Alright, now that I've finished my backstory on James in Pitch Black: Bloodlines, I'm on to my main story here with Not Like You. As a side note, I highly suggest going to read Bloodlines before this chapter due to a time skip in this chapter. Thanks to all who have reviewed!
James awoke feeling more tired than he did the previous night, in fact the only thing that woke him up was Burl lighting his fire for the day.
"Oy, what hit me?" he wondered absentmindedly, his body groaning in protest as Jim started him off toward his daily jobs. "Well id say a whole trainload of insomnia caught up with you old boy." Burl answered back.
"Speak of the devil, you couldn't wake me before striking the match?" James grumbled as they moved
onto the turntable. "We weren't even sure if we could get you up as heavy as you fell asleep last night." "Yeah, we thought you might have finally went peacefully in your sleep." The two men sniggered as a familiar cross look started to display across James face.
"Zip it you two, I've seen gray hair on both of your heads lately." He snapped. "Aye but that isn't from age, it's from stress from dealing with you!" Jim laughed as James just rolled his eyes.
"Hey, I may be old but I still have awhile, there are a few engines I'm not ready to see just yet." He growled softly.
The two men stared in silent disbelief at what they had just heard. "Did he just admit that he was old?" "Better yet did he just say something about his past?" they shot back to one another.
"I heard that, and don't get used to it, just shaking off the cobwebs is all." The red engine snapped back at the two men. "What are we doing today anyway?"
"Well we've got some work up in the shunting yards and a couple shipments to take down to the docks, working with Edward mostly." Jim explained as they entered the yards.
"Figures, first day back is full of trucks." James huffed as they got busy arranging a train for Murdock headed to the mainland. He watched as the large engine pulled into the yard, blowing a friendly whistle to the smaller engine.
"Hey James, something peculiar happened while I was unloading the other day at the mainland docks. You wouldn't happen to have a twin would you?" as he spoke James felt his water go cold.
"At one time yes, but he has been long gone by now." James sat with a worried expression. "Anyway, I've got more work to do here, have a good run Murdock." He said and was off with a turn of his wheel.
On his way to the mainland bridge Murdock met up with Henry at a signal. "Hey Henry, I've got a bit of a puzzling situation for you."
Confused the green engine raised an eyebrow, signaling the other to continue. "When I was at the mainland docks the other day I ran across another engine that was nearly identical to James, in fact I thought it was him until I saw his face."
'Have you asked James about it?" Henry mused as he thought about the engine his mate had mentioned in his nightmare.
"Well I tried but James brushed it off real quick and I had to leave." His words being drowned out by Henry's thoughts. "It couldn't be….could it?"
"Hey Murdock, will you be going back to the same place today? If so where was the engine?" The green engine was developing a plan, hoping that his hunch was right.
"I am, he and the others were huddled in an old shed, either awaiting restoration or a scrappers torch I imagine." "If you see him will you please ask if he is, or knows of an engine named Daemon?" Henry asked excitedly.
"Certainly, looks like you've got a plan?" Murdock asked as he started across the bridge. "Of course, thank you!" Henry called back. Murdock whistling in reply.
"I hope this works out…"
In the mainland shipping yards Murdock was looking for the engine in question after dropping off his manifest. Finding him in the same shed, this time with more engines surrounding him.
"Hey there big guy, back again so soon?" he called to Murdock as the large engine rolled up to them. "That I am, and I have….a bit of an odd request. Do you or any of you know of an engine named Daemon?"
The looks of shock and sorrow then recognition flashed across the engines faces. "How do you know that name?" another similar engine barked from the side of the shed. "I was asked to ask you by an engine on the railway I work for.
"I don't trust him, what railway are you from?" a large tank engine snapped from the corner. "I didn't mean anything by it, and I work for the North Western Railway." Murdock asserted proudly.
"I am sorry for our defensiveness, we have had a rough couple of years, and did you say the North Western?" The front engine asked, uncertain as to whether he heard the name right.
"That's right, you've heard of it?" "Yes a long time ago, my brother was purchased by the controller of the North Western, tell me is there an engine named James there?" the others looked to Murdock with hope in their eyes.
Murdock just smiled and asked his driver to call back to Henry's crew with the news. "So this is what Henry was cooking up."
Henry was stopped at the Wellsworth station when he got the news from Murdock. "This is perfect, all I have to do is set it up." The green engine was positively giddy with the prospect of such a surprise for his mate.
"Careful old boy, are you sure James wants to see his old family? Seems like a lot of tension between them if he has nightmares about them. "Ted warned, trying to keep his engine grounded.
"I think it will be ok Ted, I just have to talk to the fat…." "Talk to me about what Henry?" Henry quickly explained the situation. "I think it is a splendid idea Henry, Ill arrange for Murdock and Edward to help pick them up. After a few seconds in his office, Edward was on his way to help pick up the engines in question. Henry however went to collect James for his surprise tonight.
Meanwhile on the mainland, "So your names are? Murdock questioned while the paperwork was signed for transport and his crew checked the individual engines to see if they could still move under their own power.
The tank engine from earlier a dreadnaught type was the first to speak. "My names Decker, short for Declan. The scourge of the… " He said proudly "No, not again you old bastard. I've been listening to your mouth for years now." Another rolled up with a glare. "My names Wolf btw." "Any I've put up with your damn lip for how many years now Eustace?
"Stop it the both of you!" Another tank engine spat at the arguing pair. "Oh put a sock in it Leonidas you old tea pot!" "Now you've gone a bit too far don't you think?" The twin of the other tank engine puffed out. "Why do you always have to take up for him Xerxes?" Decker spat as the whole argument came to a head. The lead engine, closed his eyes and with a big puff whistled loud enough to bust glass.
"Enough! We have a change not only to see our brother but to get out of this god forsaken shed and all you idiots can do is argue?!" The others startled by their leader's outburst looked downcast.
"Sorry Eagle…." They said almost like kids apologizing to a parent.
Murdock after watching the display coupled up in front of the twin tank engine Leonidas and Xerxes. Edward who had come in between the argument was coupled in front of Decker. Wolf and Eagle could run on their own and were steamed up by two relief crews.
"I can see where James gets it from…." Murdock whispered to Edward. "No shit." Edward spat not looking forward to the ride home, James got on his nerves enough but these guys?
"At least I don't have to be shunted." Wolf laughed at Decker. "You little fucker when I get fixed I'll!" Eagle, once again silenced them with his whistle. "I said enough, one more word and I'll ask this blue engine to leave you here to rot!"
Edward chuckled at the exchange not unlike he and the twins interacted. "Say old fellow what is your name anyway?" "Me, I'm Edward, I've had quite a few adventures with your brother." A big smile shot across Eagle's face as the cavalcade moved out. "Really? Do tell."
By this time Henry and James were spending some quality time together at their favorite forest spot. John and Sean had joined them, all aware of what Henry's surprise was. While they were waiting Sean decided to ask the question that had been on his mind since the nightmare first started.
"James, who exactly is Daemon?" A surprised and sad look flashed across his face in recognition of the name. The others looked around at him expectantly.
"Well, since I'm being put on the spot, I suppose it's story time." James growled but begrudgingly began to tell his tale. (For the story please see Pitch Black: Bloodlines.) When he finished the others sat in awe. "Ok question and answer time I suppose."
"So that's why you are so skittish when we took over." Burl mussed. "Wait a minute, you stole others contracts?" Henry gasped at his mate. "I was damn good at it too." James purred until seeing the frown on Henry's face. "It was a different time then love, kill or be killed. I'm not like that anymore."
"Oh I wouldn't say that, you're still an ass!" Jim joked as the red engine smirked. "And proud of it. What I wouldn't give to see them again. I… "He was cut off by a distinct whistle, one echoing through him and time. "No it can't be…." Suddenly the whistle sounded again this time joined by a chorus of others. As if he had be thrust back in time, Eagle, Wolf, Decker, Leonidas, and Xerxes rounded the bend into their station. "I can't… I can't believe…." James spluttered, almost in shock, he hadn't seen these engines in 60 years!
"Close your mouth little man you'll catch flies that way." Eagle smirked, small tears welling up at the sight of his long lost brother.
"Oh shut it you old teapot!" James spat back softly. Time and space slowed around that magical forest that evening as the red eagle landed one more time.
So this is going to be fun for the engines of Sodor eh? Next chapter will be much longer and more substance.