Chapters Chapter 1 Lost Honor
Thomas the Tank Engine was feeling blue and not literally. He was in a siding thinking about the going-ons that have been going on. He had just saved a purple tank engine named Ryan as well as the construction company from cars full of lit bundles of dynamite by shunting them into a cavern. Unfortunately, he had endangered Ryan in the process and Sir Topham Hatt, who had seen almost everything, assumed that Thomas was causing trouble and sent him to the siding for the rest of the day. Thomas felt a heavy pain as he remembered how furious his superior was that day...
FLASHBACK
"THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE! What are you playing at this time?!? I thought you would learn more responsibility here, but apparently I was mistaken!"
"But sir, it wasn't my fault this time" protested Thomas, but Sir Topham Hatt wouldn't listen.
"I'm not interested in your excuses! Go to your shed and stay there! As for the rest of you, get back to work!" With that, he stomped away.
PRESENT
Thomas felt humiliated and ignored, which wasn't the first time. Ever since Ryan came, the little blue engine thought that that was the last straw.
"That's it. I'm leaving this place. If the FAT Controller doesn't want me, then what's the point of sticking around? I'm leaving...for good!" Sniffling and on the verge of tears, he sneaked sadly away.
MEANWHILE, IN PONYVILLE, EQUESTRIA
Princess Twilight Sparkle was reading in the library at the Castle of Friendship when her dragon assistant Spike came up, toting a picnic basket. "Well Twilight, are ready?" he asked.
"For what?" asked Twilight. Spike rolled his eyes and said in a tone that suggested he said this hundreds of times,
"You know, the picnic we're having with our friends. You'd said you'd come and I could too remember?" "Oh...yeah, I...did," said Twilight in a tone that suggested she actually didn't.
LATER
Twilight and Spike were in an open field adjacent to Sweet Apple Acres with their 5 friends: Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. They were looking for a spot to eat when...
"Hey girls! Look over here!" This came from Pinkie Pie. The others galloped over to find her looking at a set of old buffers.
"How long do you reckon those have been there?" inquired Applejack.
"I don't know," said Twilight, "I never did study railroads."
"Well, they certainly could use a makeover," snorted Rarity. "Come on! Let's eat, I'm starving," called Rainbow Dash. They all settled down to eat, but nopony seemed to notice that the buffers were glowing.
Chapter 2 Meeting new friends
SODOR
Thomas had decided to go to York as that was where he came from. He remembered seeing a coffee pot engine named Glynn in an old siding, rusty from disuse. Thomas had been told that Glynn was the original number 1 engine before he-Thomas-had arrived. The little blue engine figured that Glynn would be a suitable replacement. As Thomas made his way to Glynn's location, he saw an eerie glow.
"I wonder what it could be," he thought. Curiosity getting the better of him, Thomas followed the glow until he found some old buffers. "What's this? I can't be near Lady's grotto. Unless...". He inched closer as the glow grew brighter. The more he looked at the buffers, the bigger and brighter they glowed. When Thomas came close enough: "Ay carumba!" Thomas became sucked in.
(SUPPOSEDLY MAGIC RAILROAD)
Thomas opened his eyes a little...and widened them with shock! He was in a Western type place and it was very windy. Realizing there was no other option, he puffed bravely forward. The problem was that the wind seemed to pick up as Thomas moved along. Soon he couldn't even see his own buffers, but he kept on puffing. Unfortunately, he didn't see the end of the track until it was too late!
"DAAH HOO HOO HOO HOY!"
Thomas shut his eyes, waiting for the sickening thud. It felt sickening, but the thud never came.
(EQUESTRIA)
The Mane and Spike were just settling down to eat. Applejack and Pinkie Pie had made the specials.
The latter grinned, "Wait until you get the surprise!" They never did. There was a flash of light, followed by a clang and an audible groan. They rushed over to the tracks where they found a blue stallion with a black mane and tail, a #1 cutie mark, and his head rested painfully on the rails.
"Rainbow Dash! Get him to the hospital, stat!" ordered Twilight. The blue Pegasus swung the stallion onto her back and flew off at lightning speed.
(PONYVILLE HOSPITAL)
Rainbow Dash had gotten the stallion to the hospital so that when the others arrived, he was already in a bed.
"Who is he?" wondered Twilight.
"Where do you think he came from?" asked Fluttershy. No pony knew, although Twilight suspected that he came from Canterlot High...and that he was kind of cute. She shook her head as the stallion groaned.
"Shh, he's waking up." The stallion opened his eyes, revealing the irises to be bright blue, and looked around, his head shaking a little. "Where am I?" he asked.
"Ya'll are in the Ponyville Hospital," said Applejack.
"Ponyville?" "Yes, we brought you here after you flew out of some buffers," explained Pinkie Pie.
"You had a pretty nasty landing on the rails," added Fluttershy, "are you ok?" "Just a little diz-," he started to say, then noticed his hooves. He froze and felt his head, growing apprehensive as he felt the mane, the ears, and the long face. He tried to get out of bed, but fell onto the floor.
"Sorry," he said as they helped him up, "it must be the headache. My name is Thomas." The Mane 6 and Spike began their introductions.
"I'm Spike."
"Ah'm Applejack."
"My name is Rarity, darling."
"My name is Fluttershy."
"I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"Rainbow Dash is the name."
"And I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship."
Thomas made a respectable gesture at this.
"Your Majesty..." Twilight blushed.
"Oh come on, don't be so formal. How did you get to here anyway?" Thomas's smile faded. To explain that was as painful as the bump on his head. Luckily, he was saved by Nurse Redheart.
"He needs rest for he's going to be here for a few days." The Mane 6 left the room. Thomas laid back down, thinking, "why did I turn into a pony? And how will I get back again?" That last question struck a nerve. "Will I ever want to go back?"
Chapter 3 The Search for Thomas
SODOR
The next morning, it was time to do work. At first, no one noticed that Thomas was gone. They were all shocked at what had happened. Ryan was still upset over how Thomas had saved his life and how Sir Topham Hatt basically chewed him out for it and did not even consider finding out what really happened.
"I only wish that I had said something," he moaned, "then maybe Thomas wouldn't be in trouble." Anyhow, work progressed after Ryan got more dynamite. Still, no one noticed that Thomas wasn't there. They worked and worked, all too deep in thought. Eventually though, Ryan was passing the siding where Thomas was supposed to be confined.
"Oy Thomas! How are you-?" It was then he noticed he was talking to empty air. "Thomas?" Ryan looked around. He looked here; he looked there; he looked everywhere. But Thomas wasn't anywhere to be found. Ryan decided to ask around to see if anyone had seen Thomas. First he asked the Arlesdale engines, Rex, Bert, and Mike. They hadn't seen Thomas since they told him that he had bad coal. Ryan looked all over the island: the docks, the quarry, the wharf, Thomas's branchline, Edward's branchline, the whole shebang. But Thomas was nowhere to be found. Ryan passed through Knapford Station on his way backf the site. Sir Topham Hatt was there; he didn't look happy.
"Ryan, what do you think you are doing, galavanting off on your own and leaving the others to do the work by themselves? The new branchline isn't going to build itself. We need every engine we can spare there..." As he was talking, Ryan was trying to listen but found it difficult, given everything that was on his mind. "And we can't have blunders happening right and left, we have to get this line done. We're delayed enough as it is, especially since Thomas disposed of the dynamite the way he did."
"That's just it sir," Ryan could hold it in no longer, "Thomas is gone."
"Gone? What do you mean gone?"
"He's vanished, long gone, not where he should be."
"Oh no, what's he done this time? He's causing more trouble than a gremlin. Oh well I'll organize the search parties. He better have a good excuse this time." Ryan wanted to say that he had a theory of why Thomas wasn't anywhere, but he was too afraid of his master's current state. Work was delayed as the search parties were organized. They scoured the towns and cities. They looked in the quarries. They checked the hills, mountains, and valleys. The only good thing was that Ryan was paired with Stanley.
"This hasn't happened since I came to Sodor," remarked Stanley.
"When was that?" asked Ryan.
"Oh about 7 or 8 years ago," answered Stanley. "This was when Thomas discovered Great Waterton. I was new at the time and was only called to do his regular jobs. Thomas began to feel jealous, I guess it didn't help that I was with his coaches, his friends, in his berth. He gave me a long train of rubble that resulted in the tower tumbling down. No one spoke to Thomas. I later found him in a siding and thought he looked bad. The following morning, Thomas wasn't anywhere in sight. We all thought he had ran away. But it turned out that he was just trying to be really useful and got lost in a mine. We became friends after we helped each other."
"Wow," said Ryan, impressed, and he reiterated what had happened yesterday and today. "It seems that we have something in common. Thomas must've felt jealous of me which is probably why he didn't warn me of the bad coal. He did make up for it by getting the dynamite away, though."
"To you maybe, but what about Sir Topham Hatt?" asked Stanley. "It doesn't sound like he would listen. That must've been the last straw."
"So that's why he ran away!" cried Ryan. "He must feel unwanted. Will he want to come back if we find him?"
EQUESTRIA-FRIENDSHIP CASTLE
Twilight and Spike were at it again with their book sorting. There was one difference from the other times: Twilight's mind kept wandering to the blue stallion named Thomas. She wondered where he came from and how he got here. Some thoughts she had to push away, like seeing if he could attend the Grand Galloping Gala or if he had any other (heh heh) female friends. In fact, she was so deep in these thoughts that she didn't hear Spike coughing up a letter from Princess Celestia. Nor did she hear the little dragon call her name...3 times.
"Hey Twilight." No response. "Twilight?" She didn't even look up. "TWILIGHT!"
"Aah!" She screamed, sending books flying in every direction. As Twilight hastily picked up the books, she glared at Spike. "Was that really necessary?" she demanded. Spike sighed.
"Well yeah. You know, you haven't been yourself, lately." The glare got colder. "Well, it's true," protested Spike, "You keep putting books in the wrong shelves, you sometimes stand there staring, and some books don't even make it on the shelves." To prove his point, Spike indicated to the pile of misshelved books. Twilight's head hung as she hid her embarrassment.
"I'm sorry Spike. Its that stallion. I can't get him off my mind. He's so...so..."
"Ruggedly handsome?"
"Ye-you cut that out!" shrieked Twilight, blushing furiously. Spike laughed.
"Don't worry. I just got something that might be able to do just that." He held up the scroll. Twilight unravelled it with her magic and read; what she read shocked her.
"What does it say?" asked Spike.
"That I'm needed in Canterlot at once!"
CANTERLOT CASTLE
Twilight hurried there as fast as her wings would let her. Unfortunately, she still had Thomas on her mind, so she kept flying into things. But she made it the castle-give or take a few bruises-and staggered into the throne room. The other princesses were there, looking somber. Cadance was the first to greet her.
"Hello Twi...gracious goodness me! Whatever happened to you? You look as though you've been in a fight."
"Sorry," said Twilight, "I've been a little busy. We have a visitor in Ponyville."
"A stranger?" inquired Luna. "What does he look like?"
"He has fur that is as blue as the sky," said Twilight, "his eyes are no different, save being brighter. His mane and tail are pitch black...not as black as Sombra's, but friendlier. And-"
"Twilight," interrupted Cadance, "why are you blushing?"
"Blushing? Who's blushing?"
"You are."
"I am not."
"Yes you are. You doing it right now."
"I am not blushing."
"Yah hah."
"Nuh uh."
"Yah huh."
"Nuh uh."
(NOTE: It's kind of hard to write words that 2 people are saying at the same time. So for those of you who have seen a certain Disney movie (my tablet isn't letting me write italicized) with 2 certain siblings arguing similar to what's said above, think of it like that.)
"LADIES!" This came from Celestia. "If that's all you have to say about him-"
"There is his cutie mark," said Twilight, "a very unusual one. It was a yellow number, a 1 to be exact."
"A number 1?" asked Luna. "What an unusual one indeed."
"I'm afraid we'll have to put the matter of the stranger behind us," said Celestia, "we have a more serious matter at hoof. There's some pony out there impersonating Twilight." The others were shocked, but none more than Twilight.
"I...have...a stand-in?" she asked, "is it Chrysalis?"
"We don't know," said Luna, "all we know is that she has similar features to you Twilight. We even know her name: Twivine Sparkle."
Chapter 5 Thomas and Discord Part 1
ELSEWHERE IN EQUESTRIA
It was dark as 2 unicorns made their way along the road in Manehattan. They didn't know that they were being watched until it was too late. Almost immediately before the coaches stopped moving...oh uh sorry. Pardon me, wrong story.
Anyway, the unicorns were just passing an alleyway when a sirenic voice began to sing the Latin introduction to "Hellfire". Lulled, they entered the alley, forgetting everything except to see the source of the voice. They entered the darkness of the alley...and wobbled out following a flash of purple light. Their flanks were bare. Their eyes were gray, dull, and lifeless. Worst of all, they were all wrinkled. A purple alicorn dressed in black with a mane and tail that were black with aquamarine stripes stepped out. Her horn was glowing with the souls she stole.
"Soon, this will all be mine," vowed Twivine Sparkle, "and I'll see to it that Princess Twilight Sparkle rot in Tartarus."
PONYVILLE
Thomas had been released from the hospital as Twilight was returning from Canterlot. He didn't know where to go, so he decided to go exploring. His travels took him to a quaint little cottage in the middle of a forest. Not knowing what to do, he walked over. He couldn't help but admire how beautiful the trees were.
"Henry would love this place," he mused. He was so busy ogling that he didn't watch where he was going. Then there was trouble. Fluttershy was just around the corner with Discord, walking along from having a few spots of tea when she and Thomas had collided head-on...literally.
"Oh my goodness," cried Fluttershy, "are you ok?"
"I guess," groaned Thomas, rubbing his head.
"Now that's what I call a double header," joked Discord.
"Discord!" scolded Fluttershy. She turned to Thomas. "Come inside and we'll get some ice packs."
"Ahem." Discord cleared his throat. Instantly, a flash of green light engulfed them and they were in a sickbay of a spaceship. Fluttershy and Thomas were all wearing red space uniforms while Discord was wearing a sky blue uniform as he examined them.
"They're not too severe though they could do with some ice." He snapped both his eagle fingers and lion...toes and 2 ice packs materialized and strapped themselves to the 2 ponies' heads.
"Thanks Discord," said Fluttershy, "but I think you're scaring our friend here."
"Actually, he isn't," said Thomas. He looked at Discord with narrowed eyes, half interested, half suspicious. "Didn't I hear you before in 'Tapestry'?" Discord also narrowed his eyes, smirking.
"Maybe you did and maybe you didn't."
"Then why are you wearing blue and not red?"
"Because I'm a doctor, not an Expy."
"Um, what's an Expy?" asked Fluttershy.
"Probably something you wouldn't understand Fluttershy," said Thomas.
"Oh, I see you two have met?" mused Discord. Fluttershy told him about meeting Thomas. Thomas picked up on the fact that the hospital had let him out and he was lost. "Well now, I suppose I should show you around the place."
"Uh, maybe I should-" started Fluttershy, but Discord waved her off.
"He knows me."
SWEET APPLE ACRES
Applejack was busy apple bucking the trees. She didn't know that some pony was standing on the other side of a tree until after she bucked it and heard repeated cries of pain. She looked around and saw Thomas sprawled out on the ground in the Western guise of Ricky Nelson as Colorado with apples cluttered around him.
"Thomas?" cried Applejack, "what in tarnation are you doing here...in that...get up?" She faltered as he got up. "Ah like what ah see."
"Oh ho ho, some pony has a crush," sang a voice. Discord suddenly appeared in the guise of Randall Bragg.
"Ah do not!" protested Applejack. "Ah just think he looks good in those duds. What're y'all doing here anyways?"
"Oh just showing our boy in blue around."
"I was let out of the hospital and got...lost."
"Are ya sure ya want Discord to be the one to show you around?" Applejack asked Thomas.
"He knows me," said Discord, "so now we're off to see Pinkie Pie. Come on Thomas"-his eyes narrowed as he smirked-"the tank engine." There was a flash of green light and the 2 were gone, leaving a very confused Applejack behind.
"Tank engine?"
SUGARCUBE CORNER
There was a flash of light and the 2 appeared in front of the counter, Discord in the guise of Ray Bolger as Barnaby and Thomas in the guise of Gene Sheldon as Roderigo. The latter looked at the former in surprise.
"You know what I am?"
"Oh please," snorted Discord, "I am the Lord of Chaos. I know all. I see all. I AM all."
Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere. "Like how Thomas isn't really a pony or from anywhere in Equestria, but he is from another place full of talking locomotives that are so similar to us that there are authors that write stories and artists that make pictures of us together?"
Thomas wasn't sure what to be more surprised at: Pinkie Pie appearing completely out of the blue; how she was able to say all that in one single breath; but what he was most surprised at was how she was able to guess all that. "How...? How did...?"
"Just a hunch," said the hyperactive pony, "Cupcakes?" She presented a tray full. Discord accepted one, but Thomas wasn't so sure.
"I don't think I should. These have sugar and given my...condtion-"
"Aw, come on Thomas," protested Pinkie Pie, "just one?"
"No," snapped Thomas, "trains and sugar don't mix."
Discord leaned over and whispered to Pinkie Pie, "Stall him," and slipped off his stool. Whole Pinkie Pie tried to get Thomas to eat a cupcake, Discord turned his back and snapped his eagle fingers; Sweetie Belle appeared instantly. The little filly looked around anxiously, but Discord hushed her and whispered something.
She walked up to Thomas. "Please mister, just try one. Please?" She pulled her cute puppy eyes on him. Thomas blushed and, deciding that he couldn't loose nothingnothing, tried one...then swallowed it five seconds later.
"Uh Thomas? Haven't you forgotten something?" asked Pinkie Pie. Thomas began to choke. Discord slapped him until he spat out the wrapping paper.
Chapter 6 Thomas and Discord Part 2
SODOR
All the engines were meeting at the Search and Rescue Centre after a very excruciating search. They had seen neither buffer nor boiler of the little blue engine. Their faces were so red that James and Norman looked as though they were on fire. To make matters worse, Sir Topham Hatt was getting edgier and edgier.
"If that tank engine is going to be a nuisance, we might as well call off the search. What with him sabotaging the Express lines, throwing flatbeds of rail girders down a cavern, and disposing of the dynamite the way he did. He could've hurt Ryan!"
"Um sir?" This came from Ryan. "I had some bad coal earlier to that time. It caused some sparks to fly from my funnel onto the dynamite. He was just trying to get rid of the cars before anyone got hurt. I was at the wrong place."
Sir Topham Hatt was shocked, but recovered. "Yes well, that still doesn't justify his other misdeeds."
"He told us that he found the pirate ship in the cavern," said Duck.
"And he was provoked into "taking" the Express because Gordon called him a silly little tank engine," added Emily.
("See?" said Duck. "We're agreeing on things. We always did. Even during that so-called replacement spat."
"I never replaced him!" protested Emily. There were complaints about lack of female power."
"GET ON WITH IT!" thundered God.)
Anyway, Sir Topham Hatt was astounded by these new revelations. "I'll still call off the search, but only to give you all a chance to recuperate. We shall resume afterwards. I will speak to Thomas when we find him."
"But sir," protested Stanley, "considering how harsh you were, Ryan and I figured that he might not want to come back."
"We'll just have to try," sighed Sir Topham Hatt.
EQUESTRIA CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE
Thomas had recovered from his bout with the cupcake wrap so Discord asked Sweetie Belle to take them to Rarity. This time Discord was dressed as Eagleton from "Batman: The animated series" (ask John de Lancie) and Thomas was in tacky clothes (I'm a fop when it comes to telling which clothes are tacky or not. Those of you who are will just have to use your imagination. Possibly resembling Woody Allen?)
"So how did you get here, mister?" asked Sweetie Belle. Thomas was again reluctant to explain so Discord spun a half truth about Thomas visiting from somewhere else. What was false was that he claimed that Thomas was from Las Pegasus. "Then why are his clothes so...?" Discord whispered to her that Rarity would want to do something about it. Soon the reached the Carousel Boutique, home and workplace to Rarity and Sweetie Belle. The 3 walked in. "Big sis, we have visitors."
"In a moment." Rarity was at the sewing machine, working on some clothes. She turned to greet them...and gasped. "Why Thomas, what on earth are you wearing?!?" She looked Thomas over, appalled by the clothes he was wearing. "This won't do a tall, darling. What you need is a new suit. I could get one for you, if you want," she added, fluttering her eyes in a flirtatious way.
Thomas blushed and tugged at his collar, Rodney Dangerfield like. "Uh sure. Er, of course you can." ("She's starting to remind me of somebody I know," he thought.) Rarity bundled onto the posing spot, then measured him.
"Honestly my dear, what were you thinking, putting on these...things? Did you think you could bring on the 80s?"
("That era sounds familiar," thought Thomas.)
"Why if I was in that getup, I'd hide in my room."
("Now I know who she reminds me of," thought Thomas, "James.")
"They'd get along smashingly, wouldn't they," mused Discord aloud.
"Yes, they w-" Thomas started to agree, then realized: "Will you get out of my head?"
"Hold still," chided Rarity.
"Sorry."
Eventually, Rarity was working on the suit, and some time later produced a dark blue suit with a thin gold stripe down each side. There was also a red tie to go with it. "Well, what are you waiting for, darling? Put it on." She showed him to the fitting room and he stumbled in. He tried to try it on, but they could hear him having difficulties. But he managed to get it on and soon entered the room, not bad to look at.
"Oh...my," sighed Rarity, "you look stunning." She almost swooned, but Sweetie Belle and Discord caught her.
"My Thomas, you certainly do have a way with the ladies," remarked Discord. This got Rarity's attention.
"Don't you dare..." she started, but Sweetie Belle couldn't hold it in. Seconds later, she was bursting into song.
"Thomas and Rarity, sitting under a tree. K-I-S-S-I-"
"SWEETIE BELLE!" interrupted Rarity, bluashing furiously; likewise with Thomas whose face was almost as red as James. Looking around desperately for something that could change the subject, she spotted a bag of books on a counter. "Here, um maybe you could, uh, take these to Twilight for a donation. She's away at the moment, but if you could give them to Spike..."
"I'd be happy to," said Thomas, a little louder than he intended. Rarity draped (if you could call it draping) the satchel on Thomas's shoulders (or back) and he and Discord were gone in a flash. Sweetie Belle lost her giggly persona.
"Um you do know we were planning on throwing those books out right?"
"Oh, shazbot."
FRIENDSHIP CASTLE
Spike was dozing on the table when he was awoken by same flash. He looked around wildly until he saw Thomas and Discord standing in the doorway. There was a difference: Thomas's suit was in one of those big cleaner bags, held by Discord who was in the guise of the Sheriff of Nottingham. As for Thomas, he was in the guise of Robin Hood. He looked at Discord incredulously.
"Ok, I'll bite. Why this? Wasn't the suit Rarity made good enough?"
"Oh, it was, but only for special occasions," said Discord. "I chose these because once again, they seem familiar."
Discord's words flew 'round Thomas's head until it dawned on him. "Oh no. We can't. We couldn't. You wouldn't."
"Hello Thomas," Spike interrupted, "what brings you here? And why are you with Discord?"
"We just came from the Carousel Boutique," said Discord.
"Rarity made me a new suit," said Thomas, "and she had some books to donate."
"Ooh," said Spike, "what kind of books?"
"We don't know, we were...kind of...rushed." said Thomas, "Well let's see what fascinating pubescent treasures are here."
"Now why do those words ring a bell?" murmured Discord.
Thomas had selected a book with a title that consisted of a shed and a number and showed it to Spike. "According to the back cover, this explains how trains can-"
"[Uh oh]," murmured Discord, "[I know why those words sounded familiar.] Uh Thomas-"
"JESUS H. TAP DANCING CHRIST!"
Too late. Thomas rushed out of the room, screaming. He returned later, carrying a stunned Twilight (who for some reason was in the guise of Maid Marian), and leveled her at the book. He began moving her hind legs up and down, omitting blasts from her horn to the book until it was reduced to a pile of ashes. Thomas released Twilight and pointed a hoof angrily at the remnants. "You...can't hurt...anyone...anymore." Discord touched Thomas's head with his lion paw and the poor stallion passed out.
LATER
"What was all that about?" asked Spike.
"He found the part in that story where a clone took the phrase 'screaming fit to burst' all too literally," explained Discord.
Twilight had levitated the unconscious Thomas to her room. Rarity had arrived to stop Twilight, but saw her carrying Thomas. The 2 mares exchanged stories on how Thomas and Discord acquired the books (which got a little heated if you recall Rarity's swooning). After which, the 4 skimmed through the stories; words cannot describe their expressions as they discovered the horrors of the stories that shall not be mentioned here. Twilight destroyed them then went to check on Thomas. The poor boy was awake and very down in the dumps.
"I'm sorry for what I did," he told Twilight, "the one picture was so terrible. The thing looked as though it was going to drag me in." And he began to cry. "This may sound embarrassing, but...can you hold me please?"
Twilight was taken aback by this, but all the same, she wrapped her hooves around him. He buried his face into her, sobbing uncontrollably. "Shh, there there," she whispered, "it's ok. I'm here for you."
"Always?"
"Always."
Chapter 7 Remorse and Twivine's Song
SODOR
Word of Thomas's reason for disappearing spread like a wildlife in July (and believe me, those spread...I think). There were mixed feelings on the subject: some engines were heartbroken; others figured the island would be better off without him. There were a few odd bits about that; the oddest of all was Diesel 10.
"I can't believe I'm the one saying this, but Fat Hat would stoop so low?!?" he roared. "It's obvious the puffball was being a hero and the lard didn't even consider asking what had happened! True that Thomas was being pain, but he seemed to be making up for it! After all, Fatty was the one who said, during that Blue Mountain Quarry incident, that it was wrong to jump to conclusions before knowing the truth, which makes him a hypocrite! That's revolting, especially when he's compared to me (thanks a lot Aaron) and I'm the one who actually deliberately attempted murder-twice-16 years ago. He should be ashamed of himself."
Sir Topham Hatt was feeling ashamed. He didn't know how harsh he had really been. He was aware that some engines were losing respect for him. He never blamed them, for it was to be expected after finding out what really happened. Sir Topham Hatt vowed that when Thomas was found, he would listen to Thomas before going out on him.
Gordon was equally emotionally blue. While he was still upset at Thomas for taking the Express, scrambling the coaches among the lines, and blaming him for the incident, the big engine couldn't help but wonder if that was a little personal. Gordon also realized that he too would've done the same thing if he could and that maybe calling him a "silly little tank engine" was a bit too much. The #4 also made the same vow.
Unfortunately, the chances of that were slim. Everyone searched here and there, far and near, up and down, yet Thomas still wasn't to be found. Reluctantly, the search was called off.
TWIVINE'S CASTLE
Twivine had seen and heard everything...everything. From her 2 mirrors, she had witnessed both the search being called off with a heavy atmosphere as well as Thomas's near breakdown and Twilight's promise. Since, she was clone in more ways than one, Twivine could feel the strong feeling inside Twilight as the latter made her pact with Thomas.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no," she hissed with crescending laughter. "I can't stand it. This is so easy. She's in love with a tank engine, and not just any tank engine, but one who is so popular that he holds the moral of a whole island." She studied the Equine mirror. "This bond may be the key to my lovesick sister's undoing. After all, who says the love isn't easy? Plus, I could use him to take over the island as well." But the more she looked at Thomas's pony counterpart, the more the attraction to him seemed like her own. "He is quite a catch. Maybe he can be my king. Success can be lonely and every mare wants a handsome stud by her side as she a accomplishes her greatest dreams. Besides, I can't rule 2 places at once.
HIT THE VIOLIN BOYS!"
A familiar intro came into the air as she envisioned herself dancing with Thomas (who looked more like this http://fav.me/d7jl9fs) as well as demonstrated her powers to turn into inanimate objects and famous villains...pony forms anyway. Frank Burns, P. T. Boomer, Pennywise, Nightmare Rarity, Lucifera, to name a few.
(NOTE: I'd thought and break in and say that it's a song by Voltaire. I won't say the name because it's kind of obvious, plus describing said scene where Twivine explains how evil she really is and has no remorse for it. But these stories aren't allowed copyright lyrics and I'm not much of a songwriter so...moving on. Sorry to slow you down.)
Anyway, it ended with Twivine smirking and saying, "Anything Changelings can do, I take up to Eleven."
SODOR
Percy was chuffing sadly along the tracks. Ever since the search ended, the atmosphere became more like the U.S in 1929. Everyone still had their jobs, it wasn't like that. But with Thomas gone, there wasn't a smile in sight. The air seemed a little...gray. Even Charlie didn't have the heart to prattle off one of his jokes. Percy would sometimes go off on his own, as he wasn't humane enough to drink anything other than water (even if he was, he still couldn't, ah, hit the bottle, if you catch my drift). But one night was going to be different.
This time he was on the same track Thomas was on when he saw the same glow. Of course, being the child of the Team ("They had to Flanderize that," grumbled Percy.), he decided to see what it was. As he got closer to the glow, it grew brighter and a fog rolled in. Percy looked around; the fog made everything look spooky. The trees looked as though they were alive. Strange faces seemed to glare at him from all sides. Percy got so scared that he increased speed and went-eyes shut-into the glow, terrified.
"I'M COMING ELIZABETH!"
EQUESTRIA FRIENDSHIP CASTLE
Thomas woke up to feel something on the bed he was sleeping on and turned over to see Twilight dozing beside him. Shocked, he tried to slip around her, but tripped over her instead. He fall over the bed and landed on the floor with a thump, taking the covers with him. Twilight felt a draft and try to pull the blanket back, but felt nothing. She woke up and looked around to find Thomas sprawled on the floor with the blanket draped over him. She couldn't help but giggle. "Good morning Thomas."
"Good morning," groaned Thomas. He tried to get up, but the blanket only got more tangled, causing him to fall down repeatedly. Twilight tried to hold back her laughter, but was losing. It got darn near impossible when Thomas somehow ended up hanging upside down in the blanket with one end tied to a hook on the ceiling.
Twilight burst out laughing, "My my Thomas, you certainly are an unusual chandelier."
"Ha ha hardy har har," grumbled Thomas, "can you get me down now?"
Twilight was still laughing as she heard what she thought was an unusual question. "You have a horn don't you? Can't you use it?"
Thomas didn't know what to say or do when she said that, so he closed his eyes and concentrated; his horn glowed a blue aura. He waited for the blanket's grip to expand, but nothing happened.
"Uh, Thomas?"
Thomas opened his eyes...and saw 2 purple ones inches from his own. Apparently, instead of loosening the blanket, he had telekinetically picked up Twilight and brought her a little too close to him. He screamed which broke concentration. The blue aura on his horn vanished and so did the aura containing Twilight. She fell to the floor with a bang, followed by what sounded like a crack. Twilight groaned in pain. The fall had caused a knee injury.
"Are you ok?" asked Thomas.
"Nothing a healing spell won't fix," gasped Twilight. With difficulty, she turned to her leg and touched it with her horn. Then she stood up and flexed it, no wincing, no grimace. Thomas was impressed...until Twilight glared at him.
"Um...oops?" Twilight said nothing, but her horn glowed again. This time the blanket was encased in a purple aura, and literally spun Thomas free. Unfortunately, he stopped spinning directly above Twilight and fell onto her. They were silent for a few seconds, then Thomas got up and said a little too quickly, "Time for breakfast". He rushed to the door, but didn't stop in time to open it, hitting his head on the hard wood. "Forgot to open the door," he giggled nervously and rushed out.
Twilight shook her head. "I suppose I should tell him about the rusty step." She was too late, however, for she heard loud clattering, grunting, which included a loud "D'OH!" followed by Thomas yelling "I'm ok!"
Thomas made his way to the kitchen where Spike had made some breakfast. "Hello Thomas. Get you some breakfast?"
"Sure Spike." Thomas made his way over to the table with a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and then left for some orange juice. Soon, Spike joined him.
"How did you sleep?"
"Fine, except for one thing," said Thomas, "why was Twilight sleeping with me?"
"Well, you were in her bed because you had a little breakdown and her room was the closest place that had a proper bed."
"But why didn't she move me or tell me to move when it was bedtime?"
"She didn't want to be rude. Besides," added Spike with a sly grin, "I got the feeling she wanted to know you up close and personal."
"What do you mean?" demanded Thomas.
"Well," said Spike, "you're a stallion and she's a mare. Uh you two didn't...?"
"Certainly not!" snapped Thomas, blushing furiously. "I'm going out. I just lost my appetite." He galloped angrily out of the room...then poked his back in. "Which way do I exit?" Spike told him. "Thanks."
Thomas stepped out for a bit...and almost got run over by an orange blur. "Hey! I'm walking here! Trying to anyway..."
It was Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash's sister. She usually zoomed through Ponyville at high speeds on her scooter. This time, however, she was trying to go faster than usual. If Thomas had looked closer, he would've seen a green filly with a 6 for a cutie mark.
LATER
Thomas was walking around when he leaped down. A rainbow comet flew by, nearly taking him with it. "Holy smoke!" he coughed. "Why don't you watch where you're going!" The comet flew back and landed in the road, sending dust everywhere. When it cleared, Rainbow Dash was standing there, looking indignant.
"Look bub, I was on my way to the hospital. My sister is there and-"
"Hold it!" interrupted Thomas, "your sister isn't orange by any chance is she? Because earlier, I almost got run over by an orange blur."
"Yeah, that's my sister, Scootaloo."
Thomas's jaw dropped (just like the Genie's). "But...how did she-"
"Hey, aren't you that blue stallion that we took to the hospital?" interrupted Rainbow Dash.
"Yes," answered Thomas, "I'd be happy to meet your sister."
"Then hop on," said Rainbow Dash, kneeling down, "if my sister is the one incapacitated, we better get there post haste.
"Uh ok," said Thomas, a little hesitant before obliging, "but I don't see how-HOLY CHEESE CUBE ON A STICK!"
Rainbow Dash flew off at lightning speed. With the wind blowing so hard, Thomas felt as though his face would peel off. The temperature seemed to drop so the air felt real cold. Rainbow Dash took some sharp turns and seemed to avoid any hazards, but that didn't help.
PONYVILLE HOSPITAL
Rainbow landed in the front and shook her head. "Ah, that felt good." Then she heard whimpering. She looked behind her: Thomas was holding on for dear life. "We're here," she announced and knelt down.
Thomas tried to climb off, but tripped over her as he did. "I'll be with you as soon as the world stops spinning." He wasn't used to going as faster than what the jet engine allowed him to. Five minutes later, he was still on the ground, panting. He managed to get up. "I'm ok. I'm cool. I'm calm." He entered the hospital with Rainbow Dash following, rolling her eyes. They walked up to the front desk.
"Hey, did you see an orange Pegasus filly enter here?" asked Rainbow Dash. "She's my sister."
"Oh yes," said the nurse, "she came in with a green earth pony. They're in room 394."
"Thanks."
"Oh and it's crowded in there. Two more fillies came by with their sisters. Your coltfriend may have to wait outside unless he's a relative." The blues walked towards the elevator...then Rainbow Dash flew up to her face.
"We're NOT dating!"
"Aw come on, Rainbow!"
They entered the elevator and waited for their floor.
(Muzak: "Thomas' Anthem")
It was quiet...a little too quiet. Rainbow Dash tapped the floor impatiently. She heard a sigh; she looked to find Thomas with his head hanging sadly. "You ok?"
He sighed again. "I just don't feel like I belong."
"Why not?"
"I'm not really a unicorn. I've never used my horn until today."
"What happened?"
"Long story short, me and Twilight were nose to nose."
Here Rainbow Dash grinned slyly. "Did you smooch?"
Thomas blushed furiously. "Well no. We came close, but-"
DING!
"Oh look! Our floor's here!" And he rushed out a little too quickly. So much so that he passed 394. Rainbow Dash flew up to him, grabbed him, and showed him the room. He laughed nervously and entered the room. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes before following suit.
They found the former CMC and their sisters gathered around the bed. "Well Thomas, you already met Sweetie Belle. Meet her friends Apple Bloom-"
"Mah sister," interrupt Applejack.
"Howdy mister," said Apple Bloom.
"-and Scootaloo."
"Hello," said Scootaloo.
"We've sort of met," said Thomas. "She almost ran over me."
"Sorry," said Scootaloo, "but I had to get this filly here pdq."
"What was his cutie mark?" asked Rarity?
"A number 6."
Almost immediately, the mares looked at Thomas, then back at the filly as he groaned and opened his eyes, revealing spring green irises. "Howdy," said Apple Bloom, "what's yer name?"
"I...am...Percy." The little filly then noticed his legs. Then he felt his head. His apprehension was more extreme than Thomas'. "Could I see a mirror?" Sweetie Belle held up one and he gazed at it. He screamed and burrowed in his blankets.
"What's the matter young 'in?" inquired Applejack.
"I'm sorry," sniffed Percy, "I've never been like this before. I used to be a tank engine."
"WHAT?" cried every pony except Thomas.
Percy grinned sheepishly. "I come from a place called Sodor. It's full of trains that talk and feel emotions."
"Then how on earth did you get here?" demanded Rarity.
Percy told his story while Thomas got increasingly queasy. "That's how I got here. I didn't mean to enter the buffers. They just seemed to brighten the atmosphere. We certainly could use a little cheer, given what's happened."
"What happened?" asked Sweetie Belle
"One of our engines disappeared. He had caused some accidents, but one he wasn't allowed to explain himself. That was the last straw for him and he disappeared." Percy began to cry. "He was my best friend and #1 on the whole island."
Applejack stroked her chin thoughtfully then asked, "What was his name?"
"Thomas."
The 3 older mares' eyes widened and did a :-0. They turned to look at Thomas...who had slipped out.
And Twivine heard everything.
Chapter 9 More New Friends and Deadly News
FRIENDSHIP CASTLE
Twilight sat at the table, deep in thought. She wondered what Thomas was up to. She had come down to see Spike in the kitchen by himself. When she asked where Thomas had gone, Spike had replied that Thomas had went out and would only say that he had asked Thomas a question too personal. Now Twilight was waiting for him to return when Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash burst in with Percy. "We have a problem."
LATER
The princess was stunned by this revelation. "So Thomas is from a world where trains talk?"
"Yup," said Applejack, "it explains why Discord called him a tank engine."
"And he came here by accident because he was running away?"
"Sounds like it," said Rainbow Dash.
"But why would he run away?"
Percy told her about all the events that led up to Thomas' disappearance.
"Wow," she said again. "Reminds me of the time when the Changeling queen posed as Cadance and convinced my friends that I was the bad one."
"We've got to find him." sobbed Percy. "The island needs him. The morale is crumbling. Everything is gray. Even the trees are starting to lose the will to live."
"Oh my," whispered Fluttershy, "that does sound dreadful. It sounds like Thomas is connected to this island more than he knows."
"I just want my best friend back," sniffled Percy and he buried his head in his forelegs and sobbed.
Pinkie Pie felt sorry for the poor lad, so she walked over to her and wrapped her hooves around him. "There there, Percy-wercy." Percy buried his face into her chest, shaking while he shed tears. That was enough for Twilight.
"Spike! Take this down and send it to Celestia."
CANTERLOT TOWERTOWER
Celestia was equally surprised by a what she just heard. Then she left the room and returned with a circular mirror. "This isn't the mirror you are familiar with, Twilight. This is a message mirror. We use it to send messages to other worlds and still remain here. Since Thomas is from this Sodor, it is best that we try to contact there." Her horn glowed an yellow aura and she touched the mirror. It too glowed yellow and shook violently. Pinkie Pie placed a protective hoof around Percy as it raised into the air and showed images from Sodor.
"Home." said Percy. The mirror then showed an image of Tidmouth Sheds. The rest of the Steam Team (save Toby) were in their berths. They looked dull, gray, and depressed. Apparently, they hadn't rested since Thomas had disappeared.
"Speak to them Percy." said Celestia.
"Hello?"
The engines stirred. "I thought I heard Percy's voice," said Henry.
"Rubbish," snorted James.
"You probably imagined it Henry," rasped Edward who now looked and sounded as old as they said he was.
Percy spotted a familiar whistle lying a few feet away. He picked up and blew as hard as he could. What followed was what sounded like Percy's own whistle with a blocked valve. Every pony covered their ears and the engines groaned in pain.
"Alright Percy!" yelled Gordon. "We believe that you're here!"
"I'm not really there Gordon. I'm passing a message from Equestria."
"Equestria? Where's that?" asked Emily.
"Just head to some buffers in the woods in the west countryside. Thomas is here somewhere."
"In that case Percy, we'll head first thing tomorrow." said Edward.
The aura vanished and so did the connection. Every pony was silent, though it was because of Percy's whistle. Finally, Pinkie Pie broke the silence with her party cannon.
"AWESOME! We get to have more new friends! We can have TWO parties: one for meeting new friends and one for when we find Thomas!
"If we find him," sighed Percy. "I don't think he wants to be found."
"We will find him," growled Twilight, "and I will not rest until he's found." With grim determination, she set off for the buffers to meet the rest of the Steam Team.
"Someone's in love," whispered Rainbow Dash.
"I AM NOT!"
"Sheesh, only joking.'
CHAOSVILLE
Nothing much happened here...except that Discord was being drained of his magic...again. It wasn't Tirek, he was in Tartarus. It wasn't Twivine either. She was standing nearby with a look of utter shock on her face. "(Did not expect that.) Come on," she called to the (off-screen) creature, "on to Manehattan."
EQUESTRIA
Percy and the Mane 6 were standing nearby the buffers, waiting for Percy's friends...with Twilight in a shaky fit.
"Twilight dear, are you alright?" asked Rarity.
"It's...her," rasped Twilight.
Before anything else was said, there were 6 separate glows. The first caused the buffers to omit a blue unicorn with a 2 cutie mark and Harold Lloyd glasses named Edward; followed by a green Pegasus with a 3 cutie mark and a poofy mane that ended in a curl; next came a bulky blue Pegasus with a 4 cutie mark and was strong enough to rival Big Macintosh; followed by a red Pegasus with a 5 cutie mark and fur so sleek that it immediately caught Rarity's attention; next came a brown earth pony with a 7 cutie mark and a Stetson; finally came a beautiful emerald green unicorn with a (possibly) 12 cutie mark and a long black mane.
Introductions were made and the steam ponies (save Percy) were about to look over their new bodies when Twilight's tingling sensation got the better of her and rushed in the direction to Manehattan, screaming. "What on earth is wrong with her?" asked Toby.
"She's just starting to act like that," fretted Applejack, and they all raced after her.
"It's Twivine Sparkle," thought Twilight. "I can feel it in the water. I can smell it in the air. I can taste it in the trough."
MANEHATTAN
The protagonists arrived and were horrified by what they saw. Plunderseeds were everywhere, entangling trapping buildings and all living things. Ponies were laying in the streets, gray, wrinkled, and looking lifeless. Twilight spotted her draining an unicorn's soul.
"TWIVINE SPARKLE!" shouted Twilight.
Twivine heard her and teleported inches from her. "Hello sister. It seems that we meet as we were destined to."
"Where's Thomas?" demanded Twilight.
"Ooh, missing your boyfriend?"
"Why does every...? HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
"Then you don't mind that I took care of him?"
"YOU KILLED HIM?!?" shrieked Percy.
Twivine grinned like a mad man. "Oh he's worse than that, colt. Much MUCH worse than that."
"Show us Thomas, witch!" ordered Gordon.
"They're asking for you dearie," sang Twivine.
A stallion stepped out of an alley. He looked like Thomas, but he wasn't. He had dull silver fur, a 0 cutie mark, a wrinkled face, and angry red eyes. Worst of all, his body seemed to be bleeding yet he didn't seem to notice nor did he track anything.
"Thomas?" whispered a terrified Emily. He heard her.
"I am...Timothy."
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Chapter 10 Not-So-Merry Reunion ("To the Smelters")
Chapter 10 Not-So-Merry Reunion
The 7 steam ponies where to shock to speak. They had found their missing friend yet he didn't seem to recognize them. He had been zombified by a clone of one of their friends. Now it seemed that any hope of reconciliation with Thomas was lost. Applejack was the first to speak.
"What in tarnation did you do to him?!?"
"Oh I just found him wandering in the Everfree Forest."
FLASHBACK TO THE EVERFREE FOREST
"He looked so forlorn that he didn't even notice my Plunderseeds. This did strike as unusual so I uh extended an hour invitation to your zebra friend's hut."
"How did you do it and what did you do with Zecora?" demanded Twilight.
"Oh relax I just gave her some loose ends to tie up. As for luring him in, it wasn't hard, given the fact that I resemble you. When he saw me, he thought I was you which seemed to brighten his day. He told me all about his troubles on Sodor so I...made him a proposition: in exchange for helping me take over Equestria, I'll help feed on his revenge and have Sudrians eating out of...his...whatever."
END FLASHBACK
The ponies were stunned. "He accepted THAT easily?" demanded James
"Well, he was a little reluctant," admitted Twivine, "so I had to...coerce him into embracing his inner darkness. Although, I must confess, the result wasn't quite what I expected." She betrayed a glance of disgust at Timothy.
"Enough talk," growled Timothy and he staggered over to the steam ponies. He glared at them all. The hatred in his demonic eyes made them flinch. But no more than Gordon. "So the great Express engine who is so important that he can't fetch his own coaches and that those who do are nothing to him but 'silly little tank engines' suddenly gets the strength to come to another world".
It hurt Gordon to hear his own words being used against him. "But Thomas-"
"SHUT UP! My name is Timothy! And you are too late to try any of THAT sappy forgiveness. The one you call Thomas no longer exists." Just then, a cage appeared out of the ground and trapped Gordon. "You had your chance to make up with him, but you never did. You never even considered the consequences for what you did to him. Now it's too late. He's gone and no considers you his friend." With that, he opened his mouth and inhaled. Gordon felt every bit of strength leave him as Timothy robbed him of his soul. He felt older and deathly sick.
Every pony watched as they witnessed this. They never said or did anything, they were frozen in shock. Even Twivine figured on turning her head away. Then Timothy was finished. As he let Gordon out of the cage, Timothy seemed to grow and his wings seemed...sharper*. Then he turned to Twivine. "Where do we strike next?"
She seemed a little stunned before answering, "B...Baltimare."
Timothy stomped away and Twivine followed, after telling the other ponies, "he actually stole every ounce of magic from the Lord of Chaos himself."
The other ponies were still shocked. Emily headed over to Gordon and asked, " Do you think that any of us should expected that?"
"I...knew he'd be...bitter," he rasped, "but I...wasn't expecting...him...to be...that bitter."
No pony did.
CANTERLOT CASTLE
Celestia and the other princesses were equally surprised by what they heard from Twilight's 5 friends. It started out when the 13 ponies appeared in the throne room. She had Gordon taken to the healing room, horrified by his condition. When she asked what happened, Twilight burst into tears and rushed out of the room. Now she, Luna, and Cadance didn't know what to say. Finally, Cadance spoke.
"All that hatred inside. It's. It's amazing he was able to hold it in for so long."
"It's also horrific, what happens when that anger is let out," mused Luna.
"What I don't understand is why this Sir Topham Hatt would directly accuse him of causing trouble." remarked Celestia. "It's almost like he refused to know the direct truth."
Percy cleared his throat. "Before we left to see my friends, Twilight said that it was like a wedding."
Celestia and the Mane 5 fell into an eembarrassed silence that was broken by a cracked voice. "I had forgiven them." It was Twilight and she looked terrible. Her mane was disheveled and her eyes were sunken and had bags underneath. She staggered in, wincing at every other step. "It may not seem like it, but I think that Thomas is still alive."
Rainbow Dash snorted, "Come on Twi, didn't you hear that zombie pony? Thomas is gone. That clone of yours killed him by doing that. All because of something Big G did." Everyone looked at her. "What?"
"Big G?" inquired Applejack.
"Ooh do you have a crush too?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"I don't! It's obvious that I don't; obvious that Twilight has one on Thomas." Here every pony looked at Twilight.
"I do not..."
"Aw come on, Twilight," said Applejack. "Yer showin' all the signs."
"You're acting as bashful as I use to," said Fluttershy.
"You're as red as I am," said James.
"And don't forget denial," said Pinkie Pie.
"ALRIGHT!" shouted Twilight. "I do! I've been feeling this way since we met him in the hospital. Do you all hear me? I love him!"
"Whoa, Twilight." said Edward. "We're all happy for you, but how do plan on telling Thomas?"
"He's right," said Henry. "In the state he's in, he probably won't listen to anyone. Look at what he did to Gordon."
"He won't listen to those who did him wrong," said Twilight. "But what of those who didn't?"
"It sounds crazy, but it might work," said Toby.
"It sounds like the power of love," mused Cadance.
"We have to try." growled Twilight. Then she felt a tingle. "They're in Baltimare. Let's go."
BALTIMARE
Timothy and Twivine were sucking souls out of ponies and had done enough so that Twivine began to gain the features of a centaur while Timothy gained those of a gargoyle resembling Scorpan. "Soon every unicorn, Pegasus, earth pony, and Sudrian will bow to the wills of Queen Tirevine and King..." She trailed off and looked questionably at the now half alicorn, half gargoyle, who thought before answering:
"King Onan. Now that we've run out of ponies here, where do we strike next?"
"Appleloosa, Canterlot, and finally Ponyville. But first Cloudsdale.
"Very well."
"But let's rest a bit."
"What?" growled Timothy.
"Sorry," rasped Twivine, "but even beings who stoop so low as to suck out souls need to pace themselves." Twivine started to kneel down, but found herself surrounded by a blood red aura, as well as getting closer to Timothy.
"Our so-called friends humiliated and destroyed us. Thomas may forgive them, but I will NOT rest until I see that they have paid dearly for it." Then he opened his jaw and inhaled.
Twivine felt as though her interior was being pulled out as Timothy drained her of her magic. Her features as a centaur became less noticeable. She began to look more like an alicorn. But it didn't end there. She began to age rapidly: her fur dulled; her became gray and saggy; her face and body developed wrinkles. When Timothy let her go, she landed on the ground with a sickening thud.
As for Timothy, he began to grow. His body became bigger and rounder; his cutie mark vanished; his wings sharper; and his tail pointier. Soon, he looked like a full fledged gargoyle. His power began to be stripped of its limits. As he started to fly away, though, he heard a small voice.
"How...could you...Timothy?"
"My name," he growled with the air of Neo Anderson, "is King Onan. When you're talking revenge, every last second counts." With that, he flew away.
MEANWHILE
The friends were running along when Twilight staggered. "That can't be right."
"What is it?" asked Henry.
"It feels like she...stopped..."
CLOUDSDALE
Onan began stealing Pegasus souls as his mind darkened with fires of revenge.
The island was a place
Where traitors wore smiles on their face
Taking what I can never replace
Stolen moments gone forever.
But the tables do turn
As my former friends learn.
I will light the fuse and watch them all burn
On the pyre of obsession.
[To Gordon]
You're so lazy you can't even drop
Always relying on advantage.
You make any price
Because to you it's free.
I will carry you to the Smelters
I will make you pay!
You will reap the hate you've sown
On the Judgment Day!
Sleepless nights and days of damnation
Soon and forever more
I will bring the Iron Twins
Knocking upon your door!
And love is a lie
Promising it won't die
Vanishing in a night sky
In the red lights of morning.
What the heck do I care?
Female engines to be had everywhere.
But first retribution I must repair
Revenge will be mine!
[To Rocky]
I have a nice show
That will tempt you forward
But when you are sure
That the prize is yours
I'll deliver you to the Smelters
In a rich facade!
Then I'll melt you down
Like an angry god!
Once you're in my blazing roundhouse
Hear the tolling bell
It'll be your final sound
As you enter hell!
[To Sir Topham Hatt]
Fall down on your knees
Fall down and let me hear you pray
Fall down until I can hear you
Arrogantly, snobbishly
Begging and screaming to me!
I will carry you to the Smelters
You will rue the day
You will reap the hate you've sown
No matter how hard you pray.
It's a place without any mercy
Fashioned in cold blood.
Scraps of fear and flames of doubt
No forgiveness; no way out
Only justice
Then amen!
Chapter 11 Sad News and Four New Keys
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Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.