Chapter 7 - Hide n' Corrupt

He himself was certain he was good as dead, as the last he could recall was unbearable pain and searing heat, and then an empty void of blackness. But he was completely wrong. It was a miracle. He could hear his heartbeat, feel the burning sensation of air returning to his desperate lungs, and he opened his eyes to a very dimly lit structure.

But even with the lack of light, he instantly recognized the area as the Diesel Works. His Diesel Works.

"Look who's finally awake," a sinister and ghostly voice spoke in amusement, and none other than Timothy puffed into the Diesel Works. And shortly after him, Thomas steamed in as well.

"How are you feeling, Diesel Ten?" Thomas questioned gently while staring up at the said diesel engine, who was hanging by the hook of Happy Hook.

"How is this possible?" Diesel Ten demanded, his voice surprisingly stronger than expected.

"How is what possible? Be specific," Thomas corrected dryly.

"Myself, for starters! You murdered me!"

"Actually, against all odds, you were still alive when we found you—but just barely," Timothy informed with a wicked grin.

"Alive or not, why bring me back?"

"Because I know you would do anything just to get this back." With that, Thomas used the same red magic to lift Diesel Ten's claw up into the air, tauntingly waving it from side to side. Diesel Ten then looked up in surprise, and finally noticed that his beloved Pinchy was no longer attached.

"Give it back!" the hanging diesel snapped, but he appeared much less threatening without his claw.

"Not with that attitude, I won't. And don't forget, you were clinging onto dear life, so it's only because of us that you live. So, what's your choice?" Thomas hissed as his irises turned red.

Diesel Ten was quiet for a moment, shock overwhelming him while remembering the horrific events before passing out. He soon started sputtering, unable to get entire words or a whole sentence out, which quickly tried Thomas and Timothy's patience.

"English, motherfucker, do you speak it?!" Timothy exclaimed in annoyance.

"Timothy!" Thomas snapped at his partner before gazing back up at Diesel Ten firmly, "It shouldn't be a difficult decision for a devious diesel like you. Either do our bidding without question, and gain the unimaginable power you've always craved—or die."

"A-And I'll get my claw back?" Diesel Ten piped up meekly.

"Yes. Do we have a deal?" Thomas questioned while jokingly lifting Pinchy up to Diesel Ten's face, as if holding out a hand to shake.

Unable to forget what Thomas was capable of the last time he encountered him, Diesel Ten grinned in confidence, "Then you have my loyal services."

"Very wise choice, Oily," Timothy commented with a snarky laugh.

"Help me get him down," Thomas gently ordered Timothy, and the two hastily went to work to unhook Diesel Ten from the crane and gently lower him down onto the track in front of them.

"Thank you—Masters," Diesel Ten pointed out with a respectful smile.

"Hold still," Thomas instructed and lifted Pinchy up to Diesel Ten's roof, and it was effortlessly reattached with a bright flash of red.

As soon as his claw was reattached, Diesel Ten felt a frigid yet amazing shiver course through his body, and his eyes turned red, just like his new masters.

"Welcome aboard," Timothy chimed.

"Forgive me for sounding blunt, Masters, but what will you have me do first? Hold an engine driver for ransom? Murder an engine? Destroy an entire work yard?!" Diesel Ten ranted on until his grin grew even bigger, "Or perhaps you would like me to pull off something far more dastardly."

"Actually, your first task is much simpler—you're going to send a message," Thomas began firmly.


After the railway was shut down, the real reason behind it all was still kept secret, raising suspicion and fear amongst the people; Sir Topham Hatt was the pinnacle of the whole ordeal, so, of course, they all turned to him for answers.

But first, they would have to get to Knapford Station, where the majority of the island's residents gathered like frightened birds. The engines, diesel and steam alike, were all forced to go there as well before the railroad was completely shut down.

"I can't believe it! Can't anyone spare just a minute or two, so that I can have a good wash down? I mean, look at me!" James ranted on while cringing at his now mud-covered paint; it had been raining recently, and he accidentally ran through a giant mud puddle on the way to the station.

"Oh, please! The only reason you're covered in mud is because you were too afraid to stop," Gordon, the unfortunate victim of James' whining, protested, "Just because the railways are suddenly being shut down doesn't mean there's someone out to get us all. I swear, you're so gullible."

"Attention! May I have your attention, please?!" Sir Topham Hatt boomed while standing atop a crate, easily turning everyone's heads, "As far as we know, this is the safest place to be, and will be under constant protection and surveillance. So, please, do not leave until further notice!"

"But what's going to happen to us?"

"What's happening out there?"

"Yeah, what's really happening?! We have the right to know!"

Multiple citizens and workers started shouting over each other, either fearfully, in irritation, or angrily. They wanted answers, and they wanted them now; Sir Topham Hatt knew this, but still refused.

"Calm down! Now is not the time to argue and blindly accuse anyone of anything! We are simply here to hide, and-."

"Hide? Hide from what?!" Emily shouted demandingly.

"Trust me, the less you all know, the better. We can handle it," Sir Topham Hatt lied, finally turning away from the murmuring crowd and retreated into his office.

Meanwhile, just outside the station, Salty and Mavis watched and listened while the rain started up again.

"We should really stay put—like we were told," Salty protested, emphasizing the last part.

"No. The only way we're going to fix this is if we break a few rules. And I'm going to the Diesel Works, whether you're with me or not, Pirate," Mavis hissed before heading off. Salty babbled incoherently at Mavis' stubbornness, but eventually rolled his eyes and huffed while finally following her.

But just as they left, the rain suddenly grew stronger with a few rolls of thunder, and a chilling mist spread throughout the station. The people and engines quickly grew concerned, as they felt helpless while being consumed by the mist.

And then, a red glow emitted from the thickest of the fog at the edges of the station, and it grew larger and brighter the longer everyone stared.

"What is that?" Henry inquired.

"I don't know. But whatever it is, it's probably not good," Edward pointed out firmly.

Just as the glow faded away, a shadowy figure with a long and claw-like limb appeared, and a dark chuckle echoed in the rain, "Hello, there."

"Who are you?!" Gordon was the first to ask.

"Oh, it's just little old me," the shadow replied and slowly crept forward, revealing the long body of diesel engine that everyone wanted to forget. They all shuddered and backed away, as Diesel Ten pulled forward, and the demonic redness of his eyes was truly unsettling.

"Although I'm glad to have your complete attention, it's of utmost importance that Sir Topham Hatt hears this," Diesel Ten informed with a growl, "Where is he?"

Some of the station workers sprinted into Sir Topham Hatt's office, and not moments later, he came back out to see what the problem was. But when he saw that one of the victims of the night of the fire was still alive, his heart nearly stopped.

"No…"

"Oh, yes."

"But h-how?!"

"One way or another, all of those little details will come in due time. But for now, I need you to listen." Sir Topham Hatt reluctantly closed his mouth, unable to look away from Diesel Ten's eyes, which have noticeably changed. And once he knew he was really listening, Diesel Ten grinned and looked back out to the crowd.

"You see, you're all here for one reason: There's a new ruler, and-!"

"We would never bow to the likes of you!" Sir Topham Hatt interrupted with a visible scowl.

"Oh, I'm not talking me," Diesel Ten chuckled in great amusement, "No, the one you should all fear now is none other than your precious number one engine—Thomas. And if you don't like it, well, then you can just go take it up with him yourselves."

The long diesel engine started backing out of the station, but he stopped when he saw the dumbfounded faces sprinkled amongst the crowd, "Oh, don't worry, he won't hide! In fact, he's just a hop, skip, and jump away—at the Diesel Works!"

Diesel Ten averted his eyes back to Sir Topham Hatt, grinning once more and lowering his voice, "My Master has a personal vendetta with you. He says you have until tomorrow night to come see him. If you don't show up, someone could get hurt."

With a loud clank and spark of his claw, Diesel Ten finally disappeared into the fog with another menacing chuckle, "See you then."


The fog and heavier weather never seemed to follow Salty and Mavis all the way out to the Diesel Works, not that they really cared or noticed; Mavis was only concerned with proving her theory correct, while Salty was more focused on keeping her on track(if you'll pardon the pun).

"So, um, just out of curiosity, Lass—what're you gonna do if ya find out you're right?" Salty began.

"Isn't it obvious? I'll do whatever it takes to take down this monster, this demon that destroyed our Diesel Works and fellow diesels," Mavis replied sternly, glaring ahead as they slowed at the entrance to the Diesel Works.

"A-And if the rest of your theory is correct…then what if Thomas really is behind all this?"

Mavis paused and pondered deeply, "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

With that, the two diesels slowly continued on, into the now shadowy and foreboding place they once called home; even if some of the other less-trustworthy diesels lived there before, it seemed brighter back then. But now, only doom and gloom hung in the air.

Before long, the building came into view and startled the two engines, one more than the other.

"How do you explain an entire building still standing so perfectly after a huge fire?" Mavis deadpanned.

"I-I…I don't know," was all Salty could say, as he continued to stare in awe.

"Well, come on. The culprit isn't going to just reveal itself."

"Wait, d-don't you think finding the building is enough proof?!"

"No!" Mavis' shrill voice echoed throughout the yard, stopping Salty in his tracks. The she-diesel blinked and sighed, "As long as this monster lives and breathes, I will never be at peace. I have to know what happened that night."

"Well then, your confrontation with your regrets will end right here," came an all-too familiar voice, and Thomas himself puffed out of the darkness, "I'll gladly tell you everything I know."

"Perfect," Mavis began with a sigh of relief, "Please, tell me—what happened after I left to get help?"

The blue steam engine's face grew dry and emotionless, "I started the fire."

Salty and Mavis exchanged horrified looks, but Thomas continued, "Diesel Ten and I had a little disagreement, so I gave him a taste of his own medicine—the others were just unlucky enough to get caught in up in our little brawl, as well as the Diesel Works. I won't lie, I'm sorry for destroying it—but I've made it better. See?"

Multiple torches were suddenly lit, bringing light, albeit dim, to the darkness within the building. Indeed, the Diesel Works was now cleaner and newer than it has ever looked, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by Mavis and Salty.

"I know it barely makes up for what I did, but you should know that not everyone suffered that night," Thomas added, finally putting on a face of utmost sincerity, "Only Norman perished."

"Because of you!" Mavis roared at the top of her lungs, "You're sick! It's because of you that all this fear and turmoil has consumed the island! Everyone is terrified of you, Thomas, but they'll stop at nothing until you're defeated!"

"Defeated?" Thomas scoffed and puffed up to Mavis, "When I'm done, you'll realize I was never your enemy to begin with, My Dear."

"Leave her alone," Salty growled threateningly, a glare plastered on his face.

Thomas' grin immediately faltered, and he looked at Salty with disdain, "You know, the last diesel who thought he could confront me crashed and burned in a fiery inferno. So, unless you want to share that same fate, I suggest you back off."

Reluctantly, Salty moved back a bit and went quiet, but his scowl remained. Mavis stood her ground the whole time, and bared an even more vicious glare than her partner.

"But now, you both know too much. I'm afraid I can't let you go," Thomas calmly pointed out.

"What? No, that wasn't part of the deal!" Mavis argued.

"Actually, the deal was I told you what I know—I never said I'd let you go so that you could rat me out afterwards."

"You'll never get away with this!" Salty shouted and darted backwards as fast as he could, but his attempts to escape became futile as soon as he passed under the Diesel Works sign; the scaffolding and support beams were encased in a red glow, Thomas' eyes glowing with a matching color.

You know what to do, Timothy informed in appeasement, but Thomas only stared on blankly as sparks flew and the entire structure of the sign came toppling down, and effortlessly split Salty in half.

"No!" Mavis cried, tears brimming at her eyes, "How could you do that to him?! He didn't do anything wrong! …He just wanted to help me…"

"And that's exactly where he went wrong," Thomas calmly added, but his eyes were still red and his voice was monotonous, "Oh, how terrible it must feel to be responsible for the death of a dear friend. It's unbearable, isn't it, Mavis?"

Thomas inched forward, closing the space between his and Mavis' faces while wearing that smug smile again; as tears spilled from her eyes, she could only look directly into those demonic irises. Before long, Mavis' own eyes faded into the exact same shade of crimson as Thomas'.

"Let me ease those nerves…" Thomas chimed.


It seems that not even Mavis is strong enough to resist the temptation...

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