Suddenly, a shield of purple magic energy formed around us, stopping the blast.

"What?!"

I opened my eyes and grinned.

"I guess the Elements of Harmony won't work against their bearers," I said.

"How is this possible?!" screamed Trixie.

"The Elements of Harmony won't obey you," said Miss Celestia, "because they don't belong to you. But I know who they really belong to…"

With that, a beam of white light enveloped the six of us.

"Applejack, who reassured Toby in the face of danger, represents the Element of Honesty. Fluttershy, who comforted Henry when he was ill, represents the Element of Kindness. Pinkie Pie, who helped Percy banish fear by giggling in evil's face represents the Element of Laughter. Rarity, who offered to give James a washdown, represents the Element of Generosity. And Rainbow Dash, who was firewoman to Gordon when the reliefman was late, represents the Element of Loyalty."

"But that's only five," said Lightning Dust.

"Not quite," I said, "after going through the magic railway, and all the time I spent here, I learned so many things over the past few days – one is that nothing is more important than the magic of friendship. That's why I have the Element of Magic!"

Suddenly, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash gained golden necklaces with their respective elements in them. I, on the other hand, gained a golden tiara with my element in it. Our hair had become longer and stopped close towards our legs before being tied up, making them look kind of like pony tails.

Our skin colors changed as well; mine was light purple, Applejack's was light gamboge, Fluttershy's was pale yellow, Pinkie's was… well, light pink, Rarity's was a very light gray, and Rainbow Dash's was a light blue. Rainbow and Fluttershy gained wings, Rarity and I gained unicorn horns, but all six of us gained pony-like ears.

"Woah!" exclaimed Flash.

"They're all colorful!" cried Apple Bloom.

Meanwhile, Thomas, Lady and Diesel 10 were just coming to Ballahoo station when the signalman spotted them. Lady was switched onto the track leading to Norramby, but Thomas and Diesel 10 were instead switched onto the track leading to Crovan's Gate, right over the Big Dipper! The viaduct was starting to fall apart as more stones came loose.

"We're not gonna make it!" cried Thomas.

"Thomas! Be careful!" shouted Cadance. Quickly, Shining Armor reversed Lady off the track leading to Norramby, and backed her towards Ballahoo. Diesel 10 hadn't spotted her, and nor had Chrysalis.

Spike looked towards Diesel 10, his claw reaching out to get Thomas, then towards the viaduct, which a hole had opened. It was now or never!

"Come on, Thomas!" he shouted, "Little engines can do big things!"

Before the driver could stop him, Spike opened the regulator to maximum, and Diesel 10's claw just missed Thomas, who'd sped ahead!

"Pretty fast for a puffball," Diesel 10 sneered.

The viaduct crumbled as Thomas crossed, but the little blue engine heroically jumped the gap, more of the viaduct collapsing behind him! Diesel 10 could just see the gap, but it was too late for him to stop as the brakes were applied!

"It's every man for himself!" cried Discord as he jumped clear.

"Nooooooo!" Diesel 10 shouted as the track he was on gave way. Chrysalis slid off of his roof as well, both landing into a barge filled with sludge!

"SLUDGE!" Chrysalis scowled, "I hate sludge!"

Up above, Discord was hanging onto a rail, struggling to get back on his feet.

"Help me!" he cried, "Anyone!" But before he could react, his grip gave away, screaming as he fell until he landed in the barge.

"Ah well," he shrugged, "nice time of the year for a cruise…" And he chuckled nervously, but stopped when he spotted a very livid Chrysalis glaring at him. Before he could say anything, Chrysalis dove at him and began to violently beat him up.

"I'll get that blue puffball one day…" Diesel 10 snarled as the sludge covered villains were towed away.

Back at Vicarstown, the other battle was about to end. All six of us had gathered close together forming a heart, and shot a large rainbow beam at the mean girls.

"No! NOOOOOOO!" screamed Sunset, "Whatever is happening?!"

"I'll tell you what's happening," I grinned, "the Magic of Friendship!"

The rainbow beam circled the mean girls and a bright light enveloped everything. When the light faded, the three mean girls were back to normal on the ground.

"That was incredible!" cried Sweetie Belle.

"I've never seen a human transform like that before," remarked Duck.

"Neither have I," said Emily.

At that moment, Lady steamed back into Vicarstown with Shining Armor and Cadance still aboard her cab.

"Thank goodness you're safe," called Edward, "if I were back on the rails, I might whistle in delight."

"Where's Thomas and Spike?" asked Percy, "Are they okay?"

"We're not exactly sure," said Cadance, "we last saw them crossing over the viaduct and then that diesel with a claw fell off."

Then there was the sound of sirens and the police arrived.

"There she is, officer," said George's driver, pointing at Sunset, "that's the young lady who stole my steamroller!"

"You've used nothing but deception and trickery to get your way, Sunset Shimmer," I said firmly, "but in the end, it was your downfall."

Sunset looked up at us and, surprisingly, she looked rather teary-eyed and sad.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I didn't know there was another way…"

"The magic of friendship isn't just in these elements," I said, "it's everywhere; you can either seek it out or be alone."

"But… but all I've ever done is caused trouble," Sunset sniffed, "I don't even know the first thing about friendship."

"I bet we could teach you," I said.

"They're not the only criminals," said Luna.

Luna then concentrated on her necklace and as if by magic, Discord and Chrysalis showed up, still covered in sludge.

"Arrest those two, officer," Luna said to a policeman.

"What's the charge?" he asked.

"Discord assisted Diesel 10 in causing harm to the railway, and for attempting to push me and James into the smelter's pit," said Luna, "and Chrysalis here nearly put all of Sodor in jeopardy by attempting to destroy the lost engine of the magic railway."

"That woman's crazy!" exclaimed Discord, referring to Chrysalis, "She punched me in the face, I swear!"

The two were then taken away by the police to await their punishment. Miss Celesita looked at her sister in surprise.

"How did they manage to appear from nowhere?" she asked.

"I've just discovered I can do that with this," said Luna modestly, holding up her necklace.

"If we ever last long enough," said Miss Celestia, looking up to the sky, "that might come in useful again… someday."

"I think that explains why Diesel 10 is over there on that siding," said Gordon.

The big express engine was right; nearby on a siding was a battered and sludge covered Diesel 10. He didn't look so tough now, especially as Miss Celestia was now looking crossly at him.

"You shall stay where you are for now, Diesel 10," she said firmly, "when Sir Topham Hatt returns, he shall decide your fate!"

Diesel 10 couldn't say anything; the look of horror on his face did the talking for him. Then Miss Celestia turned to the three mean girls.

"As for you three," she said sternly, "you can wait in the station for Sir Topham Hatt's return so he can decide your punishments as well."

Sunset, Trixie and Lightning Dust gulped nervously as two police officers led them to the station building.

"I'm really expecting an apology for last spring's debacle they caused some time soon," said Rarity.

"Hopefully, one day," said Fluttershy, "they'll be better people."

"Flash," I said, "how do you know of Sunset Shimmer?"

"I used to date her," admitted Flash, "back then, I thought she was nice, but when she revealed her true colors, I practically broke up with her."

"Ah'm sorry ya had to date someone heartless like her, partner," said Applejack.

"Where's Thomas?" asked Pinkie Pie, "Shouldn't he and Spike be back by now?"

We'd been so focused on the villains we'd nearly forgot Thomas and Spike hadn't shown up at all. Some of us began to fear the worst…

"I do hope they're alright," said Rarity. Even the engines began to worry.

"Maybe he got into an accident," moaned Percy.

"If so, then I feel bad for teasing him now," said Gordon.

In the distance, we could see a workman's coach, two cranes and two flatbeds coming into view.

"What's the breakdown train doing here?" asked Henry, "And who's pushing it?"

Henry's second question was on our minds as well; it was only until we heard the whistle, and it could only belong to one blue tank engine…

"It's Thomas!" cried Percy, "He's alright!"

Sure enough, it was Thomas, pushing the breakdown train with a very similar green haired boy waving to us…

"Spike!" I cried excitedly, "You're alright as well!"

This was a signal for a chorus of excited whistles from the steam engines.

"We were so worried about you," said Emily, "what took you so long?"

Before Thomas could say, Pinkie interjected.

"After the Big Dipper collapsed, you went straight to Crovan's Gate, where Spike and your crew explained everything to the stationmaster, then you picked up the breakdown train to bring Edward back onto the rails again!" she said in one breath, "Right?!"

We all looked at Pinkie in surprise.

"How'd you know that?" asked Spike.

"Just a hunch," Pinkie shrugged.

Before long, the two cranes lifted Edward back onto the rails. The blue tender engine suffered a few dents here and there, some scrapes on his sides, his funnel bent out of shape, and there was a large dent in his boiler.

"Not to worry, Edward," said Lady.

With that, the golden engine closed her eyes, and a golden aura enveloped Edward. When it faded, he looked good as new.

"How did you do that?" exclaimed James.

"I used my magic," explained Lady, "plus, it was a token of gratitude for giving me and Thomas time to escape."

Edward smiled.

"But Miss Celestia," said Thomas, "you still don't have your gold dust."

"I think she will soon, Thomas," replied Lady.

"Miss Celestia," I asked, "can you try and remember the rest of the clue to the gold dust?"

I was now scooping out the shavings from the backpack, reciting the first part of the clue, "Stoke up the Magic in the Mountain and the Lady will smile…"

"I remember," smiled Miss Celesita, and then continued from where I left off, "Then watch the Swirls that spin so Well…"

"Swirls; just like all the wonderful shavings around Lady when we were on the railway," said Flash.

"Lady must be the source of our gold dust," remarked Luna.

"Is there anything else?" I asked.

"Of course there is!" said Pinkie, "So Well… a well means water!"

"Maybe there's a well at the Walney Channel," I suggested.

"Let's go and see," said Flash.

So off we set; as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had wings, they flew. Miss Celestia and Luna joined Shining Armor and Cadance in Lady, Spike and I went with Thomas, and Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack went with Edward. Big Macintosh, Flash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders followed the rest of us by foot.

As the well bucket was brought to the surface, we noticed a piece of paper floating in it.

"What's this?" I asked, picking it up.

"It's the clue I lost at Rheneas waterfall," said Miss Celestia. She took the paper and read the last bit of it.

"As the Waterfalls, so shall the Gold Dust be plentiful, then…" she paused, chuckling, "So that's why the clue was in the waterfall," she said.

Rarity filled a bottle with water from the bucket while Fluttershy handed me a small bowl to put the shavings in. When the water was added, I mixed the two together a bit, shaking them around as if panning for gold.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Now throw it into the air," said Miss Celestia.

"Alright," I said, "here goes…"

I threw the mixture into the air with all my might, and within seconds, it changed into…

"Gold dust!" we all yelled in excitement. There was a wondrous cloud of gold dust against the blue sky!

Miss Celestia and Luna held out their whistles, gold dust being sucked into them. After that was taken care of, a bellflower rang, and Miss Celestia answered.

"Hello?"

"Is this Miss Celestia?"

"Oh, yes, Sir Topham Hatt, sir!"

"Oh, good. I'm making this call to inform you I'm coming back from holiday."

"You're on your way back right now? Splendid news; we'll all be at Vicarstown to welcome you."

"Now how are things going on my railway? Is everything alright?"

"Right now, everything is under control. Of course, in your absence, there has been some trouble. I'll fill you in on it when you get back."

"I see. So I shall see you then."

"Goodbye, sir."

With that, Miss Celestia hung up.

"I just remembered," said Luna, taking my hand and pouring a small pile of gold dust into it, "I had to use the batch you wanted me to hold on to in order to get out of a mess."

With that, we all began heading back to Vicarstown.

"So aunt Celestia," said Cadance, "how else can we help?"

"You mean you don't want to live isolated from the railways anymore?" I asked.

"After you helped us make Lady steam again, not anymore," said Shining Armor.

"We're probably gonna find somewhere closer to the railway to live now that Chrysalis is behind bars," added Cadance.

"But what about Lady?" I asked, "I mean, B.B.B.F.F., you're her guardian after all."

"We'll make arrangements so that Lady can still be with us and have her own shed," said Shining Armor.

"Here," I said, pouring some of the gold dust into their hands, "I'd like you to have this."

"Why, how sweet of you, Twilight," said Shining Armor, "here, let me see Smarty Pants."

I got Smarty Pants out of my backpack, and then Shining Armor and Cadance poured their gold dust onto it.

"There," he said smiling, "now we'll always remember our Shining Time…"

Then as all three of us joined in a hug, Smarty Pants briefly glowed rainbow colors.

When Sir Topham Hatt – or the Fat Controller, according to the engines – made his return at Vicarstown, everyone of us explained what had happened. After he understood everyone's side of the story, he first dealt with Diesel 10; his word with the big diesel was short, but not sweet.

"I shall send you back to the other railway first thing tomorrow morning!" he had said. Diesel 10 was too shocked to respond, and I tell you – the look of horror on face was priceless!

When the Fat Controller had a word with Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, and Lightning Dust, he was disgusted by their unacceptable behavior. The three girls, of course, were cringing as he stated how their reckless behavior caused confusion and delay. For their punishment, they had to serve four months of community service for the North Western Railway starting with helping to repair the buffers they'd help Diesel 10 smash.

Needless to say, they weren't happy with the news, but at least I knew they ought to be lucky not to go to prison.

Speaking of prison, Chrysalis and Discord had been sentenced to prison for their crimes against the North Western Railway and all of Sodor; Chrysalis got ten years while Discord got a lighter punishment of only three years.

George had confessed to helping Diesel 10 with his scheme, but seeing how he learned his lesson, the Fat Controller decided to let this one go.

As it turned out for Splatter and Dodge, they'd been brought to Sodor to see if they could behave better at the scrapyards than Arry and Bert did. They too were given another chance when the Fat Controller heard how they turned against Diesel 10, and now they work as shunters for Crovan's Gate Steamworks.

As for Bowler, Diesel, Arry and Bert, they were sent back to the other railway for returning to Sodor without permission.

But enough talk of the bad guys of our story; let's move on to what happened to us, the good guys, afterward, shall we? Starting with Shining Armor and Cadance…

They became official members of the North Western Railway and relocated to a house closer to the railway. Shining Armor became Thomas' new driver while Cadance was given her own conductor's whistle and learned to travel by gold dust like her aunts.

The five girls and I haven't changed much – physically, of course. When we took off our respective Elements, mine and Rarity's horns and Rainbow Dash's and Fluttershy's wings all vanished, our ears returned to normal as did our skin colors and hair lengths.

All six of us began spending more time together since these last few days, even Spike had worked up the courage to ask Rarity out… but that's a different story altogether. We also started spending more time with the engines by visiting them whenever we got the chance.

As for me and Flash, we began to bond as well. Some might say we'd start dating… but again, that's another story altogether.

***

TWENTY YEARS LATER – 2012

"…and that's the story of how it all happened twenty years ago."

Thirty-six year old Twilight Sparkle-Sentry smiled as she held her children together looking over the family scrapbook on a field near Ffarquhar. Her oldest son of twelve, Dustin Charles Sentry had his father's blue hair and eyes, a light purple t-shirt with a dark blue shield on it, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. He is commonly known as Dusk Charger.

Dusk's younger twin sisters were both the age of seven; Violet Gloria "Velvet Glow" Sentry had her mother's hair and eyes, a light orange top with a magical spark and lightning bolt on it, a white skirt and red shoes. Twinkle Scout Sentry had her mother's hairstyle, but it was blue like her father's. She also had his blue eyes, wore a pink t-shirt with orange shorts and blue tennis shoes.

"Wow, mom," said Velvet, "that sounded like a lot of fun."

"I really liked how mommy and her friends defeated those meanie girls," said Twinkle, playing with Smarty Pants.

Twilight chuckled and hugged her daughter. "I liked that part too, sweetie," she smiled.

"It would be nice to work on the railways and get to meet Thomas like you did," said Dusk.

"Maybe one day," said Twilight, "but until then, it's best to stick the model trains we have at home."

They continued looking at more pictures in the scrapbook. Some contained pictures of Twilight, her friends and the Sodor engines, while others were about her family and Flash. There were even some postcards of various railways in the United Kingdom from Luna, and Shining Armor's drawing he did as a young boy.

Then they came to a picture of Winona. With the family was a dog that looked like her, but it was a boy instead of a girl.

"That's your great-grandmother Winona, William," Twilight told the dog, "she made sure Spike and I got on the wrong train for the right reason."

The dog barked happily.

"There's a good boy, Will," Dusk chuckled, scratching behind the dog's ears, William enjoying every moment of it.

At that moment, a thirty-seven year old Flash Sentry walked up, having finished tending to the horses. He bent over and kissed his wife.

"Did I miss anything?" he asked.

"We were just going through some pictures, dear," said Twilight. Then she turned to the kids.

"Come along now," she said, "uncle Spike and Aunt Rarity will be worried if we're late for dinner."

As they stood up, there was the familiar sound a steam whistle everyone knew.

"That must be Thomas!" Twinkle squeaked excitedly, and began waving her hand quickly, her siblings and parents following suit.

Thomas was chuffing by on the branchline with his evening train to Knapford pulling Annie and Clarabel. He had changed in appearance years before, for he now had a flat running plate as opposed to the front dip he had before.

In his cab was a forty-four year old Shining Armor, wearing the traditional driver's uniform; blue trousers, a black tie, a white shirt with a blue jacket over it, and a blue cap. On his jacket's left breast pocket was a pink six-pointed star over a purple shield with three blue stars above the shield.

"It's uncle Shining Armor!" the children cried happily.

Shining Armor pulled on the chain blowing Thomas' whistle and waved back at his sister's family. The family waved until Thomas was out of earshot.

And so we've come to the happy end of our story. Sometimes, all it takes is a little train to remind us that magic is timeless, and always worth the hopes of its existence. That little train today was Thomas the tank engine, and he proved how little engines really can do big things.

THE END