Percy's Chocolate Crunch
Water and Washdowns
It was summer on the Island of Sodor. Birds sang beautifully as they flitted across the sky, flowers in bloom brought the fresh smell of newborn nature to happy peoples. The sun shone brightly and divinely in the ocean of the sky, and planes soared to and fro between the island and the mainland.
Lady watched the scenery of the Island with joy as she chuffed along the Kirk Ronan Branch. That was the line where the main set of Magic Buffers were hidden. Burnett leaned out of her cab and gazed happily out at the placidity laid in front of him. Life was a joy for both of them now. Lily and Patch had also come along for the ride, and they watched in awe as the island's beauty enveloped their senses.
However, they soon spotted trouble brewing on the horizon.
"Is that…?" asked Lilly.
"A forest fire," Patch confirmed grimly.
"Come on Lady," said Burnett, pushing her regulator to the max, "We'd better do what we can."
When they arrived at the scene, they found Butch the tow truck leading a rescue fleet of ambulances and fire trucks. "Is there anyone that lives in the area?" Burnett questioned. "We've fortunately evacuated all the people, sir," replied Butch, whiplashing his tow cable and hook in a makeshift salute. Harold the helicopter arrived on the scene, dumping gallons of water as he zoomed over the forest. Several other fire-fighting jets followed his lead, and soon the fire was out in a few minutes.
The fireman chief came up to the assembled group.
"What caused this blaze?" asked Lady, pistons creaking with concern.
"It has been a very dry summer as of late," the chief replied, "That also means we are running dangerously low on water. We've warned people to take safety measures to protect themselves and their property. I just hope that a storm comes this way and that there's no more fires anymore."
"We'll report this to the Fat Controller. Us engines use up a significant amount of water so we'll do our best to cut down our refills," Lady said, then she turned her gaze upon Burnett and the children. "Come," the First Engine gently summoned her family to her.
"Right, I'll see to it," said the Fat Controller as he did the mental arithmetic, "I'll have to give the diesels on this island a bit more tasks to carry out during this period of caution. I'll also restrict washdowns for my engines. Thank you for bringing this to my attention Lady, Mr Stone, and of course, young Lily and Patch."
"You're very welcome sir," replied Lily as she politely curtseyed to the controller. Patch gave a cute little salute.
"Come on kids," called Burnett from Lady's cab, "The sun's setting. We'd better get you home. We'll visit tomorrow."
When they visited tomorrow morning, they found the engines had woken up early at Tidmouth to discuss an important debate amongst themselves. Lady parked herself at the turntable. Most of the engines didn't pay much notice to her.
"Hello Lady, nice to see you again," Thomas greeted.
"The feeling is reciprocated," Lady replied, smiling warmly at the younger engine, "What is going on here?"
"They're having a row about the priority of washdowns," chuckled Toby the tram engine.
"Such childishness," Lady smirked.
"And they still poke fun at me for my first mistakes!" sighed Thomas amusedly, wheeshing out steam from his pistons.
"That's 'cause you were a particularly egregious and cheeky case," ribbed Toby. Thomas just grinned smugly.
"Lady, can you tell me of the time you first saw a certain young tram trundle out of the factory, wondering what was going on around him, reversing and then charging forwards in fright, over and over for several minutes?"
"Lady, please don't!" Toby begged the older engine.
"Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me," Lady replied, though she gave a mischievous wink at Thomas.
The three engines then directed their focus to their comrades' conversation.
"Henry shouldn't have to worry about washdowns," James puffed.
"And I don't anymore. That was the old me," the big green engine replied with mild irritation.
"You shouldn't either, Gordon!" huffed Percy the small engine, "You've been pulling the Express all the time as of late! You don't get dirty while the rest of us do! But you only take washdowns to feel important!"
"You'll find that an Express Engine," rumbled Gordon, "Is of the highest rank and therefore deserves to be entitled to a washdown every day."
"You're a pouty puffer, Percy," jeered James.
"I am not!" snapped Percy, "I'm a hardworking engine who does his jobs with true dedication. Speaking of which, I'd better get going."
With that, Percy steamed to the turntable, which Lady had already backed off of. He fumed quietly as the table set him to the correct tracks. Lily hopped out of Lady's cab and walked over to speak to Percy.
"Don't worry, Percy," the girl chirped up, "You are one of Sir Topham Hatt's most useful engines. Don't let Gordon get under your wheels."
Percy gave a smile to the girl as he puffed off.
"Thank you Lilly! And I won't!"
I just had to insert Magic Railroad content in here because I love the movie (though the Original Script is the true masterpiece) and in my opinion, Thomas and the Magic Railroad is the high point of the whole franchise.
Story requested by tate310. Special credit and thanks goes to him/her for inspiration.
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Transformers 0 over the moon and out!