It has been a week, and the baseball tryouts have been a success and once again there will be teams on Thomas's homestead but now the number of teams have increased into six including the teams from Knapford and Vicarstown. The students from both Schools have heard about the game of American baseball is compared to their usual games of round ball and Cricket, then decided to play out the game to see if they can do better than the four teams from Northwestern. Care to listen in and find out how everything went? Let us take a good look, shall we?

I do not any part of Thomas the tank engine and Friends, my little pony friendship is magic, or that of Tugs the television series. They are owned by their personal owners, while other Original characters belong to pinkninjaprime and blackboard26


Troubling Times

It was a sunny afternoon but still a bit chilly outside of the high school where Thomas and his humanized friends attend, They are all located inside of the gym meeting up with their teams along with new faces who wanted to take part in this year's baseball season. The teams that are listed are the farquarr team lead by Thomas and Cassey, The Little Western by Duck and Juan Orlando, The Brendam Team with Edward and his teammate Marvin Alco, and the Express team lead by Gordon and Jasper. To everyone surprise there were two new team added to the list and it turns out to be the Knapford students and the students from Vicarstown. The students from both schools had seen the game of baseball the previous year and had pondered if they wanted to play the game of baseball too. This raises the question of how much they know of the game of baseball while most of the island at the time had no interest in the game until now.

Cassey. "Hey Thomas, look who is here now?"

Thomas. "Well if it isn't our acquaintances from the rallies from the previous year."

Roland. "Hello Thomas, Hello Cassey." Then shook the hand of one of his two rescuers from the boat rally. "I had seen and heard about the tryouts for this year's baseball season, and after watching you all from last year. My fellow students and I would be most honored if we can have better relations through the game of baseball."

Thomas. "I am glad that you and your friends had seen what careless actions you and your school had gone through Roland. I am just so sorry that no one had explained it to you better."

Roland. "They did explain, but, being a youth of a privileged family tends to make one believe that he can do anything even if it may make your parents questioned my attentions during anyone teaching me for anything."

Cassey. "Well we hope you have better appreciation over the game of baseball once the games and teams are established."

Roland. "Well since the rallies we have learned a lot about competing fairly than competing with our noses in the air."

Thomas. "Well good luck to everyone here." Then everyone went to their respective areas to warm up their playing muscles. Since everyone was still inside, the teams decided to best use the plastic equipment to prevent any windows from breaking after someone was to hit a home run during batting practice.

While the boys are sorting out the players for their teams, Rosie and the Girls are busy arranging the new Softball teams for the girls.

Rosie, Ariel and Emily are helping to sort out the teams for the ladies, they also heard about the other schools who also plan to become part of the game too. Alisa their school friend came up to see how their turnouts had been.

Alisa. "Hello everyone, has anyone seen the students from the other schools here today?"

Emily. "We have seen the students from knapford and the ones from Vicarstown come in, but there were students who we have not seen before until now."

Ariel. "Who are they then Emily?" Then Emily points out the class of the school they have yet to meet.

Emily. "They are the ones who came here from Maron, I believe they have seen our playing Softball last year and are hoping to learn to have some sort of sports to add to their school programs."

Rosie. "Why don't we introduce ourselves to them since we barely know them until now?"

Alisa. "Let us do that friends."

Before the tryouts continue Coach Duffy came to everyone's attention about some troublesome news.

Duffy Knocks. "Everyone may I have your attentions please!" Then everyone stopped their practice for the moment to hear what the coach may have to say. "I am very sorry to announce this everyone but due to the latest reports from all over the world, that all activities and this school will be shut down for a massive clean up and clean out to prevent the spread of this terrible illness that is plaguing the already effective world beyond our shores."

James. "Does this mean we will have the rest of the year off too?"

Then Lucile Hat came up to help understand all that is taking place. "We are only shutting down the school and all school related activities to prevent the spread of this disease that is on the rise. So I may have to inform you all to make sure you all take good care of yourselves during these trying times. Make sure you are all stocked up on your essentials since getting anything from the local markets will be limited due to how frightened the rest of society may be."

Thomas to Rosie. "It is a good thing our friends and the rest of the homestead managed to get as much down time related items during the time if our own school will be shut down during quarantine time."

Rosie. "Once we heard what was going on in the news, we decided to act early knowing it could be a matter of time before the possibility of the spread of the virus can ever reach Sudrian shores."

Henry. "Have there been any reports of anyone on the island reported positive for the virus Mrs. Hat?"

Lucile Hat. "No but there have been reported cases across the rolling bridge to the mainland that have a few that have been reported Henry. However, we here on the Island feel that it will be best to make sure everyone here is safe at home under the new curfew hours and especially those who work for the railways. That it is best for you young folks to stay at home until the all clear, or until the government declares it safe enough to continue our activities once the all clear has been lifted."

Duck. "That could last for a long, long time Mrs. Hat, what should we do in the meantime during this crisis?"

Lucile Hat. "I suggest to not stop in your education, for your main objective in class your teachers will help you online with your assignments they may send you to prevent any time away from school. That way all you have learned thus far will not lose your value in education."

Edward. "Hew, I thought we are going to stay at home without a word about our academics, the questions is how will this help those like Nia and others who have learning difficultly when they have questions they may have a hard time seeking answers to them."

Lucile hat. "Those who have leaning difficulty will have special tutors to help them with their education even further to make sure they are with us once we managed to return once we are given the green light again to continue our time here in Northwestern high school."

Then everyone inside of the gym had dispersed since activities are now at a standstill. Even though there will be no school or school related activities for the next couple of weeks, life on the homestead cannot wait until the pandemic will cease us. As Thomas and the rest returned home took the time to check all the animals tend to the many task that needed to be done before dinner. For the ponies however it must mean a return to their world for the next two or so weeks until the crisis is over and to make sure none of them are carrying the disease with them. After saying their goodbyes to the homesteaders Twilight and her friends returned homes and made sure to find Zecora and Doctor Hooves to make sure none of them are carrying a disease that Equestria is not prepared to fight if it is to come to their world.

Zecora. "Hm yes you are completely fine everypony I am sure none of you are carrying this disease that could have come from a cough or a sneeze."

Doctor Heart. "Just to make sure, your samples will be sent to the labs to make sure there are no flu like ailments you have mentioned."

Twilight. "Thank you Doctor heart and Zecora, we just wanted to make sure none of us are carrying this disease that is spreading across Thomas's world like wildfire."

Applejack. "All I know that it is best to know now since not everyone her in pony ville will be able to fight off this disease that our friends on Sodor could face if it was to ever come there."

Pinky Pie. "What do you think Doodle Loo do you believe we can be safe enough to prevent this bug that has been going around for some time now?"

Doodle Loo. "All I can say is that as long as we remember to clean and keep our sanitary practices among-st us Pinky, then I can be sure we can beat this disease. It does take time for immensities to take place in the time this strand had developed from the time it was released. I just hope it has not been able to pass through the reality doors or all things here will be no better than it will be if we remained back in Thomas's world."

Rarity. "Well I for one am not waiting for the results besides we have our own school that need its teacher to be kept fit enough to help teach them what the magic of friendship is all about darlings."

Fluttershy. "Oh, I do hope everyone back on sodor is able to cope under these trying times. I hope they will all make if after these next couple of weeks."

Rainbow Dash. "I just hope that Cameron and the other ball players are able to come back after this little scare in their world would go away once the earth begins to warm up again after all of this."

Starlight Glimmer. "I am hoping that the world they live is can survive after all these troubling times they are under."

Flash Sentry. "I am sure they will still be there once we return after the quarantine had lifted, then we can continue like we all planed right Twilight?"

Twilight. "I suppose so Flash, well I am going to keep up with the studies from Northwestern high school, that way I can be kept ahead of my thirst for academics."

Back on the homestead Thomas and his friends had spoken to Sir Topham Hat the controller of the northwestern railway.

STH. "Yes, Thomas it will be best if you and your friends continue to stay at home to prevent the spread of this terrible times we are under. Your original drive teams will be able to keep up the workload while you and your friends tend to the matters on your homestead for a while."

Thomas. "Very well sir, let us know if there are going to be any changes to the workload on the rails."

STH. "Will do Thomas, you and everyone else do what you can to keep healthy and remember to follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of this strand of the disease."

Thomas. "Yes, sir we will do our best to make sure everyone here is to be kept safe and healthy sir." Then the two hung up before Ryan managed to reach Ashima knowing she and he will be kept away during these troublesome times.

Ryan. "Hello beautiful how are you and your friends doing my love."

Ashima. "I am doing just fine my Ryan, how are you and your friends Ryan?"

Ryan. "Well the tryouts were doing just fine until the announcement of closing the school and school related activities are to be canceled until the quarantine time is over in a couple of weeks. How about you and your friends, are they coping well?"

Ashima. "My friends and I are fine Ryan, we also heard it from Lucile Hat about the School closing for the next few weeks during quarantine time. I guess this means we will not be able to see each other for a while not until these crazy times we have is over." Then Oliver asked Ryan to ask Ashima about Gina and her pizzeria.

Ryan. "Oliver, wanted me to ask you how Gina and her Pizzeria is doing under these times?"

Ashima. "Well good news is that she is not closing down her pizzeria just no visitors to the restaurant. If anyone wants a pizza, they can either pick up their orders or have their pizza delivered to their homes since dinning in is not optional at this time."

Ryan. "Well at least we have the homestead, this place will keep us busy since we all need an activity to do while we wait to hear about the changes to the school and to the health crisis we are under."

Ashima. "Anything you plan of doing while under these down times Ryan?"

Ryan. "Well, let us say that I have been involved in Cement crafts with another student who also have the ability to create some fantastic ceramic crafts using basically cement come Styrofoam board heat glued together to make fantastic fountains for your desktop or for your garden."

Ashima. "Really, I would like to see them once we are able to venture out to the great outdoors again."

Ryan. "How about I send you the photo finish of these crafts I plan to make while we are home for the time being."

Ashima. "I would like that very much my wonderful Ryan, well I will see you soon Ryan. You and your friends please keep safe and healthy."

Ryan. "I will have a good night my love, I love you."

Ashima. "I love you too Ryan good night." Then the two hung up before addressing matters on their minds.

Down by the lagoon cabins the cabin where the humanized Star tugs live in are hard at work cleaning and disinfecting the hard surfaces to prevent the spread of the disease during their time off from school too especially since Oscar Jones, (O. J.) is in his sixties and could possibly be the most at risk of getting the disease if they were not aware of the nature of this disease.

Trent dimes, (Ten Cents) "Hey Shawn have you managed to clean and sterile the upstairs alright?"

Shawn Brightly (Sunshine) "Just about Trent, I just got to reach the top of my dresser and I can honestly say we are good as gold."

Zeb Eddie. (Zebedee) "I had managed to clean out the basement rooms too, how are you coming along there, Old Oscar?"

Oscar. "Doing very well, I say we have the whole house sparkling clean and in ship shape."

Trent. "yeah but let us not get too far ahead of ourselves, for the next few weeks we are on lock down and that means we are not able to visit our friends down at the harbor since we are not allowed out until the all clear is announced."

Shawn. "How about you Oscar, you have not been feeling anything off have you?"

Oscar. "Na I am holding my own thank you for your concerns Shawn."

Trent. "Hey, we are just worried about you old friend, especially since you are in your golden years I believe."

Oscar. "I appreciate your concerns you two, I am just as grand at any old time."

Zeb. "Just let us know if there are going to be any changes to you Oscar, the last thing we need is to lose a good friend like you and even the rest of us as well."

Shawn. "Aw Zeb that is touching."

Trent. "And you mean a lot to us too good buddy."

Oscar. "Let us hope our friends in the harbor understand that these are troubling times my friends. I have a feeling they will want to see us to make sure we are alright too."

Trent. "Oh, I already texted Capt., star about our situation about our school and is very advisable to remain here until the all clear is announced."

Back up the homestead in the dormers the humanized engine are hard at work to make sure that every hard surface in their rooms are well cleaned off, hard surfaces disinfected and make sure any dirty things are to removed to the trash and moved to the curve side immediately. James was to bring all the trash bags he and Molly acquired before moving them to curve side pickup before being stopped by Percy on the way out.

Percy. "Hold on James, Polly and I also need to remove all these trashed items to the curve side too."

James. "Come along then Percy." Then the two came out to make sure everything they put into the trash is out of the dormers. "I say as teenagers we do acquire a lot of trash building up in our rooms."

Percy. "It looks like you had more trash than Polly and I had acquired during these past few weeks, what have you and Molly been doing to getting this much trash in one room James?" Then Molly came down to make sure the story to be told would be true.

Molly. "Most of what you see here Percy is what happens when you are with someone who constantly raids the refrigerator in the middle of the night."

Percy. "That is a lot of things for you to bring in one-night James."

James. "Well being someone like me has a huge appetite Percy, a lot to keep this humanized engine best on his own two legs."

Molly. "We just hope your legs are not too large for you frame to take on Mr. Hughes."

Percy. "It may take more than one mile on the tread mill for you James."

James. "I will be able to perform about three miles on the tread mill Percy, just direct me to the homestead workout shed and we will see how fit of a fellow I happen to be."

Percy just Chuckled. "We'll see James, we'll see."

Over by the Gresley's residents the brothers, Ryan and Rebecca are finished with their clean out of their home since it is crucial to keep the spread of the virus to a minimal.

Gordon. "Well done everyone, we need to keep our health in good check and make sure our home is kept in good condition too."

Rebecca. "Of course, Gordon, everyone must play their part in keeping our home spic and span, to prevent the disease from spreading to the homestead."

Scott. "I just hope those on the Mainland are able to cope with these troublesome times. I do hope the people and crews we have left there are in good health."

Gordon. "We are just going have to hope and pray that all will be well in the end of it all my brother."

Ryan. "At least I will have the time to try out that new idea of a hobby I want to try out."

Rebecca. "You mean that cement crafting you mentioned to Ashima earlier?'

Ryan. "Yeah, I told her I will send her pick of the crafts me and another student from school will learn about to gain a craft that will bring out the creativity out of me."

Rebecca. "How is Ashima any way Ryan?"

Ryan. "Ashima and Gina are doing just fine, they will continue to keep the pizzeria open just to let the costumer to pick up their Pizzas or just have them delivered since no one is to be eating in the Pizzeria during the lock down time."

Gordon. "At least Spencer will have his job during this down time, as long he realizes that it is not the time to be rude and becoming a menace of himself."

Scott. "I just hope for his sake that he does brother."

In the dining hall Rosie and Emily are working on the dinner for tonight, since the beginning of the health scare that started in January the food stock was in the plenty before the thought of shut down was announced. They managed to fix up some chilly with chicken and white beans with various vegetables grown from the garden into the meal that night.

Emily. "It is a good thing we stocked up before the shutdown was announced Rosie."

Rosie. "Thomas and I were the first to be aware from his computer, since we learned that pandemics like this can lead to worldwide panic. Especially those who had ignored the stories from the beginning. Since the start Thomas and I had the opportunity to stock up on our staples such as the dried foods and prepackaged items and everything we stored away from our gardens when it was plentiful from the previous year."

Emily. "Not to mention the amount of Toilet paper you two had stocked up, we thought you had another out house made some where out in the woods."

Rosie. "No we read that the problems stared in China anyways, it could be a matter of time before their country began to shut down and stopped the productions of toilet paper from their country since all toilet paper comes from China to begin with." Then Thomas, Ariel, Jasper, and Jessica had entered the dining hall to see if the two needed any assistance with the meal.

Thomas. "Hello Ladies, especially you my Rosie Rose, do you two need a hand tonight?"

Rosie. "Hello, my handsome Thomas." Then the two came together for a hello kiss before addressing the matter. "We both appreciated it if you and your group can set up the table for dinner tonight."

That is what Thomas and the rest had done just in time to see Edward Bo co, the twins Bill and ben along with Holly to help in the dining hall a bit until dinner time.

Edward. "Come along Bill and ben it is best to keep busy during these troublesome times we are under."

Bill. "At least we have something to do."

Ben. "It will be boring for the next few weeks without anything to do while we wait for the clearance to head out again."

Holly. "Sorry you two, but these are troubling times we are under. Unlike the previous events in our lives, it is the first time we are to witness something greater than the two world wars anyone of us had seen since our early years."

Thomas. "Even greater that the great Depression. This is however beyond anyone's control until the cure can be found, we will remain on lock down until we believe the threat of this disease will lift."

Bill. "At least you have a homestead to keep you busy Thomas, but what about Ben and me?"

Ben. "yeah since we are not engines at the moment, we cannot return back to the clay pits until we reach the age of 18, and we still have four years to reach that age."

Edward. "Sorry you two, somethings are beyond even Thomas and I to do anything about. It takes teams of scientist and health expert to find the right treatment for this disease. Even if it is related to the common cold and flu. This strand came from a different source virus than the others known to scientist."

Thomas. "Try and come up with another hobby besides that of playing tricks on any of us during this down time. Most Doctors and Hospitals are full of the sick people. They are too full to attend any of us if we received any injury if you play out your tricks on any of us. Do you two hear me."

Bill and Ben. "Loud and Clear Thomas."

Soon it was time to set up the table and everyone was able to come in and have a seat just as the meal was passed around and everyone had their share. At this time, it was best that everyone had just enough of the meal so no one can get too hungry afterwards. Thomas allowed everyone to hold hand and say grace before the meal was to be commenced.

Thomas. "Dear lord, we continue to give you our thanks in prayer, by providing us a chance to be prepared in times like these. We also pray for you to watch over everyone who has been affected by this disease. Let the ones who are in the hospitals know that they are not alone, all the world is hoping and praying their safe way back to their loved ones. Amen."

Everyone else. "Amen."

Oliver decided to make a toast to everyone who are on the homestead. "To everyone who is here, we give this toast to all those who are most affected during these troublesome times we are under. May every keep in mind of looking into the future as long we keep our spirits high."

Everyone raised their glass to cheer on the toast that Oliver had made. "Here, Here."

Nia. "I just hope everyone will come out of this alright, I remember the time when a great famine had struck the northern countries of Africa back in the 80s."

James. "I think we all heard something like that, someone from Ireland had come up with this Feed the World foundation to help ease the pressures the people of those counties.

Holly. "It was the Band Aid foundations lead by Bob Geldolf who like many artists have heard the troubles in Africa and were sick of the government's attitude of the day."

Thomas. "I think Rosie and I had bough a copy of that time, up to about 12 hours of performances from artist from between great Britain and America combined to make a serious problem become less of a problem and help out where a helping hand is needed."

Gordon. "I believe Scott, Ryan, Rebecca and I had seen that vid about that time, what an experience watching all those images of starving people in the middle of all that."

Nia. "It was a horrible time Gordon; it was due to not raining for 5 years and everything had dried up. Not a drop of water for years, not even the rail traffic cannot go on without any water for the engines to use on their journeys."

Emily. "this is more than just starving people in the middle of a dry climate Nia, this is about a pandemic that started in China. The discovery of such a deadly virus that can kill off the most vulnerable of our society. All we can do for now is pray that everyone we know especially sir Topham Hat is able to survive these troubling times."

Thomas. "As long as the developments unfold before us Emily, it is best to find ways to keep us busy since we are far away from any of the towns and centers of the Island. It is best to keep this homestead going if we are going to survive into another growing year."

Rosie. "Not to mention all our animals are depending on us to keep them well, and fed. The ponies are safe in their home world. Let us hope and pray that they will remain safe and find developments to help combat any Ailments they may have to combat there."

Ariel. "Let us hope that everyone around the world is able to come together in these troubling times we are under. Let us not forget that we are all in this together. We need each other even more now the virus had spread to many parts of the world. We all can find this time to make the opportunity to help each other when we are called to do so."


Let us all pray and hope we all can get past these troublesome times we are under; we are all united together regardless of where we are. I am sure everyone will do their part to keep busy and in good check, do you believe everything will be alright when we come back. I am sure we can make a return to Northwestern high School year 2 once time will allow for me to do so.