Author's Notes: Ok. This is where the dark stuff really picks up. Brace yourselves

The Nightmares Begin

Narrator Peter Sam: For rest of the week, the engines of the Skarloey Railway the main 6 drivers and the foal ponies had more work than ever whilst Duke was away being mended. They tried there hardest to keep line running but it was very hard working the line without Duke, much to the annoyance of Fred.

Fred: Ugh! Every morning and evening is always the same! Repair track here repair track there, collect twigs and branches to use for fire wood! I never get any chance for a rest! Why can't that Rusty, Apple Bloom and Mr. Hugh do this.

Babs Seed: Fred, it's not their job, it's teamwork!

Mr. Roberts: I know. The way you behave, the Thin Controller and Princess Luna would have been better off not buying you at all!

Narrator Peter San: Fred grunted and carried on. Uh well… Sir Handel on the other hand was uh… very relieved not to have to deal with Duke. I tried to talk with him to sort things out.

Sir Handel (Through flashback): And I still feel guilty for saying what I said.

Duke (Through flashback): I know you do Sir Handel. I know. I feel guilty too.

Sir Handel: Hmph! Good riddance to that Mudpuff! That's what I say!

Peter Sam: Sir Handel, I know your still angry and I am flattered that you want to protect me, but Duke is a good engine and he's still our Granpuff.

Sweetie Belle: Peter Sam's right. You and Peter Sam are still consider each other brothers. Duke's just a bit confused.

Miss Ravens: That's right. He's still your granpuff at heart.

Sir Handel: Hmph! He's more like Mudpuff to me! I'm still never speaking to him ever again!

Apple Bloom: Come on Sir Handel. This has got to end before it's spreading bad atmosphere around the railway!

Mr. Holden: Exactly. I mean, after all, you did save him last week .

Sir Handel: I was only thinking of the passengers, not for that Mudpuff! Come on. We've got a train to take!

Narrator Peter Sam: Sir Handel set off to collect his produce vans and he grumbled away. I was sad and so were Miss Ravens and Sweetie Belle.

Peter Sam: Oh dear. This is getting to out of buffers

Sweetie Belle: And hooves too.

Miss Ravens: And hands as well. Peter Sam and I can remember the days when he, Sir Handel, Freddie and Duke all used to work happily together.

Peter Sam: (Lone tear) And now Duke can't stand me and Sir Handel anymore and now Sir Handel can't stand Duke anymore. I really wish Rachel was here (Sad sigh) but I must not complain. Rachel would never approve of me complaining.

Narrator Peter Sam: I went sadly to collect my coaches. The engines had to work extra passenger and extra goods work as well as the daily Maintenance runs every day of the week more than once with both Rusty, Apple Bloom, Mr. Hugh and Fred along with Babs Seed and Mr. Roberts working both morning and nights shifts and the other engines, more often then not, had to take both goods and passenger trains at the same time resulting in double headers day and night, due to the even higher workload.

Rheneas: Whew! We've never had this much even in the early beginnings.

Skarloey: I know and we've both have worked this line since the 1860s

Pipsqueak: I know and I had never seen this much work either, not even at my mum's railway back in Equestria.

Featherweight: Or in my father's newspaper office.

Mr Hawkins: Yes, but we need to keep it going hard times or not.

Mr. Hoskins: Yeah, your right Mike. We need to keep our line running no matter what.

Rheneas: That's the spirit you guys now lets go get ready for our next mix train.

Narrator Peter Sam: Soon, Skarloey and Rheneas coupled up to they're coaches and trucks. Rheneas nearest the train and Skarloey in front. The guards whistle blew and the old engines set off. They had to stop at all stations and stiles to allow the farmers to collect and load there hay and produce then hurried along to make up for lost time for their passengers

Skarloey: Thank goodness we have a loop line now! We may lose more time running round our train.

Rheneas: Yeah, and not to mention, I don't even think we could manage to fit our trains in the sidings.

Narrator Peter Sam: Duncan felt the brunt of the work too, but instead of grumbling, he felt sad.

Duncan: Oh dear. I really wish William was here that way I can apologize to him for being so rude to him. I can't stand this work load without him. He was so kind generous and always happy to see us even me.

Scootaloo: I know Duncan, but at least he's forgiven you.

Mr. Thomson: Yeah and he said he was sorry too.

Duncan: After the way I treated him, I don't blame him at all. He has nothing to be sorry for what he did.

Scootaloo: You know Duncan, you may sometimes have your moments, but I can see you've really matured a lot

Mr. Thomson: Same here. I think you a very good engine and so does William.

Narrator Peter Sam: Duncan smiled sheepishly as set off with his hay train and produce train. Princess Luna the Thin Controller felt the same way and they wanted more than ever to help sort out this mess. But with the increasing work load they were finding it very hard to sort out Sir Handel's and Duke's feud. The thin controller and Princess Luna thought it would be best for them to work apart for a while on opposite ends of the line. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were also worried as well. At Tidmouth Hotel, the ponies were in the rec room with the main 6 drivers

Fluttershy: Oh dear. I wish there was something to help the Mid Sodor family to be reunited again

Mr. Hoskins: Your right this has to be stopped

Rainbow Dash: I know what you mean Fluttershy. There's just gotta be something to do to end the feud between Duke and Sir Handel.

Mr. Thompson: Same here Rainbow Dash. There's got to be something, but what could be.

Applejack: Ah know. Duke, Peter Sam, Freddie and Sir Handel are family.

Mr. Holden: Your right Applejack. Families may have their moments minor debates, but never have I seen one where it breaks there family apart.

Rarity: I know. It's just heartbreaking to see them all in such a shambled state.

Miss Ravens: It makes me want to cry seeing Sir Handel and Duke at each other's throats and especially Peter Sam. It's bad enough that he lost his girlfriend, but losing his family bond is just down right depressing.

Pinkie Pie: We must find a way to restore the MSR family!

Twilight Sparkle: Yes Pinkie Pie, your right. But we've got find out how.

Mr Roberts: It's getting late everyone. We should sleep on that.

(Pinkie Pie does a bunch of random actions.)

Mr Hawkins: So you are going to sleep on it, or your not?

Pinkie Pie: Uh, yes! Obviously! That's why I wrote out 'reunite the MSR trio' on a bit of paper, then placed it under my mattress, then got in my PJs, then got into bed when I put the mattress back, and fell asleep in my bed. Only I can't do the last part yet because you woke me.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh, right.

Narrator Peter Sam: Later, the ponies and drivers were all sound asleep peacefully. Mr. Holden was sleeping well, but then he had a terrible nightmare.

(Mr. Holden's nightmare)

Narrator Peter Sam: One moment Mr. Holden found himself in the cockpit of an old fashioned Sopwith Camel Biplane Fighter.

Mr Holden: (Through flashback) How did you know this?

Peter Sam: (Through flashback) You told me about it.

Mr Holden: (Through flashback) Oh.

Mr. Holden: Huh? What the?

Narrator Peter Sam: The next he heard a the terrifying sound of an air raid siren. Then he that he was flying with a whole squadron of Sopwith camels and right next to him was his father James Angus Holden. Then he realised he wasn't on Sodor or in the present, he was on the coast line near England 1917, the same year his father was killed high up in the clouds and there was the zeppelin on it's course to destroy England.

James Holden: (Shouting to his wingmen including his son) ALRIGHT LADS! SUDRIA and 5 FOLLOW ME IN!

Mr. Holden: YOU GOT IT FATHER!

Narrator Peter Sam: Mr. Holden flew alongside his father, not leaving his side. He was not going to let his father die by the Fokker tri plane. The rest of the squadron split into two pairs each following there flight leaders. James Holden, Mr. Holden and Sudrian 3 all opened fire on the zeppelin, gunnery crews fired but the Holden's put up a more valiant fight!

James Holden: Sudrian boys attack pattern S now!

Mr. Holden: What the… What's attack pattern s

James Holden: Pull up!

Narrator Peter Sam: Mr. Holden quickly pulled up almost crashing into the zeppelin.

Mr. Holden: Whoa! Oh that was close one! Whew!

Narrator Peter Sam: Then then the two Holdens and Sudrians 3, 4 and 5 all dived in for another attack run. They opened fire on the zeppelin again when suddenly Sudrian 4 gave scream of agony and his plane went down in smoke and flames!

Mr. Holden: WHOA!

Narrator: Then a group of German FokkerDR1 triplanes Albatross D.3's and Fokker D7's came dive bombing down onto them.

James Holden: Boys! We've got company!

Narrator: James Holden then Signaled to Mr. Holden and Sudrian's 3 and 5. They along with the rest of the squadron soon began to engage the escort fighters high high in the skies above the zeppelin. Mr. Holden and his father shot down several of the enemy aircraft they soon found the red tri plane and Mr. Holden and his father gave chase the tri plane to evade them and tried to attack the red tri plane fought but ran out of tricks. The Holden's both opened fire and trailed black smoke and flying crippled the triplane retreated and fled from the battle.

James Holden: NICE SHOT KID!

Mr. Holden: Thanks dad. Now lets get that zeppelin

Narrator Peter Sam: And they flew back fighting their way through wave after wave of enemy aircraft, but suddenly as they began to attack the zeppelin again, a gigantic black cloud with dark lighting just seemed to fallout from the sky. Suddenly, a dark shadowy pony emerged from the cloud. It was a dark evil looking Alicorn that Mr. Holden or James Holden had never saw before but terrified Mr. Holden. Everywhere she flew, she shot beams of dark magic everywhere, killing pilots exploding aircraft's causing planes to crash from both the allies and enemies whilst only a few of them narrowly escaped badly crippled. Others stayed to fight like Mr. Holden and his father James Holden with Sudrian's 3 and 5, but those who stayed never escaped her wrath. The sudrian squadron chased her down, shoot bullets at her fighting bravely but she used a shield spell to ricochet the bullets away from her. She then circled round and began firing her evil spell to killed the pilots. The sudrian squadron all flew in dodging them as best as they could, but sudrian's 3 and 5 were shot down and killed in the pilots seats as other pilots fell victim to her dark magic planes exploding and pilots blasted to death. The dark Alicorn laughed and laughed sinfully at every victim she had killed. (Shudders) Glad that this is only a dream.

Mr Holden: (Through flashback) Agreed.

Evil Alicorn: Hahahahaahaha! Typical these humans as are weak and feeble as Celestia and little ponies of Equestria, even with their little war machines.

Narrator Peter Sam: Mr. Holden's father was very angry and chased her down. He shoot madly at her to no prevail.

Mr. Holden: NO! DAD!

Narrator Peter Sam: Mr. Holden quickly flew in to try and save his father. The dark Alicorn twisted and rolled as she was perused by Mr. Holden's father. Mr. Holden thought that whilst his father was distracting the dark alicorn he could take her out with his machine guns. Soon the dark alicorn appeared in sight. Mr. Holden clicked the trigger but nothing happened. He frantically pulled the trigger again and again but still nothing happened. His vickers machine gun had jammed.

Mr. Holden: No! come on! Not now! (Frantically clicking the trigger)

Narrator Peter Sam: Then the dark Alicorn did a half loop flew towards Mr. Holden's father, laughing deviously.

Evil alicorn: hahahahahahaha! How brave of you! Fighting a war but yet you still have fears! I can see a little boy and his mother all crying for the loss of there daddy and the see a little boy all alone without his parents. HEHEHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Narrator: Mr. Holden's father fired and fired again but the bullets just bounced off her magic shield spell. She then charged up her magic.

Evil alicorn: Say goodbye to your worthless sorry excuse for a family and son! I'll be paying your boy a visit soon enough. Me and him will the nights of our lives hehehahaha!

Narrator Peter Sam: Then with powerful blast of dark magic, she blew Mr. Holden's fathers plane's engine out and then immediately shot Mr. Holden's father with another dark magic beam piercing his heart. His father flew back knowing he was done for flew up shut engine off and his plane spiraled in flames and crashed into the zeppelin in a mighty explosion. The dark alicorn laughing evilly at a tear stricken Mr. Holden.

Dark Alicorn: hahahahaha! Don't be sad William Holden. You'll be seeing him right now!

Narrator Peter Sam: She charged her evil magic spell. Mr. Holden tried hard to unjam his machine but It was far too late. The dark alicorn charged her beam to full power and fired.

Mr. Holden: No… Nooo….

(Nightmare ending)

Mr. Holden: (Waking with terror) NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Narrator Peter Sam: Then suddenly, Mr. Holden's door burst open and the mane 6 ponies and the main 6 drivers all came in all dressed in pyjamas, bathrobes and night gowns. All of them looking worried..

Twilight Sparkle: William!

Mr. Holden: (Breath heavy surprised) Twilight, girls, guys? Oh thank heavens you guys.

Applejack: Simmer down Will. We're all here.

Narrator Peter Sam: Mr. Holden was by now breathing heavily. His breaths were trembling, he was palpitating and shaking nervously. His was painfully pale. He tried to speak but his throat had ran dry and tears of fright ran down his face. Miss Ravens hugged him tightly.

Miss Ravens: There there now. It's okay. It'll be okay. Applejack is right. We're all right here.

Mr. Hawkins: Pinkie Pie, go get some water quick.

Pinkie Pie: Yes Mike!

Narrator Peter Sam: And Pinkie Pie dashed down to the kitchen and came back carrying a pitcher full of water and glass of water. Mr. Roberts poured a glass for him and he guzzled it down and coughed.

Miss Ravens: Easy now. Drink it slowly.

Narrator Peter Sam: Fluttershy poured another glass of water and this time, Mr. Holden drank it slowly.

Fluttershy: That's it. Nice and slowly. You don't want to choke yourself.

Mr. Hoskins: Fluttershy's right. Just take it easy and drink the water slowly. (Pours another glass of water and handed to Mr. Holden)

Mr. Holden: Thank you mate, (Drinks the water in sips.) I'm sorry I woke you guys up, especially you Rarity. I know how you like to have a good quiet sleep.

Rarity: Oh that's alright, that's alright. I was very worried about you.

Mr. Thompson: We were all worried about you.

Mr. Roberts: Yeah. What happened to you?

Rainbow Dash: Did someone try to kill you? I'll get for them!

Mr. Holden: (Badly shaken) No, nobody tried to kill me.

Rarity: But what happened then? We all heard scream bloody murder from all the way down the hallway

Twilight Sparkle: Yeah. You look as though you've seen a ghost

Mr. Holden: (Gulp) I had very nasty nightmare.

Miss Ravens: Oh dear. What was it about?

Mr. Holden: I dreamed I was flying in the same flying squadron that my father was in during world war one and we were in the same battle that claimed my fathers life.

Miss Ravens: Oh I see. You mean by that red triplane.

Mr. Holden: Yes, but in this one, we managed to down the triplane and I thought it was good dream at first, but then became worse and worse

Mr. Hawkins: Oh my goodness! What on earth happened.

Mr. Holden: A dark cloud appeared as me and my father went to attack the zeppelin and a dark evil alicorn appeared out of the cloud started killing every pilot. A few of them escaped me and my father fought her as best as we could. I tried so hard to save him but my gun jammed and taunting a laughing at my father. He still managed to sacrifice himself to destroy the zeppelin and then the dark alicorn came to me taunted and laughed at me about my father's demises and then she tried to kill me.

Fluttershy: Oh my…

Miss Ravens: Goodness. That is a nightmare.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh my goodness. You can say that again.

Mr. Holden: I know. What scared me more was the realism of it. That dream felt so vivid.

Applejack: Well, at least your still safe and sound here in 1989.

Miss Ravens: That's right and just remember, you and I were still children during the first world and we were with my father and our mothers. To this day, I'm still scratching my head on how my father avoided being drafted in.

Mr. Holden: Yeah, your right. So how could I be flying with my father?

Mr. Roberts: That's right. You don't mind if we all go to bed?

Mr. Holden: Oh that's alright. I don't want to keep you guys up.

Narrator Peter Sam: Everyone left the room, but Twilight Sparkle and Miss Ravens remained very thoughtful as they went to bed and so did poor Mr. Holden who was so shaken that he could not go back to sleep for the remainder of the night.

I can't believe I didn't upload this on ANZAC day. It would have been perfect for it. Anyway, look out for 'Luna Takes Action'.