Author's notes: Alright! Let's go to 'The Alumuim Works Caper'. Instead of the usual 4 stories, we are going to get 10 stories total in here. This is our 1st feature length, and we are very proud of this. Let's get into 'William Takes Flight', which I think is based off a real life event of what happened to Welsh Pony on the Ffestiniog Railway. Correct me if I'm wrong. Another thing, Ward Fell is based off Bryn Eglwys from the Talyllyn Railway and like his real basis, is named after a quarry that has previously shut down. The original name was Brendam, but I figured this would be better. Also, we have a pattern with the foals too.

Mr Holden - Apple Bloom
Mr Hawkins - Pipsqueak
Mr Thomson - Scootaloo
Mr Hoskins - Featherweight
Mr Roberts - Babs Seed
Miss Ravens - Sweetie Belle

Now, take a look at this list vs the one below:

Mr Holden - Applejack
Mr Hawkins - Twilight Sparkle
Mr Thomson - Rainbow Dash
Mr Hoskins - Fluttershy
Mr Roberts - Pinkie Pie
Miss Ravens - Rarity

Notice something? Yeah, Mr Holden, Mr Thomson and myself get the sisters of the main 6 ponies we were assigned to work with. Anyway, let's go.

Dear Rachel, Mike, James, Mitch and Dustin

Boy, I must say this has been the most hair raising experience of all our lives. First, William and Rachel were stolen from us by Miss Ravens' evil brother Jacob Hocking Ravens. Then we get a new diesel called Fred not to be confused with our Fearless Freddie, then Duke and Sir Handel got into a terrible feud which tore apart the MSR family here on the SkR much to our horror and disbelief. I can tell you, to Peter Sam, it was like a nightmare to him. But I'm happy to say that thanks to all our efforts we've managed to rescue both William and Rachel and even our new friend Ward Fell, Sir Handel and Duke have apologised to each other and have dissolved there quarrel. Now, life is back to normal again, only much brighter.

Your faithful friend

William James Holden.

William Takes Flight

Narrator: One evening the Skarloey Railway engines were resting in the sheds with there new friends Ward Fell and Fred. Both were diesel engines. William and Rachel were resting happily beside Duke, Fearless Freddie, Peter Sam, and Sir Handel. Spike was also visiting them as well, along with the foal volunteers and the main 6 drivers.

Spike: You know guys? Every time I ride your trains up to the lake, you guys always seem to know how to work together and adding those foal ponies, you guys work together even better like a family.

Skarloey: Oh why thank you Spike. That is quite kind of you

Pipsqueak: Aw, get off it. We've done this for years, like you and Bertie and the main 6 ponies with NWR engines.

Twilight Sparkle: And more and more friends seem to arrive at every turn.

Rachel: Not to mention the romantic relationships that pop up every now and again. Like me and my boyfriend Peter Sam.

Peter Sam: (Blushing) Your right there Rachel.

Narrator: Rachel and Peter Sam then kissed each other, and most of the engines, ponies all awwwed along with the drivers… well, all except Duncan, Ward Fell, Fred and Scootaloo.

Scootaloo: Eeeewww! Give me a break.

Duncan/Fred/Ward Fell: Ugh! Peter Sam, Rachel, not in front of the engine fleet.

All engines barring Ward Fell, Duncan, Fred: Oh shut up Duncan, Fred and Brendan. Same to you Scootaloo!

Spike: Anyway, Duke, Peter Sam, Fearless Freddie, Sir Handel, Rachel and William, you 6 work even more like a family every single day of the week.

Duke: Aw. Thank you Spike. But it hasn't always been like that

Spike: (Confused) Really. Well I guess that they must have been probably just minor banters most likely.

Skarloey: You'd be shocked. There's actually been a major and furious fight.

Sir Handel: Yeah, which resulted in me and Duke having the most terrible blood feud between each other which also resulted in our MSR family falling apart. Boy, am I just glad that's over and done with and that family is back together.

Duke: (Shudders) I know. Thank goodness that didn't last forever.

Peter Sam: Yeah, that makes three of us.

Freddie: And 4 us.

William: Yeah, and not only that, we also got a very increased work load that caused a bit of grief.

Rachel: And shortly after, me and William were stolen by a very bad man.

Spike: (Surprised) Cripes, so what happened?

Rheanes: I think these six can tell you.

Narrator: This was the story that Rachel, Peter Sam, Sir Handel, William Freddie and Duke told them.

(Flashback, 1969, 2 months before Duke was found.

William Narrating: In 1969, an increased work had begun to arise on the Skarloey Railway. More passengers arrived, more and more goods trains called to the transfer wharf delivering coal from the mainland, and weed killer ballast from the Arlesdale miniature railway for the little engines, along with hay, milk and other produce as well as farm animal feed to be taken to the farmers that resided along the Skarloey right of way. Soon, Skarloey, Rheanes, Sir Handel, Peter Sam, Rusty, Duncan, Freddie, Rachel, myself, the main 6 drivers and the 6 little foal ponies all began to feel the brunt of the work load.

Spike (Through flashback): What about Duke, Fred and Ward Fell?

Duke (Through flashback): I wasn't found yet.

Fred (Through flashback): I wasn't even built.

Ward Fell (Through flashback): Neither was I.

Spike (Through flashback): Oh! That makes sense.

William (Though flashback): Indeed. Now, can I please continue?

Spike/Duke/Ward Fell/Fred: Oh, sure.

Featherweight: Whew! That's another passenger train done. Well we'd better get to shunting Freddie old boy. I've never seen so much work before.

Freddie: Whew! I know what you mean my dear Featherweight. This work load is really tiring but we must keep the trains running!

Mr. Hoskins: That's right. We can't give up!

Pipsqueak: You're right Freddie. Now come on. Lets go and shunt Agnes, Ruth, Jeremiah, Lucy and Beatrice for Skarloey's next train. (To self) We really need another engine to help us.

Freddie: I hope they find Duke soon.

Narrating William: Freddie puffed off to get Skarloey's coaches. As Skarloey backed onto his coaches with Pipsqueak and Mr. Hawkins, they saw Rachel coming into the station bring in another goods train of broken branches with Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle.

Skarloey: Hullo there Rachel, Miss Ravens, Sweetie Belle, how's it going?

Rachel: Oh, very very busy. We've been rushed off our wheels, feet and hooves. First we had to take the first produce train up the line, and now we've got to shunt trucks in the yard, then take another goods train. Lastly, after William, Mr Holden and Apple Bloom arrive back with their passenger train, we have to take hay train up the line.

Skarloey: I know what you mean. It's getting harder to keep things on schedule.

Mr. Thompson: I though I heard word that that we're getting another diesel built to help us.

Sweetie Belle: Alright, so what's his name?

Pipsqueak: Unfortunately my dear, the guys at Crovans Gate Workshops are still drawing the blueprints.

Miss Ravens: Oh bother. Ah well, we just gotta make the best of a bad situation.

Narrating William: Just then, the guards whistle blew and Skarloey started off and Rachel went to help Freddie with the shunting. Meanwhile, I was steaming through the country side with 4 bogie coaches. I was hurrying along trying to make for lost time after being held up by some stray sheep.

William: Stupid sheep! I know sheep's wool is very useful for making people and ponies clothing, but I just can't stand when they raid the line like it's a Thoroughfare. Ugh! Duncan is gonna laugh his wheels of if I'm late again.

Mr. Holden: Calm down! We need to keep profession and at least we're still moving.

Apple Bloom: Yeah, and just remember, we're a guaranteed connection.

William: Your right Apple Bloom.

Narrating William: But I was still frustrated as I passed Skarloey Pipsqueak and Mr. Thompson. At Crovans Gate, Rachel, Sweetie Belle and Miss Ravens were preparing to take their hay train up to the farmers when they heard a loud whistle. Rachel saw to her concern, me puffing into the station looking frustrated.

Rachel: Hey William. What's the matter? You look stressed.

William: I am stressed. First I get delayed by a late passenger, then a flock of sheep raid my path and then at the road crossing, I get cut off by Caroline.

Rachel: Oh the nerve of that car!

William: Well to be fair it's not really Caroline fault

Mr. Holden: Yeah, actually it's her drivers fault. (Sigh) Again.

Miss Ravens/Sweetie Belle/ Rachel: (Annoyed) Oh no. Not Mr. Toadsworth, again!

Apple Bloom: Unfortunately, yes.

(Flashback)

(William puffing with his passenger train whistling for the crossing)

William: Alright. We're almost at Crovans Gate. A few more miles and were good to….

(Caroline toots behind them)

Mr. Holden: Whoa William!

Apple Bloom: STOP WILLIAM! STOP!

(William slams on the brakes, nearly grazing Caroline)

Caroline: SSSSSAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE MMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Toadsworth: (Singing poorly) Oh nobody knew how to catch him! So clever and nimble Toad! They couldn't snitch or snatch him! The elusive Mr. Toad!

Apple Bloom: Think we should help?

Mr Holden/William: Yes!

Bella: Not to worry. We're on it.

Sunny Daze: On the double Bella.

(End flashback)

Miss Ravens: (Sigh) It's times like these that I'm glad he doesn't have any jobs on any railway on Sodor. I mean, I wonder if the Culdee Fell Manager or Shining Armor have theses sort of problems with Mr. Toadsworth.

Rachel: (Sigh) That Mr. Toadsworth is a danger to the public…

Narrating William: I was soon uncoupled and ran on to the water column. Peter Sam, Mr Roberts and Babs Seed arrived with Rachel's trucks, and then rested before collecting their passengers with Ada, Jane, Mabel and Cora. Rachel had to wait again too. Peter Sam and Rachel, the two drivers and the two ponies were talking to me to cheer me up when Duncan steamed in, smirking rudely at him. Mr. Thomson and Scootaloo were with him too.

Duncan: Heheheh well well well look whose late again it's William!

Scootaloo: Knock it off Duncan! William doesn't need you bullying him.

Mr Thomson: Yeah. He's doing the best he can and your attitude isn't helping us with this work load at all!

Peter Sam: That's right. Don't be so rude to him Duncan!

Sweetie Belle: Hey now that was too harsh Duncan!

Mr. Hawkins: Gosh! Do you always have to be a jerk Duncan!

Duncan: Hey, I'm just stating a fact here. I've been waiting for ages for William to get here!

Babs Seed: Hey, leave him alone! He couldn't help it Duncan! William just got held up by sheep and by some maniac that nearly clipped him off the road crossing…

Miss Ravens: My goodness Duncan you just really pushing everyone's button's today! (Gritting her teeth) You are just almost as annoying as that stupid Class 40 that came here with that stupid unicorn Prince Blueblood back in 1963!

Mr. Holden: And you are just as rude as that stupid diesel and Griffon that came here on trial in 1957! (Gasp, clenches his mouth) Uh oh!

Rachel/Peter Sam/William/Sweetie Belle/Apple Bloom/Babs Seed/Scootaloo/Mr Roberts/Mr Thomson/Miss Ravens: Oh boy! Now you've done it.

Rachel: Brace yourselves everyone!

Pinkie Pie singing: He's an evil enchanter
Who speaks evil banter
And if you look deep in his eyes,
He'll feel like your hand burn
And what will he do?
He'll mix up an evil goop
And he'll gobble you up in a big tasty soup
So watch out!
(Speaking) Okay I'm done. (Dashes off to Percy)

Duncan: Anyway William, we factory engines are much more faster than you quarry engines any day!

William: (Cross) Oh really then tell me whose been late 5 times last week from derailments!

Duncan: hey watch your mouth quarry engine! At least I didn't get held up 3 times

William: Oh really, coming from the same factory engine whom winched and whined about not getting his polish so much that he stopped on viaduct, and a few years before that, derailed because he didn't listen to Rusty's and Rachel's advice! At least I press on Duncan!

Duncan: (Crossly) Well, at least I didn't get brushed off by Peter Sam in 1964!

Narrating William: Just then, the guards' whistle blew and Duncan steamed off laughing, leaving me hurt.

Peter Sam: Don't listen to him. He just feels overworked but he's nice really.

Babs Seed: Yeah. Once he has a few good runs, he'll be better

William: I know Peter Sam but I just hate it when he bullies me like that.

Rachel: I know how it feels. He was like that to me and Rusty before. But even though we still argue a bit, he no longer holds a grudge against diesels. Other then… well, need I say more?

Babs Seed: Yeah you just don't need to take him seriously.

Narrating William: Next morning, Rachel had to go in for an overhaul, so I was rostered to take her dawn hay train. When I reached the top station at Skarloey, I ran round from the loop to the the front of the trucks. I was tired and flustered as I waited for Rusty, Mr. Hugh and Babs Seed to clear their section. The trucks had been bad behaved, and I was still cross with Duncan and wanted to show him that I wasn't slow. I simmered angrily.

William: (Angrily) Ugh! Come on! We're gonna be late and Duncan will laugh at me again!

Mr. Holden: Calm down William.

Apple Bloom: Remember, safety first.

William: (Angered) Knowing Duncan, he's sure to pick on me again if I'm late again safe or not!

Narrating William: At last, the signal dropped and I started with fearful jolt as we started down the line. But the trucks snickered quietly.

Trucks: heheheheheh…. We'll help him get on time! Won't we lads heheheheheh….

Narrating William: The sun was rising higher and higher and I seethed angrily as Duncan's taunts played in his mind. This time, I was going to show him up once and for all. This time, I was going to arrive home before Duncan's morning train. The wharf station at Crovans Gate has 3 platforms, one leading to the passenger platform, another leading towards yards and the last one leading towards the transfer siding where engines can be off loaded on to the narrow gauge rails from the mainline engines. This siding have no buffers and so all little engines have to be careful around this siding so as not to fall of the end of the wharf. But… hehehe, I was so cross and furious with Duncan that I had forgotten. I whistled furiously to keep all animals out of my way, charged through Glennlock tunnel and rattled alongside the roadway cutting off a very surprised and cross George and Diamond Tiara and almost causing a pile up behind them. I uh… hadn't even noticed that trucks had started to push me..

Mr. Holden: Hey, take it easy will you William? There's no rush!

Apple Bloom: Yeah, just slow down will you and calm yourself!

Narrating William: But I took no notice at time. Heh, it may have been better if I had.

William: That stupid meanie Duncan! I am faster! I am stronger! I'm better than that blow heart factory engine! I'LL SHOW HIM! I'LL SHOW HIM!

Narrating William: As we were descending Crosy–Ny–Curin, I saw the road bridge near crovans gate and his rage finally turned to relief. My brakes groaned but then suddenly, my trucks surged forward.

Trucks: ON! ON! ON!

William/Mr. Holden/Apple Bloom: What the…

Narrating William: Mr. Holden applied my brakes hard on, reverser hard on, whistling loudly. Apple Bloom put on full steam and the guard screwed Cora's van brakes on until they screamed.

William: HELP! HELP!

Narrating William: All the little engines were woken up with a startle from my noise, and they soon saw me racing down at dangerous speed. Then there was even more trouble. The points were set over to the transfer siding. Frantically trying to grip the rails, I slid into Crovans Gate, Mr. Holden quickly detached the trucks from me, then he and Apple Bloom jumped clear as I skidded helplessly on. With a scream of fright, I flew right off the end of the wharf into the air and landed with a loud crash, smack dab with all 4 wheels right in the middle of the sleepers and ballast of the mainline rails, steam escaping from all directions. It was lucky that Mr. Holden had parted the couplings from the trucks and the guard had screwed Cora's hand brake on. The trucks came to a safe stop still on the rails near the edge of the wharf, but I sat there, dazed and surprised. Sir Handel, Pipsqueak, Mr. Hawkins, Peter Sam, Miss Ravens, Sweetie Belle and Duncan, Scootaloo and Mr. Thomson were sent to bring a derrick crane. Donald, Mr. Roberts and Big Macintosh arrived with the breakdown trains and helped lift me onto the standard gauge flat bed and then the derrick crane was attached to my back end and three narrow gauge engines pulled him back on to the rails. Duncan could help but laugh and laugh.

Duncan: Well well well. William, you never told us you wanted to be bird! Hahahaha!

Narrating William: But Peter Sam, Sir Handel, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Pipsqueak, Miss Ravens, Mr Hawkins, Mr Thomson and Mr. Roberts told him to stop. After I was brought back to the sheds, the thin controller and Princess Luna spoke to me.

Thin Controller: We are very disappointed in you William! We don't expect such clumsiness and carelessness from you!

Princess Luna: Yes. Now we must try to run the railway with only 7 engines! Thou has put us in an awkward predicament! You must now go to thy works to be mended!

Narrating William: I felt very ashamed.

William: I'm sorry Princess Luna, I'm sorry sir and I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to cause you trouble.

Narrating William: Princess Luna and the Thin controller knew that I was really sorry.

Princess Luna: Well, the good thing is that thy trucks are still intact.

Thin Controller: Just try to be more careful next time and try not to take flight again.

Narrating William: I smiled sheepishly but still riddled with guilt.

William: Yes Sir and Malady, I will.

Yeah, this part feels like a typical episode. But the next parts are where the special really get deep. Look out for that.