Author's notes: A lot has been changed here. Sally, Bridget, Flitter, Cloud Chaser and I play a more prominent role and solve the mystery of who caused the rumours to spread.

A Close Shave

Narrator: Duck came sadly to Edward's station, where Edward, Twilight, Rachel and Applejack were waiting.

Duck: (Sighing sadly) It's not fair!

Edward: What isn't fair?

Duck: Diesel and Gilda have been framing me by telling lies about me and made The Fat Controller, Princess Celestia, all the ponies and all the engines think I'm horrid.

Narrator: Edward, Twilight Sparkle, Rachel, Applejack all smiled kindly.

Edward: There, there now Duck. I know you aren't and so does the Fat controller and Princess Celestia.

Applejack: Same here I'm tellin' ya the honest apple truth. I know for a fact in the name of the Sweet Apple Acres that you ain't an bad engine at all.

Miss Ravnes: I don't think your bad either. Well, except for that one time you, me, Percy, Pinkie Pie, William and Mike blocked the sheds back in 1955.

Narrator: Ducks face fell annoyed and so did William's and Mike's faces.

Duck: (Sarcastic) Oh gee, thanks Rachel.

Mike/William: Um, do realise we're standing right here?

(Pinkie Pie playing trombone fail song)

Narrator: Rachel eyes glanced from side to side.

Rachel: Uhhhh… ooops. Okay, that was very bad example! Okay, look I admit it, we were there too, but at least it was a friendly debate and we got our point across. Other than that, you're still a good engine.

Twilight: I'm with you too. To be honest too, I really doubt that Princess Celestia and the fat controller think you're a bad engine, and look here, Fluttershy has already forgiven you too.

Narrator: Fluttershy had come up while the others were trying to cheer Duck up.

Fluttershy: That's right Duck… Um… I sorry I judged before knowing the facts… I hope you will forgive me… um that is if you want to.

Duck: Oh thank you Fluttershy, I would love to forgive you. You just made feel so much better.

Fluttershy: Oh thank you Duck. I'm so glad that we're friends again.

Pinkie: Ah that's great. I had a feeling that you would come around to forgiving Duck.

Duck: Oh same here. But what about the others?

Edward: Oh, they'll see the truth before they know it. You just wait and see. How would you like to help us around Wellsworth?

Duck: That's the best thing I've heard all year since City Of Truro came to visit.

Narrator: Like Fluttershy, Duck felt happier with Edward and set to work at once. He helped him with his trucks and coaches, and even helped foreign engines by pushing there trains up Gordon's hill, but Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Gordon, Henry and James never spoke to him.

Despite this, Duck just took it in his stride.

Duck: Alright, there you go Edward. Your Dragon of Wellsworth is ready.

Edward: That a boy Duck. Your quite a good shunter.

Twilight Sparkle: Very great job Duck! You make Wellsworth look as organised as my bookshelves.

Applejack: When the books are not in a mess on the floor.

Twilight Sparkle: Huh? But I… WHAT!?

Applejack: Heheheheheheh. Just jokin' around Twilight. You're sure doin' a great Duck ol' boy.

Duck: Thanks Twilight and Applejack.

Narrator: One day, at Tidmouth, Sally with Rachel and Flitter had arrived with a train of cattle trucks and was shunting them into the yards. Sally and Flitter along with their respective sisters Bridget and Cloud Chaser and their friend Applejack, had all witnessed the argument themselves and couldn't help but feel worried about Duck. Twilight Sparkle felt the same way too as did Miss Ravens.

Twilight Sparkle: (Sigh) This is quite a mystery we've got on our hooves, hands and buffers girls. I mean, we've all known Duck longer than Diesel and Gilda and I don't think Duck is the type to be cruel.

Rachel: You're right, and like Fluttershy once said at the hotel, Duck would never be harsh.

Sally: You two girls are right. Truth be told, Duck is of course proud of his heritage of being from the Great Western railway.

Bridget: But surely he would never ever be so spiteful. It's just not his way.

Flitter: Good point. I think their is more to this then what we actually know.

Cloud Chaser: But what?

Narrator: Just then, Edward bustled in with William, Applejack and a train of trucks.

Edward: Hullo there Bridget, Cloud Chaser, hullo Sally, Flitter, Rachel, Twilight.

Applejack: Howdy Twilight, Sally, Bridget and Rachel.

William: Hullo girls, you look furlong.

Edward: What's the matter?

Sally: Oh, it's just this recent business with Duck, Diesel and Gilda.

Flitter: It's just that something doesn't seem right.

Bridget: I mean, it's not something that Duck would ever do.

Twilight: We all think that there's more than meets the eye in this situation.

Cloud Chaser: It's a big mystery.

Rachel: Exactly, and we all know that even though Duck is proud of being Great Western, we also know that he's not spiteful.

Edward: I agree with you, girls.

Applejack: Same here. So does Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller.

Bridget/Sally/Flitter/Cloud Chaser: What?! They do?

William: Sssshhh! Quiet. That's why Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller are investigating this mystery too.

Sally: Ah, now I see why Duck was sent away.

Edward: Indeed, now we'd better get going.

Narrator: Edward puffed away. Rachel, Twilight Sparkle, Flitter, Cloud Chaser and the two GNR atlantic's all agreed to do some investigating themselves, but none knew where to start. The 6 girls' chance came sooner than expected. One day Sally, was just shunting some trucks when James and Rarity came passed with a slow goods train.

Trucks: Ho ho ho! Oh look it's Rusty red scrap iron and his partner Prissy McPrisser pants! hahahahaha

James: (Furious) LOUSY CHEEKS!

Rarity: (Angry) Why, those little ruffians!

Twilight Sparkle: Wait a minute. Rachel, Sally, Flitter, look! Not all of these trucks are laughing…

Narrator: Sally and Rachel looked over and saw a certain lot of trucks sitting quietly.

Sally: You're right Twilight. Those trucks are behaving surprisingly well.

Rachel: Good spotting Twilight. I'll got talk to the yard manager to see if he can get us a list of the trucks that were in the yards when the name calling started.

Narrator: A few minutes later, Bridget, William, Cloud Chaser and Applejack came into yards with a milk train, just as Gordon accompanied by Rainbow Dash were heading over to carriage yard.

Trucks: HEY, galloping sausage, why don't you gallop faster! HAHAHAHA Hey don't go too fast Rainbow Smash! HAHAHAHAHA

Rainbow Dash/Gordon: OH SHUT UP!

William: Oh dear. It looks like it's getting worse.

Bridget: Oh dear sister, what are we to do?

Narrator: Then they saw Sally, Twilight, Flitter and Rachel smiling. Flitter then pointed to out of service siding. A bunch trucks were sitting there. Normally there would be 2 or 3 trucks, but the siding was half full.

Applejack: Well I'll be.

Cloud Chaser: Where'd all those trucks come from?

Twilight Sparkle: It was Rachel's idea.

Rachel: We got all the trucks that were accounted on the day of the name calling.

Bridget: Is that all them?

Sally: Not all of them, but it's still a good amount. We've got more here.

Narrator: Then, Twilight Sparkle whispered.

Twilight Sparkle: (Whisper) we're going to interrogate them.

William: (Whisper) I'll help too.

Rachel: (Whisper) Sorry Will, but we need you, Applejack and Mike to keep an eye on Duck to make sure he's alright.

Cloud Chaser: (Whisper) I'll continue work with Bridget.

William: (Whisper) Good Idea. Good luck to you girls. We'll be cheering you on.

Narrator: With that, William and Applejack made there way to the station to get Edward to take them to Wellsworth. Meanwhile, Twilight, Flitter, Cloud Chaser, Sally, Bridget and Rachel all started to put they're plan into action. First Sally, Flitter and Twilight started by collecting one of the bad order trucks, who was also the rudest truck.

Flitter: Okay, now then, listen here you trucks. Me and my friends would like to know where you heard those names.

Rudest truck: Oh wouldn't you like to know Sally? I ain't tellin' you nothing!

Twilight Sparkle: That's not what we're asking you. Who told you those those names?

Rudest truck: We've told you before, it's Duck who said it.

Sally: Wrong answer!

Narrator: She gave the truck a bump. The truck went sailing into the others.

Trucks: OH! OH! OH!

Sally: There's more coming if you don't confess!

Narrator: Then, Sally, Flitter and Twilight Sparkle went away to find more trucks, just as Bridget, Cloud Chaser and Rachel came up.

Bridget: I hope you weren't bumped too hard.

Rudest truck: Ah, I've had worst.

Rachel: Well, you'll have to forgive her. She's a bit upset about the ordeal and we both don't think that Duck told you those names.

Cloud Chaser: We suspect that someone or some engine has hoodwinked you into tricking the other engines.

Narrator: The trucks were furious! They liked tricking engines, but to be hoodwinked by another engine and a griffon was disgraceful to them and they had enough.

Bridget: Now then, if you'd like my sister to stop bumping you, we would like a confession please!

Oddball: (angry) I confess. It was Diesel and Gilda. They told me, my brothers and my sisters that Duck told them and then they told us that Duck said those names.

Rachel: All of them?

Oddball: All of them!

Narrator: A big grin crossed Bridget's, Cloud Chaser's and Rachel's faces as they puffed away.

Bridget: Thank you very much trucks. You've been a big help.

Narrator: Then, she puffed away with Miss Ravens and Cloud Chaser to tell Princess Celestia and the Fat Controller the evidence. One day later, when William, Mike and Pinkie Pie were working with Duck, he was pushing behind a goods train and helping it to the top. The trucks were silly heavy and noise. The two engines had to work hard pushing and pulling all afternoon. At last, they reached the top and Duck was uncoupled.

Duck: (Whistle) Goodbye!

Other railway engine: Goodbye, and thank you!

Narrator: He rolled gently over the crossing on to the other line. Duck and Pinkie Pie loved coasting gently down the hill, run easily with the wind whistling past.

Pinkie Pie: WWWEEEEEE! I love coasting down the hills.

Duck: Same here. It makes me feel so relaxed.

William: That makes 3 off us.

Mike: (sighs happily) This reminds me of that one song I once heard whilst saw in musical at a picture show.

Duck: Oh, I think I know one anywhere.

Narrator: Duck hummed a little tune which burst into song.

Duck: (Singing) The hills are alive, with the sound of music

Mike: (singing) With songs they have sung for a thousand years

William: (singing) The hills fill my heart, With the sound of music

Pinkie Pie: (singing) My heart wants to sing Every song it hears…

Narrator: Suddenly they heard a guards warning whistle.

Duck: What? That's odd. That's sounds like a guards whistle…

William: But we're running light engine. How could we have a guard?

Narrator: Mike heard it too, looked back and then hastily opened the regulator wide open.

Mike: HURRY DUCK! HURRY! THERE'S BEEN A BREAKAWAY! SOME TRUCKS ARE CHASING US.

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

William: GREAT SCOT! GUN IT MIKE, GUN IT!

Narrator: Duck hastily accelerated. There were 20 heavily loaded trucks.

Trucks: HORRAHH! HORRAHH! HORRAHH! WE'VE BROKEN AWAY WE'VE BROKEN AWAY!

Narrator: Before the signalman could change the points, they followed Duck onto the down line.

Trucks: CHASE HIM! BUMP HIM! THROW HIM OFF THE RAILS!

Narrator: They hurtled after Duck, bumping and swaying violently at ever increasing speed. The guard saved Duck though, the trucks had knocked him off his van, he got and ran behind blowing his whistle to attracted Mike's and William's attention.

William: Now what do we do Mike?

Mike: We'll have to go full steam as fast as we can William! Then they'll catch us gradually. You and Pinkie keep shovelling!

Pinkie/William: YOU GOT IT!

Narrator: They raced through Edward's station whistling furiously! But the trucks were gaining on them and soon the caught them with shuddering jar before they even cleared the platform.

Pinkie/William/Mike/Duck: OUGH!

Pinkie Pie: Oh this is so not good! The trucks have caught us! We're doomed!

William: Not if I can help it!

Narrator: William climbed back and the van's brakes came on with spark shooting scream. As Duck and the runaway trucks thundered out of Wellsworth, Rachel, Fluttershy and Edward stared in horror.

Fluttershy: MIKE, WILLIAM AND PINKIE PIE ARE IN THERE! WHAT WE DO!?

Rachel: I DON'T KNOW! BUT WE'VE GOT TO HELP THEM!

Edward: Rachel, open my regulator. We'll catch…

Applejack: No! Leave it to me!

Narrator: Before anyone could say anything, Applejack leaped up and gave chase down the line!

Edward: Well I'll be. She's one fast mare!

Narrator: Meanwhile, braking Duck carefully, Mike was gaining control.

Mike: Alright. Keep it up guys. Another clear mile and will do it!

Mr. Holden: Got it!

Pinkie Pie: Anything you say Mike!

Narrator: They swung violently around the next bend.

Mike/William: OH GLORY! LOOK AT THAT!

Pinkie Pie: OH SWEET CELESTIA! LOOK AT THAT!

Narrator: James and Rarity were just pulling out with a passenger train on their line from Crosby station up ahead. Any minute there could be a terrible crash! Mike leap to the reverser, hard over, full steam whistling frantically!

Mike: Alright, we did all we could, it's up to you now Duck.

Narrator: Duck put every ounce of weight and steam against the trucks! The trucks felt his strength and surged forward harder.

Trucks: ON! ON! ON!

Narrator: But Duck was holding them now.

Duck: I MUST STOP THEM! I MUST!

Applejack: Hold on guys. I'm a com-in!

Narrator: Mike and William stood amazed

Mike/William: ( surprised) APPLEJACK?!

Narrator: Sure enough, there was Applejack galloping with all her might, her hoofs pounding the ground as she raced to save Duck.

Mr. Hawkins: Applejack, are we glad to see you. We need you to get to signal box and have them throw the points to the Crosby yard after that last coach is clear.

Applejack: Gotcha partner!

Narrator: Applejack galloped faster than she ever galloped before! It was tricky work to start, but if William hadn't applied the brakes on the brake van and if Mike didn't set Duck's brakes on all the way, they probably wouldn't have made it, they just managed. The station came nearer and nearer, sparks were flying from Duck's wheels. Applejack had just got into the signal box after the last coach had cleared the platform.

Duck: (TERRIFIED) IT'S TOO LATE!

Narrator: And he, Pinkie Pie, William and Mike all shut their eyes and waited for the crash, they felt a sudden swerve and just barely grazing the last coach slid shuddering and groaning along a siding! A barber had set up shop in a wooden shed in the most impractical place in the yard, he was shaving a costumer. There was a sliding, groaning crash! A part of the wall had caved in! The costumer jumped nervously but the barber held him down.

Barber: Calm down Sir, it's only an engine.

Narrator: And the barber went on lathering. Luckily no one was hurt, but the yard Duck and the barbershop were in was in an awful mess. The trucks didn't care, they were feeling very pleased with themselves.

Duck: Beg Pardon Sir. E… Excuse my intrusion… Please.

Barber: (Crossly) No I won't. You frightened my costumers and spoiled my new paint! I'LL TEACH YOU!

Narrator: With his shaving cream and brush, he lathered Duck's face all over. Poor Duck. Edward had arrived with Fluttershy, Twilight, and Miss Ravens to help pull the trucks away.

Twilight Sparkle: My word, look at this mess.

Edward: Indeed. Boy it's a good thing Duck held the trucks in check and that Applejack had switched the points just in time. Perish the thought of Duck smashing into that passenger train.

Fluttershy: Oh. Thank goodness he didn't crash into that.

Narrator: Just then, The Fat controller and Princess Celestia arrived. The Barber was telling them what he thought, fuming with rage.

Barber: I DO NOT LIKE ENGINES POPPING THROUGH MY WALLS! They disturb my costumers!

Fat Controller: I appreciate your feelings and we'll gladly repair the damage.

Celestia: But you must realise that this engine, his crew and 2 of my little ponies had prevent a serious accident. You and many others might have been badly hurt.

Fat controller/Celestia: It was a very close… um, shave.

Barber: Oh… Oh excuse me then.

Narrator: He ran back inside followed by Princess Celestia and the Fat controller, fetched a basin of water and a hot wash cloth and washed Duck's face.

Barber: I'm sorry Duck. I had no idea that you were being a brave engine.

Duck: Uh… that's alright sir. I didn't know that either.

The Fat Controller: You were very brave indeed Duck!

Celestia: You were very heroic as well Duck. We are very proud of you, William, Mike, Pinkie Pie and Applejack.

Fat Controller: And I Shall tell City of Truro about you next time he comes.

Duck: (happily) Oh sir! Thank you sir.

Narrator: Duck felt happier than he had been in weeks. Soon, the Fat Controller and Princess Celestia watched Edward working the rescue operation. They had more news for Duck.

Fat Controller: Now when your washed and mended, you are coming home.

Duck: Home Sir and you're highness? Do you mean the yards?

Celestia: Certainly.

Duck: But begging your pardon malady and Sir, but the engines and ponies don't like me. They like Diesel and Gilda.

Narrator: Princess Celestia and the Fat controller chuckled.

Celestia: Not anymore. We never believed Diesel or Gilda. You see, the reason we sent you to Wellsworth was to see if Diesel and Gilda were lying to us during the debate. And me and Sir Topham Hatt's theory proved correct. They did take the bait.

Fat controller: You see, after you left to Wellsworth, Diesel and Gilda started spreading lies about Henry and Fluttershy. Applejack, Bridget, Sally, Flitter and Cloud Chaser witness the whole affair from debate to now and they, Rachel and Twilight did some detective work and they informed us right away. Diesel and Gilda were exposed and Princess Celestia and I have sent Diesel packing back to the other railway and Gilda is now banned from Sodor. The engines and ponies are now sorry and want you all back.

Duck: Coo blimey, great detective work girls. You lot give Sherlock holmes a run for his money.

Rachel: Oh no problem Duck. Glad to help a fellow engine in need.

Narrator: Everyone laughed. Princess Celestia was so proud too of Mike's heroic and diligent leadership during the runaway that she too had granted him the gift of immortality and eternal youth of age 24. Rachel and William were very pleased about this, and needless to say, Mike was too. Now they feel like an everlasting family together. A few days later when he came home with a shining new coat of Swindon green paint there was really rousing welcome for Duck the Great Western engine

Thomas: DUCK! WELCOME BACK!

Percy: Hey Duck! Good to see you!

Toby: I never once doubted you.

Henry: Welcome home Duck.

James: Oh great to have you back thanks for saving the Thunderbolt Of Tidmouth last week!

Duck: Oh it was nothing really. It was all a team effort from everyone and everypony.

Rainbow Dash: Great to have you home Duck!

Duck: Heheheheh. It's great to be back, Rainbow Dash.

Rarity: Oh Duck darling, my hero. What a beautiful swindon green coat of paint you have. It reminds me of beautiful lush green emeralds.

Duck: Thanks Rarity. That's very nice of you.

Twilight: Oh Duck, it's great to see you again. We all really missed you.

Duck: I missed you all too.

Applejack: Welcome home Duck.

Gordon: Oy! Westerner. It's so great to have you home!

Duck: And it's great to see you again, North Easterner!

Sally: Welcome home Duck.

Bridget: Glad to see you again.

Duck: Thank you girls. And, thank you, Applejack, Cloud Chaser and Flitter for clearing my name too.

Sally/Bridget/Applejack/Flitter/Cloud Chaser: Quite alright Duck.

Pinkie Pie: Now a toast to the return of our Great Western hero, Duck the Great Western engine!

All: To Duck the Great Western engine!

Flora: You were very brave Duck. (Adds quietly) You know, even if you didn't stop those trucks, you would still be my hero.

Duck: (Blushing) Oh um… thank you, Flora.

Flora: (Giggles)

Narrator: And it was truly the most happiest day for William James Holden, Applejack, Mike Montague Hawkins, Rachel Marie Ravens, Pinkie Pie and especially for Duck the Great Western Engine.

Ok. That's another one done. And yes, you did see some DuckXFlora going on in the final part. I think we'll expand on that another time. What's next? 'The Little Old Engine'! Ooh! Love that one.