Author's notes: I really like the little dive into the engine's background with the liveries they wore before. Other then that part, the story hasn't changed much.

Fire Engine

Narrator: It had been several weeks after James and Rarity's mishap with the signal. The signal itself had long since been repaired but James and Rarity had been unusually subdued since then. This gave the engines, drivers and the ponies no end of relief. Particularly Henry, Applejack, Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens, who all had to bear the brunt of there moaning and griping. James and Rarity's constant grumbling and snide remarks had always caused the two engines to strike up a rivalry but fortunately not with Applejack whom was used to Rarity. One evening at the sheds, Gordon was talking to the other engines, ponies and drivers about the days of old.

Belle: Wait a minute, so you were green too?

Gordon: Oh yes my dear Belle. Like Flying Scotsman, Pretty Polly and Lemberg whom were all built after me in 1923, I too was painted in the apple green livery of the LNER or as it was called back in 1920 when I was built the at the Great Northern Railway. Oh don't get me wrong, it was all good and well in its way, but I prefer my blue paint of the NWR. It makes feel different in every way, and I feel it is most important for an important engine like me. Plus, I hear it's not too out landish from what I heard from Flying Scotsman, whom told me about our Doncaster streamline cousins of ours. They are something called A4 pacifies, which most of which were painted in Garter blue.

Rainbow Dash: Oh yeah. I remember seeing you in green when you 1st came here.

Donald: Och. I know what ye mean Gordon. Some of the engines on the old Caledonian railway up near Glasgow used to be painted blue tae. But however, Douggie and me naever were though, since we were built around the same time as yon nationalization era. Me and Douggie had to be paint in yon British Railway black, so blue makes a nice change cause it reminds us of home.

Big Machantoish: You do look good in blue Donald.

Donald: Thank yer Big Mac.

Belle: I can see why. Black isn't exactly a bad colour per say, but I did find it a bit dull on British Railway. So, when I was bought to Sodor, I choose to be in NWR blue. Then I could be the same colour as Gordon. (giggles)

Blossomforth: You 2 do look cute together.

Belle: We sure do.

Hero: Well, I remember when I was S&M green as a class 1 back on the S&M. It was nice, but I decided to have NWR red after I was rebuilt to a 2P class. It really did brighten me up, I must say.

Toe Tapper: It does suit you Hero. I do also wish I was there in the S&M days to see you in the S&M livery.

Sally: Heh, me and Bridget remember when we were 1st built and painted in GNR apple green. Then, we were repainted black during the great war.

Bridget: I'm rather glad we got our old livery back after being bought here though. It does bring in our GNR heritage.

Flitter: I don't blame you for that girls. You do look great like that.

Cloud Chaser: I agree.

Murdoch: Yeah. I was painted in BR black too. I didn't mind it, but I admit, I was a bit envious of Evening Star when she was painted in BR green. Now, I decided to honour her by getting repainted that colour when I was given the chance.

Thunderlane: Evening Star eh? Nice name.

Hank: That's good hearin' there partner. When ah was in the war department, ah was painted grey. Then, ah came down here, stripped of ma American parts and painted BR black. But ah chose ta be green after comin' ta Sodor. Wanted ta brighten' things up a bit.

Ms Harshwhinny: Oh, that's quite alright. Doesn't hurt to splash a bit of colour here and there.

Gator: Well, I've been painted dark green on the SECR myself, then black during the time of the Southern Railway and again during nationalisation. Heh, I went back to green when coming here though. Makes me feel much better.

Miss Peachbottom: Ah yes. Green is a good colour.

Henry: Heheheh I Know what you mean. Personally thought I like being green I've been since I first came, though they did try me in blue. At first I liked it but… that didn't work out so well. And that's why I chose green again, to make me look unique from the other black 5s.

Applejack: Oh yeah. I know what y'all mean. Besides, I like it too. It reminds me of our green apples back home.

Henry: Besides, I can tell you one thing, I'd hate to be red.

James: Oh really, and what, pray tell, is wrong with being red?

Hero: Red is a nice colour Henry, why wouldn't you want to be red?

Henry: (Quietly) Oh uh… no offence to you Hero. I don't think it would suit me that well. (Out loud) Well, if I were red, people might think I'm a fire engine…

Rarity: How could you say such a thing about James' smart fire ruby red paint. Hmph!

James: (Sarcastic) Oh ha ha ha ha! Very drawl Henry. A regular Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Well, at least people can see me coming. I don't disappear into the background like some engines I can mention. You know, if it wasn't for the smoke and noise, you'd need the yellow and black front like Mavis so people can see you.

Henry: (Furious) WHAT?! WHAT CHEEK! WHY YOU LITTLE!

Narrator: But his protest was drowned out by a burst of laughter. From ponies and engines. Even Applejack laughed.

Henry: HEY! THAT WASN'T FUNNY! OY! CUT THAT OUT!

James: Well Henry, goodnight. I've got you again, oh by the way judging by how red your face looks, I guess you do want to look like me after all.

Rarity: Oh good one James darling. Hehahahahaha. Too rich hehhahahaha! Sensible engine. Fire ruby red does suit you Henry.

Henry: (Furious) UGH! CURSE YOU RARITY! CURSE YOU JAMES! I'll pay you two out for that if it's the last thing I do!

Narrator: As the ponies left for Knapford Hotel, Henry went furiously to sleep wondering how to pay James and Rarity out. Next morning, Henry had descended into a flaming temper when he went to collect his coaches for the Flyer of Vicarstown and began bumping them hard!

Coaches: OH OH OH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!

Henry: (Angry) JUST STAY IN LINE! SHUT UP! AND COME ON!

M. Holden: Easy Henry! You treat those coaches like that your gonna break something!

Henry: Oh just shut up drive Mr. Holden! I know what I'm doing!

Applejack: HEY! THAT'S NO WAY TO TALK TO MR. HOLDEN! YOU BETTER WATCH YOUR MOUTH HENRY!

Henry: Or what?!

Applejack: I'M GONNA TELL BIG MACINTOSH ON YOU AND GET FLUTTERSHY TA USE 'THE STARE'!

Narrator: Henry seethed in silence and when the guards whistle blew he started with a rude jerk!

Coaches: (Anxious) What can be wrong? What can be wrong?

Henry: (Angry) Be quiet you coaches!

Narrator: They had smooth run but Henry was still very cross about what James had said.

Applejack: Good gravy Mr. Holden. I've never know him to ride so roughly before.

Mr. Holden: Your right there Applejack. He's a in a flaming temper and no mistake.

Narrator: He bumped the coaches when they reached Vicarstown and bumped them when he was turned round for the return journey. He seethed angrily!

Henry: Come on! How much longer do we have we to wait!?

Mr. Holden: Geez Henry, calm down. You are really hot headed today!

Applejack: Good gravy Henry! It's just gonna take 20 minutes. I haven't even coupled y'all up and your already start complaining !

Narrator: As soon they were coupled to coaches, the guards whistle blew and Henry snorted out of the station. As he did so, Henry thought he heard a rattling beneath his footplate and so did Mr. Holden and Applejack. But they came to the conclusion that it was just a rail joint they clattered over. Soon, they were moving well.

Henry: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Narrator: The train went faster and faster and at last Henry felt much better. But as they passed over Gordon's hill, they're was trouble.

(Rattle)

Henry: Hey guys, there's that rattling again! I think some things wrong!

Narrator: Suddenly, with loud crack from beneath Henry's cab!

Henry: (In pain) ARRGGHH! SOMETHINGS BROKEN!

Narrator: Mr. Holden looked back in horror.

Mr. Holden: GREAT SCOT! LOOK OUT APPLEJACK! JUMP!

Applejack: YYAAAH!

Narrator: Applejack jumped to safety as Mr. Holden applied the brakes. Applejack made it across just in time. Both she and Mr. Holden watched with horror as a widening opened between him and his tender.

Mr. Holden: What the devil?!

Applejack: What in tarnation?!

Narrator: Henry stopped as soon as he could, a special automatic brake halted his train and tender some ways behind.

Mr. Holden: Oh my word! Then tender coupling's broken!

Applejack: What in tarnation?! What do we do now?

Mr. Holden: We need to drop Henry's fire. It'll be too dangerous for him to boil dry now that we can't get any water from the tender.

Applejack: I agree! I'll take care of it!

Mr. Holden: That's good mare. I'll go get help.

Narrator: And they both did so.

Applejack: Sorry about this Henry old boy. Just when we had it running nicely, but to tell ya'l the honest apple fritter truth it's pretty much your fault really. If you hadn't been banging about, this wouldn't have happened.

Narrator: Henry said nothing. But there was worst to come. By the time Mr. Holden had returned Henry had disappeared in plum of dark black smoke, billowing from beneath his cab. Applejack emerged choking.

Applejack: (Coughing) Henry's fire has set the sleepers a lite! You stay here and get him out! I'll go get the fire brigade!

Narrator: Mr. Holden quickly eased Henry forward out of the blaze. Edward soon with Mr. Hoskins and Fluttershy came to take the train on.

Fluttershy: Oh my… Are you okay Henry?

Edward: My word. Henry, are you alright?

Henry: (Annoyed) Edward… Fluttershy… I've been SEPARATED from my TENDER! Had my FIRE DROPPED in this bitter fall weather! And I've just made a FOOL of myself in front of everyone! DO I LOOK ALRIGHT TO YOU!

Edward/Fluttershy: Uhh… point taken.

Mr. Hoskins: Well don't worry guys. We'll take the Flyer of Vicarstown.

Edward: Don't worry. You shouldn't be here too long.

Narrator: Edward puffed away.

Henry: (Doubtful) Somehow, I really doubt that.

Narrator: In the end, the fire brigade put out the fire the workmen made Henry a temporary tender coupling Mr. Holden and Applejack lit a new fire, recouped the tender and drove him gently home. Unfortunately for him, Edward and Fluttershy, who had of course seen everything. Told everyengine and everypony.

Rainbow Dash: Hey Fluttershy, hey there old timer. How's it going? We haven't seen you in dogs age.

Edward: Oh fine thank you.

Fluttershy: Same here.

Gordon: Hullo there little Edward and Fluttershy. Where's Henry?

Fluttershy: Well, there's been an accident.

Big Macintosh: Oh my goodness! What happened?

Edward: Henry's tender coupling broke and they had dropped the fire and accidentally set the sleepers on fire. And it's best not to mention this to him.

James: Heheh. Why, I've got loads of fire jokes lined up for him.

Fluttershy: Now now James! He's a rough day!

James: (Sigh) Fine, but I can tell at least tell my best joke before he comes.

Fluttershy/Edward: Alright, but make it snappy.

James: Alright guys and girls you're in for a treat. Okay here it goes. Ahem! Now, did you hear about this brand new type of fire engine? It's green, has 16 wheels and makes fireman sam's fire engine more useful! Pahaahahahaha!

Rarity: Heheheheahahahaha too rich Hehahaahahahaha!

Narrator: Rarity and James stopped and noticed that everyone was not laughing.

James/Rarity: Hey, wait a minute. Why aren't you all laughing?

Rainbow Dash: Oh for the love of pete!

Gordon: Because my dear James, it was a terrible joke.

Big Macintosh: Eeeyup!

Pinkie Pie: Oh yeah, and I know all about jokes. Here, read this manual on how to tell jokes. (Throws a book on joking telling)

Narrator: But even though James' joke failed miserably, it made him feel better than ever, now that Henry had had his just deserves for his previous insult. As for Henry, he was touchy on the subject of fires for some time afterwards. But James was quick to notice that from then on Henry stopped making rude remarks about the colour of fire engines.

Henry: (Angry) OH CURSE YOU! YOU STUPID NARRATOR!

Narrator: (Angry) OH SHUT UP! YOU MECHANICAL FLAME BREATHING TORCH! There's only room for 1 4TH wall breaker in this series!

Pinkie Pie: Yeah, and that is me.

Narrator: Hit it right on the nail Pinkie Pie.

Henry: Ugh! Why me.

Narrator: And with that, Henry subdued into silence.

Ha! Didn't expect Henry to speak to the narrator, did you? Well, next is 'Deep Freeze' and boy I can't wait to do that one.