Chapter 4 - An Engine named Percy?

It was very early and the sun had barely begun to rise, but that didn't stop a certain grand engine from getting the answers he demanded. And when Sir Topham Hat was rudely awoken by a loud whistle just outside his house, he got out of bed to investigate.

He blinked the fatigue away as his eyes adjusted to the dark, and he was surprised to see Gordon waiting outside. But he didn't look amused at all.

"What are you doing here, Gordon? It's far too early to start working," Sir Topham yawned.

"Why does Tod look exactly like Thomas?" Gordon hissed.

Sir Topham didn't know what to say, but he eventually sighed and rolled his eyes, "Kudos to you for using your eyes."

"Is he still alive?"

"No. I told you all, Thomas is dead."

"That's odd because those two share a striking resemblance. And I'm not resting until I find out why."

"Some engines just have that sort of face, Gordon. Just leave it be, and I'll see you later."

Even though the grogginess was obvious in Sir Topham's voice, Gordon could hear the lies loud and clear. The large man was hiding something, and that neither he nor Tod could be trusted, this he knew for certain.


It was quiet and dark, and very peaceful. The stars twinkled in the clear sky above and crickets carelessly chirped away, but the tranquility was to be short-lived…

A green object burst from the darkness, screaming in terror and awaking the other beings around it; they ridiculed it for being so scared, but a gentle voice came and said, "Percy, what's wrong?"

The setting world suddenly changed, as it became a rusted building and yard with dirty oiled, and the same green object from before appeared; the air was more clear, and the object was revealed as a tank engine, but his facial features were still far from distinguishable.

Out of nowhere, a giant rusted limb reached for the green engine's funnel, tearing it off with ease and making him cry out in great pain. As blood poured and his consciousness was lost, a rage burned within.

The same voice from before came again, but it was nothing but a terrifying demonic growl, "Last warning, Diesel Ten: Let him go!"

The entire environment changed one last time, becoming a dim room with the smell of blood and rust. It smelled like decay. Two new voices pierced the fuzzy atmosphere.

"So, that's it? You're not going to forgive him for something that wasn't his fault?" The first voice was deep and firm—it sounded just like Sir Topham Hatt.

"He could've done better!" The second voice the timid and smaller, but there was rage in its tone nonetheless. "Even with the darkness keeping him alive, he could've at least fought it! But no!"

There was a long pause.

"Percy-."

"He just…fell too far, and that's why I give up."


Tod woke the next morning with a slight headache, but he ignored it when he remembered his dream; again, he couldn't remember most parts, but the parts that he could recall gave him a chill, especially the name 'Percy'. Who was he? Where was he? Is he on Sodor? And why does he sound so familiar?

"Hello, Tod." The said young engine blinked in surprise when he heard Gordon's voice when he expected Victor or even Henry, but Gordon himself puffed into his ward instead with Tod's driver and fireman were in his cab as well.

"Uh, hi…what are you doing here?" Tod asked in suspicion.

"Henry isn't feeling so well this morning, so he asked me to watch you for today," Gordon replied with a fake smile.

"Ok, I guess. Where are we going, then?"

As Gordon backed out of Tod's ward, his smile grew wicked, "You'll see soon enough, Little Tod."


Gordon remained quiet during the journey, and Tod became more suspicious and even scared the farther they went from civilization. In fact, Gordon didn't stop until they came up to a junction; the right track led off to another part of the railroad that Tod had yet to learn about, while the left led past a rusted old sign that read "Diesel Works."

"You've seen the diesel engines that pass by in the yard, yes?" Gordon began nonchalantly.

"Yeah. Why?" Tod questioned.

"Well, just as we have the Steam Works, the diesels have a safe haven known as the Diesel Works. Sadly, though, the place has been abandoned for quite some time, and the Steam Works needs some supplies. Sir Topham Hatt has told me to fetch the flatbed of supplies, but I forgot to tell him about the other important job I have today. Oh, what am I to do…?"

The wheels in Tod's mind slowly began to turn, but Gordon already knew what he was thinking.

"I-I could go get them for you," he offered.

"Would you? Oh, Tod, you are such a kind soul!" Steam rose from Gordon's smokestack as he puffed back towards town. "I shouldn't be long, but just come straight back to the Steam Works if I don't return!"

"Ok!" Tod shouted back before puffing down the left track, failing to notice the evil smile on Gordon's face as they parted ways.

Good luck getting back in time, Little Tod, Gordon thought with a dark chuckle.

Meanwhile, Tod continued down the track and quickly noticed the dwindling amount of plant life and animals, as it was replaced by barren rocky hills that lead into a valley. Before long, he came up to the entrance of what he assumed could only be the Diesel Works.

"Creepy," he commented when he felt a shiver run down his boiler, but moved forward, determined to prove Gordon wrong about being a tiny and scared engine.

"Hello?" Tod's voice echoed slightly, but there was no answer. "Ok, then—if I were a flatbed of diesel engine supplies, where would I be?"

He continued on through the yard until he puffed into the dim building; it looked rather new, but dreary and unwelcoming all the same. But before Tod gave up, he finally saw the single large flatbed of spare parts sitting on the second floor of the building.

That must be it, Tod confirmed in his mind as he rolled onto the turntable. Not long after he stopped on top of the turntable, it slowly rose without his command; not that he knew how to make it work in the first place, so he figured he shouldn't argue against luck.

But as soon as the table stopped rising, Tod's blood ran cold. He wasn't alone. Waiting in the shadows on the other side of the flatbed was an elongated diesel engine with faint yellow paint, a calm yet wicked face, and a giant metal claw atop his cab.

"And I still leave them speechless," the engine chuckled in amusement, his voice as alluring as a snake while clanking his claw lightly, "Oh, but seriously, do calm down. I'm not going to hurt you—yet."

"Wh-Who…are you?" Tod could barely find his voice.

"I'm Diesel Ten. What's your name, Little One?"

"T-T…T…Tod…"

"How cute."

"B-But I-I thought…no one…was here…does Sir Topham Hatt know you're h-here?"

"That fat bastard doesn't deserve to know about my business!" Tod never expected Diesel Ten to suddenly snap, and it didn't help that his voice was so overwhelming or that his teeth were clenched and that his eyes twitched.

But Diesel Ten ended the awkward silence by closing his eyes, taking a deep breath in and muttering, "He and I have never gotten along well."

"Why?" Tod asked meekly.

"That doesn't concern you. Right now, you should get back home with this flatbed that Gordon sent you to get."

Tod gasped, "H-How did you know that?"

"I eavesdrop, I can't help it. That aside, you really should get going."

Tod wasted no time in coupling up to the flatbed and pulling it onto the turntable, as he subtly rushed to get away from this strange engine.

"Oh, and a little word of advice, Tod," Diesel Ten began warningly, "I know you find m terrifying and untrustworthy, but you should also be careful with those you already know."

Tod was just about to asked what he meant by that, but he ran into something from behind, making him yelp in surprise, "Who's there?!"

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going!" a raspy voice quickly apologized, as the owner of the voice came up from behind. It was another long diesel engine, but not nearly as long as Diesel Ten, with dark green paint and a coach built into him; Tod also noticed that he seemed rather young, maybe the same age as him, and he looked really familiar, too.

"Hey, didn't I see you at Knapford Station yesterday? You were picking up passengers, right?"

"What?" the other engine inquired with a quirked brow, but he soon laughed in realization, "Oh, no! You must be talking about my mom. She's a diesel railcar, like me. Her name's Daisy."

"That would explain the lack of obscene makeup," Tod muttered under his breath before clearing his throat, "Anyway, what're you doing here?"

"Actually, I came to pick up that." As soon as Tod realized he was referring to the flatbed of supplies, his eyebrows furrowed in great confusion. Did Gordon…lie?

"But if you wanna go with me to take it to the Steam Works, I'd be more than happy to let you tag along," the railcar added with a smile.

Tod couldn't help but smile back from the kindness shown to him, "Thanks. I needed to head back there, anyway."

"Cool, let's go!" the other engine cheered, as they made their way out of the yard, "By the way, I'm Lucky."

"I'm Tod."

"Tod, huh? Are you that new engine that Victor's taking care of?"

"How did know that?"

"Sodor's a pretty small island. News travels faster than light here." The two boys couldn't help but laugh at that, but something of another matter kept lingering in his mind.

"Hey, Lucky? Do you come here often?" Tod inquired with a quirked brow.

"Well, kinda…a lot actually," Lucky replied nervously, "But, please, don't tell my parents! They don't know!"

"I won't—I'm just curious. Have you ever seen another, I don't know, creepy engine with, say, a claw in there—have you?"

There was an awkward pause between them, as Lucky stared at Tod with inquisitively. Eventually, he finally answered slowly, "No. Where would you even get an idea like that?"

"Oh, it's just a random thought and I was curious, is all," Tod lied as his eyes drifted, "I've never been to the Diesel Works until today, and you're the sec—er, first diesel I've met."

"Well, I'm glad I have that honor."

As Lucky smiled politely at him, Tod smiled brightly back because he was certain that he made a new friend.


Henry was literally shaking in his metal. No one had seen Tod all afternoon, which worried his "nanny" due to his goal to watch after him. And amidst his panic, Henry didn't even know where to start to look and was plaguing the Steam Works' staff with his worrisome vibes.

"Oh, I'm a terrible caretaker! What if something bad happened to him?! What if he fell off a bridge, or got derailed, or-?!"

"Henry!" Victor snapped, "Calm down, My Friend. I'm sure he's fine. Gordon came in to see Tod this morning, so I'll bet he's with him."

"Wait. Gordon? Why?" Henry questioned.

"Heck if I know. But judging by the fact that Victor needed Gordon to get some extra diesel engine parts from the Diesel Works, I'd say he took him there," Kelly admitted while quickly driving by with a crate.

Just then, a whistle and a horn rang through the air, as none other than Tod and Lucky rolled in with the parts that Victor needed.

"See? Perfectly fine," Victor boasted with a smirk while puffing up to the two engines, "Thank you very much."

"No problem, Victor," Tod added.

"Sorry, but I better get home. Mom and Dad're probably wondering where I am. It was nice meeting you, Tod. See you soon!" Lucky explained as he left the Steam Works, honking at his new friend and Tod whistled back.

"Oh, you scared me to death! Don't ever do that again…please," Henry firmly instructed, but added the last part meekly.

"Whoa, Henry, calm down. I'm alright, I promise. I just got a little sidetracked at the Diesel Works," Tod chuckled.

Just then, the sound of Sir Topham Hatt's car could be heard outside, as he quickly pulled into the yard and ran into the building in a panic. But as soon as he saw Tod, he seemingly calmed down.

"Oh, Tod, thank goodness! When I heard you had gone missing, I assumed the worst," Sir Topham sighed in great relief.

"Why does everyone worry about me?" Tod muttered.

"But now that you're back, all is well. And if you don't mind, Henry will take you to Knapford for some more work with the coaches," Sir Topham added firmly.

"Yes, Sir," Tod confirmed with a smile.

"Don't worry. I won't let him out of my sight," Henry added politely as they left, but he had a certain blue engine on his mind that he would give a good talking to later. But he knew he had to focus more on his student, which is why he completely avoided Gordon at the station all day.


That night, Tod was already brought back after working with Henry and his driver and fireman had left, but he couldn't sleep because of the name that he dreamed about.

"Hey, Victor?" Tod began before the said Cuban engine turned in for the night.

"Yes?" Victor replied.

"Did you ever know an engine named Percy?"

Lucky for Victor, he was turned away from Tod, so he couldn't notice the frightened expression on his face. But he cleared his throat and answered, "N-Not that I remember. Why do you ask?"

"I dunno…it just came to me in a dream. Is that weird?"

"A little, but that's how dreams work. They're a strange world that our minds create for unknown reasons. And we may never know why."

"Huh…right, well…goodnight, I guess."

"Goodnight, Tod."

With that, Victor puffed quietly passed a sleeping Kelly and out of the building, where he sat and listened to the silence of the night while gazing up at the clear sky. He always did this to help him think or calm down, and right now, the secrets he has kept has done nothing but shake his core.

Meanwhile, most of the engines at Tidmouth Sheds have already fallen asleep, but Henry was determined to make a point.

"Gordon. Gordon, wake up right now," Henry growled demandingly.

It didn't take long for the said blue engine to wake with a startling snort, and he was surprised all the same when he saw that Henry was still awake.

"What is it, Henry? Can't you see it's nighttime—you know, the time for sleep," Gordon emphasized groggily.

"You can sleep in a minute, but you need to listen. I know what you did."

Gordon was instantly alert now, as his eyes widened and darted around in fear, "W-What ever do you mean?"

"You abandoned Tod on purpose."

"No, no, of course not! I was busy and needed to be back at Knapford for an important train. I would never leave such an innocent engine alone to fend for himself."

"Whether or not you're telling the truth, I want to make something very clear to you." Henry paused and puffed closer. "Don't ever threaten Tod again, or else you're going to have to answer to me."

Henry retreated back into his shed without another word, leaving Gordon absolutely stunned by this sudden burst of confidence and strength. But even with Henry keeping a closer eye on him, Gordon still refused to trust Tod.


So, Diesel Ten is alive. But why and how? And how will his revival affect Tod's life? I can already tell you, it won't be good.

Until the next chapter, I'm TRikiD, bye-bye!