Author's notes: Not much to say here. The story does go to show you how much effort can be put in to accomplish something even when times are tough. I really like this one.

Fire Escape

Narrator: A week later, the railway was now back to using proper coal again and the engines were no longer pouring soot and ashes from there funnels. Gordon and Rainbow dash were still nervous though. Rainbow Dash was so worried that she hadn't slept at all. Every Day she had came with Mr. Thompson with bloodshot eyes and dark bags under her eye lids. One day, after drinking a cup of coffee with Mr. Thompson, she and him were just servicing Gordon for the morning WildNorWester. Just then, James came out of the sheds with Miss Ravens and Rarity before going out to pull the Thunderbolt Of Tidmouth.

Rarity: Hullo Mr. Thompson.

Miss Ravens: Hey Gordon!

Gordon/Mr. Thompson: Hey Rarity and Miss Ravens.

Miss Ravens: How's Rainbow Dash holding up?

Mr. Thompson: Well she's still a bit shaken, but she says she's alright.

Rarity: Oh I do hope she feels better soon.

James: Yeah same here, especially since the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia are coming home tomorrow.

Rainbow Dash: (Alarmed) SSSSSTTTTTAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! TOMORROW! OH MY GOSH!

Gordon: Calm down Rainbow Dash. We can do this. I know we can.

Rarity: Yes Rainbow my dear. Don't you worry. You'll do fine,

Miss Ravens: Yeah will be cheering you all on today!

James: Yeah good look to all 3 of you!

Rainbow Dash/Gordon/Mr. Thompson: Thanks guys!

Mr. Thompson: Alright, come on guys. Let's go get the WildNorWester.

Narrator: Gordon set off to collect his coaches from the platform, but like Rainbow Dash he was a secretly worried.

Gordon: We must do well today Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash: I agree. A good run today might be good if Princess Celestia and the fat controller here about it.

Narrator: Unfortunately, things didn't start well. Thanks to a last minute passenger, they were late starting which meant that Gordon missed his path at Knapford Junction in favour of Hero and Toe Tapper who departed with their passenger train, and was delayed at Knaphord too, waiting for Daisy.

Gordon: Where have you been?

Daisy: Sorry I'm late. I had a bit of engine trouble this morning.

Fancy Pants: Yes, unfortunately her cooling was faulty.

Fleur De Lis: We tried to get here as fast as we could.

Rainbow Dash: Alright, alright. It's alright. Just get the passengers on board!

Narrator: The passenger hurried quickly and Gordon steamed quickly out of the junction, they were now very worried. But with a clear run after, that they were going splendidly. They flashed through Wellsworth and charged up Gordon's hill more confidently. But as they neared the top of the hill, there was a sudden clutter and rumble and Gordon felt a blast of cold air in his middle as if there was a gap between his boiler and cab.

Gordon: OOOPFFF! WHAT'S HAPPENED!?

Narrator: Rainbow Dash found to her horror, a gaping hole in his firebox.

Rainbow Dash: OH NO! Your fire bars have collapsed and large part of your fire has been lost, and of all the places to lose it!

Narrator: Without a good, large fire, Gordon's steam pressure and speed began to drop and he began to feel weaker and weaker. But Mr. Thompson knew what to do.

Mr. Thompson: I've got an idea! Rainbow Dash, go on to the tender and find the largest lump of coal you can find and put it across the hole. It'll stop some of the cold air from getting in and we'll be able to hold steam better. Now hurry or the hill will beat us!

Rainbow Dash: (Bravely) You got it! (To herself) I'm not going to let Gordon stick again!

Narrator: She quickly flew up and found the largest lump of coal she could find in the front of the tender. Quickly and carefully, she moved it into place with the shovel and a fire poker and Gordon felt much better.

Rainbow Dash: Got it into place.

Mr. Thompson: Okay. Now build the fire gently around the edges to insure that the air didn't penetrate through any cracks.

Narrator: So as Rainbow Dash did so, Mr. Thompson adjusted Gordon's controls to make better use for his steam.

Rainbow Dash: Alright Gordon. I did all I could. It's up to you now! You can do it Gordon! I know you can.

Narrator: Gordon tried his hardest but he was careful not to pant to hard incase he blew away what was left of his fire. It was hard and tough going and poor Gordon was getting very breathless. He had stuck here once before but now he was fired with determination and was not going to fail again.

Gordon: I MUST DO IT! I MUST DO IT! I MUST DO IT!

Narrator: He shut his eyes and struggled on. Rainbow Dash shut her eyes and prepared for the worst.

Gordon: I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT!

Narrator: But at last, Gordon found that the slope was easier to cautiously he opened one eye. He was nearly at the top and with one last brave effort, he had crest the hill triumphantly and cheered loudly.

Gordon: (Proud) YES! I'VE DONE IT! I'VE DONE IT! I'VE DONE IT!

Narrator: Rainbow Dash heard the cheers and opened her eyes and saw that they had now crest the hill and were coasting down triumphantly.

Rainbow Dash: YES! That was so awesome!

Mr. Thompson: Agreed. Well done Gordon! Well done! Now you deserve a rest.

Narrator: When they arrived at Maron station, the signalman switched Gordon onto a goods loop and telephoned Crovans Gate works to have a pilot engine ready to help the stricken train. As they waited passengers got out and told Gordon what a useful engine he was. And cheered rainbow dash so loudly she began to feel better than ever.

Passengers: RAINBOW DASH!

Rainbow Dash: I can't hear you! (Begins dancing)

Passengers: RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH! RAINBOW DASH!RAINBOW DASH!

Narrator: BoCo was at the works to help with Big Macintosh, Mr. Roberts. The two engines finished the journey safely home. At the end of the of the line the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia were waiting for them. Much to Gordon and Rainbow Dash's, surprise they were smiling.

Fat Controller: Thank you BoCo and thank you Gordon for a very splendid effort.

Celestia: Gordon, Rainbow Dash, you did very to get the WildNorWester safely over the hill. Well done to both of you.

Fat Controller: Indeed. Well done to both of you. Celestia and I are pleased with your efforts today, though other events leave much….

Narrator: But just then, a whistle blew and he and Princess Celestia had to hurry to their carriage, leaving poor Gordon and Rainbow Dash once again in suspense.

Gordon: Oh no. Not again.

BoCo: Don't worry Gordon.

Mr Roberts: You and Rainbow Dash will be fine.

Big Macantoish: Eeyep. Ok, let's head back to Tidmouth.

Narrator: With that, the 2 engines left with their crews.

Alright! Next, we meet our high speed twin diesels. See you in 'Gordon Proves His Point'.