> My Little Pony: The Railways of Railquestria Isle (S1) > by TrackthesiaSongrail > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 12th, 2019 "There isn't a punishment worthy for all you done!" "That seems fitting." "May I help please?" Soon, blasts of magic from two alicorns and a draconequs turned a certain pegasus filly, a changeling queen, and a centaur into stone. "As ruler of Equestria, I'd like to postpone the coronation for a while, at least until the castle's rebuilt. There's something we need to do first." The ponies soon munch on donuts. And the story begins... > Episode 1: Rebuilding The Castle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Railquestria Isle is an island surrounded by beautiful blue sea. It is across the coast from Vanhoover, which is accessible by an undersea tunnel that connects the island with the railways of Equestria. There are docks, industries, farms, fields mountains, quarries, stations, and happy residents trotting around. The island also has a huge railway system. Who's that rumbling down the track? Emerging from the undersea tunnel is a green Voith Maxima ponomotive. Behind the ponomotive are 13 purple and magenta coaches that make up the 'Royal Twilighter', Equestria's royal train. It's Switchshunter! Hello Switchshunter! Switchshunter honks back. "Hello everypony! Welcome to Railquestria Isle!" she greeted the readers. She continues trundling down the Cab City and Mainland mainline, which connects Cab City with the undersea tunnel to Equestria. At Twilight City Central Station, a dark gray unicorn mare sits in the office. She had the same manestyle and tailstyle as Sunset Shimmer, but it is blue and light gray. She had a railroad crossing symbol for a cutie mark. And a black top hat, with a grey line running around the hat. Her name is Madame Tophoof the Fourth. "Ah, it feels good to run the R.I.M.R," said Tophoof, sighing with relief. Various trains come in and out of Twilight City Central. Be they freight or passenger, they are important to the islands economy. Soon, the telephone rings. Tophoof then answered. "Hello? Yes. The royal palace in Canterlot got partially destroyed? Oh, all right. Twilight's coming? I'll get to it." *SLAMDING!* Then a horn can be heard. It is Switchshunter arriving with the Royal Twilighter. "Hello, Madame," smiled Switchshunter. "Princess Twilight has an important message for your engines. Hop on." "I will gladly do so," replied Tophoof. She then hopped on board. And they set off for Bufferton Sheds. At Bufferton Sheds, a bunch of ponomotives are gathered. There's Goldpuff (a CN S1b; No. 15), Cantermore (a Reading T-1; No. 16), Rudolph (a PRR M1b; No. 17), Aerie (an ATSF 3460 class; No. 18), Tuffluck (a CN U-1-f; No. 19), Swanson (an NYC Hudson Commodore Vanderbilt variant; No. 20), Darkwidow (an ONR 4-6-2; No. 21), Blackcat (also an ONR 4-6-2; No. 22), Hoofbogie (a Bombardier TRAXX; No. 23) Diesel (a GE Genesis P42; No. 24), Erina (a Siemens Vectron; No. 25), Skeeter (also a Siemens Vectron; No. 26 [can also honk much like his Doug counterpart]), Brando (a GE Dash 8; No. 27), Vladimir (a Russian Railways 2ES10 Granite), Snapscrap (a DB BR101 diesel variant with a blue claw), and finally, Freightship Forgetter (an EMD Class 66; No. 39). "Seriously?" asked Tuffluck. "Twilight's visiting?" "Yes, she is, Tuffluck," replied Swanson, with utter annoyance. "And I hope this introduction goes fast. I don't want to be late." "Well, to be honest, Twilight made the right choice of accepting the full Equestrian throne," said Rudolph with a smile. "Both Celestia and Luna felt their time on the throne were over, anyway." "On the bright side, if it weren't for the Crusaders, Equestria would've been doomed," chimed in Aerie. "I definitely agree," said Brando. "Cozy Glow was friends with Tirek, by the way." "Remember the Changeling attack?" reminded Cantermore. "It really made Canterlot a dangerous place during big events." "Right you are," muttered Diesel. "But at least we don't have to worry about those three anymore." "But, Diesel, since they were sealed by the princesses and Discord, it'll be likely for them to break free honk honk," added Skeeter. "Unlikely," replied Diesel. "Likely honk honk," said Skeeter. "Unlikely!" "Likely Honk Honk!" "UNLIKELY!" "LIKELY HONK HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK.... *HOOOOOOOOONK!* "SILENCE!" There, in front of the engines, was Madame Tophoof, along with Switchshunter. "Hello, Madame Tophoof," said all engines. "May I have your attention please?" asked Tophoof. The engines nodded. "Well, talk about Twilight losing her friends to the clock. Soon they will get older and head to the grave, while she remains young, and alive," teased Darkwidow. "I heard that, Darkwidow!" scolded Tophoof. "Anyway, everyone, I like you to meet Twilight Sparkle and her friends. I expect you to be on your best behavior." A purple lavender alicorn flies out of the Royal Twilighter. She lands next to Tophoof. "Hello...everytrain?" greeted Twilight, confused at first upon seeing the ponomotives. "WELCOME TO RAILQUESTRIA ISLE, PRINCESS TWILIGHT!" exclaimed all the engines, with whistles and honks, before 'kneeling' down like buses as if they were to bow down. Twilight chuckled. "Thank you all. But anyway, the Royal Palace in Canterlot has been damaged in the battle. I have asked Tophoof to borrow some of you to help rebuild the castle. I have the list here." "Please pick me. Please pick me," thought Diesel. "I will have Cantermore, Freightship, Brando, Swanson, Rudolph, Hoofbogie, Aerie, Skeeter, and finally, Blackcat," said Twilight. "Aw, I wanted to help," sighed Diesel in sadness. "Don't worry, Diesel. I bet there's a next time," replied Goldpuff. The next morning, the 9 engines headed to the mainland to report for work in Canterlot. "I hope she gives me the job of pulling the passenger coaches," said Swanson. "It'll be an honor to pull such - ...later.... "BUILDING MATERIALS!?" exclaimed Swanson. "Building materials! Oh, I feel undignified!" "Sorry, Swanson," chuckled Brando. "But Twilight chose us to help rebuild the castle, remember?" "I see," muttered Swanson. "Undignified. So undignified now." "Good morning, everytrain," greeted Twilight as she trotted up. "We have work to do before my coronation. The shipments are waiting below in Ponyville and we don't want to keep the party waiting." "Yes, your Highness!" replied all the engines as they set off to work to get the castle repaired. *KLINK!* Cars of castle components get coupled up. *CLANK! CLANK!* More cars get coupled up. *KLINK!* More knuckle couplers hook up. *CLANK! CLANK!* *KLINK!* *CLANK! CLANK!* *SWITCH! HONK! DING! DING!* Railway signalboxes direct the trains, while the bells are ringing. *DING DING DING DING DING DING DING DING!* Hey! Hey! Everypony! We've got something to say. We may seem as different, As the night is from day. But you look a little deeper, And you will see, That we're just like you And you're just like us. Yeah! [An epic montage shows of some of the 9 engines passing with their load to Canterlot] Hey! Hey! Everypony! We're here to shout, That the magic of friendship Is what it's all about. Yeah, we thought we were different, As the night is from the day. Until Twilight Sparkle helped us see another way. So couple up, roll along. If you're gonna come around. We can work together, Helping Twilight rebuild the castle. So up, get down. 'Cause it's gonna make a sound. *HONK!* If we work together, Helping Twilight Sparkle rebuild the castle! Hey! Hey! Hooves up now! We're sending a message to the crowd! Hooves wave up, then come down, We're working together all around! Generous, honesty. Laughter, kindness, loyalty. Twilight helped us each to see. All that for nine years. So couple up, roll along. If you're gonna come around. We can work together, Helping Twilight rebuild the castle So couple up, roll along 'Cause it's gonna make a sound. *HONK!* If we work together, Helping Twilight Sparkle rebuild the castle I have been so happy To be princess now And if we're different, yeah, I want you to be true to you. If you help the trains, We'll put our differences aside. We'll stick together And start working on that castleeeeee! Couple up, make a sound. *WHISTLE* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Start now, make a change, Gonna come around. Couple up, make a sound. *HONK!* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Engines of R-I-M-L Help her rebuild the castle. Couple up, make a sound. *WHISTLE* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Start now, make a change, Gonna come around. Jump up, make a sound. *HONK* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Engines of R-I-M-L Help her rebuild the castle. Couple up, make a sound. *HONK* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Start now, make a change, Gonna come around. Couple up, make a sound. *WHISTLE* Stomp your hooves, turn around. Engines of R-I-M-L.... Soon, the castle had been completed. It was almost time for the coronation party. The 9 engines had worked so hard that they were exhausted. "Phew! I almost worked my axles off!" panted Brando. But we managed to get everything done in time." "Uhh, sorry to bother you," interrupted Aerie. "BUT SOMEPONY FORGOT TO BRING THE SUPPLIES FOR THE CORONATION PARTY!" Everytrain gasped. "So, what will happen if the coronation supplies aren't delivered?" asked Rudolph. "It will be a disaster. Twilight will be very unhappy. So unhappy she will step down from the throne way too early. Then all of Equestria will fall," teased Darkwidow. Everytrain frowned at her. "What?" asked Darkwidow. "Nothing," asked Rudolph. "Carry on." Then, another pony with a clipboard galloped up to them. "I have bad news!" exclaimed the workpony. "There was a breakdown in Ponyville. A steam engine popped its piston, and it can't deliver the supplies! Oh my dear Celestia, if we cant get the coronation party supplies, who knows what could happen!" "Do not worry, I can bring the supplies," chimed in Freightship. "The coronation will be saved!" All the engines cheered. Freightship then rumbled down the mountain, heading for Ponyville. To be continued... > Episode 2: Freightship and the Coronation Supplies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soon, Freightship is headed down the line to Ponyville. He has to collect the coronation party supplies for Twilight's coronation. "Oh, my. If the party supplies aren't delivered, it will be disappointing," said Freightship with worry. He then emitted smoke from his generator, starting an imagination: Twilight walks out with Celestia and Luna. But to Twilight's surprise, the party hasn't even started because of the missing supplies. "I'm sorry, everypony," said Twilight with sadness "But because the party supplies aren't here, I am definitely canceling the coronation." All the ponies trotted, flew, and teleported off, feeling disappointed. Then the imagination ended. "I can't let that happen," said Freightship with determination. So he sped up. Soon, Freightship arrived at the Ponyville marshalling yard. An LMS 4F steam ponomotive saw him. "Looking for something?" asked the 4F. "I'm looking for the train full of coronation supplies," replied Freightship. "It's on track 45G," said the 4F, gesturing to a long train over near the end of the yard. It consisted of 52 cars. "Oh, boy," said Freightship. "This is going to be especially hard,"he thought. So he coupled up to the train. "Okay, let's head off to Canterlot." And Freightship slowly sets off for the capital city in Equestria. As he was heading down the tracks, Freightship gasped. There are sheep on the tracks. He sets his brakes, bringing him and his train to a full stop. "Excuse me? Excuse me!" asked Freightship. But the sheep didn't listen. "I guess I should resort to this," he said. And he honked his horn really hard. *HOOOOOOOOOOONK!* This scared the sheep. So they got out of Freightship's way. "Thank you," said Freightship. And he continued his way to Canterlot. But after Freightship passed with his train, the sheep decided to get back on the tracks, which will cause a certain next train carrying 6 ponies to stop as seen on screen. Very soon, he reached the steep mountain. "I can do this. I can do this," he thought in encouragement. So he entered the tunnel that leads up the mountain. Then the cars themselves had an idea. "PULL BACK! PULL BACK!" said the cars as they pulled back. This causes Freightship to have a difficult time. "Oh no," he said. "The cars are being naughty." So he pulled the cars with all his might up the mountain. "I...won't...let this...stop...me," he strained. Despite the cars being naughty, he managed to make it up the hill. Freightship soon arrived in Canterlot. "Here are the coronation supplies!" he exclaimed. All the ponomotives cheered. "So the coronation really is saved," said Swanson. "Eeyup," agreed Big McIntosh as he trotted up to one of Freightship's wagons, which is carrying his crates full of apple juice and more apple products. But the abrupt stop with the has caused his crates to be mixed up. Very soon, the coronation supplies are unloaded. And the party is set up just in timw "Well, three cheers for Freightship honk honk," said Skeeter. "Hip hip..." "HOORAY!" "HIP HIP!" "HOORAY!" "Awww," smiled Freightship in tears. "Thank you." Then it was soon time for the coronation. The Friendship Express arrived late, due to the sheep that Freightship encountered. A trumpet soon sounds. Then Celestia and Luna walked up to the balcony of the royal palace. "Citizens of Equestria and beyond," she announced while receiving cheers from all the species. Even whistles and horns from the 9 ponomotives. Then Celestia continued. "My sister and I have ruled this land for quite some time, but even we know that change eventually comes to us all and though we know it can be unsettling, it's as natural as the rising and settling of the Sun and the moon, both of which my sister and I feel confident leaving in the host...." "I wonder what's taking Twilight so long?," asked Cantermore. "It may be because she's getting ready," replied Rudolph. "....and so, without further ado, I give you the new ruler of Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight immediately tripped upon reaching the balcony. "Oh, dear," said Brando with worry. "Is she alright?" Twilight then stood up. Soon, Celestia and Luna merged their crowns into one. Then there was trouble. A star spider was on Twilight's back, which scared Luna a bit. "Uhh, Twilight?" asked Luna with concern. But then the butterflies and hummingbirds swarmed around Twilight. Then there was even more trouble. The geese didn't like the carrot, but they went to put the crown on Twilight's head. The Wonderbolts did their show, but the fireworks didn't fire as planned, causing one of the Wonderbolts to hit the two geese carrying Twilight's crown. This resulted in Twilight making a death defying jump for the crown, which her own wings saved her at the last second. Soon, the coronation was over. It was time for the 9 engines to head home. They are all at the station. Tophoof and Twilight were there, too. "Engines, I am very proud of you," said Twilight, with a smile. "Without you, the castle wouldn't have been rebuilt and the coronation wouldn't have been possible. Thank you." All the engines honked and whistled. "Good luck on ruling Equestria," said Rudolph. "At least you will need a stress squeezer." "It's been nice meeting you your Highness honk honk," chimed in Skeeter. "Come to Railquestria, Twilight. At least you would enjoy meeting the princess of the island," said Brando. "Thanks, Brando," said Twilight. "I'll come sometime." "You've all been Truly Reliable Locomotives," chimed in Tophoof. "But we have a railway to run." Soon, all the ponomotives departed Canterlot station back to Railquestria Isle. Then Twilight looked up to the sky which soon became dark. "I am sure I'm going to not forget the friendships I made over the years," she said, wiping a tear. Then she trotted off to meet with her friends at the tables. Caboose. > Episode 3: Brando, the Luxe Deluxe, and The Chocolate Mishap > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a beautiful day in Railquestria Isle. It had been a week since Twilight took the throne on the mainland. But despite the occasion, there is still a railway to run. Brando, the RIML's number 27 GE Dash 8 ponomotive, often has the dirtiest jobs: pulling fish, coal, and pony waste. But he likes to be clean like the rest of the engines. Brando often uses the train wash near Bufferhoof Central, which is important to him. But Madame Tophoof had terrible news. She trotted up to him upon his arrival. "Because of the windigo incident a few weeks ago on the mainland, and you know the rest, there's been a shortage of soap," she explained. "All engines will have one wash per day. And also, reliability before neatness." Then, she trotted off. Brando was cross. "I get dirty," he fumed. "I need to be clean. Swanson often does it because he feels so important." "I am important," chimed in Swanson, who was next to Brando, getting washed. "I pull the North Mainline Express." "You're a grumpy engine honk honk," teased Skeeter, the RIML's number 26 leased Siemens Vectron magictric engine. "No I'm not!" oiled Brando. And he rumbled off. At Harmony Docks, Brando was to collect 137 flatbeds of iron girders for Cab City. He was trying really hard not to get dirty. But the crane at the docks was known to be silly and reckless. So he dropped a crate full of Equestria Girls glitter on Brando. "Hack hack hack hack!" coughed Brando. "Why would you do that for?" "Sorry about that," said the crane. "Have you ever seen Spring Breakdown?" "No I haven't. And besides, there are no television sets in Equestria!" he shouted. *CLINK!* Brando then looked back. His mouth dropped. Behind him, was an almost rusty superyacht on 9 extra flatbeds. It had looked like it had been recovered from deep beneath the sea. It was painted white, yellow, green, and mostly, magenta. Soon, a workpony trotted up to Brando. "This here's the Luxe Deluxe. It sunk after a storm forced it into some rocks in another world," explained the workpony. "Please take it to Cab City with your iron girders." "Another world?!" exclaimed Brando. "Ohhhh, come on!" So Brando heaved out of the docks with the yacht and iron girders. On his way to Cab City, the heavy and oversized load is making it difficult for Brando. "Oh, come on," he strained. "I can do this." Soon, he arrived at Sunsetville Junction. Cherry Berry was picking up supplies in her helicopter for Ponyville on the mainland. "Hi there," said Cherry Berry. She then pedaled harder, making her helicopter lift off. As it did, soot flew from the ground and onto Brando. "Not again!" oiled Brando. "I am going to the train wash!" The conductor trotted up. "You need to calm yourself Brando," he said. "As Tophoof said, reliability before neatness." *CLANK!* 57 boxcars had been added to Brando's consist. Another workpony trotted up. "These are loaded with sugar for the chocolate factory in Cab City," said the workpony. So Brando set off. It is now heavier than he can handle. Brando didn't know that the consist's weight, along with that of the Luxe Deluxe, had now increased his braking distance. Soon, as he approached the chocolate factory, Brando sets his brakes. But the heavy 203-car consist pushed Brando. "Oh my Celestia!" cried Brando. But it was too late. He slammed into the factory, along with the Luxe Deluxe. *CRASH! CLANK! SPLUNK! SPLANK! KLANK! CLINK!* Brando soon emerged from the other end, now on his side. He was covered from generator to wheels in sticky chocolate. Even the Luxe Deluxe, who had ripped a gap in the roof. Vladimir, the 2ES10 magictric multiple ponomotive, pulled Brando to Bufferhoof Sheds. There, was Skeeter, Swanson, Diesel, Cantermore, and Tophoof. The engines thought it was hilarious. "You look delicious," said Cantermore. "Bon Brondo," teased Diesel. "Hershey Hershey Honk Honk!" laughed Skeeter. "Disgusting," said Swanson. "Ahem," interrupted Tophoof. "You had a very bad day, isn't it, Brando?" "Yes, madame," replied Brando, beneath the chocolate. "But you should've saw that reliability comes before neatness," explained Tophoof. "So, you can head to the train wash. After that, it's the Rainbowshops for a new paint job." "Oh, Madame," smiled Brando. He beamed with a huge smile. Caboose.