Author's notes: Not much has changed, except that Simmors is helping out with Thomas, Percy and Edward. Couldn't leave him out, could we?

Trouble in the shed.

Narrator: The Fat Controller was in his office listening to the noise outside he frowned.

Fat Controller: (Groan) What a nuisance passengers are. How can I possibly work with that racket out there?

Narrator: The station master knocked and came in looking worried.

Station Master: There's trouble in the shed sir. Henry is sulking, there is no train for The Flyer Of Vicarstown. Everyone is saying that this is a bad railway.

Fat Controller: Indeed! We'll see about that! Will you please calm the passengers down Harry. I'll shall go and speak to Henry.

Narrator: He found Henry, Gordon and James looking sulky and very cross.

Fat Controller: Come along Henry, it's time your Flyer of Vicarstown was ready.

Applejack: Yeah. Come on Henry. I'm ready to go.

Henry: Well Applejack, TOO BAD!

Applejack: What in tarnation!?

Gordon: Henry is not going! And neither are me and James! We three are on strike! We will not shunt like common tank engines! That was little Thomas' job, as with that other tank engine that was here in 1924! We are important tender engines. You fetch our coaches and we shall pull them, but we won't shunt!

All three: Tender engines don't shunt!

Narrator: All three engines hissed in a cheeky sort of way.

Rainbow Dash: (Groaning) Ah no! Not this again Gordon!

Rarity: Come out at once, James.

Applejack: Oh for corns sake Henry! Come on out.

Gordon: You what we said. Tender engines don't shunt.

Fat controller: Oh indeed. We'll see about that. Engines on my railway do as they are told. No engines on my railway are too important for small jobs.

Narrator: And he hurried away, climbed into his new Bentley car and drove to find Edward, William, Rachel and Fluttersy,

Fat controller: (Sad sigh) The yards have never been the same since Thomas left.

Narrator: Edward was shunting trucks at Wellsworth Station with William, Rachel and Fluttershy

William: That's right. Those china clay trucks go to siding 1.

Rachel: Cattle trucks are in siding 2.

Fluttershy: Excellent job Edward, and the milk vans are on the dairy siding.

Edward: We make a good team, you 3 and me.

Fluttershy: (Giggle)

Fat controller: Leaves those trucks please Edward. I want you to push coaches for me in the yard at Tidmouth. I'll get Simmors to look after things here.

Edward: Thank you sir. That will be a nice change.

William: Yes Sir.

Rachel: Righto sir.

Fluttershy: Right away sir.

Fat controller: That's a good engine. Off you go then.

Narrator: So Edward found the coaches and that day the trains ran as usual.

William: Lets see, the WildNorWester to platform one, check.

Rachel: The Flyer Of Vicarstown to platform 3, check.

Edward: And here we are, the Thunderbird Of Tidmouth to platform 2, check.

William: Well, that's all the trains for the day.

Fluttershy Nice job Edward.

Rachel: Golly. How did you learn to be so organized?

Edward: Oh why thank you ladies and William. You could say a certain unicorn taught me the fundamentals of being organised.

Narrator: The 4 friends laughed. They knew he had learned from Twilight Sparkle. And the three trains moved off at their respected times. But when The Fat Controller, Rachel and Fluttershy came next morning to check up on Edward and William's work in the yards, Edward looked depressed and very unhappy.

Rachel: Oh dear Edward. What happened?

Narrator: Her answer came sooner than expected. Gordon came clanking past.

Edward: Oh no. Not again, please Gordon.

Rainbow Dash: Gordon, don't!...

Narrator: But too late. As he passed Edward, he hissed a cloud of steam poor Edward rudely.

Rainbow Dash: (Sigh) Do that…. sorry Edward!

Edward: Oh no! (Cough) (Cough) Not again! (Cough) (Cough)

Fluttershy: Oh my…

Fat Controller: Bless my soul! What a noise!

Fluttershy: What happened to you Edward?

Edward: (Sigh) They all hiss me sir. They say 'tender engines don't shunt'. And last night, they told me that I've disgraced both your's and Fluttershy's good names Sir, and that I have grey wheels. I haven't…Have I sir and Fluttershy?

Fat controller: Heavens no Edward. You have nice blue wheels and I am proud of you.

Rachel: How rude. I can't believe they would paint you out like that Edward.

Fluttershy : Oh bless you no Edward. You haven't disgraced me at all. Your my number one favourite engine? Those big engines have gone too far. They shouldn't do that to you Edward. They should be much kinder to you. You're a really useful engine and always will be.

Fat controller: Exactly Fluttershy. Tender engines do shunt. But all the same, you'd be happier in your own yard. We need another tank engine here to calm things down in the Tidmouth. While Simmors is a good sort, I think Pinkie Pie needs an engine closer to her personality.

Narrator: The next morning, the Fat controller went to an engine workshop where they showed him all sorts of tank engines. There were big ones and little ones, some looked happy, some sad & some looked at him anxiously hoping they would chose them.

Chief mechanic: Ah. Welcome Sir Topham Hatt. It's an honour to have you as a costumer. Might I say sir, that hat definitely goes with your dapper suit sir.

Narrator: The Fat Controller was getting anxious. He just wanted to look for an engine.

Fat controller: Ah yes thank you very kindly for your flattery. But if don't mind, I'd like to see the tank engines.

Chief mechanic: Ah yes of course. Just right this way Sir.

Narrator: So chief mechanic showed him the engines.

Chief mechanic: As you can see. We have some of the finest tank engines ever built here. Like this one right here. A Great Western 45xx 2-6-2t. Great for branchline passenger trains.

Fat controller: Hmm. Sorry. It's a nice engine, but it's not what I'm looking for.

GWR 45XX: Darn it. Ah well. I wish you the best of Luck Sir Topham Hatt.

GWR 72XX: How about me Sir I am the biggest engine after all.

Chief mechanic: Ah yes. The 72XX class 2-8-2T is great puller and excels greatly in Heavy Mainline Mineral traffic.

Fat Controller: Hhhmmm. Sorry. It's nice locomotive but I'm not looking for a mainliner tank engine.

GWR: 72XX: Pah! Controllers these days no taste for engines at all.

GWR 56XX: What about me Sir?

Mechanic: Oooh. Perhaps you'd like a nice GWR 56XX 0-6-2T. Great for mix traffic.

Fat Controller: I'm sorry. It is nice engine, but I already have 4 mix traffic engines.

GWR 56XX: Oh bother. I knew I wasn't going to be chosen.

Chief Mechanic: Ah, heres a suitable candidate. A great western 61XX 2-6-2t. Great tractive effort. Wonderful for suburban trains.

Fat Controller: No. I'm sorry. It's a nice engine but I'm not looking for a suburban locomotive.

GWR 61XX: Oh Botheration! I thought for sure he was going to buy me.

Fat controller: Look. I'm just looking for a Shunter.

?: What about me Sir?

Narrator: The Fat controller turned around and at last he saw a smart little green engine saddle tank with 4 wheels.

Fat controller: Ah ha! That's the one!

Chief Mechanic: Oh. So you'd like to purchase this GWR 0-4-0ST hybrid locomotive?

Fat Controller: Yes indeed, I'd like to purchase him. Tell me about the design.

Chief mechanic: Well this one is an experimental hybrid cross between two different shunters. The body and wheel configuration of GWR 1340 class 0-4-0st and an elongated coal bunker of a GWR 1361 class. He's great for dockside shunting.

Narrator: The Fat controller then turned to the engine.

Fat controller: If I choose you, will you work hard?

?: Oh Sir. Yes Sir!

Fat controller: That's a good engine. I'll call you, Percy.

Percy: Oh yes sir. Thank you sir.

Narrator: The purchase was made and the Fat Controller drove Percy back to the yard.

Fat Controller: Everyone, I'd like to meet our new engine and friend Percy. He shall be working with Rachel and Pinkie Pie.

Narrator: Pinkie beamed a big grin across her face.

Pinkie Pie: Yippy skippy! Another new friend to add to my list of friends. Welcome to the crew Percy. I'm Pinkie Pie!

Rachel: Indeed. Welcome to the North Western Railway. Name's Rachel.

William: Likewise. Glad to have you with us Percy. I'm William.

Edward: My name is Edward. Nice to meet you Percy.

Percy: Why thank you Pinkie Pie, Rachel, William and Edward. I must say, I have never met multicoloured, talking ponies your size before.

Pinkie Pie: Oh, everyone says that when they 1st see us.

Percy: Say, whose that other pony?

Fluttershy: Um… I'm Fluttershy. It's a pleasure to meet you Percy.

Narrator: Percy soon learned what he had to do and they all had a happy afternoon.

Percy: Ah there we go. Coaches to Platform 3 for the Thunderbird of Tidmouth.

Edward: That's it Percy. My, you learn fast.

Pinkie Pie: Well done Percy. You've done that quickly.

Fluttershy: And not a single scratch. Well done Percy.

Rachel: Good job Percy.

William: You've done well.

Percy: Thanks guys.

Narrator: Then Henry came by, hissing as usual.

Edward: (Sigh) Oh no. Not again. Brace yourself Fluttershy.

Narrator: But Henry did not reach Edward as Rachel opened the steam release accidentally on purpose.

Rachel: (Sarcastic) Oops!

Percy: WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH!

Henry: GREAT SCOT!

Narrator: Henry jumped and ran back to the sheds, as Edward, William, Percy, Pinkie Pie and Rachel all balled with laughter. Pinkie Pie laughed so hard she was snorting and rolling on the floor.

William: Hahahahahaha! Oh good one Rachel!

Rachel: Hehehehehahahahaha! Oh! I've always wanted to do that.

Pinkie: Hehhahahahahhahahahahahehehehehehehahahahaa!

Edward: Hohohoahahaha! How beautifully you wheeshed him. I'm can't wheesh like that!

Percy: Hahahahahaheheheheh! Oh that's nothing. You should hear them in the workshop. You had to wheesh loudly to make yourself heard.

Fluttershy: Oh dear. I hope Henry wasn't offended.

Pinkie Pie: Don't worry your pretty little head Fluttershy. He'll be over it in ten seconds flat, jus trust your auntie Pinkie Pie.

Fluttershy: I'm a year older than you. But I see what you mean.

Pinkie Pie: Oh! Right.

Narrator: The Fat Controller, William, Rachel, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash walked sternly over to the 3 big engines sulking in the shed.

Gordon: Listen hear. You heard our case, and we're not changing it.

Fat controller: You three are naughty engines you were rude to Edward, behaved like spoiled children and you caused a disturbance on the railway.

Henry: Do we even look like we care.

Fluttershy: (Giving all 3 the stare) HOW DARE YOU! YOU LISTEN HERE BIG SHOTS! YOU MAYBE PRESTIGE MAINLINE ENGINES AND PULL FAST TRAINS! BUT THAT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO BE BULLIES! YOU MAYBE FAST POWERFUL AND HIGH SPRUNG! BUT YOU DO NOT! I REPEAT, YOU DO NOT! HURT! MY! FRIENDS! You got that?

James: Pah! And what, pray tell, are you going to do about it?

Fat Controller: Oh she's not doing anything. They are.

Narrator: He pointed to William and Rainbow Dash, both carrying the same buckets of soapy water with the names 98462 and 87546 crossed out and replaced with Gordon and Henry and wearing devilish smiles.

William: (Sigh) we haven't used these buckets and scrub brushes in years.

Rainbow Dash: (Sigh) Yep. Not since the sinking of 98462 and 87546.

William and RD: Ain't nostalgia grand (Evil laugh) Mawhahahahahahaha!

Narrator: Gordon and Henry stared in horror.

Gordon: (Panicking) Oh no your not planning on…..

Henry: (Panicking) No you can't possibly….

James: Ha! No soap for me, huh!

William: Oh don't worry James!

Rainbow Dash: Yeah we haven't forgotten you.

William/Rainbow Dash: Oh Rachel!

Narrator: Rachel came in carrying another bucket of soapy with James' name on it! She too was carrying a scrub brush and a devilish smile as well.

Rachel: Don't worry we'll make sure all those bad manners are brushed away. (Evil laugh) HEHEAHAHAHAHA!

James: (Panicking) WHAT! NO PLEASE! YOU CAN'T I BEG YOU PLEASE DON'T!

Narrator: But too late. Rachel, William and Rainbow Dash started scrubbing the big engines mouths laughing like maniacs!

Gordon: NNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! RAINBOW DASH PLEASE NOOOOOO! SAVE ME ! SAVE ME GGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Rainbow Dash: GOT TA GET IN BACK TOO GORDON! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Henry: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! WHY! WILLIAM! WHY! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH MAAAKEE IT STOP!

William: CAN'T FORGET THOSE TOP TEETH TOO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

James: NO PLEASE! IT TASTES NASTY! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! STOP IT! STOP IT ! STOP IT! PLEASE I BEG YOU RACHEL! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Rachel: And that tongue of yours has to be squeaky clean James. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Narrator: Simmors was in the shed too and couldn't help himself.

Simmors: Hahahhaha! Goodness knows you 3 needed that after this fiasco!

Narrator: After soaping up the big engines tongues, the big engines feeling violated and rather scared remained quiet.

Fat controller: As punishment for your work shirking shenanigans, you will stay in the shed until you are wanted again.

Narrator: After punishing the big engines, Simmors, William, Rachel, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack went to join Percy, Pinkie Pie, Thomas, Twilight Sparkle and Edward in the yards. Thomas had just arrived with Twilight Sparkle onboard.

Thomas: Hey guys. Ah so you're the new tank engine I've heard about.

Percy: Indeed. I'm Percy.

Thomas: And I'm Thomas. It's a pleasure to meet you and so nice to finally have another tank engine to talk to. This is one of my best pony friends, Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight Sparkle: Pleasure to meet you Percy.

Percy: Like wise.

Thomas: Anyway, the Fat controller sent for me and Twilight. I expect he wants help.

Edward: Shooshh! Here he comes now with Simmors, Fluttershy, William, Rachel, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack.

Fat Controller: Well done Thomas and Twilight Sparkle, you've been quick. Now listen, Henry, Gordon and James are sulking. They say they won't shunt like common tank engines. So me, William, Rachel and Rainbow Dash shut them up and want the both of you and Simmors to run the line for a while.

Thomas: Common tank engines indeed! We'll show them.

Fat controller: That's good engine Thomas. Percy will help too.

Percy: Oh Sir! Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!

Fat controller: Good, now then you will all be put into groups. Edward your with Fluttershy, William, and Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash: Got it Sir!

Fat controller: Rarity your with Thomas and Twilight Sparkle and Arkwright. Also, I want you to work with Simmors and Mr Bernett again.

Rarity: Yes Sir. It will be a real pleasure to work with Simmors again.

Simmors: Just like old times, eh Rarity?

Rarity: Just like old times.

Fat controller: And Applejack, your with Percy, Rachel and Pinkie Pie.

Applejack: No sweat sir.

Narrator: So with that, Edward, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, William, Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, Mr. Arkwright and Rarity all worked the mainline from opposite ends, whistling greetings as they passed. Simmors went on Edward's branchline with Mr Bernett and Rarity, who was shifting between him and Thomas. Percy ran along Thomas' branchline with Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rachel. Thomas was at first anxious about leaving Annie and Clarabel, but Rachel and the two ponies promised to take good care of the coaches. There were fewer trains, but the passengers didn't mind. They new that the three other engines were having a lesson. Henry Gordon and James stayed shut up in the shed. They were cold, lonely and miserable. They wished now that they hadn't been so silly.

Bit of nostalgia from the early chapters eh? Don't worry, that's as far as we'll go with the big engine trio. Just to give a quick spoiler, there will be a bit of trauma with 2 of the other engines further up in another saga, but it won't be William's and Rachel's doings. Look out for 'Percy Runs Away' next. See you there.