It had been a few days since the engines on the Island of Sodor went on their last endeavour onto the Mainland. It was a real trip down memory lane for all of them, and they were all exhausted. But it wasn't just physically. For some of them, it took an emotional toll on them.
All the engines shared stories from their pasts, and while they were all rather cheerful and ended sweetly, when reality kicked it, it shook the engines too the core. However, the engine that was most effected, was James.
After James told his story, he began to think about his old friend Lucie, an engine who stuck by him for his early days, and slowly began to develop feelings for him. Back in his youth, James was cocky and denied most of his feelings for her. When the engines arrived in York, James wanted to tell Lucie how he felt...
Only to find out she was gone...
Ever since that moment, the engines and all their friends have noticed that James has not been himself. He has shut down. Rather than his casual vain self and boastful attitude, and complaining about pulling trucks, he just did whatever work was given to him, without a fuss, and he ignored anyone asking him if they could help. James didn't even make a fuss when his paintwork got filthy one day.
This drastic change didn't go unnoticed. The Fat Controller was also aware of James' recent depressive stage. He decided to treat James in order to try and help him feel better.
One morning, as all the engines woke up and got prepared for the day, the Fat Controller drove up to the sheds. As usual for the past few days, James was the last to wake up. All the engines looked at him with worry.
"James, are you sure you're alright?" Thomas asked. James didn't answer, he just sadly looked at the rails.
Edward looked at the red engine and sighed, "James, please don't ignore us."
"We're just trying to help." Percy said, trying to give James a cheeky smile. James gave a small fake smile before it fell again, looking at the rails sadly.
Just then, the Fat Controller walked up to the sheds, "James, I am aware of this recent depressive episode you've been showing. So, I have decided to treat you to a new coat of paint. You are to go to the Steamworks as soon as your ready to leave."
"Yes sir..." James sighed sadly, "Thank you sir..."
"Are you sure you're fine James?" Henry asked.
"Do you want one of us to go with you?" Emily offered.
"No thanks Emily..." James whispered depressively, "I'll be fine on my own..."
And without saying another word, James slowly steamed away, heading towards the Steamworks. All his friends just watched in worry.
"Well." Gordon sighed, "If a new coat of paint won't make James happy again, nothing will." he stated, and all the engines agreed sadly.
At the Steamworks, the workmen began to arrive, and the engines at the Steamworks began to wake up for the day. Victor woke up first, the Cuban engine yawning a little from the tiredness, but with an endless smile on his face. Just then, he felt a playful push on his back buffers. He chuckled playfully as he looked behind him. Behind him, was Angel, the white, Italian tank engine, and the recent newbie to the Steamworks.
Shortly after, the little crane Kevin also woke up, the Steamwork Squad now ready to work. Victor smiled as he looked outside to see the glimmering sun. It wasn't like his old homeland of Cuba, but it was even more pretty.
"So?" Victor wondered, "What we got to do today?" he asked.
"Eh, not much Vicky." Angel remarked, causing Victor to blush and stutter a bit at the nickname Angel gave him, "So far, the only thing planned is a repaint for James. Nothing too hard hopefully – I'll handle it."
"Hmm, I heard from Thomas yesterday that James has been acting...different?" Victor pondered, "Maybe we'll see today."
"I'm sure it's nothing serious." Angel suggested, "Kevin!"
"Yes bossette?" Kevin responded, quickly rolling over to the white tank engine.
"Go and fetch the red paint per favore?" Angel asked, "We got to make James brillare e barlume."
"Yes bossette! Right away bossette- OH!" and with a clumsy crash, Kevin fell onto his side.
"Ugh, Kevin..." Victor groaned annoyingly. Angel just giggled at the sight.
"Sorry boss, just a swing of the-"
"Hook. I know." Victor replied, rather annoyed.
Just then, the Steamwork Squad heard the whistle of their expected engine. They looked ahead and saw James slowly roll in – with an unfamiliar sad face. Victor and Angel looked at one another in concern when they noticed James' unfamiliar face.
"James, my friend, whatever is the matter?" Victor asked worriedly, examining James' depressed face.
"N-Nothing Victor..." James stuttered quietly, "I-I came for a...repaint..."
"Strano..." Angel considered, "Usually you're over the moon to have a new coat of paint."
"...Not today..." James sighed sadly.
Kevin rolled over with the cans of red paint on his crane and gently lowered them down. Angel examined the paint and smiled, "Yep, just right." Angel said.
"Now, James, just relax and we'll soon have you looking refined and stylish." Victor chuckled, trying to make James smile. But nothing changed the red engines expression.
"James?" Kevin dared to ask, "Why are you so sad?"
"N-No reason..." James stuttered, trying to cover up his emotions.
"James. You can't be sad for no reason." Victor said sternly, "You're not usually like this, and it is not healthy to be this emotionally distraught. Now, why don't you tell us?"
"I-It's nothing important! Really!" James cried out, the other engines taken aback by James' outburst.
"James, dolcezza, whatever is wrong?" Angel asked anxiously, slowly rolling up to the red engine, before noticing James was starting to cry. Victor and Kevin also saw the few teardrops fall from James' cheeks onto his buffers, and slowly rolled alongside him.
The Steamworks was quiet, and James was the only engine in service, with only the sound of his quiet sobbing being heard. The doors closed, offering James the privacy he may need, and the engines and the crane allowed James to cry for as long as he needed. Not a word was spoken.
Slowly but surely, James began to calm down, sniffling a little as the tears began to slow down. His driver walked along his buffers and gently wipes his tears, gently petting his engine to comfort him.
"Now then James." Victor continued, softly, "Why don't you tell us what's troubling you?"
James took in a deep sigh, "Well...we went over to the Mainland to collect a big special, and...we all told stories from our old railways before we joined Sodor...a-and I told mine, and I remembered a very good friend of mine..."
"That's sweet." Angel spoke, sweetly.
"Only...I-I realised I had much...stronger feelings for her..." James continued on sadly, tears began building up again, "I-I wanted to tell her how I felt, but when we got to York...I-I found out she was gone!" and with that, James burst into sobs again, unable to contain his sorrow.
Victor, Angel and Kevin just watched James sadly, it broke their hearts to see a fellow engine look so upset.
"Don't worry James." Victor spoke soothingly, "Just let it out."
"You poor thing..." Angel sighed sadly.
"Who was the girl?" Kevin asked.
"Kevin!" Victor scolded sharply.
"I-I'm just asking boss..."
"It's alright Kevin..." James answered sadly, "Her name was Lucie...she was...a beautiful engine. She was determined, a great leader, and she always kept an eye out for me...I...I never understood she had feelings for me...not until it was too late..."
"Don't worry James." Victor tried to comfort, "I am sure that she is with you always, and she thinks of you dearly."
"You remember her, right?" Angel smiled a bit, "Just think of all the good memories you had."
"I try to, but it's hard!" James cried.
Victor looked down ominously, and slowly rolled up closer to James, "James, how about I tell you a story from my younger days, back when I was working in my homeland."
James looked at Victor in wonder, however his face was still consumed with his grief. Angel and Kevin looked at one another and also came closer to listen to Victor's story.
"Well, many years ago, I use to work in my homeland." Victor told his story, "I use to work at the Manuel de Cespedes Sugar Mill. I use to work there with many engines, but I remember three of them were my closest friends."
My homeland was nothing like Sodor. It was sunny most days, and it was always immensely hot. When it was not sunny, then the weather turned extreme, with heavy winds and rain. There wasn't much work to do, after all,, when you work in a Sugar Mill, what other work is there apart from shunting carts to where they're needed.
There were a few of us who worked at the mill, but I remember three of them were my closest friends. There was Miguel, always full of himself, sometimes overconfident – and if he'd stop falling off the rails, that'd be a miracle.
Oh, and then there was Anton. Hard working, never made a fuss. He was always willing to do another engines work for them, and enjoyed working hard in the sunshine. He...was however afraid of the rain – quite like a green friend of ours.
And then...there was Mariposa. She was a beautiful engine, I have to say. She glided whenever she went, she was always gentle, she never complained, and she was...just perfect in every way, she was the engine you would want to work with.
Now, back in my old days, I was a rather playful and cheeky engine – as with most young engines. We spent all our days doing our jobs, and then we would just mess around, play pranks on one another, and what have you.
"Ohh!" Kevin beamed excitedly, "I love this story!"
"I still don't get your point Victor..." James sighed sadly.
Victor chuckled a bit, "Well, remember when I said about Mariposa?" Angel glared slightly in jealousy, huffing and looking away.
"Yeah?"
"Well...I never told anyone at all about this, but...we use to meet up at night, quite a lot..."
The nights over the Caribbean are magnificent, and most nights, I would just spend hours just watching the skies, alone. I would take this time to think, and I would think over all the good things that occurred over the course of the day.
Then one night, a familiar face joined me.
I heard peaceful puffing, and an engine came up alongside me. It was Mariposa, as graceful as ever. I will admit, I thought she was magnificent. A beautiful butterfly. And I liked her very much, but I was ashamed to confess...
"Hello Victor." Mariposa greeted, "Am I disturbing you?"
"Oh! No, no, not at all!" I responded, shaking rather bashfully, not noticing my own face was turning red.
Mariposa just giggled, "You're face is all red." She would say. But her giggle would just make it worse.
"Uh...w-what are you doing here?"
Mariposa just sighed, I could see in her face she was distressed, "I just have a lot of things on my smoke box right now...I just thought coming here would be a way to let off some steam."
"Oh, I see..."
We both just stayed there, respectfully silent, and just gazing up at the stars. I have known Mariposa for years, and she was always there for me when I needed support, and she was my first friend – and then Miguel and Anton came into the picture. But even after they arrived, we remained close, and I would enjoy being in her company. And over time...these friendly emotions bloomed into something much more powerful.
I wanted to confess all my emotions to Mariposa, but I could feel something in my boiler holding me back. Mariposa then looked at me, her jet lignite eyes gazed into my own.
"Victor, is something wrong?"
I stuttered, she could see through my boiler, but I wasn't sure how I could reply.
"Is there something I could do?"
"N-No..." I would deny, "I am perfectly fine Mariposa...I-I...I..."
"Victor, please...just be honest."
I shuddered anxiously, I couldn't do anything, I just froze...
"Victor..."
I looked at Mariposa, I was beyond nervous.
"...I understand if you don't want to tell me...but, no matter what...please remember I will always be by your side. Always..."
I just sighed deeply, and watched sadly as Mariposa slowly left, reversing back to the sheds.
I remember just staying there and gazing up at the stars. I wanted to tell her everything, but I was just a coward...
James just listened in shock, Victor's story was very much similar to his and Lucie's. Kevin just listened, a story he thought was really sweet, quickly turned very sad and emotional. Angel just listened in surprise, slowly puffing closer to Victor, as she saw his face drop in sadness.
"It was not long after that, when things changed..." Victor sighed.
"What happened?" James dared to ask.
"There was an accident...involving Mariposa and some trucks..." Victor explained gravely, "Her gentle nature didn't save her from those...horrible trucks...they shoved her...and pushed her!"
"...what happened to Mariposa..."
Victor looked down sadly, closing his eyes as the memory engraved into his smoke box, "She was shunted off a cliff..."
"What!?" Kevin exclaimed in horror.
"Kevin!" Angel scolded sharply.
"No, no...it's alright." Victor sighed, "I remember the scene so well...just the smash...and a bash...and the sounds of her terrified screams...and a smack into the sea...and then everything went silent..."
The two engines and the crane just shuddered in horror, listening to Victor explain through the darkness in his smoke box. James and Angel just looked at one another in shock and surprise.
"Did they find her?" Angel dared to ask.
"They did...I was the first engine on the scene of the recovery...I thought I could help her, I thought we would save her..." Victor sighed, his eyes watering, "But I was wrong...she was completely destroyed as she fell down that cliff...and the fall into the sea was the final straw..."
"Oh...my..." James stuttered horrifically.
"Poverino..." Angel sighed, gently buffering up to Victor to comfort him.
Kevin wasn't sure what to say, and for once, he remained silent.
"And..it wasn't too long after that, I was sent to work here on Sodor." Victor explained, "Imagine how scared I was when I fell into the sea during that incident on the ship...I thought my life was over...until I was rescued, and now I work here."
The two engines and the crane looked at Victor sympathetically. James looked down in guilt, suddenly feeling worse than before.
"I admit, I do miss Mariposa very much...and I do regret never confessing to her..." Victor admitted, "But I don't suffer." And slowly, Victor began to smile, "I think of all the good times we had. The good memories. And I think of the here and now."
James' face slightly lit up as he listened.
"Look here! I now work somewhere where I can help engines with any problems. And I have my new friends here. Kevin, Angel, and all the other engines on Sodor are my friends." Victor chuckled, "So, even with all the sad parts of life, there are positives, and you can never let the negative sides hold you down."
James slowly began to smile, for the first time in ages since he arrived back on Sodor. Angel also smiled too.
"Vicky's right you know." she chuckled, winking at Victor's flirtatiously – causing Victor to blush, "I mean...look at me! I'm not suppose to exist as I was made illegally, and sold off illegally, and to top things off, because of the metal I was made from, I'm sensitive to the sunlight – but that doesn't stop me from being really useful."
"I guess so." James said, giggling a little.
"And look at me!" Kevin beamed excitedly, "Even with all my mishaps, I am still really useful here! WHOA!" and with a bash, Kevin fell onto his side...again.
"...Only just." Victor muttered, but he and Angel couldn't help but laugh – and James also burst into laughter. Victor just looked at James and smiled, happy to have brought the old James back.
"Now then, James!" Angel beamed excitedly, "Let's get you looking splendida!" and with seconds, Kevin managed to bring over the red paint, just right for James, "This colour should be perfect – non devrebbe farlo?"
"I don't understand what you said – but yes! Let's get me shining and splendid!" James laughed to himself.
After a long while, with his paint glimmering and slowly drying. James just took the moment to remember Lucie – however, this time, he wasn't being so depressive over it. He was smiling and giggling to himself as he remembered all the good memories.
Victor, Kevin and Angel all watched proudly, glad knowing their work was done.
"Now then James." Victor spoke, "Remember, while she may be gone – you will always have her with you. Just remember the good memories."
"Of course Victor." James beamed, "And...thanks for helping me set my smoke box straight."
"You're welcome my friend. All part of the service." Victor chuckled.
"Now, why not go and show everyone how splendid you really are." Angel laughed, looking over at Victor flirtatiously.
"Have fun!" Kevin chirped.
And with his regular smile back on his face, James left the Steamworks, whistling long and proud and beaming with pride!
Later, Edward was pulling into Knapford with a train of trucks. He looked at the rail beside him, and saw James' coaches waiting at the platform. He was still worried about James, knowing the mental and emotional toll the last adventure took on the red engine.
"I wonder if James is alright..." Edward wondered to himself, "The poor engine...never have I seen him so-"
"Here's James!"
Edward gasped in surprise as a long whistle came towards the station, and James, with his new coat of paint glimmering in the sunlight, and much to Edward's relief, James was smiling again!
"Oh, James!" Edward chuckled, "You look splendid!"
"Thank you Edward." James smirked smugly, "I know."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, much better now. Thank you Edward."
Edward chuckled, "That's the James we all know and love."
James just chuckled as he got hooked up to his coaches and began to move. He looked up at the sky and smiled softly, remembering Lucie in a more positive light.
"I will always remember you." James whispered to himself, before steaming along the line, ready for a whole new light.
Okay, originally this was just a gift for a friend on DeviantART, but it's now become part of my headcanon 3 She loves Victor, he's her favourite character. She also owns Angel, the Italian Engine and Victor's assistant. Anyway, this is simply a one-shot sequel about James overcoming his mourning, and starting to remember the good times he had with Lucie, finally putting himself at rest.
I do hope you enjoy 3 Oh! And I will be submitting more one-shot stories in the future based on our engines backstories - and I might even make some up for our other engine friends too, Toby, Duck, Donald an Douglas - just you wait ;)