Author's notes: I really like how this one turned out. It really shows how far someone can go when they want to prove themselves.

Determination

(Corvens Gate, 1990)

Sweetie Belle: My goodness. I never knew anyone to be that prissy.

Rarity: Neither have I. I know I can be overdramatic at times, but that takes the cake.

Duke: Well, I haven't finished her story yet. Her Sandel started to improve greatly after a while.

Rex: How did she, Duke?

Duke: (Chuckles) Well…

(Mid Sodor years, 1904)

Narrator: As a punishment, Her Sandel was forced to work in the mines until further noticed. She, Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens had to go down to the mines, shunt trucks and get them ready for Duke to take down to the port with Twilight Dusk and Angus Holden. She didn't like it at all and grumbled dreadfully.

Her Sandel: Ugh! I cannot believe this. I can't believe I have to work in this dirty mine with all these trucks!

Jewel: Oh come now Her Sandel! It isn't that bad.

Elizabeth Ravens: Yeah. Besides, it's a very important job!

Jewel: Need I remind you what you sound like when you whine!

Her Sandel: Alright, fine! Ugh!

Narrator: Her Sandel went about her work, grumbling bitterly. Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel weren't the only ones taking the brunt of Her Sandel's whining. Albert and Falcon along with Angus Holden, Sky Dasher and Zap Apple had to take most of the brunt of her complaining as well, particularly Albert, who often had a very bad temper.

(Her Sandel shunting her trucks passing Albert and Falcon)

Her Sandel: Ugh! I do wish you mongrels would at least think about being clean for once in your lives. Hmph!

Falcon: I beg your pardon, but that was very uncalled for!

Sky Dasher: Hey, you apologise right now!

Albert: Well you're no prize yourself. You're just as filthy as we are!

Zap Apple: Albert, don't start that up. You're only making it worse. All the same, you better watch your manners miss Her Sandel.

Her Sandel: Filthy, am I?! You're paint is grimier! And another thing, since when do you tell me what to do little miss pony.

Narrator: Then Albert was more rude than ever before.

Albert: (Crossly) AT LEAST I'M NOT CHEAPLY MADE, PATHETIC COPYCAT LIKE YOU!

Narrator: Her Sandel stopped in shocked by what he said. That was one fact that she couldn't ignore. She was built on the same plans as Falcon and Albert were but she was built by a different company. She felt very hurt.

Zap Apple: (Shocked and Cross) ALBERT! Now you're out of line!

Narrator: Albert just laughed as he looked at Her Sandel's downcast face.

Albert: Pahahahahaha! I think we've finally found a way to shut this annoying, whining copycat up! Now you better stay out of my way keep your spoiled mouth shut!

Narrator: Falcon, Zap Apple, Sky Dasher, Elizabeth Ravens and Angus Holden were shocked as Albert puffed away laughing rudely, leaving a very sad and hurt Her Sandel. The months passed and now the Mines became more busier than ever. Falcon had passed his trials and was now being tested on the mainline, leaving Her Sandel and Albert to work mines without Falcon. Her Sandel was very cross. She was jealous of Falcon for becoming a mainline engine and she was very cross with having to work with Albert who kept on berating her for being a 'cheaply built copycat'. Her Sandel wished more than ever to get away from the mines as far as possible.

Her Sandel: Oh, it's not fair!

Jewel: Oh for goodness sake! What is it now?

Her Sandel: Falcon gets to work the mainline whilst I'm stuck with working the mines with the most meanest engine here! I really wish I could just get one more chance and try again.

Elizabeth Ravens: Well, the only way you're going to do that is to show the manager more determination to do you're jobs properly.

Narrator: Her Sandel thought.

Her Sandel: You know, I think maybe right. I'll try. I just want to get away from Albert's rudeness.

Narrator: Her Sandel kept working hard at the mines. Albert kept on bullying her but she just took it in her stride.

Her Sandel: I may be a copycat, but I'm going to give it everything I have to prove I'm a useful engine.

Jewel: That's the spirit Her Sandel. Just keep it up!

Narrator: One day, the manager came up to the mines with urgent news.

Manager: Albert, Her Sandel, Falcon is away being overhauled he had a near accident on the mountain road and needs to be refitted. So in his absence, I will need a volunteer to help take his trains for him.

Narrator: Her Sandel immediately took this opportunity to redeem herself.

Her Sandel: Please Sir. I'll do it Sir!

Narrator: The manager looked thoughtful.

Her Sandel: Oh please Sir. I am sorry I was troublesome before. I will try to be different.

Manager: Very well then. I can see you are sorry and that you want to be a better engine. You shall be given another chance. I want you to take Falcon's express train, 'The Flying Falcon'. It is waiting at the platform at Alresburgh.

Narrator: Her Sandel was delighted and puffed away to collect the coaches. It was the height of the summer holiday season. Many visitors from London, Scotland, Wales and the Isle Of Man were flooding platform. Her Sandel puffed carefully over the points and towards the platform.

Elizabeth Ravens: Easy now Her Sandel. Steady now.

Her Sandel: Yes Elizabeth Ravens. I understand.

Jewel: That's a good engine. Just keep it up.

Narrator: They arrived at the platform and Jewel coupled Her Sandel to the train. The passengers climbed aboard, the guards green flag waved and Her Sandel pulled slowly out of the station and out to the open line. Her Sandel did her best as she puffed along the line,

Her Sandel: I'll do my best! I'll do my best!

Narrator: Duke Twilight Sparkle and Angus Holden were all waiting with the picnic at Marthwaite station when Her Sandel came into view. Duke was impressed.

Duke: Well done Her Sandel! You definitely would suit his grace.

Twilight Dusk: Keep at it. You're doing great!

Angus Holden: Well, done don't give in! You're doing absolutely brilliantly!

Narrator: Now Her Sandel was fired with determination! Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel were very impressed.

Jewel: By Jov. What a show. We're making great time! Keep it up Her Sandel darling!

Elizabeth Ravens: That'a a girl Her Sandel. Keep it up!

Narrator: Her Sandel steamed through the woods at a great pace, gathering speed as she puffed on.

Her Sandel: First rate! First rate! First…. Whoa!

Narrator: Suddenly, taken by surprise, she suddenly felt herself bouncing and lurching.

Elizabeth Ravens: Steady girl. Steady!

Her Sandel: I'm trying. I'm trying.

Narrator: And this time, she really meant it. Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens fought for control but it was too late. As they passed under the stone bridge, Her Sandel lurched violently and she came off the rails. Her Sandel felt terrible.

Her Sandel: (Sadly) Oh dear, there goes my last chance.

Narrator: But Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens could see she was really trying her best and were not going to give up.

Jewel: Don't worry. We're not going to give up that easily.

Narrator: Luckily, they found some discarded wooden sleepers and quickly used them to help lever Her Sandel back onto the rails. With the help Jewel's magic Her Sandel was put back on the rails. She was very grateful.

Her Sandel: Oh thank you Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens. We'd better get going.

Jewel: Alright, but try not to bump about like did then and we will make it.

Narrator: Soon the train was on it's way again and Her Sandel set off carefully down the line towards the top station. Her Sandel puffed with all her might, trying to make up for lost time as she climbed the mountain road. Then it seemed to come to a depressing end when she began to bounce again as they neared the exit of the second tunnel, but Her Sandel was now very determined to get the train to the top station safely.

Her Sandel: I'm not going to blow it again. I will make it!

Narrator: With that, Her Sandel slowed down and the rocking motion stopped as she carefully glided along the difficult curve. Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens cheered.

Elizabeth Ravens/Jewel: Well done Her Sandel! Just keep it steady now and we'll do it.

Narrator: The manager was waiting anxiously at King Orry's Bridge station. He was just about to regret giving Her Sandel a second chance when a blessed whistle sounded in the distance. A tired but triumphant Her Sandel glided safely into the station.

Her Sandel: I've done it!

Narrator: Elizabeth Ravens checked the watch and they made it just in time. Then they told the manager what had happened and the manager congratulated Her Sandel.

Manager: Well done Her Sandel You've given it everything you had, even though you derailed once, but I'm willing to let that slide. Thank you for getting the train to the top station safely.

Her Sandel: (Panting) Thank you Sir.

Narrator: The passengers cheered loudly and thanked Her Sandel, Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens. The manager boarded the train, the guards whistle blew and Her Sandel set off carefully down to the bottom station. She was now extra careful all day and they arrived safely to Alresburgh and we're greeted with cheers from passengers Twilight Dusk, Angus Holden and Duke. The manager came up smiling at Her Sandel.

Manager: Congratulations Her Sandel. You've passed your trials and you are now a mainline engine.

Narrator: Her Sandel still felt nervous.

Her Sandel: But that derailment. It…

Manager: …Was not your fault. You've proved you're money's worth, but you'll need to be refitted.

Her Sandel: What do you mean?

Manager: When we trailed Falcon with Duke on the Mountain Road, we found out that there was major flaw involving Falcon's cab. It gave them instability and it lead to derailments from rough riding. I sent him to be refitted with a new cab and trailing wheels to help give him more stability. At first the board thought I had gone mad and didn't believe it, but with your performance today my theory has proven correct. And so as a reward for your outstanding effort, you shall be going to the Falcon Locomotive works at Loughborough to be refitted with a new cab and trailing wheels to help enhance you're performance once Falcon has returned next year.

Her Sandel: Oh thank you sir.

Narrator: Her Sandel felt happier than she had been in months.

Next story is 'A Proud Day For Her Sandel'. There will be an adorable surprise at the end of that story.