And now, back to our story…

Chapter 5

Percy and Hiro raced into Brendam Docks. Their pistons pumped with persistence. By the time they got there, Cranky was placing the last load into the last ship for the night.

Hiro called up to the crane. "Cranky, we need your help!" he exclaimed. "When will the next shipment to Equestria arrive?"

Cranky cranked crankily. "Just this one, and it's leaving right now."

He was right. The ship was just leaving the docks. Percy and Hiro were upset. Now, they had to wait for Thomas to come back some time tomorrow.

They were just about to leave when Cranky grumbled again. "What's with everyone wanting to go to Equestria, anyway? First the Diesels, now you two."

Percy stopped at those words. "Did you say the Diesels? What are they doing there?"

The crane shrugged. "How should I know? What am I? A telescope?"

Please, Cranky," added Hiro. "This is important."

Cranky sighed. "All I know is they wouldn't stop talking about the moon."

"The moon?" Percy and Hiro looked up. Above them, they saw the four stars moving toward the moon. Then, they remembered Salty's tale. So that must have meant… They blew their whistles. "Stop! Wait for us!"

But the ship didn't stop, and it didn't come back.

"Stop the ship, Cranky!"

"What?!"

"Nightmare Moon is coming, and Thomas is in Equestria! They're all in danger!"

"I already told you, there is no such thing as-!" Then Cranky looked up and saw the stars moving toward Nightmare Moon. With a bright flash, the shadow on the moon disappeared, and clouds shrouded the evening light. Now he did believe, and if Thomas was there, then he was in danger. Quickly thinking, Cranky threw his arm out and released his hook. It flew through the air and onto the boat, hooking onto the back. "GOT IT!"

Then there was trouble. The boat was moving too fast, and Cranky was quickly losing cable. He ran out, nut the ship didn't stop pulling. It started hurting his arm, and bending his stand.

"You'll never hold her!" Salty exclaimed. "She'll pull you overboard!"

"Loosen up your cable, Cranky!" Porter added. "Let go of your hook!"

"I can't!" Cranky shouted. "It won't let me!" Luckily, the captain was able to stop his ship just in time. "Mother of Brendam. That was scary."

"What were ye thinking, yeh scurvy dogs?!" Salty exclaimed.

"Nightmare Moon's coming tonight, and Thomas is there! He's in trouble!" Percy answered.

"And the Diesels are there, too! That makes it worse!" added Hiro.

"Shiver me axles!" Salty exclaimed. "If what ye say is true, you'll need more than just two engines. You need more help!"

Hiro and Percy knew Salty was right, and they quickly puffed away to get some.

Percy and Hiro clickety-clacked along the Sodor track. The boilers bubbled with bravery and their axles ached with adrenaline. They needed all the help they could find.

First, they told Edward and Henry.

"We're coming!"

"We're with you!"

Next, they found Gordon and James.

"The diesels must not get away with this!"

"We'll stop Nightmare Moon with a whoosh and a wheesh!"

Then, they found Emily and Toby.

"We won't rest until we stop the diesels!"

"We won't stop until we rescue Thomas!"

Later, the Logging Locos charged behind them.

"They won't get away with this!"

"What they're doing is wrong!"

"That's right!"

And finally, Paxton joined the rescue party. He was scared, but he couldn't let the other engines get away with their plan, even if it was fellow diesels.

So, together they steamed. They were fearless and fast. They hooted and tooted. The whistled and wheeshed to save Thomas and Equestria.

"Remember this day, everybody, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!"

The crowd of ponies, including Twilight and Thomas, grew worried and panicked expressions on the faces.

"You have to lower the moon!" Thomas galloped up to Nightmare Moon.

Diesel 10 clawed his tail. "No, we don't! And we won't!" He threw him back in his place. "Out of my way, you puny pony."

The ponies were frightened. They ran frantically for shelter.

Diesel 10 snickered. "Diesels… go have some fun."

The diesels whooshed and raced through the town, chasing every pony they saw. They frightened all the fillies. They captured the colts. They biffed into buildings, and they whammed into walls. Ponyville was theirs.

Nightmare Moon wrapped her mane and tail around her body. She vanished into a violet mist which disappeared into the east, and Diesel 10 followed quickly behind her. Rainbow Dash saw everything. "Nighttime… forever?" She looked down. Below her, Thomas and Twilight ran as fast as they could. "Where're they going?" She followed them from above.

After Twilight had put a passed-out Spike to bed, she came back down to the library. Thomas was waiting. He sat at the window and watched as the diesels tore through the town. "Fenders and fireboxes… this is a disaster! How did Diesel 10 get here?!"

"Diesel 10?" asked Twilight. "You mean that big thing with the claw? You know him?"

"Yes. Ten out of ten, for devious deeds and brutal strength. The most feared diesel on Sodor, who hates steam engines and all who enjoy them."

"But… how did he know about Nightmare Moon?"

"I don't know, but if they're working together, who knows what will happen!"

"Then there's no time to waste!" Twilight stated. "We must stop them! And the only way to do that is to use the Elements of Harmony, just like last time."

So Twilight and Thomas began searching through the books of the library. Twilight used her magic to pull books off the shelves, quickly reading the pages. Thomas searched the shelves as fast as he could. But they couldn't find what they needed to know.

Twilight saw that her companion was using his hooves instead of his horn. This made her upset. "Thomas, what're you doing? Use your magic! Find something on the Elements of Harmony!"

The blue pony was worried. He knew someone would tell him to use magic. But before he could say anything, Rainbow Dash flew in. Behind her were Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. The blue Pegasus pony stared at Twilight and Thomas in anger. "And just what are the Elements of Harmony?!" she asked. "And how did you know about Nightmare Moon, huh?! Are you spies?!"

Applejack pulled on Dash's tail. "Simmer down, Nellie. They ain't no spies," she looked at them as well. "But they sure know what's going on, don't ya?"

The seven ponies were so busy talking, that they didn't notice Devious Diesel was just passing by the window. When he heard about how Twilight knew about Nightmare Moon, he decided to wait and listen. He also saw the blue unicorn pony and was rather curious. "There's something that blue boy that seems awfully familiar," he said to himself.

Twilight looked at the other five. She knew she had to tell them, so she did. "I read all about the predictions of Nightmare Moon's return," she began. "These mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but… I don't know what they are, or where to find them. I don't even know what they do!"

"The Elements of Harmony," said a voice. Every one turned to Pinkie Pie, who was reading a book cover. "A Reference Guide."

Twilight quickly shunted her away and saw the book. "How did you find that?!"

"It was under 'E'!" Pinkie sang cheekily.

Twilight felt a little embarrassed. She picked up the book using her magic and began to read aloud. "Let's see… 'There are seven Elements of Harmony, but only six are known: Kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, responsibility, and loyalty,'" she read, while everyone, even Diesel, listened. "'The seventh and final is a complete mystery. It is said the last known location of the Elements was in the ancient Castle of the Two Sisters, located in what is now called...'"

Twilight and the girls shuddered as they read the next three words on the page. "The Everfree Forest?!" They all exclaimed fearfully.

After a long moment of silent apprehension, Thomas spoke up, determined to stop the diesels. "Well, we know where to start our search!" He started towards the front door. "Come on! We need to find the Elements before the diesels do!"

"Not so fast!" Twilight said, causing Thomas to stop in mid-step. "Look. I appreciate the offer. But I'd really rather do this on my own." Twilight explained, hoping the others would understand.

"No can do, sugar cube." Applejack said. "It's far too dangerous to go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple." And they began toward the door.

"Especially if there's candy apples in there!" Pinkie fantasized as Twilight and Thomas gave her a funny look. "What? Those things are good!" she added as she exited the library.

Twilight turned to Thomas. "I guess it's fine if they come along. But you should stay here. Wait for your friends, and go home where you'll be safe."

Thomas had already made up his mind. "No! I'm not leaving knowing Diesel 10 is taking over your home! I'm not leaving until Equestria is safe! I know I can help you!"

Diesel was confused. "How does he know who we are?"

Twilight could only answer with a resigning sigh. "Fine. You can come, Thomas." And they followed the group of ponies.

Diesel's eyes widened. "Thomas…" he growled and hurried ahead of the ponies into the Everfree Forest.

Meanwhile, in the stillness of the forest, Nightmare Moon's misty vapor lowered to the ground, and she reappeared in its place. Seconds later, Diesel 10 slowed to a stop. He looked at her and smiled menacingly. "Ponyville is already ours. Soon, all of Equestria will be under our control!"

Nightmare Moon snorted. "And what about the princess?"

Diesel 10 crackled. "What about her? She's ours, too." But secretly, he didn't know where she was. He merely wanted to be pleased by the Mare in the Moon. "Nightmare… we diesels wish to do something very special. We want to take over the Island of Sodor."

"Is that so?" asked the Mare.

"And we want you to lead us! When we have Sodor, everyone everywhere will do what we want, and you will be our hero."

Nightmare Moon snorted. "You are a fool if you think I shall do so for nothing."

Diesel 10 clanked his claw. "What gave you that idea? Name your price."

She already knew a perfect trade for her leadership. "The Elements of Harmony… they are a powerful magic that imprisoned me for a thousand years. I want the Elements destroyed!"

He laughed. "Is that all? Missy, destroying things is my specialty! Right, Pinchy?" His claw clanked like it was speaking to him.

Nightmare Moon grinned. "Demanding, ruthless, and with a hunger for destruction. I like you already, Mister…?"

"10. Diesel 10, at your service."

Suddenly, Devious Diesel's horn echoed through the forest. The two saw him rolling toward them. "Boss! Boss!" he panted, "seven ponies… escaped into the forest… searching for the Elements… one of them is Thomas!"

"Who cares?" Then Diesel 10's thought for a second. He was so surprised, he nearly popped a piston. "Thomas?! Are you sure?"

"Let me think... He was a blue pony with the number one on his backside. He knew about us, and the other ponies called him 'Thomas. So... it ain't Casey Jones!'"

Diesel 10 cracked his claw. He was cross. "Get the others and search for the Elements! We'll take care of the ponies." As Devious Diesel slithered away, Diesel 10 turned to the alicorn pony beside him. "We must hurry, Nightmare Moon. Thomas is a tricky tank engine. We must stop them before they stop us!"

So, with a snort, Nightmare Moon charged into the shadow of the Everfree Forest with Diesel 10. They would stop at nothing to stop them.