"So how will we catch them?" Stepney asked his friend curiously.
"Well, first, we do some investigating!" Duck decided boldly. "If we can figure out any information that could help us catch them, we could use it later on to stop them."
Stepney thought about this. Logically, it sounded like a good plan, but they had to work out a starting point. "Like what they look like?" He offered at last, remembering an incident from yesterday.
"If you can provide descriptions, they'll be helpful," Duck said. "But what might also help is when they normally strike- if you have that information handy, of course."
"Hm..." Said Stepney, thoughtfully. "Well, usually come when I'm not there- though I can tell when they've been. But yesterday, I was early with my train- it was 5 to three when I arrived, not six past three like I usually arrive, and I saw two figures on the hillside. They were equipped with shovels and about 5 or 6 sacks of bluebells." He shuddered. "Those poor bluebells shouldn't be ripped up and stuffed into a sack like newly harvested potatoes!"
Duck felt for Stepney- it was clear he was so upset for the plight of the bluebells that he found it difficult to be jovial.
"They were really strong looking," Stepney began. "They were dressed in brown clothing."
"Hm- they're not doing a good job of this," Mused Duck thoughtfully. "Alright. So they strike when you're out pulling trains."
"Yes, it would seem so." Stepney said miserably.
"Don't worry, Step- we'll catch these guys in the act," Promised Duck, which made the little yellow engine smile.
"Thank you, Duck."
"Don't mention it."
...
In the end, Duck decided the best thing to do first would be to alert Stanley and Flora- who ran the line when they weren't needed at Great Waterton.
"That way, if something happens when they're there, then they can tell us. Plus, we could do with some help to catch them." The pannier explained.
"That sounds great, Duck!" Stepney exclaimed, full of delight at the chance to save the poor bluebells.
"Not really, Step- I would do more, but we currently have vague details, no evidence, and one witness. At this stage, we could only get more engines and their crews involved."
"Shall we tell the Fat Controller?" Asked Stepney.
"Well..." Duck paused. "That would be worthwhile- but we better get some evidence first."
"They're ripping up the valley!" Stepney argued. "How can that not be proof?"
"Well...it can...but we might need to get more evidence anyway. It never hurt to back up a claim." Duck commented.
"Fair point," Conceded Stepney. "So, shall we tell Flora and Stepney now?"
"Wait...you want to come with me?" Duck asked in surprise.
"Of course!"
"...okay."
...
At the next possible opportunity, Duck and Stepney managed to catch up with Flora and Stanley at Great Waterton, who were allowed a quick rest and were chatting idly. "Hello, Duck! Hello Stepney!" The two friends chorused, as Duck and Stepney came to a halt.
"Can we help you?" Stanley asked.
"Well, it would be appreciated if the both of you could help," Duck began. "You see, thieves have been ravaging Stepney's Branchline"-
"Oh no!" Exclaimed Flora.
"And taking all the bluebells!" Stepney finished indignantly- only to be met with blank stares.
"Um, no offence, but I don't see how"-
"They're ruining the line!" Stepney pointed out. "Plus, it's against the law to remove wild bluebells to sell!"
That snapped their attention.
"My apologies for before," said Stanley earnestly. "No one messes with the British Law and gets away with it! I shall be more than happy to assist!"
"Thank you, Stanley!" Duck exclaimed happily. "We're more than happy to have you aboard! Flora? Will you join us?"
"Oh...I...I don't know!" She said. "I do feel bad for those bluebells, but it seems rather...dangerous. I'm sorry, Stepney."
Stanley frowned. "Hey, there's no need to be worried, Flora- we'll be right by your side!" He reminded her.
"Precisely- we just need engines to help us catch them," Said Duck. "Your help would be much appreciated, but if you don't want to do it, then, we'll respect your decision."
"...thank you," Said Flora gratefully.
Stepney, Stanley and Duck started to talk about plans to get the evidence and catch the thieves, whilst poor Flora stood nearby, listening to their conversation.
'Just look at yourself!' A nasty little voice sneered at Flora inside her mind. 'As timid as a mouse! Mousey Flora!'
'I am NOT timid!' Flora thought to herself stubbornly. 'I just think it's dangerous!'
'Really? Who would walk away from a friend in need? Oh, right- Miss Mousey herself!' The voice argued.
That thought felt like a slap to the face- and Flora knew she wouldn't dare let Stepney down-she couldn't bear the thought of looking him in the eye again if she had backed away.
So, there was only one thing left for her to say.
"Um, is there...uh, room for one more?" She inquired at last to her friends, who all grinned at her in delight at her changing her mind.
"Hooray! Thanks, Flora!" Stepney cheered happily.
"That's great to hear!" Beamed Duck.
"Don't worry, Flora- we're with you, every step of the way," Stanley whispered to her. And Flora couldn't help but smile- with her dear friends by her side, she was certain that nothing could go wrong.