Whilst out exploring one day in the Everfree woods, Apple Bloom and her friends come across an old engine shed. In it are many old engines, but the girls decide to try and restore one of them to working order and bring the railway back into action. Will the girls succeed with their plan and remain undetected? Or will it all go horribly wrong?
Inspired by the Thomas and Friends film 'Hero of the Rails', and 'Railway Adventure' by L.T.C Rolt. Takes place during the events of the first three Equestria Girls films.
Thank you for 100 comments! This is now my most popular story on Fimfiction.
The sun rose high into the sky, spreading its light over a small California town. And slowly, the town woke from its slumber, its populace rising from their beds and starting their days. This town was called Canterlot, and is the setting of our story.
Canterlot, as towns go, was an unremarkable place. Your average American town, it had a number of shops and businesses, several cafes, an industrial park to the north of the town, and a big railway station with connections to Cloudsdale to the north, and Halfway, Crystal City, and Los Angeles to the south. The most prominent building in the town, however, was the school. Canterlot High School, or CHS for short, was a large, imposing brick building which housed both a Middle and High school. It had, standing outside, a large statue of a horse rearing up on its hind legs, which had become a mascot for the school's sports team, the Wonderbolts. Split over several floors, it had many students, most of whom were friendly characters, but some were not so nice.
Just on the outskirts of the town was a small farm. Well, I say farm, but perhaps orchard would be more appropriate. The main structures were a handful of barns, two of which had rails leading out of them linking into a vast rail circuit which surrounded the site, and ran around the many orchards that the farm featured. The other notable structure on site was a house. Built of wood, it was painted red, and had a porch built of white timber. Inside, it was what you would expect of a family home built at the turn of the 20th Century. A kitchen, a sitting room, a basement and laundry room, an office, a flight of stairs, and five bedrooms, each opening up along a narrow corridor which, I can tell you, was dimly lit and replete with trip hazards, ranging from ethernet cables to parts of alarm clocks.
Inside the furthest along bedroom, at the end of the corridor, the setting was rather plain. There were two chests of drawers, one of which was right under a large window, a bed rammed against the back wall, a bedside table with a lamp, a greenish-yellow carpet, and a desk, upon which a desktop computer sat. The walls were painted green, and had a few framed posters hung on them. In the bed, a young girl was sleeping, and it is with her, that our story begins.
When the sun rose, as it was known to do every morning without fail, it had an annoying habit of shining through the window and straight into the girl’s eyes. As it did so, she grunted, and rolled over to the left, muttering to herself, “Ah hate ya somedays, Mister Sun”.
A loud knock at the door was enough to rouse her from her slumber.
“Apple Bloom! Time ta get up!”
She sat up straight in her bed. “Comin’, ma!”
Apple Bloom pulled herself out of bed. She was the youngest member of her family at nearly 12 years old, and had yellow skin and red hair. She was short, at about 4’ 9”, something she was ribbed about mercilessly by her peers. She had orange eyes, and was currently dressed in a green nightgown. Rubbing her eyes and yawning, she wandered over to the shower, feeling her way over as her brain hadn’t completely switched on yet.
Later, having showered, she dried herself off and got dressed. After a few moments she emerged from her room, wearing a green T-shirt, blue jeans and orange trainers. Dodging between the various hazards in the corridor, she slid down the bannister and landed in the reception, where a beautiful smell assailed her nostrils. The distinct aromas produced by pancakes, maple syrup and butter were irresistible, and Bloom wandered into the kitchen to see her mother working her magic over the stove.
Pear Butter was a woman in her late 30s, with peach skin and orange hair. She wore a chequered blue shirt and jeans, topped off with orange work boots. She looked over to see her youngest standing next to her, and smiled. “How’d ya sleep, Bloom?”
“Well, thanks,” Apple Bloom replied. “When’s food?”
“Just a bit longer,” her mother replied, “and then it’ll be ready. Please wait for the others this time, OK?”
“Sure, ma!” Bloom said, and took her seat.
A few moments later, another individual wandered into the room. She was a few inches taller than Apple Bloom, and had orange skin and blonde hair. At this moment in time, she was dressed in a green and white work shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a blue denim skirt, and brown boots with 2 apples on each. She walked toward the table and sat down. “How ya doin’, sugarcube?”
“Fine, thanks”, Bloom said back.
“Applejack, where are ya manners?” asked Pear.
“Sorry, ma. Good mornin’, y’all!” Applejack frequently used this as a way of greeting everyone at once. She was older than Apple Bloom, and was currently in the 10th Grade at CHS. She certainly looked a lot older than her 14 years, and was an incredibly hard worker. Sadly, she had recently fallen out with several of her friends, one of them over apparent timetabling confusion. Still, she remained an honest and hardworking individual, who could always be counted upon in the apple harvesting season (which was almost upon them).
Yet another person arrived in the room. His skin was a peachy tone, and he had bright orange hair. He wore a red jacket over a white shirt, as well as blue jeans and red and white shoes. He was the oldest of the three, and was in his final year at CHS. He stepped over to the table and sat down. “Sorry Ah’m late,” he said, with a deep and broad southern accent.
“Did ya oversleep, Big Mac?” Applejack asked.
“Nope”, Mac replied.
“Sure ya did!” Bloom laughed, with a mischevious look in her eye.
“Shush, you”, Mac replied, laughing as he did so.
Not long after, Pear brought the breakfast over to the table. “Soup’s up, everybody!” she called, in her characteristic manner.
The meal was concluded a few minutes later, with everybody having had their fill and Apple Bloom having demonstrated the reason she was nicknamed ‘the hoover’, as she had thoroughly demolished a stack of 4 pancakes.
Mac, as ever, looked amazed. “Why is it that the smallest folk eat the most?” he asked, jokingly.
Bloom turned bright red. “Hey, that ain’t funny!” she cried.
“The youngest of us need the most energy,” Pear told her oldest child.
Applejack snorted. “Ain’t that the truth! She went through that plate like it was nothin’!”
“True”, Pear finished. “Mac, please don’t tease Bloom about her height, you know she doesn't like it.”
Applejack looked at her watch. “Right, time to go!” she called. Today was the 2nd day of the new school year, with Bloom just starting 7th.
The three kids grabbed their bags and ran out of the door, Applejack grabbing her Stetson on the way. Pear suddenly stepped out, holding a red bow. “Apple Bloom!” she hollered. “You forgot somethin’!”
Bloom turned right round, and ran back to the house. She then clipped the bow into her hair. No way would she go anywhere without it, it meant that much to her. She thanked her mother, and then sprinted off down the path after her siblings.
After a few minutes, they reached the streetcar stop. Canterlot had a streetcar system modelled on that in New Orleans, which used bright red streetcars with the letters CTA painted on them. One was parked there, waiting for them. The 3 siblings boarded and showed their passes, then sat down at the front of the car. The driver released the brakes, sounded the horn, and off they went.
The streetcar passed a few stops, making calls at Thiessen Boulevard and Rudell Street. The car then called at Songco Drive. Bloom looked over to one of the houses to see a girl emerge from one of the doors, run down the path, and call back, “C’mon Rarity, we’re gonna be late!”
Another individual emerged through the door. “I’m coming Sweetie Belle! The Streetcar won’t leave without us!”
Nonetheless, Sweetie Belle took off, crossed the street, and boarded the streetcar. She immediately took a seat next to Apple Bloom. “Hi Bloom!” she called.
“Mornin’ Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom replied, with a similar level of enthusiasm.
Sweetie Belle was a little younger than Bloom, and had white skin with purple and pink hair and green eyes. She wore a red and white striped shirt, a pink jacket, a yellow skirt, white socks, and a pair of pink flats.
Rarity, on the other hand, was older than Applejack, and had white skin and purple hair, with dark blue eyes. Currently wearing a turquoise blouse, a purple skirt with a diamond pattern on it, and purple boots with 1 diamond set in on the boot, she sat on the opposite side of the streetcar to Applejack.
“Why’s Rarity all antisocial?” Bloom asked.
“She’s still mad at Applejack over something or other,” Sweetie Belle replied.
After a few more stops, the streetcar called at its final destination. Canterlot High School sat between Faust Street and McCarthy Road. The two girls got off, crossed the road, and headed in through the front door of the school. They passed a couple of lockers, took a left, and found their own lockers, which (ever so conveniently) were right next to each other. A girl was there waiting for them. She had peach-orange coloured skin, and purple hair and eyes. She wore a grey T-shirt, green slacks and grey trainers. She waved to them. “Hi girls!” she called.
“Morning Scootaloo!” Bloom replied. Scootaloo was the oldest of the three of them, but not the tallest (that honour went to Sweetie Belle). Lighter in build than the others, she was frequently mistaken for a boy, which was a little embarrassing. Nonetheless, she was an enthusiastic girl, who enjoyed sports and games, including riding her scooter down the corridors.
“So,” Scootaloo continued, “Lookin’ forward to today?”
“Ya sure bet!” Sweetie Belle replied. “Form room looks to be fun, and we even get our introductory session in the library!"
Scootaloo didn’t look so convinced. “Boring.” she said, rolling her eyes.
“It’s only because they caught ya watchin’ YouTube on the school computers!” Bloom answered. “Besides, playing games ain’t the best of ideas!”
“Is that a challenge?” Scootaloo smirked. “Cause I would so whoop your sorry butt!”
“Whatever language is Rainbow Dash teaching you now?” Sweetie Belle asked. Rainbow Dash was one of the older girls, and Scootaloo idolised-no, worshipped the ground she stood on. Before she could retort, the bell went for class.
After a couple of boring briefs on very obvious things, it was time for the library session. After being told how to use the computer system, they were sent away to find books of their choice. Scootaloo went straight to the sport section, whilst Sweetie Belle headed for science.
The library had two floors. Situated under a huge dome, bookcases lined the back wall, and the floor itself was covered with tables, chairs, and a bank of computers set up in a circle. The top floor had more rows of bookcases, and this was where Apple Bloom went, looking for the transport section. She had long been fascinated by machines, and practically anything that moved on rails. As she neared the section, she suddenly heard a strange sound. She headed in the direction of the sound, and rounded a corner to see what it was.
There, at the end of the row of shelves, was a girl, sat on the floor with her knees drawn up to her face. She was obviously crying, and sounded quite upset. She had pink skin, blue hair that was rolled up into curls, and red eyes. She wore a white short-sleeved shirt with a green dress over the top, as well as green shoes.
Bloom couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, and walked over to her. “Hey, are you OK?” she asked.
“Thank you for asking, but no,” she replied, sadly.
“What’s goin’ on?” Bloom asked, giving her a tissue to dry her eyes.
“I’m having real trouble making friends,” the girl replied. “They all just laugh at me because of my interests.” She paused. “This whole making friends thing is just...too hard!” she burst into a fresh round of tears.
“What are you interested in?” Bloom asked.
The girl said nothing, but merely held a book up to Bloom. It was called The History of the Lake Everfree Railway, and had a few photos of narrow-gauge steam engines on it. “That ain’t dumb!” Bloom exclaimed. “That’s what ah’m a fan of!”
The girl looked up. “Really?” she asked.
“Yeah!” Apple Bloom answered. “Steam engines rock!”
The girl got up, and held out her hand. “I’m Cozy Glow,” she said.
“Apple Bloom, nice to meet ya’”, the redhead replied. She then looked down. “Do ya mind if ah borrow your book for a bit?”
“Not at all,” Cozy replied. “I’ve got to get going now, I’ve got an appointment with the counsellor. See you later!”
“See ya!” Bloom called.
Bloom read the book in detail. The line had been built in the 1880s to haul lumber out of the Everfree hills just a few miles to the north. The wood had been hauled to an exchange siding near Ponyville station, and then shipped onwards to the mainline. Sadly, the line had fallen on hard times, and closed in the late 1950s. However, the rails were never pulled up, and the last paragraph particularly intrigued her; “It is believed that there are still a few engines in a shed up in the hills, waiting to be found. Time will tell if they will be seen again.”
Apple Bloom was so engrossed she didn’t notice the bell had gone.
Later, the three friends met up at lunch. They chatted about random stuff for a while, untill Bloom spotted a certain girl wandering around with a tray, unsure of where to sit. “Hey, Cozy!” she called. “Over here!”
Cozy turned, and sat down next to them.
“Right,” Bloom said, taking control almost immediately. “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, this is Cozy Glow. Cozy, these are my friends. Their names are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle”.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Cozy replied.
“So,” Apple Bloom said authoritatively, “Ah have an idea for somethin’ to do in the next few days.”
Sweetie Belle groaned. Apple Bloom’s ideas almost always ended badly. “What did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Well,” Bloom began, “In the library, ah got hold of a book on local railways. Now, in the Everfree hills there is talk of an old engine shed with engines still in it.”
Scootaloo looked excited. “Does this mean we get to explore in the woods?” she asked.
“Yup!” Bloom replied. “How does tonight sound?”
“Sorry”, said Sweetie Belle, “but I don’t think Rarity will let me. She tends to get mad when I get clothes dirty.”
“I’m busy tonight,” Cozy added, “but I am available tomorrow night.”
“I’d have to ask mom first,” said Scootaloo. “She may have been quite the explorer in her day, but I don’t think that she’d let me wander in the woods”.
Bloom looked in disbelief, then took a bite out of her sandwich. “Well that plum sucks,” she said.
That afternoon, after school, Scootaloo was waiting in the library, playing on her phone. The rest of the day had been fairly uneventful, apart from having to drop out of soccer due to taking a ball to the head. She sometimes wondered whether she should pursue E-sports instead, as that carried a considerably reduced risk of injury, and communication was easier if you got through all the endless trolling.
After a short wait, a woman with pink skin and dark purple hair walked up behind her. She was dressed in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a brown waistcoat with yellow trim, a green skirt with flowers on it, and brown boots. “Scootaloo,” she said, her voice filled with gentleness and maternal warmth, “it’s time to go now.”
“OK Mom,” Scootaloo replied.
A lot of people were surprised to learn that Scootaloo was Cheerilee’s daughter. Indeed, Cheerilee hadn't intended to be a mother, were it not for the random hand of fate. But still, she had made a pretty good job of it, even if her husband was away for long periods of time in the Air Force. Growing up without a father for the most part had been tough on Scootaloo, but she had weathered it pretty well.
The two of them walked over to the library door, and Cheerilee locked up for the evening. Although she predominantly worked in the music department, Cheerilee also had the post of librarian to help fill in for staff shortages. Upon confirming the door was locked, the mother and daughter walked outside and caught the streetcar home.
Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle and Rarity had already gotten home, the former having already logged into her computer to do some research into what Apple Bloom had been talking about. It turned out that what she had been speaking of was true. There had been a railway up there, but it was highly unusual. It was laid to 2ft 3in gauge, instead of the more normal 3ft, and used locomotives built in the UK, none of which had been sold on after the line had closed. In fact, nothing had been removed; the infrastructure had just been abandoned the day of closure and left to decay.
There was a sudden knock at the door. “Sweetie Belle, dinner’s ready!”
“Got it mom!” Sweetie Belle called back. Whatever secrets this railway held, they would have to wait until after dinner.
Apple Bloom was out on the orchard’s internal rail system, driving a petrol driven locomotive. All the family members received chores, and although Bloom was physically tougher than most, she had nowhere near the physical strength of her siblings. As a result, most of her chores were technical things, such as ensuring the washing went on or making sure the boiler hadn’t broken. Today, she was dropping off boxes at the apple trees, ready for them to be loaded. Their rail system looped around the site, stopping at each orchard, with passing loops at each station. That way, two trains could be collecting in apple boxes, and dropping off empty ones at the same time. This made the process much more efficient than in the old days, before the family bought the farm. Back then, the boxes had been moved about by tractor, which meant only one orchard could be harvested at any one time, which led to considerably slowed down collection, not to mention a lot of waiting around.
It took about 20 minutes to drop off all the boxes, after which Bloom stabled the trucks in a siding, backed the engine into the barn, and switched it off. She wandered outside into the sunlight, just to see a trio of familiar figures at the door.
The first was a man, with light yellow skin and red hair. His eyes were green, and he wore an orange polo shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of red shoes. This individual was Bright Mac, Apple Bloom’s father. He spent most of his day working in the city as a banker, which required a business suit which was, let’s say, not exactly his style. A keen musician, he had made sure all his children had learned instruments to a good standard, and they sometimes performed together as a band.
The second person was also a man, with orange skin and brown hair that was slowly turning to grey. He wore a blue shirt and jeans, as well as a pair of boots which wouldn’t have looked out of place on a cowboy. This was Grand Pear, father of Pear Butter, grandfather to Apple Bloom, and the subject of many atrocious puns on account of his name.
The 3rd individual was a woman, who couldn’t have been more different from the others. She had green skin, white hair, and yellow eyes. She wore a green work shirt (rolled up at the sleeves, as per usual in this family), a red skirt with an apron, and orange boots. She was Granny Smith, father of Bright Mac, and thus grandmother to Apple Bloom. A heavyset woman in her late 60s, she had the determination and vitality of women half her age. Originally from West Virginia, she had moved here when her son had married Pear Butter, and chosen to settle in Canterlot to be closer to Pear’s family. As a result of her husband’s passing, she and Grand Pear acted as grandparents to the Smith children, as well as useful hands around the farm.
Apple Bloom walked over to them. “Howdy, y’all!” she called.
The three of them nearly jumped, having been previously locked in conversation. “Oh, evenin’ sugarcube”, Mac said. “What ya been doin’?”
“Droppin’ off the boxes, ready for the harvest”.
“That’s always fun.” Grand had just spoken up. “Ya know, Mac, I been just thinkin’, maybe you should acquire a steam locomotive.”
“And run it off what?” Granny chimed in. “Apple sauce?”
“That isn’t a bad idea actually,” Grand replied. “The obvious challenge is where to source one from, given that they don’t just spring out of nowhere”.
‘Just you wait,’ Apple Bloom thought. “Ya could order one.”
“They build them to order?” Mac asked, looking visibly surprised.
“Yeah!” Bloom said. “There’s this group called Hunslet in that England place, they make ‘em.”
“How’s that spelt?” asked Grand.
“H-U-N-S-L-E-T,” Bloom replied, happy to have helped.
Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by Pear calling everyone for dinner. “Soup’s up, folks!”
The streetcar journey home was uneventful, to say the least. Cheerilee noticed Scootaloo wasn’t saying anything, but wasn’t too surprised. Scootaloo hadn’t been the noisiest of kids at the best of times, partly due to her disability which meant she had difficulty socialising. Still, she tried her best and made the most of every situation.
They got off at Lewis road. Cheerilee walked over to her home, and unlocked the door. Closing it behind her, she noticed Scootaloo walking into her room. She had a long expression on her face, which worried Cheerilee greatly.
Stepping into the room after her daughter, she spoke up. “Is everything OK, dear?”
“Other than making a new friend, nothing really,” Scootaloo answered.
“A new friend? What are they called?”
“Cozy Glow.”
Cheerilee looked confused. “Not ringing a bell, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, well,” Scootaloo replied. “Mom, I’ve got something on my mind.”
“I see,” said Cheerilee. “You can tell me whenever you’re ready.”
Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle was in the basement of her house with her dad. The two of them had been working hard on a model railroad that was extremely impressive, with working industries, multiple stations, 4 track running, and a multitude of engines. Her dad had just purchased a model of a T1 4-4-4-4, and was giving it a test run on the track.
“She runs beautifully,” he smiled, as he took it off and put it back in its box.
“Well,” said Scootaloo, “you see, Apple Bloom was telling us something about a lost railroad in the Everfree hills, and that most of the infrastructure was still there. She wants to go explore there but I’m not too sure about that idea.”
Cheerilee shuddered. She remembered the last time they had gone on an ‘adventure’ like this, she had had to wash incredible quantities of mud out of Scootaloo’s clothes. “That place exists,” she said.
“What?” Scootaloo replied, perking up her ears.
“It exists all right,” Cheerilee repeated. “I was a lot like you when I was your age, and one thing I loved doing was exploring. I once followed a railway line up a slope and, sure enough, found some old workshops. I didn’t look in any of them, but nothing was fenced off.”
“Can we go there?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yes, dear, you can. Just don’t get yourself hurt or muddy. And bring a flashlight, it can get very dark in the forest.”
Meanwhile, at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was having difficulty convincing her other family members of the railway’s existence.
“If it truly exists as you claim,” Mac remarked, “Then surely somebody’d found it by now”.
“What if nobody thought to go up there?” Bloom replied.
“Enough!” Bright Mac slammed his fist on the table. Everybody jumped at that. “Ah don’t want to hear another mention of this railroad for the rest a’ the meal. Clear?”
A chorus of mumbles confirmed this was the course of action, but Bloom was still fuming and Grand had an unusual look in his eyes.
After the meal, Bloom went back upstairs, and sat down at her desk. She was frustrated. “Why won’t they believe me?” she fumed to herself. “Ah know it’s there, ah just know it!”
There was a knock at her door. “Can I come in?” asked a voice. It was Grand.
“Sure, grandpa,” Bloom answered.
The door opened and Grand Pear sat down on Apple Bloom’s bed. “That railroad of yours,” he began.
“What about it?” Bloom answered back, then cut her tone when she realised she sounded angry.
“Hey, it’s OK,” Grand replied. “I had similar issues with mah family. Sometimes they wouldn't believe me when ah said the sun was shinin’, and there she was high in the sky!”
“Do ya believe me?” Bloom asked.
“Just as sure as mah name’s Grand Pear!” he replied. “That railroad exists alright, and ah should know. Ah saw the last train out of the station in 1959!”
“Would ya help me look for it, please?” Bloom pressed a little further.
“Mah old bones wouldn’t make it up there, let alone the return trip,” Grand answered. “But if you find anything, ah’ll park at Ponyville station and help you get anythin’ back to the farm.”
Apple Bloom woke up, much happier, the next morning. At lunch, she was discussing the plan with her friends when a familiar voice distracted her.
“Mind if we join you?”
Two girls then sat down in the empty places, the first next to Cozy Glow. She had pink skin and pink and white hair, with blue eyes that seemed to accentuate her face. She wore a pair of earrings, a black shirt with a yellow jacket, a white skirt, black leggings and yellow boots. The other girl had light grey skin, and two-tone grey hair. She had purple eyes, and wore a purple blouse, a pink skirt and purple boots. She also had a pair of blue, circle-rimmed glasses on.
These two girls were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. They had once been absolute terrors of the school, ruling over their year with an iron fist. It was only after a student council election had gone wrong for Diamond Tiara that she had decided to change her ways, as it had become apparent that being friends with people got you a lot further than scaring them.
“Afternoon, you two!” Bloom said. “We’re just discussin’ a plan of ours to visit an old site and recover some stuff,” Bloom said.
“The old narrow-gauge line?” Silver Spoon butted in. “Daddy’s shown interest in that.”
“Ya here ta gloat?” Bloom retorted.
“I’m serious!” Silver answered. “Being the daughter of a steel baron comes with its perks, not least large quantities of metal for repairs. And I’m good with a welding torch too!”
“I can help as well,” added Diamond. “I overheard father saying that Barnyard Bargains has a surplus of paint at the moment. I’m certain I can persuade him to part with some of it for a small sum.” Bargain Buys was a local supermarket chain run by Diamond’s father Filthy Rich. As his name implied, he was fabulously wealthy, something which was readily apparent when you saw either him or his family. The same was true of his home, a vast pile with a 15in gauge railway running around it which was opened to the public on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
Bloom smiled. “Well, if that’s all-what's so funny?” she suddenly asked, catching Silver Spoon sniggering.
Silver pointed to the top of her head. “Ears,” was all she managed to get out in-between the giggles.
Bloom immediately felt up there, and sure enough, there were a pair of Wondercolt head boppers wedged in her hair. This created the illusion of her having pony ears. Bloom sighed, and lifted. They didn’t come off. She tried again. The same.
In a panic, Bloom ran her hand along the headband and found it was smeared in fast-acting superglue. She sighed in defeat. “This is embarrassing,” she sighed.
After getting the glue removed from her hair (a most unpleasant ordeal, I can assure you), Apple Bloom headed to art, along with her classmates. The art rooms were on the top floor, and several tables and easels set up at convenient intervals for the students. Each table sat four, and so Bloom sat down with Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Cozy Glow.
“May I have your attention?” called a voice. The teacher, Paint Brush, stepped forward. “Welcome to your first art lesson of the year. It is my intention that you enjoy these lessons, but I also want you to work to your best ability.” He paused, then continued. “Why, it could be within these four walls that the next Van Goch is found!”
A girl towards the front, a student named Twist, spoke up. “Ecthuthe me thir, but wathn’t Van Goch mocked by hith peerth?”
Two bullies, Snips and Snails, burst out laughing. “Hith peers? She can’t even talk properly!”
Paint looked furious. “It is not acceptable to mock others for who they are!” he bellowed. Turning to Twist, he spoke again. “You are correct, Van Goch was generally perceived to be a fool. But time showed that his doubters were the fools. The important lesson is that we don’t let others dictate who we are, but let ourselves flourish and produce our own masterpieces.”
He turned to the class. “For your first assignment, I would like you to draw or paint, or perhaps both, a scene from the region’s history. This should take the whole 2 periods.”
Scootaloo groaned. “2 periods? I can’t draw to save my life!”
Paint heard this. “This is not to be a solo effort. Indeed, the tables are to work together to craft this piece. Now, go!”
The 4 looked at each other. What were they to do?
Sweetie Belle was the best at drawing, so they let her draw the scene in question. It was to be one of the engines of the Everfree Railway at Ponyville station. Scootaloo was left to handle the biography, whilst Apple Bloom ensured technical accuracy to the subject. Cozy Glow handled the paints and colours, and when they were all done, they each signed their names on the back. It took them 70 minutes in total, but the results were superb.
The scene depicted a black Saddle Tank sitting in the platform, producing steam and ready to go up the line. The piece had a realistic, but also dreamlike quality to it, as if to create a feeling of timelesness.
Paint Brush came over, and was most impressed. “Who did this one?” he asked.
“We did, sir,” said Cozy Glow. “We each contributed a bit to this picture.”’
“It’s extraordinary! It looks it was painted by one of the 13th Graders. This is going up on the wall outside the department, but first I shall let it dry, scan it into the computer system and frame it.”
After school, the girls met up to head off on their adventure. Apple Bloom turned to the others. “Have we got any supplies?” she asked.
Scootaloo opened her backpack. “Torch, first aid kit, bandages, 3 bottles of water, some cookies mom made to take with us, map, compass, GPS.”
“Your thorough!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
“Mom wouldn’t let me go if I didn’t come prepared!” Scootaloo replied. “On the topic of which, are we all allowed to go?”
Suddenly, there was a loud ringing noise. “That’s mah phone,” said Bloom. “Ah’ll get it.” She pressed the speaker to her ear. “Hello?”
“Apple Bloom!” came the reply. “This is Grand Pear. Your pa just called to say he’s givin’ ya the rest of the day off. He’s really impressed with the amount a’ work ya did yesterday. Ah’m ready to drive down ta Ponyville when you give the word.”
“OK, thank ya!” Bloom answered. “See ya!”
“Have a nice time.” The line stopped.
The four of them made their way across the street to the railroad station. Canterlot Railroad Station was an enormous building, constructed out of red brick and with a massive two-span overall roof. It had 8 platforms, all of them through, and had been opened in 1900 by the California Coast Railroad. The 4 went to the entrance lobby and walked to the ticket booth. The attendant smiled at them. “What can I get you four?” she asked.
“4 singles to Ponyville, please,” asked Scootaloo.
“That will be 4 dollars, ma’m,” the attendant replied. “Your train will be waiting at platform 1.”
“Thank you!” said Cozy Glow, and the four of them rushed off to the platform to find a Class 101 DMU waiting for them. They climbed aboard and sat right behind the driver.
The guard blew his whistle, and away they went, rolling through the idyllic countryside that California had to offer. The branch to Ponyville stemmed off a mile outside the southern approach of the station, looping back and travelling around the back of the town. Bloom made sure to point out Sweet Apple Acres along the way, and the train soon reached its destination, rolling to a stop and making a groaning noise as the brakes were released.
It didn’t take them long to find the old narrow-gauge line. The buildings had been left in place (although looked a little dilapidated), and the track stemmed off into the trees. Apple Bloom shouldered her pack, and headed off, the others following soon behind.
They were wise to have packed a torch, for the path under the trees was dark, and trip hazards were hard to spot. Bloom led the way along the old rusty trackbed, weeds growing between the rails and the sleepers held in place more by faith than by any mechanical means. Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle on the way up. “You know, this reminds me of a story that I read once on the internet.”
“Oh?” Sweetie Belle replied. “What happened in it?”
“Well, a girl and her two friends went in search of a golden apple, in conditions similar to this.”
“Did they find it?”
“Yes, but it turned their leader into a pony”.
“What a strange story!”
“That’s not even the weird part. It turned out to be a dream, but then it really started happening.”
“To her?”
“To everyone!”
“That sounds scary,” said Cozy Glow.
“Well,” Scootaloo admitted, “it was a bit strange.”’
“Pipe down you three!” said Apple Bloom. “We’re here.”
At the edge of a clearing, stood three buildings. The first was an old slate shed, with massive doors that covered its entrance. Along the side wall were windows every 4 feet, although these were boarded up. The roof had caved in in some places, and the structure looked very unsafe.
The second building was a station building, that sat on one of the two platforms that made up the station. After dusting off the cobwebs, it became apparent that the station was called Everfree Junction, as lines to a quarry had gone off here, as well as to the lumber mill at the lake which most people were more familiar with. There had clearly been some form of passenger service, as a timetable was there for 1939.
The final building was a 2-road structure made of slate. It had green doors and more of the elliptical windows present on the first structure. The roof was well maintained, and all seemed well. However, when the girls closed in on this door, it emerged that it was locked.
“How are we gonna get in?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Simple,” Apple Bloom replied. “Scootaloo can just slip in through the gap there and open her up from the inside!”
“How on earth would I fit through without getting stuck?” Scootaloo asked.
“Yer scrawny enough, and ya can figure your way in.”
“No way Bloom!” Scootaloo replied. “I’d rather not get wedged in a door.”
“Chicken,” Bloom replied. She promptly started making chicken noises.
“Yeah, real mature, Bloom,” Sweetie Belle said.
“Fine!” Scootaloo exclaimed, “I’ll do it.” She disappeared off through the gap on the side of the building.
A few minutes passed. “Are you sure she isn’t in trouble?” Cozy Glow asked.
“She knows her way around tight spaces,” Sweetie Belle replied, just as the door opened. There emerged Scootaloo, covered in soot!
Coughing, she growled, “I’ll want a shower before I go home. If I get into trouble for this, know it was your fault Bloom!”
“Noted,” Apple Bloom replied. They stepped inside, and were stunned at what they saw.
The shed was left more or less as it had been the day the line closed. Tools were everywhere, an old newspaper sat on a desk, and lined up were six engines. One was a 0-4-2 Saddle Tank, behind which sat a 0-4-0 Well Tank. There was another Saddle Tank behind it, and another to the left of the first. Behind that sat a four wheeled diesel mechanical shunter, and an 0-4-0 Side Tank behind it.
“Wow,” was all Sweetie Belle had to say.
“They look like the engines I saw on a railway in Wales once,” Cozy Glow added.
“They were built as part of the same order,” Scootaloo added. “No wonder nobody could find them, being tucked away this well.”
Bloom turned to them. “Ah have a plan!” she said. “We’ve found the lost engines of this line. But they don’t deserve ta just sit here and accumulate dust! Ah say we restore one of them, and get this line runnin’ again as a preserved railroad!”
“Great idea!” said Scootaloo. “I’ll second that!”
“Me too!” added Sweetie Belle.
“And I” Cozy Glow added. They came together and fistbumped, to make it official.
A few minutes passed, before Cozy Glow spoke again. “I hate to be a party pooper, but how on earth are we going to get these engines down the mountain?”
They tried pulling it, at first. The saddle tank at the front was the easiest to remove. Even so, with a rope attached to the front, and all 4 girls pulling with all their might, the engine refused to budge. After about 5 minutes they gave up.
They then tried pushing it instead. This had a similar lack of success. When they were on the verge of collapsing on the floor out of frustration, Sweetie Belle climbed into the cab and took the driver’s seat.
“What are you doing?” Cozy Glow asked.
Sweetie Belle didn’t reply. Instead, she pulled a lever, and the engine suddenly rolled forward. Scootaloo jumped out of the way, and landed on the ground nearby. “That was close!” she cried.
“What did ya do, Sweetie Belle?” asked Apple Bloom.
“You’d left the brake on,” Sweetie Belle replied. “That’s why it wasn’t moving.”
“Oh,” said Scootaloo. “Right.”
With that hurdle out of the way, they took the opportunity to wheel the engine down the hill to Ponyville station. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo went ahead of the engine, shining their torch ahead. Sweetie Belle and Cozy Glow stayed in the cab, keeping an eye on the controls and ensuring the brake was properly applied. Cozy seemed especially happy in the cab, but Sweetie Belle was not quite as impressed.
“This thing’s brake handles like a racehorse that’s eaten a chilli pepper!” she said, as the engine violently lurched forward again.
“That’s part of what makes narrow gauge so much fun!” Cozy added.
“You seem to know an awful lot about these things,” Sweetie Belle remarked.
“My dad was a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway when we lived in Wales,” Cozy replied.
“Why’d you live in Wales?”
“My dad was moved there when he was in the Army, and we only recently returned. I’m still getting used to the fact it doesn’t rain every day!”
Sweetie Belle laughed at that. “Is that true?”
“Yes, Wales is the only country where it rains upwards!”
Meanwhile, out front, Scootaloo was raising some concerns.
“Apple Bloom, I commend your determination, but are you sure we can do this?”
“If the locos have been untouched for decades, they oughta be in good order, right?” Bloom answered. “Besides, ah thought the journey counted as much as the destination.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah.”
Presently they reached Ponyville station, the sun setting in the sky. Grand Pear was waiting there with his truck. A vintage pickup, it had been rebuilt into a recovery vehicle by its previous owner and had a large winch in front of the main bed. Pear looked in astonishment as the girls and a STEAM ENGINE rolled forward out of the gloom and stopped in the platform. “Never thought ah’d see that again,” he said. He got into his truck and backed up to the track.
He then got out some chains which he kept spare, and spoke to the girls. “Right, what we’re gonna do is run these here chains under the engine. Then we’ll lift with the crane, and lower her onta the flatbed. After that, we head back to Canterlot and drop it off at school.”
“Sorry, what?” Apple Bloom asked. “Did ya just say at school?”
“Yup!” Pear answered. “Ah was contacted by this Cheerilee lady, who has apparently arranged to get it inta the engineering department. Do you know her?”
“That’s my mom,” Scootaloo replied. “But it’s nice of her to have helped.”
“Right,” Pear interrupted. “Now let’s cut the chat and get ta work!”
It wasn’t long before they had all the chains linked up. Pear got into his truck, and started the lifting mechanism. There was some tension as the engine was lifted, but it went well, and at long last the engine was safely on the truck. Bloom got into the front passenger seat, whilst the others were squished into the back-passenger seats. The drive back was fairly uneventful, apart from a few stares from folks who were mighty surprised to see a truck with a steam engine on the back.
At last, the truck arrived outside the school. Some rails had already been laid from the loading dock at the back of the school into the engineering department, which was situated out of the way from the rest of the school, given all of its specialist equipment required for teaching. Pear slowly backed the truck up, until the deck of his truck had contact with the rails on the dock. Then Cheerilee stepped forward. “I see you got the cargo!” she called.
“Sure did, ma’m,” Pear replied. “I take it that ya want this thing undercover?”
“That I do,” Cheerilee answered. “How are we going to do that?”
They all got to work, disconnecting the support chains and readying to move the engine. Apple Bloom linked up the rope, and the 6 of them pulled, to get the engine moving into the building. It took a lot of strength, but the engine was in before long.
Cheerilee looked with a smile at their work. “The engine will be safe here,” she said. “We’ll wait until tomorrow to take a look at it, and I’ve called out an engine inspector to take a look.”
“You must have been certain we’d find the engine,” Cozy said, as she looked upon the locomotive.
“I’d been up there a while ago,” Cheerilee replied. “Steam engines don’t just go walkabout. But this would fulfil a dream I've had for a while. If we bring this engine back, and that line, not only will we have revived history, but have created a local tourist attraction.”
They all took the moment to gaze upon the engine. It looked pretty good, in spite of how long it had been in storage. It was painted black, and had a solid, rugged smokebox, with a large tank that covered the boiler very nicely. The coal was contained in front of the cab, and the cab was contained well and nicely proportioned to the rest of the engine. The cab was spartan, but did the job nicely. The frames were proportioned well, and a dome sat just behind the tank.
After that, they returned home. Scootaloo got ready for bed, and pulled the sheets over her when her mother came in.
“Mom,” Scootaloo started, “thanks for believing us, we could never have got that engine down here without your help.”
“It’s no problem darling,” Cheerilee answered. “You have every reason to be proud of what you achieved today. But it’s tomorrow we learn if this is viable.”
“That’s true,” Scootaloo answered. “It’s funny that it was all as it was in the Railway Series.”
“What do you mean?” Cheerilee asked.
“Remember that one about Duke? The old engine who got locked in a shed for decades, before being dug out and restored?”
“Yes, I remember that one. That was certainly one of my favourites. ‘You wouldn’t have known’” Cheerilee started.
But then, both of them finished in unison, “’a shed was there, let alone a little engine asleep inside it.’”
Cheerilee smiled, and went to exit. “Sweet dreams, dear.”
Scootaloo didn’t reply, and Cheerilee saw exactly why. Scootaloo had drifted off to the land of dreams, where anything was possible with the imagination, and a healthy dose of gold dust. And so, another long day ended, ready for a new tomorrow.
The new day dawned, and it wasn’t long before the city was up and running again. That morning, on the way to school, Apple Bloom flicked on MyStable (a communication app not dissimilar to Facebook) and started the following conversation:
Apple Bloom: Hey, Diamond, Silver, you there?
Diamond Tiara: What’s going on, Bloom?
Silver Spoon: Did you find your engine?
Apple Bloom: Not on this channel!
Diamond Tiara: It’s a private conversation, Bloom, nobody else will know what we’re saying.
Apple Bloom breathed a sigh of relief. She then started writing again.
Apple Bloom: Come see us at break. We have something to show you.
There was a brief pause, before another message came in.
Silver Spoon: That sounds good. I take it you found the engine?
Apple Bloom: Yes, we did!
Diamond Tiara: Sorry, gotta go. I’ve just arrived at school.
Silver Spoon: See ya!
Apple Bloom: Thanks, y’all!
The rest of that morning, apart from a history lesson that proved to be not the most stimulating of exercises, given that the teacher talked at great length about a rock on the East Coast, went fairly smoothly. Apple Bloom and her friends waited in the engineering room, when suddenly, two familiar faces stepped through the door. And I’m sorry to say that they weren’t Diamond or Silver.
Snips and Snails stepped in through the door, followed by an older girl. She had red and yellow hair, peach skin, and blue eyes. She wore a purple shirt with a sun emblem on it, a black bomber jacket, an orange skirt with yellow and purple lining, and a pair of knee-length black and purple boots. Her hands were rolled up into fists, and she had a nasty smirk on her face.
This was Sunset Shimmer, and Snips and Snails were her lackeys, for lack of a better term. Sunset had been a terror for years here, as she pushed around anybody foolish enough to stand in her way. If that didn’t work, the rumour machine that was the internet was more than enough to do the job. This helped to explain why Sunset had run unopposed for a number of events, including winning the title of Fall Formal Princess for 3 years in a row. Nobody doubted she’d win it a 4th.
“Well, well,” she sneered, as she looked at them. “Look what the cat dragged in.”
“You got a problem or what?” Scootaloo demanded.
“Yeah,” Sweetie asked. “Why are you picking on us? We did nothing to you!”
“Other than refuse to swear allegiance to me? Other than to boycott the Fall Formal ballot last year? Or how about that incident with the paint pot?”
“Yeah!” shouted Snips. “The paint pot!”
“Shush you!” Sunset thundered. “What I’m trying to say is, you get in my way...and you pay.”
“Real lovely poetry,” Cozy Glow said sarcastically.
“I strongly advise you do as I tell you, or would you want me to reveal what you are really like?”
Cozy’s confidence faded. She stepped back, looking pale as a sheet.
“I know who you are. I have dirt on everyone, including that you used to be a bully!”
Cozy dropped to the floor and hid her head in her hands, sobbing.
Apple Bloom stepped forward. “Hey, that weren’t called for! Apologise, now!”
Sunset smirked. “I think you meant, ‘hey, that wasn’t called for.’ No wonder you're so dumb, given you were born on a farm.”
Apple Bloom knew better than to reply, and simply stood there, seething with rage. Sweetie Belle had dropped onto her knees to comfort Cozy, whilst Scootaloo simply looked at the floor.
“I’ll see you around, losers,” Sunset smiled. “Just don’t do anything to challenge me, or it will end badly.”
Sweetie Belle was the next to speak up. “Cozy, was that true?”
Cozy Glow had stopped crying, and looked up, her eyes red. “Yes,” was all she said.
“Was this when you lived in Europe?” Scootaloo asked.
Cozy nodded. “At school, I was seen as odd, mainly due to being the only American. As a result, many students were mean to me.”
“What did they do?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Move my stuff, steal my belongings, talk loudly in Welsh whenever I was around, so I wasn’t sure whether they were being mean or not.”
“That sounds horrible,” Sweetie Belle empathised.
“It was,” Cozy admitted. “As a result, I turned to bullying as an escape. It was a stupid thing to do, ultimately, as I got into a lot of trouble.”
“What sort of trouble?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I was put in Tartarus,” Cozy answered. Seeing the confused looks on her friend’s faces, she quickly added, “that was the nickname for Saturday detention. How stupid it all was! And I should have just gone to the Principal in the first place!”
She paused. “Do you guys trust me? Do you truly believe I’ve changed?”
“Cozy,” Apple Bloom started, “That was the past, and this is now. If we don’t forgive each other and move on, all that will happen is that we’ll hate each other. But we gave you a chance, and so far you’ve shown you’re a good person. So, in short, ah’m honoured to call ya ma friend. Is that true?”
“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle cried.
“Rock on!” Scootaloo exclaimed, punching the air. “Rainbow taught me that one.”
There was a ring at the door. Diamond and Silver stepped through. “So,” began Silver. “What did you want to show us?
Evening came, and the four friends, and Miss Cheerilee, gathered in the Engineering department to await the arrival of the boiler inspector. At last he arrived, a tall man with a long face and brown hair, dressed in a pair of overalls that must have been boiling in the heat. He smiled. “Good evening,” he said. “I’m Spinning Gears, which of you is Mrs Collins?”
Cheerilee waved. “Please,” she said, “just call me Cheerilee.”
“A pleasure. This is the engine you want me to look at?” he asked, pointing at the locomotive there in front of him.
“That’s the one,” Scootaloo said.
Spinning got down, and looked at the frames with a stethoscope he had got out of his toolbox. “Frames look to be in good order,” he said. “Cylinders are clear of muck, rods are painted and not rusting, though the paint is peeling in places. Trailing wheels are secure, driving wheels are in good shape.” He moved around the back of the engine.
“Bunker is secure, cab is fine, tanks are secured properly in place,” he continued. “The saddle tank could do with a repaint, but is otherwise fine.” He stopped. “Now then, I need to check the boiler. You wouldn’t mind helping me?”
The 4 girls stepped forward, and shoved with all their might against the mechanism which held the smokebox door shut. With a considerable effort, it finally opened, and the door swung back...
...revealing a truly horrible odour. “Eww!” the 4 girls chorused, holding their noses.
Spinning Gears poked his head inside. “What died in here?” he asked. Looking around, he saw the cause of the problem; somebody had left a sandwich in there, and it had gone horribly mouldy. He grabbed a pair of tweezers, picked the sandwich up and tossed it into a nearby trashcan.
“You wouldn’t mind releasing the locking bolts on the tubes, would you?” he asked.
Apple Bloom took the left-hand bolt, and began to release it.
“It’s stiff,” she began, but suddenly the bolt came flying off in her hand. “Wha?” was all she could say.
Scootaloo suddenly removed the other bolt, and the tubes started sliding. Both girls jumped backwards in surprise as the tubes fell onto the floor with a loud bang.
“Why did that happen?” was all Bloom could say.
“Oh dear,” said Spinning Gears. “That isn’t good at all.”
“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked, although she feared the answer.
Spinning Gears picked up the bolt, and showed it to them. “These bolts are three-quarters the width they should be. As a result, they came loose easily and the tubes went with them. Furthermore, the tubes are damaged and in poor shape. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to condemn this boiler.”
The shock of it hit the 4 girls like a physical blow. Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo. “Does this mean?” she asked, tearfully.
“Yeah,” Scootaloo replied. “It’s over. All that effort, wasted!” With that, she kicked a table leg in frustration.
Even Cheerilee seemed down. “Thank you for coming out here sir, even if it was for nothing,” she said.
“It’s no problem,” Spinning Gears answered. “I sadly have to do this an awful lot.”
Apple Bloom had remained oddly silent the whole time. Suddenly, she leapt up in the air and cried “I got it!”
“Got what?” asked Cozy Glow.
“An idea!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, then started speaking before anybody could interrupt. “Wecouldalwaysproduceourownoenandthenthatwould-”
“Apple Bloom, slow down,” Cheerilee interrupted. “We can’t understand a word you're saying.”
“If this boiler don’t work, then we make our own!” Apple Bloom said. “We can overhaul the engine, each doin’ different bits.”
“This sounds crazy,” groaned Sweetie Belle.
“Well, if those guys in... how do you say it again, Cozy?”
“Tal-y-thlyn.”
“Those guys in Tal-y-thlyn can do it, so can we!”
Scootaloo sighed. “I know I shouldn’t have showed her the Titfield Thunderbolt.”
Apple Bloom looked at her. “Ya in or not?”
Scootaloo continued, “I think we need some more help. With just the 4 of us I will take years.”
“I know someone who can help with CAD and such,” said Sweetie Belle.
“Some extra muscle wouldn’t hurt,” Cozy said. “And don’t forget that we need paint as well.”
Apple Bloom took out her phone.
Apple Bloom: Hey, Silver, Diamond, you still there?”
Diamond Tiara: Yes, I’m here. Just come back from another of mother’s rants. She doesn’t like me going near father’s miniature engines for some reason.
Silver Spoon: Anything you needed help with?
Apple Bloom hesitated, and then started typing again.
Sweetie Belle pushed open the door to Sugarcube Corner, sighing with relief as the cool breeze of the air conditioning swept over her body. She stepped in quickly, closing the door as quickly as she could. She stepped in, past the jukebox, and walked over to the counter.
“One vanilla milkshake please,” she asked the attendant, Mrs Cake.
“That’ll be $1.50,” Mrs Cake replied, as she set the machine going. A few moments later, she handed the drink to the girl.
After Sweetie Belle had paid, she headed for a table. Sure enough, she saw who she was here to meet. At one of the tables, a boy was sitting, hunched over a small electronic device and bearing a look of intense concentration on his face. He had cream-grey skin, two-tone brown hair, and yellow eyes. He was wearing a brown hoodie, blue pants and red and white sneakers, as well as a red and yellow propeller hat that never stopped spinning. Sweetie Belle often wondered whether it was battery powered.
“Hey there Button Mash!” Sweetie Belle called over to him.
“Uh-hu, give me a minute,” was Button’s reply. He hit some more buttons, and then pressed pause. “Sweetie Belle!” he exclaimed. “You wanted to see me?”
“That I do,” Sweetie Belle replied, “assuming you can pay attention long enough.”
It seemed Button either didn’t hear that remark, or chose to ignore it, as he immediately continued with; “So, what do you need doing?”
Sweetie Belle sat down next to him and brought a picture up on her phone. “Do you know what this is?” she asked.
Button’s face scrunched up in concentration as he looked at it. “It’s a steam engine, looks kinda like Skarloey,” he said.
“Yep!” Sweetie Belle replied. “We found it in the woods a few days back. Trouble is, it needs a new boiler.”
“Yikes!” Button answered. “That does sound expensive!”
“I know you are good at Computer Aided Design, which is why I would like you to draw up the plans for the boiler so that we can cut all the needed parts.” Sweetie Belle then spoke faster, to stop Button Mash butting in. “If you do it before the end of the week, you can be my Fall Formal date.”
Button’s cheeks went bright red. “Really?” he squealed.
“You have my word!” Sweetie Belle answered.
“Then consider it done!” Button cried. He picked up his chocolate milkshake, and then stopped as he saw somebody wander by. “HI GIBSON!”
The boy looked back. “What?” he asked. Gibson was Button’s older brother, and he found Button extremely annoying.
“You’re not the only one with a date now,” said Button, with a sly grin.
“Good grief,” Gibson replied. “Sweetie Belle, I honestly pity you.”
“I asked him, actually,” Sweetie Belle replied. “So there.”
Gibson groaned. “Button, just go back to playing video games. It’s all your good at.”
Sweetie Belle could see that had upset Button, and so put her arm around his shoulder. “Never mind him,” she said. “He’s just jealous because he’s nowhere near as good at programming as you.”
Button sighed. “Your right.” He raised his milkshake again, but then a mischievous glint entered his eye.
Sweetie Belle saw it too. “Please no,” she moaned.
“Milkshake race! 1,2,3, GO!” Button launched into drinking his milkshake way faster than he should have done. Sweetie Belle, on the other hand, just plugged her ears for the inevitable.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
Rumble pulled his locker open and took out his soccer ball. He had grey skin and black and grey hair, and had purple eyes. He was currently dressed in a black T-shirt, orange slacks, and a pair of black boots. He also had a pair of goggles on top of his forehead. Having finished fiddling with his locker, he slammed it shut.
“Hey Rumble!” called a voice.
Rumble swung round, to look directly into the face of Scootaloo, whom he ever so happened to have a crush on. He went red. “Scootaloo!” he said. “I asked you not to do that!”
“Yeah, sorry,” Scootaloo replied. “Rumble, do you know if you can help me with something?”
“Well, what were you thinking?” Rumble asked.
“I recently found something in the woods. It was an old steam engine!”
“Woah!” Rumble exclaimed. “Where’s it now?”
“It’s currently in engineering, or at least the boiler is. You see, Apple Bloom-”
“Oh, so she’s behind this,” Rumble groaned. Apple Bloom’s schemes usually went wrong, causing untold chaos.
“If I may finish!” Scootaloo interrupted. “Apple Bloom has already delegated tasks to each of us. I’m working on the frames. I was wondering if you would like to help.”
“Now you say it,” Rumble smiled, “That does actually sound kinda fun. Does your mom know about this?”
“She’s involved in the plan,” Scootaloo replied. “If your parents ask where you're going, just say you're on a playdate.”
“Can’t I just say I’m going to your house?” Rumble complained. “Playdate sounds so babyish.”
“Say what you want, but please be there,” Scootaloo asked.
“Say no more. I’ll do it.” Rumble picked up his soccer ball. “Oh, and Scootaloo-”
“Yes?” she asked.
“I was wondering if-”
“I’ll go to the Fall Formal with you? Yes, I will.”
Rumble’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Thank you so much!” And with that, he headed off down the corridor, ready for another enthralling game of soccer.
Elsewhere, another boy was reading in the library. He had white skin with a brown birthmark surrounding his eye. He had brown hair and eyes, and was wearing green shorts, a blue T-shirt and blue and green trainers. He heard the bell go. “Oh well, that’s it for now,” he said, in a British accent. He wandered towards the library exit and took a left-walking straight into Apple Bloom!
“Oh, my goodness! Sorry, I didn’t see you there!” he said, in a British accent, as he reached up a hand and helped her up.
“It was mah fault, I weren’t lookin’ were ah was goin’,” Bloom replied. “Ah was lookin’ for ya, Pip.”
Pip, or Pipsqueak to give his full name, was originally not from America. He was from Britain, and had been born in Nottingham. His family had moved here when he was 6, and as a result he had never lost his distinctive Midlands accent. “Why were you looking for me?”
“Ya see, ah need your help,” Bloom said. “Me and mah friends-”
“My friends and I,” Pip corrected.
“Thanks,” Bloom answered. “Ah still get that muddled. Still, we found an old engine in the forest.”
“That must have taken some doing!” Pip exclaimed.
“Yeah. We got it to engineerin’, but the boiler’s bust. We got somebody else workin’ on the plans, but I need your help ta make it.” Bloom immediately turned on pleading mode, boring into him with her undeniable cuteness. “Please Pip, will ya help?”
“Anything for you, Apple Bloom,” Pip replied. “Besides, I still owe you one for helping me win that election campaign last year. I hope Diamond Tiara isn’t too bitter about it.”
“She’s fine now. Besdies, Silver Spoon’s supplyin’ the steel.”
“Where'd she find steel?”
“She persuaded her folks to give some to the school.”
“That makes our job easier.” The two friends set off down the corridor, smiles on their faces.
Button was true to his word; the plans were ready on Friday. He ran in to the engineering room and placed them straight down. “Here they are!” he said, puffing and panting as he was horrendously out of breath.
The others were already kitted up, ready for work. Given their age, they were not permitted to operate the cutting equipment or the forge. However, it just happened that a certain wealthy parent and his team had arrived.
Dark Steel stepped into the room with a team of welders.
“Daddy!” Silver Spoon cried. “I’m so glad you could make it!”
“Same here, darling,” Steel smiled. “Now then, where is this boiler you need making?”
“The metal’s all here,” said Apple Bloom. “We’re just not allowed ta cut it. We’re too young!”
Steel maintained his composure. “But you can assemble it afterwards, right?”
“Sorry?”
“It’s a riveted boiler, all you need to do is use the rivet gun to attach it all together!”
Diamond Tiara was in an adjacent room, with the saddle tank sitting on the table in front of her. Problem was, she couldn’t do anything yet as the most crucial component was yet to arrive. There was a loud ringing noise at the door, and Diamond hopped up to go get it. A fellow with blue skin, white hair and dressed in a chauffeurs uniform stepped in through the door.
“Good morning Randolph!” Diamond said cheerfully.
“I have no idea what you need this paint for, or why you need so much of it,” he replied, as he put the paint down. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your mother wants to see you.”
Diamond groaned inside. Her mother was an obsessive control freak who sought to control her every move. “Let’s just get it over with,” she said.
Momentarily, without so much as an ‘excuse me’ towards Randolph, a woman barged through the door, sending the elderly butler flying. She had pink skin, purple hair, and wore a blue dress with yellow heels. In spite of whatever happened, her face carried a permanent sneer and look of disapproval.
“Whatever is the meaning of this, Diamond Tiara?!” she snapped.
Diamond just looked confused. “Good morning, mother,” she replied.
“Why on earth do you need so much paint?” Spoiled demanded, not even bothering to answer Diamond’s complement. “Don’t you know it is most unladylike to engage in such things? Surely Randolph can do it for you?”
“That’s not fair on him,” Diamond answered. “Besides, can’t I do what I want with my free time?”
“That’s not the point!” Spoiled thundered. “I raised you to be a lady, not a... girl who involves herself in such inelegant mess! Whatever will the folks in Crystal City think when I tell them that not only did my daughter manage to lose an election to that transfer student from Nottingham, but now I find her painting ‘saddle tanks?’”
“Mother, I would rather continue this conversation later, but right now I have something to do for my friends.” Diamond was about to add more when suddenly her phone rang. She pulled it out and spoke. “This is Diamond Tiara, who is this?”
“Hey there, Diamond!” came a familiar voice from the other end. “I trust the paint got to you OK?”
“It’s right here, father” Diamond replied. “Unfortunately, we have had a bit if an interruption.”
“An interruption called Spoiled Rich?” Filthy replied.
“Yes.”
“I’ll deal with it.” The phone line shut off. And just as suddenly, Spoiled’s phone rang. She pulled it out. “Hello?” she said.
There was some talking at the other end. “Right, I’ll be there right away.” She hung up. “This isn’t over, young lady,” she said, and walked away. “Randolph! Get the Rolls ready!”
Randolph shook his head. “Right away, Madame.” He walked out, leaving Diamond in peace.
“Thank you father,” she said, and got to work.
Nearly a month passed. The days drew shorter, the light got dimmer, but work continued. Scootaloo was working on the frames one Wednesday evening when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
“I'll get it!” called Cheerilee. A few moments later, she added, “It’s Rainbow Dash!”
Scootaloo dropped her tools, ran out the garage and into the main hallway, crashing into her idol and nearly knocking her over.
“Hey, take it easy, squirt!” Rainbow replied. As her name implied, Rainbow Dash had multicoloured hair in the colours of the Rainbow, as well as Cyan skin and purple eyes. She was dressed in a white T-shirt with a cloud and lightning bolt motif on it, a white and purple skirt, rainbow coloured socks, high top boots, and a rainbow bracelet. It seemed like she had just come back from basketball training.
“I’m just so glad to see you again!” Scootaloo answered. The two shared a bond akin to that of sisters, as Rainbow had been involved in a community program designed to help only children. The two had forged a strong bond, and even though the program had long since concluded, Rainbow still made sure to visit Scootaloo every Wednesday evening.
“It’s no big deal,” Dash replied. “Mrs Collins, do you mind if Scoots and I go talk for a bit?”
“Sure,” Cheerilee replied. “And call me Cheerilee, you've known our family for long enough”.
Rainbow and Scootaloo went and sat down in the front room. “Sooooooo," Dash said, causally putting her feet up on the table, “How have things been?”
“Great thanks,” Scootaloo replied. “Still with my friends, up to stuff.”
“I hear you’ve been doing stuff with Diamond and Silver,” Rainbow said. “How are they now?”
“There fine,” Scootaloo answered. Rainbow knew that Scootaloo would give blunt answers at times, due to her autism. In fact, they had partly been paired due to both having disabilities, Rainbow’s being ADHD. This worked perfectly for sports, but not for other subjects, where Rainbow got bored easily.
Scootaloo sat up a bit. “How have things been for you, Dash?” she asked. “Have things improved with your friends?”
“Funny you should ask that,” Dash replied. Normally that would be a very prickly question, but she seemed OK. “Turns out Sunset Shimmer was behind that. I’d been told that the sale had been moved, but it turns out Applejack didn’t send that message. Sunset did. She also sent the others bogus E-mails and texts. We’re back together now.”
“What prompted that?”
“There’s this new girl, she’s called Twilight Sparkle. She gave Sunset a real run for her money, and encouraged us to, ya know, talk to each other. In return, we’re gonna help her take the crown!”
“That sounds great!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “Best of luck!”
“Thanks squirt,” Rainbow replied. “You up for a bit of soccer outside?”
“You bet!” Scootaloo answered, and the two of them ran outside, ready to just have some fun.
The next day, the team gathered at the engineering department to reassemble the engine. First the frames were bolted together, then the wheels were attached. The cab went on next, and the bunker too. Finally, the most critical component of all was wheeled out; the boiler. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle appeared, wheeling it out to a stand point where two concrete blocks had been built. The boiler was craned on, and under the watchful eye of Spinning Gears, the fire was lit.
It was then time for breakfast-at Gas Mark 5. The results were delicious; bacon, eggs and sausage. On a somewhat more serious note, the boiler was steaming well. Gears smiled. “I have to say,” he said, wiping his mouth, “that I give this boiler a clean bill of health. I wish you all the best of luck in whatever you do next."
The boiler was left to cool, and put back on the frames that afternoon. Finally, the tank was fitted, and filled with water. The engine was wheeled forward onto a short section of test track that had been built for it, and they each took turns to drive and fire. Sweetie Belle got the honour of driving first. She set the reverser to –75, and opened the regulator. The engine reversed obediently, if rather jerkily, and coasted along at 8 miles an hour. She applied the brakes and stopped. “Well, it goes backwards,” she said, with a smile.
Sweetie Belle and Cozy Glow swapped positions for the return run. The engine did indeed move forward, and stop successfully.
This went on many more times, until Rumble and Button crewed it on the reverse. They reversed, much too fast, and jerked into a siding, straight towards a line of waiting trucks!
“Look out!” Cozy Glow shouted. Rumble and Button jumped clear, and then CRASH! The wagons were reduced to splinters, but the engine was undamaged.
“Right,” said Apple Bloom, “Let’s not do that tomorrow, shall we?” They all nodded in agreement.
“I’ve got only one real question for tomorrow,” asked Diamond.
Apple Bloom desperately rifled through her wardrobe, looking at anything and everything in it. “What ta wear, what ta wear?” she asked in despair, looking for anything suitable.
School had been...uneventful, to say the least. The girl thought back in her mind to the final assembly of the half term, which had sent her into this state of panic.
“Good afternoon, students!” called the voice of Principal Celestia, addressing the students of Canterlot High School. “I hope you have enjoyed the term so far, and have found it an invigorating and helpful time.”
There were a couple of groans. The last few days had certainly been invigorating, if trying to repair the damage to the gym was anything to go by. That, and the new girl, Twilight, had been blamed for it, but it had subsequently emerged that had been faked as well. There were absolutely no prizes for guessing who was behind that act of sabotage.
“There remains just one outstanding contribution to this half of the term,” Vice-Principal Luna reminded them. “The Fall Formal will be starting at 7 tonight. We expect full attendance, and remember tickets are needed for entry. ‘My dog ate it’ will not be accepted as an excuse.”
Keen to brighten things up, Celestia took the microphone. “At 8 we will judge the best dressed couple, and at 9 we announce the winner of Fall Formal Princess.”
This led to some murmurs. Nobody was sure who was going to win, as although Twilight had won quite a bit of support, it wasn’t clear whether she could take the crown from Sunset.
“Please do remember the dress code for the night,” Luna spoke again. “I have already told you enough times what they are, so you shouldn’t need reminding again.”
“Above all, have fun!” Celestia said.
Apple Bloom looked over to her friends. “Help,” she mouthed.
So, here she was, looking through any clothing she might have just in case she might have a dress suitable for the occasion. But nothing. Just an endless parade of shirts, jeans, pants, a pair of shorts that Bloom was convinced no longer fitted, and several pairs of boots. Having had no luck, she collapsed on her bed. Suddenly an idea came to her. She flicked on her phone, and called Sweetie Belle.
“Hold still, darling, I need to ensure it fits correctly.”
Rarity made some final tweaks to Sweetie Belle’s outfit. As was convention for Rarity, she had made it herself, and had outdone herself. Sweetie Belle was outfitted in a pink sleeveless dress with a partially ruffled skirt. She also wore a pair of pink boots of a similar design to Rarity. Satisfied with her work, Rarity stepped back. “You do look fabulous, darling, if I do say so myself.”
“Thank you!” Sweetie Belle replied. Suddenly, her phone rang, and she ran over to get it. “Sweetie Belle here, how can I help?”
“Ah need some fashion advice!” came the cry from the other end.
“Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle asked. “What do you need?”
“Ah don’t have nothin’ that ah can wear at the Fall Formal!” Bloom answered.
“OK, just a second,” Sweetie Belle said. “Rarity, can you make Apple Bloom something?”
“I have her measurements; just give me a few minutes and I’ll have something perfect!”
“Hear that Bloom? Rarity’s gonna make a dress for you!”
“Rarity, you’re a lifesaver! How much do ya want for it?”
Sweetie Belle looked over. “How much do you want for it?”
Rarity looked up. “Nothing, darling. I’m doing this as a family favour. After all, you deserve something after the awful way I treated Applejack during the last 3 years.”
“OK, she’s doing it for free.”
“Thank ya so much!” Bloom replied. “Ah’ll come over an get it right away!”
The girls weren’t the only ones having difficulty with clothes. Across town, Button Mash was trying on different suits.
“Mom, I look ridiculous!”
“Take it easy, Button,” his mother replied. “It’s just a school event, nobody else will see this.”
“What if Sweetie Belle doesn’t like it?”
“I would hope she wouldn’t be so shallow as to only value somebody for their clothes. Besides, you look exceptionally handsome.” She ruffled her son's hair.
He just looked at her, annoyed. “Really Mom?” he asked.
Time rolled past, and at long last the Fall Formal arrived. The streetcars pulled into the platforms and disgorged their merry cargo. Sweetie Belle made her way over to the entrance and waited for her friends.
Button was the first to arrive. He was dressed in a sharp suit with a bow tie. He did look extremely handsome, and Sweetie Belle blushed at the sight.
“So, what do you think?” he asked. He had an expression of embarrassment on his face.
“You look great Button!” she replied.
“You think?”
“Yeah, it really suits you!”
“Oh, thanks.” Button gazed into her eyes. “Thanks for agreeing to this, Sweetie Belle.”
“You kept your promise, and so I kept mine,” Sweetie Belle smiled. “Just save the last dance for me.”
Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak were the next to appear. Pip was dressed in a near identical suit to Button, but Apple Bloom wore a purple sleeveless dress with a bow and ribbon tied around her waist. She also wore a pair of purple boots. “Howdy, ya’ll!” she called to them.
“Isn’t that adorable!” Rarity said. “They make such a fine couple.”
“Ah man,” Applejack said. “If that ain’t a sight for sore eyes.”
Bloom had a visible look of embarrassment on her face, but ignored it. “Lookin’ good, you two!” she called over.
“You look great too!” Sweetie Belle replied.
Pip looked over to Apple Bloom. “I really am lucky to know a beauty such as you,” he said, with a happy smile.
“Ah, stop it, Casanova!” Bloom said jokingly. “We’re friends, right?” she then whispered in his ear, “But we’re hittin’ the dance floor, right?”
“Of course, we will!” Pip replied.
Rumble, Scootaloo and Cheerilee were the last to arrive. Rumble was, again, dressed nearly identically to the other two boys. Cheerilee was acting as a member of security, to ensure the event didn’t get out of hand, and was dressed as she normally was.
Scootaloo, on the other hand, attracted a lot of attention based on her outfit, and not in a good way. She was wearing a purple shirt, with pink and purple boots, but her skirt just looked...odd.
She looked at them. “I know, I look completely ridiculous,” she replied. “I had to throw it together at the last minute.”
Rumble put his arm around her back. “It’s not the clothes that make a woman, but the constitution of her heart.”
“That’s sweet,” Cheerilee said. “Where’d you learn that from?”
“I made it up,” Rumble replied.
Rarity stepped forward. “If I may be of some assistance,” she said, and gently pulled on Scootaloo’s skirt.
“Hey! What are you-!” Scootaloo started, but stopped when she saw the result, as it now flowed on her legs rather more naturally.
“You had got it caught somewhere,” Rarity told her. “I could tell you aren’t used to skirts and the like.”
There was suddenly a loud bell. “Tickets, please!” called the attendant.
Everybody produced their tickets (except the girls, who had theirs handed to them, due to their attire lacking pockets), and stepped into the hall.
The hall looked incredible. Disco balls hung from the ceiling, music blared for speakers, and the dance floor changed colour in line with the beat.
The three girls, and their boy friends (yes, I did that for a reason), were having fun dancing along, though Scootaloo’s choice of the chicken was perplexing for some, given that was a name she hated. Amidst all the noise, they retreated for some refreshment. “So, what’s the plan?” Pip shouted. “And where’s Cozy Glow?”
“She’s in the workshop!” Sweetie Belle called. “The engine will soon be ready, and we shall reveal it then!”
“Who’s driving?” Button asked.
“Rumble and Scootaloo!” Bloom shouted.
“I hope this plan works!” Button added.
Suddenly, the music changed to a rock and roll hit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O21xFX7QBpE Sensing that they were looking a bit odd, Sweetie Belle called, “C’mon Button, show me what you've got!”
“Wait, what?!” was all Button could say, before he was dragged onto the floor to the beat of Bill Haley.
Elsewhere, Rumble, Scootaloo and Cozy were working to get the engine ready.
“OK,” Cozy told them. “These rails go straight to the gym entrance. You just need to move her there before 9, and advance, on Bloom’s signal.”
“Sounds simple enough,” said Rumble.
“Boiler pressure good?” Scootaloo asked. “How are we lookin’ on coal and water?”
“You have enough for the run,” Cozy replied. “If you two want to enjoy yourselves until then, go ahead. I’ll finish up here.”
Rumble and Scootaloo wandered down the corridor back to the gym. “I can’t believe we’re acutally doing this,” Rumble said.
“It's gonna be amazing!” Scootaloo exclaimed, clearly giddy with excitement, or the fact she’d drunken far too much fruit punch and was on the verge of being hyper.
Suddenly, voices could be heard, walking toward them. “If they find the engine it’s over!” Rumble said.
Scootaloo said nothing, but instead stepped toward Rumble and kissed him. Rumble was initially stunned, but did nothing to pull out of it.
The other student walked down the corridor and saw what was happening. He simply assumed the two of them were having a tender moment, and walked back.
Rumble grinned, after Scootaloo had detached from his face. “That worked!” he cried. “And it felt great, too!”
Scootaloo simply blushed. “I love you Rumble,” she grinned. “Now let’s get it done on the dance floor!”
“You’re on!” Rumble cheered, and set off after his now girlfriend.
At last, 8 came around. Princess Celestia stepped up onto the podium. “Greetings students, and welcome to this superb occasion, a testimony to your ability to pull together in dire circumstances. But without any further ado, let us announce the winner for best-dressed couple.”
Vice Principal Luna stepped onto stage, carrying a box. She then opened it, and Celestia took out a card. “The winners are...Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak!”
There was mass applause from the floor. The couple stepped up to receive their prize, and Apple Bloom was handed the microphone.
“Howdy, ya’ll,” she began. “Ah expect you think ah’ll just give a big thank ya speech about winnin’ this prize, but that ain’t what ah’ll talk about.” She stopped, as Cozy Glow gave her a big thumbs up at the back of the auditorium.
“Some of ya will probably have heard of the Everfree Forest Railroad. An old line near here that is said to be a myth.”
Applejack facepalmed. “Not this again,” she groaned.
“Well, Ah can tell ya that it ain’t no myth! It’s not a piece of fantasy made up for the fireside, it’s real! Ah’ve seen it! And now, we have restored a little bit of it! Bring her in!”
There was a loud whistle at the back of the hall, and students stepped out of the way. In through the door steamed the saddle tank from that shed, but what a contrast to that day!
The engine gleamed with red paint, accentuated with golden and black lining. It rolled along beautifully, producing clean white smoke from its chimney and cylinders. And affixed proudly upon those tanks, were the nameplates Spirit of Everfree. It completed a loop of the hall, then exited out of the other set of doors.
Apple Bloom spoke up again. “We intend, in all due course, to return that railroad ta workin’ order and create a local tourist line. But we can’t do it alone. We need your help to make this dream come true! What do ya say, ya’ll? Will ya help us resurrect history? Will ya help us keep technology alive? Are ya with us, ya’ll?”
A great cheer sounded from the back of the chamber, as students sounded their approval. Celestia stepped forward, clearly stunned. “You restored that engine, all by yourself?” she asked.
Later, Applejack stepped over to Apple Bloom, Rainbow Dash as well, and faced the 3 girls. The 3 looked at the floor, sadly.
“Well,” said Applejack, “colour me impressed!”
“You rock squirt!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “If you can do that, you can do anything!”
“You 3 really are our little crusaders,” Rarity added.
That last one really resonated in Bloom’s mind. “That’s it!” she exclaimed. “That’s our name!”
“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“That’s what we can call ourselves! The Crusaders!”
They collectively high-fived, cheering. Suddenly, a loud scream from the back of the hall caused Applejack and Rarity, not to mention Rainbow Dash, to vanish out of the back door with Twilight in tow.
“What’s going on?” Scootaloo asked.
Apple Bloom looked at the floor. “Aw dangit,” she moaned.
February was cold and bitter. The wind stung the cheeks of the people of Canterlot, and there was still snow and frost. The streetcars sparked as they rolled down the line, the heat from the wires melting snow. The main park was still dotted with snowmen and ice still gripped some of the pathways, in spite of the maintenance team’s best efforts to maintain them.
It is was on one such day that Cheerilee wandered through the park, dressed in a thick winter coat to keep out the cold. Winter had never really been an appealing time for her, reminding her of being stuck indoors with little to do. On the other hand, she wasn’t a big fan of summer either, given it was so hot around here. No, her favourite time of year was autumn, not only because of the falling leaves, but because it was the time of year she had welcomed her little girl into the world.
True, there were some bits she would rather forget about, but on the whole, she hadn’t regretted having Scootaloo. Not one bit. Although a bit of a handful, the joy she had brought her more than outweighed the negatives.
And now her daughter was dating. Ever since the kiss they shared at the Fall Formal, it had been obvious that Scootaloo and Rumble were in love. They had always been close, and, to Cheerilee at least, Rumble was the son she never had, but this was certainly a crucial reminder that her daughter wasn’t going to remain a little girl for much longer, and she had resolved to make the most of that time remaining before her child flew the nest.
The few months since that event had been...eventful, to say the least. Not long after the reveal of the railway, a gas main had exploded outside. That, at least, was the official story. They had seen it all, after it had died down. Sunset had taken the crown and changed into a monster. Cheerilee had made sure to get the younger ones away from her before she mind-controlled most of the student body, but what came next was what was most memorable.
There had been a spectacular rainbow-coloured fireworks display, and by the end of it, Sunset was...changed. She had been granted forgiveness, by Twilight at least, but the student body wasn’t so quick to forgive. At least Scootaloo had got a quick flight out of it, some of the girls having sprouted wings, tails, ears, or any combination of the above.
A few weeks later, things got stranger still. 3 new girls had appeared, of whom Cheerilee had been suspicious, as something seemed...off about them. They had sung in the library, and anything after that was a complete blank. Her memory only picked up after the ‘Battle of the Bands’ that had apparently happened, with the Rainbooms, the band formed by Rainbow Dash, giving a truly spectacular performance. The odd thing was that the entire student body couldn’t remember the incident either, not even the Crusaders themselves!
There was also that Christmas incident that nobody wanted to remember. Cheerilee shuddered at the thought of it, and swiftly passed over it in her mind.
It was now February, and the railway would soon be opening. There had been a massive surge in volunteers following Apple Bloom’s speech, which had allowed them to relay the track to smoother specifications, and reballast the entire line up to Lake Everfree (this meant they now had an advantage over Talyllyn; they actually went to the place in the railway’s name). In addition, the entire locomotive fleet was now operational. Coaches had been built, trucks prepared, and signalling had been installed along the entire route. They could now have a maximum of 3 trains running at any one time, which dramatically increased operating capacity.
Cheerilee was so deep in her thoughts she nearly didn’t notice another woman walking toward her. She had peach skin and brown hair, and wore a pink T-shirt and blue jeans, as well as a pair of brown shoes appropriate for the weather. She also had a thick coat on, to protect her from the cold. “Good morning, Cheerilee!” she called.
“Oh, Hi Elaina!” Cheerilee replied.
Elaina was Button’s mother. Like the other parents, they had met at the parenting group formed by the school, which was how Cheerilee also knew Pear Butter. It was strange, that this group of women were only friends with each other because they had had their children around the same time.
“How are things?” Elaina asked. “I get the impression that the railroad is occupying a lot of Scootaloo’s time. It sure is occupying Button!”
“That’s true,” Cheerilee answered. “I still make sure Scootaloo gets her work down, though. Not that she really needs prompting.”
Elaina smiled. “I often have to bribe Button to do his,” she laughed. “He’s getting better though. Sweetie Belle seems to distract him, though. We can’t get through a single day without her being mentioned once!”
“They’re friends,” Cheerilee replied. “It’s entirely understandable. Scootaloo’s typical conversation pattern usually mentions Rumble somewhere or other along the line.”
“I wonder what they’re up to now,” Elaina asked.
Button Mash looked behind him as he brought the engine into Ponyville Station. This engine was No.2, Spirit of the Forest. The other engines were Gaia Everfree, A Falcon Foundry 0-4-2ST, Stuart the Brave, a Kerr Stuart Tattoo class, Stoat, a R&H diesel loco, and Donald, an Andrew Barclay 0-4-0. Having the whole fleet operational was certainly a boost, as it allowed for backup locos should one fail, but nothing was going to be left to chance. Everything had to work perfectly. Which was why they were practicing stops and starts with loaded trains.
Button checked the distance, and started applying the brakes. The train rolled to a smooth and gentle halt...with 3 coaches outside the platform.
“Button!” Sweetie Belle said. “You braked too early. Don’t do that on opening day!”
“Oops,” Button replied. “Sorry.”
On the other track, Scootaloo opened the regulator on Gaia Everfree. The engine moved forward, around the front of the train, and coupled on. Button uncoupled his engine and moved it backward into the runround loop.
He then pulled on the whistle, to let them know that he was clear. The other engine sounded its whistle, and pulled away.
At that moment in time, Scootaloo and Rumble were headed up the line, and Apple Bloom and Pip were currently at the middle station. Cozy had taken Stoat and an engineering train up to the top station, as the station building wasn’t quite ready yet.
Meanwhile, Cheerilee and Elaina were still having their chat.
“I take it Will was back over Christmas?” Elaina asked.
“Yes, it was very nice having the entire family together,” Cheerile replied. Will was Cheerilee’s husband. “He’s considering requesting a transfer to a Home Defence unit stationed here.”
“Why, if you don’t mind me asking?” Elaina enquired.
“Scootaloo has grown up without a father for most of her life, and he feels as if he barely knows her. He at least wants to be there for what’s left of her childhood”.
Meanwhile, Scootaloo brought her train into Everfree Junction Platform 1. She applied the brakes, and brought the engine to a perfect stop. She poked her head out of the cab, and saw Apple Bloom running towards her, followed by Pipsqueak and Cozy Glow. Wasn’t she supposed to be up at the top station?
Scootaloo then saw Stoat parked in a siding, and Stuart the Brave in the other platform. Apple Bloom yelled some incomprehensible gibberish at her.
“Please repeat that, I didn’t understand!” Scootaloo called.
“It’s Spirit of Everfree!” Apple Bloom called. “Somethin’ bad’s happened!”
Scootaloo whipped out her phone, and immediately dialled a number.
Cheerilee’s phone went off. She checked the number, and put it to her ear. “What is it, Scootaloo?” she asked. The answer caused her face to go pale.
“What’s wrong?” Elaina asked.
Cheerilee looked at her. “I’ve got to get to the railroad immediately!”
Cheerilee pulled up in the parking lot at Ponyville narrow gauge station, with Elaina’s car in tow. In the platform No. 2 was waiting, with Button Mash and Sweetie Belle propped against the side of the engine.
“Is something wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“What's going on, Mom?” Button asked.
“Can you get us up to Everfree Junction? Scootaloo called, saying something bad had happened, and she sounded quite upset.” Cheerilee explained.
“I’ll get the engine hooked up to the inspector’s saloon,” Button answered, and hopped in the engine’s cab. Without a second thought, he opened the regulator, and away he went.
Presently, he came back with the coach, and both Cheerilee and Elaina climbed aboard. Button sounded the whistle, and away they went!
The train slowed to a stop at Everfree Junction. Cheerilee got out and ran across the platform to Scootaloo. Her daughter’s eyes were puffy and red, indicating she’d been crying. “Scoot!” she cried. “What happened?” She brought her daughter into an embrace.
Scootaloo said very little, only “Our hard work, ruined.”
“What do you mean?”
“Spirit of Everfree is no more.”
“How?” Cheerilee asked. “What happened?”
Apple Bloom answered that question. “It’s currently down the embankment between here and Top Station, in pieces. Cozy Glow spotted it and informed us.”
Cheerilee’s heart sank. All those precious hours spent working on the engine, gone. She simply hugged her child tighter, mother and daughter mourning a tragic loss.
Rumble stepped over. “Pip’s gone to get the crane. We’ll fish the parts up and reassemble the engine.”
Scootaloo broke from her mother’s embrace, and looked at him. “You think it’s gonna be that simple, huh?” she growled, staring at him. “Just glue it back together? It doesn’t work that way, Rumble!” She was clearly quite angry now. “How on earth are we gonna do a repair of this scale with just two weeks to reopening? Restoring it the first time was hard enough, now we’ll have to start all over again!” She collapsed into a fresh round of tears.
Rumble resolved to fix this, and hugged her himself. “Hey, easy,” he said. “We can fix this. But we can’t if we don’t pull ourselves together.”
It was heartbreaking to see, a once magnificent machine reduced to nothing but a pile of scrap metal. The frames were buckled, most of the rodding was missing, the cylinders were torn, the tank and cab had come clean off the body, there were coal stains all over the frames, and the boiler was dented and broken. It was clear to all that the engine was a total writeoff.
“No,” Cheerilee whispered. “Whoever did this, is going to pay.”
“Ya don’t need to look far.”
Cheerilee looked over to her right. Standing there, was Applejack.
“How did ya get here?” Apple Bloom asked, confused.
Applejack simply shoved her little sister out of the way and stormed over to Cozy Glow, grabbing her arm. “You are in a lotta trouble, miss,” she growled.
“What?” Cozy replied, clearly terrified.
“Ya can drop the act, Cozy Glow,” Applejack answered, her voice dripping with hate and malice. “Ah know ya did this. An’ ta think ah trusted ya. Ya clearly haven’t changed at all.”
“That’s preposterous!” Sweetie Belle cried.
“It makes perfect sense,” Applejack continued. “Ya see, she was the only one between the two stations at the time this happened. So she musta been the one to derail the engine.”
“That’s called coincidence!” Button Mash said. “So what if she was between the two stations at the time, that stretch is 6 miles long! That’s an assertion, not actual proof!”
“Ya really are dumb,” Applejack snorted. “She’s clearly guilty. People don’t change, they just pretend. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”
Apple Bloom stepped forward, went on tiptoe, and leaned directly in her sister’s face. “No, sis,” she replied. “You’re wrong.”
“Excuse me?” Applejack asked. “Have Ah got applesauce in mah ears, or did you just call me a liar?”
“Ah didn’t call ya a liar, I just said you were wrong.” Apple Bloom continued quickly. “What would Cozy gain from destroying a dream she’s worked hard on?”
“What if she were just pretendin’? What if she were simply tryin’ to make ya think she was interested, whereas all she wanted to do was cause chaos?”
“You’re basing this on a ‘what if?’ Cozy exclaimed.
“Hold everything!” called a voice.
There was Pip, with a pair of youths. Snips and Snails. “They are the ones behind this,” he said. “They derailed the engine on Sonata’s orders. Question is, what would she want with us?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Apple Bloom replied. “Call the police, and get them outta here. They are not welcome on the railway, ever.” Both of them were escorted past, and into a waiting carriage. Bloom turned to her sister. “Ah think you owe Cozy an apology,” she said.
Applejack looked at Cozy. “Sorry, sugarcube,” she said.
Cozy simply nodded. “You are forgiven," she replied. “But why did you guys stand up for me?”
“Because we care,” Apple Bloom replied.
“Because we trust you,” Sweetie Belle added.
“Because I wouldn’t throw somebody else under the bus,” Scootaloo chimed in.
“Because we value you more than silver or gold,” said Rumble.
“Because the world would be a dimmer place without you,” said Button.
“Because...you are our friend, and friends stand by each other,” finished Pipsqeak.
Cozy said nothing, but simply sobbed. But they were not tears of fright or sorrow, but tears of joy.
Once they were done, they looked at the mess in front of them. “Looking at the damage,” said Pip, “we have a long road ahead of us.”
Scootaloo looked over. “What do you think, Apple Bloom?” she asked. “Do you think we can fix her?”
Apple Bloom looked over again, with a smirk. “Is the Pope Catholic?” she replied.
It took them a very long time to iron out all the problems. New frames were cut in the workshop, and siderods repaired. The new cylinder casings were mounted, and the cab was successfully repaired. The boiler, in spite of the external damage, was actually quite easy to fix. By the next morning, with a new lick of paint, Spirit of Everfreeshone once more.
Sweetie Belle smiled. “We did it!” she cried.
“Canterlot Movie Club Engine Restorers! Yay!” chorused one and all.
“We’re not done yet,” said a voice behind them. It was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
“What do ya mean?” asked Apple Bloom.
“We need to prove this railway can work, and that will only happen...on opening day,” Silver Spoon said.
It was the day of the grand reopening. The stations had been decorated in balloons and streamers, the coaches and engines were immaculate, and everything was truly in a state of perfection. The girls had turned up extra early to ensure everything worked. The entire fleet would be in action today, but the first important act was getting everybody into position.
A different engine was positioned at each loop, prepared to whistle when the opening train came by. They would then switch sides for the return trip, whilst the engine at the Top Station would take the train down the line.
Apple Bloom was clearly nervous. A lot was riding on this day going to plan, and she didn’t want to be the one to mess it up. If they failed, it would mean the end of the dream, and being reduced to a laughing stock wasn’t the most appealing of prospects.
At 9 in the morning the proceedings began. A train of 8 coaches, a mixture of 4-and 8-wheel coaches, had been prepared specially, decorated beautifully and with shining paint. Each door bore the company logo; a unicorn holding a crown, with 3 plumes coming out of it, surrounded by two gold bands, within which were the words Everfree Forest Railway.
Spirit of Everfree was coupled onto the front of the train, whilst Spirit of the Forest was positioned to assist the train out of the station. All the passengers on the train wore attire appropriate to the 1880s, whilst a delegation from the Talyllyn Railway had been invited to oversee proceedings, accompanied by the sons of Tom Rolt, as well as a few of the founding volunteers.
The Brass Band played Cwm Rhonda, accompanying the Morriston Male Voice Choir. When they were finished, Richard Rolt stepped forward.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, beginning his speech, “I am honoured to be here today to partake in this momentous occasion. It feels like only yesterday since my father saved a small line in North Wales from oblivion, and in doing so started the entire preservation movement. But that was 63 years ago. The world has changed. You can speak instantly with one another at the touch of a button, no matter where you are. Media and news can be shared instantaneously. But even in this age of technology, it is remarkable how easily things can fall through the cracks. Such as this little railway. It lay forgotten, abandoned, lost, for nearly 70 years. Then this group of pioneering young volunteers,” he paused, indicating the Crusaders, “discovered it, and restored it to full working order. They looked where nobody else did, for, like my father and his friends, all the way back in 1951, they never gave up, and worked while it seemed pointless.”
He stopped briefly. “But they achieved the results seen here today. If only more were like them! They are the very image of determination, fighting on in the face of indeterminable odds. They raised our sister line from the darkness, and in doing so, saved a little piece of our history.”
“I am hereby honoured to present to them, the Tom Rolt award for perseverance.”
There was applause from the crowd. They went collectively to receive it, holding it up together for the cameras, which captured the smiles on their soot-covered faces.
Richard continued, once they had returned to their places. He had now moved to a large ribbon covering the line. “And now, it is my great pleasure, to officially declare the Everfree Forest Railway, open!” With that, he took a pair of scissors, and cut the ribbon in two.
The band started to play once more, a rousing tune. People cheered, the engines whistled, and much happiness was observed that moment.
Rolt turned back to the crowd. “I believe we have a train to catch,” he added.
Apple Bloom and Pip scrambled into Spirit of Everfree’s cab, whilst Button Mash and Sweetie Belle climbed into Spirit of the Forest. The lead engine was decorated with a large wreath over the smokebox, and bore a headboard that read Everfree Forest Railway Grand Reopening, 1880-2014.
Bloom grabbed the cab radio. “Ya ready to give us a push?” she asked.
“Sure are!” Button replied.
“Crusaders forever!” Sweetie Belle added.
Apple Bloom opened the regulator. With a whoosh, a roar, and a rattle, the huge train started to move forward, both engines making a colossal din as they did so, lighting up the sky with smoke and soot. Both engines whistled constantly as they pulled away from the station, towards the level crossing.
And guess who was manning that level crossing? That’s right, Snips and Snails, who had tried to sabotage proceedings not long earlier. As their punishment, they were to work on the railway and ensure all ran to plan-starting with seeing the engine they’d destroyed roll through on its journey. They scowled in defeat.
Spirit of the Forest stopped just outside the station to let the train leave the station, then returned to the opposite platform.
Spirit of Everfree powered onwards, the train surging along the line. It made a truly spectacular sound, and the passengers, which included the parents, grandparents, and siblings of those who had restored the line, looked out at the views which hadn’t been seen by passengers in nearly 70 years.
After passing into the forest, the train rolled over a 5-arch viaduct, before turning left, and then right again, through a narrow cutting, and another bridge over a waterfall. The train then ran up a steep climb, before coming to a stop at Everfree Junction. Gaia Everfree was waiting there, with Scootaloo and Rumble at the controls. They whistled also, before moving off to return to Ponyville station.
The train then waited a few minutes as the passengers looked around. They had opened a small museum in one of the old sheds, and they took the opportunity to visit. Apple Bloom looked over at Pip. “Did ya think we could do it?” she asked.
“It was hard at times, and seemed an impossible struggle,” Pip answered honestly. “But, ‘every cloud is silver lined, even when it rains’”.
“’So, don’t get too downhearted, for things are bound ta change.’”
“’All you gotta do is wear a smile and you will find your sun will shine.” Pip smiled. “I still remember all the song lyrics. I guess that show left a big impression on me.”
“Not just you!” Bloom laughed. “All of us! Sweetie Belle still watches it, as does Scootaloo! In fact, she credits bein’ able to speak to Thomas and his Friends!”
“She was a late starter,” Pip added, “and now she never stops!”
The guard (Cozy Glow) blew her whistle. “Let’s go!” Apple Bloom exclaimed, and looked backward to see if everyone was onboard. She opened the regulator, and away they went.
They then took on the big climb. It was 1 in 70 for six miles, and they coped well at first. But the weight of the train weighed heavily on the engine. It began to slip, and boiler pressure fell sharply.
“Get some more coal in the firebox!” Bloom ordered. Pip quickly dumped some in, and briefly all was well. But not for long. The wheels continued to spin, and Bloom increased the cutoff to try and raise power. But it was no use. Belching steam into the air, wheels skidding uncontrollably, the opening train ground to an embarrassing halt halfway between the two stations.
Apple Bloom got out, and looked back in disbelief. “She coped fine on the climb when we tested it!” she exclaimed.
“But there were no passengers then,” Pip pointed out. “The train is packed, which considerably increased the weight.”
Bloom facepalmed. “Why didn’t Ah think of that!” she groaned. “Ah’m such an idiot!”
She walked down the train, the passengers opening the doors to try and find out what was going on.
“Ah’m sorry, y’all. We’ve stalled on the hill and can’t get goin’. Y’all wouldn’t mind getting' out and pushin’?”
Behind them, there sounded a whistle. And up the line came Gaia Everfree, gently rolling onto the coaches and buffering up behind. Apple Bloom walked down the train to find out what had happened.
“Scootaloo! What are y’all doin’ here?”
Scootaloo poked her head out of the cab. “We were told by the signalman that you had stalled. In fairness, we could hear you down there, so it wasn’t too hard to figure out what had happened. Button and Sweetie Belle are at the station below us, so let’s get this train moving!”
“Ah can agree to that!” Bloom replied, and ran back up the train.
Once all the passengers were back onboard, Apple Bloom released the brakes, and opened the regulator once again. The engine dug into the rails, great jets of steam blasting from its funnel. The engine at the rear dug in as well, snorting like a horse as it too put work in.
And sure enough, the train began to move once again. The sight was absolutely incredible; a heavy train on the incline, and two engines blasting the trees with both volume and steam. The enclosed terrain amplified the sound remarkably, two engines doing what they were built to do on the steep climb to the lake.
And at long last, they reached the top. Stoat and Donald were waiting there, and blasted their horns and whistles as the train pulled into the station. The station was close to Camp Everfree, a popular vacation destination, though it would soon be in the papers for an entirely different reason.
The passengers got out and looked around, whilst Donald was coupled to the back of the train and Spirit of Everfreereleased. It was not long before the train returned down the line, and Spirit returned light engine to the shed.
It wasn’t long before the day came to an end. Stabling the engines at the works, the friends got out of the cabs and came together.
“Well, wasn’t that exciting!” Pip exclaimed.
“We not only restored an entire railway, but ran it as well!” Sweetie Belle cried.
“Not to mention emergency repairs at the last minute!” Button added.
“Excuse me?” said a voice. “Is the shed still open?”
The girls turned to face the source of the voice; an elderly man, with a white beard and hair.
“It sure is sir,” Apple Bloom replied. “An’ you are?”
“My name is Christopher Awdry,” he answered.
Their jaws fell open in an instant. “The Christopher Awdry?!” Scootaloo exclaimed.
“The one and the same,” Christopher Awdry smiled. “I would like to write a few stories about this railway. I have happy memories of working alongside my father on the Talyllyn, and have a written a few about the Corris Railway too. With your permission, I’ll write some about this one as well.”
“Ya sure can sir!” Bloom replied, with an intense sense of pride in her heart.
They had a celebration party at Sweet Apple Acres that night.
“Ya did it sugarcube,” Pear told her daughter. “You always were stubborn.”
Apple Mac looked over. “Bloom,” he said, “Ah’m sorry for doubting ya, and what Ah said over that dinner all those months ago.”
“Ah forgive ya,” Bloom replied.
Scootaloo chimed in. “Don’t forget us, or Cheeri-Mom!” she hastily corrected herself. “If it weren’t for her, this would never have happened.”
“Quite right,” Cheerile added. “But remind me, who designed the boiler, and who made it?”
Sweetie Belle chimed in next. “Button, we owe you a great deal. And thanks to Dark Steel for making the boiler!”
“No problem!” they both replied.
That night, Apple Bloom went to bed happy and contented. They had achieved something remarkable. True, there had been many bumps in the rails, and the road hadn’t always been clear and long, but none of that mattered. They were friends, and theirs had been...a Railway Adventure.
Cast (in order of appearence) Michelle Creber-Apple Bloom Felicia Day-Pear Butter Ashleigh Ball-Applejack, Booking Office Attendant, Rainbow Dash Peter New-Big Mac and Hondo Flanks Claire Corlett-Sweetie Belle Tabitha St. Germain-Rarity, Granny Smith, and Vice Principal Luna Madeleine Peters-Scootaloo Sunni Westbrook-Cozy Glow Nicole Oliver-Cheerilee and Principal Celestia Bill Newton-Bright Mac William Shatner-Grand Pear Chantal Strand-Diamond Tiara and Spoiled Rich Shannon Chan-Kent-Silver Spoon Peter Capaldi-Paint Brush Alexandra Carter-Twist Lee Tockar-Snips Richard Ian Cox-Snails Rebecca Shoichet-Sunset Shimmer Brian Drummond-Spinning Gears and Filthy Rich Blake Swift-Button and Gibson Mash Vincent Tong-Rumble Graham Verchere-Pipsqueak Brian Blessed-Dark Steel Michael Caine-Randolph Eileen Montgomery-Elaina Mash Richard Rolt-Himself Christopher Awdry-Himself
Based on Railway Adventure by L.T.C. Rolt, ‘Hero of the Rails’, and the ‘Titfield Thunderbolt’.
A special thank you to my readers who made this all possible. I couldn’t have done it without you.
