Another request from tate310, this time it's "Bulldog" from Season 4. Enjoy and comment.

One morning, Percy was impatient. He was wearing a new coat of paint and wanted everyone to see it. The other engines were still asleep, but not Percy.

"Where's my driver?" asked Percy. "He should have been here by now!"

"Sleeping like everyone else." grunted Gordon.

"But I'll be late! The passengers will be cross!"

"Rubbish!" puffed Henry.

James had now woken up too.

"It's still early." he added sleepily. "You just want to show off, young Percy."

Percy glared at him. "No, I don't!" he protested.

"That's enough you two." chuckled Thomas. "Now Percy, it'll be time to work, but be careful, or you may run into danger.

"Danger?" asked Percy. "Why would there be any danger?

"And." added Thomas, "Duke is not here to save you."

Toby opened his eyes in alarm.

"D-d-duke!?" he stuttered. "You mean, our hero?"

A large painting of Duke hung in the engine shed.

"Long time ago, driver told me the story." said Thomas

And this is how the story went.

Long ago, when Peter Sam was still called Stuart and Sir Handel "Falcon" they worked with Duke on his old railway. But Falcon still had a lot to learn.

The manager came to see him.

"I'm very pleased with your work so far Falcon, but you now must learn the dangerous part of the line called "The Mountain Road."

Falcon was very excited.

"Thank you sir!"

"So tomorrow, when you have a new coat of paint, you will go on it. Duke will explain everything."

"Duke's a old fusspot!"

Next day came, and Duke and Falcon were sitting in their wooden shed.

"Listen." warned Duke, "the mountain road is difficult. I will lead the way."

"No!" replied Falcon." "I'll lead! How can I learn the route with you blocking the view?!"

"Suit yourself." said Duke. "But focus on the track, not the view!"

The engines set off towards "The Mountain Road"

"Never mind the view!" called out Duke.

"Fusspot, fusspot!" replied Falcon. "Fuddy-duddy, fuddy-duddy, fuddy duddy!"

They became slower and slower.

"Speed up, speed up!" urged Falcon.

"No hurry, no hurry." huffed Duke.

Soon they approached a tunnel. Falcon didn't like the tunnel. It was curved and he couldn't see!

"I want to get out, I want to get out!" he sighed.

Soon there was trouble, Falcon curved and derailed, hanging dangerously over the edge!

Duke bravely held on with all his strength.

"Stop shaking!" he called, "I can't hold you if you shake!"

Duke's driver and fireman worked quickly to make sure the two engines were safe again. Then came more trouble.

"Water!" cried the fireman. "Duke needs more water quickly!"

Luckily, there was a workman's cottage nearby. All the workmen helped to refresh Duke's thirst quench,, bringing buckets of water with them. This helped him become stronger.

At last, he was able to pull Falcon back onto the rails. Then, they started off once more.

The manager was waiting at the top station. He apologized for the accident, and the passengers clapped and cheered loudly.

"Hooray for Duke, our hero!" they shouted.

Falcon was grateful too.

"Thank you for saving me Duke! You're a real hero!"

Everyone agreed.

"Well, that's the story!"

"So what did Duke get as his reward?" asked Toby.

"A new coat of paint." said Thomas.

"Great story!" called James.

"So Percy, did you enjoy..." Percy was gone.

"Must have been a early route." said Gordon.

Everyone laughed and set off to work.