Author's notes: Not too much had changed about the story, except the part with the manager near the very end of the flashback. I thought that the way it was handled was far too cruel to be honest.

Stanley

(Crovans Gate, 1990)

Narrator: The engines, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Hoskins and the ponies all stood in shock.

Duke: And that's what manager did. Albert was put into the back of the sheds and was taken apart piece by piece over time. Me and the other engines, including Falcon, often felt quite guilty about accepting his…ahem… spares, but manager was right in his decision. (Sad sigh) It's a pity though. He did learn his lesson, just a shame it was too late for poor Albert.

Narrator: The following morning, Rex was conversing with the Skarloey railway engines, the main 6 drivers, the main 6 ponies and the little foal ponies again and was asking Duke more questions about the Mid Sodor Railway, much to the annoyance of Duncan, Fred and Ward Fell in particular.

Duncan: Nosey little Tyke!

Skarloey: Now now Duncan, there's nothing wrong with him knowing about the old Mid Sodor line.

Pipsqueak: Yeah, come on. Cut him some slack.

Sweetie Belle: I like to learn about the MSR Too.

William: So do I. It's very fascinating.

Rachel: Same here. After all, learning about the existence of one of the old lines on Sodor is important.

Apple Bloom: Hmph. From the way you sound, you must be a might bit sore after last night's argument.

Babs Seed: He sure does cousin.

Narrator: And Apple Bloom and Babs Seed laughed and laughed.

Sir Handel: My goodness Duncan, your arrogant tongue reminds me that of one of our number 2 engines, Stanley!

Narrator: Babs Seed's eyes widened in horror as Rex glanced over at Duke in hope of an answer. Babs was frightened.

Rex/Duncan: And who, I ask, was Stanley?

Sir Handel: Well, I didn't know him, as I was on overhaul for the amount of time that he was there. But Duke told me and Peter Sam that he was an arrog….

Narrator: But before Sir Handel could finish Duke, stopped him mid-sentence.

Duke: Ahem! If you don't mind, I'll tell the Stanley story since I know the truth better than you youngins will. But, let me begin with a confession.

Peter Sam/Sir Handel: (Baffled) Huh?

Peter Sam: Granpuff, what do you mean?

Sir Handel: Surely Peter Sam, we would know this by heart. Duke's told us this several times over.

Peter Sam: My thoughts exactly, Sir Handel.

Duke: I will admit, that Stanley was a quite a handful at times but there was more to the story behind why the manager took away his wheels. To be fair, it wasn't entirely poor Stanley's fault. It also involved a young little pony as well.

Narrator: Peter Sam and Sir Handel were shocked. For years they thought Duke told them everything there was to know about Stanley and his infamous downfall and it had been swept away. They didn't know what to say. Apple Bloom then noticed her cousin Babs Seed staring in horror.

Apple Bloom: Uh, Babs Seed? Are you alright?

Babs Seed: (Apprehensive) Oh, uh, yeah, yeah. I'm fit as fiddle… I haven't even heard the story about Stanley. Yeah. Stanley who?

Applebloom: Uh, okay then? Duke, what happened to Stanley.

Narrator: Duke cleared his throat and this was the story of Stanley's downfall.

(Mid Sodor 1919)

Narrator: One day, The Mid Sodor Railway was facing hard times the railway was trying to recuperate after the war rush. One day, Duke was puffing along the line when he saw a young filly standing all alone and sad.

Duke: Hullo there. Are you lost?

Filly: Yipe! It talks!

Duke: Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you. Now then, are you lost or something?

Filly: Yeah, I guess so. Mind givin' me a lift?

Duke: I don't mind. Just climb into the brake van. Say, would you like a job here on the Mid Sodor Railway?

Filly: Uh yeah. Sure whatever. I'll take it.

Duke: Oh okay. Yeah, I'll speak to the manager. (In his mind) Well now, that was blunt.

Narrator: Soon Duke arrived back and told the manager all about the lost filly.

Manager: Sure, perhaps she can be useful. I hope.

Narrator: Soon she was trailed on Duke and soon made the acquaintance of Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens and needless she was not too fond of Duke at all lecturing her on how to run the line.

Duke: Be careful. You nearly derailed me at that crossover…

Filly: Alright, alright, alright already. Sheesh! You told me that eight times.

Duke: You still aren't paying good attention. You need to keep a good lookout in order…

Filly: For the hundredth time, for cryin' out loud, in order to make trains run safely.

Narrator: Duke was having doubts about the little filly. Just then, the manager came one day and spoke to Duke and the little filly.

Manager: We're expecting a new engine called Stanley to come in tomorrow. We hope he can help to keep the mainline running properly, but I must be quite honest with you all. We've bought second hand from the war department and I haven't heard good things about these engines, so I fear could be a loose cannon.

Duke: I understand completely sir.

Filly: Ah no, not another grouchy old buzzard.

Duke: Mind you're manners young filly. That would never suit his grace.

Narrator: Duke prepared for the worst and he was right to do so. When the engine arrived, Duke immediately found him difficult to deal with. He was cocky, stubborn and a complete arrogant pig.

Duke: Alright. You must be very careful. You're not in war zone now so there's no need to be rough and rude. Young pony. Manager says you'll be driving him so you be careful too.

Narrator: The filly fuming angrily was about to retort when the other engine spoke first and when she heard him he sounded like a choir of angels to her.

Stanley: Hey Bud! You needn't tell me how to run this line! I ran through trenches over bad track. I've steamed through mud, rain and snow without a hitch!

Filly: Alright. Now that's an engine I can work with !

Stanley: Heheheh. Welcome aboard kid. You know, I like you already kid. We ain't gonna take any orders from that old geezer! Now then, let's go find them darn freight cars!

Filly: With pleasure (To Duke) Smell you later, chump!

Narrator: Stanley puffed up the line with the filly, both of which were laughing rudely at Duke.

Duke: Oh dear. He won't last long. I can feel it in my frames.

Narrator: Marie Ravens was skeptical of the new acquisition as well.

Marie Ravens: Oh dear. I know all about his type of engine, he is a 4-6-0PT W.D 10-12-D class. Originally his class was going to be built by the war department during the war, however with the war raging on in the western front of Europe, the War Department decided that it would be cheaper to have these engines built in the united states to save money for Arms, explosives and munitions, so Baldwin and Alco locomotive works decided to take the job and judging from his builder's plates he's from America. However, paying for cheap labor does not go without consequences. He and his class were rushed and carelessly built from top to bottom. In 1917, they were immediately sent overseas to the western front of war torn Europe. By the numbers to run along crudely built trench railways through war torn battlefields and trench lines in all kinds of weather and elements. Because his class design was not properly built due to cheap labor during the war, nobody expected them to outlast the war. However, we were wrong. Many had survived and now that the war is now over these engines need to disposed of and now railways like ours and that one railway near the Ffestiniog Railway called the Welsh Highland Railway have to suffer the brunt of these engines.

Duke: I heartily agree with you Mrs. Marie Ravens. Cheaply built, cheap quality and cheaply scrapped. If he doesn't mind himself, especially since he's now brain washed, that little filly, he will come to a sorry end.

Narrator: And they were right. By early afternoon, Stanley had come a cropper and the manager was flustered.

Manager: Ugh! Duke, I need you and Marie Ravens to take a a breakdown gang down the line that dratted new engines has gone and derailed himself completely.

Narrator: All young engines and even ponies do make mistakes so Duke was eager to help and not be so harsh.

Elizabeth Ravens: Oh thank goodness Duke. You're here… ugh! I'm getting to old for this sort engine.

Marie Ravens: Oh, don't worry mum. It's not your fault.

Narrator: They easily rerailed Stanley and brought him back to the sheds where Duke spoke severely to Stanley and the little filly.

Duke: This won't do youngings. You two will be on passenger workings by my side and we must keep the trains running efficiently. Mishaps like these would not suit his grace at all!

Narrator: But Stanley and the filly just ignored him completely.

Stanley: Listen buddy. I'll do things my way, Capiche. During the days of the war, if we made one derailment on one trip, it was an achievement.

Filly: Ah yeah. You tell him Stanley. Tell that old coot we ain't taken his orders anymore!

Duke: (Sighs) Oh dear.

Narrator: A few weeks later, Duke was to double-head the picnic with Stanley on the mountain road. Marie Ravens drove Stanley whilst Elizabeth Ravens drove Duke. It was a lovely spring morning.

Duke: Right now listen carefully we appreciate your helping on passenger duties, but Manager will not trust you unless you are mature enough to handle this job.

Marie Ravens: And that goes double with you, young pony!

Duke: You two need to go slowly. Pay attention and keep you're eyes peeled on the track.

Stanley/Filly: AH, GIVE IT A REST YOU GROUCHY OLD BUZZARD! We are mature enough!

Elizabeth Ravens/Marie Ravens: Oh for the love of pete!

Duke: Not again.

Stanley: While you were busy puffing round you stupid little mining line, I was racing and tearing through the war torn battlefields of the western front of the European continent!

Filly: Yeah, and I was beaten foals up in school yards, play grounds and dark alleyways.

Stanley/Filly: Maturity, pah! Don't make us laugh. This is gonna be a walk in park, so quit your boiler achin!.

Narrator: Duke seethed with rage at the filly's and Stanley's ignorance. So away they went. They got through the first section along the woods very well without any incident and Duke began to think that Stanley and the young filly were beginning to behave themselves. He began to calm down afterwards but it didn't last long. Duke and Stanley reached the works station and left in good time but on unease corner disaster struck. With a loud clang and screech of metal the train ground to a stop..

(Stanley derails)

Duke: What in the Thunderation?!

Narrator: Duke looked on in utter dispbelief .

Duke/Elizabeth Ravens/Marie Ravens: I don't believe it.

Narrator: Stanley stood tilted to the left side derailed again.

Marie Ravens: OH FOR PETE SAKE STANLEY!

Stanley: Hey shut up! It's these darn tracks they ain't fit for a wagon to roll on let alone engines like us!

Duke: Well somehow, I managed to maintain balance and composer as I'm still on the rails.

Filly: That's because you pushed us, you old geezer!

Stanley: Yeah, the kid's right. You did push me buddy! This is your fault! Now you get me back on the line right now!

Duke: (Enraged) I most certainly did not…

Elizabeth Ravens: Now Duke, don't waste your strength arguing with them. We need to get Stanley re-railed. Can't waste any more time to let that engine just sit there to seethe and swear.

Narrator: Fortunately, they weren't too far gone from the works station and fortunately and that a gang of workmen were on board they quickly jacked up Stanley and Duke hauled Stanley back onto the rails again with an all mighty effort….. and with very little thanks for his efforts.

Stanley: Gee Finally!

Filly: You all took you're sweet time you old goat!

Stanley: Now come on! Don't hold back gramps. Y'all make us late!

Duke: (Furious) Ooh. You impudent beasts!

Stanley/Filly: Pff, yeah yeah. Save your'e complaining.

Narrator: Without any further mishaps, they arrived in good time at the top station where the manager was waiting for them. Whilst Stanley was shunted out of the way briefly, the manager spoke warmly to Duke.

Manager: You did very well there Duke. Old reliable, that's you. That wretched engine could have seriously jeopardise today's passenger services had not been for you. Well done and thank you indeed.

Duke: Not at all sir. His grace would never approve of such bad behaviour from that engine and that pony.

Manager: You can get a drink and some coal and have a rest until your next train.

Duke: Thank you sir.

Narrator: And he and Elizabeth Ravens left. The manager was not so jovial with Stanley and the little filly however.

Manager: Bad bargain. I knew those aristorcrats would do anything to sell me some cheaply made scrapheap engine and he's now gone and made things worser by brainwashing that pony. Stanley, you are, to be blunt, a disgrace! There is absolutely no way I can trust you and that pony alone on our passenger services! You'll be taken to back of the sheds and left there perhaps a few days out of action will make you realise the state of things.

Stanley: (Rolling his eyes) Yeah! Yeah! Fine sir. Whatever you say.

Narrator: And so following the mishap on the Mountain Road, Stanley was left cold and cross at the back of the sheds in disgrace and the young filly was suspended from service until further notice. A year had passed. Elizabeth and Marie Ravens both retired and Mr. William Holden and Miss Rachel Ravens took their places and the other engines were struggling to keep up with the extra work. One morning in 1920, Duke and Miss Ravens saw that Stanley was being steamed up by Mr. Holden and the little filly was there with him just munching on an apple.

Miss Ravens: Stanley? I thought you were sent to the back of the sheds in disgrace from what my mother told me.

Stanley: Change of plans. I've been put in charge of fright duties, something I know I can handle! Right Kid?

Filly: Yeah that's right. We can handle these here uh… what do you call em? Trucks or…

Stanley: Freight cars my good buddy old pal. Heheheh. You know kid, ever since I arrived, this has been the start of a very beautiful friendship

Filly: Stanley, you're the best thing that's come to this line..

Duke: You just mind how you go with the goods work. I have grave feeling that you two are on your last straws.

Stanley: In your dreams gramps. You know as well as I do that you and this railway need me. You can say I'm an asset to the railway, right kid.

Filly: You got that right Stanley! You're an engine of war after all. With your toughness and my street smarts and toughness, we're a blessing to this railway.

Duke: Ugh! Don't say you weren't warned.

Narrator: But Stanley and the little filly pony didn't want to see sense and dismissed Duke's comment. The two were happy the way they were and didn't care what anyone else thought or what they did. But despite the duty change, the problems kept on persisting. Stanley continued on derailing at every uneasy section of tracks and as result of his carelessness. His trucks would often derail and the loads would spill all across the line.

(Stanley derails)

Mr. Holden: Not again Stanley!

Filly: Ah, leave Stanley alone, four eyes! It wasn't his fault. It was these stupid tracks that this railway has.

(Duke comes up along the puffs up along the passing siding with the breakdown train and stops next to a derailed Stanley and lazy filly drinking lemonade and a very aggravated Mr. Holden trying to re-rail him with a strong stick)

Miss Ravens: Oh dear. He derailed again.

Mr. Holden: Yep and I have to clean it up all by myself because that pony won't help me.

Miss Ravens: And why ever not? Oy! You there little filly! You should be helping Mr. Holden not lazing about.

Filly: Ah shut up! I'm too small to lift Stanley up and I'm drinkin' my lemonade and besides, Mr. Holden needs the exercise too!

Mr. Holden: (Angry) Yeah, you guys have been making me get exercises 5 blinking months!

Filly: Ah, shut up and quit belly aching! Then when you're done with that, you can start re railing the freight cars and reloading the loads!

Mr. Holden: Ugh! There called trucks, and would you mind putting down you're lemonade and lend me a hand.

Filly: Sorry I can't !

Mr. Holden: What?! Why ever not!

Filly: Well, one I'm enjoying my lemonade and talkin with Stanley and two, I've got no hands hahahahaha.

Stanley: Ahahahahahahaha! Oh, good one kid!

Filly: Hehehahahaha. Ah thanks Stan… you're my bestest friend a pony could ever ask for.

Stanley: And you're the bestest friend an engine could ever ask for, kid!

Miss Ravens: Ugh! Here, let me help you out William, before you collapse from heat exhaustion.

Mr. Holden: (Panting and sweating) Thanks Rachel…

(Stanley and his train are rerailed)

Duke: One or two accidents are enough, but not this many.

Stanley: Listen bud. Back in the states, we couldn't care a dime for a few spills.

Duke: Well we do here!

Stanley: Yeah, so me and the my good pal here noticed you should calmed down and relax.

Duke: Try telling that to the manager.

Filly: Yeah, whatever ya old geezer!

Narrator: In the end, the Manager relegated Stanley to work regularly on the daily slow goods train service called the "Horse and Cart" nicknamed by Traders and Travelers because it covered the line at a slow pace. This service stopped to shunt anywhere and was allowed two and a half hours for the twenty five miles that it covered. Passengers were also carried in the brake van on payment of half ordinary third class fare, but wisely, the company did not guarantee arrival times at any station. The Manager's thinking behind this was that this would end Stanley's need for speed and thus ending his derailment spree once and for all. But this is Stanley we're talking about. Stanley continued to rush and as time went on he and the little filly became even more arrogant and cockier than ever before.

(Stanley rushing with the horse and Cart)

Mr. Holden: Whoa! Easy Stanley! Steady! There's no rush with the Horse and Cart careful Stanley. These bends are tight. Take them slowly! Steady boy! Steady!

Stanley: Ah, shut up! You may like delaying us by shunting at the stations for all hours but we need to make up the time this way!

Mr. Holden: Yes I know, but not like this… (checks his watch) I mean, look. There's plenty of time for crying out loud! So just slow down and calm down Stanley!

Filly: Oh just go and shut it four eyes! I think a brave war hero engine like Stanley here knows what he's doing!

Stanley: Yeah, you tell that loser who's boss around here kid! You and me are gonna be friends for ever kid.

Filly: You know it Stanley!

Cora: Ooohh. Be careful!

Stanley: AH, SHUT UP YA TOOL SHACK ON WHEELS!

Filly: Yeah, no back seat driven ya wooden crybaby!

Cora: (Tearstuck) You… you little devil!

Mr. Holden: Steady boy! Steady Stanley. If you keep at this speed you're gonna break something!

Narrator: But Stanley and the little filly took no notice as they kept on rattling along the line. It might have been better if they had. Stanley was heading for trouble. They had just rounded a bend when much to their surprise and horror that a flock of sheep which had broken out of a field were now blocking the line ahead of them.

Stanley: WHOA! HEY STOP! STOP! STOP! THERE'S SHEEP ON THE LINE!

Filly: (Horrified) Oh no. Quick, do something!

Mr. Holden: Oh great scot! BRAKE! BRAKE!

Trucks: On! On! On! On!

Narrator: The trucks surged forward against Stanley! The young filly and Mr. Holden fought for control but Stanley's speed and the weight of the troublesome trucks pushing behind them made things increasingly difficult. They came nearer and nearer to the sheep. Mr. Holden threw Stanley into full reverse, his wheels spinning backwards at full speed as he kept sliding on forward!

Filly: Hold them Stanley! Hold them!

Stanley: I'm tryin' kid. I'm tryin'!

Narrator: It was all or nothing now. Mr. Holden brake hard too hard by all accounts! Stanley went into screeching and squealing slide and the little filly and Mr. Holden were knocked out of Stanley's cab as Stanley left the rails landing inches away from the sheep with a loud ear piercing metal sheering crack!

(Stanley derails for the last time)

Stanley: (Pain and agony) AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHH! AAARRRGHH! AH! DANG IT! I FEEL BROKEN ALL OVER! (COUGH)

Narrator: The little filly stood in shock as she saw damage done! Then she remembered the manager and was so frightened that she ran for it!

Stanley: DANG IT! KID, COME BACK AND HELP ME PLEASE!

Filly: Sorry Stanley! I ain't gonna take the manager's wrath. He's probably gonna cut my head off and mount me on plark! I'm outta here!

Stanley: (Angry and in pain, Cough) KID, YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU WORTHLESS BLANK FLANK TRAITOR!

Narrator: Stanley had now gone too far. The little filly began to cry and soon she was flooded with rage and tears shouting at Stanley!

Filly: (Angry) FORGET IT! JUST FOR THAT YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN STANLEY! YOU AIN'T MY FRIEND ANYMORE YA BACK STABBING, ARROGANT PIG!

Stanley: (Angry and in pain) GGGGRRRR! (COUGH) CURSE YOU! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS ONE DAY KID! YOU AIN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME, YOU BLANK FLANK TRAITOR! (Cough) Arrrgghh!

Filly: (Angry) Smell you later you cheap pile of junk!

Narrator: With that, the little filly ran off into the woods tear stricken and disappeared. Her friendship with Stanley had come to a bitter end.

Stanley: (Pain and agony) Arrgh (Cough) Dang it old four eyes. Help me! Arrghh it hurts!

Mr. Holden: THAT'S WILLIAM HOLDEN TO YOU STANLEY! And if you'd obey orders and went slower like you should have done, we'd be alright. But would listen? Nnnooo! You had to be your stupid ignorant self and go and wreck the entire train! Your lucky we didn't have passengers in Cora today! Ugh! I better check you over whilst the guard goes and gets help for you, pile of junk!

Narrator: Soon enough, Duke arrived back with the breakdown train and Miss Ravens. When they saw the damage they goggled in shock. Cora the brake van and at least 4 trucks were still intact and still on the rails, whilst the rest were either sprawled across the line or piled into a smashed heap. But the damage to Stanley was even worse. Stanley's cylinder gear was damaged and his wheels were further apart from his boiler than usual he had torn his frames apart.

Duke: I don't believe it… (angry) I TOLD YOU THAT YOU'D WRECK YOURSELF! AND YOU DIDN'T LISTEN!

Narrator: Miss Ravens saw Mr. Holden covered with bruises and cuts and was worried. She jumped down to see if he was alright.

Miss Ravens: Oh my goodness! Are you alright William? What happened?

Mr. Holden: Yeah… I'm alright. Just a few cuts and bruises. Nothing serious, but I can't say the same for stupid old Stanley. This yankee buffoon was just rocking rattling down the line. I told him to knock it off when we saw the sheep on the line. I threw Stanley into full reverse in an attempt for an emergency stop, but his wheels just kept spinning backwards at full speed as we just kept on sliding forwards, which is probably what wreck the cylinder. I applied the brakes hard, but he just derailed and his frames collapsed like a house of cards. Poor Cora was tear-stuck about halfway through the journey. As for the pony, she just ran off and disappeared. Pff! It doesn't surprise me that he fell apart. Probably one of the worst piece of locomotive engineering that I ever had the displeasure of coming across.

Miss Ravens: Hmph! And to be honest, I don't blame you or Cora.

Duke: We all tried to help you see reason Stanley, but you didn't listen and now you've damaged yourself. Manager is not going to be pleased when he finds out.

Narrator: Stanley slumped on his side looking furlong. Duke Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden couldn't help but feel sorry for him. After Stanley was hoisted onto a flat truck, Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden climbed aboard Duke and took the battered and damaged Stanley to the works sheds at Arlesdale where the manager was waiting.

Manager: Good job Duke. You may go and have rest my dear engine. You deserve it after all this.

Narrator: The manager then turned grimly to Stanley and examined his shattered parts. He was not happy at all. But, he did consider that this accident was not all Stanley's fault, and talked with Mr Holden and Miss Ravens away from him.

Manager: It is a serious accident Rachel and William.

Miss Ravens: Well, what do you propose we do, sir?

Manager: I know that the accident wasn't 100% Stanley's fault, and he at least made friends with that little foal that was here. I do not want to scrap him. But, I think we'd better…

Narrator: And the manager spoke quietly to Miss Ravens and Mr Holden. They nodded sadly.

Mr Holden: Ok sir. We'll do it tomorrow

Narrator: The manager was as good as his word. The following day, the engines all watched in shock as Stanley was stripped from his cab, pannier tanks and his wheels. Then, they watched on as Atlas pushed Stanley into his new home at the back of Arlesdale work sheds and was craned into his new home to work as pumping engine.

Duke: I warned you to be careful but you took no notice. Still, you got off a lot lighter than I imagined. Goodbye youngin.

Narrator: In years to come, Duke often used the story of Stanley's down fall to teach other young and unruly engines not to misbehave as Sir Handel and Peter Sam knew all to well. Whilst Duke, Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens were all glad that Stanley was spared from worser fate, they all knew that Stanley deserved the punishment he received and deep down, Stanley and the rude little filly knew this too.

(Crovans Gate, 1990)

Narrator: The drivers barring Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden, the other engines and all the ponies were in absolute shock.

Fluttershy: Oh… My…

Sweetie Belle: My… goodness..

Pipsqueak: Cripes …

Twilight Sparkle: Holy sweet Equestria.

Applejack/Apple Bloom: Bless my apple fritters.

Big Macintosh: (Shock) Eeeyeah….

Rarity: Goodness gracious me.

Scootaloo/Rainbow Dash: Holy Cloudsdale!

Featherweight: Mother of Ponyville .

Pinkie Pie: Mother of cakes and pies!

Rex: Rattle my funnel. That was horror story.

Rachel: My goodness, that was scary.

Peter Sam: Same here, but'll it'll be alright. I'm right here Rachel my dear.

William: What became of that little pony that worked with Stanley?

Duke: Well, non of us know really. She just seemed to have vanished after Stanley's terrible wreck and we never found her again.

Narrator: Babs Seed had been looking at her hooves throughout the story and Apple Bloom saw it.

Apple Bloom: Babs, are you alright.

Narrator: It was no use. Babs couldn't hold in her secret anymore. She took a deep breath and confessed to her friends.

Babs Seed: (Sad and ashamed) I… I've met Stanley before.

Narrator: All the engines drivers and ponies stood in shock!

Everyone: (Shocked) WHAT?!

Narrator: Babs Seed began to burst into tears as she continued.

Babs Seed: (Tears, sad sigh) Duke, you remember that pony that was working with Stanley when he was still working on the MSR, right? That pony was me. Long ago, before I became a cutiemark crusader I was often bullied night and day. I was bullied a lot a school because I didn't have a cutie mark. I still don't have one, but back then I was bullied horribly in every horrible way from ponies young and old. I got laughed at made fun of, pranked in mean ways, and I… shoot I even got beaten up everywhere at school parks playgrounds even in alleyways.

Narrator: The ponies and engines were shocked.

Sir Handel: My goodness. Wha… what happened then?

Babs Seed: (Sad) Well, I had had enough of it one day and decided to run away from my home in Manehatten. I didn't want to go anywhere where there were ponies that would bully me, so I landed in the frozen north. I got cold and was looking for shelter when I suddenly fell through that portal in the rocks that connects Equestria to Sodor. I landed in Harwick in 1919, dazed and confused and when I tried to find my bearings, I had gotten lost. Then I noticed railway tracks which is where I met Duke who found me lost near the green I believe. So anyway, as Duke said, I was put on trial to work on the railway but I was very sassy to Duke because I felt he that he didn't think I wasn't good enough for him or the MSR. So when I first met Stanley seeing him dismiss Duke, I at first thought he was a role model engine who did not stand for anyone pushing him about. So we immediately became good friends much to the annoyance of Duke. (Tears) That became my biggest mistake ever. On the day Stanley shattered his parts me and Mr. Holden were thrown clear when Stanley derailed. When I saw the damage, I was scared of what the manager would do to me so I ran away. Stanley begged and pleaded for me to come back and help him, but I couldn't. I told him that it was every pony for themselves. Then he called me a blank flanked traitor I was very hurt and ran away back to Equestria. After my encounter with Stanley, I became a bully myself to avoid being bullied. But thanks to my cousin and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo I've changed for the better.(Tears ) but… I have never ever been able to forgive myself for my actions with Stanley and those memories still haunt me to this day.

Duke: (Shocked) Babs, you mean you were the filly that was working with Stanley?

Narrator: Babs Seed, still crying sadly nodded. Duke was just about to say something when Babs spoke up.

Bab's Seed: (Tears) I failed as pony on this island. Perhaps I should just leave and never come back before I do more damage. It's not like I've been a perfect pony at all. Well I better go and pack my things…

Narrator: Babs was just about to walk sadly away when Duke called out to her.

Duke: Wait Babs, wait!

Narrator: Babs trembled, feeling very scared.

Babs Seed: Oh Duke please. I'm sorry… I don't

Duke: Babs. Babs, calm down. It's alright Babs. You were much younger than Stanley was and you didn't know better. After hearing what happened to you in Equestria and for what you have done for the Skarloey line, I don't hold any ill feelings towards you at all.

Babs Seed: But the affair with Stanley. Tha….

Duke: I forgive you Babs. We all make mistakes and bad decisions and we don't hold any ill feelings towards you at all. As a matter of fact, I am very proud of you. It must have taken a lot of courage to let that out.

Narrator: Babs Seed wiped her tearful eyes and nodded.

Apple Bloom: Remember, you're still a cutie mark crusader, regardless of the Stanley incident, and more importantly you are my best cousin ever…(tears)

Applejack: (Tears) And no matter what happens we'll always still love you no matter what happens.

Big Macintosh: (Tears) Eeeyup…

Babs Seed: (Tears) Oh… Thank you guys. You're all my best friends and the greatest family ever.

Duke: That's quite alright. Let bygones be bygones. I have certain little Falcon to thank for that. (Winks approvingly at Sir Handel)

Narrator: Sir Handel smiled knowingly. He remembered.

Sir Handel: And I have my Granpuff to thank for that lesson too.

Narrator: The engines all smiled happily as all the drivers and ponies gathered round Bab's seed and gave her a warm loving hug and Babs Seed smiled happily, knowing that her friends still accept her as friend and as a part of a growing family of friendship.

Ok. List time!

Duke: (No. 1) 1880-
Bertram: (No. 2a) 1880-1888
Mistress: (No. 3a) 1880-1889
Pioneer: (No. 4a) 1880-1892
Shire Horse: (No. 5a) 1880-1904
Smudger: (No. 2b) 1888-1904
Great Wonder: (No. 3b) 1892-1893
Duchess: (No. 3c) 1893-1904
Master: (No. 4b) 1893-1904
Her Sandel: (No. 2c) 1904-1919
Falcon: (No. 3d) 1904-
Albert: (No. 4c) 1904-1920
Atlas: (No. 5b) 1914-
Alfred: (No. 6) 1914-1922
Stanley: (No. 2d) 1919-1920

Next story is about Tim.