Author's Notes: Yes! I know that this is a Christmas story in the middle of March. Deal with it. On a positive level, I love this story. Gives a beautiful atmosphere and touches my emotions very, very well.

Thomas' Christmas Party

Dear Rachel

Do you remember when Mrs. Kindley saved our lives last year? Well, I just have to say that she really deserved that party we gave her at Tidmouth. I'm so happy she enjoyed herself. And I really want to thank you and Applejack again for helping me, Twilight and Thomas rescue her from that snow in this year. Anyway, we wrote the book and this story tells you all about our brave rescue of Mr. and Mrs. Kindley. Have a happy new year.

Your friend William James Holden January 1st 1953

Narrator: Mr.s Kindley lives in a cottage close by Thomas' branchline. She and her husband love trains and ponies and wave at them when they go by. Once when she was ill and bed ridden in 1951, she saved Thomas and his train full of passengers from a terrible accident. As token of appreciation, The Fat Controller sent her and her husband to Bournemouth to get better. Thomas, Toby, Twilight Sparkle, Rachel and William missed her greatly and looked forward to welcoming her home again. Toby, Rachel and Applejack saw her first. The little tram was taking the workmen from the town at Knapford up to the quarry when he passed the little white cottage and saw Mr. and Mrs. Kindley waving. Toby whistled and rang his bell happily.

Toby: Henrietta! Rachel! Applejack! Look, it's Mr and Mrs. Kindley!

Henrietta: Good day to you Mr and Mrs Kindly.

Rachel: Greetings Mr and Mrs Kindly! (Waves to them)

Applejack: Howdy Mr and Mrs Kindly. (Waves to them.)

Narrator: The passengers waved too. Thomas, Twilight Sparkle, Annie, Clarabel and William were delighted too. Their trains were much more heavier than Toby's and Henrietta's at Christmas time. But Mrs. Kindley cheered them on.

(Thomas puffing along his branchline)

William: Hey Twilight! We're losing speed.

Twilight Sparkle: Come on Thomas. You can do it!

Thomas: (Panting) I can't do it! I can't do it!

(Thomas sees Mrs. Kindley waves him on)

Thomas: Oh yes I can!

(Thomas response with a will)

Annie: That's the spirit Thomas.

Clarabel: Keep it up Thomas.

Narrator: Thomas had never forgotten how she had saved them from a terrible crash. Thomas wanted to thank her properly. Toby agreed with him and so did William, Rachel, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta.

Thomas/Toby: Hey. Lets give her a party at Christmas.

William: Oh that's a great idea!

Rachel: Fantastic! Well done Thomas and Toby,

Twilight Sparkle: How very thoughtful of you Thomas and Toby.

Applejack: Well I say, that's a fine and dandy idea there Toby and Thomas.

Thomas: But where should we hold it? Our sheds here are far too small.

Toby: Your right. No can fit in here when we're around. Even Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta are left in another shed.

Applejack: Don't worry sugarcubes. We ain't givin' up that easily.

Twilight: I'm with you too Applejack. So any ideas?

Rachel: Hhmmmmm… Say, that's it! We'll throw it at Tidmouth! I'm sure the big engines would like a party in that grand new shed.

William: Oh that's a great idea Rachel! We'll ask them when we get there tonight.

Twilight Sparkle: I'll tell the other ponies and Spike and send a letter to Princess Celestia.

Narrator: The big engines were delighted, and so were the ponies, drivers and firemen.

Fluttershy: Oh how wonderful! That's very kind of you to give Mrs. Kindley a Christmas party.

Rarity: Oh yes indeed that sounds very grand indeed.

Rainbow Dash: I know this is going to be so awesome!

Pinkie Pie: Oh I am so in if there's a party involved.

Spike: Oh boy! I've always wanted to see a Christmas party.

William: We'll all ask the Fat controller.

Narrator: The next morning, William and Rachel accompanied by the mane 6 went and asked the fat controller.

Fat controller: A party for Mrs. Kindley, what a grand idea. Now lets see. We've no trains schedule for Christmas or boxing day. And we all want to spend Christmas at home of course. So boxing day it shall be.

Narrator: William, Rachel, Spike and the ponies were delighted. So Pinkie made an invitation card and dashed out the office towards the Kindley's cottage faster than bullet. Twilight sent Princess Celestia a letter invitation. At the kindley's estate Mr. and Mrs. Kindley were having breakfast when they heard a knock on the door.

Mr. Kindley: Hmm now who do you suppose that could be?

Narrator: So that they got up and opened the door and Pinkie then burst into song.

Pinkie Pie: (Singing)
This is your singing telegram
I hope it finds you well
You're invited to a party
'Cause we think you're really swell
It is a Christmas one
So help us celebrate.
The cake will be delicious
The activities 1st rate
There will be dancing
Giving presents
Cut a rug
And when the party's over
We'll gather round for a group hug
(Panting heavily still singing)
It won't be the same without you
So we hope that you say yes
So, please, oh please, R.S.V.P.
And come, and be our guest!

Narrator: And Pinkie Pie plopped to the ground exhausted. She had ran all the way from Tidmouth over to the Kindleys' and was now out of breath.

Mrs. Kindley: You look absolutely worn out. Oh you poor dear. Here, come in and have some milk and cookies. I just baked some fresh.

Narrator: After a drink of milk and a bite of cookies Pinkie Pie gave the Kindley's the invitation, thanked them for the cookies and milk and then board Thomas's train to Tidmouth. Soon, Mrs. Kindley opened the note and it said. 'Thomas, Toby and friends request the company of Mr. and Mrs. Kindley at a party at the new engine shed. Tidmouth on boxing day at 5 p.m. R.V.S.P Sir Topham Hatt.' Thomas and Toby we're with the big engines at Tidmouth for Christmas. Whilst Annie, Clarabel and Henrietta joined the other coaches in the carriage shed.

Thomas: Wow! It's so warm in here.

Edward: Indeed Thomas. I'm glad that we are all together for this occasion.

Sally: I know. It just wouldn't be the same otherwise.

Bridget: Too right Sally. Man, I can't wait till the ponies and humans get here.

Percy: Agreed. Great to have some other smaller engines to keep me company too.

Toby: Glad to be here Percy. This will be the best Christmas ever.

Henry: With that said Toby, I think we'll say that every year when Christmas rolls around.

Gordon: Good point Henry.

(They all chuckle together.)

Narrator: At Knaphord Hotel, everyone was also chatting excitedly and drinking hot cocoa.

Twilight Sparkle: You make great cocoa Rachel.

Rachel: Thanks. Cooking and making drinks are specialities in my family.

Applejack: Kind of like my family when making apple treats. Why, you must give me the recipe to make it.

Rachel: Well…

(Ring ring!)

Rainbow Dash: Oh bother that telephone.

Rachel: You lot stay here. I got it. (Sets the cocoa down, walks to the kitchen and picks up a banana thinking it's the phone) Hullo. Knaphord Hotel…

(Pinkie Pie heads in)

Pinkie Pie: (Laughs) That's not the phone! That's a banana!

Rachel: (Laughs) Oh! Whoops. Silly me. (Sets it in the fruit bowl and gets the phone.) Hello, Knaphord Hotel. Rachel Marie Ravens speaking… WHAT?! SNOWED IN?! OH GOOD Lord are they alright?!... Oh that's Good….Yes Sir! We'll be there right away. (Puts it down and runs back) We have an emergency! The Fat controller just called up and requests that we all be at Tidmouth at once!

Narrator: William, Spike, Flitter, Cloud Chaser and the mane 6 wasted no time and quickly got their winter gear on and raced after Rachel. They climbed into William's ancient car and drove over to Tidmouth. A few hours later, the engines were all resting warmly in the shed until the Fat Controller, Miss Ravens, Mr. Holden, Spike, Cloud Chaser, Flitter and the mane 6 burst into the shed, winds howling fiercely and snow falling heavily.

Thomas: What's happening sir?

Fat Controller: The weathers changed for the worst. It's snowing hard at Ffarquhar. Mr. and Mrs. Kindley have been cut off.

Fluttershy: Oh my!

Pinkie Pie: Oh no no no no! Not good! Not good! Not good!

Twilight Sparkle: Oh my goodness.

Flitter: This is terrible.

Cloud Chaser: How awful.

Rarity: Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!

Narrator: Everyone looked at Rarity.

Rarity: What? I really mean it this time.

Fat Controller: We need snowplows to fetch them tomorrow.

Rainbow Dash: Well lets go get them then! Less talk, more actioonnn…!

Narrator: Applejack grabbed Rainbow Dash's tail.

Applejack: Whoa there nelly. (Lets go of R.D tail) We can't do anything tonight.

Rainbow Dash: What?! They…

Fat Controller: Applejack is right. It is far too dangerous out there in that tundra, we have to wait until boxing day morning.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash looked out and understood.

Fat controller: Now Thomas, I know you don't like snow but you're the only one barring Toby who knows that line better than anyone. So how about it?

Thomas: (Bravely) Yes Sir. I'll try Sir. We can't have a party without them, we must get them out.

Toby: Please Sir. Can I help too?

Fat controller: Certainly Toby. The more the merrier. You two will manage splendidly.

William: I'll go with you Thomas.

Twilight Sparkle: Same here. The Kindleys are our friends too.

Rachel: Sir. Count me in too.

Applejack: I'm with you too.

Fat controller: Ah that settles it. We'll have you ready early in the morning. Good luck to you all.

Narrator: Early next morning, William, Rachel, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle fitted Toby and Thomas with snowplows and the two engines were arranged back to back with a van carrying workmen in between them. Thomas and Toby charged the snowdrifts fiercely.

Thomas: GRRRRRRAHHHHHHHH! Come on Toby! We can do this!

Toby: (Panting) Rodger Thomas! Grrrrrahhh! We must do it!

William: One drift down and mass more to go. Hanging in their Twilight?

Twilight Sparkle: Still in one piece! Keep it up Thomas!

Applejack: Hang in there Rachel!

Rachel: Ha! I ain't even breaking a sweat.

William: Brace yourselves! Here's another big one. CHARGE!

Narrator: Sometimes they swept the snow aside…

Thomas: Ha! Got another one! Good job back there Toby!

Toby: Thanks Thomas. Keep up the good work too.

Narrator: But at other times, they stuck fast.

William: Blast it! This one's too deep. We'll have to wait till the workmen loosen it! Twilight, inform the others

Twilight Sparkle: On it! (Walks over to Toby) Applejack, Rachel we hit a deep one! We'll have to loosen it and try again.

Applejack: Lets do it then Twi!

Narrator: They backed up so that the men from the van could loosen the hard packed snow then on they went again. It was tiring hard work but everyone was responding with will. But at the cutting near the tunnel they could go no further.

William: Great Scott! Look at that!

Twilight: Holy great Celestia! The whole tunnel mouth is blocked.

Narrator: Thomas whistled to let the Kindleys' know they were there to get them out.

Thomas: Here we are Mr. and Mrs. Kindley!

Narrator: The snow was so deep that the answering waving came from an upstairs window. They heard another toot from behind the cottage.

Terrence: And so are we.

Thomas: That's Terrence! He's come to help too!

Narrator: Sure enough, Terrence had a snowplow and was working hard to clear the road. The two parties met to make a plan. Terrence's gang planned to clear the snow around the house whilst the railway gang and Applejack dug a path from the cottage to the line. Meanwhile back at Tidmouth, Henrietta was being dust and swept and decorated like never before by Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity.

Rarity: My Henrietta darling you do look marvellous the décor definitely matches your Victorian age shape.

Pinkie Pie: Plus you look very festive indeed.

Fluttershy: You look even better then before Henrietta.

Henrietta: Oh thank you darlings. You know how to make coach feel grand.

Narrator: Then Pinkie Pie took Henrietta with Percy, who also had a snowplow, to Elsbridge to wait for Thomas and Toby.

Percy: And here we are at Elsbridge. Now where are they?

Pinkie Pie: Ah! There they are!

Percy: Oh goody!

Narrator: Soon Thomas and Toby arrived. They had a good rest and were cleaned up by William Rachel Applejack and Twilight. Then Pinkie and Percy changed trains. Thomas and Toby took Henrietta to cottage to pick up the Kindleys whilst Percy took the tired workmen in the van home. It was dark when they reached Tidmouth. The shed doors were shut, there was dead silence and not soul to be seen. The two engines whistled despairingly.

Toby/Thomas: Where is everybody?

Narrator: There was no answer. William checked his watch and so did Rachel.

William: I don't get it? It's 5pm on my watch how bout your's Rachel?

Rachel: Same here.

Applejack: I don't understand this?

Twilight Sparkle: (Sadly a lone tear drips from her eye) Maybe they decided to cancel the party. I don't blame them.

Narrator: Thomas' heart sank and so did toby's, William's, Rachel's, twilights, and Applejacks. Then a bright sun goddess Alicorn flew up into the air and a chorus of whistles and cheers sounded out through the air. The shed lights in the yard went on. MERRY CHRISTMAS Hung above in bright lights. Twilight and her friends faces lit up!

Twilight: Princess Celestia! You've made it!

Princess Celestia: hmhmhmh.. Indeed I have. Sorry I took a while the snowy weather was crazy.

Narrator: Twilight and Celestia and exchanged happy laughs. Princess Celestia, Sir Topham Hatt and Lady Hatt greeted Mr. and Mrs. Kindley warmly.

Mrs. Kindley: May we see your engines and Celestia's ponies please?

Celestia: Certainly Mr. and Mrs. Kindley. They're over there.

Fat controller: Just right this way.

Gordon/Henry/Edward/James/Sally/Bridget: We are honoured to have you here Mr and Mrs Kindly.

Fluttershy: (Timed and quiet) It's great to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Kindley.

Mrs. Kindley: Oh please don't be shy their. I'm not going to hurt you I love animals as much as I love trains.

Narrator: She stroked Fluttershy's mane and she cheered up super quick. Then Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Flitter and Cloud Chaser introduced themselves next. Then James, Gordon, Henry, Edward, Sally and Bridget. Mrs. Kindley then thanked the smaller engines, the ponies and their crew for the rescue.

Mrs. Kindley: William, Rachel, Applejack, Twilight, Thomas and Toby are old friends, and now everyone else here are my friends too.

Narrator: Percy was so pleased he bubbled over, Pinkie pie bubbled over so much she took off like a rocket through one of the shed chimney's before return into the shed.

Pinkie Pie: WWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO! THIS IS JUST FANTASTIC!

Percy and Pinkie Pie: THREE CHEERS FOR MRS KINDLEY!

Narrator: And all the engines and ponies cheered and whistled the Fat controller held his ears. Soon the Christmas tree was rolled into position for the carolling and they sang all their old favorites until their voices gave out.

Everyone:
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Toll the ancient Yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Narrator: Then they were refreshed with hot coffee, apple cider, and cocoa and mince and apple pies made by Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Then they pulled crackers and played games until all too soon it was time for the party to end.

Fat Controller: Ladies, Gentlemen, ponies and Engines! We're are all here to honour a gracious lady whom last year did our railway and Celestia's ponies a great service. We all hope that you will accept these life long free travel passes over our railway. May you have long life and good health to enjoy it.

Celestia: And I too would be honoured to allow free visits to the land of Equestria whenever you like, after saving the lives of my little ponies. Thank you so much and have very happy Christmas.

Narrator; Cheers followed and to the strains of "for she is a jolly good fellow" punctuated by whistles. The Fat controller and Lady Hatt invited them along with Princess Celestia to stay at their home at wellsworth manor. The last guest left and the doors shut.

Edward: Oh what lovely party. Thank you Thomas, Toby and Percy. Thank you so much.

Gordon: (sleepily singing) and so save all of us….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Percy: Uh, Gordon, everyone is gone.

Gordon: zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Sally: (Chuckles) Let him sleep Percy.

Bridget: We'd better get some rest too.

Edward: Night guys.

Thomas: Night everyone.

Everyone else: Night.

Narrator: Back at Knapford Hotel William, Rachel, Spike, Flitter, Cloud Chaser and the mane 6 were so tired and happy that they all plopped down in a comfortable couches in the rec room, and after wishing each other a very Happy Christmas and Hearths Warming Eve, the ponies, Spike, Rachel Marie Ravens and William James Holden smiled as they fell happily asleep in front of the nice warm fireplace.

And we end on a joke with Gordon. I must admit, that was a good one atsf. Next time, we take on 'Edward The Blue Engine'.