Sodor without its number 1

Hi guys it's been about a week since my last upload. Well here it is Sodor without its number 1. I'm kind of impressed with part of this chapter. FYI the end can be considered filler in some respects, but it does serve a purpose whether or not you guys see it is up to you. Please review last chapter I only got four and it would bring a bigger smile to my face if I could get even one more.

It had been a week since the Thomas's accident, and him and Emily's departure for the mainland. All the engines were very sad to see their friend go, but they were equally as angry with Spencer who they saw as responsible for what was now call the Great Unglucksfall as Erna had quoted.

Spencer had been confined to his quarters till the next day while Sir Topham hat gained temporary ownership of him from the Duke and Duchess of Boxford. After that he was put straight to work doing some of Thomas's jobs and some of Emily's. He was now taking Emily's coaches around the island. Annie and Clarabelle had outright refused to be pulled by him, so James had to pull them like he used to.

Spencer sighed as he pulled into Elsbridge Station to let his passengers off. It had been a hard week for him. The first few days the other engines were mean to him and insulted him for what he had done. After those first few days however they had grown tired of talking to him and unless they had to no one talked to him at all really. That is except for Mavis and Toby. Despite all he had done they saw how truly sorry he was and began to be nice to him like before. He was truly grateful for them and was glad whenever he would be sent to the quarry to collect coal because that was when he could see them. While he waited he saw the signal next to him change to red and heard the screeching of brakes from his left.

He looked over to see the engine he might as well have almost killed as well. It was Erna the mighty Bavarian S 3/6. After the accident she had avoided him outright and whenever she saw him she'd start to cry which would cause anyone around them to glare at him. He truly was sorry and hadn't meant for any of this to happen especially making her almost kill Thomas.

When he looked at her now however all he saw was a stoic face with eyes not even giving him so much as a glance. He sighed as he attempted to speak with her, "H-hello Erna. N-nice day isn't it?" No response came.

He sighed preparing to try again, but he was cut off. "Yes it is a nice day." Erna spoke.

"Y-you spoke to me?" Spencer gasped. If anyone was going to speak with him Erna was the one he never would have saw coming.

"Yes I spoke to you is there a problem with that?" She asked giving him a hard glare.

"N-no it's just no one else has spoken to me." Spencer said quickly.

"You mean except for Toby and Emily." Erna said.

"Yes. I'm just confused by your sudden decision to speak to me." Spencer said.

"Well I've spoken to Toby and Mavis, and I feel that you should at least be given some civility. I feel that it is immature and hypocritical to act so barbaric towards you." Erna told him.

"What do you mean by hypocritical?" Spencer asked confused.

"Let's just say I wasn't given a very warm welcome when I first arrived here." Erna said as her signal turned green. Spencer watched as Erna's long line of trucks went by and then Molly who just ignored him, but then gave him a small smile.

Spencer's signal soon turned green as well and he was off again. He was very happy now that not everyone, but Toby and Mavis hated him. He pondered what Erna had said, but he soon let the thought float out of his funnel.

Later that day he was sent to the Farquhar Quarry to collect coal. He arrived to see the Quarry was abuzz with many coal trucks being put into lines. He was snapped from his thoughts by a loud horn. He smiled knowing who it was and blew his whistle in greeting. "Hello Mavis." He greeted.

"Hello Spencer good to see you." The diesel greeted back.

"It is good to see you too Mavis I'm having a better than usual day today." Spencer told her.

"Oh why's that?" Mavis asked.

"Erna spoke to me today and Molly gave me a smile." Spencer answered.

"Oh that's grand." She told him.

"It really is." He chuckled.

"Now I assume you are here for the coal?" She asked.

"Yep." He answered.

"Well let me get your cars and you'll be back to work in no time." Mavis said.

"Thank you Mavis. Oh by the way where's Toby I don't see him here?" Spencer asked.

"Oh my love ship is at the docks right now helping Salty." Mavis replied as she brought him his trucks.

"I'll be sure to tell him hi when I see him for you then." Spencer told her.

"Thank you Spencer." Mavis replied smiling.

"Of course Mavis." Spencer said.

Spencer was hooked up to the trucks, but before he could leave the quarry Arry and Bert arrived.

"Oh look if it isn't the engine who killed the number one engine on Sodor." Arry laughed.

"Oh you leave him be Arry and get to work." Mavis said sternly.

"Why are you defending him Mavis after everything he's done?" Bert said.

"Because he's sorry for what he's done and he's probably suffering for it as well. And if I do recall Bert you seemed to work fine with him just a few weeks ago." Mavis told him.

At this Bert shut his trap and went to work, but Arry wasn't done yet.

"Well that may be true for Bert, but he still was never very nice to any of us so why should we be nice to him?" Arry said.

"Well maybe if you were nice to others besides when you had to then others would be nice to you Arry. How would you feel if no one was nice to you because you weren't nice to others?" Mavis said.

Now it was Arry who feel silent and went to work with his brother.

"Honestly." Mavis said shaking her head.

"Thank you for defending me Mavis." Spencer told her.

"No problem Spencer now you best be off to the docks now or you'll be late." She told him.

"Ok bye Mavis!" He yelled as he chuffed out of the quarry.

"Bye Spencer!" She called back blowing her horn.

At the other side of the island at the shunting yards was Percy who was setting up a train for Erna and Molly. As he pushed another truck into the line he had made he sighed he would rather be doing this with his best friend. He had never really been separated from Thomas under these sorts of circumstances before and he hated every minute of it. He was very cross at Spencer though he was never anything but trouble and now Thomas and Emily were at some far away railway. Why did he have to be here this summer? Why did he even have to come back here at all? Knowing these thoughts would only put him in a bad mood Percy decided to change to different thoughts.

When he had heard that his best friend had been in an accident Percy had raced to the Steamworks as fast as his wheels would go. He was so shocked when he heard what had happened to his best friend that he was speechless for a while, but once this passed he cried and cried. The accident was scary for him, but it also made him think of what would happen if Thomas never came back. He couldn't imagine life without Thomas he was like a brother to him and helped him when he needed it. If Thomas's hadn't been there on multiple occasions Percy would have been in big trouble or others would have been. The accident had made Percy think about all the times he hadn't been a good friend to Thomas or when he grew jealous of Thomas doing things with other engines and doing his work.

Percy had never really apologized for all the trouble he had caused and he felt bad about that. He promised himself that when Thomas returned he would apologize for everything he had done. Percy was shook from his thoughts as Edward and Rosie puffed into the Shunting yards.

"Afternoon Percy." Edward greeted.

"Hello Edward." Percy greeted back.

"Hi there Percy." Rosie said.

"Oh hi Rosie." Percy said with a slight blush. He had had a small crush on the purple tank engine for a while now that she wasn't fawning over Thomas anymore.

"So how has your day been Percy?" Edward asked smirking at Percy's blush.

"Oh it's been pretty good." Percy answered a little sadly.

"You miss Thomas don't you?" Rosie asked.

"Y-yeah." Percy choked out.

"Don't worry Percy we all do, but don't worry Thomas will be back soon." Edward told him.

"You're right Edward thanks." Percy said gaining his composure back.

"No problem Percy." Edward replied.

"So um what brings you two here?" Percy asked.

"Well you see Erna's therapist is here and Sir Topham Hatt has sent me and Rosie here to help Molly and you take some of Erna's trains." Edward explained.

"A-all of us?" Percy stuttered.

"Yep it will take all of us working together to move Erna's trains." Rosie told him.

Before Percy could say anything else Erna and Molly puffed into the yards. "Hi there Edward what brings you here?" Erna asked.

"I'm here to help take over your work for a bit. The fat controller has sent me and Rosie here to help Percy and Molly take some of your trains while you go to your therapist at Knapford." Edward answered her.

"They're here already?" Erna asked surprised.

"Yes now you best be off before you're late." Edward replied.

Erna smirked as she rolled up to Edward, "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to take me away from my work." She said as she got closer to him.

"I-it's for your own good Erna." Edward said nervously.

Erna smirked at his reaction and gave him a kiss on the forehead making his face go beat red, "I know sweetie I just love seeing you nervous." She told him as she backed away and headed for Knapford. Even when she was gone Edward was still sitting there with a stupid look on his face.

"Edward! As much as we would love to see your face like that we do have to go or we'll be late." Molly said snapping him out of his trance.

"Oh um sorry." He said blushing.

"No problem Edward." Molly said.

"Well let's get going then." Edward said.

The four of them got hooked up to the heavy train with Edward and Molly in the front and Rosie and Percy in the back. Percy was blushing furiously as he felt Rosie be hooked up to him. I never thought I'd hook up with her this way he thought.

Once everyone was ready they were off. At first it was easy since they were on the straight away. But soon they came to a small hill. Once they started up it the thoughts of it being easy were zapped from their minds. Even for a small hill it was very hard work to get it up and over and they were all relieved when they were on the other side. Then they came to larger hill and once they started up it Percy and Rosie felt like they were pushing the world up the hill. If it was this bad going up these two he dreaded when they came to Gordon's hill.

They soon came to a water tower since they were already running low on water. While Rosie was getting her water they saw Henry come up to them.

"Oh my Percy how much are you pushing?" Henry asked as he looked down the line of trucks.

"We're pushing Erna's train while Edward and Molly pull it from the front." Percy told him.

"You just be careful on Gordon's hill." Henry told him.

"We will be." Rosie told him.

"Ok I wish you guys luck." Henry told them as he puffed away blowing his whistle and they blew theirs as well.

Soon Rosie was done filling up with water and they were off again. They chuffed along the line going through stations and around bends. They soon came to the bottom of Gordon's Hill. Just as they were going up it though Percy had a thought, "Um guys why are we going over the hill instead of around it?" It seemed strange to him why they would take such heavy train over a hill.

"Hmm you're right Percy. Why are we taking it over the hill Molly?" Edward asked agreeing with Percy.

"Well normally you would be right, but it is quicker to take it over this hill and we need to keep on schedule." Molly explained.

"Oh ok I guess that makes sense." Edward replied.

Percy sighed it seemed they were going to have to push it over the hill after all. They began to go up the hill as quick as they could, but the weight of the train was making it hard. Percy and Rosie pushed with all their might as they slowly made progress upward.

"Are you guys even pulling!?" Rosie yelled from behind him. With the progress they were making he wondered if what she was asking was true.

"Of course we are! Are you two even pushing!?" Edward yelled back. Of course they were pulling his red face was a testament to that. He couldn't believe they were only halfway up the stupid hill. He couldn't believe Erna use to do this alone every day.

Surprisingly from behind him he heard some chuckling, "W-what's a matter you three never pulled a train heavy train in your life?"

"H-how can you be chuckling at a time like this!?" Rosie yelled.

"Oh I just find it funny that the four of us can barely get up this hill while Erna does it so quickly." Molly laughed.

"She does this quickly!?" Percy yelled in disbelief.

"Yep." Molly said.

"You've got to be kidding me! What is she!?" Percy yelled.

"Hey that's my girlfriend you're talking about!" Edward yelled.

"Will all of you shut up!? The more we talk the longer this will take!" Rosie yelled.

"Fine then we're almost to the top up here you two keep it up down there and we'll be done in no time!" Molly yelled.

They struggled up the hill for a few more minutes, then almost like magic they made it to the top. Then the thanks to gravity they were pulled to the bottom of the hill at high speed. Molly and Edward slammed on their brakes while Percy and Rosie gaped as they felt themselves be pulled with a jerk up the hill. Once everyone was down on flat ground they went for another drink of water.

Edward now much more respect for his girlfriend. How she managed to do trains like that over and over with no visible strain escaped him. They weren't even done with this one yet and he felt like he could just go to bed right now.

Percy felt his heart finally come back to normal levels. It was bad enough being coupled up to his crush, but pushing a load like that up a hill just made things worse. But truth be told after they had got to the top he was actually having fun going down the hill it reminded him of the rollercoasters he had heard about. Despite how much fun it was he never wanted to do that ever again and he was glad for the water break.

Molly was chuckling at the front still, "Well guys I don't think you did too bad." Molly told them.

"Really?" Edward asked.

"Yep truth be told you guys did better than Gordon and Henry when they went up the hill." Molly told them.

"Really what happened?" Rosie asked from the back.

"Well they had to have Hiro come and help them get over the hill." Molly said laughing.

"O-oh I heard about that from Henry. Gordon was so embarrassed." Edward laughed.

"So that's why Henry told us to be careful on the hill?" Percy laughed.

"It would seem so." Rosie giggled behind him. "I can just picture Gordon. Oh the indignity!" This caused another round of laughter.

Soon however Molly told them that they had to be going. Percy felt a little sad though he no longer was able to hear Rosie's lovely laugh.

It was so beautiful Percy thought to himself as he remembered her laugh. I shall forever treasure that moment he told himself.

The 4 engines soon reached their destination Brendam Docks. They puffed into the docks and were greeted by Salty and Porter.

"Arr har harr what brings you here Edward and where's the powerful Erna?" Salty asked confused.

"Erna's seeing her therapist today sorry Salty." Edward explained.

"Arr I see." Salty said disappointed.

"What's wrong?" Edward asked.

"Well the lass told us she would give us another story today, but I guess not." Salty told him.

"Oh that's what I forgot about!" Molly exclaimed from behind Edward.

"What?" Porter asked.

"Erna told me earlier that she would come by tonight to give you three the story and anyone who wants to come is invited." Molly told them.

"Arr it must be a special one." Salty said happily.

"What's special?" Cranky said from above.

"Arr har harr Molly has just us that Erna is coming tonight to give us a special story!" Salty exclaimed.

"Well alright then I can't wait." Cranky said happily.

"Is Cranky not cranky for once?" Percy asked from the rear.

"Well he's always happy to hear on of Erna's stories." Porter told them.

"Yes it's strange I tell good stories too." Salty said.

"That's because yours are tall tales Salty." Cranky told him flatly.

"They are not they're true!" Salty defended.

"Oh sure they are." Cranky said as he began unloading the train Percy, Rosie, Edward and Molly brought in.

"Let's go before we have to listen to one of their arguments." Molly whispered to Edward who agreed. Edward let Percy and Rosie know and they quietly made their way out of the docks, so that Cranky and Salty didn't notice them.

Erna made her way to Knapford station to see her new therapist. Besides her last one she had never had a good history with therapists they had always asked questions about where she had been not about her. She really hoped this one wasn't like those ones and that they could help her.

She pulled into Knapford to see it was very empty with almost no one there except for a girl with long brown hair in a black suit and wearing red heels. Erna raised her eye brow at this she had never seen someone on Sodor dress like this before. Was this her therapist? These thoughts were confirmed when she saw Sir Topham Hatt talking to the woman. She looks much different from the last one. Erna thought as she puffed up to them.

"Ah right on time as usual Erna." Sir Topham Hatt said smiling.

"Thank you sir I try." Erna replied modestly.

"That you do Erna. This is Amanda Roseworthy she's from the mainland and is to be your new therapist." He told her gesturing to the woman next to him.

The woman smiled stepping forward "Hello Erna it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." Erna smiled back.

"Sir Topham Hatt has told me of your unique condition and I am here to help you with it." Amanda said.

"I'm sorry to make you come all the way out here just for me, but I appreciate it." Erna said her eyes watering.

"There's no need for you to be sorry Erna I was delighted to come here." Amanda said.

"Really?" Erna asked looking up.

"Yes." Amanda said with a smile.

"Well I can see you two are getting along, so I'll leave you two be." Sir Topham hat said speaking up.

"I shall inform you of our progress." She said nodding to him. Then she turned her attention back to Erna, "Now before we begin is there any questions you have?"

"Have you ever worked with an engine?" Erna asked.

"No I have not, but I have worked with others that have had similar conditions yours." Amanda answered.

"I doubt that." Erna said.

"While I admit that yours is a unique case other people have had similar conditions." Amanda told her.

"How can I be sure you really trust care for me and aren't like some of the other ones?" Erna asked narrowing her eyes.

"I will give you my word." Amanda told her.

"Many have given me their word before and many have broken it and me." Erna said unconvinced.

"Well what can I do to get you to trust me?" Amanda asked seeing things weren't going how she wanted them to.

Erna thought about this for a second. She wanted to get help from Amanda, but her past was getting in the way of trusting her. "Tell me one of your secrets that no one knows." Erna said.

"Um ok let me think for a second." Amanda said caught off guard by the request.

"Of course take all the time you need." Erna told her. She wished it wasn't like this and that she could trust new people, but her past had been rough and it had taught her never to trust anyone unless they gave you a very good reason. She liked this girl Amanda she seemed nice and trustworthy, but Erna had to be sure so often looks were deceiving.

"Ok Erna I have an answer." Amanda said snapping her out of her thoughts.

"When I was younger I wanted to be in the military as a nurse, but my father didn't want me to because he felt it was too graphic for me. I was very mad at him and ran away from home. Eventually I came to a bench in the park. Sat down on it and began to cry. I don't know how long I was there, but eventually a man came and sat down next to me. He asked me what was wrong and I told him everything. He comforted me and asked me why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place. I told him so that I could help soldiers. The man smiled and chuckled at me then told me there was more than one way to help soldiers. I asked him how and he told me about becoming a therapist. Eventually it got dark and the man brought me home. My parents were mad at me for running away, but they were very happy to have me back. I eventually told my father that I wanted to be a therapist instead of a nurse and he was ecstatic. I've never told anyone about what happened in the park and how it made me become a therapist."

Erna had listened to Amanda's story with great interest looking for any signs of falsehood. But to her joy she found none. "I believe your story and I think it is wonderful." Erna told her.

"You do. So does that mean you trust me now?" Amanda asked in shock.

"Baby steps my dear." Erna chuckled and Amanda blushed in embarrassment.

"Let us go for a ride so that we can begin our meeting." Erna offered.

"Really?" Amanda asked.

"Yes." Era replied.

"Alright then." Amanda said getting into her cab. As Erna puffed out of the station Sir Topham Hatt looked on from the window of his office smiling.

Later that day Spencer was going down the line on his way to Wellsworth Station to drop off Emily's passengers. Many of them were not happy with Emily being gone, but were also happy that Spencer was able to get them to their destinations faster while still having a smooth ride. He was happy that the passengers weren't told he was the reason why Emily and Thomas were gone and for that he was grateful. He pulled into the station to let off his passengers and to take more on. While he waited for his passengers to get on and off he heard some engines coming down the line from behind him. He heard as gasp then silence. They must have just noticed it was me here he thought. He looked to his left to see Edward and Molly as well as Percy and Rosie behind them. None of them were speaking to him as he expected, but he noticed that Percy and Rosie were cross at him. It didn't surprise him since Percy was Thomas's best friend and Rosie had had a crush in Thomas at one time.

He was surprised when he heard Molly ask him a question, "How are you doing today Spencer?"

He looked over to her to see that Edward and the two tank engines were equally surprised, "Um I'm good. How are you?"

"Sore very sore. We had to take some of Erna's trains to the dock's from the shunting yards." Molly replied.

This confused Spencer greatly. Erna didn't seem like one to pass her work onto others willingly, "Um why?"

"She had to go see her therapist." Edward told him suddenly.

"Oh." Spencer said shocked. He knew the accident was traumatizing, but he didn't know that it would cause her to have a therapist heck even Emily didn't react that badly despite her breakdown. Before anything more could be said Spencer's guard blew his whistle and he was off.

Had the accident really caused Erna to have to get a therapist? He thought. He remembered hearing she took it badly, but he didn't think she took it that bad. If that were so then how could she forgive him in a way by talking to him and how could Molly stand doing the same?

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar whistle that belong to the engine he was thinking about. As he pulled into the next station he found Erna going the other direction.

"Oh hi Spencer fancy seeing you twice in one day." Erna said in a happy mood.

"Um hi Erna. Um could I ask you a question?" He asked unsure.

"Sure." She replied.

"Did you really have to get a therapist because of the accident I caused?" He asked.

What he was met with was a roar of laughter from the German engine. "Y-you think that little accident caused me to get a therapist. W-what made you think that?" She laughed out.

"Well Edward mentioned you were seeing a therapist while they took your trains today." Spencer said confused by her reaction.

"Oh no that had nothing to do with me getting a therapist." Erna told him as her laughter died down.

"But wasn't the accident traumatizing for you?" Spencer asked not believing her.

"Of course it was, but that was because I was almost responsible for the death of someone I cared about. Truthfully I have seen worse in fact I've experienced much worse than that." Erna told him.

"But I heard that you wished to be punished for it despite Sir Topham hat not wanting to give one to you." Spencer said.

"Oh that's because I was just as responsible for the accident as you were. That's why I've begun to forgive you." Erna told him.

"H-how do you figure that?" Spencer asked slightly worried by her logic.

"Well if I had only been a few minutes more at the Docks or I hadn't been early to all my jobs that day then no one would have been hurt and you wouldn't have taken all the blame for the accident." She explained to him.

Seeing he wouldn't get her to see otherwise he went along with it. "S-so it was just a series of unfortunate events?"

"Exactly." She told him.

"Um ok what about the other engines then they feel it is all my fault?" Spencer said.

"Well that's their choice to see it like that, but they are technically true. They might have been unfortunate events, but you did cause it to happen by cutting the wire at the signal because you were going too fast." She told him.

"I guess you're right." Spencer admitted his eyes down cast.

"Don't take it too hard Spencer it took almost a year to finally get accepted by everyone here." Erna told him.

"Really?" He asked shocked.

"Yep. Well I have to go, but come by the docks tonight if you're not busy." She told him.

"But I'm supposed to stay in my shed at night and not go out at all." Spencer told her.

"Well I'll give you an alibi, but it's up to you if you come or not." She said blowing her whistle as she puffed out of the station.

Soon Spencer's guard blew his as well and he was off again, but this time with a smile on his face and with happy thoughts in his brain.

Later that day Edward was resting in the sheds thinking about his encounter with Spencer. He had actually spoken to the Silver engine which he never thought he would do again. Sure he wasn't exactly nice when he spoke, but he still spoke to the engine who he had sworn never to speak to again. He had spoken with Molly about it afterward and he asked her why she spoke to him in the first place. She had replied by telling him about Erna and her's encounter with him earlier that day. Edward had felt slightly childish when he heard what she told him as to why she had spoken to him. The words had brought back some not to fond memories of what he himself was guilty of. He was snapped out of his thoughts by James. Gordon and Henry coming back to the sheds.

"Hello Edward have a good day of working?" James asked him.

"Yes it was very hard today." Edward replied.

"Why was that?" Gordon asked confused.

"Percy, Molly, Rosie and I had to take two of Erna's trains today." He replied.

"You what!?" James sputtered loudly which caused a groan to come from the birth next to Edward.

"Lower you voice James. Percy is sleeping." Edward told him.

"Why is he sleeping so early?" Gordon asked.

"Well he's tiered from both of Erna's trains and he doesn't want to fall asleep during Erna's story tonight." Edward told him.

"Oh what story is it?" Gordon asked enthusiastically, but then blushed in embarrassment.

"I don't know she refuses to tell me." Edward replied.

"Well back to our original conversation why were you pulling Erna's trains?" James asked.

"Erna's therapist arrived today and she had to go meet them." Edward answered yawning.

"Oh um so how did it go?" James asked.

"It seemed to go fine or that's what she told me when we met her as we went to pick up the third train." Edward replied looking a little unsure.

"That's good did you get to see the therapist?" Henry asked speaking for the first time.

"No, but she did tell me it was a she. Then she was hooked up to her train and without any real effort pulled it out of the yard." Edward said chuckling.

"It's amazing how she makes it look so easy because the same thing happened to me and Gordon when we had to pull her trains for the day." Henry said chuckling at Gordon's embarrassment.

"Now now Henry no one needs to know about that." Gordon told him.

"Don't worry Gordon, Molly already told us that you two got stuck and had to have help from Hiro." Edward told him and James burst into low but explosive laughter causing Gordon more embarrassment.

"What's so funny James?" A voice asked causing James to reverse back into his birth in fright.

"N-nothing Erna." He sputtered out to the Bavarian S 3/6.

"Really? Because it seemed like something was funny if it caused you to laugh so hard." She said unconvinced.

"W-well I w-was laughing at Gordon and Henry needing help to take your trains." James said still in fright.

"Well that's nothing to laugh about. Would you like to try to take one of my trains?" She asked him.

"N-no." He replied simply.

"Then you have no reason to laugh do you?" She asked him eyes narrowed.

"N-no." James said.

"Then apologize to Gordon and Henry." Erna told him.

James sighed, "I'm sorry Henry, and I'm sorry Gordon."

"Very good James." She told him. Then she saw Gordon smirking, "Wipe that smirk off you face Gordon." Causing him to drop his smirk quicker then he could blink. At this she smirked in humor. "Where's Percy?" She asked confused at not seeing him.

"He's asleep." Edward told her.

"He had a tough day huh?" She asked as she pulled into her birth.

"Yeah I still can't understand how you can pull those heavy loads day after day." Edward said.

"Comes from what I've been through." She told him emotionlessly.

"Oh sorry." He said feeling stupid.

"Don't worry about it." She told him, "So Percy's coming? That's nice is Rosie going to be his date?" She chuckled.

"It's not going to be a date!" Percy yelled waking up with his face beet red.

"I don't know Percy you two looked pretty close today." Erna teased.

"W-we had to be hooked up together." Percy stuttered face still red as a cherry.

"You had to or did you want to?" Erna asked.

"W-was it that obvious?" Percy asked embarrassed.

"Honestly yes. Really it was more obvious then Emily and Thomas." Erna told him.

"Oh." Percy said blushing.

"But don't worry Percy I don't think she noticed." Erna told him and he sighed in relief.

"Oh that's good I'd hate for her to find out and for me to be embarrassed." He said.

"The time will come Percy when she will find out, but it's up to you if that time is chosen by you or by someone else." Erna warned him.

"I-I'll keep that in mind." He told her and she smiled.

Erna looked into the sky to see it was getting dark, "Well boys I better head out to go finish some stuff up. See you at the Docks" She told them as she puffed out of the shed.

"Bye see you later." Edward called as she disappeared. "Well I guess we better start heading out to." He said as he pulled out of his birth.

"Yeah let's get going." Gordon confirmed.

The 4 engines arrived at the docks to see it barren of cars, trucks, flatbeds and coaches.

"Bust my buffers!" Gordon exclaimed, "I've never seen the docks so barren!"

"Well we had to make room for everyone." Cranky said from above.

"How many are coming?" Percy asked curiously

"Almost the whole island it appears." A voice from behind them said.

The four engines recognized it immediately, "Sir you're here?" They asked all of them were confused.

"Yes Dowager Hatt heard all the fuss about this story Erna is telling." Sir Topham Hatt replied as the older green wearing Hatt appear next to him.

"Oh I always enjoy a good story!" She exclaimed.

"Well don't we all?" He said and the four engines nodded in unison. Then Sir Topham Hatt walked up to Edward and began to talk quietly, "Actually one of the main reason's I'm here is because Erna convinced me to let Spencer come as well and I'm here to help keep an eye on him."

Edward's eyes widened in shock at this. Why hadn't she told him of this? And why did she want Spencer to come anyway he knew why she was talking to him again, but why invite him to something that was important to her. "I understand sir. Though I was not told of this." He whispered back.

"I wonder why? Still keep an eye on him as well." Sir Topham Hatt told him slightly surprised. Edward replied by nodding back. Satisfied Sir Topham Hatt pulled back and walked back to him mother, "Now I think we should make our way to some seats. Right mother?"

"Oh of course dear." She said as they made their way to some seats that were on a crate.

"Arr har harr looks like we go some early arrivers." A voice said from in front of them as Salty and Porter came into view.

"Yeah we didn't want to miss anything." Percy said.

"Are you sure you want to be hearing this story Percy some of her stories can be mighty scary?" Porter asked.

"How scary?" Percy asked now nervous.

"Scary enough to make Salty not want the lights turned out in his shed." Cranky said from above chuckling making Percy begin to shake.

"I was not afraid I just wanted the light on that on time." Salty protested with a blush of embarrassment.

"Sure you did." Porter chuckled next to him.

Seeing Percy's condition and the fact that the three dock workers weren't helping him Edward decided to consul the little tank engine, "Don't worry Percy I'm sure Erna would have let you know this was going to be a scary story if she didn't think you could handle it."

At hearing this Percy stopped shaking, "You're right Edward. It was silly of me to be scared." Percy replied with a smile.

"Of course Percy." Edward said.

They waited for the next hour to for all the other engines to arrive. The first to arrive after them of course were Toby and Mavis. Then came Molly and Rosie the latter of which pulled up next to Percy who blushed, but smiled in delight causing Molly to chuckle. Then came all some of the other engines like Belle and Flynn, Stanly, Rian, Duck, Hiro, and Charlie as well as a few others. The last to arrive however caused a few eyes to blink and engines to mumble. Before any complaints could be voiced though their storyteller arrived, but she wasn't alone, with her was Henrietta.

"Ah good to see you all. Is this everyone?" Erna asked looking around and smiling when she saw that Spencer had arrived.

"It would seem so Erna." Cranky answered.

"Arr what's in the coach?" Salty asked.

"I am not just a coach I'm a lady as well." Henrietta told him.

"Yes you are Henrietta." Toby said causing her to smile.

"Sorry lassie, I meant to disrespect." Salty apologized.

"You're ok Salty." Henrietta said forgiving him.

"Thank you lassie, but what are you carrying?" Salty asked.

As if to answer this men and women appeared out of the coach carrying large and small black cases. "This is your story." Erna told them and as she expected got a blank look. Sighing she began to explain, "The story I'm going to tell you is best experienced with instruments and the musicians from Sodor's music club were happy to help me." She explained.

"What story are you telling us?" Asked Percy excitedly.

"In due time Percy." She chuckled causing Percy to blush in embarrassment at his hastiness. "Now while they set up I'll explain why I'm telling you this story." She said gesturing to the musicians who were already setting up. "Now this story is one that my father told many years ago after I was first modified and I have held it close to my heart as I once held him." Her eyes started to water and Edward moved to comfort her, but she shook her head signaling she was alright, "I am going to tell you all this because despite my less than warm welcome to this island I have found in it a second home almost a second Fatherland. All of you have helped me find this in this island and I want to thank you so much. I also feel that in light of recent events I have been reminded that despite Thomas's survival we all must leave this world at some time, so I wish to pass this onto the next generation." She finished with tears going down her cheeks and a smile.

"I think I can say that we all would like to thank you for coming here in the first place Erna your presence has certainly brightened up this island in more ways than one." Sir Topham Hatt said standing up and all the other engines nodded and gave Erna a smile who blushed at being the center of so much attention.

"Thank you sir." She replied smiling. She glanced over to see that the orchestra was ready. "Now let us get on with the story." She said. "Now before I begin some parts of this story are a bit frightening or at least I found them to be in my youth, so if anyone would like to leave now please do." She told them.

Percy began to be nervous at hearing that Erna had been frightened by this story and contemplated leaving, but he looked over at Rosie and saw that she wasn't leaving. I have to show her I'm brave he told himself as he turned back to Erna.

"No one? Ok, but don't say I didn't warn you." Erna said smirking. "This is the story of Peter and the Wolf."

"Bah what's so scary about a wolf?" James said.

"You shall soon find out." Erna chuckled darkly, "Now as I was sating before James interrupted this version of the story is different from the one I was told, but is still a good story. The musicians are here because the best way to experience this play is through the music. Now there're seven characters in this story and each are represented by an instrument. Peter is represented by the string quartet, Sasha the bird is represented by the flute, Sonia the duck by an oboe, Ivan the cat is represented by a clarinet, Grandpa is represented by a bassoon, the hunters by kettle drums, and finally the wolf is represented by the French horn." She said gesturing to each musician who in turn played their respective instrument. The French horn got biggest reaction of all however as she saw all the engines shiver uncomfortably.

"Now let us begin. Our story starts with brave little Peter going to capture the wolf, but his grandfather felt that it was too dangerous since he was only 6 years old and carried him back to the cabin. Peter still dreamed of capturing the wolf however and when his grandfather fell asleep he slipped out of the cabin in went in to the forest to find the wolf."

"No." Percy gasped and everyone else was thinking the same thing.

"Yes indeed." Erna smirked, "Soon Peter was joined by Sasha the bird, Sonia the duck, and Ivan the cat joined them as well." She said pausing between each one to let the musicians play.

"Then Ivan started arguing with Sasha and they made a lot of noise. Peter was able to get them to stop and he told Ivan he should be ashamed of himself and he told Sasha Ivan was sorry. Soon they all settled down and began to hunt the wolf again." Then she paused dramatically as the French horns began to play their ominous tune. "Then the wolf who had been behind them in the trees suddenly darted out and began to chase Sonia."

All the other engines gasped, "Run Sonia." Some of them said.

"Oh run she did. Sonia was so frightened that she began to run back and forth, this way and that to try to escape the wolf. The others tried to help and called for her to run into a hollow tree. But poor Sonia wasn't fast enough and all they could find of her was a little green feather that had floated down to the snow." Erna continued.

All the engines gasped in shock Sonia the little duck was no more. Next to Percy, Rosie was shaking a bit. "Are you ok Rosie?" He whispered.

"Y-yeah I'm just a little sad for Sonia." She said.

"So am I." He agreed.

"Are you not scared?" She asked.

"I'm a little scared, but not much." He said though truthfully he was shaking internally, but he wanted to be brave for Rosie.

"Wow Percy you're so brave." She told him and he blushed.

"T-thanks Rosie." He stuttered his face beet red.

"No problem Percy." She told him as Erna resumed the story.

"Determined not to let this crime go unpunished Sasha and Peter came up with a plan. They found a tree and Peter made a lasso with his rope, then Sasha threw it over a tree branch. Peter then climbed up to the branch and held on tightly to the other end of the rope. They didn't have to wait long for the wolf however as he soon came running into the clearing. He was in such a hurry he didn't see Peter and his rope and before he knew what was happening, Peter had him hooked by the tail and was holding on for dear life. The wolf then began to struggle mightily and Sasha tried to help Peter. Then the rope sawing back and forth along the branch began to fray. Fly Sasha fly for help! Peter called to him and he flew off to find it. Then when things were looking there blackest Peter looked down and saw the hunters. Sasha had brought help at last. However by the time the hunters reached Peter he an Ivan had already managed to tie the wolf up. So Peter and Ivan turned out to be heroes. They tied the wolf to a pole and paraded him through the village and all the villagers cheered." She told them.

"Wow what a great story." Henry said.

"Oh it's now quite done yet Henry." She told him, "Everyone was happy except Sasha he had lost his friend Sonia. However when he went back to the hollowed tree and found Sonia hiding inside and was safe after all. Now everyone was happy well everyone, but the wolf." Erna finished. She was met by cheers and applause causing her to blush at the attention.

"That was a great story Erna." Sir Topham Hatt said clapping.

"Thank you sir." Erna replied. Soon the applause died down, "I also have another story, but unfortunately you younger one's will have to go to bed now especially you Percy you have the mail train later." Erna told them.

"Aww." The younger engines groaned but were soon on their way.

Erna smiled and shook her head as she watched them go then turned her tension back to the remaining engines, "Now this story is much shorter than the last one despite it having happy ending. This story is about one of my many brushes with death during the great conflict thirty years ago. If there are any who don't wish to hear my story I will not hold it against you." She said and to her surprise. "Very well then." She sighed.

"I was chugging along one day in early spring 1944. I was heading to a station that was a few miles from an airfield. When suddenly from out of the clouds above came two red nosed aircraft that were heading straight for me. I raced to get to anywhere that had any antiaircraft batteries. It was in vain however as anywhere with AAA was too far away to reach before the two aircraft would reach me." She told them and all of the engines listened intensely.

"Within minutes the red nosed planes were upon me. Then they opened fire on me. I was scared as I heard the bullets impact the ground as they got closer. Then I heard them chime against one of my metal boxcars. I found it strange that they made such a weird noise at them time and still do. Oh sorry I'm getting of topic." She blushed a little embarrassed.

"So then the planes flew over me with a whoosh. I watched as they turned back toward me and I saw them come at me head on, I felt like those were going to be my final moments as I watched their wings flash and the bullets climb their way up the track towards me. Then suddenly I heard a loud boom that I recognized as one of our cannons. I looked up to see a lone gray plane come down on my attackers. I watched as his wings and propeller lit up as he fired and the rounds slammed into one of the red nosed aircraft. I watched as it puffed smoke and the pilot ejected with his parachute deploying. Then the pilotless plane careened into the ground to the left of me with an explosion. I was lucky to only get slightly hit from some debris. I was grateful to the pilot, but then I watched in horror as I saw the other plane who had broken off his attack on me got behind my savior. My horror was short lived as I watched him effortlessly turn the tables on his opponent and shoot him down as well. Despite what he tried to do to me I was happy to see him deploy his parachute as well. Then I watched delightedly as the pilot performed a few tricks for me while he escorted me to the station then rocked his wings in salute as he went back to his airfield. I later met him when I was waiting for the supplies to be unloaded and thanked him greatly." She finished.

"Wow I never knew you went through that Erna." Edward said in awe of what she had been through.

"Yeah I don't really like to talk about my past that much, but I felt like you guys deserved something more exciting than the other story." She replied, then chuckled, "It's funny I still have that scar on my boiler from that day. I keep it to remind myself of it and to remember how close I came that day." She said gesturing to her left side where you could see a slight imperfection on her boiler. Then she yawned, "Well I had better get to bed got that early train in the morning with Molly. But my story has a lesson in it as well even when someone does something bad to you or someone you care about its ok to be angry with them, but you also have to be able to forgive them like I forgave my attackers." She told them and glanced at Spencer giving him a wink. Then she made her way out of the docks with Henrietta.

All the other engines and Sir Topham Hatt followed soon after since they had a very busy day tomorrow. Spencer however was the last to leave, but he left with a smile on his face. He was sad to hear about Erna almost getting killed, but he was happy she told the story with a hidden meaning. He didn't think he should be forgiven, but he would take it if they would give it. I wish I could do more though he thought as he made his way back to his shed.

How was it? Please let me know in your review and what I can do to improve. Also do you guys think I should change one of the genres to Romance and do you think I should move the rating to T instead of M? Please leave your answer in a review or PM me. Next chapter will either be up before the first of the new year or the first week of the new year.