Not too far from Canterlot Station is a little railway run by 13 engines. Their names were Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Thomas, Percy, Henry, Gordon, Toby, James, Edward, and Danny. The 13 engines work hard to keep their railway running smoothly to please the controllers of the railway Miss Celestia and Sir Tophamm Hatt. Danny and his friends love to work hard, but sometimes they feel like the work keeps piling up on them. One day the engines were having a rest from working hard all day yesterday.
"I like to work hard as much as any other engine, but sometimes it's just too much", said Danny. Danny was a Navy Blue tank engine with gold stripes. He was always a hard worker but didn't like it when the work became too much.
"I agree", said an engine with white paint with purple stripes named Rarity. Danny knew that Rarity, James, Gordon, and Rainbow Dash were always the passenger trains while Thomas, Percy, Toby, Applejack, Pinkie, Henry, Fluttershy, Edward and himself were the freight trains. They all agreed that the work was getting too much for them.
"You know its times like this when I think we need another engine to help us out" said Danny. All the engines agreed.
"If only that were possible", sighed Rarity.
Soon Danny was shunting freight cars in a siding when Cadance, a bright pink tender engine and Shining Armor, a white tank engine pulled up alongside him. "You look upset Danny, what's the matter?", asked Cadence.
"The workload is getting to be too much for me and the other engines", sighed Danny. "We need another engine too help out", he added.
"Well unless one is saved from scrap there's not much we can do", said Shining Armor.
Then Danny remembered that he had a goods train to take to the Other Railway tomorrow night. "Now I just remembered I have to take a special goods train to the Other Railway tomorrow night. I hate going there seeing all those scrapped steam engines, and having to hear Diesel, Arry, and Bert taunt about how steam engines will one day be scrapped", he sighed. Then an idea flew into Danny's funnel. "Since I have to go to the Other Railway maybe I can find a steam engine worth saving", said Danny. So he decided to tell the others all about his plan tonight.
Later that night Danny told the other engines all about his plan. "I think your plan sounds very heroic", said Rarity.
"I am sure Miss Celestia and Sir Tophamm Hatt will find room for another engine if you find one", said Fluttershy.
"Right", said Danny, "I'll find one tomorrow." It took Danny all of the next day to take his train to the Other Railway. Darkness fell and the cold wind blew. Soon Danny arrived at the Other Railway, and it was just as scary as he'd imagined. "Oh what's that?', Danny whimpered, but it was only the sounds the lonely scrapyard, diesels silent and still lined up on guard.
"Who are you?", snapped one of the diesels.
Danny plucked up courage, "I brought this train for this railway, and I am also a siding and shed inspection engine. Do have any engines in the shed?"
"No none", snapped another diesel.
Danny rallied again, "Well then what about the siding?"
"One. We have one", said another diesel.
Danny grew braver still, "Then I'll just go and inspect."
A lavender tender engine with a tall funnel stood sad and alone on a shadowy siding, her driver Velvet was huddled in her cab keeping her company. "Excuse me", said Danny, "do you want to be really useful?"
The engine looked startled, "Yes I want to be a really useful engine."
The engine then asked, "Are you one of Miss Celestia and Sir Tophamm Hatt's engines?"
"Yes", said Danny "and proud of it. I'm Danny by the way. What's your name?"
"My name is Twilight Sparkle. I'm here with my driver Velvet. We've run out of coal, and we are trying to escape."
"Escape what?", asked Danny.
"Scrap", whispered Twilight.
Danny shivered at the mention of the word scrap. Then Danny remembered his plan. "Twilight Sparkle", said Danny, "I am going to help you escape, but we need to work fast."
It was difficult to set the fire, but soon it was glowing hot and Twilight had a good head of steam. Then off Danny and Twilight went past the bleak and brooding line of diesels. "Where is she going", they hissed.
"Just down the line", said Danny, and the two engines puffed quickly away. "We did it", said Danny, "We're over the border and back on our own railway. Mission Accomplished."
When Danny and Twilight Sparkle returned to the yard, a big welcome awaited them.
"So this is why you were back late", said Miss Celestia.
"Sorry", said Danny, "but I had to save this engine from being scrapped. Her name is Twilight Sparkle, and she wants to be a really useful engine."
"Well", said Sir Tophamm Hatt, "Danny, I see that your plan has worked. Twilight Sparkle will be mended and repainted, and she will work with Shining Armor and Cadence to help you and your friends with the increasing workload."
"Thank you sir", said Danny.
Shining Armor came up to Twilight and said, "You lucky engine, you been saved by the Canterlot Railway."
Twilight just smiled and said, "And my friend Danny. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Danny." Danny just smiled. Now Twilight Sparkle is as happy as can be. She works hard and helps Danny runs his branch line. Gordon and Rainbow Dash teased Danny and called his branch line the "Sparkling Rails". Danny and Twilight agreed that would be the branch line's name, and that is how Danny saved Twilight Sparkle from scrap.