Johnny Helps Out

Transcript
Narrator: It was another day on Fantasyland, and Johnny still hadn't heard back from Hoity Toity. On this particular day, the other engines and the ponies were all discussing on who would be going out first.

Montana: Well, we all know they'll be choosing me. I'm the biggest and strongest engine after all.

Rainbow Dash: And the one and only fastest engine on the island.

Rojo: (Jokingly) Pah. They won't choose you, not after last year.

Rarity: Yeah, don't you two remember? You + Rainbow Dash and William arguing + Rachel's lack of experience of driving at the time + the earth pony's Rolls Royce = hitting the earth pony's Rolls Royce.

Montana: Hey! That accident was not my fault. That pegasus obviously has never heard of something called a break.

Rainbow Dash: (Crossly) Oh for the love of pete! I wasn't driving him that day.

Rojo: Don't worry Rainbow Dash. I'm only joking, and so is Rarity.

Rarity: Quite right Rojo. Perhaps they will choose you to go out on the stopping passenger.

Rojo: Oh, I don't know Rarity. I wouldn't mind with any train I'm given. But a passenger run would be nice.

Mally: Huh, isn't that like you Rojo. Being the modest one, eh? Well, they are going to pick me for sure. I'll look my absolute best for the crowds that come in.

Rarity: Like they would pick you, huh! You don't even have a pony assigned to you.

Mally: Oh, yeah…

Alfred: Oh, shut up, Mally. I'm sure they'll choose me instead.

Montana: Oh please! You couldn't even pull the skin of a rice pudding, let alone pull a train without stopping for water all the time.

Rainbow Dash: Let alone pull half the trains that we take.

Applejack: Oh for pete's sake. It's only 8 coaches Montana and Rainbow Dash.

Stan: Yeah! 8 coaches too many Applejack.

Mally: Second to that, buddy. They will pick us for sure.

Pinkie Pie: Like they would pick you! Casey Jr. would make more sense then you stuck up copycats.

Stan: Hold the phone, how did you get in here? You should be out with the purple unicorn and blue circus engine shunting... (He looks down, and Pinkie was gone.) Wait! Where'd she go?!

Mally: And she called us "Stuck up!" How rude of that mare!

Johnny: Um...You know, it's been ages since they last used me. Um... perhaps they'd like to choose me for a change.

Fluttershy: Um... Perhaps maybe Hoity Toity would like to choose Johnny instead. Um, I mean, if he wants to.

Mally: Hahahaha! Oh, that's a good one Johnny! That's rich.

Fluttershy: Um, I think Johnny's serious here.

Montana: Pah! Nonsense Fluttershy. Johnny's too old and clapped out.

Rainbow Dash: No offense Fluttershy, but the Fat Director would never use that old-timer. He wants bigger and stronger engines, like Montana, Alfred, and Rojo. And I hate to admit but also Stan and Mally.

Narrator: Meanwhile, in the engine drivers locker room, William had arrived with his best friend and training for promotion to driver, Rachel.

William: Morning young Rachel!

Rachel: Morning Will.

William: I just made a pot of tea on the house.

Rachel: Ah, that's smashing. I could do with a cupper myself. So who do we have for the day then?

William: Well then lets checked the roster. What do you think Rachel?

Rachel: How about Montana?

William: Nah. I'm kinda still scared about last week, with the crossing gate incident. Besides, Arkwright is taking him with Rainbow Dash. What about Alfred?

Rachel: No way. Don't get me wrong, Alfred is a good sort, but you, me and Applejack had to refill Alfred's tender at every station. Besides, Perkins is taking him along with Applejack,

William: Your right Rachel, how about Rojo?

Rachel: Already taken by Mr. Bennett and Rarity! Well on the bright side we don't have to take Stan or Mally.

William: Heheheheh got that right Rachel. And we're not going to operate them. Not after how rude they've been to our friends, especially Fluttershy. Besides, Ted, Ned, and Curt are with them today.

Rachel: Speaking of the other engines, has Casey Jr. been bothered by Stan and Mally as of lately?

William: He's fine today. Jeff is working with him and Twilight and Pinkie in the yards. Now, let's see... (Winks). How about we take Johnny out?

Rachel: Oh yes let's do it! He hasn't been used for a long time. Boy, will he be pleased and, oh! How about we bring Fluttershy with us? She'd love that.

William: My thoughts exactly Rachel. Let's go get him steamed up.

(Back at sheds.)

Johnny: (Sighs whiskfully) Oh. I do hope they choose me today.

Fluttershy: Me too Johnny. I hope they choose you too.

Stan: Oh, dream on, Old Iron!

Rainbow Dash: We've told you before Johnny, the drivers will never choose you again, they need bigger and stronger engines.

Johnny: (A lone tear drips from his eye). But I haven't out in years, (Sighing sadly) Still, I shouldn't complain.

Narrator: It was too much for Fluttershy to handle. She flew up and gave Johnny a pat on the smokebox.

Fluttershy: There there Johnny. I'm sure Hoity Toity will let you pull a train one day.

Narrator: Little did Johnny or Fluttershy know that day would be today. At that moment, William and Rachel came out to start work. They noticed Johnny and Fluttershy and how furlong they looked.

Rachel: Why are you so sad Johnny?

William: Don't you want to come out today? (Wink)

Narrator: Johnny's smile lit up like a Christmas tree.

Johnny: Oh yes please Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens. Oh, thank you. I am forever ever in your debt Mr. Holden and Miss Ravens.

Other engines (Barring Rojo): WHAT! You'd rather take that old relic out instead of us modern up to date engines?

Rachel: Indeed we are.

Rainbow Dash: Are you sure he's still useful? He's been in that shed for who knows how long.

William: As Applejack always says, "don't count your chickens before they hatch". Besides, I checked him over and he surprisingly seemed to be in good working order.

Narrator: Fluttershy blushed and confessed.

Fluttershy: I helped to repair him, clean him up and repaint him good as new. I hope you're not mad.

Narrator: William and Rachel beamed a bright smile and were anything but mad at Johnny and Fluttershy.

Rachel: Well that explains why he looked so shiny and new.

Fluttershy: (giggles)

William: So to express our gratitude, we'd like to invite you to come along with us on this run Fluttershy.

Rachel: Would you like to come along?

Narrator: Fluttershy was delighted. She had waited a long time for this moment.

Fluttershy: Oh thank you, my friends, I feel much safer inside Johnny's cab.

Johnny: Oh, I am honored to have you come with me on my return to steam voyage.

Narrator: Fluttershy blushed with admiration. Soon Rachel lit the fire and made lots of steam. Then William pulled the lever and Johnny puffed out of the sheds for the first time in a long time to fetch some coaches.

Johnny: Look at me now! Not so useless after all eh engines and ponies?

Stan: Pah! Crews today no taste in engines at all.

Rarity: I hate to admit it, but I couldn't agree with you more.

Rojo: Rarity, you should know better!

Applejack: And you, (points at Stan) aren't better off!

Narrator: Meanwhile at Vicarstown, 8 coaches were waiting at the pickup siding.

Coach 1: Hmmm. I wonder who will be taking us out today?

Coach 2: Hopefully not Stan. He would know how to treat a coach if it came and bit him on the back of the smokebox.

Coach 3: And don't forget Mally too.

Coach 4: I hope it's not Montana or Rainbow Dash, they didn't handle us well last week.

Coach 5: I'll second that motion. Maybe it's Alfred.

Coach 6: I hope not. He might stop at stations we don't need to in order to fill up on water and coal.

Coach 1: He isn't as bad as Mally though. Uh! He dented my buffers last week.

Coach 7: Perhaps it's Rojo. He's rather kind, wouldn't mind seeing him again.

Coach 8: I think I'd better off be on a branchline, to be honest. You know number 7, that blue circus engine seems to treat us like ladies.

Coach 7: Your right. I think he really wants to take us out on the line one day...

Narrator: Soon Johnny arrived, and whistled cheerfully to coaches.

Johnny: Good morning ladies.

Coaches: (Happy) Johnny!

Coach 1: We've haven't seen you in years.

Coach 2: Now be careful Johnny, don't bump and bang us like those other engines do.

Coach 7: Rojo and Casey Jr. wouldn't...

Coach 2: You know who I mean.

Johnny: Hmhmhm! You know I won't my dears.

Fluttershy: Can I help Johnny?

Johnny: Of course.

Narrator: So Fluttershy took over the controls and back Johnny carefully down on the coaches. Rachel coupled them up as William changed the head code lamps.

Coach 4: Thank you Johnny and Fluttershy. That was very kind.

Fluttershy: (Blushes, giggles) Oh it's nothing ladies, Kindness is one of my specialties.

Coach 5: we must admit we are glad you two are taking us out today.

Johnny: Well that makes 9 of us.

Coaches/Fluttershy: (Giggles)

Narrator: Johnny and Fluttershy took the coaches to the platform where the passengers were waiting.

Johnny: Ladies and gentlemen, get in quickly, please.

William: Calm down Johnny old boy, remember. We need to wait for the guard's permission to start.

Johnny: Oops, sorry about that. I almost forgot.

Narrator: All trains must have a special person who travels at the last carriage or wagon of a train to signal when to stop and start by blowing a whistle and waving a green flag to go or red flag to stop. This person is called a guard. Johnny, Fluttershy, William, and Rachel waited and waited, but there was no whistle or a green flag.

Johnny: Hmm. Where is that guard? It's not like them to take this long.

Fluttershy: I hope he's alright.

Narrator: So, William, Rachel, and Fluttershy went to ask if anyone has seen the guard.

William: Hey stationmaster?

Stationmaster: Yes?

William: Have you seen the Guard?

Stationmaster: No. Sorry, William.

Fluttershy: Excuse me Mrs. Ticket clerk. Have seen the guard.

Ticket clerk: Oh sorry Fluttershy dear, I haven't.

Rachel: Hey, porter. Have you seen the Guard?

Porter: Oh yeah. I've seen him.

Narrator: Fluttershy's and William's and Rachel's faces lit up.

Porter: Though I only saw him at the Vicarstown pub last night.

Rachel/William: (Face-palm selves) Doh!

(Pinkie Pie comes out of nowhere, plays trombone fail and gallops back to Casey Jr.)

Narrator: There faces fell. Johnny began to feel anxious.

Johnny: Are ever going to start? My 1st trip in years and…

Little boy: Here he comes.

Narrator: There the guard was, running down the hill with his flags and whistle in one hand and sandwich in the other. He ran onto the platform, blew his whistle and waved his green flag. He clambered into the brake coach, and Johnny puffed happily away.

William: At last. About time he showed up. Come on Johnny, let's make up for lost time.

Johnny: Righto, Mr. Holden.

Narrator: Johnny happily sped along the countryside.

Johnny: (Breathing fresh air.) Ah… It's so wonderful to be out and about again, and what wonderful day it is. Oh, look there's Tom Jerry and Rasmus.

Tom Jerry: Hullo Johnny. What a nice surprise to see you.

Rasmus: Good to see you again Johnny.

Johnny: Good to see you too my friends.

Narrator: The children near Wellsworth waved as they went by, and soon they rushed along through Wellsworth.

Johnny: Hey it's my old friend, Reverend Charles Laxey, the Vicar of Wellsworth.

Reverend Laxey: Hullo Johnny. Great to see you again.

Johnny: Good to see you again too Sir. Morning, Mrs. Seymour.

Mrs. Seymour: Oh, morning, Johnny, dear.

Johnny: Mr. Hackenson, Mr. Wimbleton. All my old friends. Ah, it's just so great to be out again.

Narrator: They were going better than ever before and arrived at Brendam station with 25 minutes to spare, breaking Montana and Rainbow Dash's record.

Johnny: Oh thank you, William, Rachel, and Fluttershy. I've had a wonderful day out.

Fluttershy: (Blush) Oh um, it was nothing, Johnny. You're like a father figure to me, so kind and wise um I mean if you want to be.

Narrator: Fluttershy looked at Johnny who smiling at her, Johnny was also smiling, just like her.

William: Hey, Rachel, Fluttershy, how bout you two take over the return journey?

Fluttershy: Oh you really want me to drive Johnny? But I haven't driven an engine at all.

Johnny: Don't worry Fluttershy, I know you'll do just fine. Beside's William here will take care of you.

Rachel: That's right. I'm fairly new too and I think we'll be alright.

Narrator: Fluttershy giggled and blushed.

Fluttershy: Oh thank you Johnny and you too William and Rachel.

Narrator: So Fluttershy ran Johnny round and back him onto the train ready for the homeward rush.

William: Just do your best Fluttershy.

Narrator: Fluttershy eased open the regulator and slowly and gradually picking up speed Johnny steamed out of Brendam, and like the last journey they were going very well. Fluttershy felt very happy,

Fluttershy: So this what feels like to drive engines.

Rachel: Do you like it?

Fluttershy: I love it, Rachel, especially since I'm driving Johnny.

William: Yeah I'm glad you feel comfortable with Johnny, I have a treat for both you and Johnny.

Johnny: What's that?

William: Well me and Rachel spoke to Hoity Toity. And he has decided to put you back into revenue service Johnny, and Fluttershy you will be working with Johnny regularly since your more acquainted with him.

Rachel: And to top of that, we'll be taking Johnny out tomorrow.

Johnny: Oh thank you, William and Rachel. That's just so grand of you.

Fluttershy: Oh that is wonderful. Oh, thank you so much, William and Rachel. Me and Johnny will really work well together.

William: I'm glad your happy Fluttershy.

Narrator: And they sped off into the sunset. Soon they arrived back at Vicarstown where Hoity Toity was waiting.

Hoity Toity: Well Johnny, I've heard all about your run and I'm glad to have you back in service. You're a truly really useful engine indeed and no mistake, I'm pleased to have you back in revenue service again.

Johnny: Oh thank you, Sir. It's better than being cooped up in that shed.

Narrator: And everyone laughed, even Hoity Toity. William, Rachel, and Fluttershy took Johnny back to sheds, when suddenly William remembered.

William: Hey, I just remembered something that I forgot!

Fluttershy: (Gasp) Oh my! Did you forget something at Brendam?

Wiliam: Oh, no, no, no. I just forgot it was my birthday today. Ah well, this was enough of a birthday for me.

Narrator: Fluttershy and William smiled as they walked back to Vicarstown Hotel, not noticing Rachel grinning as she raced ahead of them. As William and Fluttershy opened the door, a big surprise awaited them.

Rachel, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack: SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM!

Pinkie Pie: SURPRISE! (Realises that she's too late.) Shoot!

Narrator: Fluttershy startled jumped into William's arms. William laughed.

William: Oh its surprise party. How wonderful. (Notices Fluttershy in his arms) It's alright Fluttershy. It's only a surprise party.

Fluttershy: I know but while being surprised can be nice. Sometimes, being startled can be very startling.

William: I see what you mean. I didn't know there was a party waiting for me.

Pinkie Pie: Of course. This party is for you, you silly filly.

Rachel: You didn't think I'd forget about your 16th birthday, did you?

Twilight Sparkle: And thanks to Pinkie Pie, we got things ready super quick.

William: Well, I see you didn't forget my birthday. Thank you very much.

Pinkie Pie: Anytime Will. Parties are my specialty. So how'd it go with Johnny?

William: It was wonderful. The best birthday present ever.

Rachel: And he's going back into revenue service working with Fluttershy.

Twilight: Yes! I'm so happy, I knew our plan would work.

William: Thank you some much girls and you too Rachel. I hadn't felt this happy since my father took me out on Johnny's footplate.

Rachel: Oh anytime William. I feel the same way when my mother took me out on Casey Jr's footplate.

Applejack: I'm glad to have reconnected a piece of your… (Record Scratch) Wait a minute!

Narrator: Applejack's eyes widened with wonderment.

Applejack: Your father and Rachel's mother?

William: That's right, Applejack. My father and Rachel's mother used to work on this railway many years ago. I'd say about 1880 on first on some Scottish tank engine named Appleloosian and a T.D Judah engine named Tillie when they were children. Then in 1915, they worked on Johnny's and Casey Jr's footplates before my father was drafted into the royal army air corp.

Applejack: Well, I'll be William and Rachel, you continue to amaze us every day.

Rachel: You too, girls.

William: Me and Fluttershy were very surprised by this party.

Narrator: The mane 6 smiled and the party began. Meanwhile, back at Vicarstown Sheds.

Johnny: And that's why the guard was late this morning. I admit I was kinda scared that we'd be late for the rest of the day, but we arrived back at Vicarstown with 25 minutes to spare. And the best part is, I'm going back into revenue service tomorrow. (yawn) What do you think of that?…zzzzzzzzz.

Narrator: But he didn't hear what they thought for he was so tired and happy that he fell asleep at once. Casey Jr. and Rojo were well content, and Montana, Alfred, Stan and Mally were respectfully silent.

WIP!