Chapters Part 1: Thomas and the Mane Six
It was a very busy day in the magical land of Equestria. The Friendship Express was carrying passengers as usual to its destination. Among six of the passengers are Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and last, but not least, Twilight Sparkle. The ponies were inside a passenger car, looking at the views of the mountains.
"Can you believe this view?" Twilight said to her friends.
"Yeah. It looks so beautiful." Fluttershy was looking at the view that Twilight was looking at.
"So why are we going to that forest?" asked Rainbow Dash. "Everypony knows that it's very big, and we could get lost there."
"I know what you all are concerned about," replied Twilight. "But that Cutie Map called us to go there."
Applejack was also confused. "Why would the map call us there, Twi?"
"Well," answered Twilight, "it's kind of impossible to question about. So I get your point there, Applejack."
The train arrived at the station a few minutes later, and the ponies left the train. As they got off, they saw two signs pointing in which direction they can go. Twilight decided that the forest was on the left side of the signs. So they followed the pathway that led to the forest.
"It's dark and scary here," said Fluttershy, quivering from the forest's eerie looks.
Rarity was disgusted by the looks of the forest. "Whoever designed this place needs to do a better job."
"I think this is the quietest place in Equestria," said Pinkie Pie. "We need to make this place lively!"
As they walked deeper into the forest, they saw no signs of any ponies there. But then, in front of them, is a small pond.
"What?" yelled Rarity. "That's it?! We came all this way just to see a lake?!"
"It's not a lake," replied Fluttershy, "but rather a pond. Look how small it is." Rarity rolled her eyes.
"Now look, everypony," announced Twilight. "We may not have found something concerning here, but we still have to keep looking."
"And would that change anything?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"It may so."
"Let me be honest with you, sugar cube," said Applejack. "We can't just keep going further and further down, because we may not find anything at all."
"And not to mention that we could get lost here," replied Fluttershy.
"Let me check inside the pond." Pinkie Pie dived into the pond to look for any pony underwater. She couldn't find anything there, so she got back up to the surface.
"There's no pony here," said Pinkie to the rest of the ponies.
While they kept talking about their situation, what they were unaware of is that the pond began to emit something very strange. Like as if something underwater got activated. Then, it started to form a whirlpool down to the bottom.
"Alright," announced Twilight. "If you all think there's nothing here, we'll head back to Ponyville."
"Uhh, Twilight?" Pinkie was the first one to get sucked into the whirlpool. Twilight noticed it first.
"Pinkie!" cried Twilight, as she reached for Pinkie Pie.
The other ponies also held onto Twilight, to make sure she doesn't fall into the water. The ponies in order were: Rainbow Dash holding on to Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity then holding on to Rainbow, and finally, Applejack holding on to both of them. Almost all of them were in the water. Applejack threw a rope onto one of the tree stumps nearby to bring her closer. Unfortunately, even that doesn't hold on for much longer, as the rope finally gave way and snapped, and the whirlpool sucked the Mane Six deep into the pond.
The Mane Six finally arrive at the other side of the pond, this time, deep underwater. Knowing they don't have much time, they look for the surface of the pond and have only mere seconds before they drown. After what seemed like forever, the six ponies finally reached the surface and gasped for air. They walked on the ground, drying themselves. They were in a forest that looked nothing like the one they were in before, in the middle of nowhere.
"Everypony okay?" questioned Applejack.
"Yes," answered Rarity. "Well, except my mane."
"What was that though?" asked Pinkie Pie. "We were so deep back there!"
"Not to mention we almost drowned at the last second," called Fluttershy.
"Okay, everypony," announced Twilight. "I don't know what just happened back there, but we have to make a fire. Because it's already nighttime here, somehow."
"Okay. I do have the element of loyalty, anyway."
The ponies gathered some firewood they found in the trees. Then, they started to find some small sticks to form a fire. When they did so, Rainbow Dash rubbed the sticks together to quickly start a fire but did nothing. Applejack took the sticks from her, rubbed the sticks harder, and formed a fire.
"How did you..." said Rainbow Dash, who was dumbfounded.
"I took some lessons as a filly," said Applejack.
Twilight came to the group and sat down. "Listen up, everypony," she announced. "We're all probably confused as to what happened minutes ago. But let's not worry about that now. What we have to worry about is that we might be somewhere outside of Equestria. So all we have to do to get ourselves together through this situation is to remain calm and stick together. Because we don't know what this world might bring us."
"Like giant spiders?" questioned Rainbow Dash.
"No, not anything like that, Rainbow," answered Twilight. "But whatever comes to us here, we have to stay strong. Got it?"
"Got it!" the Mane Five called out.
"Good. Now let's get some shut-eye. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
The ponies lay down and started to sleep. All except Twilight, who just looked at the stars, staring off into outer space. "What do I do now, Celestia?" Twilight murmured to herself.
Pinkie Pie was also awake. She walked over to Twilight. "Twilight?" she asked.
"Yes?" answered Twilight.
"Do you know if we'll ever come back home alive to Equestria?"
"It's not if, Pinkie. It's when."
"Okay. You Pinky Promise?" asked Pinkie.
"I Pinky Promise," Twilight said. Then they both went to sleep.
Meanwhile, not so far away, on a pair of railroad tracks, a blue tank engine was puffing down the line. He had six small wheels, a short stumpy funnel, a short stumpy boiler, a short stumpy dome, and two number ones painted on his side tanks. His name was Thomas. "Phew!" he said. "Today was very busy. I've gotta get to Tidmouth."
Thomas clickety-clacked along the track. He was approaching a junction when suddenly, he is diverted into an old track into the forest. "Whoa! Cinders and ashes!" he exclaimed. He put on his brakes and screeched to a halt. "What on Sodor was that?" he said.
Thomas looked around the forest. He noticed that no one had ever discovered such tracks that led to this. "Where am I?" he questioned. "Perhaps I should explore this place further." He steamed down the track and deep into the forest. "Oh my. This place is very strange," he puffed to himself. "There are no engines."
Thomas continued going down the line when he heard an ominous sound. He was scared and puffed very quickly. Then there was trouble. The track had given way, and Thomas didn't know until it was too late! He came off the tracks and into a pool of water. "Fizzling fireboxes!" exclaimed Thomas. "I've derailed!"
When Thomas tried to move, his wheels couldn't move because they had fallen into the water. Thomas was stuck. "Help!" called Thomas. "Help! Help!"
He tooted his whistle. Back at the ponies, they woke up because they heard his whistle.
"What in tarnation was that?" questioned Applejack.
"I don't know, but it sounds like it's coming from over there," said Rainbow Dash.
"Should we go check at it?" said Fluttershy.
"Well, whatever it is," answered Twilight, "we have to help it."
"But what about the warnings you gave us?" asked Fluttershy.
"This doesn't sound anything like it. So we have to go."
The rest of the ponies thought about it and agreed.
"Okay," said Rarity. "But only if it's not hideous or anything."
The Mane Six followed the sound of Thomas's voice.
Meanwhile, back with Thomas, his driver and fireman checked with him.
"Sorry, Thomas," said his driver, "but unless someone like Harold could spot us, we're going to be stuck here for a while."
"Oh..." Thomas said sadly.
Suddenly, they heard a rustling in the bushes. Thomas' driver and fireman climbed back into Thomas' cab. As for Thomas, he closed his eyes. Then, out of the bushes, came the Mane Six. Thomas opened his eyes and looked at them.
"Hello?" said Pinkie Pie.
Thomas screamed, and so did the ponies. They had never seen each other talk before.
"Who are you?" Thomas exclaimed.
"We're ponies," answered Twilight. "From a world known as Equestria."
"Equestria?" asked Thomas.
"Yeah, silly!" said Pinkie.
"I've never heard of such a place like that. Anyways, what are your names?"
"Applejack's the name, partner."
"Umm... Fluttershy."
"Pinkie Pie!"
"Rarity, darling."
"Rainbow Dash!"
"And the most important, Twilight Sparkle."
"Oh. Well, in that case, I'm Thomas."
"Well, nice to meet you, Thomas," replies Twilight.
"Why did you all scream though?" asked Thomas.
"Sorry about that," said Twilight. "It's just that we've never seen a talking train like you before."
"I'm a tank engine," Thomas corrected.
Rainbow noticed that Thomas was off the track. "Do you need any help, Thomas?" Rainbow asked.
"No, thank you. I've got this on my own." Thomas tried to reverse back to the track, but he was still stuck. This could only mean one thing. "Okay," Thomas said. "Maybe I do need some help."
The ponies giggled at Thomas. Thomas didn't like that.
"How about I just use my horn, Thomas?" asked Twilight.
"Your what?" Thomas said, confused.
"My horn. It could lift things. But I'm not sure on this one, since I've never lifted an engine before."
Thomas looked at Twilight.
"Okay, Twilight," said Thomas. "Let's do this."
Twilight walked over to Thomas and used her horn to use telekinesis. Then, with a creak and a crank, and a crank and a creak, and very, very slowly, Twilight raised Thomas into the air. And then, with a jolt and a judder, Thomas was placed back onto the tracks. Everyone cheered, and even Twilight smiled at Thomas. Thomas smiled back. "Thank you, Twilight!" Thomas said to Twilight.
"Not a problem!" said Twilight back.
"How do I repay you all?" said Thomas. "Ooh, I know! How about I give you all a ride inside my cab?"
"And get dirty by all the soot?" questioned Rarity. "Absolutely not!"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Rarity," said Thomas. "My crew's gotten that taken care of."
"Come on, Rarity!" said Pinkie Pie. "Let's give our new friend some love!"
Rarity still thought it wouldn't be good, but she had no choice. "Fine."
"Then it's settled," announced Twilight. "Come on, everypony! Let's get in!"
Twilight and her friends crammed and jammed into Thomas's cab with his driver and fireman. And Thomas puffed away from the forest.
Thomas was chuffing cheerfully down the tracks with his new pony friends. He didn't notice that a yellow BR Class 42 diesel-hydraulic engine was passing by at a junction up ahead. Thomas gasped. "Cinders and ashes!" exclaimed Thomas. He put on his brakes just in time. The diesel also put on its brakes. "Diesel 10?!" he said shockingly.
"Well, hello, Thomas," Diesel 10 replied in an ominous tone. "You're up late."
"Look, it's a long story, so I'll just head back to my shed." Before Thomas could even leave, Diesel 10 crashed his claw in front of him.
"What is this 'long story' about?" said Diesel 10.
"I had another late-night run, so I had to stay up this late," Thomas lied.
"Actu—". Pinkie Pie was about to correct Thomas before Twilight and Applejack covered her mouth to not give out any information about their existence. Diesel 10 heard Pinkie.
"What was that?" Diesel 10 questioned Thomas.
"Nothing," Thomas replied while worried.
"You don't want to lie to Pinchy right here." Diesel 10 crashed his claw in front of Thomas a second time.
"I'm being serious!" yelled Thomas. "I'm not lying at all!"
Diesel 10 stared at Thomas suspiciously. "Okay, puffball. I'll let you go. For now." Diesel 10 oiled away.
Thomas was relieved. He reached a siding covered in trees and bushes and decided to hide over there. The Mane Six got out of the cab and walked in front of Thomas.
"What's going on, Thomas?" Twilight asked.
Thomas took a deep breath. "I have something very important to tell you all."
The Mane Six listened to Thomas.
"I cannot, and shall not, have anyone here know about your existence."
"Why?" asked Rainbow.
"Think about it. You six appear to be from an alternate universe that no one here has ever discovered. If anyone but me, my driver, and my fireman discover you, they might send you away forever."
The Mane Six were nervous by the time they heard that piece of dialogue.
"Hold on," Rainbow interrupted, "but can't we just hide in something else, like a wagon?"
"We have trucks if that could help," answered Thomas. "They're at the shunting yards. I'll take you there tomorrow because it's already late. And we're already at a siding."
"Okay. Good night, Thomas," said the ponies.
"Good night," whispered Thomas.
Back in Equestria, Spike and Starlight Glimmer were at the Ponyville train station, waiting for the Mane Six to step out of the train.
"Can't wait to hear what they've done at that forest," said Spike.
"Me too," replied Starlight. "I bet they're probably confused as to when they went there."
The train arrived at the station. The ponies inside stepped out, but there was no sign of any of the Mane Six.
"Huh?" gasped Starlight.
"That's strange," said Spike. "Aren't they supposed to come back?"
"They should've. Unless..." Starlight remembered the myth of the forest.
"Unless what?" Spike wondered.
"You know that myth where if you are in the forest, you'll become one with them?" Starlight told Spike.
"No?" Spike said, looking confused.
"Well, I think it's true," Starlight said.
"Oh, is it? Then we gotta check on them." Spike was about to enter the train, when Starlight grabbed him.
"How about we do it another way?" Starlight offered.
"Okay," Spike said.
The two of them went back to Ponyville.
Author's Note
This is my first story on this site. If there's anything I need to work on, just let me know.
PS: I am aware that crossovers like these aren't positively reviewed on, but I'm only doing this because this was something I've known for a while.
Part 2: Two Worlds Working Together
Dawn broke across the Island of Sodor. Thomas woke up still sleepy but ready for work. He looked around to find the Mane Six, but he couldn't find any pony. "Twilight?" called Thomas. "Pinkie?"
Suddenly, Pinkie Pie dropped from above his funnel to surprise him, but scares him. "Surprise!"
"Ah!" Thomas jolted backward.
"Did I surprise you?" Pinkie said.
"No, but you did scare me."
The Mane Six weren't gone, but instead, were picking up something from the forest to eat for breakfast, which was just apples.
"Morning, Tom!" Applejack said to Thomas.
Thomas was puzzled. "Tom?"
"That's something she usually does," said Twilight. "She gives nicknames to ponies she meets, including me."
"Huh." Thomas was still puzzled, but he accepted his nickname.
"Anyways," asked Rainbow, "what are you gonna do?"
"I'm heading off for work," said Thomas.
"Work?" Twilight asked. "Here, you have to do a lot of work?"
"Yeah. This is a railway, anyway," replied Thomas, as his fireman fired up his firebox.
"What railway is this?" Fluttershy asked.
"The North Western Railway on the Island of Sodor," Thomas answered.
"The what railway on the Island of what?" asked Rainbow.
"I'll catch you up later, when I start my jobs."
Then, as Thomas was about to move, his steam started to fade away. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no!" Thomas' boiler was out of water.
Twilight was worried. "What's going on, Thomas?"
"I'm out of water! Now I can't do anything without any water towers here!" Thomas was upset. The ponies felt pity for him. Luckily, Applejack was already prepared.
"Ya know, Tom? I think I could build a bucket of water for you."
"You do?" questioned Thomas.
"Yes! I've got it right here." Applejack took out some tools and wood materials.
"Amazing!" Thomas exclaimed.
"So, what do you say, fellas?" Applejack questioned the Mane Five. "Should we help this little tank engine get back to work?"
"Yes, we shall!"
A few minutes later, the wood was crafted into a bucket. There were some leaks, but it could still hold. Twilight had managed to find some water from a lake nearby. Applejack gave the bucket to Thomas' fireman. "Thank you." He poured it into Thomas' tank.
"Wow!" Thomas puffed. "I feel new as before!"
"We're just glad we could help you, Thomas." Twilight and her friends jumped back into Thomas' cab, still cramming it like before, and Thomas set off for Knapford.
Thomas was close to Knapford. But before he could arrive, he stopped. "So what I'm about to show you ponies is what my home is," Thomas notified the ponies.
"This better be good," Rarity said.
Thomas chuffed around the bend, into Knapford Station. "Welcome to the Island of Sodor, my little ponies!"
The ponies gasped in awe. The station was very busy. Engines shoved and shunted trucks around. Other engines heaved and hauled trains. Guards blew their whistles, as trains arrived at the station. One of them was Percy the Small Engine. Percy saw Thomas.
"Thomas!" called Percy. Thomas noticed him and stopped.
"Percy! My best friend!" Thomas whistled at Percy, and Percy whistled back at Thomas.
"Where have you been? We've been so worried about you! We thought you got lost or fell down a mine or crashed into a stationmaster's house!" Percy puffed to Thomas.
Fluttershy was able to understand how Percy felt. "Heh-heh. Just like me."
"It's a long story, Percy. But I'll tell you later at Tidmouth." As Thomas was about to puff away, Sir Topham Hatt came out of his office to see Thomas.
"Thomas? Where have you been?" Sir Topham Hatt asked.
"Sir? It's a long story," Thomas explained.
"Well, since we all thought you were lost, I had to assign Percy your jobs," added Sir Topham Hatt. "Including pulling Annie and Clarabel on your branch line."
"Oh. Well, I'm here now, so can't you just assign them back to me?" Thomas asked.
"Sorry, Thomas," said Sir Topham Hatt, "but today is a very busy day. I don't have enough time to switch jobs. But don't worry, this is only for a day, and you'll be back working with your jobs and Annie and Clarabel. In the meantime, I need you to pull a goods train to Brendam."
"Yes, sir." And Thomas puffed away to the shunting yards.
Percy felt terrible. "I prefer Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel instead of me." The station guard blew his whistle, and Percy puffed away.
Back in Thomas' cab, Rarity was disgusted by what Sir Topham Hatt said to Thomas. "I can't believe that this figure rightfully refused Thomas to do what he does best!"
"I know, right?" Rainbow Dash said. "The next time we see him, I will tell him to give Thomas what he likes best."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Thomas interrupted. "Don't get so cross, you two. He's Sir Topham Hatt, the controller of this railway. He knows what's best for us. And don't make fun of him, by the way."
"Who's Sir Topham Hatt?" Pinkie asked. "He sounds funny!"
"Pinkie," Twilight said sternly, "Thomas told you not to make fun of him."
"Sorry, Twilight," Pinkie apologized. "Just something I found funny."
Later, Thomas arrived at Knapford Yards. His train was already prepared.
"Alright, you ponies. I know there's a truck around here. Just let me find it." Thomas looked around the yard to find an extra truck. And after minutes of searching, he found one. "There it is." He coupled up to the truck, and he went to his goods train.
"Wait," interrupted Twilight. "How are we gonna get to the truck without being spotted?"
"I assume you have magic that could make you invisible for a short time?" Thomas answered.
"I think I know a spell that can do that. Let's try it." Twilight cast a spell that made her and the other ponies invisible and walked out of Thomas' cab. She then used her horn to open the door and walked inside. The invisibility effect wore off. "Phew. That was close."
"Great!" Thomas exclaimed. And he puffed away.
Thomas chuffed down the track. He huffed and he puffed. He heaved and he hauled. And he was being a really useful engine. Then, Diesel rolled by.
"Hello, Thomas," said Diesel. "Where have you been? We diesels have missed you. Oh wait, we haven't!" Diesel laughed.
Thomas was angry. "It was a very big journey, Diesel. I was in a forest derailed, and then, a horse came, and pulled me back onto the tracks."
Diesel looked at Thomas. Then, he burst out laughing. "You expect me to believe that, Thomas?" He laughed and he laughed. "You really are a silly steamie!" And he oiled away, laughing. "Later, Thomas!"
Thomas was upset. He could not believe what he had heard. The ponies heard what happened, and stepped out of the truck. They walked over to Thomas.
"Are you okay, Tom?" asked Applejack.
Thomas wasn't feeling okay. "No, Applejack."
"What's the matter?" asked Fluttershy.
"It's nothing," replied Thomas.
"Hey, hey, listen," Twilight told to Thomas. "You can tell us anything. We're here to help."
Thomas took a deep breath. "Ever since those annoying Diesel and Diesel 10, whom you just met last night, came to the island, they were being very mean to me and my friends! I mean, do you have ponies that say 'you are a silly pony' from where you come from?"
Twilight and her friends took pity. They now knew why the Cutie Map called them here: Thomas was having bitter problems with the other diesels, including Diesel 10, whom they met last night.
"And to make matters worse, they tried to take over my railway at one point. But thankfully, Sir Topham Hatt stopped them before things got worse." Thomas was getting more upset.
"Don't worry, Thomas," Twilight gently said. "We'll get this over with, and it'll all be over soon."
Thomas made a faintly visible smile. "Thank you, Twilight. And you ponies."
Twilight and her friends jumped back into the truck and Thomas set off for Brendam Docks.
At Brendam Docks, it was busier than usual. Salty and Porter were shunting trucks around the yard. Cranky the Crane was unloading lots of crates. And Ten Cents from TUGS was here as well. Cranky spotted Thomas arriving at the yard. "There you are, Thomas."
Thomas puffed in very quickly and applied his brakes. He screeched to a halt too quickly, which caused the Mane Six to be pushed around in the truck, groaning. Salty and Porter heard them.
"What was that, me hearty?" Salty asked Thomas.
"Yeah. What was that sound your trucks made?" Porter asked as well.
Cranky was unloading the crates from Thomas' trucks.
"Nothing," Thomas answered sheepishly.
The ponies were groaning and moaning from the force of the truck. Outside, Cranky heard it too.
"I think it's coming from that truck right behind Thomas." Cranky lowered his hook to the ponies' truck.
Thomas tried to make sure he doesn't open it, so he knew what he had to do. Then, an idea flew into his funnel. He jolted backward, causing Cranky's hook to hit Thomas's back. The workmen, Salty, Porter, and even Cranky could not believe their eyes at what Thomas had done.
"Thomas!" called Cranky. "What did you do that for?"
"I have this thing that makes me jolt backward suddenly," Thomas said.
"What is he doing?" Applejack said.
"I think he's lying to save us," replied Fluttershy.
"Well, that's no good way to do that," said Applejack.
"Oh, look at the time! I'm late for my other jobs!" And he puffed away very quickly, with the truck containing the ponies still coupled up to Thomas. Cranky, Salty, and Porter were very puzzled.
"What just happened?" Cranky asked.
"I don't know, matey," Salty said.
Back on the Main Line, the Mane Six and Thomas were relieved that they managed to make it out just in time before trouble began. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie's tail begins to twitch, revealing that her Pinkie Sense has activated.
"My tail! I think I know what Thomas's gonna do!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "He's gonna reveal us to his friends!"
Twilight heard this, and enabled the brake blocks on the truck, making Thomas screech to a halt. The ponies jumped out of the car and went over to Thomas. "Is this true?" she asked. "Are you actually going to reveal us to your friends?"
"Yes," Thomas said. "Why is that?"
"Didn't you say before that you'd keep us secret, no matter what happens?" Twilight questioned.
"Well, yeah," said Thomas. "But this is an exception, I promise. We've dealt with magical stuff like this before. You could trust me with this." Twilight is still skeptical about this, but considering that she still trusts Thomas, she accepts that. The ponies climbed back into the truck and Thomas set off once again.
Throughout the day, Thomas continued his jobs as usual, only that he was carrying his truck around wherever he went. Everyone, including Sir Topham Hatt, were very confused by this. They all knew that something was up with Thomas, and that he wasn't his usual self. Near the end of the daytime, Thomas had already planned something for the Mane Six to introduce themselves to the Steam Team: When Thomas blows his whistle, the ponies will come out of the truck and reveal themselves.
"Okay, when I blow my whistle, you all will jump out of the truck. Got it?" Thomas advised.
"Got it!" The Mane Six said.
Back in Equestria, Spike and Starlight look for Twilight and the others around Ponyville, including the Everfree Forest, but to no avail.
"Where could they be?" said Starlight. "There's no way they've gotten lost in that forest. Or you know what? Maybe they are. Should we go?"
"I wouldn't take the risk if I were you, Starlight," said Spike.
"Fair enough," Starlight said as they both continued looking.
That evening, Tidmouth Sheds was already full. Henry, Gordon, Edward, James, Percy, Emily, and Toby could only talk about Thomas.
"You're aware of what's going on, right?" asked James. "He's never been like this before. I'm getting kinda worried."
"So do I," said Percy. "When I saw Thomas earlier, I asked him. He said it was a long story."
"Something is up with him," said Toby.
Just then, Thomas arrived with his truck. The other engines looked at him.
"Thomas," said James. "What's going on?"
Thomas looked at his friends. He always told them everything. "It all had something to do with my sudden disappearance."
The engines listened very carefully to Thomas.
"When I was heading back to Tidmouth, I accidentally got diverted to an abandoned track. I continued puffing along, and then, I derailed into a pool of water. But then, six ponies came to help me, and—" Before he could finish his explanation, Duck and Oliver passed by with a long goods train. Duck blew his whistle at them. This prompted Pinkie to assume it was Thomas' signal.
"That must be the signal!" Pinkie said.
"No, it isn't!" warned Rainbow. "It wasn't him!"
"It sounded like it!" Since they were under the tarp, it couldn't be determined if it was or wasn't Thomas' whistle. Pinkie took out the covers. The rest of the ponies tried to keep her down, but it was too late. The Mane Six pierced out of the tarp and landed on Thomas' roof, revealing themselves to the Steam Team. Every single engine except Thomas was shocked, but he didn't know that until now.
"Hello every engine!" Pinkie Pie yelled out. Henry was so surprised that he hid in his berth.
Fluttershy noticed Henry hiding. "Pinkie, I think you scared the big green one."
"Oops, sorry!" Pinkie said.
Fluttershy flew to Henry and opened his shed door. Henry was still afraid of them. "Shh, shh, it's okay, big engine. Fluttershy's got you. It'll all be okay." Henry was getting a little comfortable with them.
"My name's Henry."
Gordon saw Rainbow Dash and gruffed at her. "That blue pony looks like it's fast. But not as fast as me. I pull the Express!" Rainbow heard Gordon and approached him.
"What'd you say, big fella?" Rainbow questioned seriously. "Rainbow Dash is the name."
"I'm Gordon, the fastest engine on Sodor!"
"Wanna bet for a race across the Island?" Rainbow betted with Gordon.
"Ha! Deal!" Gordon agreed, as he rolled his eyes.
Rarity approached James. "My, oh my, darling, your red paintwork looks so beautiful."
James was touched by this. "So do yours. I'm James, by the way."
"Rarity."
Pinkie Pie approached Percy. "Hey, small engine! I think I recognize your voice."
"You do?" Percy was puzzled.
"Yeah, silly! Ooh, I got a joke for you! What do you call a train that has a cold?" Pinkie riddled to Percy.
"Umm, I don't know?" Percy answered.
"A choo-choo train!" Pinkie laughed and laughed. This made Percy chuckle too.
"I made that joke a long time ago too. I'm Percy."
"I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"You know, Pinkie," said Percy, "I think we might be good friends."
Applejack looked at Toby, who was looking impressed at them.
"You okay, partner?" Applejack asked Toby.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I need to know your honest answer," Applejack continued to question.
"I am! I think you're the most interesting animals I've met on the island." Toby was being completely honest with Applejack.
"Well, partner, Applejack's the name."
"Toby's my name."
Edward and Emily felt sad. They had no pony alternatives to themselves. Applejack saw them and approached the two. "What are y'all's names?"
"Edward."
"And Emily."
"Well, I'mma be honest with you," said Applejack carefully, "but I feel bad that you don't have ponies that are similar to ours. So how about this: I'll look for similarities from you, and maybe I could find which pony you match with."
"That could work," said Emily.
Thomas backed into his berth, with Twilight on his smokebox. Percy looked at Thomas.
"Thomas, how long are they gonna be staying here?" peeped Percy.
"Well," said Twilight, "until the portal we came through opens up again, which isn't until another moon, we'll all be staying here for a while."
"Oh," said Percy.
Later that night, the engines kept talking with the ponies, when Sir Topham Hatt arrived in his car. Thomas gasped. "Fizzling fireboxes! Hide, everypony!" The Mane Six hid away behind Thomas, just as Sir Topham Hatt stepped out of his car. He was cross.
"Thomas," boomed Sir Topham Hatt, "I was with the dock manager today, and he said that you banged into Cranky's hook when he was unloading your truck. On purpose."
The other engines gasped. Thomas was worried. He knew that Sir Topham Hatt was cross with him because of what he did today.
"I also received numerous complaints from other managers that you've been pulling that truck that doesn't belong to you around wherever you go, and keep leaving whenever someone asks what's in that truck. What is going on?"
"I'm sorry, sir," Thomas said. "I promise this won't happen again."
"This better, or else I will have to send you away from Sodor. Forever."
Sir Topham Hatt's voice boomed around Tidmouth Sheds, from top to track. As he left the sheds, the ponies came out of hiding. Thomas' friends were worried about him.
"Thomas," asked Edward, "why did you ask the ponies to hide?"
Thomas explained the consequences of them being discovered. A minute later, the engines were concerned.
"Don't worry, Thomas," said Henry. "We'll keep them safe and sound."
"Yeah. You can count on us," added James.
"Especially your best friend!" said Percy. Thomas smiled.
"Thank you, everyone. I appreciate it," said Thomas.
The engines fell silent. Then, as the stars twinkled over Tidmouth Sheds, the engines fell fast asleep one by one. All except the ponies.
"Everypony, I have a plan," whispered Twilight.
Part 3: Trouble Around the Corner
Percy was pulling the mail train later that night, when he spotted the entrance to the Sodor Ironworks. "The Ironworks?" he said. Then, wheel turn by wheel turn, Percy entered the Sodor Ironworks. He peered around. It was messy. There were oily old engine parts and metal everywhere. "I don't think I should be here." Then, before he could even leave, Percy saw Diesel 10 with Splatter and Dodge. He gasped. "Bust my buffers!" he cried.
Diesel 10 and Splodge were talking about Thomas and his so-called "secret".
"What do you two think this blue puffball is hiding from me?" said Diesel 10.
"Ehm, I think it was probably just a trophy for really useful engines," said Splatter.
"It's not a trophy, Splatter," replied Diesel 10, "because the last time I saw him, I heard a high-pitched noise from his cab."
"Then maybe it's just your imagination," answered Dodge.
"It's not my imagination!" yelled Diesel 10. "I never imagine silly things like those steamies!"
Percy wheeshed with worry.
"Well, whatever that silly blue puffball is hiding, I will uncover it and show it off to everyone on Sodor! Then, if I have the chance, I could kill Thomas off for good!" Diesel 10 announced as he crashed his claw.
Percy huffed. "I must leave now." And he puffed away quickly, undetected.
Meanwhile, back at Tidmouth Sheds, Twilight and her friends were outside of the sheds. They seemed to be planning something.
"So, everypony is here, right?" asked Twilight.
"Yes," answered the Mane Five.
"Okay. So later in the afternoon, when Thomas is done with his jobs, we'll ask him to go to Morgan's Mine. He should be able to, and if he does, we'll be home in no time!" Twilight pulled out a newspaper.
"What is this?" asked Rainbow.
"The newspaper says that Morgan's Mine has a special type of water underground that can activate portals to dimensions unknown," said Twilight, "and then we'll be home safe and sound."
The other ponies agreed with this plan, but had some concerns. Fluttershy's concern was the most important of all. "Wouldn't we be blackmailing Thomas for doing this? We've just become friends with the tank engine!"
"Don't worry," Twilight replied. "I'll explain it to him before we leave."
The next morning, in the cold light of dawn, Thomas and Gordon were at Knapford. Since the truck the ponies rode on had to be abandoned under Sir Topham Hatt's orders, the Mane Six had to ride on Thomas's cab again.
"Hurry up, Thomas!" called Gordon. "The Express doesn't have all day!"
Thomas laughed. "You really do have to shunt your own coaches like 'silly little tank engines'."
"Ugh, the indignity." Gordon was coupled up with his coaches and left the station in a hurry.
"Wait! I bet him to a race!" yelled Rainbow.
"Rainbow Dash, remember what Thomas said," called Twilight. "We can't be exposed to anyone outside of the Steam Team, or else havoc might ensue. So let it go."
"Fine," Rainbow Dash said, she was upset that Gordon didn't call her out.
Thomas was coupled up with his coaches Annie and Clarabel and set off on his branch line.
On Thomas' branch line, Twilight was about to tell Thomas about the plan. "Hey, Thomas?"
"Yes?" Thomas replied.
"When you're done with your jobs, can we go to Morgan's Mine later?"
Thomas had nearly popped a piston upon hearing that and screeched to a halt. Annie and Clarabel yelped. "How do you know what Morgan's Mine is?"
"We saw from a newspaper," Pinkie said.
"Umm, I am off for the rest of the day, so I don't see why not. Let's do that."
The Mane Six were excited to hear that. "Thank you, Thomas!" said Twilight.
"No problem," said Thomas.
"Uh, Thomas?" asked Annie. "I think you should keep going."
"Yeah," said Clarabel, "the passengers are already late."
"Oh! Sorry about that!" Thomas jolted quickly forward.
"Oh, and who were you talking to?" asked Annie.
"Nothing," said Thomas.
"You're hiding something from us, are you?" Clarabel told Thomas.
"No, I'm not!" yelled Thomas.
Annie and Clarabel took suspicion upon Thomas. Then, they dismissed it.
"Okay, Thomas," said Clarabel.
"If you're ready to tell us, just let us know," Annie said.
"Thank you." Thomas continued his journey on his branch line.
A few hours later, by the time the plan was in motion, cloudy weather had swept across the island. Thomas and the Mane Six had arrived at Morgan's Mine. The mine looked abandoned. Thomas was unsure about going in. "Are you sure about this, guys?" he asked worriedly. "Last time I was here, I got lost."
"Don't worry about this, Tom!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Yeah! Maybe it's all changed!" Pinkie added.
Thomas still didn't know whether or not he shall continue. But he didn't want to let his friends down either. Then, he made a decision. "I'm going in. There's no turning back now." And Thomas and the Mane Six disappeared into the mine.
The mine was very steep, and it had been a long time since Thomas had used it when he tried to shunt some trucks away after an incident. It was very dark, and even though Thomas had his headlamp on, he still couldn't see where he was going. "Do any of you have some kind of brighter light that I could use so that I could see better?"
Twilight made another spell that could help Thomas guide wherever he had to go. The track was loose, but Thomas had no problem going over it. The mine itself was a bit of a roller coaster ride for Thomas. Then came the junction. This time, instead of making the left turn, which led him to a pool of water, Thomas went through the right, avoiding the same incident that happened the last time he was there.
Thomas had arrived at an underground lake, which glowed in the darkness. "Well, this is the farthest I can go."
"Thanks, Thomas," Twilight said. "This is where we have to go."
The Mane Six jumped out of Thomas' cab and went over to the lake.
"Does anyone have an eyedropper?" Twilight asked.
"Don't worry, darling," said Rarity. "I have one with me." Rarity gave Twilight the eyedropper, and Twilight placed it on the lake.
Thomas was looking around the mine. "It sure does look different since I was here."
Then there was trouble. After the ponies finished with the lake, Thomas felt something hit his boiler. "Ow! What the?" A small rock had hit Thomas. "Oh no. The mine's beginning to collapse! Twilight! You ponies! We have to get out of here!"
"Why?" asked Rainbow.
Another rock bigger than the last one splashed into the lake. Now they knew why they had to go.
"The mine's collapsing!" yelled Fluttershy.
"Come on, everyone! Into Thomas!" yelled Twilight. Everypony jumped into Thomas' cab and Thomas reversed, but the rocks fell and blocked that part of the track.
"Oh no! We're trapped!" called Fluttershy.
"Don't worry," puffed Thomas, "there's another way!"
Thomas went forward, and he approached another junction. The track in front of him was blocked too. So that only left him with one option: taking the left track.
"Hurry up!" Thomas cried. His driver got out of the cab and switched the points to the left track. He got back in and Thomas whirred like the wind.
The track had become very bumpy, as more rocks showered down on Thomas. There were more junctions up ahead, and many of the tracks got blocked by falling rocks.
"Ahh, I don't like this!" cried Fluttershy.
"Faster, Thomas!" yelled Twilight.
Thomas puffed as fast as his wheels could carry him. They were only mere seconds behind from getting out. Then, Thomas approached a loose wooden bridge and stopped, as a chunk of the bridge had collapsed from falling rocks.
"We're trapped!" cried Thomas.
"What are we gonna do?" yelled Twilight.
Thomas looked ahead and saw that the gap wasn't as big as he thought. "Hang on, everyone!"
Thomas backed up and pumped his pistons as never before. He raced down the line and took the leap of faith by jumping the gap. The ponies held onto him inside his cab. As he landed, he puffed out of there as quickly as he could, as the bridge collapsed into the deep ravine. Then, Thomas and the Mane Six escaped from the mine. They were scratched and covered in dust, especially Thomas, who had severe scratches on his paint, but they were okay.
"We really must stop doing that." Thomas was relieved they got out. He puffed away from the mine, just as a big rock fell and covered the track that led to the mine.
A couple of minutes later, Thomas and the Mane Six arrived at the forest the latter arrived in. The ponies jumped out of Thomas' cab.
"Thank you, Thomas," Twilight beamed, "for all the things you've done, trying to keep us safe, and now we're ready to go back home to Equestria."
Then, Thomas finally realized why they had to go with them: just to get home as quickly as possible. He was crossed by the time he realized this.
"Hold on a minute, you six," Thomas huffed to the ponies. "Don't even think you're going anywhere without me knowing this. I think I know why you all wanted to go with me in the first place. It was because you were just using me for transport so that you could go back to your 'magical world' or something like that!"
Twilight turned to Thomas. "Thomas, I only did this because I promised my friends the hour we first came here that I'd bring them back home as quickly as possible! I didn't do this so that I, and by extension, my friends, could use you!"
"Look, I understand you want to go back home fast," explained Thomas. "I get that. Whenever I leave Sodor, I'd want to go home fast. But not like this! How come you never told me about your plan the first time we met? Or back at Tidmouth? Friends never turn their backs on each other!"
"Not everything has to be kept a promise," said Twilight. "Most of the time, they shall be broken."
The other ponies and Thomas' driver and fireman listened to their conversation, distraught at what Thomas and Twilight are saying to each other.
"So this is it? After all we've been through together, this is how you're going to let it all end?" Thomas huffed crossly. "You're all just going to ditch me like this and leave me here on the island?!"
Twilight got even more cross by the second and flew over to Thomas in anger. "You know what, Thomas? I wish I hadn't become friends with you, you useless heap of scrap!"
The other ponies gasped. Thomas was taken aback by those harsh words Twilight had just said to him. Twilight finally realizes the words she just said.
"Thomas..." Twilight said quietly.
Thomas puffed away without saying a single word to them.
"Hey, sugar cube." Applejack and company walked over to Twilight, who felt terrible after what she had done to Thomas.
"I just want to be alone right now." Twilight walked away, leaving the rest of the Mane
Twilight sat on a rock by the tracks. She started crying.
"Thomas," Twilight said to herself, "I'm really sorry for what I did. I wish I could just take it all back. If I had one wish, it would be to see you again."
The Mane Five came to check on Twilight.
"Twilight, are you okay?" Fluttershy asked. "We're feeling worried about you."
"And also feeling sorry for Thomas," Rainbow said. "He doesn't deserve that."
"I'm fine, girls," Twilight said. "I just, don't feel like the Princess of Friendship anymore. I feel like the Princess of Hostility."
"Hey, hey," said Applejack. "It's not just your fault, Twi. It's ours too."
"How is that?" Twilight wiped the tear from her eye.
"Think about it. We've never thought of telling Thomas the truth." Applejack walked next to Twilight.
"Well, it was similar to what we've done before," replied Rarity. "And what we'd do is —" Before Rarity could finish her sentence, a claw grabbed her and dropped her into a cage on a flatbed. It was Diesel 10!
"Diesel 10?!" yelled the Mane Six.
"Ha, ha! That's right," said Diesel 10. "You all must be the 'secret' Thomas was hiding. Where is that blue puffball now?"
"We don't know!" yelled Applejack.
"Well, if you don't know, I suppose that he could come and save you. Once I grab you all with Pinchy!" Diesel 10 lowered his claw and grabbed Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. He dropped them into the cage with Rarity.
"Let them go!" Twilight yelled.
"We'll see once Thomas comes to save you."
"Just go without us!" called the Mane Five. Twilight attempted to escape, but Diesel 10 already grabbed her and dropped her into the cage.
Diesel 10 accelerated away. "Off to the Ironworks!"
Author's Note
I am not shipping Thomas and Twilight together. That's just weird.
Part 4: Tracks to Heroic Bravery
At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas was feeling more down than usual. He was still upset at what Twilight said about him. Just then, Percy puffed in. He saw his best friend feeling sadder than ever. "What's the matter, Thomas?" peeped Percy.
"Nothing," Thomas replied crossly.
"Thomas, I'm your best friend," Percy said. "You can tell me anything. If it's a secret, I won't tell anyone."
Thomas looked at his best friend. He sighed. "Twilight and I argued earlier today. I finally realized that the reason they were with me the whole time was because they used me for transport back and forth, just so that they could go back to Equestria quickly as possible. I told them this, but then, Twilight called me a useless heap of scrap, which I probably am now."
Percy was shocked at Thomas' story. He never thought that their new friends could ditch them like that.
"Goodbye, Percy. I'm leaving to think about my actions." And Thomas sadly puffed away.
"Goodbye, Thomas," Percy said as he puffed away.
At the Sodor Ironworks, Diesel 10 arrived under a magnet. The magnet picked up the cage with the Mane Six inside. It then placed them right above the furnace.
"Tell me, where are you from?" Diesel 10 growled.
"We won't tell you anything!" replied Rainbow.
"Tell me now, or else I will have this magnet drop you into the furnace and kill you all." Diesel 10 was stern.
The ponies still didn't speak to him.
"Fine then, you leave me with no choice." Diesel 10 had his claw push a button, which set a timer for one hour until the magnet drops them into the furnace. Twilight tried to break the cage bars, but they were all made of tungsten metal. And her teleportation spell couldn't work.
"Ha, ha! You thought you could just break the bars and escape as you can? Too bad, because it's all made of tungsten metal!" Diesel 10 laughed. "Let's see if that silly steamie will save you now. Or should I call him: 'useless heap of scrap'?" And he oiled away. The Mane Six were worried.
"So this is how it all ends?" panicked Rarity. "Falling to our doom?"
"Don't worry," replied Applejack. "We'll find a way out."
Twilight felt terrible. She now realized that everything was her fault.
"This is all my fault," said Twilight. The other ponies looked at her. "I was the one that caused all this. From getting us stuck in this dimension to telling off our new friend, I really did deserve this kind of fate. I never deserved to be the Princess of Friendship anyway."
The other ponies huddled around Twilight.
"What are you talking about?" asked Fluttershy. "This was the best adventure we've ever had. We probably wouldn't have this happen if we just left the forest."
"Yeah," replied Pinkie. "We've made a lot of friends here, even Thomas."
"And Edward, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, and Emily," Fluttershy added.
"Cheer up, Twilight!" said Rainbow. "If you never got us out of that forest, we probably wouldn't have met those nice trains!"
"Or have the adventure of a lifetime!" also added Applejack.
"The whole island was beautiful to begin with," said Rarity.
"And fun to look at too!" Pinkie added.
"Don't give up just now, princess," said Applejack, "because all we have to do is keep trying until we succeed."
Twilight smiled at them, and she hugged them like it was their last moment on Sodor. "I love you, girls."
Meanwhile, Thomas was puffing down the track. He was still upset by Twilight. Then, Diesel 10 arrived. Thomas stopped. "Diesel 10?" chuffed Thomas. "What are you doing here?"
"I know everything, Thomas," said Diesel 10. "Your conversation with the purple pony."
Thomas gasped. He knew what he was talking about. Diesel 10 was hiding close to them when he and Twilight had their argument.
"I know all about them now," Diesel 10 said ominously. "Your special friends."
Splatter and Dodge show up ahead and behind Thomas, blocking both of his directions. They both coupled up with Thomas.
"No! Let go of me!" Thomas tried to move, but Splodge resisted his motives. "Help!"
"Your silly steamie friends can't save you now." Diesel 10 led Splodge to the Ironworks.
At the Ironworks, Diesel 10 arrived. "Well, you silly ponies, I have a special guest with you: Thomas."
"Thomas?" said Twilight.
"Bring him in, Splodge!" Diesel 10 ordered.
Splodge also entered with Thomas as their hostage.
"Thomas!" cried the Mane Six.
"Let me go!" Thomas protested. He then saw the Mane Six trapped in the cage. "Huh? Girls!"
Splodge placed Thomas under a section of the track that grabbed his wheels like claws. Diesel 10 moved over to Thomas.
"Well, Thomas," Diesel 10 said, "aren't you happy to see your special friends again?"
"No," said Thomas. "Well, yes, but I think you know what I'm saying."
"If that's so, then let's see if you and your friends can get out of here in time before the timer drops them into the furnace," Diesel 10 said. And he exited the interior, along with Splodge.
"Thomas," said Twilight, "I'm really sorry for what I said to you before. It was very, very wrong for me to say that to you."
Thomas smiled at Twilight. "It's alright, Twi. Good friends can argue too."
Twilight chuckled. "They sure do."
Just outside of the Ironworks, Percy secretly arrived. He wanted to see what was going on.
"Where are you, Thomas?" Percy peeped to himself. Then, he spotted Thomas and the Mane Six inside the Ironworks. "Bust my buffers! Thomas!"
Percy huffed worriedly. "I need to tell the Steam Team about this!"
As Percy was about to leave the Ironworks, he accidentally bumps into a flatbed of boxes, which causes some of the boxes to fall to the ground. Diesel 10 and Splodge heard this.
"What was that?" said Dodge.
"What do you mean 'what was that?' Go look!" Diesel 10 ordered.
"Oh, no." Percy tried to keep himself hidden from Splodge by moving stealthily around the Ironworks.
Splodge looked around to find the disturbance. But they could find no one. "Seems like it's all clear, boss."
Diesel 10 crashed his claw. "Very well, then."
At Tidmouth Sheds, everyone was worried about Thomas.
"Where is he?" puffed Edward worriedly. "He hasn't come back."
"You think it has something to do with those ponies?" Gordon asked.
"Well, whatever it is," replied Toby, "we have to look for him."
Just then, Percy puffed in. His cheeks were as red as James' boiler.
"Percy?" said James. "Why are your cheeks red?"
Percy took a second to catch his breath. "It's Thomas and the ponies. They've been taken!"
The engines were shocked at what Percy said.
"Taken? By who?" said Henry.
"Diesel 10," said Percy.
"Diesel 10?!" The other engines shuddered and shook at that name.
"What are we gonna do?" Emily said. "Diesel 10 is so strong! Even he alone is strong compared to us!"
"Well, think about it. Remember when Diesel 10 took over the Steamworks and we came to stop him?" reminded Percy. "We've managed to save the day."
"That was because Sir Topham Hatt told him off about it," Gordon huffed.
"Speaking of Sir Topham Hatt," said Toby, "what is he going to say when we're all standing up to Diesel 10?"
Percy huffed forward. "Who cares what Sir Topham Hatt is gonna say to us?"
"We all do!" shouted the engines.
"Well, don't!" Percy peeped. "All that matters is that we have to save Thomas and the ponies, or else they'll all be scrapped to bits by Diesel 10! We have to work together, as a team!"
The engines listened and looked at Percy carefully.
"We may use up all our coal and water to save the ponies, rescue Thomas, and stop Diesel 10. That diesel may take on us, but they'll never take on Thomas and the Mane Six!"
James, Gordon, Toby, Emily, Henry, and Edward blew their whistles.
Meanwhile, at Knapford Station, Sir Topham Hatt was in his office. He was on the telephone. "No, seriously, I don't know what's going on, but —" Suddenly, he felt some rumbling in the station. "Hold on, I'll call you back." And he hung the telephone.
Sir Topham Hatt exited his office to see that Percy and the Steam Team clickety-clacked down the tracks. He couldn't believe his eyes. "Percy!" called Sir Topham Hatt. "What is going on?"
"Sorry, sir! Can't talk! We're in a hurry!" Percy and the other engines were long gone.
"What is up with those engines?" Sir Topham Hatt said to himself.
Sir Topham Hatt and his assistants entered their car and drove off to follow the Steam Team.
Back at the Ironworks, Thomas kept moving his wheels to break free from the claws, and the ponies kept trying to break down the tungsten bars.
"It's no use!" cried Rarity. "The metal bars are too strong!"
"What are we gonna do now, Thomas?" said Twilight. "We can't stay here all day!"
Thomas huffed. He didn't know what to do.
"Wait!" Pinkie Pie intervened. "I think I know how to get ourselves free!"
"You do?" asked Thomas excitedly.
"Well, only us ponies. Sorry," Pinkie Pie specifically corrected.
"How do you know how to get us out of here, Pinkie?" Rainbow asked.
"See that switch over there?" She pointed to an up-and-down button panel just underneath them. "That's where we can free ourselves."
Twilight tried to use her magic, but it was weak. "I can't do it. Seems like the only one who can get us out is..."
She looked at Thomas, who was closer to the panel.
"Me?!" exclaimed Thomas. "But I can't do that! I'm clawed in!"
"You have to try harder," said Applejack. "Because you shouldn't give up 'til the end!"
Thomas took in Applejack's words. He took a deep breath. "I can do this. I'm Thomas the Tank Engine. I am strong and fast. And I can get ourselves out of here!"
Wheel turn by wheel turn, huff by puff, Thomas moved his wheels to free himself from the claws. And then, after sparks flew everywhere, Thomas broke the claws off and freed himself. The ponies cheered for him.
"Way to go, Thomas!" exclaimed Pinkie.
But it was too late. Diesel 10 had arrived at the Ironworks, just after Thomas had freed himself.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Diesel 10 exclaimed angrily.
Thomas gasped. "Bust my buffers! Diesel 10!"
Diesel 10 approached Thomas very slowly, while crashing his claw. "Sounds like Pinchy wants to play with you."
Thomas reversed back, but he was too close to the furnace. He backed into some buffers, and could not escape Diesel 10 and Pinchy.
"Seems like it's the end of the line for you, Thomas," Diesel 10 said in an evil tone.
Diesel 10 continued crashing his claw, as Thomas closed his eyes, with the Mane Six horrified. Then, all around the Ironworks, they heard whistles from a distance.
"What was that?" said Fluttershy.
Diesel 10 gasped. "It's them!"
It was the Steam Team! They had come to help Thomas and the Mane Six escape the Ironworks.
"Agh!" Diesel 10 backed away to deal with the steamies. This gave Thomas and the ponies enough time to break out. However, because the panel was far from the edge, there was no way for them to escape.
"Come on!" Twilight said. "Just go without us! We'll be fine!"
"No! I can't leave you here!"
"Just go!" ordered Rainbow. "We'll deal with this ourselves."
Then, an idea flew into Thomas's funnel. Since he was tall enough to hit the panel with his funnel, he had to bust through the buffers and make his funnel hit the panel. But this will cause Thomas to fall into the furnace and die, but it'll at least keep them safe.
"Ponies, I have an idea," announced Thomas. "When I build up enough pressure in my boiler while backing up to those buffers, they'll break away and then my funnel will hit the panel and free you all."
The Mane Six heard this idea and were worried about what comes next after that.
"Wait," said Twilight, "but if you do that, that'll mean..."
"Yes," answered Thomas. "I will fall into the furnace, but at least I would've freed you all by then."
"No! Thomas!" cried Rainbow. "Don't do that! There has to be another way!"
Thomas smiled. "If I do get melted, at least you won't fall in either."
Outside the Ironworks, Splodge blocked the entrance.
"You won't get past us!" Splatter threatened.
"Yeah! We're strong like you!" Dodge also threatened.
Gordon and Henry biffed Splatter, and James and Emily bashed into Dodge. The two were pushed into sidings, and the seven steamies entered through the gate. Diesel 10 had shown up.
"Trying to save your silly friend, huh?" Diesel 10 said. "Well, you're gonna have to get past me."
Percy dodged Pinchy's movements. Then, James switched tracks and bumped into Diesel 10. Diesel 10 was dented but was still operable. James backed out. Diesel 10 charged toward the Steam Team, but Gordon intervened and bashed into Diesel 10.
"Ah!" yelled Diesel 10. "Sounds like you're all too strong for yourselves!"
Just as they all looked at each other, Toby saw Thomas.
"Thomas!" called Toby. "What's he doing?!"
All the engines looked to see that Thomas was backing up as hard as he can through the buffers into the furnace.
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Diesel 10. "Looks to me that your friend is trying to scrap himself." And he backed up into a siding to let the Steam Team enter the Ironworks and over to Thomas.
"Thomas!" cried Percy. "Don't!"
Thomas heard Percy. Thomas ignored him. The engines and the Mane Six only begged one thing for Thomas to do: to stop.
"Stop!" cried Twilight.
"You can't do this!" said Henry.
Thomas still didn't listen to them.
"Please, Thomas!" cried Percy.
Then, with a crack and a bang, the buffers finally gave way and Thomas steamed immediately into the furnace. His funnel had hit the panel, opening the cage door, and prompting the Mane Six to exit the cage quickly. The six ponies got out safely, but this cannot be said for Thomas, as he had hit the furnace by the time they got out. The engines and the ponies looked down at the furnace. They were distraught at what they had seen: Thomas having to sacrifice himself just to save his friends.
"No..." said Twilight quietly.
Percy was the saddest of all. His best friend falling into the furnace was what hit him the most. "Thomas..."
Diesel 10 saw what had happened, and he smiled evilly.
All the engines and the ponies were about to leave the Ironworks, still sad at what happened earlier. But before they could do that, a magnet activates and drops into the furnace. The ponies and engines stopped and watched. A metal clanking could be heard. Rising with the magnet was none other than the one and only Thomas. He had survived the fall, and although he had serious burns and scratches on his paint, his buffers bent and broken off, his lamp and his cab windows cracked, and everything else dented, he was still operable. Even his driver and fireman survived the fall. He steamed out of the smoke of the furnace. Percy and Twilight were the happiest of all.
"Thomas!" cried the Mane Six and the Steam Team. They all jolted quickly to Thomas.
"We thought you died!" said Fluttershy.
"Not to mention you made us sad and worried!" Edward added.
"Don't ever do that again," said Gordon.
"I won't, Gordon," Thomas puffed cheekily. "I won't. I promise."
Diesel 10 was not happy at all. "Okay, everyone, happy reunion's over. Now it's about time I end this. Once and for all."
The engines and the ponies cleared the lines for Thomas and Diesel 10. They both had a standoff. Then, they both accelerated against each other and crashed. Splodge watched the fight nearby.
"Should we do anything about this?" questioned Splatter.
"Nah, I think he's got this," answered Dodge.
The Steam Team and the Mane Six were horrified to see their number one friend stand against one of the most dangerous engines on the island. Both of them backed up and stopped.
"You stupid puffball have ruined my plans. Now I'm gonna make sure this'll never happen again," Diesel 10 threatened.
"No. You're the one ruining the island's reputation about really useful engines," Thomas corrected.
They both stared hard at each other. Then, they all heard a car approaching nearby. It was Sir Topham Hatt. He was very cross. He and his assistants walked over to Thomas and Diesel 10.
"Thomas and Diesel 10!" boomed Sir Topham Hatt. "Whatever are you two playing at now?!"
Thomas and Diesel 10 whimpered. "Well, we, uh..."
"You two have caused severe confusion and severe delay on my railway! To make sure something like this doesn't happen again, I have no choice but to send the both of you away from Sodor. Forever!" Sir Topham Hatt's words were stern once again. Thomas and Diesel 10 gasped.
"No, wait!" Thomas uttered. "It's not our fault!"
"Yeah!" Diesel 10 backed up. "We were only just —"
"Enough, you two! I have quite enough of your excuses! You two will be expected to leave this island in 24 hours," boomed Sir Topham Hatt sternly. "Do you understand?"
"Please, sir! Give us a second chance!" Thomas begged.
"No, Thomas," Sir Topham Hatt declined. "You or Diesel 10 will not get a second chance."
The Mane Six were hiding behind crates nearby.
"What are we gonna do?" Pinkie nervously asked. "It's our fault Thomas is now gonna be taken away from this place."
"Well, girls," Twilight said, "there's only one option left."
The ponies knew what Twilight meant.
"So you're saying...?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yes. We're gonna have to reveal ourselves to spare Thomas' innocence."
Just as Thomas and Diesel 10 were about to leave, Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash came out of their hiding spots, being visible to Sir Topham Hatt and his assistants.
"I..." Sir Topham Hatt could not believe his eyes. "What's going on?"
"Sir," Twilight explained, "we're the reason why Thomas was acting very strange over the past few days. He's been trying to keep us secret from the rest of the world because we thought you'd do something very bad to us if we were found."
Sir Topham Hatt looked at Thomas. "Is this true, Thomas?"
"Yes," Thomas said. He was upset.
Sir Topham Hatt felt terrible. "I'm very sorry, Thomas. From the bottom of my heart. I'm terribly, very sorry I was angry at you. I never knew you were trying to keep those little horses safe."
"We're actually ponies, sir," Applejack corrected.
"And I'm sorry too, Thomas," Diesel 10 said. "Guess I was being too evil after all, was I?"
"Yes, you were, Diesel 10." Thomas smiled.
"As for you, Thomas," said Sir Topham Hatt, "you are to go to the Steamworks to be repaired. And Diesel 10, you're gonna have to do all of Thomas' work until he's fully repaired."
"What?" Diesel 10 exclaimed.
"Diesel 10!" Sir Topham Hatt said seriously.
"Okay, fine!" Diesel 10 was still cross, but not cross enough to get back at Thomas. He left the Ironworks. Splodge followed him.
The Steam Team and the Mane Six were cheering for joy, now that Thomas would be staying on Sodor. Sir Topham Hatt smiled. He and his assistants left.
The next morning, at the Sodor Steamworks, Thomas had arrived on Percy's flatbed. The damage was quite severe, so it would take lots of time for him to be fully repaired. Victor and Kevin saw what happened to Thomas.
"Thomas, my friend," Victor said, "whatever happened to you?"
"Well..." Thomas smiled, "why don't you come out, girls?"
The Mane Six jumped out of the brake van and into Victor and Kevin's sights.
"Whoa!" cried Kevin. "What are those?"
"They're ponies," said Thomas. "The lavender's Twilight. The pink's Pinkie. The white's Rarity. The yellow's Fluttershy. The blue's Rainbow. And last but not least, the orange's Applejack."
"Well, if that's the case, welcome to the Steamworks, my little ponies!"
"It's certainly a pleasure to be here, my friend," Rarity said, "but I think you forgot something?" She looked over to Thomas.
"Oh!" Victor exclaimed. "Kevin! Let's get some engine parts. We've got a tank engine to fix."
"Yes, boss!" Kevin obeyed. "Right away, boss!"
Percy laughed. "See you in a few days, Thomas!" And he puffed away.
A few days later, all the engines and the ponies waited and waited for Thomas.
"How's Thomas?" James asked.
"Well, they're finishing up their safety check on Thomas —" Kevin said "— and then he'll be back on the rails in no time!"
The doors of the Steamworks opened, revealing Thomas, all fixed, patched up, and ready to get back to work again.
"Thomas!" Everyone was happy to see Thomas back in action again, especially how long it's been, and especially Twilight, who was proud of him.
"You know," questioned Thomas, "when are you ponies heading back to your world, now that you've got your water booster or something?"
"Oh, that?" Twilight said. "Pfft, we've abandoned that, so we can work on the railway with you!"
"Wait, really?" an excited Thomas asked.
"Yeah, silly!" Pinkie said. "We're gonna have fun here working with you!"
Thomas laughed. "That's right, Pinkie. Now, who's ready to be really useful?"
Everyone said, "I do!"
"Well, let's go!" Thomas commanded.
Throughout the days, the ponies managed to be really useful around the Island of Sodor. They helped Diesel get along with the trucks.
"This is ridiculous," Diesel muttered to himself. "How can six horses that are not from our world get along with the trucks better than I can?"
They also helped Diesel 10 finish up his community service quickly and gave rides to children all around. Even Rainbow Dash and Gordon finally had their race. They passed by Spencer, who was quite surprised.
It was time for the Mane Six to go home again. They had a farewell party held at Knapford, with every engine there, including Diesel 10, whom they had good terms with.
"Where's Thomas?" asked Rainbow. "He's missing the party!"
"I don't know," said Twilight.
Percy peeped proudly. "You're welcome here anytime, ponies."
The engines all blew their whistles at them.
"Well, girls, time to go home." Twilight teleported herself and her friends to the forest they first arrived in.
Before they jumped into the pond, they heard a whistle. It was Thomas. Thomas had heard about their departure from Sodor, and he was sad. He puffed into the forest.
"So I heard you're all leaving?" Thomas asked. "Forever?"
Twilight looked at Thomas. "Thomas," she said, "it's not going to be forever. It's more of a 'see you later' type of goodbye."
Thomas made a sad smile. "Thank you for all the things you've done to the railway. Because of you six, it's become more popular than ever!"
"Anytime, Thomas," Twilight said. "Next time you need something from me or stop by, just let me know."
Just as the ponies jumped into the pond, they said their goodbyes to Thomas.
"Well, goodbye, Thomas," Rainbow said.
"So long, partner!" Applejack called.
"One day, we'll have more fun than ever!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Have a fabulous day!" Rarity said.
"See you soon, Thomas," Fluttershy said quietly, but Thomas still heard it.
Before Twilight jumped in, she flew over to Thomas and said a few things to him.
"For such a tank engine like you, little engines can do big things." And she jumped in.
Thomas was surprised at that. "Where did she hear that?" And he puffed away.
After what felt like minutes, the Mane Six finally arrived back in Equestria, safe and sound.
"Woo-hoo! We're back!" Pinkie shouted. "And not a moment to lose!"
"Keep your voice down, Pinkie," Applejack said.
"Sorry," Pinkie Pie grinned.
To the Mane Six's surprise, Spike and Starlight showed up behind the trees.
"There you guys are!" Starlight called out. "We've been so worried about you!"
"Where have you been?" Spike said.
Twilight smiled. "Let's just say... to a land of make-believe."
Spike and Starlight were confused by what Twilight said.
"A land of what?" Spike said.
"You know what?" Starlight said. "We'll get that soon."
Before they all left, Twilight looked at the pond.
"Until next time, dear friend."
