**A Race to Knapford**

Prompt: (Thomas The Tank Engine And Rosie The Tank Engine) Thomas and Rosie decide to race each through Sodor to see who arrives at Knapford first. Thomas had been bullying Rosie all month long undermining her skills just because she's female, so the dispute was set. Rosie tells him that if he wins she will get rid of her pink paintwork and change her paint color to any different color but if he loses he will have to have his painted number 1 logo erased and painted onto her instead and admit she's superior and that he was wrong to underestimate her every day, whether he likes it or not. And so the race occurs an hour later. (both characters are sassy, the story doesn't include any other engines besides them) (no reconciliation, comeuppance, and ends with the loser reluctantly holding up their end of the bet and quietly sulking afterwards) (Rosie Wins)

The sun shone brightly over the Island of Sodor, casting a warm glow on its vibrant landscapes. But among the charming hills and sparkling lakes, a rivalry was brewing that would electrify the air. Thomas the Tank Engine, the island’s beloved number one engine, was busy puffing through the quaint countryside, his cheerful whistle ringing out. But lately, his attitude had not been quite as friendly. “Look at you, Rosie! You may have a shiny pink paint job, but really, how much can you haul?” Thomas chuckled, snorting with mock laughter. “You’re just a toy train in a pretty dress!” Rosie, a bright and spirited tank engine with her own unique charms, wasn’t one to lay down quietly when her skills were questioned. She puffed up her engines with determination. “Oh, please, Thomas! You think you’re so special with that number 1 on your side, don’t you? Just because you’re the star doesn’t mean you’re better than me!” Another insult thrown, but this time Rosie was ready to put a stop to Thomas's arrogance. The other engines on Sodor had often been supportive of Rosie, but none had ever been bold enough to challenge Thomas directly, which only allowed his bullying streak to flourish. “If you think you’re so superior,” she retorted, “let’s race to Knapford! If you win, I’ll change my color to anything you want! But if I win, you’ll have to erase that big number one of yours and let me paint it on myself! And don’t forget to admit that I’m superior for once!” Thomas was taken aback, his wheels hesitating for just a split second. He was not used to being challenged in this way. “You think you can beat me? You’re on, Rosie! I’ll show you who the real number one is!” An hour later, the engines were lined up at the start line, the vibrant colors of the countryside serving as a backdrop to this unprecedented showdown. Rosie’s pink exterior gleamed defiantly in the sunlight, and Thomas’s blue paintwork radiated confidence. “On your marks, get set, GO!” Rosie shouted, her voice cutting through the stillness of the air, and with a hiss of steam, they were off! Thomas surged ahead, his pistons pumping furiously. “Catch me if you can, Rosie!” he laughed, racing down the track, enjoying the feeling of speed. But behind him, Rosie wasn’t going to let Thomas’s lead discourage her. With a fierce determination, she mumbled to herself, “I can do this.” As they sped along the winding tracks, Thomas pushed himself harder, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he might have underestimated Rosie. She glided smoothly behind him, her smaller frame allowing her to navigate turns with agility. Puffing across a bridge, Thomas glanced back. “Are you even trying?” he called, grinning broadly. Little did he know that Rosie had her own strategy. “Just warming up, Thomas!” Rosie called back, and with a sudden burst of speed, she took off like a rocket. Thomas couldn’t quite believe his eyes. “No way! How can she be faster?” Panic set in as he realized Rosie was gaining ground, the engines frequently losing pace when they became too arrogant. They approached a steep hill, and Thomas surged, his wheels spinning wildly as he climbed. Rosie, however, maintained her composure. She remembered what it felt like to be underestimated and looked for a chance to push herself forward. As she caught up, Rosie prepared herself for a final effort. “You know, Thomas, you’ve always focused on being the best by putting others down. But speed is not just about the engine— it’s about heart!” With one last powerful push, Rosie soared past Thomas, her determination shining brighter than ever. “I’ll see you at Knapford!” she shouted, her paint glimmering in the sun. Thomas was left behind, unable to find the strength to catch up. Realizing his fate, he felt a whirlwind of emotions: shock, anger, and embarrassment. Here he was, the number one engine, losing to the pink beauty he had spent so much time belittling. As Rosie crossed the finish line at Knapford, a cheer rang out in her heart. But she’d expected nothing less—she was proud of herself for proving her worth. An hour later, Thomas arrived, panting and furious. “Alright, Rosie. A deal’s a deal,” he grumbled, barely managing to suppress a moan. “I guess you’ve earned the right… to paint my number 1 on you.” His voice was low, tinged with reluctance. Rosie’s face lit up, not in triumph but in a shared understanding of the challenge they had faced that day. “Just remember, it’s not about the color or the number, Thomas. It’s about how you treat others,” she said, feeling a sense of pride wash over her—even if it didn’t include reconciliation. With a heavy sigh, Thomas reluctantly submitted himself to the terms of their bet. As Rosie began to apply the paint onto her side, he sulked quietly beside her, wishing he hadn’t pushed her to race in the first place. “Maybe next time, you’ll think twice before bullying someone,” she said with a spark of sass, and as Thomas watched his pride symbolically wash away, he hung his head, realizing he had learned a tough lesson indeed.