Hi folks! It's been awhile, hasn't it? Anyhoo, here's the next chapter. Keep an eye out for references to the Fraggle Rock episode, "Marooned".
Chapter 7: The Rescue
Sagwa tapped her paw anxiously on the ground. It seemed ages since the workmen had gone for help, and she was worried that help might just arrive too late to do her or Dongwa any good - the only sound she could here was some sort of metallic clanging against the blockage.
The accident had happened so quickly and so unexpectedly, and in the worst possible scenario. The only question was, how did it happen?
Sagwa's thoughts were interrupted by a quiet sniffling. She turned to see Dongwa lying down with his head in his paws. "Dongwa?!" Sagwa faltered. "Are...are you crying?!"
"Who, me? No way! I'm just...just...uh...oh, alright! Yes!" Dongwa blurted out, as tears spilled down his cheeks. "Do you have to rub it in?!"
Sagwa stared disbelievingly. How could Dongwa, the tough, proud older brother she had always known, ever lose his composure like this? She padded to his side and awkwardly placed her arm around his shoulder. "I'm not rubbing it in: I'm just surprised. You never cry!"
"Well, I am now," muttered Dongwa.
"But why?"
Dongwa noisily wiped his nose and took a few unsteady breaths. "Because none of this would've happened if I hadn't gone into this stupid mineshaft to begin with!"
"But you couldn't help those trucks coming in here," said Sagwa, trying to comfort him. "Neither of us could!"
"Yeah, but if I hadn't been trying to show off for Bertram, we wouldn't be stuck here. You were right, Sagwa: being brave doesn't mean wandering off into danger on purpose." Dongwa sunk miserably to the ground. "What would Bertram say, if he knew I'd gotten us into this mess?"
Sagwa gently tightened her embrace. "He wouldn't want to see you so upset: that's for sure! He'd tell us to keep calm and hope for the best, even if things aren't looking so good right now."
Dongwa couldn't help but smile. Batting away his tears, he hugged his sister back. "Thanks, Sagwa; I really needed that," he said. "And thanks for coming after me too. I don't know why you bothered after the way I acted toward you."
"Hey! What are sisters for?"
The two eldest Miao siblings suddenly felt their heads spin drowsily. They exchanged worried looks: they had to be conscious of how much air they had left. "Don't go to sleep, Sagwa," said Dongwa firmly.
"I won't if you won't," his sister replied.
Outside, word of the accident had spread down the line. Bertram had returned with the breakdown train, and the miners were now hacking feverishly away at the blockage with shovels, pickaxes - anything that could shift rocks out of the way. The Magistrate and His Grace had also gotten word of the unfortunate turn, and asked the Mid Sodor manager if he could spare Duke to bring them to the mine, so they could see the rescue operation. "I cannot afford to lose both Sagwa and Dongwa," said the Magistrate anxiously. "Please, get them out safely!"
"All in good time, Your Excellency," the foreman replied. "My men are very experienced. I promise we'll get your cats out as soon as possible."
Duke was giving Albert a much-needed lecture. "Bertram warned you not to be so rough! Everyone did!" he snapped. "But you just wouldn't listen, would you?! And now two innocent kittens are paying the price for your temper and recklessness!"
"Uh, Duke," Fu-Fu cut in, "to be fair to Albert, Dongwa wanted to check out that mineshaft for himself, and I...uh, well...I did encourage Sagwa to go in after him and bring him back."
Duke looked thoughtful. "I see..."
Albert smirked smugly; but his face soon fell. "But that still doesn't excuse the danger you put them in!" scolded Duke. "Manager will not be pleased with your behaviour: I can tell you that!"
"Ah, who asked you, Granpuff?!" Albert growled defensively; but the look on his face was enough to tell Duke and Fu-Fu that he didn't really mean it.
Bertram, meanwhile, was tending to Sheegwa - the tiny kitten was sobbing uncontrollably. "I-I'm sc-cared, Bertram!" she faltered. "Wha-what if I n-never s-see my b-brother and s-sister again?"
"Don't talk like that, Sheegwa," soothed Bertram. "You heard what the foreman said: the miners know what they're up against."
"B-but I'm st-till scared!" Sheegwa cried. "What i-if they c-can't g-get them out? What'll Mama and Baba say?!"
Bertram sighed. "Sheegwa, I can't know what will happen for sure," he replied solemnly. "No one can, for that matter. But I do know that this is a good time to be brave. I know you're scared for your brother and sister; but letting that fear overpower you won't make things any better. Have a bit of faith, little one: that's one simple way to be a 'warrior'."
Sniffling, Sheegwa looked up at the old engine smiling kindly down at her, and couldn't help but smile herself. She liked the idea of being a "warrior", even if things looked bleak at the moment.
At that very moment, a workmen shouted, "We've got an opening!" Sheegwa's face lit up: sure enough, the men had been able to carve a small hole through the big pile of rubble. "Well done, boys!" the foreman called. "Keep at it!"
The miners set to work again with a tremendous will. At last, with their combined efforts, the last of the rubble started to rumble and rock. The men ran for safety as the stones crashed away, opening the mineshaft to the outside once again.
As the dust settled, everyone held their breath. The next moment, they gave a tremendous cheer, as Sagwa and Dongwa appeared from the darkness, coughing and caked with dirt, but safe! The Magistrate, without a second's hesitation, rushed forward and scooped the two kittens up into his arms, while Sheegwa jumped for joy by his side. "Thank goodness you're both alright!" he beamed. "Now then, Sir Henry, back to the estate. These two need a bath..." - Sagwa and Dongwa gulped nervously - "...and a refreshing bowl of hot broth!" finished the Magistrate. "Nothing quite like it after an ordeal like this." Sagwa and Dongwa let out sighs of relief.
"Indeed, Your Magistrate!" the Duke chuckled. "Duke?"
"Indeed, Your Grace!"
The Magistrate let out a shriek of surprise, letting go of Sagwa and Dongwa, who both landed safely on all fours. "T-trains c-can...t-t-t-talk on this island?!" he stammered.
Duke raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, my good man: it's taken you that long to notice?"
There was silence for a moment, and then everyone began to laugh - even the Magistrate! Fu-Fu and the Miao siblings shared a group hug, while Duke and Bertram looked on fondly. "Best not tell him about his own cats talking," Bertram whispered to his brother. "Might be a bit too much for him to handle at the moment!"
"And don't even get him started on bats!" Fu-Fu smirked.
As the hug broke apart, Dongwa walked up to Bertram. "Bertram," he said meekly, "I'm really sorry I went against your orders. I only wanted to show you how brave I am."
Bertram smiled gently down at him. "Well, Dongwa, it must not have been easy being stuck in that mine. Many a man or engine might go mad were they in your place; but you, my dear kitten, seem to have kept your head without too much trouble."
Dongwa glanced back at Sagwa and grinned. "Well, I had some help from my sister."
Bertram chuckled warmly. "Well done then, young 'warriors'. Well done indeed."
As Duke took the group back to the estate, Dongwa leaned thoughtfully against the coach window, watching as the mine grew smaller and smaller in the distance. He couldn't have been happier to have befriended the "Old Warrior", and to have learned how to truly be brave himself.
One chapter to go! Keep an eye out for it!
