Author's notes: I really like this one. It's also the 1st appearance of my favourite princess. Also, I decided to add in Sally and Bridget, our GNR atlantics with Flitter and Cloud Chaser.

Paint Pots and Queens

Narrator: Following his mishap at the lead mines, Thomas had underwent repairs at the big station at Tidmouth. And when he emerged from the repair yards he was to shunt coaches and trucks around the yard while Toby and Percy worked the branchline. Though sadden by this, Thomas didn't grumble or complain and went about the shunting not knowing that this was just a test to see if he was running good. Meanwhile, all across the island, every station and every shed were being repainted, platforms were being swept, flags of the union Jack were being hung all around, soldiers, marines, royal guards practiced a series of marching drills whilst and Royal Air Forces practiced a series of flybys. The engines were all surprised and so were the ponies.

Thomas: Excuse me David, but what's with all the decorations?

David the Painter: Oh didn't you hear? The queen of England is coming for her coronation.

Narrator: All the engines were excited.

Edward: Well I'll be. Who would have thought that our island would be visited by one of the main leaders of united kingdom. Her majesty.

James: This will definitely go down in history books on our island.

Henry: Ah yes. What a day that will be.

Sally: Well, it is rather exciting.

Bridget: I can't wait for the queen to come.

Thomas: I have to get William and Rachel to take a note for their books.

Narrator: Back at Knapford Hotel, the ponies were all play pool when both Rachel and William came panting in, looking excited.

Rainbow Dash: Hey you two. What's gotten into you now? You look as though you were participating in the running of the leaves.

William: We've got really great news to tell you.

Rachel: Yeah! We've just been informed that the Queen of England is coming to our island!

Rarity: The queen of England?! Oh how wonderful! So that explains the union jack décor.

Rainbow Dash: That's why I saw all those aeroplane things doing flybys all over the island.

Applejack: And that explains all those soldiers and guards practicing their marchin' drills.

William: That's right. And there is to be a special royal train all the way from London usually pulled by a B.R mainland locomotive.

Rachel: Yeah, but this year one of our NWR engines is going to be pulling train.

Fluttershy: Oh how wonderful that sounds very exciting.

Flitter: My goodness. This is amazing.

Cloud Chaser: Wow! Wait till the rest of the ponies hear about this.

William: That's right. I a can't wait for this da…

Narrator: No further. One minute William was standing by the fireplace then…..

?: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

?/ William: OOOFH!

Rachel: What the devil!

Narrator: Something fell from the chimney shaft all the way down towards the fireplace coating William in soot. But when the dust settled, Twilight looked up and smiled. Standing there right in front of them was purple and green baby dragon.

?: Hmm. This doesn't look like Harwick…. I think i should have turned left at Applequre.

Twilight Sparkle: Well comb my mane Spike! How did you find us?

Spike: Oh hey Twilight. I guess I didn't need to go to Harwick to find you 6 after all.

Rarity: Oh Spikywiky! I'm so glad that you're not hurt.

Spike: (Blushing) Heheheheh….Yeah same for you.

Narrator: Then Spike the dragon introduced himself to two humans and they introduced themselves to Spike.

Spike: Ah so you're William and Rachel. I knew you looked familiar. Oh that's right. Last Hearths Warming Eve. I nearly forgot. Oh and speaking of almost forgetting, I have some important news for all of you and your boss, um Sir Topham Hatt isn't it?

William: That's right. What is it?

Narrator: Spike the belched out a message. Twilight Sparkle opened it and read.

Twilight Sparkle: (Reading the letter) 'Dear my faithful pupal Twilight Sparkle. I have heard a lot about your adventures on Sodor and I had just read the letter that you gave me from Sir Topham Hatt. He says that it would be an honour to have me as guest for Queen Elizabeth the 2nd's coronation this year in 1952. I am pleased to inform you all that I have agreed to arrive with the queen at Tidmouth.'

Narrator: Twilight's eyes widened with a mixture of excitement, worry, and surprise.

Twilight Sparkle: (Gasp) Princess Celestia will be visiting the Island of Sodor for the first time! Oh my goodness! We've got so much do and so little time. (Crazy) Come on guys! Clock is ticking! Clock is ticking!

Narrator: She then advanced creeperly towards William and Rachel, making them both nervous. Luckily, Spike slapped her across the face to break her from her madness.

Spike: SNAP OUT OF IT!

Narrator: Twilight snapped out of her madness, blushed with embarrassment and apologised.

William: That's alright Twilight.

Rachel: Um, is this sometimes normal?

Twilight Sparkle: (blushing) Ahehehheh um only in a blue moon.

William: Anyway I'll relay this message over to Sir Topham Hatt for you, Spike.

Spike: Oh thanks. I really appreciate that.

Narrator: The next morning, when the ponies Rachel & William arrived to start work, the engines were wondering whom would pull the royal train.

Fluttershy: Um… if you don't mind me saying, but maybe Edward should pull it. He has been on the railway the longest. Um, that is, if you like to.

Edward: (Sigh sadly) Thank you Fluttershy for the input, but I'm afraid I'm too old to pull royal trains now a days.

Fluttershy: Oh my. I'm so sorry Edward. I didn't mean….

Edward: Fluttershy. It's alright. I'm not offend. There there now. There's a good mare.

Rainbow Dash: Aj yeah! That means Gordon should pull it…

Gordon: I'm in disgrace. The Fat Controller would never chose me. Uh, perhaps Sally and Bridget will get to take it.

Sally: Oh I don't know about that Gordon. Besides, I'm pretty old too. Being built in 1898.

Bridget: I was built in 1902, so I think I would be too old to pull the special train as well.

Flitter: Oh, don't say that girls.

Cloud Chaser: I'm sure you will be able to take special trains too.

James: Ha! He'll choose me, naturally.

Rarity: Indeed darling. You'd look smashing with that train.

Henry: What you?! You can't even climb a hill without a banker.

James: (Quietly to himself.) Oh yeah. Coming from an engine who can't pull an express fish train without hitting another goods train.

Rarity: Hey, I'll have you know Henry, we've climbed that hill many times without any trouble and got over what happened 2 weeks ago. How could you?! Hmph!

Henry: Heh. Easy. He'll ask me to pull the train and I'll have a splendid new coat of paint. Just you wait, little James.

Applejack: Well Henry. I admire your confidence but as we say back at sweet apple acres, don't count you chickens before they hatch.

Henry: Oh don't worry hat Applejack this can only result in success.

Narrator: For the 3 weeks, Henry puffed about proudly, confident that he would be the royal engine. One day when it rained, William and Applejack had stretched a tarpaulin from the cab to the tender to keep themselves dry as Henry puffed into the big station at Tidmouth. A painter was climbing a ladder above the line. Henry's smoke blew upward. It was thick and black. The painter chocked and couldn't see.

Painter: (Cough) (cough) What the devil! (cough) (cough)! Whoa whoa

Narrator: The painter missed his footing, dropped his paint pot and landed plop onto Henry's tarpaulin.

Painter:AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (Lands on tarpaulin ) Oopf!

William: What in zam hill?!

Applejack: What in tarnation?!

Henry: OW!

Narrator: With a loud clatter, the paint pot fell onto poor Henry. The paint trickled down his boiler from end to end as the paint pot perched on his dome. The painter, unhurt clambered down and shook his brush at Henry.

Painter: (Crossly) Well you're not a Picasso masterpiece you silly great engine! You spoiled my nice clean paint with your dirty smoke and you take the whole lot and make me fetch some more! Oh dear! Oh dear.

Narrator: He stormed away. Thomas had just shunted some coaches to another platform when Twilight Sparkle and Rachel rushed over to see what was the ruckus for. Rainbow Dash, whom just came from the yards after taking a goods train with Gordon had heard the painters ranting and came over too.

Rainbow Dash: BAHAHAHAHAH! Look at you Henry. This is comedy gold.

Twilight Sparkle: Hahahahah! I must admit, it does look funny.

Rachel: Hahahahahah! Funniest thing I've ever seen yet!

William/Applejack/Henry: (Rolls their eyes, annoyed) Ha ha ha! Very funny girls.

Narrator: The Fat controller pushed his way through the crowd.

Fat Controller: You look like an iced cake Henry. That won't do for the royal train. I'm afraid I must make other arrangements.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh my! I must get Pinkie Pie to bake that cake and desserts for the coronation.

Narrator: William was so busy that he had almost forgot to relay the message from Spike and hastily ran after him.

William: SIR WAIT!

Fat controller: Yes William.

William: Sir. I apologise. I know your probably busy right now but this is really urgent. I am to relay this message to you it's from the ponies home world of Equestria. There leader, Princess Celestia, wishes to join the queen at the coronation.

Narrator: The fat controller took note read it and. And smiled.

Fat Controller: Thank you William. I Shall write to London immediately about the plan. In the mean time, you, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and Rachel come with me to yards. We're going to forgive Gordon and Thomas.

Narrator: The two friends went off together. Later at the yards, Thomas and Gordon were being serviced looked over by Fluttershy, when William, Rainbow Dash, Rachel and Twilight Sparkle came up to them.

Thomas/Gordon: Please Sir!

Fat Controller: One at a time! One at a time! Yes Gordon?

Gordon: With all due respect sir, but may Thomas have his branchline again? He has done admirably in the yards?

Narrator: The fat controller pondered.

Fat Controller: What about you Thomas?

Thomas: Sir with all due respect, but may Gordon pull coaches again Sir? He has really improved admirably with the goods work.

Narrator: The Fat controller, Rainbow Dash, William, Rachel and Twilight Sparkle smiled.

Fat Controller: hmhmhmh… very well. I see you both are now sorry and have behaved very admirably lately. You both are now really useful engines again. So I will allow your wish to be granted. And as an added bonus, I will give you each a special tree for the Coronation. So when the queen comes, Fluttershy, you will work with Edward. Edward shall be pilot engine to clear the line. Thomas, you and Twilight Sparkle shall help to shunt the royal coaches to the proper sidings. William, you and Rachel will be operating Gordon with Rainbow Dash.

Narrator: He turned and smiled.

Fat controller: And Gordon, you shall be the royal engine and pull the royal train.

Narrator: Everyone was beaming with pride.

All: Oh thank you Sir!

Narrator: At last the great day finally came. Applejack, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Henry, James, Percy, Toby, Sally and Bridget all worked hard bringing all the people to the Town at Tidmouth. Thomas and Twilight sorted all their coaches in the yard so organised that the purple unicorn thought it looked like an exacted copy of her bookshelves in Ponyville. Rarity made sure that all the décor's and union jacks were looked proper and spotless, Pinkie Pie made the desserts look good enough to eat and Applejack got the military men ready. And at last, everything was set. Thomas then whistled the signal of the queens train.

Thomas: There coming!

Rarity: All set!

Pinkie Pie: Ready!

Spike: Ready and set!

Applejack: ATTENTION!

Soldiers/ royal guardsmen: MAM! YES MAM!

Narrator: Then on cue Edward steamed proudly in looking smart with bright paint and flags of the union jack. As he whistled on cue.

Edward:The royal train with Her majesty is here.

Twilight: (gasp in excitement) Princess Celestia!

Narrator: 2 minutes passed 5, 7, 10 then at last a proud whistle sounded in the distance. Everyone knew that sound. A squadron diamond formation of hurricanes and spitfires did flyby over the station, along with another formation coming from the Wonderbolts, the band played And mighty cheer came as the queen's train glided into the station twilight eyes brightened. Gordon was spotless his brash shone bright. Like Edward, he was wearing the flags of the union jack, but on his running he proudly carried the royal arms. The queen and Princess Celestia, a regal white Alicorn was a pink, purple, blue and green flowing mane and tail and sun cutie mark were met by the Fat controller and before doing anything else she thank them for their splendid run.

Fat controller: Not at all your Majesty, and your Highness. It is an absolute honour. Thank you your majesty and your highness.

Queen Elizabeth the 2nd: Princess Celestia and I have read a great deal about your famous engines, and of Princess Celestia's famous little ponies from the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden in there literature.

Princess Celestia: Indeed. With your permission you're lordship, Sir, Queen Elizabeth and I would be very Honoured if we were to meet your famous engines and of course my little ponies please.

Fat controller: It would be a wonderful honour. Right this way your Majesty and your Highness.

Narrator: And he led the way to where the ponies and engines were all waiting. Percy and Toby whistle excitedly.

Percy: Toby! They're coming!

Toby: They're coming Spike and Pinkie Pie!

Pinkie: Oh my goodness their coming. I'm so excited! Are you excited.

Spike: I'm excited are you excited.

Toby: I'm excited are you excited.

Percy: I'm excited are you excited.

Applejack, Rarity, Henry and James: SSSSSSHHHHHHH!

Narrator: But Toby, Percy, Spike and Pinkie Pie were all too excited to care. The Fat Controller introduced Princess Celestia and Queen Elizabeth to all the engines and told them their names, Princess Celestia introduced Queen Elizabeth the 2nd to her little ponies and she too gave her their names. They both talked to each pony and engine. And before turning to go, they made a speech.

Queen Elizabeth 2nd: Thank you all for your hospitality today. We are greatly honoured to be here today, the most famous and well renowned Island in all of the british Islands.

Narrator: Then Celestia took the podium

Celestia: Now then we would like to call up 6 very special ponies and 3 amazing People.

Narrator: Celestia used her Alicorn magic and parchment roll appeared and she and the queen read the names.

Queen Elizabeth: Miss Rarity!

Narrator: Rarity stepped forth and bowed Shook hooves' and hands with Celestia and the Queen.

Celestia: Miss Fluttershy!

Narrator: Fluttershy, feeling nervous, stepped forward and shook hooves and hands too with the royal Ladies.

Queen: Miss Rainbow Dash!

Narrator: Rainbow Dash flew over and did the same thing.

Celestia: Miss Pinkie pie!

Queen: Miss Applejack!

Celestia: Sir Topham Hatt!

Narrator: And all too did the same thing.

Queen Elizabeth: Miss Rachel Marie and Mr. William James Holden!

Celestia: And finally my faithful pupil, Twilight Sparkle.

Narrator: The two humans and their unicorn friend walked proudly forward and greet the royal Alicorn and the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth 2nd: Princess Celestia and I have first heard about these famous engines from the Rev Wilbert Vere Awdry's books and eventually we had read about Princess Celestia's ponies from these two writers Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens.

Celestia: At first, I was worried that with my little ponies being exposed to an environment with a different species that might have never understood them, but thanks to the Kindness and love that Miss Ravens and Mr. Holden have shared with these ponies, Queen Elizabeth and I are honoured to announce that the lands of Equestria, Sodor and the United kingdom of Great Britain have now formed an firm friendship alliance.

Queen Elizabeth: We are honoured to have you all as a part of our unity of friendship. Thank you.

Narrator: Percy and Pinkie Pie bubbled over.

Percy: Three Cheers for the Queen!

Pinkie Pie: Three cheers for Princess Celestia!

Narrator: And the engines and ponies all whistled cheered loudly. The Fat controller held his ears but Queen Elizabeth and Princess Celestia just smiled at one another waved to the ponies and engines and then passed the gates.

Princess Celestia: You know what Queen Elizabeth?

Queen: Yes Princess Celestia?

Princess Celestia : I think this may well be the start of a very beautiful unity of friendship.

Queen: I heartily agree with you my dear Princess Celestia.

Narrator: Next day, the queen and Princess Celestia spoke to everyone. Especially to Thomas and Twilight for fetching their royal coaches. Then to Edward and Fluttershy for guiding the way. And finally to Gordon, William, Rachel and Rainbow Dash who took them away to musical sound of god save the Queen. No engines, humans, or ponies ever felt prouder then, Thomas, Twilight, Edward, Fluttershy, William, Rachel, Rainbow Dash, and Gordon.

(Gordon running grandly with the royal train as Gordon, Edward, Fluttershy, William, Rachel and Rainbow Dash burst into song)

Gordon: (singing) God save our gracious Queen,

Rachel: (Singing) Live long our noble Queen,

William: (Singing) God save the Queen!

Rainbow Dash: (Singing) Send her victorious,

Fluttershy: (Singing) Happy and glorious,

Edward: ( Singing) Long to reign over us,

All six: (singing) God save the Queen.

And that was 'Gordon The Big Engine'. Next time... 'Thomas' Christmas Party'? Ok... fair enough.