It had been an unusually long time since her last visit. Ever since an incident that had happened a year prior in which Paxton had gotten lost on the Other Railway, she would come frequently to Sodor to visit her brother. However, it had been almost two months since Daniella had last visited Sodor. Diesel 10, who had calmed down so much since reuniting with his sister, was becoming increasingly agitated.
One morning, Diesel 10 had caused quite a disturbance. He had stormed into Knapford station, very rudely shunting Gordon and his coaches out of his way. This, of course, was after he had quite loudly demanded that Gordon get out of his way. When Gordon refused to move because his passengers had yet to board, Diesel 10 then proceeded to call him every derogatory term in reference to steam engines, plus a few more that he had made up on the spot.
Gordon's passengers, who had been unable to board due to their train being rudely shoved past the platform, were quite cross, and so was the Fat Controller, who had stepped out of his office to see what all the commotion was.
"DIESEL 10!" the Fat Controller shouted, "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Sir," Diesel 10 said, rolling his eyes distastefully, "I need to go to the mainland at once!"
The Fat Controller sighed heavily and shook his head. He was all too familiar with his engines misbehaving, especially this particular clawed diesel, but this was utterly ridiculous, even for him. "You could have at least waited until Gordon had left with the express to tell me this! Now Gordon is running late because of you! There was absolutely no need for you to cause such a scene! What have I told you about this kind of behavior?!" he shouted crossly.
"Act like a stupid steam engine because steam engines get everything around here!" Diesel 10 said caustically.
"NO, DIESEL 10!" the Fat Controller thundered, "That is NOT what I have told you! I have told you that throwing temper tantrums is not how you get your way! Now, off with you! You have caused enough trouble!"
"Oh, of course," Diesel 10 sneered, "The express is so much more important than knowing what may have happened to my only sister! I'm not moving! What will you do, Fat Hatt? Send me to Blackwell Scrapyard?" he said quite caustically.
The Fat Controller put his hands on his hips, frustrated by the big diesel's behavior. "I'm quite certain your sister is fine! She is most likely busy, as she has work to do, and as you already know, she has a very important job! Perhaps you should take a page out of her book and do your work, Diesel 10, rather than delaying trains and causing a scene!"
It was then, Diesel 10 noticed that everyone was staring at him, and no one was happy. He was quite embarrassed about what he had done; after all, he could have simply gone to the mainland without asking permission. That would have caused much less trouble than delaying the express. Looking down, Diesel 10 slunk off to go sulk somewhere.
A few more weeks ended up passing by before Daniella was finally able to visit her brother. Unfortunately, during that time, Diesel 10 had ended up causing several more incidents, mush to the Fat Controller's chagrin.
Daniella was very tired when she arrived, and ended up falling asleep at the Dieselworks almost immediately after she settled into a siding. A few hours later, she woke up to find a few engines looking at her with concerned expressions on their faces.
"I've never seen you look this exhausted. Are you alright?" Norman asked her.
"I'm alright. Just been busy. Busier than ever," Daniella replied.
The diesels who were present were rather alarmed. After all, Daniella did work at a scrapyard.
"They're not—withdrawing more are they?" Dart asked hesitantly.
"No. Engines have been getting sick. Real sick. It's the worst thing I ever seen, an' I've seen some shit," said Daniella.
Den, Dart, Norman, Sidney, and Diesel 10 all exchanged nervous glances.
"What..um…" Den trailed off.
"What he means to say is, what do you mean?" Dart finished for him.
"Well, us on the Other Railway started calling it 'scrapyard sickness', cuz it seems to affect worn out and weak engines the worst. As for what's causing it, no one knows for sure…I have my suspicions though…" Daniella trailed off as she gazed to the side almost distantly. Then her one eye shifted to Diesel 10. "As for you," she said pointedly, "I've been told how you've been acting!"
Diesel 10 gulped and inched backwards.
"Next time you get worried about me, just come fuckin' visit! Don't go causing trouble for everyone else around here! An' be more respectful to the fuckin' steamers!" Daniella snapped.
"Bu—but—" Diesel 10 stammered.
"I think you'll find you can relate to some of 'em if ya give 'em a chance!" Daniella said, irritated.
Diesel 10 grumbled indignantly as he looked away to avoid his sister's piercing gaze. Daniella would have let into him more if her driver and owner, Lorelei, hadn't patted her on her side and said, "C'mon girl, we gotta go. Scrap call."
"Another one?!" Daniella exclaimed.
"Afraid so," Lorelei replied.
Daniella sighed, rolling her eye. "See ya, 10. And for fucks sakes, behave your damn self!" she said as she pulled away, leaving the Dieselworks behind, along with the bewildered and worried diesels.