//------------------------------// // The Friendship Express // Story: Fantasia: Equestria // by SterlingC //------------------------------// Well that was a strong beginning wasn't it?! Well, now it's time to sit down and relax, for we're going on a train ride! Hop Aboard the Friendship Express for this one-off! The Friendship Express was at its base in humble Ponyville station. The iconic train with its characteristic heart-shaped front window and purple decal was raring to go with its conductor to lead the train onward. Ponies of all kinds, whether stallion or mare, rich or poor, tourist or resident, began boarding the brightly-coloured train that was raring to go to Canterlot. Passenger train crew members stood outside the passenger cars welcoming the passengers on board as they chattered about their journeys to far away lands. Helping the attendants with their greeting was their trusty whistle. All the attendants held one of them, blowing on them to continue moving the passengers onboard. Once it was almost time to completing board procedures, the bells began to ring from the steam locomotive, signalling the final call for its passengers to board. When all the passengers were onboard, the passenger crew members in black and the conductor in blue announced with a resounding shout, “All aboard!! To Canterlot we go!!” The conductor blew his whistle three times with excitement. It was time to start up the engines. The Friendship Express slowly chugged along away from Ponyville station, with white steam puffing out of its engines and chimney. The Friendship Express continued to accelerate more and more, roaring to life! Now, away the Friendship Express went to Canterlot! As the Friendship Express chugged towards its destination, large meadows filled with lush green grass surrounded the train and the rails it chugged along. All the foals on the train excitedly looked out their passenger car windows and pointed at the deer and other critters that roamed along the meadows. Their parents looked out with their fillies, smiling and enjoying the beauty of Equestria’s lands they proudly lived on. But at the steam locomotive, there was no time to enjoy the sights! The train had to chug on to Canterlot! The engineers and firemen lugged their coal reserves into the engine’s boiler, all while the conductor kept his chimney blowing hard to signal the train’s presence along the rails. “Make sure we keep putting in the coal! We’ve gotta get to Canterlot quickly since we’re already behind schedule!” The conductor commanded his fellow workers. “Sure will sir!” The engineers and firemen put in coal as fast they could, as the Friendship Express chugged to its maximum speed. The conductor continued to toot his horn to ward off any animals while the Express chugged at its fastest towards Canterlot. The conductor was also personally excited to see Canterlot station once again as the train chugged along. The hustle and bustle of all ponies was like none other in Equestria. His last visit to Canterlot let him see the sights and sounds of Canterlot, from ponies buying souvenirs of mini-model suns and moons, to ponies ordering coffee and cakes at the local Canterlot bakery. Being at the city of royalty and magic was always a bonus too. Before any of the passengers and the workers knew it, the towering castle that lay high above Canterlot could be seen from the front window of the Friendship Express’ locomotive. The conductor pointed at the towering castle and excitedly exclaimed, “Hey fellas! We’ll make it to Canterlot on time after all! We’re almost there now!” The firemen and engineers continued shoving in the coal and the rest of the supplies for the Friendship Express to chug along towards its destination! “Alright! We’re almost there! Let’s keep it up fellas!” The firemen and engineers continued their work on the proud steam locomotive, leaving the conductor with a proud smile on his face. Back at the passenger cars, the scenery of green quickly changed to scenes of many colours. The ponies looked outside their passenger windows and saw quaint, yet well-kept houses located just outside Canterlot and decorations everywhere. Surely a large celebration was going to take place very soon in Canterlot! Many of the foals on the train exclaimed to their parents, “Mommy, Daddy! We’re almost in Canterlot!” Their parents all nodded along and responded with an excitement of their own, “We sure are dear. Canterlot is such a lovely city, our proud capital of Equestria! Now get yourselves ready to leave the train. We’re going to be there before you know it!” Just as the parents mentioned their looming arrival, the steam locomotive started to decelerate towards Canterlot Station. The Friendship Express’ rhythmic chugging soon slowed along with the train as Downtown Canterlot slowly enveloped the train with its many posh stores and plazas. The Friendship Express continued to chug slower and slower until a set of cream tiled platforms appeared from the passenger car windows. The Friendship Express came to a screeching stop. The city of lights and dreams was now upon them. The doors slowly opened. The passenger car attendants quickly exited the train first and exclaimed to its passengers, “Welcome to Canterlot!!” ---------------------------------------------------------THE END----------------------------------------------------------