Equestrian Rail - The Other Ponies: Tales from My Little Railway

FROM WALES, WITH SNEER!

"And THIS is the before mentioned yard, a marshalling yard, to be specific."

If one would visit the Ponyville Marshalling Yards, he or she would find it a bustling place (well, depending on the time he or she may visit - the vacant hours are around noon and midnight). Workponies are moving about, the yard's shunting engines are arranging the trains, coming and going, around the clock. A place usually busy, it is not uncommon that you'd find many ponies all in one place, moving large mechanical parts, releasing the brakes of trucks, or quite the contrary, switching them on, fastening couplings, or examining rolling stock and machinery alike for any malfunction.

However, there was a group trotting about that was different from the yard's staff, yet, the workponies payed little attention - they were to busy.

Thankfully, Twilight was able to take a break for the morning, and guide the class through the yard for their field trip. With Cheerilee as the tail-ender, the small herd was held together... Well, for that moment, at least.

"Trains from local areas, such as Trottingham, Canterlot, and Manehattan, will come day in and day out, and certain parts of their load doesn't continue with them. So, a few trucks are taken out of the train, and added to another. Sometimes the whole train is dismantled, as each of it's wagons continue from here. Same goes for cross-country passenger trains."

Twilight was sure having fun, explaining things to the foals. Many ponies, including her friends, Cheerilee, and even some of the engines had asked her whether she wants to become a teacher.

Usually, she would merely blush, and dismiss the idea. However, it was times like these when she really felt like reconsidering it...

"Ya done yet? I still got some work to do - no matter how ridiculous that sounds - and you're making me late! Not that I really care, though..."

...Then again, not...

"...And here's one of our diesel locomotives." she spoke now, approaching the jet black Class 08, the foals in tow "His name, quite appropriately, is Diesel."

"'Morning." Diesel grumbled, stubbornly looking away with a frown. The little ponies didn't notice. They were awed by the sight of the engine. Twilight smirked. She had spent the last night scrubbing him down a bit, and now, he looked perfect - not too clean for a working engine, yet, not too dirty. His traction rods and wheels shone in the sunlight, his buffer plates and buffers were cleaned (yes, even behind them!), his ladder, one of the most prominent assets of him (aside from his eyebrows, nose, and the mentioned bulky silver gray traction rods), were free from grime, and his engine purred smoothly, good as new - a strong courtesy of the ever-earnest fitter and Number One Assistant, Spike!

Even Cheerilee herself seemed to be taken by the spirit of things.

Diesel, as predictable, was reluctant and nonchalant, grumbling sullenly.

"Right. Can anyone guess, what kind of engine Diesel is?" the mare asked.

One hoof was instantly up.

"Not you, Apple Bloom, you had already seen him work."

The filly lowered her hoof in disappointment.

"Anyone else?" the purple unicorn asked "Shall we describe him first, to make it easier?"

"It, I mean, HE, is not really big." Snips noted.

"Very observant." Twilight smiled "What else?"

"He's black." said Snails.

"Yes." Twilight smiled "Why do you think is that?"

Silence.

"'Cause... They were out of other paint?" Snails attempted again.

"Nnnot quite..." the unicorn muttered "Anypony else?"

"Oh, COME ON!" Sweetie Belle groaned "Isn't it obvious?!"

"WHAT is?" Cheerilee asked, surprised by the usually quiet filly's outburst.

"He's painted like that because black paint, unlike black dresses, makes the dirt less visible!"

The others were silent. Twilight seemed quite surprised.

"Exactly." Diesel replied instead, amazed "Glad to know at least SOMEone knows about liveries here."

Sweetie Belle looked away sheepishly.

"Not as much as liveries as dress colors. My sister told me that black dresses could hide certain kinds of splodges, though, not every kind..."

"Yeah, that's... That pretty much describes it..." the engine muttered, lost in his thoughts.

"Anything else you would note?" the mare asked again.

Diamond Tiara has been gazing at the engine for some time by now...

"Weeell..." she muttered "He's... Sort of small, and boxy, so I guess he wasn't built for speed, but he looks SOMEWHAT strong..."

"Very good!" Twilight smiled cheerfully. The filly just cast a cocky smirk at the disgruntled CMC.

"You nailed that." Diesel grumbled "I'm not made for speed. I'm made for traction and strength. "

"And you're painted black so that it doesn't really matters if you become dirty..." Silver Spoon went on, pondering "Are you a freight engine?"

"Well, not specifically, but do I work around with trucks all the time. And coaches."

"But you seem a bit small to be pulling trains..." said Twist.

"Size isn't everything, you know..." the engine muttered "I can pull trains just as easily as bigger engines, but not as fast, and perhaps not as far. But with all the work I do here in the yard, I bet I do just as many miles as Old Stuck-Up, for example." he grumbled, casting a glower at the express speeding by on the main line.

"Wait, so you work around in the yard?" Scootaloo asked "Do you ever leave it?"

"Tactical question." Diesel declared "Indeed, I mostly work here in the yard, but some times, I take a small train to nearby stations and yards. I mostly take trucks, as I was not built for pulling passenger trains..."

"So..." Ink Blot muttered "You work around in the yard, with trucks and coaches, but you don't take passenger trains, or longer freight trains, and you're more built for strength than speed..."

"Which means you're..." Sweetie Belle began... All eyes were on her...

"I don't know..." she backed out.

Apple Bloom could take no more.

"OH, FOR PETE'S SAKE!" she hollered "HE'S A SHUNTER!"

"A what?" the rest of the class asked.

"Yes. I am." the Class 08 uttered, surprised by the filly's outburst again.

"What's a shunter, Ms. Sparkle?" Pip asked.

"A shunter, or shunting engine, also known as a switcher, yard pilot or, in rare cases, a shifter, is type of smaller, low-gear engine, either steam, diesel, or electric, that is primarily used to move rolling stock around in short distances, and arrange them into trains."

"Oooooh!" the exclamation rose from the class like a collective moan. Then Snips asked:

"What's low-gear?"

The shunter was quick to reply:

"Low-gear means that I can't go fast, but I can pull trucks very well. Can we go now?! We're already late as it is!"

"Very well!" the mare smiled "Because you'll be demonstrating shunting work, so everypony, ALL ABOARD!"

Diesel deadpanned.

"Reely?" he asked, only to have a film reel hit him straight on the roof after falling out of nowhere "OW! THE HELL?!"

The two mares and the foals just stared at the reel (now slightly dent) as it landed on the ballast beside them. There was a small sticker on it, reading "Night of the Living Dead".

"Inquisitive." Twilight muttered, and levitated it onto an empty oil drum beside the shed wall.

"Anyways... Who's ready to be an engineer?"

And on that cue, a chorus of cheery "Me!"s rose from the class. The unicorn and the earth pony mare exchanged content looks, but the diesel seemed less enthusiastic.

"Twilight, there's NO WAY they could all fit in my cab!"

The purple pony just smirked.

"That's why I called help. GUYS!"

"Help?" Diesel asked back, and glanced to the side.

Rumbling lowly, a cleaned and polished 'Arry and Bert stopped beside him. Their paintwork was brand new, a darker, green-tinted BR Freight Gray paint on the body, aside from the yellow stripe going along the side in the level of the cab windows (the words "BARROW IRONWORKS" had been painted off from it), the cab itself also being yellow, now both of them sporting a two-tone (black and gray) British Rail symbol. The only thing that remained unpainted were their wheels, traction rods, buffers and buffer plates: still black with dirt and grime. Moreover, 'Arry stubble had been shaved into a subtle soul patch that extended over onto his chin, while Bert still had a five o'clock shadow. They carried an impression of strength incomparable with Diesel.

"Oh." the shunter exclaimed "THIS'LL be a disaster-tour!"

After an... Eventful shunting crash course through the yard, in which they managed to arrange ten trains (as opposed to the daily seven), with the help of foals and a teacher with no profession in this sort of work, the class and the two mares have arrived onto one of the platforms. It was long and narrow, and had little decoration.

"And this is our main goods platform. All freight trains stop here, or at our secondary platform behind the building. Now Ponyville itself may not be an important stop, but many trains pass here, most of which has to depart with less loads. We arrange it in the marshalling yard, and another train picks up the right trucks. Same goes for some passenger trains. All in all, we're kept busy, and this yard is working twenty-four hours a day. It's hard work, and..."

"...That's why I'm here right now!" a voice interrupted.

They all looked up, surprised.

At the end of the platform stood a soaring tall figure, wearing a dark blue railwaymen coat, dark trousers, sharp black shoes with triangle-based soles, and a black peaked cap with the Equestrian Rail symbol on it's front. He was tall and humanoid, yet simplified: a perfectly round head, no ears or nose, trapeze-shaped eyes with black irises, wide shoulders and the upper torso narrowing towards the waist, making a triangle shape again, legs (or, at least the trousers) widening towards the feet clad in the sizable shoes. His arms were like that, too: widening towards the hand, his fingers long and sharp, like claws. But his eyes showed peace and long eons of experience. He smiled gently at them, eyes quickly returning to the clipboard he was writing into. He was tall, even by Equestrian standards: he probably towered over Princess Celestia herself... Well, if you call ten inches "towering over".

He finished writing, and returned to the crowd, now spotting a smile as well.

"Alexei!" Twilight cheered, and galloped towards the deity. But then, she skidded to a halt, as the foals and Cheerilee caught up with her.

"Excuse me..." she muttered "I mean, Mr. Alexei!" he was her superior after all. But the god smiled, ever so kindly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Sparkle." he addressed her, then looked at the class and Cheerilee.

"And who may I respect in your persons?" he bowed to them slightly.

"I'm Cheerilee." the Fandango and Red-violet mare replied "And this is the class."

One by one, the colts and fillies introduced themselves.

The god listened carefully, then replied.

"Well, my name is Alexei. I'm the controller of the railway, and..."

"Wait, so YOU own the railway?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"No, that's Princess Celestia." the figure replied "She's the Chairmare. She takes care of the financial stuff and the demands. Princess Luna is the director. She's a bit like you there, Ms. Sparkle: she LOVES to organize, and does it pretty damn well, I may ad."

Twilight blushed. Alexei went on.

"And I'm the controller. I carry out things, and I'm intent on keeping this railway ship-shaped, up-to-date, well, by Equestrian standards, anyway, and make everything go like clockwork."

"Excuse me..." Silver Spoon interrupted "What was your name again?"

"Oh..." he replied "It's Alexei."

"...Funny name..." the gray filly muttered.

"Well, it IS foreign." the figure admitted "I mean, I'm not even from this world..."

"What?!" the foals were stunned. The controller grinned.

"Why... I am, pretty much like your princesses, a deity."

"A what?" Snails asked.

"A deity." Sweetie Belle explained rhetorically "An immortal or longevous being, who can hardly be injured or fall ill, and possessed great powers. A god or demigod, basically."

The others just stared.

"What?" the filly asked, as Scootaloo scuttled close to her.

"You went total dictionary again..." she whispered. Sweetie blushed, and looked sheepishly away.

"Anyways..." Alexei went on "The Royal Industrial Inspector is Prince Blueblood, but he's busy visiting another province at the moment, that's why I'm here, and..."

"Hang on, so all the royals are involved with the operation of the railway?" Cheerilee asked, a bit surprised.

"Well, Princess Cadence isn't, she's busy otherwise." the deity explained "But yeah, the Princesses, ME... It is a fully nationalized company after all..."

"Nationalized?" Snips asked.

"Owned by the state." Sweetie explained, then blushed, and looked away.

"If only you could do this during tests..." her teacher muttered.

"Anyways, it's the same in every province of the Equestrian Federal Monarchy." Alexei went on "The county leaderboard of the Western region, the supreme kollies in Stalliongrad Oblast, the congress of Phillydelphia, and even in some countries of the Europonian Union. We all look into the railway's well-being, as the economy is pretty much dependent on it."

"Right... Well..." Twilight seemed a bit disoriented after the onslaught of information "Rail transport isn't only made of goods stations. There are passenger trains as well. But first, we'll be visiting one of our near-by freight contractors, to see how the railway helps the market." she said, pointing a hoof at the other platform. Spamcan stood there, with Applejack beside him, waving at the crowd. Behind the now moderately dirty engine was a row of vans, waiting to be delivered to Sweet Apple Acres. But right behind the diesel was old, open-topped carriage.

"I guess... Applejack would be taking over from here..." Alexei smirked.

"Yes!" the lavender unicorn replied "Let's trot over, shall we?"

As the foals boarded the open carriage, Cheerilee glanced at the sky.

"I hope it wouldn't rain." she spoke "This coach doesn't provides much shelter."

"Oh don't worry, I'm sure Rainbow Dash has taken care of that." Twilight smiled, and looked up as well. Indeed, there were no clouds on the sky, and the late spring sun was shining brightly.

"I haven't seen Rainbow Dash since about a week by now..." the Fandango mare added "Is she alright?"

"I... Don't... Know..." Twilight muttered, thinking back "I haven't seen her for days, either..."

"She dis'ppea'd afte' we gave 'er a buc'e' kic'in' 'bou' 'er be'avio'..." Spamcan spoke up.

"Bucket-kicking?" Scootaloo asked in alarm.

"We told 'er off." Applejack replied "Le's say, she wasn't re'lly bein' in her element that day..."

"Element? You don't mean..." Scootaloo was bewildered "She was... Disloyal?"

"...Quite..." Twilight admitted on a bitter tone "She ditched Pinkie Pie when she had put herself in an awkward predicament in favor of supporting Gilda."

"But wasn't she doing that out of loyalty towards Gilda?" the orange filly asked, with little hope.

"She did the exact opposite nearly a year ago." the lavender unicorn replied "She was just switching sides now. I'm sorry, Scootaloo..." she finished, lowering her head.

The little pegasus just slumped onto the carriage's floor with a tristful look. Her friends came to her aid, while the two snobbish fillies just snickered on her misfortune. Twist frowned, and was about to scold the two bullies, when something caught her eye.

"Hey... What's that?" she asked, pointing into the distance. The others followed her hoof, and saw it... Whatever it was...

It was hard to describe...

From that distance, it looked like a lump of cleverly positioned scrap metal. But there was something peculiar about it.

"Oh, that..." Alexei muttered, looking at the weird object "That thing has a history. Do you have any time?"

"...Sure." Applejack replied, getting herself comfortable. So did the others.

"It's not that much of a long story..." the figure admitted "A few days ago, I ventured back into the home world of the engines, planet Earth. I was there for a reason. In the country of Wales - I think that's Wells in this world - on it's top, left-hand corner, there was a small, private railway that was under closure, and many items of it were on auction. An old, eccentric lady owned it, who was very wealthy, and after her death, the railway inherited her fortune. There was also a small income that came from a gold mine in the near-by mountains, very rich, but it's owner, an aged man, had kept it a secret to prevent a gold rush."

He paused, briefly.

"I originally went there to buy the steam engine that worked on that railway, a small, green tank engine. It was a special sort: it's whistle has been replaced by steam organ pipes, giving it the ability to "sing". I didn't managed to buy him, but I was glad when I heard that a preservation society did. However, there was something else that caught my eye instead. It was among the many cachectic rolling stock, and for a long time, I took no notice of it - the only thing rumored to be "alive" on this railway was the steam engine, but that was in good hands."

He took a long look at the object himself, before turning back to the class

"But as the auction progressed, I noticed that... No-one picked that lump of scrap. As more and more stuff was taken away, I could recognize parts of the thing more easier. I asked a salesman, and he told me that the object in question was once something that once vaguely resembled a locomotive. It was a makeshift vehicle that was built out of bits and bobs, when the steam engine of the railway was apparently sent away. They towed it out from the lake near the gold mine. It was a loop of thoughts, but I bought it. So, it's here now."

"What are ya gonna do with it?" Apple Bloom asked. The god seemed to be lost is his thoughts for a moment.

"I'll try to repair it, and I may get help from the Princesses." he spoke, surprising the others "After all, with all the diesels around, it's best they learn how an internal combustion engine works..."

As the train rumbled down the track, the three fillies kept pondering. The others were chatting about the next stop of their tour, but they were preoccupied with something.

"You know..." Scootaloo began "These new machines only give us more possibilities."

"Yeah, I was thinkin' 'bout the same thang!" Apple Bloom added "Remember what Mr. Alexei said 'bout the princesses needin' to learn how ta fix an internal combuster engine?"

"Internal combusTION engine!" Sweetie Belle frowned "We might as well try it our self!"

"Now there's an idea!" the young applefarmer cheered "Mah sister works with Spamcan, yer sister works with Old Stuck-Up, an' Twilight works with Diesel!"

"And Spike!" Scootaloo added "Don't forget Spike! He's the fitter of the engines!"

"They'll sure be able to teach us!" Sweetie smiled brightly.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Apple Bloom grinned, and the three jumped up.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders Engineers YAY!" and they clapped hooves.

Cheerilee, who had heard it all, only sighed, and gave a knowing smile.

"This'll be interesting." she thought "At least, they'll be turning to the right ponies."

"So, where is this... "Juggernaut" of yours?" the princess of the night asked.

"Around this shed... Here!" he said, opening his arms, and showing them... It...

It was hard to describe what it was.

"Just what is this?" Celestia asked.

"A makeshift diesel railway engine." Alexei explained.

"A diesel engine? THIS?!" Luna replied, bewildered by the sight, though the term "makeshift" was PRETTY MUCH an understatement. It was hard to describe it, even after the many machines the royal sisters have seen in the pass few months. Even Alexei's road vehicle photo collection proved to be useful in this case.

As for the... THING in front of them, well, it was hard to decide what it really was.

For starters, it was incredibly corroded, and looked close to falling apart on it's own.

"Is it even worth to try?" the solar goddess asked "It's rustier than our oldest armor in the Royal Museum."

"EVERYTHING'S worth at least ONE try..." the foreign god replied, and with a flick of his finger, the oxidation was peeled of from the machine, the now thinned metal parts thickening back into their original size... It was still unpainted and the uncovered metal was dull. The princesses could still hardly comprehend the object before them... At least, they could recognize parts of it...

It was a mish-mash, standing weakly on four flanged wheels, large part of it was made of an old crank-starter lorry (the handle still in it's place), with flatbed made out of another machinery part, makeshift as well. An uncovered drive-shaft was dangling between the wheels, and the cab was missing it's doors and windows. It had buffers, they looked like they belonged to an old carriage - they were long long and flimsy. The motor itself barely covered, as the side doors of the engine blocks were missing as well.

If the patchwork machination had any lamps, they had been broken off. It was in dismal state, even without the layers of grime, rust, and cheap paint.

"Alright... Where do we begin?" Celestia asked, eager to begin, now that she could make out what they were "up against".

"Well, first of all..." the figure began, taking off his coat "We'll take it apart, and try to figure out what makes it go... What MADE it go..." he corrected himself.

"Oh, that's easy!" Luna snickered "We'll just POKE it and it'll fall apart."

"Luna, we have to do this professionally!" he sister scolded her. The god just laughed. It was going to be an interesting day...

After they took it apart (with more and less success), the figure overlooked the parts laid out before them, and sighed...

"This isn't good... Everything in it's motor is damaged beyond repair."

It's pistons are stiff as sculptures, and the cylinders and the radiator was cracked, the camshaft itself was held together by the crank's rod, the fuel tank had completely disappeared, and the exhaust pipe had rotten apart. The chassis and the body seemed to be and easy job, only a few dents left after the decorrosion spell.

Alexei was surprised to find out that the chassis was made of stainless steel.

"At least, this thing has a low center of gravity." he muttered.

"And that's good, right?" the elder princess asked, using her magic to rub the grime off from it.

"Yes indeed. There's less chance that this thing would topple over."

The undercarriage was in relatively good condition. The drive shaft just needed a bit of readjustment, and the flanged wheels were easy to replace. But the axle's were rusted stuck. They actually had to chisel them out from the suspension to replace them. They were surprised (or, at least Alexei was), when they examined the suspension.

"Leaf springs?" he exclaimed "This thing is ANCIENT!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Luna scoffed "Most of our modern and up-to-date carriages use..." it dawned to her "Leaf... Spring... Suspension... Oh..."

After long hours of juggling with the parts, spare parts and tools, something modestly resembling a rail lorry was pushed out onto the sunlight.

They made some final adjustments out in the open. It was still unpainted and had dents and rough welding here and there, but they had already done a lot. Fortunately for the three deities, the engine block was still intact.

As they made their last checks, Diesel, who was shunting near by, pulled up beside them. He eyed up the machine, and the trio working on it. Both Celestia and Luna tied their hairs and manes into ponytails - Celestia even tied them into a knot - and their fur was stained with sweat and grease... Alexei was now wearing some old, ripped jeans and a white shirt, both covered in dust and oil splodges. He had taken off his hat revealing his perfectly round head.

"Just WHAT on Earth is THAT?" Diesel asked, casting a scornful look at the machination.

"Oh..." the god looked up "It's a Juggernaut."

"A 'juggernaut'? THIS?!" the shunter grumbled "Don't fool yourself, your majesties."

"It does look kinda small and feeble to fit something of that description." Twilight admitted quietly, not wanting to belittle the work of her mentor and her friends.

"That may be..." the foreign god replied, wiping his forehead "But that was the exact name they told me about it. Nothing more, aside from the fact that they've fished it out from the bottom of a lake."

"Yeah, I could've guessed." the shunter growled.

"But anyways, back to work, Diesel." Celestia goaded him "You have an agreement to keep, remember?"

"Yeah... Yeah, I do..." the Class 08 groaned "Well, if you're intent on playing 'Bodgy Builder' for the next few weeks, I'm not going to be the one to spoil your "fun"... Toot toot, good luck!" and with that, he oiled away.

"Well, we're actually intent on fixing this... Thingamajig!" the younger princess shouted after the engine, clearly frustrated.

"Don't let him bother you." Alexei soothed her "He's just being Diesel. Bastard at best."

"He's just a bitter sort, Lulu, pay no heed to him..." her sister added, gently nudging her "Anyways, we better get things started."

"Yes indeed." the god added "Do you want to be the first, Luna?"

"First what?"

"First one behind the controls..."

"Meee?" the dark blue alicorn stammered, and cast an intimidated glance at Juggernaut "I don't think so..."

"Are you scared, dear sister?" Celestia chuckled "Oh well, then I'll be the first." and with that, she climbed into the cab, putting a hoof on the throttle (once the crank of a bus' destination blind), and the other on the brakes (a reinforced Trabant gear stick). There was also a third, rather large lever, awfully close to the seat (once the backseat of a school bus). That was the reverser, but now, it was left in neutral.

The dashboard/control panel was devoid of any tachometer or speedometer.

Not aware of the awkwardness of the controls and the lack of safety displays, the Princess called out:

"OK, you can start it!"

Luna subtly took a few steps back, as Alexei bent down, and started to turn the handle. After a few idling rounds, he heard a clank, and suddenly found the crank harder to move... With a few swift turns and rambunctious clanking, the old motor banged to life, rattling fiercely.

"'Eeeey!" the god cheered, nearly avoiding getting a mouthful of soot from the motor.

"Huzzah!" Luna cried out, nearly jumping in her joy.

Celestia smiled.

Then...

There was a loud BANG!

A thick plume of smoke shot out from the tall exhaust pipe going along the cab's frame.

A further BANG!

The engine began to splutter and spew smoke, then, after a few thumping rounds, it stopped altogether, smog pouring out from the motor.

Coughing, Luna quickly trotted out of the smoke's path, walking up next to Alexei, the latter already holding fire extinguisher. They were soon joined by a sooty Celestia, and kept staring at the fumigating machine, feeling distraught...

After the smoke gone out, they inspected the damage. There wasn't much, but the motor need replacements yet again... With a sight, they pushed it back into the small shed.

"Oh well... Better luck next time." The sun princess smiled optimistically.

"So... Tomorrow, back here?" the god asked.

"Yes. Same time." the lunar goddess added.

So they came back next day.

And the day after that.

AND the day AFTER that.

The week was drawing to it's end, and their progress was little.

The second day, the same had happened: after an initially successful start-up, the machine spluttered to a halt.
The third day, it boiled over - the radiator hose had melted!

On the fourth day, they couldn't even start it. No matter how they clamped and tinkered, it just wouldn't budge.

The Princesses and the controller were growing tired of the "antics" of the machine.

"I can't believe it..." Alexei growled on the fourth afternoon "We're bloody immortal, god-like beings, who had lived for flippin' EONS, and we're not able to fix a soddy, secondhand, patchwork diesel!"

"Maybe it's not us..." Luna pondered "Maybe it's the machine. We're certainly trying our best to fix the cursed thing." she added, glaring at the machine kicking the frame of which sent a shudder across the contraption.

CoBo and Gilda, who had been resting near by, and had been listening to the curses and swears of the three deities, exchanged looks.

"I honestly don't know, why are you bothering with that old pile of scrap, your highness..." the Class 28 spoke "It's hopeless!"

"Hey, those workmen back in Britain spent time to fix ya, and THEY managed!" the god snapped at him "Everybody else thought you were hopeless as well! But those few men had faith! Without them, you wouldn't be here!"

CoBo pondered.

"True..." he admitted "But I don't give a damn. That's the past. Besides, THAT thing is far more older a shabbier than I was. But, whatever suits your fancy." he added, after seeing the glares of the three godly beings, albeit still nonchalantly.

"Perhaps..." Gilda spoke up "Perhaps... You should check the gas?"

The two alicorns deadpanned, while a dismayed look spread across the figure's face... Slowly, he squatted down, next to the cap of the fuel tank, and removed it, the two alicorns leaning down beside him. After peeking into the tank, he knocked on it's side.

Dry as desert...

Very slowly, they rose up, a derp look on Luna's face, while the elder sister's pupils shrunk, her left eye twitching.

SLAP!

A hand flew into Alexei's face. It was his own, as he gave a long, tired sigh under his facepalm...

"I regenerated too many times for this shit..." he muttered.

"Glad to be at your service!" the diesel called out, and rumbled away.

After refilling the tank, they cranked it up, the same clanking following, but the engine kept rattling steadily now.

The three gave a nod of approval.

"Alright." Alexei muttered "Let's give this baby a go."

"Baby?" the Princess of the Night asked "Don't you mean, "old fart"?"

The figure and the Princess of the Day smirked.

"Yeah, I guess we could say that..." he replied. They all climbed in, with the foreign good taking place behind the controls. They were on the right side, like how the steering wheel is on British vehicles. He released the brakes (the Trabant gear stick being suspiciously wonky), and set the pushed the throttle forward.

Nothing happened.

Then engine was revving loudly, the tall exhaust pipe shaking with every backfire, but they weren't moving.

"It's still in neutral." Celestia pointed it out, and moved the large level forward.

With a jolt, Juggernaut shot forward.

After the initial surprise, the three laboring immortals were quick to enjoy their success.

"Bless my word, Alex, it's working!" Celestia cried "We're actually moving!"

"And fast, too!" Luna added happily. They weren't moving that fast - scraping 40 km/h from the bottom - but it was progress.

"Nothing can stop us now!" the younger sister added. Slowly, Alexei turned towards her, a horrified look plastered on his face. No sooner had Luna finished her sentence, there was a loud CLANK! The front of the machine jumped up, then came crashing down, the front now lower and oddly leaning to the side.

Glancing out, they saw the reason why: they've lost a wheel.

Mentally exhausted, Alexei leaned onto the dashboard/control panel, cowering his face with his folded arms. One would think he was weeping. The two princesses were clear that he was actually trying to cover up the tidal wave of swears that burst out of his mouth like lava from a volcano - his attempts of subtly covering it up all in vain.

Celestia cast a tired glance at her sister.

"Jinx." was all she said. Luna looked away, very embarrassed.

"As they said..." the controller muttered "Nothing can sink this ship, except 'CRASH' an iceberg..."

"Did they really said it like that?" Celestia asked.

"Were you on the Titanic?" the god grumbled back.

"No..."

"Then shut your face..."

It was the fifth day's afternoon, when they decided they'll get professional help: they called Spike.

"I'm not sure, Princess..." the baby dragon admitted "I'm only a fitter, not an inspector."

"An inspector is nothing more than a fitter who forgot HOW to fix an engine with his hooves, but remembers all the nitpicks." Celestia smirked "You actually KNOW how to work with your hands, so you'll be a splendid inspector!"

"...If you say so." Spike replied "Now, where's that enginuuueeeehh-WHAT?!"

He couldn't believe his eyes.

"What on Equestria is THAT?!" he gasped.

"A Juggernaut." Luna replied innocently.

"A what-a-nut?"

Alexei sighed.

"It's a bloody lorry on flanged wheels."

Spike deadpanned.

"Still don't get it."

"A makeshift diesel!" the three deities snapped.

"Oh. Oooh! OK, I can see that, sheesh!"

After climbing in - or on, as Spike and Luna decided to travel on the machines' flat bed.

After a few crank turns, the engine started up with it's usual ear splitting rattle.

"Now THAT already doesn't sounds good..." the dragon muttered.

"It has been rotting in the bottom of a lake for roughly seventy years by now, what did you expect?" Luna asked sarcastically.

"I don't think it has legit green-card..." Alexei added.

"I doubt it'll even GET one, with THESE emission levels..." Spike put in, pointing at the fumigating exhaust pipe.

"Well, anyway, let's have a test run, shouldn't we?"

Setting the lever into 'forward', they started with a jerk, but then moved on steadily.

After a bit of run around the yard - in which Princess Celestia discovered how inconvenient was the placement of the reverser lever, as whenever it was put in reverse, the truck-gear-stick-sized thing was pushed painfully into her groin - they were allowed to go on the main line (mainly because the two princesses, AND the controller was on the vehicle).

They trundled down the line, leaving half a yard length of smoke in trail, giving anyone near by a coughing spree.

After an unknown pony tossed a horseshoe at them, they sped the machination up, and roared away, leaving a literal cloud of smog.

Up in Pyker's Peak, the mine was busy as usual.

They were in the middle of work, when suddenly, a brassy horn cut through the air, shaking it. Everyone stopped.

There was a strange noise coming from the distance.

"What a queer sound..." a workpony remarked.

"Sounds like a diesel choking to death." an electric engine, a large and bulky one remarked.

"Yes, on a burning electric's fumes." came the reply from the other party with a sneer.

The horn went off again, this time, louder, as it's source was drawing nearer.

"What the..." one of the miners uttered...

Roaring (or more like spluttering) into the yard came Juggernaut, spewing smoke as usual, clattering into the yard on the standard gauge tracks, screeching to a halt with a painfully long break distance.

Stepping out of it was none other than Princess Celestia herself, in all her... Workmare... Glory?

Her usual golden horseshoes were replaced by comfortable Kevlar workshoes, her regal kerchief not present at all, her crown discarded into her saddlebags (nothing special, just some old, alicorn-size brown school saddlebags), her aethereal mane and tail tied in ponytails, and her fur having just the slightest hint of dust on it, here and there...

She was joined by Princess Luna, in a similar attire, but she actually had a red neckerchief around her neck.

The miners and workers were stunned. Then, one by one, their pupils turned into hearts, as their own hearts started to beat twice as fast - one for them, one for the princesses.

Needless to say, quite a few hard-working stallions found their long-lost faith in the monarchy - or, at least, the diarchs - which only increased, when a month later, Prince Blueblood gave the sack to their egoistic and pompous trade union leader, and they could FINALLY select someone more suitable for the job.

"OK... We'll have. To fix. The brakes." Alexei muttered slowly, as he climbed out as well. "That was terrible!"

"Yeah..." Celestia added "It had been a long time since I actually felt mortal fear... But, it's still the same, as I remember it..."

"Why, what did your remember about it?" Luna asked.

"That I didn't like it." her sister replied with a grimace "Not at all."

"Well, I'm glad that at we finally stopped." Spike exhaled "I'm going to take a nap now." and with that, he climbed back onto the flatbed, falling asleep almost instantly. He was soon joined by an equally tired Luna (hey, she does night shifts, OK?).

"We wish to speak with your manager." Celestia announced.

"COmInG!" said a croaky voice, that made the two awake deities wince.

Looking around a bit further, they found the source: coming from the highest window of a run-down looking, old-fashioned red brick office building, where a dented and wonky loud-hailer was poking out... Soon enough, the voice behind it - an incredibly agile old stallion with a knee-reaching white beard and sinew-reaching white mane came running towards them, a dented, scraped mining helmet on his lamp with a cracked lamp, his orange, light-reflecting working vest carrying the Miner's Guild emblem: a golden horseshoe on the silhouette of a hoof, with a pickaxe diagonally placed on it. His cutie-mark was similar: a diagonal pickaxe, but this one had a diamond blade, and it was laid across a crate of TNT, all clearly displayed on his Apricot flanks, his tail cut short and braided at it's very beginning - a tradition of dwarven ponies. Yet, he couldn't be a dwarf, or at least, not a full-blooded one: he was rather tall and skinny, but that might have been because of his old age, plus, many great dwarfs were known to be rather large. Not just tall, but LARGE, all over - like giants!

He galloped over to them.

"Good dy, Princess!" he called out to them "Wha' brin's you 'ere?"

"Good day, Magnus!" Celestia replied with a smile "And nothing in particular. Just trying out our dismal attempts in engineering."

Magnus' eyes widened.

"Re'lly?" he asked, and looked pass the two immortal, when his eyes squinted, and he pulled his head back "Is THAT thing behind you the fruit of your attempts?"

"Yes." Alexei replied "It's called Juggernaut. We managed to fix it up, somewhat. This thing had been rotting deep in the bottom of a lake, and it wasn't in the best condition to begin with, being made out of odds and ends..." he explained, not noticing an ominous creaking sound from behind.

"Right..." the old miner replied "Say, what are the brakes are on this... Jugge'naut of yours?"

"Horrid." Celestia laughed, shaking a hoof in a dismissing motion.

"I can see that..." Magnus chuckled "It's running away!"

"WHAT?!" the two gasped, and turned around, finally hearing the creaking. Juggernaut was indeed fleeing, after the brakes failed completely, altogether.

"OI! STOP! SLAM ON THE BRAKES!" Alexei yelled, running after the machine, rather stupidly: he could of teleported into it, making things much easier for the future, but then again, this was a sudden situation, and one cannot always cope with things quickly. Besides, we'll need this twist later for plot development.

"I can' 'ear ya, lad! It isn't alive!" the old stallion laughed.

"But it'll crash!" Celestia gasped.

"Yah can bet it will!" Magnus replied between two laughs "Derail at the corner, and fall, rrright into the ditch!" he guffawed.

"But Luna and Spike! They were sleeping on the flatbed!" the controller exclaimed.

"Oh." Magnus wasn't laughing anymore.

"They'll be seriously injured if that thing crashes!" the princess added, getting closer to panic.

"Oh, dear..." the miner uttered, now very worried himself.

"Oh, where's that trumpet?" Alexei spoke, searching under his coat furiously.

"What trumpet?" the stallion asked.

"AHA! Here it is!" the god exclaimed victoriously, pulling out a small, red funnel.

"THAT'S a trumpet?" a workpony asked. Alexei inhaled deeply, and gave it a blow. It sounded exactly like an elephant with a runny nose.

"They'll never hear that!" Celestia groaned.

"Oh, Spike will!" the god replied "He's a dragon!" and he blew the horn again.

Back on the flatbed, Spike was woken by a peculiar buzz in his ears. Fins. Whatever he has!

"Huh... Wha'?" he mumbled, looking around sleepily, yawning. He stopped, mouth still open, as his eyes opened wide as well. The scenery was rapidly passing by - faster than what they recorded as Juggernaut's top speed. Suspecting trouble, he peeked into the cab - and found NOPONY!

Scared, he began to shook the Princess of the Night.

"Ah! There they go!" exhaled the controller with relief, as the silhouette of the alicorn became visible in the sky.

"A-And there goes your... JUGGERNAUT!" Magnus guffawed, pointing forward.

As he predicted, once the machination reached the bend, it's rear wheels tore off, and dragged the rest along. Near the bend was the cliff, and one hundred meters below, a muddy ditch...

As it rolled over the the edge, it flipped around, nose facing the swamps below...

It took two hours to get back to the shed...

Spike hopped off, followed by three tired deities.

Celestia trotted a bit further, looking at the ground with sorrow in her eyes. Slowly, she turned her head back.

Juggernaut was drenched in mud, it's front totaled, the engine wheezing all the way and leaking oil badly, the wheels loose, and the entire construct looked like it was sent through a concrete mixer a couple of times.

"Well... That's that then..." Alexei muttered flatly. Luna's head hung low, her eyes closed. Those many hours... Wasted away...

"We'll come back tomorrow, and see if there's anything we could use as spares, then..." the god took a deep breath "I'll guess we'll have to scrap it...

The Solar goddess just nodded.

They all began to walk away, but Luna stopped, hesitating. She turned her head back at the destroyed machine, and sighed.

"Well, goodbye, Juggernaut." she muttered "Sad it has to end like this... You could've been such a useful engine.."
.
The lorry, of course, didn't reply, and the younger princess trotted away silently...

It was the end, really... The engine block had cracked, and there was little hope in finding a fitting new one.

Plus, they've lost their motivation. Fixing the machine with magic wasn't really in the spirit of things, given the fact that the Princesses were supposed to learn how to FIX it with tools. And in longer terms, using magic to fix mechanical objects wasn't exactly favorable: the metal, similar to a paperclip bent back and forth too many times, will eventually weaken and break.
A few workponies pushed the wrecked machine back into the shed, and closed it's doors.

That night was restless. Clouds kept covering the moon, and the wind blew constantly in rapid, strong breezes, making ponies uneasy.

Even the moon itself shone eerily that night, Princess Luna herself felt beside herself in the courtrooms, unable to think clear.

Back in the old shed, the light of the princess' celestial body hit the destroyed Juggernaut in a peculiar way. His entire form was enveloped in the light, suddenly starting to glow by itself. It's dents smoothed, it's broken parts were mended, and pieces of it, believed to be lost to time and erosion, reappeared. An new coat of paint covered the mended machination, and from the depths of what seemed like existence itself, a deep inhale wheezed - the first breath of a soul...

Gentle, yet very audible snoring filled the slightly stiff air in the old shed.

The next morning, the three deities walked up to the shed, once again.

Neither of them spoke. They were all loss for words, deep in thought... Celestia was considering their efforts spent on fixing the patchwork machine, and trying to find a place of these efforts. What where they exactly doing? Trying to fix a broken machine? Or trying to wake the dead? Trying to bring a soulless, or more likely ALREADY DEAD (back) object to life? She couldn't decide...

Luna, who didn't had that much meetings during the night, decided to play a game on the machines that Alexei lent her, what he recalled a "television" and a "video game console". Soon, she found herself playing the "Earthbound/Mother" series through the larger part of the night, and, after her sister took over, as the morning began, she found herself suffering from intervals of self-inducted insomnia and deranged, lucid dreams...

Needless to say, she didn't exactly looked "alright". The others noticed that as well...

"Are you alright Luna?" her sister asked, to which she didn't reacted.

"Yeah, you look like you've seen..." Alexei pondered "I don't know, Giygas itself..."

Luna's eyes opened wide. Dangerously wide.

In fact, the others could see a red rim on the very edge of his eyelids, where the eyeballs joined to the muscles. Her irises and pupils had shrunk into dots, and a downright horrified became present on her face. Very slowly, with significant shaking, she turned her dilated eyes towards her sister and colleague, her head following with a bit of delay. The others took a step back, and Alexei could swore he heard Giygas' theme from the very edge of his consciousness, but slowed down by 800%.

Celestia would've swore to, but she knew next to nothing about Giygas.

Yet...

"Don't... Mention... That name...." Luna uttered. She didn't seemed to be breathing at that moment.

"Okay..." Celestia whispered. followed by a nod from the humanoid.

Luna slowly turned her head and eyes away from them, as the eerie ambiance of before-mentioned video game hell spawn's theme became audible. Or, at least, that's what they thought...

"Well, anyways!" Celestia spoke up with a bright smile, the traumatic atmosphere dispersing quickly "We got a lump of scrap to dismantle, so let's get to it!"

The others smiled as well and agreed, most glad that the disturbing feeling had disappeared.

Alexei, being the only one out of the three who had arms, flung the doors wide open.

And the disturbia returned, but in a much lighter edition.

"Bore da!" it said.

The three immortals stared. And blinked.

"Uuuuhh... Bore da?" Alexei replied, surprised to hear the Welsh greeting.

There was a long pause...

"Well... This is... Unexpected..." the Sun's Princess spoke.

Before them stood Juggernaut, repaired and repainted (in an ugly green color, but whatever), with glass in his windows, and two headlamps secured to the sides of his windshield's frame. His engine seemed brand new (as the side of it's hood's door was still missing - so were his cab doors. He looked fine, otherwise - more than fine, actually.

He now had a face.

In the place of the bent and broken grids of his radiator cover was a rectangle, gray face, very wrinkled, with an incredibly big and neatly combed, white Walrus mustache, and, sitting on the bridge of a celestial nose were two glass tubes with dots on their visible end, the other hidden between the folds of the face's wrinkles.

"Wow... Those are some major glasses." the god exclaimed. Juggernaut just mumbled something incoherent, the dots on his glasses lowering onto the bottom of the gray circle of the tube's end, flattening out into lines, as the aged machine dozed off.

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise." Celestia smiled.

"How so?" Luna asked.

"Well, for starters..." the elder sister began "He seems to be in a much better condition now. I'm not sure how, but..." she shook her head.

"The point is, he's alive now, so I guess he'll be MORE than willing to stay like that." Alexei added.

Just then, the machine emitted a loud snore that shook the entire shed...

"Point taken." Luna uttered.

They towed him out in front of the shed, and examined him in the early afternoon sunlight.

"Seems fine to me." the controller declared "But it's best we call Spike. I'll go get him. You girls should get something to eat. I heard the canteen is really good here."

"Alright." the Princess of the Day smiled "Of we go then!"

"To conquer the land of gourmet delight!" Luna declared in an adventurous manner. Her sister just chuckled, and their friend merely smiled. They left, leaving the dozing rail lorry out in the fresh air and sunlight.

Not a clever move, in retrospect.

A good twenty minutes later, all three of them returned, now joined by the dragonling.

"...So ya really made come to life? Wow!" Spike was excited "That's awesome! Can't wait to meet it, errr, him!"

"Well, it wasn't exactly us..." Alexei muttered, scratching his head "Anyways, we might do a few modifications on it, as it still seems weak... Well, then again, a rail lorry wasn't built to be strong or anything."

They stopped beside the two princesses, who kept staring forward.

"Hey, were back and..." he stopped, when he noticed the look in their eyes.

"What's up?"

"Uhhh... Sir?" Spike muttered "Where's Juggernaut?"

The god stopped dead in his tracks, and looked forward.

The machination was nowhere to be seen.

"Hmmmm... Seems like he left..." the dragon stated.

"He couldn't have left!" Celestia snapped "He didn't had anyone to drive him!"

The others simple cast her ah incredulous, bemused look.

"Oh... Right..." she muttered, remembering the fact the engines could indeed, somehow, drive themselves. But she also remembered something else.

"But he was sleeping!"

"A sleepwalker perhaps?" Luna shrugged.

"More like sleeproller!" the god grunted. Spike's eyes suddenly widened.

"I think I know where he is." he muttered.

The others turned towards him.

"You do?" Luna asked. The dragon nodded.

"You do know that the tracks to Appleloosa are under repair?" he asked.

"Yes." Alexei replied "The old rails are far to weak to hold the weight of the new engines and rolling stock that use it."

"Yeah. If anything - anyone - would want to get through there, they would need a very light vehic--..." Celestia stopped. They exchanged looks. Then turned to the dragon.

"Spike." Luna said sternly "I think all of us knows WHO has taken Juggernaut."

"Yes?" he asked back.

"Alert the mares who take responsibility, and tell them to meet us TEN MINUTES from NOW at Platform 1." Alexei continuied with a solemn tone.

"Go now." Celestia added darkly, and the baby dragon scurried away.

The Night Prior

"So, cousin Braeburn is hurt?" Apple Bloom asked. The Apples were having dinner.

"Hurt 'is leg." Applejack replied "Docter says he'll be fine in a few weeks' time, but he'll have to stay in bed until that."

There was a pause in the conversation.

"So?"

"So what?"

"Are we gunna visit 'im?"

Applejack sighed. She had already told this to her brother and Granny Smith.

"Ah don' think so, sugahcube. They're doin' track repair over there, so no heavy-weight engines can go through there. Matter o' fact, there aren't any trains going there 'til next week's end."

"Awww..." the youngest Apple slumped back into her chair. Suddenly, her eyes lit up.

"But what about Diesel? Or the Iron Twins?" she asked "Ah'm sure Twilight... Or Dr. Whooves would..."

"No can't do." Applejack cut her off "I checked with Twilight yesterday, to see what jobs we'll be getting tomorrow. We both asked the Doctor 'bout Appleloosa, but he said that none of the shunters will be available. not even Steamie!"

Again, Apple Bloom seemed bereft. Then, her eyes lit up again.

"But what about that... Thingamajig that the Princesses and Mr. Alexei were putting together?"

"It crashed on today's test run." her older sister replied, making her slump back again. But while the others ate, a determined look came over the young filly's face.

Present time

"Well, thank y'all fer comin' to visit me! It's mighty kind from ya, Apple Bloom." Braeburn smiled at his little cousin "An' I'm very pleased to meet yer friends, too!" he added, looking at the other two fillies.

"Don' mention it, cuz!" the young Apple replied, casting a glance at her friends, chatting with other members of the family - We're glad we could make it!

""Cuz"?" the young stallion chortled "Where ever did ya learn such hipster words?"

"Oh! - Apple Bloom blushed - Well, Spamcan's always usin' it to describe his brother, and...

"Now hold on a tree-shaking second!" Braeburn sat up, looking at her with bewilderment "WHO uses it?"

The filly blinked.

"Ah, yeah! Ya nevah met Spamcan before!" she exclaimed, tapping her hoof to her forehead. Hearing the familiar name, the other two fillies ran up to them as well. The other family members became interested, too.

"Who's this "Spam Can" thug?" one of them, a deep brown colored stallion with a horseshoe mustache and sideburns asked "He oughta not lay a hoof on my niece, or else...!"

"Settle down, Pop!" her wife, a youthful, peach colored mare called out to him, her Feathered hair mane flowing freely, before turning to the surprised fillies "Don't ya worry, yer uncle Apple Brandy may seem like a bear, but his growl is bigger than his bite." and she affectionately rubbed her nuzzle to her husband's cheek, making the latter growl with content.
Braeburn laughed.

"Well, Firewater, you sure know how ta introduce yerselves..." he chuckled, before turning back to his cousin "So, who's Spamcan?"

The fillies smiled.

"He's Applejack's engine, of course!"

THAT made the Apple's look up in surprise.

"Her WHAT?" they asked. Apple Bloom was about to reply, but her friends interrupted her.

"Spamcan's a diesel locomotive! " Scootaloo spoke up.

"He's very strong... And grimy..." Sweetie Belle continued.

"And gruff..." the little pegasus went on "He lives in the train yard close to Ponyville!"

"He delivers goods and heavy-weight stuff all around Equestria!" the unicorn filly went on "Well, at least, around Canterlot..."

That was when they noticed the surprised looks on the others.

"What I MEANT to say was..." Apple Bloom said firmly, shooting a frown at her fellow Crusaders "That Spamcan, or D199, is a diesel engine who lives at Ponyville Marshallin' Yard. And Applejack sometimes drives him, usually on Sundays, when we take a special load of apples to Canterlot."

"So... He's a freight engine." Braeburn was slowly putting the pieces together "Oh! Cousin Applejack has joined that work-an'-study program fer young mares an' stallions, right?"

"Yeah! So did Rarity, and the rest of her friends!" Sweetie Belle added "They all work with one engine selected to be their mentor!

"An' Applejack works with this 'Spamcan' bloke, eh?" Apple Brandy asked "Wha's he like?"

"Hmmm..." Apple Bloom pondered "Grumpy. Very grouchy at times, but hard-workin', an' once ya git to know 'im, he's a nice lad."

""Lad"? You speakin' Eaglish now?" Firewater laughed.

"That's how most of the diesels speak!" Sweetie Belle retorted.

"I still don't know HOW you three could get such a handy thang like that "Juggernaut" or wha'i'sname..." Braeburn added, checking the bandages on his hind leg.

"Aaaah..." the young Apple muttered...

Earlier that day...

"...Is THAT it?"

"Eeyup, this is it!"

"...It's rather a "he" than an "it"..."

The three fillies stared at the sleeping Juggernaut.

"He'll do." Apple Bloom smirked.

Present moment

"...Since our sisters work fer the railway, they lent him to us..." Apple Bloom forced on a smile.

Her relates glanced out through the window, where a few local workcolts were washing down the dusty Juggernaut, one of them also cleaning his biker goggles.

"Well, we an' the boys looked at 'im." Apple Brandy muttered "We'll git 'im some proper doors, meters fer his dashboard, 'cause he has none, and replace the reverser lever with something more... Convenient..."

"That sounds great!" Apple Bloom smiled.

"It sure does!" said a familiar, stern voice.

The fillies eyes went wide, and their faces grew pale. Firewater let out a silent gasp, and her husband took of his old-fashioned motorist helmet...

Slowly, the little ponies turned towards the entrance.

There stood Applejack, looking very cross, her eyes on Apple Bloom. Next to her was a less certain-looking Spike, and behind them: Princess Celestia and Luna, both looking quite irritated. They didn't had their regalia, but their "working attire" instead, now with their peaked railmare caps as well. Between them was the thin form of Alexei, his arms crossed in front of his chest, a glare sitting deep in his eyes.

"Wandering off without warning anybody, stealing NOT only an authorized railway vehicle, but the personal project of the railway's leaderboard itself, putting both your lives and Juggernaut's in danger, traveling down on unsafe tracks, interrupting important line maintenance operations, and lying to your own relatives." the ire god listed "Kid. You're in a HEAP of trouble."

The filly squirmed.

"So are you." Applejack added, looking at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"SWEETIE BELLE!" the little filly literally jumped (along with some of the others), when Rarity popped up beside the farmer mare. Sweetie Belle squirmed as well.

Scootaloo waited.

No Rainbow.

She slumped down to the ground, her hair covering her eyes.

Celestia sighed.

"Since no damage was done to anything, including your lives, we let you slip this time. BUT!" she went on "You must write a detailed report on your journey, from the yard, to here. Four pages long. We'll collect them from Miss Cheerilee next Monday.

"Your sister should help." Luna added "It's their responsibility as well."

"FOUR PAGES?" Sweetie exclaimed.

"Not enough?" Alexei growled, silencing her. Scootaloo kept staring at the ground.

"You have our full respect, Mr. Apple Brandy, for looking after our work." Luna continued, looking at the stallion "Thus, an ample amount of bits has been added to your and your employees' accounts - or wallets."

"I... I..." the stallion was lost for words, but his wife knew better.

"We're very grateful, yer majesties. It's an honor." she bowed.

"Right. Now then..." the Princesses returned their glances to the fillies "What do you have to say for yourselves? And your sisters?" Luna asked.

"I'm... Sorry for leaving without permission, and stealing Juggernaut..." Sweetie Belle muttered.

"And Ah'm sorry fer lying to you guys..." Apple Bloom mumbled to her family, before turning back to the Princesses and the controller "We didn't meant ta interrupt the railwork, honestly!"

"Yeah, ya BETTER NOT...!" Applejack snapped, before continuing with a more subtle tone "Just what where ya thinking, stealin' the Princesses and Mr. Alexei like that?"

"Well, at least they gave Juggernaut a nice, long test run..." the deity pondered.

"They remind me of mahself, like one of mah "stunts", when I was in their age..." Apple Brandy smirked, before he got swatted on the back of his head by Firewater.

"Sweetie Belle, don't you EVER do that again!" Rarity scoffed her sister "I was sick with worry! We all were!"

"I'm so sorry, sis!" the filly replied with a shaky voice, tearing up. Her big sister quickly hugged her close, burying her head in her coat, as she wept. Scootaloo sat alone.

"Well, Scootaloo?" Celestia asked in a demanding manner "What do you have to say for yourself?"

The filly suddenly jumped to a stand, and jerked her head up, throwing her mane out of her view, revealing her tearful eyes, locked in a furious glare directed straight at the three deities.

"I HAVE NO SISTER!" she yelled.

Everybody fell silent.

Both princesses had taken a step back when the little pegasus yelled at them, and after seeing the look in her eyes, they couldn't help but to feel an inexplicable guilt. Alexei, on the other hand, stared back into her eyes, and understood everything - a sorrow expression spreading over his face.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stared at her with fear - they've never seen their friend so angry before, not to mention so sad as well.

Scootaloo was sniffing and wheezing, fighting the urge to cry, her gaze still locked at the deities, staring at them with a blaming look.

The rest of the ponies were bewildered by the filly's outburst.

"D-Don't worry, Scootaloo..." Spike muttered, surprising everyone, as he walked over to her, placing a clawed hand on the filly's shaking back, making her ease her muscles, and sit back down once again "I'm sure Twilight will help..."

"OK..." she whispered, still sniffling.

As Apple Brandy and Firewater joined the dragon in comforting Scootaloo as parent-like as they could, the three immortals walked outside, leaving friends and family on their own.

"Well, you finally caught me, bachgen..." Juggernaut smirked, quite awake now. He then noticed the deities' expressions "What's the matter?"

"Long story." Alexei replied, before turning to Celestia "Where does Apple Brandy and Firewater live?"

• In Hoofington, a couple dozen miles from Ponyville. They have a brewery there, although they themselves rarely drink." the princess replied "I've been to their wine festivals before - drunkest nights of my life -, but they themselves have to be the most sober - if randy - I know in this part of Equestria. No foals so far..." she added.

"Hmmm... - the god pondered - Perhaps... Nah!" he waved his hand dismissively "I wouldn't dare to separate three good friends like this."

"Yeah, you gotta have them "Cutie Mark Crusaders"." Juggernaut added with a smile "Perhaps once when their crusades are over?"

"When they find their talent?" Luna asked, and smiled "Yes, they'll need to find a better way to occupy themselves." she seemed deep in thought, remembering.

"But there's a more important question at our hooves, er, hands..." her sister spoke up.

"Yes?" her companions asked.

Celestia sighed, and cast a worried glance at the sky, towards Ponyville's direction.

"What's the matter with Rainbow Dash?"