Journey Through the Magic Buffers

Chapters

Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6 (Reissued)
Chapter 1

Chapter 2

*Peep* *Peep*

Thomas whistled as he chugs down the line with the silly troublesome trucks behind him. He’s hauling supplies to take down to brendam docks. But, the trucks keep teasing him.

“Pull back! pull back!” They all yelled as they begin to pull back. Making Thomas’s load feel heavier. Thomas groaned as he is now about to pull his train up a hill. Until he stopped, and made the trucks bump into him.

“Silly trucks. That’ll teach ya. Now come on, and stop playing! We have a load to deliver!” Thomas said to the trucks behind him as he is now going up a hill. Thomas felt very nervous as he continued to puff up the hill. Waiting for the trucks to play another trick as soon he reaches the top.

Thomas keeps thinking if he could hear them whispering about their plan. As soon as he reached the top…

“On! On! On!” The trucks yelled. They begin to push Thomas right down the hill. Thomas applied his breaks. Trying to slow the trucks down. But, it was no use. The silly trucks keep pushing him down the hill.

“Stop pushing me you darn trucks!” Thomas screamed as he held onto his breaks as good as he can while the trucks continued to push him.

Thomas was able to make it through a bend when the trucks push as hard as they can. Making Thomas think he’s going faster than the speed of sound. Or the speed of Spencer perhaps.

Thomas sees that the signal on a track switch is red. Which means he’s about to pull into another track. Which he does. The tracks look old, and Thomas keeps going. Up ahead, he can see a set of buffers ahead. Thomas screech on his brakes as hard as he can so he, and the trucks can stop. Finally, he stopped at only fifteen feet away from the set of buffers.

“Phew.” Thomas said as he came close to crashing. “Silly trucks! Thanks to you, I’m now late.” Thomas said as he backs out of the sighting so he can get to brendam to deliver his load.

Thirty minutes have passed as Thomas arrived at brendam docks. A red diesel was there on the other lane of the track. He has a pirate like accent on him. They call him Slaty.

“Argh, hello, Thomas.” Salty said as Thomas stopped beside him.

“Hi Salty. Sorry I’m late. These trucks been giving me a hard time on the way here.” Thomas explained.

“Arhg, that’s alright, matey. At least you got the trucks delivered.” Salty said as he gets on another track behind Thomas. He gets coupled up the the brake van, and he begins to back up after Thomas gets uncoupled.

Which brought a smile to Thomas’s face. Happy to have the trucks out of his sight.

“Alright, Thomas, you can go on now.” Salty said. “I’ll have Cranky take the load from these trucks, and we’re good to go.”

“Thank you, Salty!” Thomas said as he whistled, and he hurried straight to Knapford Station to pick up his coaches for his branchline.

It wasn’t long as Thomas pulled into Knapford where his coaches are. He can see them at a sighting as one of them smiled when she saw him backing up into them.

“Look, Clarabelle. Here he comes.”

“Hello, Thomas.” Clarabelle said as Thomas gets coupled up.

“Good morning, Annie. Good morning, Clarabelle.” Thomas said as he puffs out of the sighting with his two faithful coaches, Annie and Clarabelle.

He pulls into the station as a small green engine with mail cars is waiting for the mail to be placed in his mail cars. He has a number six on the side of his rears, and four drive wheels. Thomas pulls up to him.

“Good morning, Percy.” Thomas greets.

“Oh, good morning, Thomas.” Percy said as he smiled to see his best friend.”Wonderful weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, Percy. My morning was just fine until those silly trucks had to push me down the hill, again.” Thomas said as he felt mad about this morning.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Thomas.” Percy said as another whistle is heard. A red engine with a number five on his tender pulls into the station with freight cars. He felt angry a bit.

“Good morning, James.” Thomas peeped.

“Oh, hello Thomas, hello Percy.” James greeted the two engines.

“What’s that you’re carrying behind you, James?” Thomas asked as James waits for a load to be put in his cars.

“Sir Topham Hatt has given me an opportunity to pull a goods train. A very… dirty goods train.” James said as he went red in the face. Thomas and Percy giggled.

James groaned in response. “I don’t want my red paint work to get all dirty.” He said as his whistle to leave has been blown.

James blew his whistle, and puffed away. Ignoring Thomas and Percy giggling as he leaves.

“I heard Sir Taphom Hatt is taking a vacation tomorrow.” Percy said to Thomas.

“Indeed. I hope he has a great time. I think he deserves a good time off for a while after the hard work he’s done. I heard, Mr. Conductor will be looking after us again. It’s been a long time since Sir Topham Hatt went on vacation.” Thomas said to Percy.

“Indeed it has, Thomas.” Sir Topham Hatt comes in.

“Hello, sir.” Thomas and Percy said together.

“Running a railway is hard working indeed, Thomas. I know it’s been a while since I have took a vacation. I will be leaving tomorrow at around ten o'clock tomorrow morning. To the airport.” Sir Topham Hatt explained. “So, will you two be on your best behavior while Mr. Conductor keeps an eye on you again?”

“Yessir.” Thomas and Percy said together.

“Excellent. I knew I could count on my really useful engines. Well, I better head on home and pack. Goodbye you two.” He said as he walks off.

“Goodbye, sir.” Thomas and Percy said together. Thomas’s whistle blows. Signaling he’s now ready to leave.

“Oh, goodbye, Percy. I better run my branchline now.” Thomas said as he starts puffing away. Leaving Percy to wait for his mail cars to load up.

“Goodbye, Thomas!” Percy said with a smile as he watches his friend leave.

***

The day went by, as Shining Armor is walking Twilight home after picking her up from school like he always does. Twilight hasn’t noticed when Shining Armor has that very big smile on his face.

“What’s got you all excited for, big brother?” Twilight asked.

“I’ll tell you when we get home, Twily.” Shining said chuckling as they both walked into their home.

Velvet notices as she’s sitting on her sofa, reading her book.

“Oh, excellent, you’re home.” She said as she went to hug them. “How was school?”

“It was great!” Twilight said first. “I painted a picture today!”

“How wonderful, sweetie.” Velvet said to Twilight. “What about you, Shining Armor?”

“Okay, you’re never gonna believe this. I finally have a marefriend!” Shining said excitedly.

Velvet’s eyes widen in surprise as she heard Shining Armor's news. A smile forms on her face.

“That’s excellent, sweetheart!” Velvet said as she hugged her son. “What’s her name?”

“Her name’s Cadence. She also went to Twilight’s school when she was a filly.” Shining said as he patted Twilight’s head.

“Well, I can’t wait to meet her sometime soon. I’m sure your father will be very proud of you when he gets home from work.” She said with a smile on her face.

“Congratulations, big brother!” Twilight said as she gave SHining Armor a huge hug.

Shining Armor chuckled. “Thanks Twily. I’m sure you’re gonna love her. She’s really nice. I can’t wait for you to meet her.” He said to her.

“And I can’t wait to meet her too!” Twilight said with a smile. She takes Smarty Pants from her back, and she talks to her again.

“Come on, Smarty Pants! We got some coloring to do!” Twilight stormed to her room, as she pulled out her coloring book, and she started coloring while setting Smarty Pants on her side.

***

A little more time rolls by as finally, Twilight’s father is now home from work. It’s not her bedtime yet, but, she went downstairs as she was about to grab a snack before heading to bed.

She can hear her father congratulating Shining Armor on getting a new marefriend.

“That’s excellent, son. I’m very proud of you.” He said as Twilight saw her dad hug Shining Armor as soon as she grabbed a pack of crackers.

“Heh, thanks dad.” Shining Armor said with a smile and a blush. “You’ll really like her. Trust me, she’s really sweet.” Their dad chuckled at Shining’s response to his new marefriend.

“Hehe, alright, buddy. You better treat this mare with respect, you hear?” He teased while making the clicking noise.

“I will, dad.” Shining Armor said as he went upstairs while letting out a yawn. “I’m gonna head to bed. Night dad, night mom”

“Good night!” They both said as Twilight is sitting on the table with Smarty Pants, eating some crackers.

“Hey there, silly.” Twilight’s dad said as he hugged Twilight.

“Hey daddy!” Twilight hugged him right back.

“What are you doing down here? It is almost your bedtime.” He remind her.

“I know.” Twilight said to him. “But, I got hungry, and I thought I might have a snack before I go to bed.” She said as she ate a cracker.

Her dad chuckled. “Alright, sweetheart. Make sure you go to bed after you’re done, alright. Goodnight.” He said as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Goodnight, daddy.” Twilight said as she continue to eat her crackers.

It wasn’t long as she begins to go upstairs when she got tired. She slowly crawled into bed as Smarty Pants is right beside Twilight.

Velvet tucked her in as she kissed Twilight on the forehead.

“Goodnight my little angel.” She said to her.

“Goodnight, mommy.” Twilight said as she let out a yawn. Velvet turned out the lights before she exited the room. Letting Twilight sleep so she can have plenty of rest before school tomorrow.

Chapter 3

A few days went by as Twilight and her parents are finally about to meet Shining Armor’s marefriend, Cadence. It’s Saturday as it is the weekend off from school. Twilight reading a little book with Smarty Pants by her side, while her parents are on the sofa chit-chatting about Shining’s date.

Twilight just focuses on her book with her hooves tucked underneath her as she’s waiting for her big brother to get home. She heard that Cadence invited them to a picnic somewhere in Canterlot.

Shining Armor walks in the door.

“Hey everyone!” He said as he walked in.

“Hey Shining Armor.” Velvet said as she saw him walk in.

“Everyone. This is Cadence.” He said as a pink mare walk in. She has on a ponytail, and she has… Wings?

Twilight’s eyes widen in amazement. Cadence begins to walk to their parents.

“You must be Shining Armor’s parents. Nice to meet you. I’m Cadence.” She said as she shook each of their hooves as they greeted each other. As she finally notices Twilight.

“And you must be Twilight. Shining Armor always talks about you.” Cadence said with a smile.

“And Shining Armor always talks about you too.” Twilight said with a smile right back. Cadence giggles. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Twily. Are you ready for the picnic?”

“Am I?!” Twilight said, jumping up and down. “I can’t wait, when are we leaving?”

“Just hold on there, Twily.” Shining Armor said to calm her down. “Mom, dad, you have a picnic basket we can barrow?”

“Of course. There should be one in the closet in our bedroom. I’ll go and get it.” Velvet said as she walked into the bedroom to get a picnic basket.

She comes out with one as she begins to help pack up the food they need for the picnic.

“Thanks mom. We’ll be back soon.” Shining Armor said as he, Twilight, and Cadence walks out. Their parents waved them goodbye, and to have a great time. As Velvet notices Spike.

“Oh Spike, not the shelf again.” She said as she sees Spike trying to grab something from the shelf.

They begin to walk around Canterlot as Twilight has Smarty Pants on her back. What looks like fabulous ponies walk around, and some time passes as they find a good spot.

They found a place on what looks like an old abandon sighting where trains would roam here. They sat the mat down further away from the end of the tracks, or what they’re called ‘buffers’ in ponies opinion. Which is also on a side of a mountain.

They all sat their stuff down as they begin to unpack, and begin eating.

***

A few days have passed since Sir Topham Hatt has left for his vacation. Thomas is just chugging backwards where he almost crashed when the trucks pushed him down the hill. He notices Henry on the sighting next to Thomas’s line, not feeling too great.

“Morning, Henry. What’s the matter?” Thomas asked as he puffed backwards when he passed him.

“I got… *sniff* boiler ache.” Henry said as he feels like he’s got a cold. When Thomas continues talking.

“And I’m collecting one, two, three, four, five, six trucks of special Island of Sodor coal for you.” Thomas said when he counted how many trucks he’ll have when he continues to puff backwards.

“Oh, thank you, Thomas. Special coal will make me feel… *sneeze* much better.” Henry said through his cold.

“But I wish I can make Mr. Conductor feel better too,” Thomas said as he starts bumping into the trucks. “by finding him.” He said as he bumps into the fifth truck.

But, he immediately stops as he hits the sixth truck.

*Whack*

Thomas hit the sixth coal truck with force. Which sends it rolling down the tracks, and… wait, did it disappear through the buffers? Where Thomas almost crashed?

As it disappeared, it made what sounds like a train whistle while ringing the bell as it disappeared through a multi-colored portal. Thomas doesn’t notice as he begins to puff away with his now five remaining coal trucks. He sees Bertie the bus roll by beside him on the road. He honks his horn.

“Hello, Thomas and your five coal trucks!. Vroom Vroom!” Bertie said to Thomas.

“Wait, five? I’m suppose to have six. This can’t be right.” Thomas said as he keeps chugging with his coal trucks.

A few hours later, he sees Percy at the water tower as Thomas is now pulling Annie and Clarabel

Thomas pulls in.

“Hello, Percy.”

“Oh, Thomas! I’ve been worried about you. Bertie said you lost a coal truck today.” Percy said to Thomas.

“Yes, it disappeared when I was at the buffers. I don’t know what happened.”

“Maybe those are the buffers that lead to the secret railway.” Percy said sneaky like.

“And the buffers that lead to a secret world no engine has gone before.”

“Oh yes!”

Thomas soon gets an idea. “Percy, you protect those buffers from Diesel 10.” Thomas said as Percy’s eyes go wide in fright.

“What?!”

“And I’ll find Mr. Conductor.” Thomas begins to puff away

“Me? But, why me?” Percy asked as Thomas leaves Percy at the water tower.

“‘Cause you’re a brave engine, Percy!” Thomas said as Percy watch him disappear. Leaving him with a response.

“Oh, I forgot.”

***

Hours went by as Twilight, Shining Armor and Cadence are having a great time at their picnic. Twilight playing with Smarty Pants while Cadence and Shining Armor are enjoying their romantic meal as they can hear, and watch Twilight laughing and playing.

While they’re near an old set of buffers on an abandon sighting. They’re not far from Canterlot as they’re just right outside of the town. Celestia’s giant castle can be seen from what looks like millions of miles away as if somepony that far can see it from where they’re at.

Twilight begins to do the rodeo theme while Smarty Pants is on her back. Twilight starts kicking as a bull would. Until Smarty Pants starts flying out of her back, and she lands right beside the buffers.

“Haha! I win again, Smarty Pants!” Twilight said as she went to go trot to grab her doll. She is close enough to Cadence and Shining Armor.

She reaches the doll as she levitates it with her magic. She has gotten better at it as she begins to place Smarty Pants on her back as wind begins to blow a tiny bit.

“Come on, Smarty Pants! Let’s go again!” Twilight said excitedly. Until the wind keeps getting higher and higher. Is there a storm coming? It’s suppose to be a nice day. Twilight is now confused as if what’s happening.

“Huh?”

She just moved. No way she can do that while she’s standing completely still. She tried walking away, the wind keeps pushing her to the buffers.

“What’s going on?!” Twilight said as she begins to trip. The wind now even stronger as she now tries to hold on.

“HELP! CADENCE! SHINING ARMOR!” Twilight yells as they notice her. They ran as fast as they can. They both gripped onto her hooves with their magic to hold onto her. They even used their hooves.

“Hold on, Twily!”

“Just hold on!”

Cadence and Shining Armor said as they do the best they can to hold onto her. The wind keeps getting stronger and stronger as a hum appears out of nowhere while a multi-colored portal appears, making the wind stronger. It even pulls Cadence and Shining Armor.

“Don’t let go, Twilight!” Cadence said as she can feel her slip out of their magic, and their hooves.

“Help! I can’t hold on much longer!” Twilight screams.

“Hold on!” Shining Armor screams. Until…

Twilight loses her grip when their magic becomes weak from how strong the wind is. Twilight starts flying to the buffers as she starts screaming, trying to reach out to Cadence and her brother.

With a loud train whistle, and a bell like sound mixed into one… Twilight disappeared through the buffers. Cadence and Shining Armor look up and they see Smarty Pants landing right in front of them.

“Oh no. Oh Celestia no.” Shining said as he and Cadence ran to the buffers.

“Twilight! TWILIGHT!” He and Cadence scream. Hoping she would get out of there. But, nothing.

“Mom and dad are gonna kill me, I know it! I’m so dead!” Shining said as he starts freaking out when he watched his little sister disappear into a portal.

“This is bad. I’m so sorry, Shining Armor.” Cadence said as she tries to comfort her date. Cadence is now worried too. ‘Where did she go?’ She thought to herself.

Chapter 4

Twilight appeared through the portal as she’s now floating in mid-air on some very old railroad tracks, and appears to be in a forest like place in some sort. Except it feels it’s shape like a tunnel. She starts screaming.

“Shining Armor? Cadence?” But, no response. She’s also moving full speed. Where is she going?

“Get me down! Get me down, please!” Twilight screams as she tries to reach the ground.

“Get me down, please! I wanna go home!” Nothing is working as she tries to reach the ground. “Help me, please! Somepony, help!” Still nothing.

As she keeps floating and going in a fast pace. She can see a… Coal truck? What’s it doing here on a small sighting on this track?

Twilight’s train of thought is soon interrupted when she sees another pair of buffers. She’s heading towards it, quick.

“Oh no!” Twilight braces herself. Hoping to make it quick. But, a multi-colored portal soon appears. Making the same sound as before. Twilight gets sucked in like a black hole. She is soon on the other side as it tosses her in the air.

She lands on the ground face first. Luckily, she has no cuts.

Twilight gets up and looks around. She also notices she’s on a sighting as well. But, wait… This doesn’t look like no sighting. It looks like the end of the track.

“Hello?” Twilight calls out. Hoping somepony will answer her. No response. “Where am I?” She asked herself.

She notices a hill to her left. She starts climbing it. She can also hear what sounds like multiple train whistles and… Voices? Maybe there’s somepony who can help her get back home.

Twilight quickly goes to the top of the hill as fast as she can. As she goes to the top. Wait, there’s nopony here. She sees trains with… faces.Trains can talk here?

“Where am I?” She ask herself again as she sees nothing but talking trains passing by. She also notices she’s above a road where a red bus passes her.

“Good morning! Vroom, vroom, vroom!” Said the red bus passing her. Twilight also notices a blue tank engine chugging down. Where could she be?

She begins to change directions, and starts racing down the hill. Back to where she came from. Maybe she can ask one of the trains to help her?

She looks at the buffers for a split second.

“Hold on, big brother. I’ll find a way back.” She said as she starts to follow the train tracks. She keeps going and going until she’s beside four different track lines. When Twilight hears an unfamiliar voice coming her way.

“Annie, Clarabel. There’s Mr. Conductor. We found him!” Twilight freezes as she heard the voice. Will she be kidnapped?

“Wait, that’s not Mr. Conductor.” The voice said again as it gets closer to her. So does a train. The train stops behind her as the voice speaks again. “Oh, it’s just a pony in the way. Uh, excuse me.” The voice said. Twilight turns around and… She starts freaking out, and…

“AAAAHHHHH!” Twilight screams and hides in a bush near the tracks. “Please! Please don’t hurt me! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you, I won’t do it again!” She said. Twilight soon notices that the blue engine is also surprised to see her.

“You… You talk?” The train asks her.

“Y-Yeah.” Twilight said as she stepped out of the bush. She now knows that the train can’t hurt her. “I can. Where is everypony?” She asked him.

“Everypony? It’s almost time for passengers. Everyone’s at the station. I don’t have mine in an hour. Who are you?” The engine asks.

“I’m… I’m Twilight.” Twilight introduces herself. “Who are you?”

“I’m Thomas. Welcome to Sodor, Twilight.”

“Sodor!?” Twilight screams in panic. “I need to get back home with my brother! I don’t know where I came from! Can you help me, Thomas? Please? I want to go home!” Twilight said as she starts crying.

“Hey Twilight.” Thomas said as she looked up at him. “I think I might know someone who can help. Hop in my cab, and I’ll take you. My coaches aren’t filled with passengers. I can take you to go see him.” Thomas said to her with a smile. Twilight knows she can trust him. Even if she was taught not to talk to strangers. She climbed in Thomas’s cab.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. I’ll get you there in no time!” Thomas said as he takes Twilight, and his coaches to the station to pick up his first set of passengers.

Twilight sat there as she can’t stop thinking about home. Will she ever go back? Will she see her brother and her parents again?

‘Mom, dad, Shining Armor. I’m so sorry.’ Twilight thought to herself as she begins to sob. Tears forming a bit sized puddle in Thomas’s cab as he takes her to the station. Hoping someone, or somepony can help her.

***

*Peep* *Peep*

“Mr. Conductor! Mr. Conductor!” Thomas’s voice can be heard as he comes to a stop. Are they at the station already?

“Thomas!” An unfamiliar voice said.

“Hello Mr. Conductor!” Said Thomas. “I found a pony at my branchline today on the way here. She wants to go back home. Do you think you can help her?”

“What are you doing carrying ponies, Thomas?” Twilight hears Mr. Conductor ask.

“She got lost. She needs to go back home, and she can talk to. She’s in the cab.”

“Talk?” Mr. Conductor asked. “Since when can-” His train of thought is interrupted as he finally sees Twilight. She scoots back as she’s completely scared.

“Please! Don’t hurt me!” She said in fright.

What could he be? Is he… An ape? A hairless ape, perhaps?

Mr. Conductor’s eyes widen.

“No, hey, it’s alright.” He said as he lend out a hand. Twilight doesn’t bother to reach for his hand. Until Mr. Conductor thought of an idea.

He pulled out a bag of carrots that he was going to have for lunch soon. He pulls one out.

“Look.” He said getting Twilight’s attention. “It’s okay. See?” This finally caught her attention. Twilight sees the carrot. She doesn’t know if she should trust him or not.

“It’s okay, Twilight.” Thomas said talking to her. “He’s really friendly.”

“Oh, you’re name’s Twilight?” Mr. Conductor asked.

“Mhm.” Twilight nodded.

“Why, that’s a beautiful name. I promise, I know I’m a stranger to you. But, I won’t hurt you, hon. I promise.” He said in a very kind voice.

Twilight slowly, and nervously stood up. She walks to him as Mr. Conductor hands her the carrot. She gently naws it out of his hand.

“There we go.” He said as he starts petting her. Twilight takes it as she starts eating the carrot.

“Come on, I’ll get you outta here.” He said as he lifted her in his arms. Luckily, no one arrived at the station yet. It must be too early.

“Thomas, will you wait here for the passengers? It’s almost time.” Mr. Conductor reminded Thomas.

“Of course, Mr. C.” Thomas said to him.

“That’s good. I’ll take care of her, and I’ll take her to the office in here.” He said as he carried Twilight to the office where it’s placed at the station Thomas and Mr. Conductor are at.

As he brings her in the office. He places her on the chair as Mr. C sits at a desk.

“So, how did you get here?” He asked Twilight. “You didn’t come from somewhere else far away, did you?”

“Well…” Twilight tries to explain. “I’m from Canterlot. I’m not sure how I got here. I got sucked into those… Things that you see at the end of a train track.” She demonstrates. Mr. Conductors eyes widen. He looked at Twilight in shock.

He knows there’s no talking ponies in this world. Now, he may know that there’s another world right behind the buffers where she’s from.

“You came from a set of buffers? From another world?” He asked surprised.

“Y-Yeah.” Twilight said as she begins to cry. “My brother and his date tried to save me. But, they couldn’t hold on to me very long from how strong it is.” Tears soon start rolling down her face. “I wanna go home. Back with mommy, daddy, and my big brother.” She soon begins to sob as Mr. Conductor quickly gets out of his seat to comfort her.

“Shhh, there there.” He said as he petted her mane. “It’ll be alright.” Twilight hugged him tight as she keeps sobbing on Mr. Conductor’s shoulder. Until he gets an idea.

“I got it!”

Twilight looks up at him.

“I know which set you came from. I promise, i’ll bring you home no matter what it takes.”

Twilight’s eyes widen as a smile forms on her face.

“Oh thank you so much!” She said to him. “Can we go now?”

“Well… There’s just one problem.” Mr. C said to her as Twilight’s smile disappeared. This can’t be good. “There was an engine that appeared here before. She went missing a long time ago, and she’s the only way you can get through the magic buffers.” He demonstrated. Twilight’s tears are now forming in her eyes again. “But, I promise. I will find a way to bring you back home. I promise, I will. I’ll find a way.” He said to her. Twilight smiles a bit as she nods her head to him.

“Okay, now, I got some stuff to do here. You can just chill while I do some errands here. I know it’s boring, but, just trust me. Alright?”

“Okay.” Twilight nods her head as Mr. C patted her on the head. He gets a tissue from his desk and helps Twilight wipe the tears from her eyes. “Thank you.” Twilight said to him.

“Anytime.” Mr. Conductor responds when the phone rings. “Excuse me.” He said as he answers.

“Oh, good afternoon, sir.” He said as Twilight tucked her hooves underneath her when she lays on the pillow. She can hear who’s on the phone. But, just barely.

“A real honor, sir. Like my family before me.” Mr. C said to the person on the phone. “And how is Lady Hatt?” He asked. When he continues talking. “Yes. Watch out for Diesel, definitely. Keep an eye on Henry’s help, si-. Uh, yessir, the three R’s. Reading, writing and arithmetic. I-I mean.” He pauses for a second. “I will be responsible. Reliable, and really useful. Yessir. We will all get a good night's sleep. Looking forward to a hard day tomorrow. Goodbye, sir.” He said before hanging up. He takes a deep breath.

“Who was that?” Twilight asked Mr. Conductor.

“That was a man name Sir Topham Hatt. He’s mainly in charge of this railway. But, he’s on a holiday. So… He asked me to keep an eye on the engines.” He demonstrates.

“Such as Thomas?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, just as Thomas.” He answered.

“Oh.” Was Twilight’s only response as she lay down on the pillow, and she falls asleep. Hoping to move time faster so she can go back home.

***

“MOM! DAD!” Shining Armor said as he burst through the door with force while Cadence is behind her.

“Shining Armor, what’re you…?” Velvet said as she noticed Twilight’s not with her. This can’t be good. “Where’s Twilight?”

“That’s the problem.” Cadence comes in as she levitates Smarty Pants in front of Velvet, and her husband.

“Mom, dad, I swear, I don’t know what happened. Twilight was just playing until something sucked her in!” Shining Armor said in a panic.

“We tried to save her. But, that magic was too strong for both of us! We even tried our hooves too!” Cadence said.

“My pour baby.” Velvet said as she begins to cry.

“We’re really sorry, mom. We really didn’t mean too. We were keeping an eye on her too. We promise we were.”

“It’s okay Shining. I know how much you love your sister.” Velvet said. “Take me to where this happened.”

Shining Armor and Cadence took Velvet and her husband to the place where Twilight got sucked in. It wasn’t long when they reached it.

“There.” Shining Armor points to a set of buffers. “We swear, we have no idea how this happened.” He said again.

Velvet’s eyes begin to tear up once again. “Oh Twilight. My little angel.” She said as she begins to break down. Shining, Cadence and Velvet’s husband comfort her.

“It’s okay, honey.” Velvet’s husband said to her. “We’ll find Twilight. Everything’s gonna be alright. I promise.”

Velvet just barely put a smile to her face. She knows she can trust her husband more than anything. He is always there for her.

“You’re right, dear.” She said to him. “We will find her.”

Velvet starts walking through the buffers, as she placed a hoof on the old wooden frame. Could Shining Armor and Cadence be telling the truth? What really happened?

Nothing seems to be happening as Velvet still has her hoof on the buffers. She lets her head down, closes her eyes as a tear rolls down her face. Hoping she will find her daughter before the day is over with.

“Just hold on, Twilight.” She mumbles, hoping her daughter can hear her. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get you home. Don’t worry.”

Author's Note

Hello everypony. I know you're all probably gonna yell at me on how Velvet didn't get sucked through the portal. But, that's gonna be in the future chapters. I am not spoiling the whole story. There will be more soon, and you'll see how it does.

Stay metal. Peace. ;)

Chapter 5

Night time has rolled by on the Island of Sodor as Percy is chugging down the line as soon as he passes a green signal. As he puffs down the line, he begins to mumble to himself.

“I am brave. I am brave. Thomas says I’m brave. So I’m brave.”

He says to himself as he now begins to chug down a foggy track.

“Ugh. It’s not easy being brave.” He said to himself once more. He keeps chugging along the line. He’s almost there at the buffers. Until he sees two engines at the buffers. They appear to be diesels. This cannot be good.

“Shiver my pistons. There’s Splatter and Dodge.” He said when it’s not the only thing he notices. They’re also at the buffers. Percy comes to a stop at another set of buffers when he speaks to himself.

“*Gasp* Oh they found the buffers. Oh now what’s going to happen?”

Percy gasped as he sees crows flying away at night. A ball of hay moves past him.

“Howdy, partner! ‘Scuse me, pardon me. Coming through.”

Leaving Percy still surprised, with a response.

“Oh that’s just nothing.” He said as he sees a door to a cab slowly open, and slams shut.

“That nothing was something!” Percy shivers as he can now hear the two diesels, Splatter and Dodge talking to each other.

“Uh, these must be the buffers Diesel’s looking for.” Splatter said, looking at them. While Dodge asks.

“Are we supposed to go through them?”

“Oh not me, you.”

“Uh, this is the job for the boss.” Splatter said.

It wasn’t until they hear an owl hoot. Spooking the two awkward diesels. Leaving them with a response.

“Uh, maybe we’ll wait till tomorrow!” Splatter said.

“Yeah, tomorrow’s good.”

Percy overhears their conversation. Now maybe his time to leave, and warn Thomas.

“I better hurry back and warn Thomas.” Percy said as he puffed away from Splatter and Dodge.

***

Some little time has passed while the two diesels returned to the diesel works. Splatter and Dodge enter very slowly.They stopped in front of a turntable that can lift up a diesel to the next level of track.

Splatter gulps, and speaks first.

“Uh, boss?”

“We found the buffers!” Dodge comes in as if it’s their only guess if they found it or not.

“Good. Very good.” Said a very creepy, evil voice. A giant shadow comes into view from above. The light shines down on him. He has a giant hydraulic claw on his roof. A dark tan-ish paint work on his body. With a very evil looking face. It was Diesel 10. The scariest, most terrifying diesel on Sodor.

“That’s good, Splodge.”

“Actually, it’s uh Splatter.” Said Splatter.

“And-and Dodge.” Said Dodge. Leaving Diesel 10 clunching his claw.

“I ain’t got time to say both names!” He screamed at them. “Now, are you sure you found the buffers?” Diesel 10 asked the diesels.

Splatter comes in with a response.

“Well, ya see, boss. I think we-”

“We don’t know, boss.” Dodge said interrupting Splatter. Diesel 10 clattered his claw angrily.

“I thought I can count on you two to find them! Did you even go through them!” He asked the diesels.

“Well… We… no.” Was Splatter’s response. Diesel 10’s claw rattled and crunched once more.

“Splodge...” He said as he’s using two of their names into one. “I do not have time for your silly, horrible games!” Diesel 10 gets on the turntable lift, and gets to the level where the two small diesels are.

“I need to know if those are the buffers that either lead to a railway. Or to someplace else. Because if it does, I’m gonna destroy those buffers, once and for all… With Pinchy.” He said talking to his claw who he calls ‘Pinchy’. Diesel 10 lets out an evil laugh as Pinchy chomps a few times. Sparks flying out of the claw like a evil villain he is.

“Uh, that’s not all, boss.” Splatter said coming in. “Earlier today, we saw Mr. Conductor with a little pony.”

“Yeah, it looks like it can talk too.”

“And we heard that it came from the buffers.”

“That’s what she and Mr. Conductor said.”

This caught Diesel 10’s attention.

“Did you say… This pony came from the magic buffers?” He asked, putting an evil smile through his face. His claw raising up high. Splatter speaks first.

“Oh yes.”

“We don’t know where it’s from.”

“But we promise you, we swear we heard Mr. Conductor said that.”

“We should’ve known for spying.”

The two diesels said in their awkward statement. Diesel 10’s evil grin grew wider and wider.

“So… Take me to this ‘pony of which you speak.”

***

Mr. Conductor was trying his hardest to keep Twilight company while she’s still feeling down from how long she’s been away from home.

Twilight’s just been roasting and eating marshmallows by the campfire Mr. C made, while he shows Twilight card tricks.

Thomas just stands there watching them having a good time. Twilight let out a sigh as she was done eating her marshmallow.

“What’s the matter, Twilight? Still feeling down about wanting to go home?” Mr. C asked.

“Mhm.” Was all Twilight could say as she lays her head down.

“I know, Twilight. I’m sorry. I know you’re probably thinking I’m not trying. But, I’ve been thinking all day about getting you home. It’s like I said. I promise I’ll get you home.” He said to her with a smile.

This just barely puts a smile to Twilight’s face.

“I know.” She mumbles to him as she lifts up her stick, and hands it to Mr. Conductor. Spooking him a little. “May I have another marshmallow, please?” She asked.

Mr. Conductor puts a marshmallow on Twilight’s stick.

“You know, that’s really amazing what you do there.” Mr. C said to Twilight as she roasts her marshmallow. “How do you do that?”

“Magic!” She responded with a smile. Even Thomas seems impressed at what he’s seeing.

“Magic. Does something like that exist in your world?” Mr. C asked.

“Mhm. Magic is everywhere in Canterlot. We unicorns use magic with our horns all the time.” She said eating the marshmallow.

“That’s very interesting.” Mr. C says.

***

Almost a day passes, and still no sign of Twilight. Velvet, her husband, Shining Armor, and Cadence did all they could to both find her, and hoping Twilight would return from the buffers.

But, sadly. She hasn’t.

Velvet is now sobbing on the couch with her husband comforting her. Shining Armor sitting on the loveseat while Cadence comforts him.

“I don’t know what to do.” Shining Armor said to Cadence. “I feel like this is all my fault. I wish I never brought Twilight to that picnic we went to.” Shining Armor said, laying his head down.

“Hey, don’t feel like that.” Cadence said, making Shining Armor eye contact with her. “I promise. Twilight’s fine. I bet she’s just trying to find her way back as well. I know it’s not the best thing to do. But, we just have to be patient.” Cadence said to Shining Armor.

Shining Armor agrees with Cadence. Even though he can’t wait any longer for his little sister to return home.

“I guess you’re right, Cadence.” He said to her. As he now begins to think to himself.

‘Twilight. Wherever you are. We really hope you’re alright. Please, come back home, safely.’

***

“So Thomas. We must get Twilight back to her brother now, incase Diesel gets rid of the railway.” Percy said to Thomas at their campfire site.

“But how will Twilight go without golddust?” Thomas asked Percy, when Mr. Conductor responded.

“Only in the lost engine.” When he suddenly, and finally gets an idea. “Unless…”

“Unless?” Thomas asked himself. What can this be? Mr. Conductor walks up to him.

“Thomas. Will you please take Twilight?”

Twilight’s ears perk up, and she immediately trots to Thomas.

“Through the buffers? But, what if I’m on the railway, and my wheels won’t work?” Thomas asked Mr. C. Leaving him asking.

“Well what if they do?”

“But, what if… If…?” Thomas asked, trying to think of a question.

“Yes?” Mr. Conductor asks.

“What if it’s dark?”

“It will be for a while.”

“And cold?”

“Maybe.”

“And how will I get back again?”

“Because you’re a really useful engine and will find a way.” Mr. Conductor said to Thomas. Thomas looks at Twilight. Putting a smile to his face. Thomas finally responds.

“Then… I’ll try.”

***

*Peep* *Peep*

Full moon out tonight. Thomas races down the countryside as fast as he could in the foggy night. Twilight inside his cab. Hoping Mr. Conductor’s plan works.

Thomas peeped his whistle while chugging along the line. He’s almost there at the buffers.

“I promise I’ll get you home to your brother, Twilight.” Thomas said. Until a ball of hay is now in front of him.

“Follow me, partner!”

“Whoa!” Thomas said as he got spooked.

“Right this way to bufferville! Just a walk in the park!”

“We’re going through, Twilight!” Thomas said to her as Twilight peeped out of his cab, and there they are.

“You’re on your own here ya little blue bukarue! Yee-whoo!” The ball of hay soon goes away. Almost at the buffers.

“Little engines can do big things!” Thomas said as a train whistle and a bell mixed into one… He went through.

As Thomas went through. It suddenly feels very dark, and somewhat cold to him.

“It is dark, and cold, and bumpy. But I’m not afraid!” He said as he spots something.

“Whoa, there’s the missing coal truck.”

“Coal truck?” Twilight soon sees it. Until she notices… She’s really going home. “We’re through. I remember seeing that earlier when I was coming here!”

“And Twilight. That’s what you do with coal. Stoke it up to make steam.” Thomas said to her as he keeps chugging. “We’re going to be really reliable, and help Mr. Conductor. We’re going back for that coal truck!”

Thomas comes to a stop, and he soon starts to move backwards.

“Buffers? Coal truck? I feel this is making sense now, Twilight!” Thomas said as he stops to get coupled up to the coal truck, and is now on his way.

“You’re a really useful engine, Thomas.” Twilight said to him. Thomas went red in the face, and keeps chugging on. Until…

“Whoa.”

Thomas shut his eyes tight as the brightness of the multi-colored portal appears from the buffers. Twilight did the same. Suddenly… They’re through.

Twilight’s home.

“Twilight! Where are we!?!” Thomas asked as he applied his brakes on the very old track on the side of the mountain.

“We’re in Canterlot, Thomas!” Twilight responded as Thomas can see the view of the city right in front of him. Now’s the chance for Twilight to find her mom, dad, even Shining Armor.

“I think I feel uh… A little dizzy!” Thomas said to Twilight as she got out of the cab, and raced to go to her house. “I can’t go any further! My wheels won’t let me!” Twilight stops, and talks to him before she leaves.

“Then I’ll be back, Thomas! I promise, but I must find my big brother!” And Twilight storms off.

“It’s getting windy up here!” Thomas said as the old tracks he’s on can’t take him anywhere else. Nor will his wheels let him move. He is at the same exact spot where Twilight disappeared through the buffers.

He can see Twilight hurry down the mountain as fast as she can. It is also mid day as well.

Thomas soon hears rocks crackling, and the track beginning to make a humming noise. This can’t be good. Thomas freezes. Could he be sucked in already?

No. He’s sinking. He’s…

“Whoa! BUST MY BOILEEEEEER!” Thomas screamed as he starts to roll down the mountain. “I left the coal truck behind!” He tried to stop. But he couldn’t. He tried whistling. No one can hear him.

***

Twilight keeps running for her house through Canterlot. She knows exactly where she’s going. Through her school, and past that fabulous street. Finally, she’s only a few blocks away from her home.

“Mommy, daddy, Shining Armor. I’m home.” Twilight mumbled to herself as she can already feel tears of joy running down her face.

***

“SPOT WHEELS! STOOOOOOOP!” Thomas screamed as he’s finally down the mountain. But, he’s still rolling. He can’t stop.

Thomas soon sees a gaping hole in the ground up ahead. He falls in it. And with a train like whistle, and a bell mixed into one. Thomas disappeared.

***

“Mommy! Daddy!” Twilight said, bursting through the door. Everyone jumped from their couches, and ran to her. Hugging her.

“Oh Twilight. We were so worried about you! Where did you go? Why didn’t you come back?” Velvet asked her. She’s not mad or anything.

“I’m sorry I didn’t. I really tried.” She said to her.

“And… Where did you really go? When you got sucked into…” Shining Armor tries to explain.

“Oh! I got sucked into a pair of buffers. There’s this island of talking trains there!” Twilight said as she begins to cry. “I’m really sorry. I don’t know how I got sucked in, I swear. But, I had to leave poor Thomas behind on the mountain.” Twilight said sobbing.

“Who’s… Thomas?” Cadence asked.

“He’s my new friend. I promise, he’s on the mountain. Follow me!” She said as everyone followed her to where she came from. But, all the remains… Is a coal truck.

“No, no, no, no, no, NO!” Twilight starts sobbing while she sees the remaining coal truck on the mountain. While all Velvet could do was comfort her. “He was there! He was right there, I swear!”

“Twilight. I… I…” Velvet said as Twilight starts crying. When she sees the old tracks broken up, and the side of the mountain broken. She ran to the edge where he must’ve fallen off. She can see his track marks leading to the bottom of the mountain. He must’ve rolled off.

“Thomas.” Twilight sobbed out. All everypony could do was watch as Twilight sobbed her tears out. She now feels guilty that she had to leave him on the mountain like that to see her parents.

Velvet went up to her, and comforted her. “Sweetheart. I’m… I’m really sorry.” She said to her.

When all Twilight could whisper.

“I’m so sorry, Thomas.”

Author's Note

Edit: 9-19-2022

Turns out I messed up. I made a chapter for this and I totally forgot it was not based on this part at all. Ugh! I am so sorry I had to take the chapter down, but hopefully I’ll come up with something better. So annoying. 😒

Chapter 6 (Reissued)

“No! NOOOO!” Twilight screams as she slams her hooves on the old set of buffers. “We came through here. Thomas and I came through here!”

“Twilight! It’s ok, just…uh…just tell us what he looks like.” Her father tells her. “He has six wheels. Three on each side. He’s blue, he has a tank on his side, and he has a number one written on his side tanks. He must’ve rolled off while I was on my way to you guys.” Twilight says to him as she goes to the broken edge of the mountain where Thomas fallen off.

“I’m sure we’ll find him Twilight.” Velvet says to her as she hugs her daughter and comforts her. Twilight hugs back for a brief second as she turns around and walks towards the old set of buffers.

She just stares at it. “What are you really hiding? How do you really work?” Twilight asked. Even though it’s obviously a lifeless object. Twilight can’t help but just ask. “You hiding anything we don’t know about on how you activate?” Twilight lights up her horn. She focuses her magic on the buffers. Then stops. The buffers didn’t glow in her magic.

“I’m also wondering. Do these tracks lead to anywhere? Or…use to lead to anywhere?” Twilight asked. Everyone starts to look around.

“I believe they lead to the other mountain in that cave over there.” Shining Armor said. Twilight looks at the cave that looks like a thousand miles away to her, and the set of buffers on another mountain right across from them. Could there must’ve been a bridge here? Twilight turns her attention back to the old set of buffers.

“You’re hiding something we don’t know about.” Twilight said to the buffers again. She lights her horn up once more, and this time the buffers glow in her magic.

The wind begins to blow in the direction of the buffers. Twilight stops her magic as the wind picks up even more. Getting stronger and stronger.

“Twilight? What did you do?” Velvet asks her as everyone is now getting worried.

“I think I just activated it.” Twilight said as the multicolored portal begins to slowly grow bigger as the wind picks up. “This place has something that we don’t know about! We need to see what it is! Can you guys follow these tracks? I wanna get back to Sodor and tell Mr. Conductor what happened!”

“Twilight! No! I’m not leaving you again!” Velvet says as she holds onto her daughter.

“Mom! It’s ok, I’ll be fine. I promise.” Twilight says to her mom as well as the rest of her family. “All I ask is you all to trust me. Please? I know how to get back now.”

The multicolored portal appears as the wind gets stronger as every pony holds on tight. “Just find out where these tracks go. I’ll find my way home as soon as possible. Trust me mom, please! I have to let everyone know, and we all need to help Thomas! Please!” Twilight begged her mother.

With a teary look in her eye. Velvet hugs her daughter tight. She breaks the hug and looks deep into her eyes. “Be careful. Please.” Velvet says. With a nod. Twilight let’s go of her mother, and races to the multicolored portal.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can!” Twilight says looking back at everyone as she jumps straight to the portal and with a train whistle and bells mixed into one…she disappeared.

“Please be careful, Twilight.” Velvet says in tears as her husband comforts her. Shining and Cadence do the same as they take a minute.

~*~

Twilight comes through from wince she came before. Floating off the tracks, this time staying focused. “Ok. Get Mr. Conductor. Find Thomas. I hope.” Twilight focuses on her mission as she looks straight ahead. Flying like a superhero in the sky with that smile on her face.

In no time, she sees the other set of buffers. “Here we go!” Twilight gets ready as the multicolor portal appears. Making the same noise as before. Twilight comes out of the other end. Flying through the air, and this time landing on her hooves safe and sound on the tracks she traveled on with Thomas. “Perfect.” She utters.

She looks around as it’s now day time. The coast is clear. “Ok, now to find Mr. Conductor.” She utters to herself as she starts running on the hilltop.

~*~

“I still don’t understand her story.” Shining Armor says as they’re now on the other mountain where the old tracks are. “About this Thomas character. I’m starting to get worried.”

“Well what we just witnessed, I’m assuming Twilight might be onto something.” Cadence comes in.

“I don’t care what’s going on.” Velvet comes in as they approach the cave. “I want my daughter back. I just hope she’s safe.”

“She will be, hon.” Her husband says. “Right now, if Twilight knows what she’s doing, it’s best to leave her to it. She’s a smart filly. I’m sure she knows how to get things done.”

Velvet nods her head slightly. Agreeing to her husband. “Ok. You’re right.” She says as they look at the cave. “Let’s see what Twilight wants us to do.” Everyone’s horns light up to assemble some light so they can see where they’re going. They follow the old, viney tracks as it’s filled with vines, cobwebs, even spiders. Every pony gets spooked now and then until they approach a door. A very big door.

“What in the world?” Velvet says as she stares at it. Shining Armor goes up to the side of it. It doesn’t have anything to open it, but Shining just focuses his magic on it as it’s now covered in his aura. It begins to open, but it’s very heavy. “Shining! What are you doing?” Velvet asks.

Shining doesn’t answer. He just keeps opening it until it’s at least far enough to where they can all fit. “It’s ok. I got it.” He says as he enters the room. The remaining track’s in here, but it’s very dark. He uses his horn as a light. That’s pretty useless, but he walks around to find a torch or something. However, he finds a switch. “Huh, wonder what this is for.” He says, flipping it.

Lights come on, and he now looks around the room. Shining Armor drops his jaw in utter shock as he sees an object. Not just any object. An object that looks like a locomotive. However, it is pretty small. Yet, beautiful.

It has four driving wheels. Two on each side. Pistons on its both sides, a golden smoke box, a dark pink-ish paint job, a golden funnel, and the name “Lady” written on its side. As well as an open cab.

“No way.” Shining Armor says as he races to the door. “Guys! You have to come see this!” He says as everyone walks in and they see what Shining Armor sees. Everyone is now taken away by the sheer beauty this engine has.

“My oh my, this is one beautiful locomotive.” Velvet says in surprise.

“I’ll say.” Cadence says.

“Could this mean Twilight was telling the truth on where she’s been? About this Thomas engine that she’s talking about?” Velvet’s husband asks.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but…she could be.” Velvet says as she looks around the locomotive. She climbs into the cab and sees the unfamiliar control panel as well as a firebox. “Ugh, how do these things work?” She asks as she was about to reach for the throttle.

“Don’t touch that!” Velvet’s husband says to her. “We don’t know what this thing really is. I think it’s best to wait for Twilight to return to see what we really do with this.” Velvet’s husband says.

“I agree.” Shining Armor comes in. “Twilight might be onto something about this, and if she’s getting at least an answer. I’d like to find out how this thing fires up.”

“Me too.” Cadence comes in. “I think we wait. Right now, let’s just head back.”

Without hesitation, the light switch is turned off as everyone exits the room leaving the door shut. Velvet begins to get that engine in her head on what it means.

“Lady. What does that mean?” She asks herself. Maybe Twilight will know? Velvet can only hope she has an answer and she returns home safely.

Author's Note

I do apologize for deleting the chapter what I had before. It didn’t follow what the story was going for. I should’ve looked back at it before, but when I wrote chapter 6 how it was before, I didn’t. So I do apologize for that, but at least it gets another update.

Chapter 1

Everypony knows what lies at the end of the train track when there’s no more lines left. What lies is a set of buffers. Which helps to stop trains from crashing. However, they could be easily destroyed from how fast a train can be moving.

But, there is only one set that appears to have a secret railway to it, and nopony knows what, or where it goes. Nor has anypony ever heard of something like this. Not even Celestia and Luna herself has heard of something like this.

But, these type of buffers won’t stop an engine from crashing. No matter how fast, or how big it is. Once a locomotive is running down this line, and hasn’t stopped. Will this engine disappear forever? Nopony knows anything about it. However, there could be one pony that knows about the magic buffers.

Once she takes a journey through the magic buffers. She may or may not expect Equestria to be the same as before.

***

“Twilight. Twilight. Wake up, sweetie.” Velvet said to her young daughter in a singsong voice. Waking her up from her slumber. Twilight, the young filly, groaned as she’s trying to wake up. She slowly opened her eyes as she stared at her mother standing right beside her.

“Oh, hi mommy.” Twilight said as she woken up from her sleep. She wiped the tiredness out of her eyes as she sat up. She begin to stand up on her bed and stretched her limbs.

“Good morning, sweetie.” Velvet said as she kissed her daughter on the forehead. “Hurry up and get ready, okay? You don’t wanna be late for school.” She said smiling at her.

“Okay.” Twilight said as she hopped off the bed to go get ready. Velvet left her Twilight to go and get ready, and go check on Shining Armor.She knocks on her door.

“Shining Armor, you ready yet?” Velvet asked through his bedroom door.

“Almost mom.” Shining Armor said behind his door. But, he opened the door. “Hi Mom. What’s up?” Shining asked as he combed his hair a bit.

“Hi Shining. Can you take Twilight to school before you’re on your way to your school? I can’t today, because I have to work.” Velvet explained to Shining Armor.

“Sure mom. Twily’s school’s not too far away from mine. I can take her there and head on to school.” He said with a smile.

“Great, thanks, sweetheart.” Velvet said as she hugged her son.

“Anytime, Mom.” Shining said as he hugged his mom right back. “I’m almost ready. Can you give me a little bit?”

“Of course.” Velvet said as she left her son to get ready. She goes to check on Twilight as she brushes her teeth.

“Brush, brush, brush. Brush, brush, brush.” Twilight sings as she brushes her teeth with her stuffed pony, Smarty Pants, sitting beside her on the counter.

“Almost ready, Twilight?” Velvet asked.

“Almost!” Twilight said as she continued to brush her teeth. Velvet walks in the bathroom with her.

“Alright. Listen, big brother’s gonna take you to school, okay?” Velvet said to Twilight.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Twilight asked her mom as she gets done brushing her teeth.

“I have to be at work early this morning. I won’t be able to take you. SO, Shining Armor has to take you again.” Velvet deminstraights.

“Oh, okay.” Twilight said as she wiped her mouth with a towel.

“I have to go. I love you, sweetie.” Velvet said as she hugged Twilight. Twilight hugged her back.

“I love you too, mommy.” Twilight said as she levitated Smarty Pants. “Don’t forget to say bye to Smarty Pants.”

Velvet giggled at her silly statement.

“Bye Smarty Pants.” Velvet said to Smarty Pants. Shining Armor comes downstairs as he’s finally ready.

“Alright mom. I’m now ready.” He said to her.

“That’s good. I have to go now. I’ll see you both this afternoon.” Velvet said as they all said their goodbyes.

“You ready to head out, little sister?” Shining Armor asked Twilight.

“You bet, big brother!” Twilight said excitingly as Shining Armor takes Twilight to school. They both start walking down the sidewalk as Twilight has Smarty Pants on her back. It has been six months since Twilight got her cutie mark, and since she has been in Celestia’s magic school ever since she got it. All the time she would stay up almost all night reading books. Mostly a lot on weekends.

Shining Armor arrives at Twilight’s school. Shining Armor looks down at her.

“I’ll come by to pick you up, Twily. Have a good day.” He said as he hugged her.

“Thanks, big brother. You too. Come on, Smarty Pants, we’re gonna be late!” Twilight said as she stormed down the concrete sidewalk, rushing in. Shining Armor watched her as she disappeared through the double doors.

He walked off, heading to his own school as he begins to think. ‘What will Cadence think about me? I wonder what she’ll say when I ask her out. Will I have my chance with her? Dear Celestia, I hope so.’ He thought to himself as he walks to his own school. Having his train of thought on Cadence.