Author's notes: About time Terrence got some more time in the spotlight again. I like how this turned out. Quite simple, but well done.

Terrence Takes A Bath

Narrator: Thomas' branchline has hault nearby where the Kindley's live. This is called Hackenback. Close to the short wooden platform the line cross a little stream which in winter becomes swollen by water from hills and from the rain. One January, it rained for almost a week without stopping, the water level rose in the stream, but no one and nopony realised that a large tree branch had broken off a tree and had gotten itself wedged on the sides of the bridge. Eventually, rubbish such as broken branches and some bushes swept against it forming a dam and the water collecting up behind the dam threatened to wash the bridge away. A passenger on Toby's morning train noticed it first when they stopped at Hackenback station and informed Mr. Holden and Applejack.

Passenger: Excuse me Applejack, Mr. Holden? Call me crazy, but water on one side of the bridge is higher than the other side.

Applejack: Huh? Now what in the hay is that supposes to mean?

Mr. Holden: I think I've got a good idea what that means. It sounds like trouble. You'd better come with me applejack we'll go and investigate.

Narrator: So Mr. Holden and Applejack climbed down from Toby and went to examine the situation.

Mr. Holden: Jiminy Crickets! There's a big tree branch blocking the other side of the stream. If we don't clear that, the bridge might get swept away. We'd better warn the stationmaster at Ffarquharr about this.

Applejack: Good idea Mr. Holden.

Narrator: They climbed back into Toby and set off to Ffarquhar. When they arrived, Applejack, Mr. Holden and Toby all told the stationmaster what had happened at Hackenback, but the stationmaster didn't know what to do.

Ffarquhar stationmaster: Well I don't know how we're going to shift that blockage. There's no roads so we can't get a crane out there.

Applejack: Ah can probably shift that there branch, Joe.

Joe: No. You're needed with Toby, Applejack.

Toby: Oy! I got an idea. Couldn't Terrence with his caterpillar tracks pull whatever it is out? I know he and Spike will work splendidly.

Joe: That's a great idea Toby. I'll telephone Spike and Terrence's owner farmer trotter right away.

Narrator: At Farmer Trotter's farm, Spike and Farmer Trotter were having coffee together, though Spike didn't fancy it that much.

Spike: Uh, Mr. Farmer Trotter? Do you have any sugar or cream?

Farmer Trotter: Oh, sorry mate. Here you are 2 lumps of sugar and table spoon of cream. Better?

Spike: (Drinks coffee) Ahhh. Much better.

Narrator: Just then, telephone rang and Farmer Trotter went to answer it. He returned shortly.

Spike: What was that about Farmer Trotter?

Farmer Trotter: We got ourselves a job. We need to clear a blockage at the bridge near Hackenback. Let's go get Terrence

Spike: Right away Farmer Trotter.

Narrator: So they got Terrence and went off to Hackenback. When they arrived on sight, Spike, Farmer Trotter and some workermen set to work. At last, after some cold damp work, the men fixed the outer end of Terrence's tow rope to the tree, and as soon as Spike checked to see that all was safe, they were ready.

Farmer Trotter: Alright Terrence, off you go now. Gently does it.

Narrator: Spike climbed back on board Terrence beside Farmer Trotter.

Workmen: Ready! Heave!

Narrator: Farmer Trotter put Terrence into gear and Terrence pulled hard. He tugged and he slipped and he slipped and tugged, and slowly the blockage came free, just as Percy crossed the bridge with some empty trucks from the harbour. Pinkie Pie and Mr. Roberts were with him too.

Percy: Hooray! Terrence has got the blockage free! Nice job Terrence, nice job Farmer Trotter and nice job there Spike!

Pinkie Pie: Yippie! (Tail twitches) Huh?

Mr. Roberts: Uh oh! Brace yourself Percy. It's a twitchy tail!

Percy: What!? Oh no! Not me not a twitchy tail! I bet the bridge is going to fall!

Narrator: Percy hurried away before something fell on him and incase the bridge did fall. Spike heard it too.

Spike: Twitchy tai…. TWITCHY TAIL! SOMETHINGS GONNA FALL! RUN FOR LIVES!

Narrator: And he took off like a jack rabbit behind a tree, but it wasn't the bridge that fell nor was it going to be something landing on Percy. It was Terrence. Suddenly, as Spike ran to take cover and before Terrence and Farmer Trotter knew it, there was jerk. Terrence's balance shifted and all at once the banks beneath his caterpillar tracks collapse and slid into the water taking Terrence with it

Terrence: OOOHHH! Help! I don't want a bath!

Narrator: But it was too late. Terrence tobogganed helplessly down and slithered into the stream. Farmer Trotter tried every trick he knew and Spike tried to pull and push him free and failing miserably several times over, but it was no good. Terrence's caterpillar tracks just churned the soil mixed with the water into mud. He stuck fast and stayed firmly stuck in the stream. The bridge was safe, but unfortunately Terrence wasn't. He was wet, cold and very miserable.

Spike: Great! Now what we do?

Workmen: We'll need the breakdown train, quickly.

Narrator: So he ran to station and told stationmaster what had happened and the stationmaster telephoned the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia. At Knapford Junction, Thomas, Twilight Sparkle and Mr. Hawkins were waiting to start they're journey up when the stationmaster up looking worried.

Stationmaster: Oh thank goodness your still here Thomas, Twilight Sparkle and Mr. Hawkins.

Mr. Hawkins: Why? What's the matter, Bob?

Bob: We need you to head to Tidmouth right away.

Thomas: Tidmouth? I wonder what for.

Bob: There's been an accident at Hackenback. We need you guys to fetch the breakdown train! Hurry! We'll have Percy, Mr. Roberts and Pinkie Pie take the up train for you.

Narrator: Twilight's eyes goggled with horror.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh no! That's where Spike, Terrence and Farmer Trotter were working to clear that branch out of the bridge. Quick, there's no time to lose.

Narrator: Thomas quickly made his way over to Tidmouth. Twilight coupled him to the breakdown train and they hurried away.

Thomas: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! I hope none of the engines are hurt.

Mr. Hawkins: And I hope none of our driver friends our hurt either.

Twilight Sparkle: And I hope nopony or Spike Farmer trotter and Terrence aren't hurt.

Narrator: Presently, they arrived at Hackenback and Thomas saw the situation and to Twilight's, relief Spike wasn't hurt. After the breakdown train was lifted into position, Thomas waited anxiously as Terrence was lifted back onto firm ground. Terrence was very grateful.

Terrence: Thanks Thomas, Twilight Sparkle.

Spike: Oh thank you Twilight. (Hugs Twilight)

Terrence: I'll do the same for you one day.

Spike: That makes two of us, Twilight.

Narrator: Thomas and Twilight grinned.

Twilight Sparkle: But you already did, that goes triple for you Spike. Remember that time you helped me catch up with Edward's train with Bertie the bus? And don't forget your bravery at the Crystal Empire, twice.

Thomas: That's right, and remember that time you pulled me out of the snow?

Thomas/Twilight: I say that makes us quits.

Terrence: Right you are, Thomas.

Spike: You got it Twilight.

Narrator: Terrence was taken to the Ffarquhar where a breakdown lorry took him to the garage. Spike went to his next job with Bertie the bus and Thomas, Twilight and Mr. Hawkins went to collect a train of stone trucks to take to the harbour at Knapford for Percy, Pinkie Pie and Mr Roberts, while the latter 3 took care of Thomas' passengers.

Right. Last one for the saga is 'Thomas And The Birthday Party.