Author's Notes: My goodness, 'Edward The Blue Engine' already. We are on a role. Here we go. Part 1, action!

Dear Rachel,

Boy this year was absolutely wonderful, first we save an old traction engine from scrap, then we saved James and Rarity from a dangerous accident, and best all thanks to our friends Fluttershy and Edward, Celestia has now granted us eternal life and youth so we can still work with our fellow friends, ponies and engines without the fear of growing old and retiring. People work differently to engines of course, heh. Every engine, and everypony else barring a few, actually thought Edward was pretty much washed up and useless, But they no longer think that now. Anyway, these stories will tell you all about it. I hope you like them.

Your friend forever

William James Holden

Cows!

Narrator: Edward the blue engine was getting old and Fluttershy was worried. His bearings were worn and he clanked and clunked as he puffed along. One day, Fluttershy, William and Edward were taking twenty empty cattle trucks to a market town. The sun shone and birds sang, and some cows were grazing in field close by the line.

Edward: Come on! Come on! Come on!

Cattle trucks: Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!

Edward: And don't so much noise!

Cattle trucks: Oh and you should talk? You're the one that sounds likes he's passed it.

Edward: You'll be the ones who are passed if you don't be quiet! Take that!

Narrator: And he gave the trucks a disciplinary bumped.

Cattle trucks: Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Why you little…

Edward: Fluttershy, my dear.

Fluttershy: Um yes Edward?

Edward: I hope it's not too much, for but would you mind giving these delinquent cattle trucks a good stare down please.

Fluttershy: No problem Edward.

William: Good girl Fluttershy. Give those hooligan trucks a really good stare.

Narrator: She then flew up and stared the cattle trucks down.

Fluttershy: Now you listen to me cattle trucks. I've just heard that you have been causing trouble for my friends here and I would rather you don't cause trouble for me and them. Anymore nonsense and I'll give you the stare.

Narrator: And she stared them down looking them straight in the eye. The cattle trucks, petrified, started to behave themselves though only a slight bit better. Edward puffed and clanked along. The trucks, though respectable, continued to rattle and scream.

Fluttershy: Um, Edward?

Edward: Yes?

Fluttershy: I hope you don't mind me mentioning this to you, but I think you might want to take it easy please. You're clanking and clunking have me a little worried.

Narrator: Edward smiled.

Edward: Thank you very much for your concern Fluttershy. I really am grateful. But don't worry about me. I'll be careful. I know this railway like the back of my tender.

William: Indeed Fluttershy. Barring Thomas, Edward has been here the longest of any engine still running on the NWR.

Narrator: But Fluttershy was still concerned, not because she doubted Edward's knowledge of the North Western Railway, but because they were approaching the cow pasture between Crosby and Wellsworth. Fluttershy knew that the cows there weren't too keen on trains passing by the field, the noise and smoke disturbed them. Edward was heading for trouble and Fluttershy knew this but there was nothing she could do. As Edward and his trucks came by, they were making the most awful racket that you have ever heard. The cows twitched up their tails and ran they galloped across the field, broke through the fence, and charged the train between the 13th and 14th trucks. A coupling broke and the last 6 trucks and the Brake van all left behind. Fortunately they were not damage and stayed up right, they ran for a short distance along the sleepers before ground to a halt and miraculously none of the cows weren't hurt, just shaken up a bit. Edward felt a jerk but didn't take much notice. He was used to cattle trucks and how they behaved. But William and Fluttershy noticed.

William: Hey did you hear that Fluttershy? (Looks out the window.) Oh no. We've left the tail behind.

Fluttershy: Um Edward. I think something happened to the…

Edward: Oh never mind Fluttershy and William. It's just those bothersome cattle trucks, being there usual bothersome selves. I can't understand why they don't come quietly.

Fluttershy: But Edward, you should really listen.

Edward: Don't worry Fluttershy. I know I'm getting old but I'm still reliable.

William: We know Edward. But…

Narrator : It wasn't until they reached the next station stop before Fluttershy and William could explain what had happened.

Edward: Oh dear. I'm dreadfully sorry for not listening to you.

Fluttershy: It's alright Edward. We all make mistakes.

William: Come on. Let's go get our tail back.

Edward: Righto then.

Narrator: With the signalman's permission, they went back to collect the rest of the train that they had lost. Fortunately, Thomas, Toby, Rachel, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle had arrived on scene with the breakdown train and had already lifted the derailed cattle trucks and the brake van back onto the rails. Applejack with aid of her dog Winona herded the cows into a new pasture away from the railway line and repaired the fence, just as Edward William and Fluttershy arrived to collect remains of the train they had lost. Since there was no damage done, Edward, Fluttershy and William were able to take the train on to Knapford station. However the story soon spread. When Gordon, Henry, Rainbow Dash and Spike heard about the accident, they laughed so hard that tears ran down their cheeks.

Gordon: Fancy that. Allowing cows to break Edward's train. Whatever next?

Narrator: Rainbow Dash was laughing so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Rainbow Dash: BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHEHEHA! Oh Edward, William, I can't believe you let happen too you! Oh this just too funny!

Narrator: Edward just rolled his eyes and so did William.

Rainbow Dash: Oh, you're such a laugh old timer. I must admit, I thought your clanking and rattling was your most funniest laugh riot ever but this, this has got to be your biggest masterpiece ever. (She landed on her back rolling and laughing. Spike joined her).

Spike: No way, it's more like a disasterpiece if you ask me, This is hilarious. (Spike laughed.).

William: (Annoyed) Ha ha ha! Very funny Spike and Rainbow Dash.

Narrator: Fluttershy was shocked at such behaviour.

Fluttershy: Please stop that! It's not Edward's fault. Those cows aren't keen about the sound that trains make at all. The loud noise scares them. They're used to quiet pastures.

Henry: Pah! Its just because Edward's old and clapped out. His clanking is noisier than a brass band in forte. Heheh Talk about pathetic. Besides, those cows wouldn't dare do that to us. We would show them.

Edward: Just pay no attention to them Fluttershy.

Narrator: But Rachel, Applejack, Toby, Sally, Bridget, Flitter and Cloud Chaser were cross. Applejack and Rachel had just arrived aboard Toby after repairing the sleepers, and Applejack was ready on hand for her next shift with Henry and Spike and Cloud Chaser, Flitter, Sally and Bridget had just returned from their Great Northern Flyer run. Toby and the girls had heard everything.

Applejack: Oh for pete's sake. Just put an apple in it Rainbow Dash and same goes for you Spike.

Flitter/Cloud Chaser: (Same time as Applejack) Oh for pete's sake. Just put a cloud in it Rainbow Dash and same goes for you Spike.

Toby/Sally/Bridget: (Same time as the 3 ponies) Oh for goodness sake! Put a piece of coal in it Gordon and same goes for you Henry.

Applejack: Never mind about them about them sugarcubes. It wasn't your fault.

Fluttershy: Thanks Applejack, Flitter, Cloud Chaser, and you too Toby, Sally and Bridget.

Edward: Yes indeed much obliged to you too miss Applejack, Flitter, Cloud Casher and my tram engine and Athlantic friends.

Toby: Besides, you couldn't help it Edward. These jokers have never even met cows.

Sally: Well, to tell you the truth, me and Bridget haven't met cows either.

Flitter: Neither have me and Cloud Chaser.

Rainbow Dash: And I suppose you get on with them very well, barn engine. (Rainbow Dash falls to ground laughing) Get it, barn engine? (laughing pointing at Toby's shape and wheels).

Rachel: (Fuming) Hey that's no way to speak to my friend! He's more experienced than yo…

Toby: (Scoff) If you must Rainbow Dash. But for your information, I have met cows before and I know how troublesome they can be.

Applejack: Same here sugarcubes. Remember, I've had to keep Ponyville from getting flattened by a stampede of cows one time before.

Spike: Yeah. And we all remember that you couldn't even keep a herd of bunnies under control.

Rachel: Oh yeah, coming from a dragon who pretend to be cow in the iron pony competition! Applejack told me about that one last week.

Narrator: Spike glared back and was about to retort when Edward interrupted.

Edward: Nevermind Toby, Applejack and Rachel. Don't pay any attention to them. They'll get tired of it eventually.

Rachel: Edward's right. After all jokes have life spans as well.

Fluttershy: (Gulps) I hope.

Bridget: It's ok Fluttershy… oh goodness. Me, Sally, Flitter and Cloud Chaser have another Great Northern Flyer in 10 minutes.

Sally: We'd better get that.

Flitter: See you later.

Cloud Chaser: Bye.

Narrator: Some days later. Edward, Rachel and Fluttershy were resting Wellsworth station when with a loud whistle. Gordon, William and Rainbow Dash thundered past with the express.

Edward: (Gravely) Oh dear. Here comes trouble.

Gordon: Mind the cows little Edward.

Rainbow Dash: Yeah they may try to derail you next time old timer. (laughs)

William: (Grumbling) Rainbow Dash, Gordon, your pushing it!

Rachel: Oooh! I'd like to see that Gordon and Rainbow Dash get their comeuppance!

Gordon: Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Rainbow dash: YEAH! Get the lead out of your wheels and get a move on you coaches.

Coaches. Don't make such a fuss. Don't make such a fuss.

Coach 5: (Sighs) Gordon and Rainbow Dash don't know how to treat a coach.

Coach 4: Why didn't Thomas pick one of us to go on his branchline?

Narrator: They thundered up the hill and roared through the next station. Rainbow Dash and Gordon were both still teasing William of the relentless but unlucky Rolls Royce incident of 1921. William took no notice. A long stretch of line lay ahead. In the distance was a bridge with high parapets at each end. But its seemed to Gordon that there was something was on the bridge. He wasn't the only one who thought so too.

Rainbow Dash: (In alarm) SSSSSSTOOOOOPPP!

William: What?! (Looks out the window) WHOAAA GORDON WHOAA!

Narrator: Rainbow Dash slammed the brakes hard on.

Gordon: Pah! All the cloud busting in Cloudsdale must be going to Rainbow Dash's head. It's just a cow. SHOO! SHOO!

Narrator: They moved slowly onto the bridge but the cow wouldn't shoo. She had lost her calf and felt lonely.

Cow: (Sadly) MOOOOOO!

Narrator: Everyone and everypony tried to send her away, but she wouldn't go.

William: Here leave this to me.

Narrator: William plucked some grass from their end of the bridge and began waving it at the cow.

William: (Whistle) hey look, food! Here, come get the food come on! I know your hungry. Come on old girl.

Rainbow Dash: No. No No! Your doing it all wrong. Here let me show you. I'll have this cow out of the way in ten seconds flat.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash climbed off the footplate and trotted over to cow.

William: Heheh… This should be fun for a laugh..

Narrator: But Rainbow dash need more than that though. First she tried ordering the cow off.

Rainbow Dash: Hey you cow! Off the track now!

Narrator: Then she tried making funny faces at her to try and scare her off.

Rainbow Dash: Lylylylyla wah wah! (makes funny noise) Lylylylyl lalalala!

Narrator: But of course, she failed miserably.

Rainbow Dash: Oooh. Your good! Too good time for plan C.

Narrator: Plan C involved kicking the cow in the rear.

Rainbow Dash: GET MOVING YOU DAIRY BARN WITH LEGS! (kicks)

Narrator: Of course that plan failed too, quite painfully for Rainbow Dash. The cow kicked her sending her flying into Gordon's cab.

Rainbow Dash: Oooh my head.

William: Heheheheh… Smooth landing. Oh Rainbow Dash, you must have been up all night thinking of that plan.

Rainbow Dash: Oh and you should talk?! All you did was wave grass at her face.

William: Well at least my tactics were more diplomatic than yours. You did nothing but made her mad.

Rainbow Dash: Well at least I tried to literally shoo the cow away.

Narrator: Just then Henry arrived with Applejack and Spike aboard his train.

Rainbow Dash: Ah yeah. Now the tides will surely shift for the better. Two ponies, two engines, a human and a baby dragon vs 1 cow.

Gordon: I second that motion miss Dash.

Applejack: Hold up there Henry. Looks like a cow broke free. (Applejack slowly stopped the train)

Henry: (Confidently) Don't worry Applejack. I'll soon settle her. Be off! Be off!

Cow: (Wailing) Moo! (Lowers her head.)

Henry: Uh, now what do I do?

Spike: Just leave it to me.

Narrator: He was about to make an attempt when Applejack grabbed his tail.

Applejack: Hold up there partner. I think the best thing to do is keep your distance from her. From look of it, I think Rainbow Dash might have made her mad.

William: (Smirk points at Rainbow Dash) HA! Told you!

Rainbow Dash: (Annoyed) oh hardy har! har! Sheesh!

Henry: Uhh… Right. Then um… I'll take your word for that Applejack.

Spike : (Even more scared than Henry) That makes two of us.

Narrator: Henry back away nervously as Rainbow dash stood almost speechless.

Rainbow Dash: (Disbelief) WHAT! Oh for the love of pete. It's just one cow. Shape up Henry. Your bigger than she is. Why don't you just charge her and get it over and done with?

Henry: Well you see, we don't want to hurt her.

Spike: Yeah that's right. And Fluttershy would never let us hear the end of it.

Applejack: Come again sugar cube?

Spike: I said 'Fluttershy wouldn't let us hear the end of it.'

Applejack: THAT'S IT! You stay here Spike with Henry. William, go back to the last station and inform the station master that the line is blocked.

William: Will do. What do you have in mind Applejack?

Applejack: I've got myself an idea I'll be right back.

Narrator: So whilst Applejack ran to fetch Fluttershy from Wellsworth, William went back to tell the last station that Henry stopped at and told the Station Master what had happened.

Station Master: Oh I reckon that might be Bluebell. Her calf is here ready to be taken home.

William: Lets get her over there then.

StationMaster: Righto. I'll get Pinkie Pie to take her there with Percy.

Narrator: Meanwhile at the bridge, Applejack returned with Fluttershy whom was soothing bluebells ruffled feelings.

Fluttershy: There there bluebell. It'll be alright now. Just be a little patient and your calf will be here pretty soon.

Narrator: When Percy and Pinkie Pie arrived, Bluebell was so happy to be reunited with her calf again that the two of them gave Fluttershy a kiss.

Fluttershy: (giggle)

William: Thank you so much Fluttershy. We owe you one.

Fluttershy: Oh no problem William. I work well with animals.

William: I know you do Fluttershy.

Narrator: And then she took them home before returning to Edward.

Gordon: (Whisper) Not a word.

Henry (Whisper) Yes keep it dark.

Rainbow Dash: (Whisper) Remember. We saw nothing.

Spike: (Trying to sound incognito and failing miserably in the process). Saw what nothing?

Narrator: All 4 felt rather silly but unfortunately for them the story soon spread like peanut butter on jam sandwich.

(That night at sheds)

Edward: (Chuckle) Well! Well! Well! What do we have here then? Two big engines afraid of one cow?

Sally: (Chuckle) And not to mention an athlete pony.

Bridget: (Chuckle) And a dragon from what I heard.

Gordon: Afraid? Rubbish, we just didn't want the poor thing to hurt herself by running up against us, so we stopped so as not startle her.

Henry: Yeah, that's pretty much what happened. You see what we mean Edward, Sally and Bridget?

Edward/Sally/Bridget: Oh yes Gordon and Henry. I see. (Chuckles quietly so as not be rude).

Narrator: Gordon and Henry thought that Edward saw only too well, but he wasn't the only one. Back at Knapford Hotel, Rachel had heard about the story from Fluttershy.

Rachel: So what's this I here Rainbow Dash and Spike? You 2 along with Gordon and Henry getting afraid of just one cow.

Narrator: Rainbow Dash and Spike said nothing, they just sulked. But William felt rather guilty for the teasing.

William: Never mind Rainbow Dash and Spike, Rachel is just joking with you. I'm sorry about teasing you about your tactics.

Rainbow Dash: (smiled) Same here, I think I know what will make all 3 of us feel better.

Narrator: William smiled.

William: That's right and I'm buying it. Care to join us Rachel?

Rachel: Sure. I'll just get my coat. I'm sorry for teasing you 2.

Spike: That's alright Rachel. Heheh we kinda deserved it too.

Rainbow Dash: Yeah I think we all over did at the bridge.

William: Yeah that is so true.

Narrator: And laughing happily, the 4 went into the hotel kitchen for some donuts and cocoa.

Not much change here. Ready for part 2? I am. See you there.