After D517 was sent back to the Other Railway for her bad behavior. Emily continued her duty to run Thomas's Branch Line while he is still staying in the Tidmouth Sheds for a whole week.

Once the week was finished, Thomas was happy that he is now back in the daily routine, taking passengers in Annie and Clarabel and racing against Bertie, despite Annie and Clarabel's objections. But because Arry and Bert were indisposed due to the recent incident at the quarry, he had to work at the quarry to help cover in their absence. Toby and Mavis kept a close eye on him at all time, making sure he did not cause another accident. Thankfully, Thomas had kept his promise to the Fat Controller.

At the Knapford Station when the day is coming to an end, Sir Topham Hatt was standing at the platform, looking at the clock. He looked out to the distance where there are many layers of tracks and points. All he could see was an oil left on a track. He sighed at this.

"Ohh, Daisy. You will have to see a fitter for this." He muttered to himself.

Sir Topham Hatt was walking near his office door when he heard two whistles. Turned around and saw Bill and Ben puffed by, laughing.

"That was a good one, Bill. Startling Thomas and Emily at the washdown." Ben chortled.

"I know. It is so funny. Let's do that again Ben." Bill laughed as they puffed past Sir Topham Hatt. He sighed again.

"Ohh, Bill and Ben. Typical troublemakers indeed." He muttered to himself.

Sir Topham Hatt turned the doorknob and opened it. He walked in and his eyes widened. He saw a man dressed in black. He wears a bowler hat, glasses and had a name tag saying, "Truman Hartmann Howard, CEO of the British Union Examination House." Truman looked at him looking displeased and very stern.

"Sir Bertram Topham Hatt." He said.

"Umm... Yes Truman." Sir Topham Hatt stuttered. His body quivered.

Truman pointed his hand at the seat in front of the desk. "Bertram, seat."

Sir Topham Hatt nervously took a seat and looked at Truman.

"So Sir Bertram Topham Hatt. I understand that you are having some difficulties running this railway, are you? It is because of that recent accident last week. "

Sir Topham Hatt's eyes closed in shame, "Yes Truman."

"I take it that you are trying to improve your productivity, safety and organization records and it went less than successful, right?"

Sir Topham Hatt stuttered, "Well...I...Umm..."

"Bertram if your effort was successful in preventing another accident on your railway, we will not be having this chat." Truman interjected. Then added, "About the details of the recent accident last week?"

Sir Topham Hatt explained, "It was a diesel engine who collided with one of my engine's brake van, came off the rails and crashed into a signal box..."

"Ah. So you see Bertram. Crashed into the signal box. That was where I have sent one of my railway examination agents to check every signal boxes across the Island of Sodor to see if it's operating well." Truman interrupted. "That is until your diesel engine of yours disrupted our operation by crashing into the signal box which almost killed the signalman and our railway examination agent." He added.

Sir Topham Hatt protested, "I didn't own that diesel engine! The Other... "

"I'm not interested in your petty excuses Bertram. The reason why that diesel engine had an accident is because another one of my railway examination agents reported to me that your engine of yours was too incompetent to train that diesel engine, given that the coupling snapped between the trains." Truman said sternly.

Sir Topham Hatt protested again, "One of my engines has done nothing wrong. She was being harassed by that diesel into being a brake train and I said before, I do not..."

"I don't care if your own that engine or not. I am more concerned about your productivity, safety and organization record which your improvement have certainly not."Truman scolded.

"But Truman..."

"Bertram enough! For your incompetence, not only you have destroyed one of the signal boxes on this railway, you have also jeopardized our operation by almost killing one of our railway examination agents thanks to that diesel engine who crashed into the signal box." Truman boomed. "He is now currently in hospital and we have to give him the medical insurance which cost us our economy." He added sternly.

Sir Topham Hatt looked down in defeat.

"Because since that telephone pole incident until this, you have cost this railway more than around 2,000,000 euros because of your neglect in maintaining productivity, safety and organization record." Truman scolded. "You have reached beyond your limits of penalty points. Therefore, you are permanently removed from this office of this railway and I will find a replacement to take your place."

Sir Topham Hatt said nothing. He just looked down his head in defeat.

"Now good night." Truman said harshly.

Sir Topham Hatt walked away to the door in shame. He was about to walk out the door when he overheard Truman talking to himself.

"I will check up on Gregory because I called him recently since he submitted his resume..."

Sir Topham Hatt turned his head forward and walked out.

Later, Lady Hatt was dusting off the table when she heard a door open. It was Sir Topham Hatt. He looked grim and unhappy.

"It's over. All over."

"What? What happened my dear?" Lady Hatt asked, worried.

"I'm fired. I'm done for!" Sir Topham Hatt cried.

"Fired?" Lady Hatt inquired.

"Fired for many incidents that has occurred this year. They blamed me for not taking responsibility to ensure that my railway is running smoothly and safely." Sir Topham Hatt answered sadly.

He walked upstairs to the master bedroom, sat on the bed and put both his hands in his faced, upset over what has happened tonight.

Lady Hatt came in the bedroom, looking concerned. She heard whimpering from her husband. She can tell that he is upset because he is fired for not doing a good job of running a railway despite trying to reasoning with Truman. She sat next to him. Sir Topham Hatt spoke up.

"This is the end of the line my dear. I don't know what I am going to say to all of my engines."

There was a brief silence. Then, Lady Hatt spoke up.

"Well. You will have to tell the whole truth about your resignation of yours. There is nothing we can't do about it. What is done is done. They will not be happy to see that you are leaving, but there is nothing that we can't do about it."

Sir Topham Hatt sighed, then reluctantly agreed. "Yes. You're right."

A small tear appeared in his eye. Lady Hatt noticed this and Sir Topham Hatt put both hands in his face.

"There there my dear. The important thing is that you still have me. It's not like you lost everything my dear." She put her hand around his back.

Sir Topham Hatt started to sobbed quietly while Lady Hatt was trying her best to comfort him.

Meanwhile at the British Union Examination House, Truman Howard was talking on a phone.

"So Gregory, looking at your resume, I am most impressed by your dedication to the railway services. Being a railway engineer from 1958 to 1968. Promoted to a railway engineer supervisor which lasted for 20 years. You received your promotion again, this time to General Manager in 1988. Then, advanced to Managing Director in 1998. By 2002, you rose to a Railway Controller. Not only that, I am impressed that you have maintained your exceptional productivity, safety and organization records despite by a Railway Controller for 4 years."

"Yes for sure." Came a reply in a phone.

"Therefore, I have scheduled a meeting with you for tomorrow. I am will be expecting your arrival."

"Thank you Truman. It is my pleasure." Said a reply in a phone.

With that, Truman hanged up a phone.

The next day, all the engines from every corner of the Island of Sodor were gathering at the Knapford Station. First group puffing in Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel, Edward, Henry, Percy, Toby pulling Henrietta and Emily. Then a second group, came Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver pulling Toad, Bill and Ben and Harvey. The third group rolling in was Diesel, Daisy, Mavis and Salty. The fourth group arriving were Fergus, Arthur, Murdoch, Molly, Neville, Dennis and Rosie. All of the engines were called to Knapford Station by Sir Topham Hatt and were wondering why.

Percy spoke up, "Wait, we have already listened to why Emily was bossy and mean. why are we gathering here?"

"I don't know. But we can't jump to conclusion until we find out." Edward puffed.

Emily looked at Thomas worried and whispered, "Maybe something serious has happened? I don't know Tommy."

"Relax Emily, I'm sure we will find the reason why we are here." Thomas assured.

All the engines murmured to each other endlessly until a blue car arrived. Coming out was Sir Topham Hatt, Lady Hatt, Dowager Hatt, Mr. Percival and Jenny Packard. As Sir Topham Hatt was walking up to the platform in front of all the engines, Dowager Hatt, Mr. Percival and Jenny Packard were murmuring to each other except Lady Hatt.

"He told us that we need to come with him for an important meeting. What was this about?" Jenny Packard wondered.

"I don't know. Even as my son, he doesn't say a word to me. He just told us to get in the car" Dowager Hatt replied.

"We will find out soon enough." Mr. Percival answered as Sir Topham Hatt walked on the center of the platform in front of all his engines.

Reluctantly, he began, "Everyone. I had every one of you gathered here at Knapford Station... for an important announcement..." He paused. All of them listened.

He continued reluctantly, " The reason for this is because... as most of you are probably aware, there was a recent accident with the signal box a week ago by a visiting diesel. Two men inside were injured."

Everyone was shocked especially Emily. She remembered the time when she was forced to be a brake train for D517 and when they got up on top of Gordon's Hill, the coupling between Emily and the coal train broke. That is when D517 went too fast that she came off the rail by colliding with Molly's brake van and crashed into the signal box, almost killing two men inside.

Sir Topham Hatt continued again, "Then, I was visited by an important visitor last night from British Union Examination House named Truman Howard, a CEO of this inspection corporation..." He paused. He saw all the engines looking at him nervously at the mention of the name Truman Howard.

" To say that plainly... it is not been good."

All the engines were now growing even more nervous. Sir Topham Hatt added grimly.

"I was punished by Truman for my incompetence. One of his railway examination agents showed him proof of how I do not run this railway very well because one of my engines was too incompetent and clumsy that the coupling broke and it caused the visiting diesel to crashed into the signal box which almost cost the lives of two men."

He answered.

All the engines were speechless especially Emily. Then, she protested.

"But Sir! That wasn't my fault. I had no choice but to become a brake train and I was harassed by that rude, big diesel. You heard what happened."

Sir Topham Hatt replied, "Yes, Emily. I know you have not done anything wrong. I tried to reason with him, but he will not listened." He added sadly. "I'm sorry to say, because of not only the accident with the signal box. But also one of the two men that were part of the railway examination agents were a victim of this. Therefore, I have taken a blame for not only my incompetence, but also my poor productivity, safety and organization records that has accumulated since the telephone pole derailment accident..." He paused.

Everyone saw a tear drip from his eye. Sir Topham Hatt finished, "I...have...resigned."

Everyone was at the state of shock. Percy spoke up.

"But Sir. You are our controller."

"What is going to happen to us?!" Henry asked fearfully.

"Gregory Gardon Stewart will be in charge of this railway because I have received a letter from Truman, notifying that he is qualified of taking charge by tomorrow. He will decide how things will run." Sir Topham Hatt answered sadly.

Now all the engines were more nervous than ever. They have heard of him. Gregory Gardon Stewart is not very pleasant when it comes to steam engines. Duck spoke up.

"Well, it is pleasure working with us after all these years."

"Definitely." Oliver agreed.

"Sir, you know we were not the best behaved engines on this island, but, I must say we will miss you." Bill puffed.

"So am I." Ben agreed.

"I may have a habit of not pulling milk and being lazy, but I will still remember of what you did on Sodor like giving me a second chance and you forgave me." Daisy said.

"Not to mention recently, you stepped in, putting an end to my four and a half years of suffering. I will never forget that." Emily added.

A tear appeared on Sir Topham Hatt's face. It was a tear of gratitude. "Thank you my engines, even to some whom you were mischievous or lazy, but I'll appreciate your kindness. It is my pleasure not only working with you engines, but also maintaining peace here on Sodor. But now, the time has come." He smiled.

"We will miss you." They wheeshed.

The engines whistled and honked as Sir Topham Hatt got inside the car comforted by Lady Hatt, Dowager Hatt, Mr. Percival and Jenny Packard.

After that, all the engines went away, still doubtful of what is going to happen to them tomorrow. Thomas and Emily were the only engines left outside of Knapford Station, still doubtful of what is going to happen tomorrow when Gregory Gardon Stewart gets here.

"Tommy. I don't know what is going to happen to us tomorrow. What if he sends me away. What if he sends you away but have me stay here. What if he sends both of us away and separates us." Emily whistled nervously.

"Don't worry Emily. If he sends you away but insist that I should stay here, I sneak out by getting to the boat early before you." Thomas assured. "If he sends me away but decides to keep you here, you do the same like I said." He added.

Emily smiled, "Thank you Tommy. You know I cannot live without you."

"I know that too." Thomas chuffed happily.

With that both Thomas and Emily puffed away.

Thank you readers for reading this. Hope you enjoy it.

I don't own properties relating to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Credits to AaronCottrell97 for the Story Ideas, Owner of Story Origin

OC characters I own are D517, Truman Hartmann Howard and Gregory Gardon Stewart