Daniella's week had been thankfully, uneventful. No new calls to retrieve any more dying engines, and no new deaths, for which she was grateful. Her job was quite emotionally taxing to say the least, but she pressed on no matter what. After all, someone had to look after engines who were at the end of the line, and if not her, she didn't know who would take her place.
During the time, Daniella took the opportunity to get some much-needed rest.
On Sodor, the Fat Controller had gotten a new engine on trial, as he was in need of another shunter. A little red BR class 02 sat at Knapford station, awaiting his directions.
"Ah, you must be Phoenix. Welcome to Sodor!" the Fat Controller said upon stepping out of his office.
"Yes sir," the little engine replied. "What would you like me to do today, sir?"
Before Topham could respond, his mother, who had been standing on the platform, interjected. "My, my! What an adorable little diesel! I'm sure you'll enjoy staying here very much."
Phoenix' cheeks flushed pink. "Thank you, ma'am…but I'm only on trial," he said.
"I'm sure you'll do just fine," Dowager cooed, "who could resist such a lovely little engine?" she stepped close to the edge of the platform, reached out, and pinched the diesel's cheek.
"Hey…" Phoenix said, flustered. However, Topham looked even more embarrassed than the shunter. "Er…um…Phoenix, why don't you go to the yards and help Philip arrange trains for the day?" he said awkwardly.
"Yes sir, I'll do my best, sir," Phoenix said as he scurried off. He wasn't looking where he was going, and bumped into another engine. "Oof!" he exclaimed.
"Hi there, I'm Thomas. You must be the new engine," the blue tank engine responded.
"Phew…sorry about that," Phoenix sighed. "I'm Phoenix," he said with a smile. Before Thomas could say anything else, the little diesel went to work arranging a goods train. As he did this, James arrived at the yard, grumbling intensely.
"A goods train! Hmph! Dirty job for a dirty engine! Not a splendid engine such as myself!" James scoffed, unaware of the new shunter, who was now focused on him.
Gordon, who was taking a rest, would have told him to quit his grumbling, if not for what James said next:
"Why doesn't that fat git have the dirty diesels pull these dirty trains?! I'm the most special engine in the world! My paint makes me shine like a god! I'd shag myself if I could!"
Thomas and Gordon both gasped, and Phoenix shook his front and quickly focused his attention on the trucks.
"What?" James said, noticing he was being stared at.
"James!" Gordon said, flabbergasted. Thomas, on the other hand, was trying to suppress his laughter.
"Hmph!" James responded, completely unaware of what he had said just a moment ago.
Then, one of the trucks began chattering: "Oh I do love those coaches, I wish I could be coupled to them, what a smooth ride it would be. So lovely,"
"Is everyone losing their minds today? First James, now a truck!" said Gordon.
"Oh no!" Phoenix squeaked as he quickly shunted the rest of James' trucks into place. He let out a huge sigh of relief as James set off. Thomas, however, looked at the little diesel suspiciously. "Hmmm…." He said quietly. "Don't be silly, Thomas, it must be just a coincidence. He's just a little shunting diesel. Surely, he couldn't be why James said something odd. Besides, trucks say weird things all the time."
"Thomas, are you talking to yourself?" Gordon said, raising an eyebrow.
"Huh?" Thomas replied.
"Silly tank engine," Gordon mumbled.
Neither of them noticed Phoenix scurry off to one of the sheds with a look of distress on his face. "Not again!" the little diesel said to himself. "I don't want to be a troublesome engine, I don't know why this happens!"
For the rest of the day, Phoenix tried his hardest to only focus on his work and not anyone else. Once the day was done, he headed away from Tidmouth sheds. He didn't want any more incidents with the resident steam engines. In his search for solitude, he bumped into yet another engine.
"Oof! Oh—I'm sorry, miss," Phoenix said, trying to avoid eye contact with the tank engine in front of him.
"You're what I'm sensing," Lady said, looking at the diesel.
"Wait—huh?" Phoenix asked.
"I knew I felt the presence of another like myself," Lady said softly.
"What do you mean by that?" Phoenix asked, confused.
"You're magic," Lady said with a smile.
Phoenix furrowed his brows. "That can't be true. There's no such thing as magic…manager told me," he replied.
Lady chuckled softly. "Of course, there is," she said, letting a bit of her sparkle float into the air.
"That…but…I was always told there's a logical explanation for everything…how am I magic?" Phoenix questioned.
"I can feel it in you," Lady replied. "You were taught it was impossible, weren't you?"
"How did you know?" said Phoenix.
"Magic, little one. To be specific, I can read minds. And you can too," said Lady.
Phoenix was silent for a moment, as a sudden realization hit him. "So that's why other engines say weird things when I'm around!"
"You're hearing their thoughts," Lady replied.
"It's more than that," Phoenix said, looking down. "When it happens…they say it out loud…like this." He turned his full attention to Lady, who then blurted out:
"I wonder if I'll get to see that handsome warsh—oooh my!" she suddenly cut herself off before she revealed any more.
Phoenix looked down. "I can't control it, miss," he said, remorseful.
Lady's expression quickly softened. "Of course, you can't. You're such a young one, and it's apparent that you never had a chance to learn. Don't worry, dear engine, you'll be able to control it in time."
"But…" Phoenix trailed off.
"Not everyone wants to accept that there are things in this world that they can't understand. You'll find friends and be accepted by those who matter," Lady said kindly.
Phoenix smiled upon hearing this. "Thank you, miss." Feeling much better, he went to a nearby siding and went to sleep.
