Author's notes: I added some dialogue between Annie and Clarabel. They are so under-appreciated in the original that the Rev W Awdry wrote. I mean, Clarabel had to give up some of her floor boards just to keep Percy's fire going, and she deserves more credit, don't you think?

Percy's Promise

Narrator: The Fat Controller's railway is always busy year round but summer time is the busiest of all. Many special holiday passenger trains are dispatched from the ferry and holidaymakers, local, foreign and from Equestria ride on the trains to many wonderful holiday spots. One morning, Percy was shunting some trucks ready to take to Knapford Harbour. Much to his confusion though, instead shunting stone trucks, he was shunting 2 fruit vans.

Percy: I don't understand this. These vans are for fruit not stone.

Narrator: Rachel laughed and explained

Rachel: It's part of the branchline's new revenue. The farmers have agreed to allow us to take their produce down to markets along the branchline to exchange with to the mainline and to ships at that new harbour at Knapford.

Percy: Oh I see. Golly, that sounds grand that we're getting more revenue that just stone trucks.

Pinkie Pie: Hmm. That does sound like a great idea Can these vans carry baked goods as well?

Miss Ravens: Hmmm. I guess they cou…

Narrator: But before Rachel could finish, Toby came bustling in with the stone trucks from the quarry and another fruit van. To Percy, Rachel and Pinkie Pie's shock was William and Mike also came in, helping a very tired and knackered Applejack.

Applejack: (Mumbling) uh got….Gotta…. keep…bucking… apples…

William: Easy now girl. Steady.

Mike: Okay, steady now.

Narrator: They sat Applejack down on bench at the station platform. William rushed in to get some water for the poor tired pony.

Rachel: Bless me. What happened?!

Pinkie: You look as tried as you were during Applebuck Season.

Narrator: Applejack gulped down the water that William gave her and explained.

AppleJack: Thanks, William. I just got word on the radio that there is a chance of a heavy storm hitting this here island and I swore an oath to protect apples everywhere, even on this island. I also promised to help the reverend of Ffarquhar get his apples down to the port in case the storm does hit. Unfortunately, the vicar had to get down to the church for plans for some outin' so I was on my own. But y'all better be careful. A storms are no laughin matter.

Rachel: Don't worry. We promise and we'll get the apples over to the wharf at Knapford Harbour, just in case.

Pinkie: I pinkie promise too. Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.

Percy: I promise too. You can always count on us.

Applejack: Thanks Percy, that really means a lot to me.

Toby: Just be careful Percy, just in case that storm does come.

Percy: A promise is a promise no matter what the weather Toby, especially if it's a Pinkie promise.

Pinkie Pie: Now that's good engine Percy. You take after your old aunty Pinkie Pie.

Percy: Thanks Pinkie Pie!

(record scratch)

Percy: Uh, wait a minute. Um mind you but I think I actually a lot older than you Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie: Oopsie Sorry bout that Percy.

Narrator: With that, Mike joined Rachel and Pinkie on board Percy's footplate. Percy coupled his two fruit vans to front of Toby's fruit train and the stone trucks. He set off down the line to Knapford Harbour. On the way, he stopped at Dryaw station where he saw Harold getting ready to take off, and the wonderbolts doing strict training drills.

Harold: Sorry Percy old chap. Can't talk. I'm on high alert.

Percy: Why's that?

Harold: Bad weather's due. My help is always need.

Spitfire: Same here. We're on high alert too. That's why we're getting all the pegasi here to be ready on hand to help out.

Spitfire/Harold: Mind how you go Percy.

Percy: HMPH! As long as I've got rails to run on, I can go anywhere in any weather, any how. Goodbye!

Narrator: And with that, he set off to Knapford Harbour. It wasn't long till Percy had arrived at the Harbour station .

Mike: Good, we've made it just in time.

Rachel: (sigh) What a relief. For a second there, I thought the storm was going to hit us before we even made it to the harbour.

Narrator: Just then, Thomas, William and Twilight Sparkle arrived to the platform with Annie and Clarabel. A mob of excited children and foals poured out of the coaches and ran down to the beach.

William: Heya guys. how's it going?

Rachel: Nothing much. Just taking some goods over for that ship there.

Mike: Boy, those are some excited young passengers.

Thomas: They are the Vicar of Ffarquhar's Sunday school.

Twilight Sparkle: The Vicar planned an out for the children this summer.

Pinkie Pie: Oh that does sound like fun.

Thomas: Oh I almost forgot. I'm going to be busy with Twilight and William this evening, but the stationmaster said I can ask you, Rachel, Mike, and Pinkie Pie to take the children home.

Percy: Of course I will.

Rachel: you can count on us William.

Mike: That's what friends are for.

Pinkie Pie: I Pinkie promise. Cross my heart hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye.

Thomas: Oh thank you very much. I knew I could count on you. Also, be sure to look after Annie and Clarabel. They are very special to me.

Percy: You know we will buddy.

Narrator: Thomas left his coaches and went off to Ffarquhar. Percy went to shunt his train on to the quay. The children and foals had a lovely day but by tea time it got very hot. Dark clouds loomed overhead, then came lightning, thunder and rain. The children and foals only managed to reach shelter before the deluge began. Annie and Clarabel stood at the platform, the children and foals all scrambled in.

Annie: Don't panic young children and foals.

Clarabel: It's only a storm. You'll be ok with us.

Narrator: The vicar of Ffarquhar went to speak to the stationmaster.

The Vicar: May we go home please stationmaster?

Narrator: Percy had just finished the trucks and vans when the stationmaster called him over.

Stationmaster: Percy, Rachel, Mike, Pinkie Pie. Can you please take the foals and children home quickly please? This storm is getting worse.

Narrator: He was right. The rain streamed like a waterfall down Percy's boiler making him shiver.

Percy: Ugh… I wish I was in my nice dry shed back Ffarquhar.

Narrator: But the he remember that he made a Pinkie promise.

Percy: A promise is a promise, especially if it's a Pinkie promise. So here it goes.

Narrator: Percy ran round to the front of Annie and Clarabel, then Pinkie Pie coupled them up.

Pinkie Pie: Boy, this storm is getting bad. I've never seen anything like this before. The weather in Equestria is usually predictable and are usually under control by the pegasi, but, there something about this storm that makes it feel very untamed.

Rachel: Well, that's because the weather here is controlled by itself.

Narrator: Soon the guard blew the whistle and waved the green flag and Percy started off.

Percy: Well, here goes nothing…

Narrator: They were soon clear of Knapford Harbour and forging their way back to Ffarquhar. They passed Dryaw with a furious effort Percy didn't even notice that Harold, Spitfire and the rest of the wonderbolts were out on emergency patrol.

Rachel: Doing alright Mike?

Mike: Still intact Rachel, How about you and Pinkie Pie?

Rachel: I'm hanging in there!

Pinkie Pie: Same here.

Narrator: When they reach Troyreck, Rachel was anxious. The River Els was rising dangerously fast. It foamed and swirled fiercely threatening to flood the country any minute. The rain beat in Percy's, Annie's and Clarabel's faces, nearly blinding them as they battled against the rain.

Percy: Ugh! I wish I could see! I wish I could see!

Clarabel: (Coughs) I'm with you there, Percy. I can't see a thing.

Annie: It is very cold and wet out here.

Pinkie pie: Hang in there Percy, Annie, Clarabel! We're nearly at Elsbridge.

Narrator: But more trouble lay ahead of the brave friends. Percy thundered through Elsbridge and charged across the bridge and through a cutting.

Pinkie Pie: Hey Percy?

Percy: Yes Pinkie?

Pinkie Pie: Can trains swim?

Percy: No. Why?

Pinkie: BECAUSE THAT LAKE UP AHEAD.

Rachel: Lake? What are you talking… (looks and sees the flood)

Rachel/Percy/Mike: JUMPIN BALLAST!

Narrator: They left the cutting and found themselves wheel deep in water.

Percy: (Chatter coldly) OOHHH MYY. WHEELSS! IT'S CCCOOOOLLLLDDD!

Annie: Oh my wheels! AHHHH CHOO!

Clarabel: Bless you Annie… AHHHH CHOO! Oh, it's cold in here.

Annie: Bless you Clarabel. No kidding.

Narrator: But they struggle on. They didn't get far when a cold splash of water splashed into Percy's cab.

Percy: WWHHOOSSHH! It's sloshing my fire out!

Pinkie Pie: OH NO NO NO NO! NOT GOOD! NOT GOOD! NOT GOOD!

Rachel: (Screams in panic) YIPE! IT'S GETTING INTO THE FIREBOX

Mike: GET HIM OUT! GET HIM OUT!

Narrator: Rachel quickly stopped Percy and back him and the coaches to the cutting.

Mike: Whew! That was a close one. The fire almost went out.

Pinkie Pie: Too close for comfort. I don't know why my Pinkie senses didn't pick that up.

Rachel: Never mind that Pinkie. Go to guards compartment in Clarabel and tell the guard to telephone Elsbridge.

Narrator: Pinkie Pie then told the guard to go back to telephone Elsbridge. He returned looking glum.

Guard: It's no good Rachel. We couldn't go back even if we wanted to. The bridge before Elsbridge has been washed away. But thankfully, the people and ponies at Elsbridge has been evacuated.

Rachel: (Sigh unhappily) Well this just great. Real great…. Now we're cut off in both directions.

Mike: Wait a minute. I've got an idea.

Narrator: Mike went to the guards compartment in Clarabel carrying a hatchet.

Guard: Hullo Mike… You look fierce..

Mr. Hawkins: I need some dry wood for Percy's fire please.

Narrator: They broke up some boxes but it did not satisfy Mike.

Mike: I hate to ask this of you, but I'll need some of your floor boards.

Guard/Clarabel: WHAT?! MY NICE FLOOR?!

Mike: Yes. I'm sorry about this, but this is an emergency.

Guard: (Grumble) I only swept it this morning.

Clarabel: (Gulp) I'm scared Annie.

Annie: I understand where your coming from Clarabel. They'll give you some new boards to replace the ones they take.

Narrator: Clarabel shut her eyes and prepared for the worst. Soon they had plenty of wood stored in Percy's fire.

Clarabel: Ow! It hurts.

Annie: I know, I know. I'll inform Thomas about this when we get back. You were very brave Clarabel.

Clarabel: Thank you Annie.

Narrator: Mike explained the plan to both Pinkie Pie and Rachel and they all agreed.

Rachel: It's risky, but it's our only chance.

Percy: She's right. I'll do it. Besides, I made a Pinkie promise and I plan to keep it.

Pinkie Pie: That's the spirit Percy!

Narrator: Soon, Percy's fire burnt well again. He felt warm and comfortable, then they heard a familiar buzzing noise followed by the flapping of pegasi wings.

Percy: (Sadly) Oh dear.. Harold and Spitfire have come to laugh at me, and they brought the wonderbolts too.

Narrator: Just then Pinkie Pie's tail began to twitch.

Percy: Hey Pinkie, your tail's twitching? What does that mean?

Pinkie Pie: That means that something is going to fall.

Narrator: She was right. With loud bump, something thudded onto Percy's boiler followed by other things too.

Percy: (Muffled) OW! THAT'S REALLY TOO BAD! THEY NEEDN'T THROUGH THINGS!

Narrator: Rachel, Mike and Pinkie Pie unwound 5 parachutes from Percy's indignant face and all laughed.

Rachel: Harold isn't throwing things at you. Neither are the Wonderbolts. They're dropping hot drinks and supplies to us.

Percy: Oh! That was nice of them.

Narrator: Everyone had a nice drink of cocoa and felt much better.

Pinkie Pie: Ah… That hit the spot.

Rachel: Mmm. Love hot cocoa when the weather's cold.

Mike: You said it.

Narrator: Percy had steam up now and whistled his thanks to the Wonderbolts and Harold.

Percy: Thank you Harold, you too Spitfire and you're crew too.

Spitfire: No problem little Percy. We're just glad to help a friend in need.

Harold: Likewise Percy old chap! Good to be of service anytime.

Spitfire: Wonderbolts, we'll be a flying escort for Percy up to Ffarquhar.

Soarin: Got it!

Spitfire: Harold, me and the Wonderbolts will take the left side, you fly escort on the right side.

Harold: Copy that Captain Spitfire, Ma'm!

Narrator: Soon everyone was ready.

Spitfire: Good luck Percy! We'll all be with you all the way.

Percy: Righto Captain Spitfire! Right then Rachel, Pinkie Pie, Mike you all ready?

Rachel/Mike/Pinkie Pie: YES PERCY!

Percy: Right then! Here we go!

Narrator: Percy whistled the signal, Rachel opened the regulator and the train lurched and began to move, as Harold and the Wonderbolts flew alongside to make sure they would be alright. The water lapped Percy's wheels making him shiver again.

Percy: Ugh!

Pinkie Pie: Hang in there Percy. You can do it! We're all with you!

Narrator: The water soon rose up and up and up it reached his ash pan and sloshed at his fire.

Percy: Whhoosh! My fire!

Narrator: Percy was losing steam again but he plunged bravely on!

Soarin: Mayday! Mayday! Percy's in trouble. He's taking water into his firebox and losing steam!

Spitfire: Copy that! Harold, you and Soarin take the lead! I'm going down there to help Percy!

Soarin and Harold: Copy that Ma'm!

Harold: Soarin, keep on the left hand side and split a member onto my side.

Soarin: Rodger Harold! Rapidfire your with me! Fleetfoot form up with Harold!

Rapidfire/Fleetfoot: Copy that!

Narrator: So as the rest of the Wonderbolts took their position. Spitfire flew down to help Rachel, Mike and Pinkie Pie keep Percy going. His steam pressure was dropping rapidly, but Percy soldiered on.

Percy: (Breathless) I promised! I promised!

Narrator: Mike and Pinkie Pie, with Spitfire's help, piled his wood up high. At last they managed to keep Percy steaming through the flooded valley.

Percy: I made a Pinkie promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eye! I must do it! I must! I must! I must!

Annie: Come on Percy.

Clarabel: Not far now. You can do this!

Narrator: He made one last great effort, and at last, cold, exhausted but triumphant, he stood on rails which were clear of the flood. He rested to get steam up, Spitfire rejoined the Wonderbolts and Percy then brought the train home. Thomas and Toby were resting in their sheds with William, Twilight Sparkle and Applejack checking them over when they heard a tired whistle in the distance. At last, Percy made into Ffarquhar. The vicar, the children and foals all came out excited.

Vicar: Three cheers for Percy!

Percy: Well, I did have a lot of help from Pinkie Pie, Mike, Rachel, Annie, Clarabel, Harold and the Wonderbolts.

Vicar: Ok then, three cheers for all of you!

Narrator: And he, the engines, William, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and the foals and children nearly raised the roof.

Thomas: Well done Percy! You kept your promise despite everything. And well done to everyone who helped as well.

Twilight Sparkle: Indeed. That was very heroic of all of you. I'm very proud of you.

Pinkie Pie: Same here. You were very brave and kept 2 Pinkie promises in one day. I'm very proud to be your friend.

Narrator: Percy, still tired and blushing managed a thankful smile.

Percy: Also, Clarabel was very brave today. While we were in the flood, my fire went out.

Annie: Then, Mike came in and took some boards from Clarabel to fix Percy's fire.

Thomas: (Impressed) You did that?!

Clarabel: Well, it had to be done.

Thomas: I am very proud of you indeed. We'll get the works to mend you right away Clarabel.

Clarabel: Thank you Thomas.

Percy: No, thank you Clarabel. We couldn't have gotten out without you.

Narrator: The Fat Controller arrived on board Harold with a Wonderbolt escort and a very happy Rainbow Dash. First he thanked the Wonderbolts, then the crew, then Harold, then Annie and Clarabel, then Pinkie Pie and Percy.

Fat Controller: Harold told me you were… um… a wizard. He says that he can beat you at somethings, but not at being a submarine.

Narrator: Percy snorted as both the fat controller and Rainbow Dash laughed.

Fat Controller: I don't know what you both have been playing at and I won't ask. I do know that you are a really useful engine.

Narrator: Then the Wonderbolts saluted to Percy, the engines whistled and everyone clapped and cheered for Percy the small engine.

Percy: (Whisper happily) Oh Sir.

And that was 'Percy The Small Engine'. Look out for '8 Famous Engines' next.