Chapter 1 - We're What?!
Disclaimer: Still don't own these guys, except for the ones you don't recognize. (Completely unintentional rhyme whaaaaat?)
For a second, it felt like I was falling, and my heart jumped in my throat. Then I heard a sound like a level crossing bell ringing, and felt like I had landed on something soft. I opened my eyes, which had been tightly closed.
In reality, I hadn't landed. Instead, I floated gently along, a few feet above a track. Around me, green light filtered through shadowy trees, and everything was calm. I saw Talynn appear behind me a second or two later, cursing excitedly.
The next few seconds seemed much longer as we floated along. Talynn rapidly asked me questions about anything and everything about the Island that we would soon (hopefully) arrive at, believing me now. Then, the end of the tunnel neared, and we were thrown roughly out, onto a grassy hillside beside more tracks. Even though I had been expecting it, I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming as we flew through the air before our landing.
We barely had time to gather our thoughts before we heard the sound of an approaching train. Talynn cursed again under her breath, then said "What are we going to do?"
"Tell the truth," I decided. "We just got through the Secret Railroad. They'll probably want to document the entrance, if they didn't know about it. Just then, the engine rounded a turn and came into view, a modified Hughes L&YR Class 28 in red livery. Now it was my turn to be upset. "Of course the first engine we see is James. Why couldn't I get lucky? Can I just meet Henry? Please?" I grumbled.
Talynn and I stood up and made our way closer to the track, waving for attention. The driver had already seen us, and began to apply the brakes. James came to a stop near us, empty boxcars behind. His driver hopped out of the cab and came to speak to us.
"Where did you two come from?" He asked.
"Um…the Secret Railroad…?" I gestured towards the tunnel. "We're from America. We were walking around our town, and found a hole with tracks in it. We realized what it was, and here we are," I shrugged.
"Sir Topham Hatt will want to hear about this," the driver said, surprised. "I'm George. You are…?" We gave him our names, and were told to get into one of the empty boxcars that would be taken to Tidmouth Station, where we would go to the Controller's office.
During the journey, we discussed our situation a bit more, but soon we were there. George came to get us as the boxcars were uncoupled, and had us wait while he and the fireman took James to a siding to wait for his next task. George then came towards us again and led us towards Sir Topham Hatt's office. We waited outside as the driver explained the situation. When he returned, he opened the door for us then returned to his engine.
"I hate confrontations," I murmured as I opened the door. The man sitting behind the desk motioned for us to sit in the two chairs opposite him. I looked around at the pictures and documents framed on the walls. Two pictures caught my eye, sharing a frame. The first showed an engine in green livery, an odd combination of Gresley A1 Pacific and Ivatt C1 Atlantic. The second showed a Stanier 4-6-0 5MT; both the Black Five and the previous engine bore the same number and livery, for they were the same engine. Of course, I knew the unique story behind NWR's No. 3.
I was drawn out of my daydream as Sir Topham Hatt began to speak. "So, you two came here through the Secret Railroad, did you? Can you tell me where the entrance you found is located?"
We told him the name of our town, and he continued. "I should probably tell you since you've come here, but this has been happening a lot lately. New entrances appearing out of nowhere, I mean. There are two families who are considered experts on matters such as these: the Conductors and the Stones. Both have told us that something bad will come of this, and have speculated that it might involve P.T. Boomer."
"Wait - P. T. Boomer? The villain that test audiences thought would frighten children, so he was taken out of the movie?" I interrupted.
"I see you know what you're talking about," he nodded. "But P.T. Boomer is much more frightening in real life than in the movie, I'm sorry to say. You two are the first two to come here and fully realize what's going on, so I'm telling you this. You actually realized how you came here, and that's more than most - some people have accidentally found entrances to the Secret railroad, like I mentioned before. I wonder…" he drifted off. I shared a glance with Talynn.
After a moment, he spoke again. "I probably shouldn't mention this, but we'll need all the help we can get if P.T. Boomer really is out there… Have either of you ever heard the term 'empathizers?'"
"I knew it!" I exclaimed loudly. "Um…sorry. I mean, I've heard rumors about it. In truth, if what I think about empathizers is true, I really want to be one. I was completely obsessed with the Railway Series and the television show as a kid, and TATMR, too. I never fully grew out of it, I guess. It's never really left my mind since then, but I didn't tell anyone other than her," I nodded at Talynn.
STH nodded. "From that, there's a possibility, honestly. Not all empathizers were like that, though. Some were fascinated in childhood, and then grew out of it. Others were never really interested beforehand - that's quite rare, though. In the past, empathizers were more common. Most of our engines had one at some point. When the fall of steam began, the empathizers were getting older anyways, and they eventually died off. But lately, with all of this with P.T. Boomer, the Stones have shown interest in finding more. Actually, both Lily and Burnett are empathizers - their Lady is the only engine to have two.
"So, I guess the next step is to test the two of you. Talynn, I haven't heard from you yet. And Hazel, you seem quite knowledgeable, is it possible that you have an idea of which engine's empathizer you could be?"
"Well, I really never had much to do with all of…this…until now. Hazel was convinced of all of it, she was the one that got me to go through the hole we found. I always went along with the games we played when we were younger, but I never really enjoyed it like she did. I don't know much about all of this, but I'm willing to take the test and find out more," Talynn spoke slowly, contemplating her words carefully.
"Interesting. And you, Hazel?"
"Yes. I mean, I have a very clear idea. Yep. It's pretty funny how clear, actually. When I was little, everyone else's favorite character seemed to be Thomas, Percy, or James - and I was just over there completely obsessed with someone else - not in a weird way, I mean. Anyway… So as I got older, I realized that this engine and I had uncannily similar personalities, at least his portrayal in the Railway Series and early tv episodes. I'm pretty sure about this, and I can't even explain it; is that normal for an empathizer?"
He nodded, encouraging me to go on.
"Yeah…anyways. It's Henry. If I'm an empathizer, I'm his empathizer, there's no question in my mind," I blushed.
"Hm…interesting. I saw you looking at those pictures when you first came in. You know, he's never had an empathizer before. I can see it, honestly. You seem quite sure, and with an empathizer, that pretty much confirms it. Still, we'll have both of you take the test. It's just a simple personality test, actually. Then you can go with that engine's driver and fireman on their next run, and see how that goes. If nothing goes wrong, we'll let you tag along for a few more journeys in the next few weeks, and spend some more time with them, just to be sure. You'll both need to learn as much as possible about the operation of steam engines. I have the feeling that engine empathizers are going to be very important soon…" As he spoke, he looked through his desk drawers, eventually procuring a stack of papers.
"Ah, here we are," he handed each of us a paper, and motioned for us to begin. Some of the questions were asking about how much we knew about the Island, and if so, who our favorite characters in childhood were. Other questions were more "what would you do in X scenario" or "which of these words would you/others use to describe yourself."
When Talynn and I finished, we handed the papers over, and Sir Topham Hatt looked over them, mumbling under his breath. I heard things like "Hm, seems like…are you sure she even is one…this seems pretty clear though…well, it's worth a try…" with Talynn's, and just lots of nodding and "it certainly all adds up" with mine. That sounded promising.
"Well, I think the results are quite clear. Talynn, since you have no experience with the stories, your results are less certain - but if you are an empathizer, it's quite likely that you will work with James. And Hazel, you were definitely right. 100% aptitude. I honestly don't think I've ever heard of an empathetic relationship this strong, if it's true. And Talynn, if you and James end up working together, as seems likely, it's impossibly rare to find an empathizer with no previous knowledge. We really are incredibly lucky to find both of you."
I grinned. "So…when do we start?"
"Right now, if you like. James' next train is a passenger train to Wellsworth, and Henry's is a fast goods to Maron. And both of those depart from here in…" he pulled out a ridiculously nice pocket watch, "fifteen minutes. You came here with James, correct? He should still be in the same siding. Hazel, it would be simplest if you walk there with Talynn and then ask James' crew to take you to where Henry is, and talk to his crew. Good luck!" He stood and showed us out of his office. With one last glance at the picture, I stepped outside, grinning. As Talynn and I began making our way to James and his crew, we started talking.
"So…what do we do now? I mean, what about home? When will we get back? Won't people worry about us?"
"Oh yeah, you're right… Well, I imagine they've thought of it, and this can't take too long - remember, this is an island, the trips aren't going to be as long as the last time we were on a train together. They're not even the full length of the line, just a few stations down. I'd say to enjoy this as much as you can, but I really don't know what I'm doing, either." I replied.
"Yeah, I guess that's true. I'll try. I'm honestly really surprised, but this seems like it's going to be really cool. The idea of being an empathizer - like a friendship but closer, and another secret reality for us. I honestly hope I am his empathizer…" she said as we arrived.
"So, how was it? spoke George.
"Empathizers," we both replied. "We took a test. He thinks I'm James' empathizer, and she's Henry's," Talynn explained, to George's surprise.
"We're supposed to go with the respective crews on the next run," I explained. "Sir Topham Hatt asked if you could take me to Henry's crew quickly and explain to them."
"Alright, I can do that. Ted and Robert are quite nice, and I think you'll like Henry, too."
"I know I will," I said as we set off. Talynn joined us, with James watching his prospective empathizer carefully.
"Hello, Ted! These two came through the Secret Railway earlier today! The Fat Controller talked to him, and he thinks they're empathizers! This one is supposed to go with you on the fast goods, and her friend is coming with us to Wellsworth! But I'd better go get James ready, good luck, Hazel!" George and Talynn hurried off.
"Um…hi. I'm Hazel," I said shyly. Ted, the driver, introduced himself. So did Robert, the fireman.
"Hello. So you're my new empathizer?" asked Henry, curiously.
"Not yet," I laughed. "STH is going to see how things are going after a couple of weeks. I'm supposed to come with your crew for a few journeys, and spend some time with you. I really hope I am your empathizer, though," I smiled. Talking to an engine was much more intimidating than I had expected.
Henry smiled encouragingly. "I hope so as well. I've never had an empathizer before, but some of the others have. I like you already, as strange as it might seem. Does that mean you're my empathizer?"
"I don't know, I hope so. I know what you mean, though. It's like how sometimes you just click with people, and they become your best friends. But it's more uncanny…" I laughed.
"Come along, Henry. We can't be late," Ted leaned out of the cab. "You too, Hazel. I know you want to make friends, though," he laughed good-naturedly. I climbed up into the cab with Ted and Robert. Robert was putting a shovelful of coal into the fire, and Ted was easing open the regulator, and I felt right at home.