Author's notes: And now we meet that truck we all love to hate. Let's go and see Scruffy for the 1st and last time in 'Toad Stands By'.

Toad Stands By

Narrator: The evening after the accident, a very sad and tearful, Oliver was lifted gently to safety. Princess Celestia and The Fat Controller spoke to him again.

Oliver: (Tears) I'm sorry Sir and malady. I really should have listened to Braeburn, Big Macintosh, Applejack, Donald, Douglas and Ducks advice about the ballast trucks. I don't feel good gracious, or whatever it is now. I just feel completely silly and foolish.

Fat Controller: Well Oliver, at least now you know the damage that trucks can do. Especially ballast trucks.

Celestia: Indeed. Through that experience you've shown that you've learned from your mistake.

Oliver: Yes I do. I look like a load of scrap iron and I've disgraced your good names.

Celestia/ Fat Controller: Heheheh. Oh I don't think so.

Fat Controller: But you will need to go to the works at Crovans Gate to be mended.

Narrator: The other engines and ponies now felt sorry for Oliver.

Duck: The branchline's not going to be the same without you.

Applejack: We're all gonna miss you Ollie. So get well. Come back soon.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup.

Narrator: A few days and one month later when Oliver did comeback, the trucks sang songs rude and loud. They're lead by S.C Ruffey 7-plank fixed-end mineral private owner wagon.

Scruffy: OY! LADS! He's back. You all know the lyrics. A 1, a 2, a 1 2, 3.. and (Singing poorly) Oliver's no use at all..

Fred Pelhay: (singing poorly) Thinks he's very clever!

U.L.P: (Singing poorly) Say's that he can manage us!

Rickety: (Singing poorly) That's the best joke ever!

Scruffy: (Singing poorly) When he orders us about!

Bennett. And. CO: (Singing poorly) With the greatest follie!

Scruffy: (Singing poorly) We just push him down the well!

All trucks: (Singing poorly) POP! Goes old Ollie!

Narrator: The ponies and engines were cross.

Applejack/Braeburn/Soarin'/Duck/Ted: SHUT UP!

Donald/Douglas: Och, well ye shut up?!

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup!

Narrator: The engines bumped them and the ponies bucked them like apple trees. But they couldn't be everywhere, and everywhere they weren't, the trucks began again.

Scruffy: (Singing poorly) Oliver's no use at all.

Fred Pelhay: (Singing poorly) Thinks he's very clever!

U.L.P: (Singing poorly) Say's that he can manage us!

All trucks: (Singing poorly) That's the best joke ever!

Narrator: They even brought in Fluttershy to help out.

Fluttershy: You'd best watch your step Mr. Scruffey! That goes for the rest of you troublesome trucks! Or I'll give you, the stare!

Narrator: But it was no use. At last, tired and defeated, the engines and ponies gave it up.

Ponies/Engines: We're sorry Oliver. We all tried.

Fluttershy: I'm sorry too Oliver. I really thought the stare would put those trucks in checkmate, but those ballast trucks really are tough ones.

Oliver: It's alright, don't blame yourselves. If anything, it's really my fault. If I hadn't been so swanky I wouldn't have fallen in the turntable well, and I would have caused this trouble.

Narrator: Toad, one of the 2 Great Western brake vans felt sorry for Oliver too. Next morning, he spoke to Braeburn and Douglas.

Toad: I'm worried Mr. Douglas, Mr. Braeburn and Mr. Hoskins about this nasty spirit of disrespect for engines. Where's it going to end?

Douglas: (Sadly) Och who know's.

Braeburn: (Sigh) I don't really know either, but hopefully it will end.

Mr. Hoskins: Yeah, not only is it spreading bad atmosphere in the yards at Alresburgh West, but the goods trains and ballast trains are becoming even more difficult to control all over the island. Heard that Edward had trouble yesterday, and he's usually really good with trucks.

Toad: Your right Mr. Hoskins. It must be stopped before it gets out of hand and I believe Mr. Oliver can do it and get back into his own good graces.

Braeburn: Maybe so. But how?

Toad: I'm glad you asked Mr. Braeburn. I do have a plan. Mr. Douglas, Mr. Hoskins and Mr. Braeburn, if it's alright with you, may I stay here at Alresburgh West and help Mr. Oliver? After all, we are both great western and must stand together, and I owe him debt from helping me and Isabel. Would you two ask him to favour me with a word.

Braeburn: Well I don't see why not?

Douglas: Certainly Toad. I don't have much work today anyway and if Oliver's to busy, I can take Isabel and Dulcie for him. I'll take yer to him, but he's outta small for the work ye had in mind.

Narrator: And so Douglas puffed away to Arlesburgh West, taking Toad to meet Oliver. Soon Toad began to explain his plan.

Fluttershy: Oh my….

Applejack: Holy sweet Celestia! Don't y'all think it might be taking it a might too far?.

Mr. Hawkins: I agree. It really does sound barbaric.

Duck: Goodness gracious Toad. I don't think you should suggest such a thing to Oliver.

Narrator: But Oliver interrupted.

Oliver: No Duck. Toad's right. This trouble is my fault and I must put it right. This is our only chance.

Toad: I meant no disrespect, you understand ?

Oliver: Of course not Toad. Anyway, Mr. Holden and Soarin say the same and they've arranged it with Station Master.

Duck: Very well Oliver, but me and Applejack and Mr. Hawkins must hurry. Our passengers and Alice and Mirabel will be waiting. But don't forget Stepney's tip about sand.

Mr. Hawkins: Lay it on the rails when you back down.

Duck: Then roll it firm with your wheels.

Applejack: That's right. Y'all get a very good grip that way.

Duck: Good luck. Me, Alice, Mirabel, Mr Hawkins and Applejack will be there to cheer you on whilst you give those ballast trucks a lesson.

Applejack: And I'll bring Babs Seed, Apple Bloom, Braeburn, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith so the apple family including yours truly will be they're to cheer you on whilst you give them outlaw ballast trucks a good lesson on respect.

Narrator: With that, Duck departed with Applejack and Mr Hawkins.

Oliver: Thank you guys. So long then. (Gulp to himself) Now I know how Rainbow Dash felt at the young flyers competition.

Narrator: Oliver smiled bravely but felt dreadfully never

Soarin': Don't worry Oliver. You can do this.

Mr. Holden: That's right. We can do this we'll be with you the whole way.

Narrator: So Toad explained the plan to Oliver, Soarin and Mr. Holden, whom now had gotten his glasses fixed.

Toad: Alright, now I expect Mr. Oliver that you will want me on the middle road as stop block like.

Oliver: Yes please.

Soarin: Just in case the trucks try to break away on us. That way you'll be able to stop them.

Narrator: Oliver then marshalled the worst of the trucks two by two.

Toad: (Whisper) That's the way Mr. Oliver, Mr. Soarin, and Mr. Holden.

Oliver: (Whisper) Are you sure about this its taking a long time.

Toad: (Whisper) I know this way takes longer, but this way, they can't start trouble. If you leave that Scruffy till last, then you can have right behind you. That way you can bump him if he starts his nonsense.

Oliver: (Whisper) Oh I see. Gotcha. We'll continue this way.

Soarin': (Whisper) Right, that way we can keep S. in check.

Mr. Holden: (Whisper) And then if all goes well, it's checkmate for Scruffy.

Oliver: (Whisper) What about my passengers and my coaches?

Toad: (Whisper) Don't worry Mr Oliver. Mr Douglas says that he will take care of Miss Isabel and Miss Dulcie.

Oliver: (Whisper) Bless him. I really owe Douglas for saving my life back there.

Narrator: And Oliver puffed off to collect another pair of trucks. Meanwhile, word had secretly gone round about Oliver's showdown. Those whom had time off climbed into Duck's train to watch Duck finally arrived at Arlesburgh West at sundown to find them ready and waiting.

Duck: THEREE CHEERS FOR MR. HOLDEN, SOARIN', AND OLIVER!

Narrator: Alice, Mirabel, Mr Hawkins, Miss Ravens, Rainbow Dash Spitefire, Fleet Foot, Fluttershy and the apple family all responded with a will and so wonderingly did the passengers. Oliver went to get Scruffy.

Fluttershy: Good luck Oliver!

Alice: You can do this Oliver.

Mirabel: Come on Oliver.

Oliver: Alright Scruffy, you've had your fun but this time I'm putting a stop to it once and for all!

Scruffy: Heheheheh, I'd like to see you try ol' Ollie!

Oliver: Famous last words Scruffy.

Narrator: Oliver soon backed Scruffy down onto the rest of the trucks.

Scruffy: (Whisper) Oy! Lads. It's time to show this washed up claptrap who's boss around this yard. Hold back! Hold back! Now passed the word to the others. Heheheheh.

Narrator: The silly trucks giggled as they passed the word. But Oliver knew exactly what to do and had anticipated them to hold back. He had already poured sand down onto the rails when he was backing Scruffy down, so that his wheels would grip splendidly.

Soarin': Alright Oliver. Are you ready.

Oliver: Yes Soarin'. I'm ready as I'll ever be.

Mr. Holden: Alright. Here goes nothing!

Narrator: Mr. Holden opened the regulator, Oliver dug his wheel into the sand and gave mighty heave! Scruffy groaned and wailed painfully as his couplings tightened, stretching him between Oliver and the rest of the trucks.

Scruffy: OOOERRRR! I DON'T LIKE THIS!

Duck: GO IT OLIVER! WELL DONE BOY! WELL DONE!

Rainbow Dash: YEAH! GO IT! THAT'S RIGHT SOARIN'! YOU AND OLIVER TEACH THAT S. A LESSON HE WILL NEVER FORGET!

(Rainbow Dash's words made Soarin' blush bright red as he kept stoking Oliver's fire)

Apple family: YYYEEEHHAAWWWW! GET HIM! THAT A BOY OLLIE BOY! THAT'A BOY!

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup!

Spitfire/Fleetfoot: GO OLIVER! GO! YOU GOT THIS ONE IN THE BAG!

Miss Ravens/Mr. Hawkins: GOOD SHOW William old boy! Good mate!

Narrator: Mr. Holden the opened regulator as wide as he could and Oliver gave an even greater heave! With passengers, ponies, engine, coaches, brake vans and staff cheering, Scruffy wailed and wailed but no one paid attention to him!

Scruffy: OOOEERRR! OOOEEERR!

Fluttershy: (Covering her eyes) HHHHNNNNNGGGG! I can't look!

Narrator: There was ominous creaking sound followed by a wood splitting straining sound and wood snapping sound.

Scruffy: OW! OOOERRR! OOEERRR! I'M … I'M…. I'M… COMING….APART! (Scruffey collapses) GGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!

Narrator: But it was too late. There came a rending splitting crash! Oliver shot forward suddenly, S. 's front end bumped behind his bunker, whilst S. 's load spilt its self all over the track as S. whole body and frames collapsed.

Oliver: GOTCHA!

Mr. Holden/Soarin': YYYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHH!

Narrator: Every cheered for Oliver's victory.

Rainbow Dash: WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHOOOOO! THAT WAS SO AWESOME! YOU GO SOARIN! YOU GO OLIVER! YOU GO MR. HOLDEN!

Soarin': (Looks away from Rainbow Dash shyly) Heh, thanks Dashie. (Thinks) Oh no! I did it again!

Rainbow Dash: (Giggles and blushes)

Fluttershy: (Cheering loudly) OLIVER BROKE SCRUFFY! HE DID IT! HE DID IT! YYAAAYYYYY!

Toad: BRAVO MR OLIVER! BRAVO!

Duck: WELL DONE OLIVER! YOU GOT HIM! YOU GOT HIM!

Miss Ravens: MIKE HE DID IT! WILL DID IT!

Mr. Hawkins: GOOD SHOW WILL! HAHAHAHA!

Alice/Mirabel: WELL DONE YOU LOT!

Apple family: YYYYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW!

Applejack: Heheh. How'd you like them apples.

Big Macintosh: (Sees the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia approaching, horrified) UM…. How do you like them apples! (Points to Princess Celestia and fat controller approaching.)

Narrator: Then there was trouble. Oliver glanced and he felt as though his firebox had dropped onto the rails as the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia walked over to him and spoke to him.

Fat Controller: Well Oliver, I see you don't know your own strength. Is that it?

Oliver: (Nervous) Nnn-No sir.

Narrator: The Fat Controller and Princess Celestia inspected Scruffy's remains.

Fat Controller: There. As I thought Princess Celestia. Look …

Celestia: Good eagle eyes Sir Charles Topham Hatt Sir. Rotten wood, that explains the why the load spilt in the struggle.

Fat Controller: And these rusty frames, explains why the truck collapsed. Unserviceable before it ever came.

Narrator: Celestia and the fat controller smiled and winked at Oliver. They knew what had been going on.

Fat Controller: (Whisper) Heheh. Don't tell the trucks that.

Celestia: (Whisper) You know. Bad for discipline. Hmhmh.

Narrator: Oliver felt much better as Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller strode away chuckling. Now a days, Oliver only takes trucks when the other engines are busy. But the trucks always behave well around him and are quick to warn each other.

Trucks: Take care with Mr. Oliver. He's strong he is, you play tricks on him you'll never be the same truck again. He'll likely pull you in half.

Narrator: What was left of Scruffy was sent to Wellsworth Scrapyards and melted down. Oliver is now a really useful engine again, he is a wiser engine too, and ever since the Scruffy incident, he has never made a mistake about trucks again.

Alright! What's next? 'Bulgy'? Ok, this one is going to be a fun one for sure. See you there.