I forgot to mention in the last story: If you ever want to make any fanwork (animations, art, etc.)of this story or any other stories in this series, feel free to. All I ask is that you make sure to credit me. But if you do have an account on this site, go ahead and PM me or leave a review to talk about it.

Anyway, on with the story.

Engine 01

Chapter 1 - Henry and the Red Engine

The moon shone brightly down on a small and misty island, creating a beautiful, sparkling blanket of mist all across the thick forest. Perfectly blending in with the mist was a silver engine, an E2 Class in fact, with a bold zero painted on his side.

His red eyes glowed with determination, as they skimmed every rail he traveled down, but they were all silent. Just then, he felt a disturbance from deep within, perking his interest as he set forth to leave the island.

But just as he arrived at the tunnel that led off of the island, a dark purple aura grabbed both pairs of his buffers, effortlessly stopping him.

"What's happening? Let me go!" the engine growled, as a feminine giggle echoed around him.

"Did you miss me, Timothy? I've missed you."

Timothy recognized the voice, but it was too late. Before he could move or speak, purple flames burst all around him, burning him until he turned into ashes and disappeared.

Many years later…

The Island of Sodor thrived for years on end, most of its residents completely forgetting the terrible reign of Thomas the tank engine; though, some refused to forget. Sir Topham Hatt kept the number one engine close to his heart, even refusing to replace him on his branch line.

But Sir Topham knew there was work to be done, and made sure that the rest of his engines were still on time and really useful.

Henry, for instance, was still the primary engine for taking the Flying Kipper, and at night, as per usual.

At least Carly and Cranky are more focused, Henry thought while waiting for the said cranes to finish loading up the last of the Flying Kipper. Carly and Cranky found comfort in each other, and with Diesel's help, Cranky found the courage to propose to Carly. Of course, she said yes, and the two have never worked together more harmoniously.

"Alright, that's the last of it, Henry!" Carly informed as a random dark purple engine puffed by, but drew little to no attention.

"Oh, and one more thing, Henry! Your usual route's been flooded from the recent storms, so you'll have to through Henry's Forest," Cranky warned.

"Thank you!" Henry thanked before puffing steam and turning his wheels, setting off to deliver the goods train.

Henry heeded Cranky's advice and stayed away from his usual route, and turned at a junction to take the route through the forest.

But Henry always felt rather wary when going through the forest, and it didn't help that it was dark out. Slowly but surely, Henry persisted to get the job done.

Out of nowhere, some high-pitched yelps echoed throughout the shaky trees when the wind blew through them. Henry shivered from the cold and the eerie feeling, slowing down even more. The long howl of a wolf rang through the chilled night air, finally making the large engine stop.

Henry gulped in fear, "H-Hello?"

There was nothing but silence for the next for moments, sans for the chirping crickets and gentle breezes. But just as Henry began to move again, the bushes rustled as something red darted out and ran onto the tracks.

Henry shrieked in fear and closed his eyes, but nothing happened. He slowly opened one eye, and he was instantly amazed by what he saw. Standing still in the light of his lamp was a beautiful red fox, as it stared at Henry with its bright blue eyes.

"Oh…it was only you. Silly little thing, run along now," Henry chuckled sheepishly, and the fox wasted no time in disappearing into the bushes on the other side of the tracks.

Feeling quite relieved, Henry sighed and smiled and continued on. But the tranquility was short-lived…

"Hello? Is someone there?!" a hoarse voice called out from the distance, but Henry heard it loud and clear.

Scared but curious, the said green engine inched towards the voice, "Where are you?"

"I-I…I don't know. I can't see anything…except trees."

"Are you on any tracks?"

"Yes."

Henry's eyes widened in realization, "I know where you are! Hold on!"

He puffed forward for a little while until he came to an old siding that was overgrown and hidden by shrubbery; Henry then uncoupled from his goods train and carefully pushed past the thick foliage.

"Can you still here me?" Henry called.

"Yes! You sound much closer!"

"So do you! I'm almost there…"

As Henry puffed forward, he felt the ground sink below him. He soon stopped when he realized that the tracks came to a sudden stop, so he squinted and looked around with what little light he had coming from his lamp. But when Henry looked down, he gasped.

Trapped down in a sinkhole with the rest of the tracks was a small E2 Class engine, just like Thomas, with rustic red paint and black and yellow stripes on his buffers; a huge tree had fallen into the hole, and was laying atop his smoke box, which created a nasty dent. And his face…there was something so familiar about it, but Henry couldn't think about that right now.

"Are you ok?" the green engine gently asked.

"Not really. I can't move," the red E2 answered meekly.

"What's your name?"

"I…" The red engine's eyes moved around, trying to recall anything, but to no avail. "I don't know. I-I can't remember a thing, or how I even got here."

Henry felt terrible for the mysterious engine, but smiled softly to reassure him, "Don't worry. I'll take you to the Steam Works. I have a good friend there that'll be sure to fix you."

The next day, Victor slowly puffed around the Steam Works, checking to make sure everything was in perfect working order. It had been quite slow, and the Cuban engine was growing rather board.

But, just like the old days…CRASH!

"Kelly!" Victor shouted in exasperation.

"Sorry, Boss!" a sheepish voice called out.

Victor knew he couldn't ignore the fact that he needed a new crane, so he agreed, albeit reluctantly, to hire a new one. Kelly was a Ransom & Rapier six-ton crane, just like Kevin, but was a bit younger and had bright pink paint. She reminded Victor of Kevin countless times, with her bubbly attitude, clumsy nature and sputtering engine. But secretly, Victor was glad to have a new crane/mentee again.

"Victor?!" The said narrow gauge engine quickly recognized Henry's voice, as the said large green engine rolled partially in.

"Henry, hello! What brings you here? Did you get the wrong coal again?" Victor asked with a smirk.

"Oh, no. I'm not the one who needs help," Henry explained and puffed in some more, revealing the young red engine he found in Henry's forest sitting on his flatbed.

But as soon as he saw the E2 engine, Victor's eyes went wider than dinner plates and his jaw dropped. He couldn't believe his eyes; he thought this engine was gone, along with-.

"So, you're Victor, right?" the E2 engine asked out of curiosity, "Henry told me a lot about you. Can you really fix any engine?"

Thinking fast to prevent an extremely awkward silence, Victor stuttered a little before clearing his throat, "Y-Yes, I am and I can." He then looked to Henry. "Thank you for bringing him here so soon. He's in very good hands. Now, go on and continue your work, My Friend."

That night, the new red engine was tended to; his firebox and smoke box cleaned out, his boiler was filled with water, his buffers and wheels mended, and he would be repainted tomorrow. Victor promised him this, as well as much time as he wanted to rehabilitate at the Steam Works.

But after all of the employees turned in for the night, and the whole building fell silent, there was still one important matter to attend to. Victor told a workman to contact Sir Topham Hatt and tell him to come by as soon as he could, but under private circumstances.

"What was so important to deal with in the middle of the night, Victor?" Sir Topham questioned in annoyance.

"You remember Mavis and her—problem?" Victor began and led the large man towards the back of the building.

"Yes. But I thought she left and took it with her."

"You and I both."

When Victor finished his sentence, he stopped in a ward with the red E2 engine sound asleep inside. It took a moment for Sir Topham Hatt to figure it out, but once he realized what it was, he couldn't believe his eyes.

"He looks just like-."

"Thomas," Victor quietly cut him off, leading Sir Topham back out, as to not disturb the young patient.

Sir Topham Hatt shook his head in disbelief, "How did this happen?"

"I wish I knew, Sir. The last time I saw them, Mavis said they were taking the next boat to the mainland."

"Were there no witnesses?"

"I'm afraid not. No one went with them."

"Well, then—there's nothing else to do but to take him in until we figure out what happened," Sir Topham sighed in defeat.

"Are you going to put him to work, too?" Victor inquired.

"We'll see. If the other engines find out who he is, they will likely shun him. And if he found out, too, I'm sure there would be drastic consequences."

Pay attention to the smaller details, and you may find a clue.

Until the next chapter, I'm TRikiD, bye-bye!