Reviews are welcome and constructive criticism! (Just so you know before you read, the bus driver is NOT Bertie. TAF timeline is a bit altered to fit this story.)

Replies to reviews that I can't reply to: Boss Train (Guest): I read what you said about Mr. Porter and I already knew about that, I just added him to fill some voids like that. Hence him acting as Edward's "driver and fireman" and somewhere beyond for others. He's still small in roles though so, he's unimportant to me.

Update: (2/20-21/2016) Sorry for taking so long, there was a few time delays with the writing yesterday and I had to leave a bit in the morning and until 2:36 p.m. EST and left again for other business and by the time I got home, I finally completed it!

ENJOY THE STORY!

Disclaimer: *You know the drill*

Sodor Railway Academy
Written by: TheMillenniumWriter
Part 3: The Arrival / The Sad Story of Henry w/ Edward, Gordon and Henry

At the same time of Edward already being done with Gordon and taking a long drink in the hall, at the Sodor docks at Brendam, a boat had just arrived to the island. The passengers got off the ship to the flat, solid ground and to the noises of hard work by the sea. There was one that was especially excited for this trip, it was Thomas! He has finally arrived after that bothersome trip out at sea. He probably figured that the school year had started already without him because of his ship breaking down but it was up and running again and he didn't care one bit. He was glad to finally arrive.

He soon spotted a steam engine coming from around the bend as it was just a regular dark colored mixed traffic engine, a LNER B12 with coaches, it gave off steam and blew it's whistle loudly. "ALL ABOARD!" cried the conductor, Thomas and the other passengers got in the coaches and headed for Knapford Station as the train went along the line a little bit later. A few hours passed, while in the train, Thomas sees the sun beginning to come down. It seems that he will have to start school tomorrow once again.

"Oh, bother! Another day lost while I'm not in the academy yet." Thomas said with frustration, "What is with this horrible luck that I'm having on me? It's like life is trying to prevent me from going to the academy." Thomas soon looks out the window and sees the station ahead, "Finally! I'd rather be the engineer, not a passenger. Even though they are the most important to a railway." Thomas said and as the train stopped, he got off in order to find a bus to ride in. He saw no buses around the area.

Thomas sighed, "Well, looks like I have to find someplace to sleep for the night." He soon finds the ticket master at the ticket booth and decides to ask him, "Excuse me?" asked Thomas as the man sees him, "Oh, what do you need kid?" "Do you know where I can find a hotel anywhere around here?" "Hmm...I think there is one down the block to my right behind the station." "Thank you!" and Thomas left running with his belongings. "Hmm...I have a good feeling about that kid." said the ticket master.

Tomorrow morning after sleeping at the hotel and before dawn breaks, Thomas soon spots a bus by the front of the station and went after it, "Hold up! Wait for me!" he called out and entered inside. "Where to?" said the bus driver, "Sodor Railway Academy, please." said Thomas as he paid the driver and off he and the passengers went into the countryside. Thomas thought that the island was quite beautiful and he had been living in the city in the Mainland for most of his life. He wishes that his family was here so they can experience it too like he was doing. Him thinking that made him feel homesick for a bit.

A few hours later, he gets out of the bus and looks in awe to the school in front of him, he looked at the time from his watch and saw that it was 7:10 A.M. , a Wednesday. He was early but he still sees other students walking about in the grounds. He walked in with wonder in his blue eyes.

"I...I can't believe it. I'm here! I'm actually here! I'm going to do my father proud for being here..." said Thomas. As he walked through the grounds, students were surprised to what he was wearing and how short he was. He was just as short as a girl student but some girls were a little bit taller than him around here! He had just arrived and he has already beaten the record for shortest student, which the current holder was Edward and Thomas didn't even know it!

Unknown to Thomas, he runs into Sir Topham Hatt as he was looking at the scenery, "Oh my! Do you mind watch-" paused Hatt and looked at the boy, Thomas looked at him with a nervous look, "Oh, I'm so sorry!" said Thomas.

"Hmm...who are you young lad?" asked Hatt.

"My name is Thomas, Thomas Billington. I'm a new student that just arrived to the island. Are you a teacher here sir?" said Thomas.

"Teacher?" laughed Hatt, " So, you must be that student that had the boat that broke down at sea and no, my dear boy. For I am your headmaster, Sir Topham Hatt!"

"What?! Then I'm really sorry for bumping into you sir! I don't want to be a bother to you on my first day."

"Not at all Thomas." he paused, "Hmm...you are actually the first male student that I spoke to without adding "Mr." with your last name. I feel that you will be a grand addition to our roster of students. Now follow me so I can prepare for your classroom and your dorm."

"Yes sir! Thank you sir!" said Thomas as he followed Headmaster Hatt, "Also, a dorm headmaster?"

"Yes, every student lives at this academy in order to ensure their learning time, relaxation, and no hassle to getting on the bus from home, to school and back." he explained, "Also, I must warn you, some halls in this school can be a tad strange."

"I understand." answered Thomas but he wasn't sure to what his headmaster meant.

After a few pieces of paperwork to sign at Hatt's office, Thomas was given his dorm number, his classroom and Thomas headed there now.

Two out of the four students were there early in the classroom as Mr. Porter kept watch, waiting for everyone to arrive. Those two students were Edward and James. Mr. Porter heard a knock on the door, "Huh, I wonder who that could be? I wasn't expecting anyone. Maybe it's Gordon and Henry." said Mr. Porter.

As he opened, he was surprised that no one was there, he soon heard a voice. "Uh, down here." Porter looked down to see Thomas with his eyebrow raised, "Oh, hello there. Never seen you before. What's your name?"

"I'm Thomas. Thomas Billington." Thomas said with a smile.

"Glad to meet you Thomas. Shouldn't you be heading to your class?" Porter asked.

"This is my class!" he answered.

"Oh! Well, come in! I'm your teacher, Mr. Porter. "Porter said as he let in Thomas.

"Thanks you, Mr. Porter!" said Thomas as he went in and as he did, both Edward and James saw him.

"Hey! You're the new student that I heard about!" said Edward, "The kid's name is Thomas Billington." said Mr. Porter.

"Nice to know Mr. Porter." Edward replied to the teacher and had his gaze on Thomas, "My name is Edward Pettigrew."

James was just looking in awe at Thomas and he shifted his eyes to Edward and did it repeatedly until he bursts out laughing, "Oh man! This is TOO good! The new kid is more smaller than you Edward! I think he broke your record!" "Record? What record?" said Thomas naively.

Edward sighed, "Before you came to this school, I was labeled as "Shortest Student" and as well, I'm a Junior currently, which made it worse. That means to everyone else, you will be mocked, teased, and also be put down by others." Thomas listened carefully and he was surprised that Edward is a Junior and nearly the same height as himself. Thomas turns to James looking cross and turns back to Edward, "Then who's he?" "That's James Hughes...he's also new. He came to this class before you did like, by a day. He can be good...I think...but he's full of vanity about his hair and his looks and he can be quite boastful. Like other ones that I know."

"Like who?" asked Thomas and suddenly two figures came from behind him when Mr. Porter went back to his desk.

"Him but his friend in green, not so much." Edward said in a dull tone as he points behind Thomas, "Who is this supposed to be?" said Gordon looking down on him with Henry on his right. Thomas turned and yelped nervously to the two 5"10 students, "Look at him! He's so tiny!" said Gordon with a smug grin, "The surprising part about the two and James is that they are Sophomores." said Edward, "What?! Sophomores?!" shouted Thomas, "As you might not know, I'm Gordon Gresley, the student on my right is Henry Stanier. You, as a Freshman, should do everything I say." said Gordon, "No he doesn't Gordon!" shouted Edward, "Also he's the new student! Treat him with respect!"

"I don't just give respect, little Edward. Besides, this kid doesn't deserve it. I believe that the headmaster has made a terrible mistake. I was expecting that he would choose someone more useful for this academy." said Gordon. As Thomas looked up at Gordon, he gave a cheeky smile, "For your information, "Mr. All Brawn and No Brains", even though that I'm not bigger than you, I am still a hard worker ever since last year in middle school when I was still in the Mainland. I can be a useful student around here!"

Gordon looked cross at Thomas, "The only way that you can be useful around here is by fetching my assigned physical work to me and you can just be here and talk all you like. Maybe if you are lucky enough to stick around in this academy, you might catch me rushing past you in the halls with my important work as I am the most important student in the academy." he paused with a smirk, "That will be a fine sight for you..."Tiny Thomas"."

Soon, Gordon and Henry went past Thomas to sit next to James at their desks.

Edward sighed, "Don't mind him Thomas, he's always like this." "Don't worry Edward. I'll keep a sharp eye on him, eh, Gordon...was it?" said Thomas and Edward nodded.

Thomas proceeded to sit at his desk in front of Edward, he scanned around the room. It was 4 by 6 amounts of desks. 4 desks on each of the 6 rows if one needed ore detail, Thomas noticed something. The first row was empty while he and Edward occupied the second, the third row was empty, James occupied the third seat in the fourth row and it included Gordon and Henry next to him with the fifth and sixth rows. There were not many students here.

Finally, Mr. Porter went on to start the lesson.

Later on, Mr. Porter had gave Edward his assignment to teach Thomas on what he should do around the academy, which he agreed to do. As well, Thomas, being new around here, didn't really expect this at all. For some jobs, he had to push or pull carts as if he was being a locomotive himself. He had never done that type of stuff before on the Mainland. This is when he realized to what Gordon was saying to him before. To Thomas, he thought maybe this was a way to train himself before he becomes an engineer to a engine. A lot of those times...he made many, many mistakes and mishaps but he was still learning but at the same time, it was going well within time.

At lunchtime, both Thomas and Edward were at the cafeteria with their lunches, students were everywhere. But one obviously stuck out the most...Gordon. He was sleeping at his table by himself.

Thomas and Edward were walking towards him until Edward noticed that Thomas stopped and gave a cheeky look. Thomas whispered to Edward, "Hey, watch this." Edward watched with his eyebrow raised as Thomas tiptoed to Gordon,"Huh?"

Soon, Thomas took out something out of his shirt and it was on his neck, it was a gold whistle with two holes that he can blow with but it was shaped like an engine's whistle, Thomas giggled and took a breath and blew on it twice on Gordon's left ear. The noise startled the guy.

"AAH! AH! Wha-What?!" spluttered Gordon and he soon sees Thomas, "Wake up lazybones! Why don't you be a hard working student like me?" Thomas said cheekily and he went off to his seat laughing and Edward couldn't help but laugh too.

Gordon growled at that ridiculous prank that the Freshman made.

As the two got to their seats, Edward couldn't help but ask, "Hey Thomas?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you wearing those clothes? "LBSC"? #70? What?"

"Oh, this is my dad's old conductor jacket. He used to be a conductor but he customized it when he became an engineer. He gave it to me on my 15th birthday. He...passed away months after and before this year's summer break." said Thomas with a smile but it turned to a sad look, "LBSC stands for London, Brighton, and South Coast. He used to work at that railway. As well, he used to come to this academy before he got that job. That is why I'm here. He had a E2 tank engine. That is why there's a "70" on the back of this jacket. It's his engine's number. I used to take rides with him and I was even taught a bit on how to drive it when I was 9 but little since kids weren't allowed to drive engines during work hours...or any hour for that matter. But after he retired, I never saw that engine again...it's the only memory left about him..." Thomas began tear up a bit.

"Oh man. Sorry for your loss Thomas." apologized Edward as he pat on Thomas' back, "Don't worry pal, someday you'll find it." Edward finished while trying to cheer up Thomas.

"That's easy for you to say...but thanks any way."

Soon the two heard thunder outside and looked out the window, it was beginning to rain. Thomas looked away to see James and Henry with Gordon but Henry was staring longingly at the window, specifically, the rain.

"Hey Edward?" asked Thomas and Edward looked at him, "What's up with Henry?"

"Oh man. The memories. Hehe. You know, Henry is a kind student but sometimes he is such a worrier. Also, there was a true story about Henry."

"About what?" asked Thomas, "I'll tell you." said Edward and he soon began, " "Once a student attached to a line of carts, became afraid to when the rain starts"..."

" 'Henry was given a job to deliver a few things on Sodor, so he had to go on his customized bike with a motor attached to it with his carts connected on the back of it when he was on the roads. As he was just getting started with his job, he soon sees dark clouds form in the sky. Then, a single raindrop fell on top of his dark blond head, making him quite scared. He soon sees a long tunnel below railway tracks, just deep enough to hide him and his assignment. There was also two of them as well. Once he entered, he never came out. People at the academy saw him with the use of a telescope and told some teachers to talk to him. Then it turned into an argument between them. but Henry still won't go.' " Edward pause to act out as Henry.

"No! Nope! NOPE. I won't come out! The rain will spoil my lovely green uniform with red and yellow stripes!"

" 'The coach for the gym classes arrived and he blew his whistle until he had no more breath. He even waved green flags at him! But he still wouldn't move.' "

Edward acted out, "No! Go away! Just go away! I don't want the rain to ruin my uniform for you!"

" 'Other students and teachers came out and argued with him too but he would still not move.' "

"No! NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Edward acted again.

" 'Now, our headmaster, Sir Topham Hatt was involved too. He told some of the teachers and students to grab on to Henry's motorbike handlebars and each other so they can pull him out.' "

Edward now pretended to be Headmaster Hatt the best he can. He even looked around to make sure Hatt was not here.

"Now Henry, we will pull you out!" Edward resumed as Henry by pretending to be cross again, "No! No! Stop! Just leave me be!"

" 'Soon, everyone pulled as Henry activated the reverse switch and held back against them. Except for Hatt.' "

"*Ahem* My doctor has forbidden me to push."

That one line made Thomas laugh.

" 'They all kept on pulling but Henry won't budge. So, they went on pushing next on the other side!' "

"*Ahem* My doctor has also forbidden my to push."

This made Thomas laugh out louder, "Oh man! Twice of that excuse?! Really?! That's hilarious!"

" 'Henry was still in reverse mode from his bike to fight off the teachers and students pushing. But in the end, Henry did not come out. They even tried getting one of the bigger students to help, while teachers were trying to convince Henry to come out once it stopped raining, Henry made an excuse that the rain was coming back soon so, he still doesn't want to come out so the rain can't ruin his uniform. The big student started pushing and it was working but by only a few inches. Henry did not leave the tunnel. Finally, they gave up.' "

Edward spoke, "Yeah, this is where the sad part comes..." and became brave enough to tell the rest.

He now acted as Hatt again, "We shall leave you there, always, always, and always until you think about what you've done. I will not allow you back to the academy until you realize."

" 'They now made construction workers create a 3rd tunnel for the vehicles and a new road for it so they can tear up the old one that Henry is on, the school took away his carts, and blocked off both exits with bricks but left out one hole for him to look through. He saw students that had assignments outside of school go through the tunnels. He was very sad that no one will ever see him or his green and red/yellow uniform ever again." '

Thomas was now thinking, "Wait, you said that Henry saw students pass by, who were they anyway?"

Edward answered with a smile, "Well, me and Gordon of course!"

"What?! No way!" exclaimed Thomas.

"But I'll tell you that later Thomas, we gotta finish our food and get back to class." said Edward, then Thomas realized and went into his backpack, which is next to his suitcase and took out his dorm number. "Oh, Edward. Do you mind telling me where this dorm is?"

Edward adjusted his glasses and smiled, "Hey, that's cool! You're my dorm mate Thomas!" "Really?! Alright!" and they gave a high five to each other.

As soon as class was over in the afternoon and it was still raining out, Edward was showing Thomas their dorm and what it has, including a bathroom. After the small tour was done, Thomas was on his bed, and wanted Edward to continue his story from lunch.

"Alright, alright, hold your horses Thomas. I'm gonna get to it." said Edward and he continued his tale involving Henry but with him and Gordon into the mix.

"This time, I'm not gonna tell from a story aspect, I'm just gonna tell you." said Edward and Thomas nodded, "It had been 5 months since Henry was in the tunnel, at that point in time with Henry being in the tunnel, him and Gordon were freshman and I was a Sophomore. As well, I rarely had any assignments to do. Usually when I pass him, I just say "Hi" and Gordon, being the jerk that he is even though that they were friends he says "Serves you right"! That poor Henry, he had no food or water for 5 months. I'm just surprised to how he was even alive! Heck, out of pity, I would leave the academy and give him bits and pieces of food and give him a drink so he can have his strength. Remember what I said that he was afraid of the rain because it could spoil his uniform? Well, the filthy tunnel did that. He was so cold and sad...at the time when he went into the tunnel, it was on October, just before the leaves started to change and it ended until February. Henry really wanted to go back to school now, he even stopped caring about the rain. One day, Gordon was just happy to being the only big student to pull important missions made by the headmaster, I heard that he would go by Henry's tunnel just to mock him, and he would bring his carts with him to show off."

Thomas just shook his head because of how uncaring Gordon is, "Seriously? To his own friend? That is so low!"

"I know. From what the security guard with the telescope told me, he saw Gordon go quite fast towards him and then he sees him beginning to slow down, like as if he was in pain. When Henry told me to what he saw with Gordon, he said that Gordon doesn't know what's wrong with himself, it's like all his natural strength and speed just disappeared. He was totally weak. He soon saw the ambulance come in and went to check on Gordon and the Headmaster came out as well. Once the doctors checked on him, Gordon got his answer, he had a major cramp on his body and his legs. They had to bring him to the side where a new bench was made in front of Henry's tunnel. Gordon cannot pull his assignment anymore and because of that, Henry laughed at him. At least Gordon got his comeuppance for mocking Henry for the last 5 months. Gordon was cross at him but Henry simply didn't care. Gordon did tell him to stop but again, Henry didn't care."

"That's what Gordon gets!" Thomas shouted with his fist in the air. For a 15 year old, he sure acts like a kid sometimes.

Edward laughed for Thomas and continued, "To what I heard, Headmaster Hatt, needed another student to do Gordon's work, so he got me to do it as it was another rare job for me but as I got there, Gordon already knew that it's not gonna work. I tried and I tried to pull as hard as I could but the carts wouldn't move for me. He said out loud and rudely, "I told you so!" and then he suggested for Henry to do it. Headmaster said, "All right, I will!" and he got the workers to get Henry out once they fixed up the torn up road. Henry was so happy that the Headmaster asked him to do Gordon's work but he too felt weak, well...not weak but really stiff and starving. He got some food to eat, some water, and he made a few runs around the block to get himself going again. Soon enough, a teacher got two pairs of rope. One for me and one for Henry once it was tied up to the carts. We used our combined strength and we were pulling it successfully. We were having a grand old time as we pulled the carts together as we sped back to the academy. Heck we were going so fast, we blew Sir Topham Hatt's hat away! Seriously! After that, Henry got a new green uniform and he learned to appreciate the rain more. Though he can still be worrisome at times. That was it! That's the end Thomas!" finished Edward.

"Wow Edward! That's was a great story!" said Thomas with a smile but there was one thing on his mind, "Wait, what about Henry's bike?"

"Oh, he still has it but he barely uses it anymore and thanks!" responded Edward and soon enough, an announcement came on the intercom speakers outside in the dorm halls and everyone peered outside to listen, it was Sir Topham Hatt speaking, "Attention all students and staff, everyone should now report to the auditorium for a special meeting. This could change to what you have known forever!"

The students that peered out all looked at each other and chatted in question to what was going but complied to go. "I wonder to what Headmaster Hatt was talking about?" questioned Thomas, "Well, we just have to wait and see." said Edward and they both followed the students that went to the auditorium.

Once they got there, the two tried desperately to find seats as students were filling them up quite quickly and as luck had it, they got some seats in the middle of the room but at the same time, they were unlucky as Thomas and Edward were next to their classmates...Gordon, James, and Henry.

"Oh, what?!" shouted Thomas, "Really?! Out of all the seats, you three picked this row?!"

"It's not our fault Thomas, it was everyone else. They forced us here as there was no space left." said Henry kindly.

"So, you are like us really. Hehe. That's a little bit funny if you ask me." said Edward.

"Yeah right! Like I would want to be next to little students like you two. Including James sometimes but I respect the attitude." said Gordon.

"Hey! At least I'm better looking than all four of you! AND NEVER MAKE FUN OF MY HEIGHT AGAIN! You wouldn't like me when I'm angry..." said James crossly, "but thanks for that little compliment though."

Sir Topham Hatt came in the room and spoke on the mic, "Okay, okay, everyone settle down! *settled silence* As you might know, Sodor has had this academy for many years and we should all be proud of it. But even now, we could spice things up a bit! Never before we had done this and with my many meetings behind closed doors, I've finally got my approval! Freshman...*Freshman class applause*...Sophomores...*Sophomore class cheers*...Juniors...*Junior class cheering*...and finally, the Seniors! *Senior roar of cheers* Each and everyone of you had noticed that you were sharing dorms this year because of the mixed classes with one another, that is why I'm going to choose students to getting their FIRST engine this year! Which is TODAY!"

Hearing this made Thomas, Edward, Gordon, James and Henry gasp and they and everyone cheered victoriously.

"Oh man, I'm so excited!" said Thomas with a huge grin on his face.

Hatt boomed, "Okay, okay, calm down now!" the students soon calmed down near instantaneously, "But as I said, I'm going to choose students at random on who's getting their first engine. I didn't say everyone was going to get one because unfortunately, only five students are going to get one and choose one. Hey, I have a railway to run you know, I hope you students understand. Ok, time for the pickings!"

Everyone was on the edge of their seats, hoping to be chosen as a huge stage light was shining down as if this was an award show, moving randomly.

"And the first one is...drum roll please..." said Hatt and a drum played and then, the stage light stopped at the same time as the drum and it was on..."Edward Pettigrew, Junior class!" and a collection of gasps was created but at the same time, they gave an applause to Edward as if it was an apology for treating him badly "W-What?! Me? Really?!" reacted Edward and he went down to the stage next to Headmaster Hatt's right side who smiled at him and he smiled back, "Thank you sir!" Gordon, James, and Henry were in shock while Thomas was happy for the guy. He deserves it.

"Now for the next." the same thing was happening again with the drums and lights and soon, the light landed on...James! Sir Topham Hatt was surprised by this as well. He's seen him multiple times in his office when James was a freshman, now he was getting this opportunity! Hatt said by taking down his negative attitude and tried to be positive, "James Hughes, Sophomore class!" James smirked as the students had no choice but to clap for him, he looked at Gordon and told him, "You thought that it's not gonna happen, well guess what? You're wrong Gordon!" and James went down to Hatt's left side and chuckled a bit.

The process repeated again and then light shined on..."Henry Stanier, Sophomore class!" Henry smiled and went down next to James, "Thank you sir!" said Henry.

Gordon looked down on Thomas with a smug grin, "Even if I get to be chosen or not, I'm still more important than you. Heck, if I...no, WHEN I get picked and you don't, I'll be the happiest student alive."

Thomas looked down with an serious but annoyed facial expression. Thomas then looks up, shocked to see Gordon being shined by the light, "Told you." said Gordon with the smug smile still on his face. "Gordon Gresley, Sophomore class!" said Hatt as the crowd applauded when Gordon went down to the stage next to Henry.

"Now...for the final student!" said Hatt as everyone became tense, including Thomas. He was just so nervous but as well sad from what Gordon had said, he had no choice but to look down. Gordon sees this and still made that smile.

The stage light was still going on randomly with the drum noise but when the drum stopped, the light stopped on...

"Our newest Sodor Academy student, Thomas Billington, Freshman class!" boomed Hatt and everyone became shocked, including Thomas! Soon, a clap was heard and it was building, building, and building up from every student so everyone can hear. Students cheered for the underdog as Thomas beamed with joy and ran to the stage and went next to Edward. He looked at Gordon with his cheeky smile and Gordon frowned with a grunt of disapproval.

"Now, an applause for your 5 chosen student engineers!" boomed Hatt and there was a roar of applause.

"This is officially the greatest moment of my life." thought Thomas happily.

After it was over, everyone went back to the dorms for some sleep, the 5 have gotten passes to join with the Headmaster in the morning.