Chapters TAF: A Close Shave / The Diseasel / Wrong Road
Twilight was waiting at Edward’s Station for a new engine to help out. His names Duck. Sir Tophom Hatt sent him and Twilight to help Applejack and Edward at Edwards Station.
“Hi, Applejack. Hi, Edward.” Said Twilight.
“Howdy, Y’all.” Replied Applejack. “When’s the new engine gonna be here?” Just then, they heard an unfamiliar whistle from the distance.
“Oh! Here he comes.” Said Twilight seeing Duck puff into Edward’s station. He looked very sad. “Whats wrong, Duck?”
“It’s not fair!” Duck complained. “Someone has been telling lies and made some of Sir Tophom Hatt’s engines think I’m horrid!”
“Whats!?” Gasped Twilight. “Oh! Whoever it was, he’s up to no good. That’s for sure.”
“So, you must be Duck the Great Western Engine.” Whistled Edward.
“You can say that again.” Replied Duck. “Anyway, I’m am here to help all the other engines on Sir Tophom Hatt be really useful like me and the number 1 engine, Thomas. Of course, if some of them still like me.”
“We know you’re not horrid and so does Sir Tophom Hatt. “ Said Edward. “You can help us with these trucks.” Twilight climbed into Duck’s cab, Duck buffered up to the back, and off they went. The cars were silly, heavy and noisy. The two engines have to work hard pushing and pulling all afternoon. At last, they reached the top of the hill.
“Goodbye!” Whistled Duck and rolled gently over the crossing to the other line. Duck love coasting down the hill, running easily with the wind whistling past. Suddenly, They heard a sound. It was the conductor's warning whistle. “Whoa! What was that!?” Twilight heard the noise, Too. She looked behind and gasped.
“Oh no! Hurry, Duck!” Cried Twilight. “Edward’s train is after us!” And she was right. There were 20 heavy troublesome trucks.
“We’ve broken away! We’ve broken away!” Laughed the trucks. “Chase them! Bump them! Throw them off the rails!” Duck raced through Edward's station, but the trucks were catching up. Soon, they bumped into Duck and started making him go faster.
“Man! This cant get any worse!” Cried Twilight before looking ahead. “Aaaaaagh! Me and my big mouth!” Rarity and James are just pulling out on they're line through the station ahead. Any minute, there could be a crash. “It’s up to you now, Duck!” Duck put every ounce of wait and steam against the trucks. The station came nearer and nearer.
“It’s too late!” Screamed Duck and shut his eyes. The station master saw the runaway and quickly switched the tracks. Twilight and Duck swerved into a siding where a barber shop it behind the buffers. Duck applied his brakes as hard as he could. But, it was too late! Duck crashed into the building and bounced the trucks off the rails. The silly trucks had knocked their conductor off his van, and left him far behind after he had whistled a warning. But the cars didn't care. They were feeling very pleased with themselves.
“Beg pardon, Sir.” Gasped Duck. “Excuse our intrusion.”
“We are so,p sorry for busting into your shop.” Apologized Twilight.
“No, I won't!” Said the barber angrily. “You frightened my customers! I'll teach you!” And he lathered Twilight and Duck's faces all other. Thomas was helping to pull the cars away when Sir Topham Hatt arrived.
“I do not like engines popping through my walls!” Fumed the barber.
“I appreciate your feelings.” Said Sir Topham Hatt. “But, you must know that this engine and his partner had prevented a serious accident. It was a very close shave.”
“Oh.” Said the barber. “Oh! Excuse me.” He filled a basin of water to wash Twilight and Duck's faces. “I’m sorry. I didn't know you were been a brave engine.”
“That's all right, Sir.” Said Duck.
“We didn't know that either.” Added Twilight.
“You were very brave indeed.” Said Sir Topham Hatt. “I'm proud of you.” Sir Topham Hatt watched the rescue operation, then he had more news to Duck as Thomas pulled him back on track. “And when you are properly washed and mended, you are coming home.”
“Home, sir? Do you mean the yard?” Asked Duck.
“Of course.” Answered Sir Tophom Hatt.
“But, sir, they don't like me.” Said Duck sadly.
“Yeah and it’s all thanks to whoever told those lies about you being bad, Duck.” Added Twilight angrily.
“You’re both right. I know you would never say stuff that stupid, Duck. Whoever lied to my engines, we’ll find whoever’s responsible. Also, The engines who had doubt in you were sorry and want you back.” A few days later, when Duck and Twilight came home, there was a really rousing welcome for Twilight Sparkle the Princess of Friendship and Duck the Great Western Engine.
TAF: A Close Shave / The Diseasel / Wrong Road
Sir Tophom Hatt sent Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie to help Bill and Ben. They are tank engine twins. Each has four wheels, a tiny chimney and dome, and a small squat cab. Their trucks are filled with China Clay. It is needed for pottery, paper, paint and many other things. The Ponies and Twins are now kept busy pushing and pulling the trucks for engines on the Main Line and for ships in the harbor. One morning, they arranged some cars and went away for more. But when they returned, The China Clay trucks have all disappeared.
“What the!?” Gasped Pinkie.
“Where did they all go!?” Gasped Bill. Both he and Ben were most surprised. Fluttershy noticed a patch of oil on each track the trucks have disappeared on.
“It must be a diesel.” She said.
“It’s a what’ll?” Bill asked.
“A Diseasel. I think.” Said Ben. “There’s a notice about them in our shed.”
“You might be right.” Said Bill. “Coughs and sneezles spread diseasls.”
“Well, Since you had a cough in your smoke box yesterday, It’s your fault the Diseasel came!” Said Ben.
“It’s isn’t!” Yelled Bill.
“Yes, It is!” Argued Ben.
“It isn’t!”
“It is!”
“Stop arguing, You two!” Called Fluttershy.
“Lets go get our China Clay back.” Said Pinkie. The twins were horrified.
“But, the diseasel will magic us away like the trucks!” Cried Bill.
“He won’t magic us.” Said Fluttershy.
“Then maybe, We’ll magic him.” Snickered Pinkie. “We're more likely magic him. Listen, he doesn't know you're twins. So we'll take away your names and numbers and then this is what we'll do.” When their plan was set, The twins set off with the ponies and set off to find the diesel and the China Clay. They were looking forward to play tricks on him. Creeping into the yard, they found the diesel on a siding with missing trucks.
“There he is!” Whispered Pinkie. “Fluttershy, Bill, Go!” She and Ben hid behind as Fluttershy and Bill went bodily alongside. The diesel looked at them.
“Do you mind?” He asked sternly.
“Yes.” Said Bill. “We do.”
“We would like to have our trucks back.” Said Fluttershy.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Said the Diesel. “These are my trucks! Now, beat it!”
“Ok.” Said Bill as he and Fluttershy backed off. They ran back and hid behind the trucks on the other side. Pinkie and Ben now came forward.
“Truck stealer!” Hissed Pinkie and Ben and they ran away. Fluttershy and Bill took place.
“Horn head!” Laughed Fluttershy and Bill. The twins and ponies took turns playing tricks on the diesel. This went on and on 'til the diesel's eyes nearly popped out.
“Aaaaaaaagh! Stop! You’re making me dizzy!!!” Cried the diesel. The twins and ponies gazed at him. “Huh? W-Wait…… There are two of you!?”
“Yes. We’re twins.” Said the twin engines.
“I might have known it.” Laughed the diesel. Just then, Applejack and Edward bustled up to see what the commotion was about.
“Alright, Bill and Ben, Why are you two playing here?” Edward asked sternly.
“We’re not playing.” Protested Bill.
“We’re just taking our trucks back.” Squeaked Ben.
“Even you don't take our trucks without asking, but this diesel did!” Said Fluttershy angrily.
“I see what you mean. But, there’s no need to be rude.” Said Edward severely. “This engine is a Metropolitan Vickers, Diesel electric type: 2.” The ponies and twins were most impressed.
“Wow!” Gasped Pinkie and Fluttershy. Applejack recognized the diesel and was cross.
“Boco, What in tarnation are you doing taking Bill and Ben’s trucks!?” She asked sternly.
“She is right.” Replied a voice. It was Sir Tophom Hatt. He was not happy with Boco, Either. “I told you to take the China Clay from the quarry. Not the docks. You didn’t listen and now, you have caused confusion and delay!” The diesel, Boco, Finally realized he had made a mistake.
“That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you.” Said Bill sternly.
“So, your names Boco.” Said Ben.
“Yes and I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.” Said Boco.
“Sir Tophom Hatt sent Applejack to help Boco at the quarry. But, We had to deliver milk to the market. It seems Boco was impatient when he was waiting for Applejack.”
“Now, a lets go fetch the rest of the China Clay.” Said Applejack as she climbed into Boco’s cab.”
“There’s no real harm in them.” Sir Tophom Hatt spoke to Boco about Bill and Ben. “But, They’re maddening at times.” Boco chuckled.
“Maddening….” He said. “Is the word.”
TAF: A Close Shave / The Diseasel / Wrong Road
Thomas' branch line is important and so is Edward's. But, their tracks and bridges are not so strong as those on the main line. Sir Topham Hatt does not allow the heavier main line engines like Gordon to run on them. But one day, the way Gordon was talking, you would've have thought Sir Topham Hatt had given this order for quite another reason.
“It’s not fair!” Grumbled Gordon.
“Oh boy.” Moaned Applejack. “Here we go again.”
“What isn’t fair?” Edward asked.
“Letting branch line diesels pull main line trains.” Grumbled Gordon.
“Never mind, Gordon.” Said Edward.
“He does have a good point.” Replied Edward. “I'm sure Boco will let you pull his trucks sometimes.” Gordon spluttered.
“I won’t pull Boco’s dirty trucks! I won’t run on branch lines!”
“Why not?” Edward asked. “It would be a nice change.”
“Nonsense! Sir Tophom Hatt would never approve.” Huffed Gordon. “Branch lines are vulgar.”
“Not to mention not built for heavy express engines.” Added Rainbow Dash as she and Gordon left. Applejack and Edward chuckled and followed them to Knapford Station. Every evening the two engines pulled two fast trains from the station. Gordon always leaves first with an express for the main line. Edward follows five minutes later with his train for the branch line. Usually everything runs like clockwork. But tonight, there was trouble. A lady in a green floppy hat was saying goodbye to her friend. It was nearly time for Gordon to start. The fireman looked back towards the conductor's van and saw something green waving.
“Right away, Gordon, Away we go!” Said Rainbow Dash. They thought the conductor had waved his flag. Gordon started, leaving luggage, their passengers and the conductor all standing on the platform. Everyone was very surprised and cross.
“Oh no. Wait! STOP!” Shouted Edward.
“Get back here!” Shouted Applejack. But, It was too late. Rainbow Dash and Gordon steamed into the distance. They didn’t knew that they raced onto the branch line. To make matters worse, There we’re signs telling all trains to go slow. But, Rainbow Dash and Gordon didn’t see the signs.
“Yo, Big G?” Rainbow Dash asked as she looked around.
“What’s wrong?” Gordon huffed.
“I don’t see any other tracks beside us.” Said Rainbow Dash. Just then, they heard a creek. “Uh oh.” With a crack, The tracks snapped beneath them and Gordon slid off the tracks and fell into a ditch. Applejack, Edward, and Sir Tophom Hatt heard the noise from the distance.
“That doesn’t sound good.” Worried Edward.
“Yeah. Whatever the hay is going on down there, Those two speedies are gettin themselves into a lot of trouble.” And she was right. Duck later arrived with the breakdown train and helped Gordon back on the tracks. He and Rainbow Dash felt very foolish, indeed.
“What will Sir Tophom Hatt say?” Moaned Gordon. By the time Gordon had arrived back at Knapford, Applejack and Edward was already late with their train. They were cross. So was Sir Tophom Hatt.
“Rainbow and Gordon, You two have caused confusion and delay!” He said sternly. “Because of your selfishness, Applejack and Edward are already late and their branch line is broken! Now, Applejack and Edward will take the express line instead.” Gordon and Rainbow Dash gasped. Edward and Applejack were going to use their express line! So now, The two buckerooes set off along the main line. Later, Gordon and Rainbow Dash arrived at their destination, Kellsworthe, feeling cold and guilty on 1 of the sidings near the harbor.
“We messed up big time.” Moaned Rainbow Dash.
“Ooooooh the indignity.” Replied Gordon. The next morning, Bill and Ben peeped into the yard. There were no trucks for them but they didn't mind that. Teasing Rainbow Dash and Gordon will be much better fun.
“What's that?” Asked Bill.
“Shush!” Whispered Ben. “It’s Gordon.”
“It looks like Gordon, but it can't be. Gordon never comes on the branch lines. He thinks them vulgar.” Said Bill. Rainbow Dash and Gordon pretended he hadn't heard them.
“If it isn't Gordon.” Said Ben. “It's just a pile of Old Iron.”
“Which we better take it to the scrapyard.” Added Bill.
“No Bill, this lots useless for scrap, we'll take it to the harbor and dump it in the sea leaving his horsey a stray.” Corrected Ben. Rainbow Dash and Gordon were alarmed.
“I am Gordon. Stop, stop!” He wailed. When BoCo suddenly arrived, Gordon thought him the most beautiful sight he had ever been. “Wow! BoCo, can you deal with these two?” BoCo quickly sized up the situation and threatened to take away the cars he brought for Bill and Ben. This made the twins behave at once. Gordon thought BoCo was wonderful.
“Those little demons. How do you do it?” Rainbow asked.
“Ah well.” Said BoCo. “It's just a knack.” Rainbow Dash and Gordon still believed that BoCo saved his life. But he knows the twins are only teasing. Don't we?
