A/N: A request for asperman1. Please enjoy and review!
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Thomas and Percy were the last two steam engines to leave the brand new Dieselworks after the completion of its restoration.
"At last, we have a new Dieselworks!" Diesel 10 cheered. "I knew we would get one if we resisted!"
"That's enough, Diesel 10!" Thomas puffed. "We helped you rebuild your Dieselworks, so now you owe us some answers!"
"We owe you nothing!" Diesel 10 shrieked, snapping his claw 'Pinchy,' at them.
"Yes, you do." Mavis said firmly. "You have been very rude and intimidating to the steamies, Diesel 10. It's time you learned something called tolerance."
"Yes!" Both tank engines exclaimed triumphantly.
"You could do with a little bit of it too, you know." Mavis added to the steamies.
"Oh."
"So, Diesel 10, why did you trick Percy and so many others? And why do you hate us so much that you tried to eradicate our existence?" Thomas challenged.
"Alright, you got me. I only tricked Percy because I knew that he would do anything from that gooey little heart of his!"
Percy felt his eyes widen and tears filled them rapidly. He knew that Diesel 10 had taken advantage of him, but it still hurt to hear.
"Also, as to why I wanted to get rid of you, well, have you ever noticed that diesels almost never get passenger duties? Or get the same respect as steamies in general? You steamies even treated us with unfairness-and don't try to deny it."
"I wouldn't. Continue." Thomas replied.
Well, you steamies are treated like gods, or royalty, and then when we diesels are about, no one knows our names! The people of Sodor loathe me! Children scream when they see my claw. Old people think I'm a sadist diesel, and everyone just disregards how we, not just I, in general are hated across Sodor!"
Paxton isn't. I heard from Skarloey that he did a wonderful job on his trial runs, and the engines in the hills all like him."
"The traitor he is!" Diesel 10 hissed furiously.
"No you are!" Mavis replied. "I mean, look what the Fat Controller does for us! He keeps us in work, Diesel 10, rather than regard us as a threat to the steam engines. Steam engines are declining, and this is one of the few places they are safe from the cutter's torch. You claim that you are better than steam engines, but what is it about destroying an innocent engine with magical powers or whatever and taking over the Steamworks - which rightfully belongs to Victor - and you manipulating two innocent engines that were in need of a friend that makes you better than them?"
Everyone was silent as they regarded what Mavis had said. Finally, Paxton spoke.
"Thomas, Percy, I'm so sorry that this happened between us. I'm especially sorry Thomas. I just thought I'd be helping my friends if I took Diesel 10's side, but I never realised he would take you and Kevin prisoner." He said sadly. Can you forgive me?"
"Of course we can Paxton," Percy puffed kindly. "After all, ambition let Diesel 10 down, and our need for our friends blinded us."
"How wise, Percy." Thomas said.
Diesel 10 fidgeted.
"Yes, Diesel 10- do you have something to say?" Mavis asked the hydraulic clawed diesel severely.
"Yes! I'm sorry- for everything. I know I shouldn't have attempted to destroy Lady, and I should never have taken advantage of you two. I also know that I should never have held you and Kevin prisoner and got Den and Dart to hold you there.
Thomas was surprised. It seemed that either Mavis' bold speech or Paxton's earnest apology had done the trick.
Den laughed. "It's alright Diesel. We have all come to the conclusion that due to these recent events, we have decided to-"
"What he means is we forgive you." Dart butted in.
"And we steamies forgive you, too, Diesel 10." Thomas and Percy both chorused sympathetically. "We're sorry for all the times we've been horrid and unfair to you all."
Diesel 10 managed a small smile.
"Thanks guys." He said. "I feel a lot better now. Are we friends?"
"I say we could be- so long as we don't leave each other out or take advantage of each other." Percy said, looking at Thomas and Diesel 10.
"That can be manged." Thomas stated.
"Indeed- but with a bit of effort, of course." Diesel 10 responded.
"Naturally." They chorused.