." Later that day, Scootaloo told Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle about the meeting at the Small Controller's office, "he also said that he'll try the new plan again tonight, but I don't think it'll work. If only those two engines could see how much trouble they cause for all of us." A sly idea came to the two girl's heads, "maybe they can see that." "How?" "Well just suppose two others were arguing in front of them, and bothered them to no end," said Apple Bloom. "Remember, we did get some acting lessons not too long ago." "Right," nodded Sweetie Belle. "Just before the school year ended." "Excatly Sweetie Belle. We can have a sleepover with Scootaloo and we'll put our plan into action tonight, but first we'll have to let our sisters know." Sweetie Belle nodded and phoned her sister right away, while Apple Bloom went to speak with her sister. As for Scootaloo, she went to sleep in the clubhouse. Both girls decided it was best for her anyways. As the sun began to set for the day, the three girls arrived back at the Small Railway and spoke with the Small Controller about their plan. "Well normally I don't approve of others teaching lessons," he said. Then he noticed the still tired Scootaloo, "but in this case, I'll allow you to go through with it." "Thank you Sir." Rex and Mike were just being steamed up. Both were arguing about who was to go first, which was annoying Bert and Sigrid of Arlesdale. In the end, Rex was to go first. As he backed towards his train though, he could hear arguing from close by. "You beat me in a race. Pah! That's not going to happen Sweetie Belle!" snapped Apple Bloom. "I could beat you to Scootaloo's house easily." "Not while I'm on my new bike Apple Bloom," she snapped back. "You only have that rusty old piece of rubbish." "Well at least it's built with quality in mind, unlike yours!" "Geez, what's gotten into them?" pondered Rex. He was coupled up and puffed away, still listening to the arguing that was going on. As soon as he was out of sight though, both girls chuckled and high fived each other. "Great start Apple Bloom, and by the way, I do like your bike." "Thanks Sweetie Belle, now let's get Mike." They didn't have to wait too long. Mike backed down on his ballast wagons, grumbling about not leaving just yet. Like before, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were pretending to argue with each other. "You call those silly things shoes?" Apple Bloom asked rudely, "they look like something a slug monster would throw out!" "No they don't! They are comfortable shoes made from fine materials, which is more than I can say about your silly boots. You know winter passed months ago right?" "I do real work down at Sweet Apple Acres, unlike you! You get others to do your work for you!" "I do not!" "Yikes, what started all that?" asked Mike out loud. "Beats me, but it almost sounds like you and Rex," commented the driver. "Shut up, that sounds nothing like our conversations." Mike continued to listen to the arguing until he was given the all clear, and puffed off down the line. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smirked to each other, "I think that worked perfectly," smiled Apple Bloom, "and you know I didn't mean what I said." "Of course I do, it was just acting." Apple Bloom nodded, "now let's get our friend home for that sleepover, then we'll continue in the morning." Sweetie Belle agreed, and together the two girls helped Scootaloo home. When dawn came, the two engines returned to their sheds exhausted, but coming back together, they were still arguing. Thankfully the Small Controller's plan worked, and no more complaints were coming in from residents. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were waiting nearby and as the two engines came in, they started their fake arguing again. "Face it Scootaloo, we're better than you are." "Is that so? Can you ride a scooter faster than me? Can you jump over a stream like I can? I don't think so!" "We don't need to do that," snapped Sweetie Belle. "We know better than you ever will!" "Hey I'm being like Rainbow Dash, and she's the best!" "Except when it comes to nearly causing a mishap in the yards," added Apple Bloom rudely. Mike groaned, "oh will they ever stop! Their arguing's going to keep us up all day! An engine needs it's rest you know." He called out to the girls in the hopes they would stop. "Mind your own business!" they all shouted in unison and carried on with their acting. "Oh will you stop?!" snapped Rex. "We're tired!" "Yeah we got to get our sleep!" The girls could've let up at that moment, but they continued on, much to the two engines' displeasure. Finally the two engines whistled and shouted; "will you stop arguing?!" The girls stopped and a moment later, the Small Controller came forward. "Is there a problem my engines?" "Yes Sir there is," snapped Mike. "Those three young girls are keeping us up, and we want to get some sleep. It's rude of them to do this." A smirk came to each of the young girl's faces, and they tried their best not to laugh. The Small Controller stared firmly at the engines, "funny, that's what the residents say every time they hear you two going by at night. So now you two know how those poor people feel, including young Scootaloo who's nearly gotten hurt from lack of sleep." Rex and Mike looked down to their buffers unhappily, "we didn't mean to cause harm, it's just who we are." "Perhaps, but it can go too far and get too loud for some. Ain't that right girls?" The three girls nodded in agreement. "I will return you to your regular routines at night, if and only if you promise not to argue ever again." "We'll try our best Sir." The Small Controller shook his head, "that's not good enough you two. Promise me that this will stop." "Yes Sir, we promise Sir." "Good," smiled the Small Controller. Then he looked to the three girls, "thank you girls for your assistance, but I do hope this won't start any real arguments with you lot." "Oh no Sir, definitely not Sir," they all said in unison. Thanks to their plan, Mike and Rex kept true to their promise. They were still allowed to run at night, but they kept quiet as they passed the residential areas. Without their arguing, the residents were finally able to sleep at night and no more complaints came to the Small Controller, which in turn allowed his blood pressure to go back down. As for Scootaloo, she got her full energy back and since then, she has had no further close calls again.