Author's notes: Oh boy. Duke's and Sir Handel's fraud started back in 1984 (When Sir Handel came back from the Talyllyn Railway) and it continues right to 1989 when Fred is drafted in. (I think) atsf, if I'm wrong, please correct me.

UPDATE: I decided to make the fraud only happen during 1989 to make things might easier for everyone.

Truths And Fibs

Narrating Sir Handel: When the little foal ponies and Miss Ravens, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Holden, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Hoskins arrived back at Crovans Gate Hotel, they all sat around the fireplace discussing about the argument.

Babs Seed: Oh dear. Now that was the most heartbreakin' thing ah've ever seen.

Scootaloo: Yeah. I can't believe Duke would be so mean to his own grand children! I think it served that mudpuff right to get yelled at by Sir Handel. Duke should at least be grateful that he was even found.

Mr. Hawkins: Now calm down Scootaloo. He's just had a bit of a shock, that's all.

Sweetie Belle: (Tears) But poor Peter Sam. He didn't deserve that!

Apple Bloom: (Tears) Yeah. The MSR family has torn in 2.

Narrator: Pipsqueak hugged Sweetie Belle tight, as did Featherweight wit Apple Bloom.

Pipsqueak: There there now Sweetie Belle my darling. I agree with you and neither did Sir Handel, but I'm sure this matter will be solved somehow.

Featherweight: It's ok Apple Bloom. Shh. Calm down. I hope this gets sorted too.

Miss Ravens: Sweetie Belle is right though. First Peter Sam lost his girlfriend Rachel, and now his MSR family is spilt right down the middle. I feel so bad for him.

Mr. Holden: I know. This isn't good in the slightest.

Mr. Roberts: Yeah. Good point William. Sir Handel's and Duke's feud has been spreading nothing but bad atmosphere in the yards and in the sheds. I mean, Sir Handel has ever terrorised Agnes, Ruth, Jemima, Lucy and Beatrice into behaving.

Miss Ravens: You got that right. (Shudders)

Narrating Sir Handel: They all agreed that something needed to be done, but none knew what. The feud worsened as the years wore on. Duke was cross with Peter Sam and me because he thought that me and Peter Sam had abandoned him and replaced him with Skarloey and Rheneas whilst I was cross with Duke for thinking so. Because of this, Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle thought it would be best to work with Peter Sam for a while, as they were the ones that calmed him down during mine and Duke's big fight. Apple Bloom and Mr Holden went to be with me, until thinks started to die down. The new diesel had finally been finished a few days after the fraud between me and Duke began. His name was Fred. When he first arrived Skarloey, Rheneas, Duncan, Rusty, Fearless Freddie, the main 6 drivers and the 6 pony foals greeted him warmly. Peter Sam was of mixed feelings when greeting him.

Peter Sam: (To himself) Hmph! I don't want him, I want Rachel back. Ah well. Still, I shouldn't complain and start a grudge with a newcomer. Rachel would not like that at all.

Narrating Sir Handel: A few hours later, Peter Sam, Sweetie Belle and Miss Ravens was shunting trucks in the yard when Fred rolled up beside him with Babs Seed and Mr. Roberts.

Fred: Hello there, uh… uh…. Forgive me, but what's your names again.

Sweetie Belle: I'm Sweetie Belle.

Miss Ravens: Miss Rachel Marie Ravens. Pleasure to meet you Fred.

Peter Sam: (Sigh) And I'm Peter Sam. Charmed.

Fred: Uh, Peter Sam, why the long face? What's wrong?

Narrator: Peter Sam hesitated and then told Fred what had happened.

Fred: Oh my. I'm really sorry for you Peter Sam. Really I am. That must have been miserable for you to take.

Peter Sam: (Sigh) Just terrible.

Fred: Well, I do hope things will brighten up for you again and Sir Handel and Duke.

Peter Sam: After these last few days, I just don't see how things can brighten up.

Fred: It's only been a few days. Give it time. Tell you what? Would you like me, Babs Seed and Mr. Roberts to help you out?

Peter Sam: (Very little smile but still feeling sad) Uh, sure. That's nice of you.

Fred: Okay then. Let's do this then.

Narrating Sir Handel: So Fred and Peter Sam shunted trucks all morning long, and Peter Sam was starting to feel better. Meanwhile, I was taking Agnes, Ruth, Jemima, Lucy and Beatrice on my first train. I was still fuming angrily about Duke and I was in no mood to have trouble with the coaches, especially Agnes. I bumped them furiously the when they got to platform… Oh man, I really regret all that now.

Rachel: (Through flashback) We all know Sir Handel. Don't worry about it.

Agnes: OUCH! That was uncalled for! We'll pay you out for that….

Sir Handel: (Roaring Menacingly) OH NO YOU WON'T! (talking menacingly) Now you girls listen to me and you listen good and especially you Agnes! If you try any tricks on me, any at all, I'll make sure this journey will be your last journey! That goes double for Agnes! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!

Narrating Sir Handel: The coaches quivered and gulped. Even Agnes was very petrified into behaving.

Agnes: (Terrified) Uh…. Yes Sir Handel of course. No tricks whatsoever, not a problem at all. You got my word. (Gulp)

Narrating Sir Handel: The other coaches agreed.

Sir Handel: (Menacingly) Good!

Narrating Sir Handel: Edward and Fluttershy, who were off loading passengers from the 9:00 am stopping passenger train, saw everything.

Fluttershy: Oh my…. He's being rougher than usual.

Edward: My goodness Sir Handel. Are you still on about it?

Sir Handel: Yes! I am! The old Mudpuff thinks that we've abandon him and replaced him as mentor and he made my brother Peter Sam cry.

Edward: Oh dear. Please Sir Handel, you need to need you let this go.

Fluterrshy: I agree. You must let go of the grudge.

Edward: What made him do that? Surely there's a logically answer to this?

Mr. Hoskins: That's what we're trying to piece together. Same with Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Thompson and Mr Holden and Miss Ravens.

Sir Handel: I don't know anymore and quite frankly I don't even care anymore about Mudpuff!

Narrating Sir Handel: The guards whistle blew and uh… with rude jolt, I clanked away. After I left, Edward, Fluttershy and Mr. Hoskins were worried as they left down the mainline. I puffed down the line. The coaches ran nicely but I was still cross.

Mr. Holden: Easy now Sir Handel! I know your still cross with Duke but we need to keep professional!

Apple Bloom: Mr. Holden is right. Grumblin' and complainin' cause a bad reputation the railway.

Sir Handel: Ugh! I know your right guys, but it hurt me so bad. Especially with Peter Sam. I mean, he lost his girlfriend Rachel and then Mudpuff had the cheek to make him cry. Adding the departure of William, I just couldn't stand it anymore.

Apple Bloom: Ah know it feels rough, but it's also hard on Peter Sam too.

Sir Handel: And yet he still manages to cope with it….. (ooffp)

Mr Holden: What was that?

Sir Handel: That felt like a bump in the rails.

Narrating Sir Handel: Mr. Holden quickly stopped the train. Apple Bloom got out and examined the line.

Apple Bloom: Whew! That was close!

Mr. Holden: What happened?

Apple Bloom: The sun has bent the rails it's a miracle that we didn't derail. We'll have to warn control at Crovans Gate about this before Duke's hay train.

Narrator: Secretly, Sir Handel was reluctant but he knew that they had to keep trains running safely. When they reached lakeside, Mr. Holden telephoned Crovans Gate whom then told Duke, Mr. Hawkins and Pipsqueak, but Duke didn't believe it as he started off.

Duke: Hmph! Just another one of that Falcon's lies. I'll teach him not to lie to me!

Mr. Hawkins: (Firmly) Duke, his name is Sir Handel and you better mind your attitude.

Pipsqueak: Yeah so watch it Duke. You're asking for trouble!

Duke: (Dismissively) Young Pipsqueak and Mr. Hawkins, I know how to run on a railway!

Mr. Hawkins/Pipsqueak: (Quietly, darkly) Famous last words…

Narrating Sir Handel: The guards whistle blew and Duke stormed out of the station with the hay trucks. Duke rattled along the line faster and faster.

Pipsqueak: Steady on Duke!

Mr Hawkins: Slow down and be careful Duke!

Narrating Sir Handel: But Duke took no notice.

Duke: (Through flashback) Heh, but it may have been better if I had. Me not paying attention to you Sir Handel would have never suited his grace.

Sir Handel: (Through flashback) Don't worry about it Granpuff. I kind of deserved that to be honest. Hehehehe.

Duke: Hmph! that Stupid Falcon he thinks he knows more than me! I'll show him for trying to lie to me and I'll show that Stuart!

Narrating Sir Handel: But I didn't lie the rails on tracks just before glennlock at mile post 65 had indeed been bent by hot sun. But Duke was so cross he didn't believe it. but as they crossed the stream he found to his horror that Sir Handel wasn't lying at all.

Mr Hawkins/Pipsqueak: (Alarmed) LOOK OUT DUKE!

Narrating Sir Handel: Mr. Hawkins braked hard but it was too late. With bump a jump and loud clang and screech metal, Duke bump right of the rails.

Duke: Ooff! What in zamhill just happened!

Mr. Hawkins: Well that's done it! You've jumped off the rails!

Pipsqueak: And you also damaged your one your steam pipes too. You can't pull the train anymore.

Mr. Hawkins: As a matter of fact, you won't be working anymore today until it's mended and I hate to say this to you, but I'm afraid it serves you right for not heeding a warning!

Narrating Sir Handel: Duke felt indignant and upset. Not only had he damaged himself by derailing but now he had also made a complete fool of himself.

Duke (Through flashback): No kidding about that.

Duke: (Sighing sadly) Oh this will never suit his grace…..

Narrating Sir Handel: I had reached Rheneas station with my down passenger train. Then I spoke to the coaches.

Sir Handel: (Sighs) Girls, I am very sorry for taking my anger out on you. I shouldn't have done that.

Lucy: Oh, that's ok Sir Handel.

Beatrice: It could have happened to anyone.

Ruth: At least you said sorry.

Jemima: Ollie? Who's Ollie?

Beatrice: No no Jemima. Sir Handel said he was sorry!

Jemima: Oh! We forgive you.

Agnus: Well…

Ruth/Lucy/Jemima/Beatrice: Agnus!

Agnus: Oh, I forgive you as well.

Narrator: Just then, Mr. Hawkins and Pipsqueak came running up to them.

Mr. Holden: Hullo Mr. Hawkins, Pipsqueak. You look as though you were running a marathon.

Pipsqueak: There's been accident up the line!

Apple Bloom: Really? what happened?

Mr Hawkins: Duke's derailed himself at the bad section near mile post 65. He wouldn't take care on the bad section and he's damaged a steam pipe. We've put out his fire and we need your help to clear the line. Miss Ravens, Peter Sam and Sweetie Belle are coming to take the trucks away whilst Fred is coming up with the repair train to repair the line, but need you and Sir Handel to shift Duke back on the rails.

Narrating Sir Handel: I was furious.

Sir Handel: (To himself) Hmph I think it's serves Mudpuff right!

Narrating Sir Handel: Then I realised that Duke was blocking the line.

Sir Handel: (To himself) Bother! I suppose I'll have to go and rescue Mudpuff otherwise I won't be able to get my passengers home!

Narrating Sir Handel: The guard explained to the passengers. I left the coaches, got the derrick crane from Rheneas sheds and set off to the rescue. At the site Duke, was feeling furlong when Peter Sam and Fred arrived to help him. Fred back up to a crossover and Peter Sam pulled the trucks away just as I arrived. Duke couldn't believe his eyes. We glared at one another as the workmen levered Duke back on the rails. Then I coupled up to him and pulled him to Rheneas station with Mr Hawkins and Pipsqueak on board for a ride home. When they arrived, Duke was placed in the stations sheds. Then I returned to Agnes, Ruth, Jemima, Lucy and Beatrice. Mr Hawkins and Pipsqueak climbed into the coaches and I waited for Babs Seed, Mr. Roberts and Fred to mend the line. Fred wasn't too pleased.

Fred: Ugh! Just I thought I was going to have a nice rest it gets ruined by track repairs!

Babs Seed: Oh shut up Fred and quit complaining!

Mr. Roberts: Yeah we're here to fix the track not to hear you complain.

Narrating Sir Handel: Fred grunted in reply and remained silent. Sometimes, Fred was inclined to sometimes be lazy but he still has a heart somewhere in his engine. At last the track was repaired and Fred backed over to a crossover as my train started off for Crovans Gate. But Duke had to stay where he was until much later, Rusty hauled him back to the Sheds. The Thin Controller and Princess Luna had stern words for Duke.

Luna: Roger Sam and I am displeased with thou Duke. We would have thought that an engine with thou's experience would know by now to heed warnings from thy other engines!

Thin Controller: You've have caused much delay to our railway and now you've damaged yourself by disregarding danger warnings. You must now go to the works to have your steam pipe repaired! I hope that this experience will teach you to obey warnings.

Duke: (Ashamed) Yes Sir. Yes Malady. I am Sorry Malady and I'm sorry Sir.

Narrating Sir Handel: Duke looked round to the sheds and Saw the foal ponies the main 6 drivers, Skarloey, Rheneas, myself, Duncan, Rusty and Fred all glaring back at him. And now he realised that it wasn't only the Thin Controller nor Princess Luna that he owed an apology to barring myself. Edward and Fluttershy arrived with flatbed to carry Duke to works. Peter Sam apologised to Duke for hurting his feelings, and then pushed him onto it. Edward took him into the workshops then he collected his coaches and took the main 6 drivers and foals home to Tidmouth Hotel.

Let's hope this stops soon. Next is 'The Nightmares Begin'. (Or, continue if you count Sir Handel's and Duke's fraud a nightmare). See you there.