It was a bright, sunny day, and the Island of Sodor was bustling with activity. The engines were carrying passengers and goods up and down every line on the Fat Controller's railway. Except Thomas' branch line, which was closed for repairs to a damaged bridge. Instead of working on his branch line, Thomas had been sent to the Sodor China Clay Pits to work with Bill and Ben.
"Hello. Is anybody here? Bill. Ben," called Thomas. He could hear faint laughing from a distance…then he saw one of the twins scurrying away through a tunnel.
"Hey, wait for me," called Thomas. "Ben! Bill!" He followed the twin through the tunnel, into the sunlight and through a small valley. Then he saw another twin pass over a bridge above him. Dust fell around Thomas, but he kept going…until he saw a huge open area of stone and clay. There was even a waterhole down below.
"Hello, Ben," greeted Thomas as he caught up to the twins.
"You took your time, Thomas," grinned Ben. "Your trucks are over there."
"Don't be silly, Ben," teased Bill. "Thomas isn't strong enough to pull those trucks."
"Of course I am," Thomas replied as he made his way over to the trucks. The twins chuckled quietly to each other. What Thomas didn't notice as he was coupled up and started to move…was that another engine was coupled on the other side.
"Oh, hey, stop. Wha...what's got into you trucks?" said the engine.
"The trucks aren't pulling you, Timothy. It's Thomas that's pulling you," gloated Ben.
"Timothy?" said Thomas.
"Thomas?"
Timothy was the little oil-burning engine that worked at the Clay Pits too. Bill and Ben had played a trick on both him and Thomas. The twins laughed and hurried away on their own. Timothy came alongside Thomas.
"Oh, don't mind them, Thomas. Bill and Ben are always playing tricks on other engines," sympathized Timothy.
"I know all about Bill and Ben and their tricks, Timothy," said Thomas.
"You have to admit, though, that was a funny one. Trucks can be troublesome, but they don't usually have that much pull," joked Timothy. Both engines laughed…but then a thunderclap loomed overhead.
"You'd best be careful, Thomas. If a storm comes, the heavy rain can make the clay walls unstable," warned Timothy.
"Thanks, Timothy. I'll be careful," said Thomas as he cautiously set off on his way. The rain fell hard, lighting flashed through the sky and thunderclaps shook the track. Thomas watched intently as a few stones fell down from the sides of the valley.
"Timothy was right. I do need to be careful." Just then, several rocks came clattering beside Thomas, revealing a strange shape.
"Whoa! Huh? Footprints. What could have made footprints as big as…" But then, a huge landslide came cascading down the valley wall, straight for Thomas!
"Look out!" called a voice from behind Thomas. Bill and Ben came charging through and pushed Thomas away from the falling boulders just in time.
"Whoa!" called Thomas as he and the twins raced away from the landslide.
Thomas and the twins made it safely out of the Clay Pits. Thomas was still shocked and relieved over the recent action.
"Bill…Ben…" he breathed. "Thank you!"
"You're most welcome, Thomas," said Bill. "You must have been scared out of your smokebox!"
"I was," said Thomas. "But luckily, we're all here. I must be on my way." So Thomas huffed on through the storm.
Emily, meanwhile, was working on her own in the wet. She didn't like this noisy weather, especially when Thomas wasn't there to keep her company. Like most, she got a sense of fear whenever a storm came to the island. She felt safest in a shed as she remembered the storm she had faced back when she was still suffering. She most certainly felt safer when Thomas was there for her. Luckily, she was near Tidmouth Sheds, so she arranged her trucks in the yards quickly, then hurried into the shelter of the sheds.
She felt safer in the warm dryness of her berth, but still wanted Thomas by her side. After playing in the snow with him, she had grown even more attached to him. All she wanted was for him to be keeping by her side, either comforting her, joking with her or making her heart flutter with his tender, sweet words.
Then, much to her delight and happiness, she saw him approach the turntable.
"Thomas! You're home!" she whistled joyfully. "Come in beside me. You must be soaking!"
Thomas smiled back at Emily as he turned round on the turntable and backed in beside her.
"Warm and dry…lovely," he said wearily. "Thank goodness for Bill and Ben."
"Those little demons?" asked Emily. "What should we be thanking them for?"
Thomas remembered when those twins ruined that moment between him and Emily at the washdown…but what they did for him today was so honourable and meaningful, Thomas had to speak some truth.
"Emily, those twins saved me…When the storm gathered, I was working my way back from the Clay Pits…when suddenly, a landslide of boulders came crashing down towards me! I thought I was going to be crushed, but then they came behind me and pushed me away just in time!"
"Fire and Smoke!" gasped Emily. "You must have been frightened! I'm just happy you're alright!"
"So am I," said Thomas. "I wish I was beside you today though. I could only imagine you being frightened in this weather."
"I'm not too frightened," said Emily. "It's just that you always manage to keep me calm in any weather."
"Well, the weather will recover, Emily…the sun will return, and you'll be shining beautifully again," said Thomas, turning slightly red.
Emily giggled. "Thank you, sweetheart," she smiled. Then, Emily saw Thomas looking confused. He didn't say anything, but he was lost in thought about what he saw just before the landslide…He was thinking about the footprint and what it could possibly mean…
By dusk, the storm stopped, then the moon and stars shone through the parting clouds. Emily and Thomas were turned breathless by the enchanting sight. How the clouds flowed through and away from the stars was so interesting.
"Well, Thomas…the weather did mend like you said," smiled Emily. "And it looks absolutely beautiful now."
"It certainly does, Emily…and the moon really finishes your lovely looks," Thomas replied.
"Oh, Thomas…must you always melt my heart? I just adore how sweet you are towards me," blushed Emily.
"And I adore how lovely and kind you are, Emily. You're the best engine the Island has ever seen in my eyes," Thomas replied.
"And you're the best friend I've ever met, Thomas," said Emily. "If there's one engine I would want to be lost with nowhere else to go, it would be you. You have something no other engine has…everlasting kindness and consideration." Then she yawned softly. Thomas smiled happily as he saw this.
"Goodnight, Emily," he whispered.
"Goodnight, Thomas," Emily whispered as she fell asleep beside her favorite engine.
The morning after the big storm on the Island of Sodor, the Fat Controller gathered some of his engines together to make an announcement. Emily was there, still feeling very happy for Thomas' fortunate event the other day. Rosie was there too. She was beside Percy and her adoptive big brother, Thomas. Then the Fat Controller spoke up.
"Ahem. We are here to pay tribute to the bravery of Bill and Ben."
"Hello, everyone. Glad you could make it," said Bill and Ben with spirit. Thomas, Percy, Rosie and Emily whistled in response.
"While they may be better known for playing tricks on their fellow engines..."
"You can say that again," Gordon murmured to himself.
"By rescuing Thomas from the landslide at the China Clay Pits, they have proved once again that they are really useful and brave engines."
"Really silly engines more like," said Gordon.
"Brave? Huh, I'm braver than they'll ever be," gloated James.
Emily left to start her work. But as she left, she couldn't help but keep wondering why Thomas looked so lost in thought.
"Something has happened," she whispered to herself. "Maybe Thomas saw something he can't make out…"
"Ah, Thomas, I'd like you to work at the docks this morning…Thomas?" Thomas hadn't answered as he was still thinking deeply…but he managed to respond after hearing his name a second time.
"Oh...yes, sir...work at the docks," said Thomas. Rosie left too, but Thomas' best friend Percy stayed and saw Thomas' thoughtful expression.
"What's wrong, Thomas? You seem a bit quiet," he said.
"Sorry, Percy. I...well... I saw something strange up at the Clay Pits yesterday," said Thomas.
"Really? What did you see?" asked Percy.
"I'm not sure. I think I saw footprints, but I need to take another look." And Thomas whistled and left the yard. Percy was puzzled. "Footprints?" he asked.
That same time, somewhere else along the line, by a pond. A strange figure and a train of trucks passed by a pond, stirring the frogs up…
Before starting work at the docks, Thomas went back to the Clay Pits again. He wanted to go back to where he had seen what he thought were big footprints. But the area was closed off, and there were danger signs…suddenly, a claw-like device fell in front of him!
"Ahh! Wh-what's that?" he exclaimed. Then, a female voice spoke behind him. There on the tracks beside him was a brownish-orange steam shovel.
"Only me. Oh. Oh, I didn't mean to give you a fright. Sorry. Oh, dear. This is embarrassing. Haven't you ever seen a steam shovel before?" asked the steam shovel.
"Yes, I...I just didn't hear you coming, and, well...I was thinking about something else," said Thomas. He had seen a steam shovel before, but he had never seen a railway steam shovel before.
"Me too. I was thinking about digging. I love digging. I love thinking about digging. Not as much as I love digging, of course. Digging is what I'm all about really, but...oh. Oh, dear. This is embarrassing. I forgot to ask you your name." Thomas tried to speak but the shovel continued.
"You should always introduce yourself. It's only polite. That's what I've always been told anyway. Shall I go first? Let me introduce myself. I'm Marion. And you are..."
"Thomas. Do you always talk this much?"
"Not particularly. No, I wouldn't say that. I'm more of a digger, to be honest. Or should I say steam shovel? That is my proper title, you know, seeing as I have a shovel, and I'm powered by steam. I'm here to clear the tracks, actually."
Marion blew her whistle and started past the danger signs. "Always a lot of digging to do after a landslide. That's right. Ooh, a lot of digging."
Thomas tried to follow Marion past the danger sign. "Ah-ah-ah. Don't you go past the danger sign, Thomas. That would be dangerous. Unless, of course, you want me to dig you out." As Marion approached the valley-walls and started digging, a few trucks came rolling past Thomas, and behind them was Timothy.
"I see you've met Marion, then," he said.
"I certainly have," replied Thomas.
"Steam shovels are made for digging, and I am particularly good at it. Either way, ooh, good, Marion. Well done," Marion said to herself as she loaded the trucks with stone.
"Timothy, have you seen any big animals in the Clay Pits?" asked Thomas.
"Big animals? Like what? A cow or a deer?"
"No, bigger than that, much bigger," Thomas wanted to know.
"There aren't animals bigger than that on Sodor, Thomas. Oh, except giraffes and elephants in the Animal Park."
"And chickens," said Marion.
"Chickens?" said Thomas and Timothy together.
"Oh, sorry. Did I say chickens? I meant dinosaurs. Oh, dinosaurs were very big animals. But dinosaurs aren't around anymore. No, they lived a very long time ago…A very, very, very long time ago. Oh, dear. There I go talking out of my shovel," said Marion. Thomas found her rather fun and carefree, but his mind was still set on the mystery of the footprint.
"Why are you asking about big animals, Thomas?" asked Timothy.
"Oh, I was just wondering. That's all." and Thomas went on his way for the docks. While Marion continued to dig, she didn't notice she had dug up the footprint and loaded it into one of the trucks…
It was a busy morning at Brendam Docks. Ships were being loaded and unloaded, and cargo was waiting to be taken away.
"And where have you been all morning? I thought you were meant to be pulling goods trains today," inquired Cranky as Thomas coupled unsettlingly to the trucks.
"I am. I...just had another job to do first. That's all," said Thomas. Cranky didn't answer. Then Percy came up beside Thomas.
"Thomas, did you go back to the Clay Pits? Did you find out what made those footprints?" he asked.
"I tried, Percy, but the area was closed off after the landslide," Thomas replied.
"Maybe you should stick to your railway jobs, Thomas, instead of going around chasing footprints and causing landslides," teased Cranky. Thomas begrudgingly remembered being "bugged," by Cranky when working with him the first time.
"Why are you so worried about some footprints, anyway?" Percy asked Thomas.
"Because I don't know what could have made them, Percy. They were footprints. They were very big footprints, bigger than any animal on Sodor."
"You mean they were footprints from...a monster?" gasped Percy.
"A monster? Honestly, the things you engines come up with," smirked Cranky.
"Don't be silly, Percy. There's no such thing as monsters," reassured Thomas.
"OK, Thomas. I hope you're right," said Percy as he whistled and left the docks.
"So do I..." Thomas whispered to himself.
As an eerie fog rolled across Sodor, Percy couldn't stop thinking about what Thomas had said. "There's no such thing as monsters," he kept saying to himself…but as he descended from a hill, something caught his eye.
"Oh, whoa!" exclaimed Percy as he came to a stop. "What's that? I...hope...it's not...a...monster." But as the shape came closer, Percy's fears drove him away from where he was. "Oh. Runaway! Runaway!" he cried as he reversed with great speed.
Back at the docks, the fog was still dense and Thomas was backing up to a line of trucks, when Porter came rushing through urgently. "Look out. Look out! Runaway trucks!" he called.
"A monster! A monster! It's coming this way! It's the monster from the Clay Pits."
"Huh? The monster?!" gasped Cranky as he swung his hook around carelessly. Bags of sand popped and spouted sand everywhere. Then as the sand settled, the strange shape became clear as some kind of engine.
"Oh, hello," said the strange engine.
"That be no monster, Percy. That be an engine. Ahoy there, matey. I think they all thought you were a sea monster," said Salty.
"I didn't think you were a monster," said Cranky.
"Ahem!" exclaimed Thomas. He was covered from buffer to footplate in sand! "Oops," said Cranky shamefully.
The strange engine spoke again. "A monster? Oh, I don't usually get mistaken for a monster. Mind you, they do call me Gator. It seems they think my long, sloping water tank makes me look like an alligator."
"Gator. Ha, that's a great name," praised Salty.
"Well, my real name is Gerald, but I quite like being called Gator," said Gator.
"And I like being called Thomas," said Thomas.
"Or should we call you sandy now?" chuckled Salty, noting all the sand covering Thomas.
"And the little green tank engine is my friend, Percy," said Thomas.
"Hello," breathed Percy.
"Hello, Percy. I'm sorry if I gave you a fright. I was in a hurry to catch a ship," grinned Gator.
Then the dock manager arrived. He was not very happy to see his docks in such a mess. "What is going on here? Those trucks should be in Vicarstown by now, Percy," he said.
"Sorry, sir. I was just leaving," said Percy as he set off again. "Good-bye, Gator."
"Good-bye Percy," replied Gator. Percy felt very silly for thinking the new engine was a monster, but he was still a little worried.
Thomas meanwhile had the sand cleaned off of him and was on his way again. He really wanted to see Emily again. All he could think about was her and how she must be feeling in the foggy atmosphere.
Emily was working on her own and she wasn't frightened. She found the fog interesting…but she did feel a little lonely without Thomas to talk to. She kept working until she returned to Tidmouth Sheds that evening…and much to her happiness, the fog started to drift away and Thomas came onto the turntable.
"Thomas! You're back!" she whistled cheerfully.
"Hello, lovely angel," smiled Thomas as he turned round and reversed into the berth beside her. Emily noticed that he had rested in the berth beside her rather often. She liked that he did this as much as he could.
"You always want to rest right beside me, don't you, Tommy?" she smiled.
Thomas sighed with exasperation over that name but wanted to answer Emily.
"Yes, I do, Emily. Anything to be with you, I'd do. You've been through so much over the years, just being together is the best thing for us," he said.
Emily smiled further. "I just wish you and I can work together more often…like when we helped those children get their own place to play."
"Well, whenever I'm called to do something different, I eventually go back my normal work, Emily," reassured Thomas.
"Of course, Thomas," said Emily. "By the way, where's Percy?"
"His mail trucks are just outside the sheds. He'll be doing his mail run soon," said Thomas.
Just then, Percy arrived and collected his mail trucks. "Off with the mail," he said. "Goodnight, Thomas. Goodnight, Emily."
"Goodnight, Percy," Thomas and Emily said together.
"Do you think he'll be OK, Thomas? It's a dark night," said Emily.
"The fog is gone, Emily. It's a lovely night. I'm sure he'll be alright."
"OK. Goodnight, Thomas," Emily yawned. "Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight, Emily," whispered Thomas. "Sweet dreams." And they both fell asleep under a peaceful sky.
But as Percy set out to take the mail train, he seemed to see monsters everywhere.
As he went along the line, he saw eyes flashing in the bushes, but they were only rabbits. Then he saw a creepy face in a field…but as his light shone on it, it was just a pile of hay with two pitch forks on top. Percy huffed faster along the line. He saw shadowed sheds and clothes flowing on their lines in the wind. Then he saw another strange shape with its shadow falling right over him…it was just a water tower shadowed against the moonlight.
As Percy passed by a tree, he heard a white owl hoot into the night. Leaves blew around his face and around his lamp, then he saw a barn with a pumpkin-like face staring at him…then he came to a signal box. With the bright lights and jagged appearance beneath, it looked like a monster with an open, hungry mouth. Percy rushed on through the night, and as he approached a tunnel, he saw more eyes in the bushes and trees.
The sun still wasn't even appearing when Thomas woke up. He started for the turntable when Emily woke up next. As Thomas began to turn round, he heard her yawn and decided to turn around to her.
"Thomas…where are you going so early?" Emily asked.
"Sorry, Emily. I have an early start today…and my branch line still isn't finished. I'm sorry to have to leave you…but I'll be back," he said, buffering to her.
"OK, Thomas…I'll be thinking about you until you come back…" smiled Emily.
"And I'll be thinking about you, Emily. Go to sleep again. You deserve to have beauty sleep," replied Thomas as he touched his nose to hers.
"OK, Thomas…thank you," Emily whispered as she drifted off and fell asleep again.
"See you later, sweetie," Thomas whispered as he went back to the turntable and went on his way. Thomas headed straight to the Clay Pits. His branch lines were still under construction. But he didn't really have an early start that day. What he had told Emily was a lie. He was starting early because he wanted to check for the footprints as soon as possible. Thomas didn't like having to lie to Emily, but his desire to find out whether he was right about what he saw was all he could focus on.
Bill and Ben were loading their trucks with clay and Marion was digging and singing as she loaded Timothy's train with rocks.
"Hello, Timothy," called Thomas' voice.
"Hello, Thomas," said Timothy.
"Find anything unusual in there?" asked Thomas.
"Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know...footprints from a monster or something."
As Thomas huffed carefully through the Clay Pits, he looked all around…but unaware to him, Bill and Ben were up to their tricks as usual. They snuck alongside Thomas behind piles of rock, followed him to an opening…then…
"Boo!" Thomas jumped as the twins laughed back.
"You and your tricks. You nearly made me blow a safety valve!" complained Thomas.
"We were only saying hello. Poor thing. You'd think he'd seen a steam shovel," teased the twins. Thomas frowned but also felt relieved. He didn't want to be embarrassed again if Emily were there.
"Oh, Emily, that wonderful, beautiful…queen!" he whispered. "If only we could love each other like the most loving couple Sodor has ever seen!"
Meanwhile, poor nervous Percy had gone to Brendam docks to collect some trucks. Percy was very sleepy after staying awake all night keeping a lookout for monsters. As he backed up slower and slower with flickering eyes, he suddenly reversed with a bump into the trucks and he woke up in a fright again. He rushed forward so that the shunters pole rattled along behind him!
"Help! What's that?" he cried as the pole flew off.
"Percy, stop. You've left your trucks behind," called Gator who had seen everything.
"What?"
"Oh, silly Percy...only us!" laughed the trucks.
"Are you always such a nervous engine? You're acting like something is chasing you down the tracks," said Gator.
"Sorry. It's just Thomas said..." Percy did feel a little silly and couldn't finish what he wanted to say, so he said, "Never mind."
Back at the Clay Pits, Thomas was shunting trucks for Marion and trying to see if he could spot any footprints.
"OK, Thomas, that's your lot, but hurry back, OK? I'll stay here and dig until I fill up some more trucks," said Marion.
As Thomas took the trucks away, he began to wonder what happened in the storm…
"Maybe I didn't see anything that night. Heh, maybe the lightning was playing tricks on me," he said to himself. As he huffed away, he suddenly saw Bill and Ben at the water tower. "Hurry up, Ben! I need to fill my water tank too."
"Hmm, playing tricks on me," he muttered. And then an idea flew into Thomas' funnel.
"Be patient, Bill. You'll get your turn," teased Ben. "I've been patient for ages!" moaned Bill.
"Hey, Bill. Hey, Ben. Can I ask you a question?"
"You just did, Thomas," teased Ben.
"What? Oh, yes. I was just wondering. The other day before you rescued me from the landslide, were you playing a trick on me?" asked Thomas.
"A trick? That landslide was not a trick," the twins objected.
"Oh, I don't mean the landslide. I saw something else, and-"
"We risked our boilers for you, Thomas," replied Bill.
"That's right. We could have been caught in that landslide too," said Ben as he huffed away.
"Yeah...What he said," said Bill.
Thomas hadn't meant to upset Bill and Ben. He just wanted to find out where the big footprints had come from and whether they were footprints at all.
It was already dark when Thomas finally returned to Tidmouth sheds. As he reversed into the berth beside James, he looked beyond Gordon towards Emily.
"Emily? …Emily?" he whispered. Emily slowly opened her eyes and yawned, "Hello, Thomas. I heard you coming…Lovely to have you back…"
"Lovely to see you, Emily," Thomas whispered. Emily smiled and closed her eyes again. Thomas looked at her for a few seconds, then looked to the left. He was very surprised to find Percy still in his berth.
"Percy, aren't you supposed to be taking the mail train? You should have left by now," he said.
"I know, Thomas, but last night, I kept seeing things that looked like monsters," peeped Percy.
"Monsters?" asked Thomas.
"A monster?" chuckled James, overhearing the two engines.
"They weren't really monsters. They were only silly things, like a haystack or a shirt on the line, but there could still be a monster out there," shuddered Percy. Feeling so vulnerable, he got an idea…
"Please, Thomas. Would you take the mail train for me? Just tonight?" he asked.
"Um...alright, Percy. I suppose I could," said Thomas. He was happy to help his best friend and huffed out of the sheds.
Thank you, Thomas. Thank you. You're a good friend," smiled Percy. Unfortunately, James, being conceited as he was, found Percy's timid approach amusing and wanted to have some fun.
"Oh, Percy. You're such a scaredy-engine," he teased. Emily overheard James and felt a tingle of suspicion flow through her boiler.
"Why is he teasing Percy over being frightened…even over something simple?" she thought. She knew that Percy was easily frightened over things not to be afraid of, but it wasn't his fault. He was a little carefree engine. This gave Emily an idea…Thomas' kindness and generosity towards her did give her a new strength. She wanted to look out for Percy and support him. James had fallen asleep again and Emily looked to the green engine.
"Percy?" she whispered. Percy didn't answer. He was still lost in thought.
"Percy?" Emily whispered louder. Percy looked over. "Yes Emily?" he answered.
"It's OK to be afraid. We're all scared of something. Just remember: You have wonderful friends here…your best friend Thomas…and me. I can support you if you wish," Emily replied, smiling kindly at the little green engine.
Percy couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about Thomas and wondering if he was okay.
"Emily? Maybe James is right…I do get scared easily…Do you think Thomas is OK?"
"Listen, Percy: You are NOT a scaredy engine. James is just trying to get amusement out of you his way. You are very brave yourself in your own ways. Thomas will be just fine. I can stay up and keep watch with you if you like," said Emily.
"Thank you, Emily. You're very nice," smiled Percy.
"Thank you, little one," chuckled Emily. So Emily and Percy looked out of Tidmouth Sheds and waited for Thomas…
Thomas finally finished the mail run and came back safe and sound.
"There he is, Percy," whispered Emily. "I told you he'd be OK,"
"Thank you, Emily. And goodnight," whispered Percy.
"Goodnight, Percy. And goodnight, Thomas," Emily whispered.
"Goodnight, Emily," Thomas whispered as he backed into the berth beside Percy again. "No monsters?" whispered Percy. "No monsters," smiled Thomas.
"But what about the footprints?" Percy asked worriedly.
"It was dark and stormy that night in the Clay Pits. I don't even know for sure that I saw any footprints. You should try to get some sleep, Percy. There's nothing to worry about."
At last, Thomas' branch line was opened again. Thomas and Emily woke up first just as the Fat Controller arrived.
"Good news, Thomas. Your Branch Line is finished and has been re-opened. You can take Annie and Clarabel along your way now," he said.
"Thank you, sir," smiled Thomas. "Well, Emily. Once again, we won't be missing each other so much again."
"No, Thomas," smiled Emily. "We won't. Now go and please Emma's spirit by cherishing your line again."
"Certainly, dear," breathed Thomas as he left the sheds.
After Thomas left the sheds, Emily saw that James had already left and Percy was still asleep. She watched him wake up slowly and look wonderingly at the sunrise.
"Good morning, Percy," said Emily, catching his attention with her queenly voice.
"Oh…good morning, Emily," peeped Percy. "Thanks for keeping watch with me last night."
"You're welcome, Percy," smiled Emily. "Pay no attention to James. I'll keep looking out for you, just like Thomas looked out for me."
"I really like your thinking, Emily. You really are a very nice addition to the Steam Team. I'm off to the docks now. See you later," said Percy as he huffed out of the sheds.
"Bye-bye, Percy," chimed Emily.
Meanwhile, Thomas arrived at a small shed where Annie and Clarabel were waiting. Annie was pleased to see Thomas coming back. "Wake up, Clarabel. We're back in business," she smiled.
"Ooh, is that Thomas? How delightful," chimed Clarabel.
"Here we go," said Thomas as he began to pull away from the shed. James was huffing on the opposite line.
"It's not fair. You get to pull coaches, and I get sent for scrap," he said enviously.
"Sent for scrap?!" gasped Thomas…but secretly, he was somewhat satisfied. Somewhere within him, a dark side was telling him this was great fortune. James had hurt and abused Emily along with Gordon so terribly that perhaps such a fate would be justified.
"Oh, James, that's terrible. You still look really useful to me," shuddered the coaches.
"Uh, no, I mean sent to the scrapyard to collect trucks filled with scrap," corrected James.
"Oh, I see. Silly us. Yes, silly us," laughed the coaches.
"Cheer up, James. Pulling trucks isn't so bad," teased Thomas.
"You can't always do the jobs you like best," said Clarabel.
James was not a happy engine as he puffed to the scrapyard. But when he saw Percy, he found another opportunity to be unruly. Despite the Fat Controller's warning of locking him and Gordon in the sheds forever if they bullied any engine on such magnitude again, James was so fond of teasing, he had forgotten.
"Hello, scaredy-engine. Seen any monsters lately?" he teased. Percy wasn't as fazed as before. With Emily looking out for him he had a little more strength.
"You can tease if you want to, James, but there really might be a monster on Sodor, you know," he said with less timid energy than usual.
"Ha, puff and nonsense. There's no such thing as monsters," James replied.
"Well, Thomas saw giant footprints up at the Clay Pits, and nobody knows what made them." And Percy huffed on. This made James' smile fade away into a look of puzzlement and wonder.
"Giant footprints? Huh, I wonder-whoa!" James had veered off the main line into a scrapyard! In front of him was a great pile of scrap. Then he saw a claw grab a pile of funnels and place it on the pile! James started to reverse when he heard a voice and saw a face through the scrap.
"Hello, mate. You came in fast. Scrap give you a bit of a fright, did it?" It was a yellow crane.
"Ha, no. I'm not scared of pieces of metal and rusty old machines," bluffed James.
"Is that right? Well, aren't you the big engine? Reg is the name. I'm the scrapyard crane."
"Well, I'm James, and I usually pull coaches," said James with pride.
"Well, there's a surprise," Reg said to himself.
Meanwhile, Percy had arrived at the docks. But he didn't expect to find Gator still there.
"Gator. Hello. Are you working on Sodor now?" asked Percy.
"No, Percy. I missed my ship. I'm just helping the dock manager while I wait for another one. He needs me to collect some trucks from Duck's branch line tonight."
"Tonight? But aren't you afraid of monsters?" Percy asked.
"Monsters? What monsters? Monsters would probably be afraid of me," Gator smiled.
"Wow. You're brave, Gator. I wish I was as brave as you are," Percy answered.
"You might be braver than you think, Percy. I wasn't always as brave as I am now." So Gator told Percy a story about how he worked on his former railway…
"I'm designed to work in the high mountains, Percy. That's why my water tanks are this special shape. But just because you're designed for something doesn't mean you can't be afraid of it. And it was a shock for me to find out that I was afraid of heights. One day I was faced with having to cross a high bridge, higher than any bridge I'd ever seen before. But I was pulling trucks loaded with important supplies. The villagers needed my help. I decided I must be brave. It took everything in me to cross that bridge, but I did it, even though I was scared."
Percy was fascinated and inspired by Gator's story. Never had he heard such a detailed description about being brave.
"So, you see, being brave isn't the same as not feeling scared. Being brave is about what you do even when you do feel scared," concluded Gator. Percy started up again. "Percy, where are you going?" called Gator.
"There's something I have to do," smiled Percy.
Back at Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Emily were the only engines there. It felt good to have some time alone.
"How does it feel to be back on your branch line, Thomas?" asked Emily.
"It's wonderful, Emily. Annie and Clarabel were most pleased to be back in business. How are you?" said Thomas.
"I had to collect more sand from the docks. I met an engine there called Gator. People say he looks like an alligator, giving him his name rather than Gerald," replied Emily.
"Gator? Interesting," said Thomas.
"Yes indeed…Sandy," Emily said with a slight giggle.
"What?" asked Thomas.
"I remember you getting covered in sand some time ago, Sandy," teased Emily. Thomas raised his eyebrow at Emily, intending to play around with her.
"Don't you prefer me being spotless and shiny blue, you stunning angel?" he flirted.
"Well, yes. How about me, stud?" Emily flirted back.
"Your gorgeous curves can never be matched, sweetie," Thomas said slyly. When Emily heard "gorgeous curves," she blushed redder than any coat of red James ever wore.
"Ohh…Thomas!" she said, wheezing with laughter. "Doesn't your ability to flatter others ever fail?"
Then Percy arrived. "Hello, Thomas. Guess what," he peeped.
"Um, let me see. Have you been asked to deliver a giant balloon on a flatbed?" guessed Thomas. Emily chuckled quietly to herself. She remembered when Mr. Bubbles came to make the biggest bubbles ever made and she liked how close Thomas and Percy were as friends. Thomas had both Percy and her...two of the best friends he could ask for.
"No. I've decided to be brave and take the mail train tonight," Percy replied.
"Oh, so you're not feeling scared about monsters anymore?" asked Thomas.
"Being brave is not the same as not feeling scared, Thomas. Being brave is about what you do even when you do feel scared. Gator told me that." And Percy set off with the mail wagons.
"Good luck, Percy!" called Thomas.
"Thank you, Thomas," said Percy.
"Be careful out there. Monsters are hard to see in the dark," called James as he turned round on the turntable.
"Don't you worry about me," Percy replied with confidence.
As James reversed into the berth beside Emily, she asked suspiciously, "Why are you teasing Percy like that, James?"
"I'm teasing Percy because he's a scaredy-engine, Emily," James replied with a smug smile. Thomas' firebox smoked and fizzed with anger as he saw James' smug behaviour. Emily was angry at James too, and she did not like the way he was looking at her one bit. When she and Thomas saw each other's expressions, they held back their laughter, but found it hard to do. Thomas still wanted to snap and turn round on the turntable so he could bash James into the back of the shed…when the Fat Controller arrived.
"Ah, there you are, James. Don't settle down. I need you to pull the Flying Kipper tonight and deliver fresh fish for the morning," he said.
"But that's Henry's job," objected James.
"Henry has taken a heavy goods train to the mainland. He won't be back before tomorrow."
"Well, why can't Emily do it or Thomas? I don't like pulling trucks," said James. Thomas and Emily glared at James. They hated when he tried talking his way out of work the Fat Controller was giving him.
"I'm asking you, James. You can't always do the jobs you like, you know," said the Fat Controller sternly. James begrudgingly set off for the docks, but not without receiving some teasing.
"Be careful out there, James. Monsters can be very hard to see in the dark," Emily teased.
James frowned as he heard that. Thomas looked over to Emily with a cheeky smile.
"You're becoming a little like me, Emily," he said.
"I'm giving James a taste of his own kind," she said obstinately. "He's so conceited, sometimes I wish he could be just a museum exhibit and have some other nice engine…like me to do the work he likes to do."
Thomas couldn't help but laugh slightly. He loved Emily's sense of humour. And as the sun disappeared and the stars shone through the sky, Thomas got an idea.
"Hey, angel…wanna watch the night with me?"
"I'd love to, Thomas," whispered Emily. "Come on over." So Thomas switched to the berth beside Emily and they watched the night together...
Meanwhile, Percy was very happy to be pulling the mail train again.
"Thomas is right. There's no such thing as monsters. And Gator is right too. I can be brave," he said. He passed the farmer's field.
"That's not a monster. That's just a haystack," he chuckled to himself.
"Those aren't monsters, either. They're just trees...not scary at all."
Percy didn't feel scared about monsters anymore. He felt brave, while James, on the other hand, felt grumpy.
"It's not fair. First I'm sent to work at the scrapyard. And now Henry gets to go on holiday to the mainland, while I have to spend the night pulling smelly fish…Yuck," he complained as the Flying Kipper was coupled to him.
"You look like you're in a sunny mood again, James," teased Porter.
"Hmph, well it's not sunny. It's nighttime," James replied. As he went along the line, James looked all around…until he came to a red signal and waited…
"Hello," said a voice coming from a rather strange object. James yelled in shock and sped on. A light came on…it was just Gator.
"Not again," he sighed. Percy was still happy in the night when he saw James still speeding along in a fright.
James was so frightened that he missed the red signal, hit the points, came off the rails, and ended up in a pond. His wheels sunk into the mud and the fish smelt terrible as they spoiled in the pond. Just then, Gator stopped just above James.
"Are you alright? I didn't mean to give you a fright," he said.
"Oh, James. Heh, I see you met Gator," said Percy beside Gator. All James could do was mourn over himself.
After Percy finished the mail run, he came back to the sheds.
"Ohh…" Emily yawned. "Hello Percy…where's James?"
"Well, Emily, I happen to know…he crashed the Flying Kipper…Gator didn't mean to give him a fright."
"James…scared of an engine?" laughed Emily. "Just wait until the other engines hear about this!"
The next day, Percy was very happy, not just because he had taken the mail train again and not because of what had happened to James but because his new friend, Gator, was now working on the Fat Controller's railway.
Later that day, James arrived at Knapford station. "Shh. Here he comes," announced Emily. The other engines thought what had happened to him was very funny, indeed.
"Gator may have a sloping water tank, James, but that's nothing to be frightened of," Emily said, intending to annoy one of the engines she still hated to this day.
"Percy got a fright too when he first saw Gator," sniffed James. Once again, Thomas wanted to attack James in his annoyance.
"You won't be a bother for much longer!" he thought. Emily looked back at Thomas and saw his expression. "Thomas, calm down," whispered Emily. "The Fat Controller can deal with him." Thomas calmed down at once hearing Emily's reassuring. Then Henry whistled in from James' left.
"Thank you for taking the Flying Kipper for me, James, only you're meant to deliver the fish, not throw them back in the water," he teased. The other engines laughed in unison.
"I'll show them who the scaredy-engine is," James said angrily. As he left Knapford Station, Thomas looked at Emily.
"You're certainly cheeky with that stained Ruby, aren't you, Emily?" he joked.
"I think it's your fault, Thomas," giggled Emily. "Spending so much time with you has been a bad influence on me…I'm really just doing it for Percy's sake."
That night when Percy set out to take the mail train...James set out into the night too. He checked first to see if all the engines were asleep. Edward, Henry, Emily and Gordon were asleep…and Thomas was asleep. The only sound to be heard was Henry snoring drowsily, but James' huffing drowned some of it out.
Thomas woke up to see James leave. He closed his eyes again…but suddenly remembered him teasing Percy before taking the Flying Kipper. He looked over to Emily.
"Emily?" he whispered. Emily yawned and sleepily looked at Thomas. "Huh? What is it?" she whispered.
"James has gone out again…and Percy is taking the mail…I remember James teasing Percy yesterday…I think he's up to something," said Thomas, growing an annoyed glare into the night.
"If he disobeys the Fat Controller's orders too long, he will get what he deserves…" sneered Emily as she went back to sleep…
Thomas was right that James was up to something...he wasn't taking the Flying Kipper. Percy was back into his routine. Everything was going fine. He stopped in the stations and waited while the mail sacks were loaded and unloaded, and he didn't see anything that worried him at all. Then there was trouble…James had gathered the pile of scrap from the scrapyard and quietly left it on Percy's line.
When Percy came round the bend, there was something unusual on the track up ahead, something big. It wasn't a haystack or a clothesline. It could only be one thing. Percy hit the flatbed with a bump, causing the "monster" to swing it's giant "claw" at Percy.
"There's no such thing as monsters. There's no such thing as monsters. Ahh! The monster!"
Percy just wanted to get back to the sheds as quickly as his little wheels could carry him. Meanwhile, James returned to the sheds and all the engines were still asleep…but not for long…Percy's whistle echoed through the air, then his voice followed.
"Oh, it's coming to get me. It's right behind me! I know it is!" The sounds woke up the other engines
"The monster! The monster!" cried Percy as he charged into the empty berth beside Thomas.
"Percy!" exclaimed Thomas.
"I saw it. I really saw it!"
"Silly Percy. There's no such thing as monsters. You probably saw another haystack," sneered James.
"Yes, a haystack or a shirt on a line," added Gordon.
"Maybe you were just dreaming," said Emily.
"You're all wrong. It was a monster. It had spikes and teeth and claws!" said Percy, but even as he spoke, Gordon and James were laughing all the more. Emily could feel some of her bad ways reopening within her.
"Stop it. That's enough!" snapped Emily, terrible memories of her bad ways coming back to her. Thomas could hear Emily and his anger built very quickly.
"BE QUIET! OR I'LL BASH YOU FURTHER IN!" he barked to Gordon and James, taking them both by shock.
"Thomas, please don't do anything rash!" pleaded Emily.
"Tell them, Thomas. Tell them. There are monsters on Sodor. You saw those enormous footprints. Tell them," pleaded Percy.
"Uh, well, I...I don't know what I saw, Percy, or what you saw either. But I don't think it could have really been a monster," said Thomas, sounding rather unsure.
"There's no such thing as monsters," said Edward.
"Edward is right, no such thing, never was and never will be," said Henry.
"Remember what happened when you first saw Gator? You must have seen something you thought looked like a monster again," said Thomas.
"Oh, yes, Percy, admit it. You're just a scaredy-engine," teased James.
"SHUT UP, YOU BLOOD-PAINTED DIESEL!" screamed Emily.
"James, you got a fright when you saw Gator too," frowned Thomas.
"No, I didn't. I just missed a signal in the dark. I wasn't scared, not like Percy," replied James. But Thomas and Emily knew James was lying.
"None of you believe me, and you're right, I was scared, but I know what I saw," frowned Percy.
Emily and Thomas were not the only ones angry at James. Henry was very angry too. James was about to tease Percy again when…
"Be silent, 'rusty red scrap-iron'!" he hissed in a hostile manner. "Are you not forgetting what the Fat Controller warned you and Gordon of after Emily became herself again?!"
"Yes!" snapped Thomas. "What you promised to the Fat Controller, you must hold to…unless you want to be locked in the sheds forever!"
James' heart flipped within him. He now felt very frightened. What if the Fat Controller found out? He would be undeniably furious if he learned that his orders were being disobeyed once again. This made James fall silent and fall into a silent sleep.
As the other engines fell asleep, Emily stayed awake and looked at the mail wagons…
"Percy?" she whispered. "Come on out." Percy heard Emily's voice and slowly backed out of the sheds. He left his wagons in the yard and came back to the turntable. He turned to Emily's berth.
"Come here," she whispered. Percy slowly came forward and touched his buffers to Emily's. Emily touched her soft, warm nose onto Percy's.
"I'm sorry I lost my temper…did I scare you?" she whispered.
"No, Emily. You didn't…please, Emily. Do you believe me?" asked Percy.
Emily smiled kindly at the little green engine. "Of course I believe you, Percy. Monsters aren't real, but I do know something was out there…I know you're telling the truth."
Percy smiled slightly. Having Emily as a mentor alongside Gator really made him feel confident.
"Thank you, Emily," he whispered. "Please, may I stay here with you?"
"Of course, Percy," said Emily. "If you want someone to keep you warm, I'm right here."
"Sweet dreams, Emily," whispered Percy as he drifted to sleep.
"Sweet dreams, Percy," whispered Emily as she fell asleep, keeping Percy warm and comfortable with her kind, gentle presence…
The next morning, Percy woke up first. His yawn woke Emily up. She saw Percy looking troubled again.
"What's wrong, Percy?" asked Emily.
"Only you believe me…no one else does…I have to take the mail again," peeped Percy.
"Please try to keep going, Percy," said Emily as he left the yards. Sometime later, the Fat Controller came to the sheds. And he didn't look very happy.
"James, what's this I hear about a truck loaded with scrap being left on the line?!" he asked annoyingly.
"Sorry, sir. I'll see to it right away," said James, washing his responsibility of his actions away.
Then the Fat Controller turned to Thomas. "And where is Percy? I've also had reports of mail not being delivered." Emily remembered the other night and spoke up.
"Uh, sir? I know what happened. Percy was taking the mail…but he got scared because he thought he saw a monster on the rails." Emily told the Fat Controller Percy's description. This puzzled the Fat Controller.
"Sir? James went into the night just after Percy left. Do you think he had something to do with it?"
The Fat Controller thought for a while…then he frowned suspiciously. "I don't know what James had to do with this, but if this confusion and delay carries on with Percy, I stand by what I said after you were saved, Emily. If anyone disrupts the peace in the engine family, they will NOT go unpunished!"
"I fully agree, sir," said Emily. "By the way, I'm looking out for Percy."
"How thoughtful, Emily. That's really useful," said the Fat Controller.
Percy was more worried than ever. He felt upset that his friends, with the exception of Emily didn't believe him. He'd seen the monster, and he didn't want to see it again, especially by himself. But then he met Gator on his way.
"Gator."
"Hello, Percy. Where are you off to this morning?" asked Gator.
"I'm just delivering the mail from last night, but maybe I should travel with you. I bet you'd know what to do if we see any monsters," said Percy.
"Any monsters? Oh, you are a funny little engine, Percy," chuckled Gator. The two engines continued to pull their trains side-by-side, each them trying to run in front of one another, but Gator quickly left Percy far behind. But as Gator approached the Sodor Suspension Bridge, he came to a stop. The bridge was very high and Gator was too scared to cross the bridge...that is until Percy raced past him and ran straight onto the other side of the bridge. Seeing Percy cross the bridge gave Gator the courage to face his fear of heights and race on after Percy. Gator easily caught up with Percy and shot past him once again. Once Gator was further enough out of sight, Percy could see Thomas coming in the other direction.
"Percy!" called Thomas cheerfully. But Percy was still cross with Thomas for not sticking up for him last night, so he ignored Thomas and continued on his way, leaving Thomas very sad.
"Don't worry, Thomas. Give him time. Give him time," said Annie and Clarabel.
As Thomas went along the line, he stopped at a signal where Emily was waiting.
"Hello, Emily," he said with low spirit.
"Hello, Thomas," replied Emily. "I've been thinking…what footprints were you talking about last night?"
Thomas sighed. He knew he would have to tell Emily everything. "Alright, Emily. Here it is: Just before Bill and Ben saved me in the storm, amongst the fallen boulders, I saw a strange footprint on one of the stones. I didn't know if there was a strange animal around or not, so I kept going back to the Clay Pits to try and see the footprints again. When I told you I had an early start...I'm sorry but I lied to you. I had plenty of self-doubt…but now, Percy doesn't want to talk to me…I've let him down…my best friend…" he said as a small tear escaped his eye.
Emily was a little upset that Thomas had lied to her, but at least he admitted it her that he was sorry about it. She didn't like Thomas blaming himself, but she also didn't like how Percy was feeling so badly.
"It's good to have a new friend on the island, Gator. I'm really glad you're not going away," smiled Percy as he and Gator went up the hill.
"But, Percy, I am going away. I've just been useful while I was waiting for my ship, and my ship is coming in tonight," said Gator. Percy was disappointed.
Meanwhile while Thomas was going along the line, he saw a big strange pile ahead with James.
"James! What is that?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's just the truck of scrap that was left on the line."
Thomas suddenly remembered! James had snuck out into the night to scare Percy with a monster-like pile of scrap!
"James, you played a trick on Percy. You made a monster out of scrap to give him a fright," he said angrily.
"What if I did? It was only a little joke," James replied smoothly.
"Not to Percy it wasn't. Percy is your friend. You need to find him and tell him what you did…and apologize!" demanded Thomas.
James went on his way, now he was beginning to feel guilty for his actions, while Thomas glared with fury. He really wanted to be behind James so he could rush up behind him and crash him right into the pile and bury him so no one could find him.
Percy was finally delivering the last of the mail when he met the Fat Controller.
"Percy, you have caused confusion and delay. The mail train is meant to travel at night so that people get their letters in the morning," he said.
"Yes, sir. I know, sir. But I had a bit of a fright last night," replied Percy. The Fat Controller was about to answer when his assistant talked from the office. "Excuse me, sir. You're wanted on the telephone."
"Oh, bother, that telephone," said the Fat Controller. "I'll be right back, Percy. You stay where you are."
Percy wanted to tell the Fat Controller about the monster he had seen, but he never got the chance. Then Thomas came by, but Percy didn't trust him now.
"Percy! I'm sorry about last night, Percy. I really am," apologized Thomas.
"Are you, Thomas? I thought at least you were my friend," hissed Percy.
"But I am your friend, Percy," protested Thomas.
"No, you're not. Friends believe each other. When you told me about the footprints, I believed you. And when I told you about the monster, you should have believed me.
"But, Percy-"
"Maybe I should go to a faraway land and make new friends, like Gator. You can stay here on Sodor with the monsters!"
"Percy, listen!" But Percy had already left the station, right when the Fat Controller came back.
"Percy, I thought I told you...to wait," he ended disappointingly.
After James returned the pile of scrap to Reg, he was looking for Percy, when he saw him pass a signal.
"Percy!" he called.
"What do you want?" hissed Percy.
"I just wanted to say something...about last night," James began.
"I know you think I'm a scaredy-engine, James, but I'm not. And I'm going to do something to prove it, something brave that will surprise you all," snapped Percy as he went down another line.
Meanwhile, Emily was refilling her tender at a water-tower when she heard Thomas' whistle.
"Emily! Emily!" he called as he stopped beside her.
"What is it, Thomas?" she asked.
"I learned what scared Percy last night…a huge pile of scrap was left on the line…and James put it there to tease Percy further."
Emily gasped…then she became very angry…so angry that Thomas became a little frightened.
"That lying, back-stabbing BEAST!" she said furiously. "If he performs any more stunts, the Fat Controller will find out and he will be put to justice once and for all!"
That night in Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas was waiting to see James. So was Emily. Her anger was greater than it was the previous night and as she saw James return, all she wanted to do was start sounding the alarm and lure the Fat Controller in…but not yet.
"Well, did you talk to him?" asked Thomas.
"Talk to whom?" asked James.
"To Percy, James. Did you apologize?!" interrogated Thomas.
"I tried, but he wouldn't listen. He started talking about doing something brave," replied James.
"Where is he? He hasn't come back," said Thomas.
"He's probably taking the mail train, Thomas," said Henry.
"Yes, and he probably thinks taking the mail train is very brave," bragged James.
Henry, Edward and Emily glared at James with utmost anger when the Fat Controller arrived.
"Has anyone seen Percy? I don't know what's got into that engine: Running backwards through the docks, delivering mail late, driving away when I'm talking to him. Now he hasn't collected his mail trucks."
"Perhaps I should go and look for him, sir," volunteered Thomas.
"Perhaps, Thomas, you should take the mail train for your friend. And if you do see Percy, tell him I would like a word," said the Fat Controller.
"Yes, sir. I will, sir."
So Thomas took the mail train again, but he couldn't help worrying about his friend and wondering where he could be.
Back at Tidmouth Sheds, Emily flashed a look of anger and aggression to the red engine. After hearing the truth from Thomas, she was very pleased she didn't forgive James, but now she didn't even think of James as an engine…
"James!" she shouted. Just as James looked up, Emily was wearing the same expression of fury and vengeance she wore on the night she defied him and Gordon just before Thomas saved her. She didn't care if she woke up the whole neighbourhood. If she had to be aggressive, she'd do it just to protect Percy.
"You never learned your lesson, did you? Did you hear NOTHING the Fat Controller said after you and Gordon destroyed my happiness?! You may remember that I forgave everyone for giving up on me…except Gordon and you! I still haven't forgiven you, but now, after what you did to Percy, I wish the Fat Controller NEVER brought you here to begin with! You are still the same self-centered, uncaring, mean and insensitive wretch who hurt me for so long! Now you're hurting someone even smaller than you! You may have a number in the Steam Team, BUT YOU WILL NEVER BE A TRUE SODOR ENGINE!"
James gasped and his face formed a look of pure hurt and shock. Emily looked around and could see Gordon's face wearing a look of terror. Besides that, Henry and Edward were looking at her with wide, shocked eyes.
As Emily glared at James again, he had fallen asleep, still wearing the fearful expression. Gordon fell back asleep too.
Edward whispered, "Why did you do that? You might have stirred up the neighbourhood, Emily."
"And I'm sorry if I did…but I had to give James the words of punishment he deserved for far too many years," Emily replied. Then she whispered quietly. "Don't you think he's broken his word to the Fat Controller? He's getting pleasure over being mean to someone smaller than him."
Edward stayed quiet for a moment, then spoke. "I'm afraid he must have forgotten, Emily. If anything more happens to Percy, you should tell the Fat Controller. Like Thomas told you. He can put a stop to this, and he will."
Thomas was still on his way when he saw something green up ahead. "Percy!" he called, but when he came up beside the engine…
"Oh, Gator. Hello."
"Hello, Thomas."
"Have you seen Percy anywhere?" asked Thomas.
"Oh, not since this morning, Thomas. And I was hoping to say good-bye," replied Gator.
"Good-bye?"
"Yes, my ship has come in. I'm leaving Sodor tonight. Bye, Thomas! Nice to meet you!" called Gator as he veered down another track.
"Good-bye, Gator," called Thomas.
At the docks, Cranky was lifting Percy onto Gator's ship! "Are you sure the Fat Controller wanted you on this ship? That doesn't sound right to me…and the last time I loaded a small tank engine, it was Rosie, and I had to put her down again," said Cranky.
"It is right, Cranky. I'm going to work far away, like Gator. I can't stay on Sodor forever. I can be brave and really useful on other railways too," answered Percy.
"If you say so," said Cranky.
Meanwhile, Thomas returned to Tidmouth Sheds and Emily heard him speaking up. "Where is he? Hasn't he come back yet? James." James was still asleep. "James! Where is he, James?!" snarled Thomas.
"Answer my saviour, you filthy nuisance!" snapped Emily.
Then Gator arrived at the docks and Cranky lifted him too. "Pretty high up now, but not as high as the high mountains, not at all," he said to himself. Suddenly…
"Oh, Percy. What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to work in a faraway land and show everyone how brave I can be. Just like you," said Percy.
"Hmm, yes, well...running away from your problems not very brave, Percy," said Gator.
Back at Tidmouth Sheds, James had replied to Thomas. "I already told you. He's doing something brave."
"Something brave. Like what?" asked Thomas.
"Oh, how should I know? Maybe he's gone up to the clay pits to catch a monster," replied James.
"Yes, James. The clay pits. Why didn't I think of that? Come on. We'd better find him before he gets into trouble!" said Thomas.
"I'm not going. Uh, I'm too sleepy," said James.
"What? You have to come. You have to apologize and... you're not scared, are you?" teased Thomas. Soon, he and James were huffing along the line for the Clay Pits.
"I'm not scared of anything. I'm the bravest engine on the Island of Sodor. Come on, Thomas, keep up!" huffed James.
Suddenly, a loud horn split the air. "The ship," whispered Thomas. Then Thomas remembered what Percy said about being as brave as Gator and going to a faraway land. All the memories when Rosie tried to run away because of Thomas' unfair anger towards her hit him like a runaway train.
"No. He wouldn't! James, wait!" But James disappeared around the bend on his way to the Clay Pits.
The big ship was already starting to leave by the time Thomas came racing into the docks. When he saw the ship leaving, he never felt so frightened to lose one pf his best friends.
"No. Stop! There's been a mistake. You can't leave! Come back!" he shouted. "Stop the ship, Cranky!"
"Stop the ship?" asked Cranky
"Don't let it go. This is an emergency!"
Cranky turned round quickly and cast his line out. It sailed through the air and just caught the end of the ship. "Got it!" he cheered. But then, the ship started to tighten against Cranky's line.
"Uh-oh!" said Cranky. The ship began to pull him out towards the bay.
"You'll never hold her. She'll pull you overboard!" called Salty.
"Careful, Cranky!" shouted Porter. Cranky could only howl in agony as he was forcibly dragged along with the ship.
"No. Stop!" Thomas hollered. Alarms started ringing all over the ship. The crew ran and shouted as spotlights scattered around the ship until one shone on Cranky's hook.
"Loosen up your chain, Cranky. Let go your hook," urged Salty.
"Oh, I can't. I can't!" groaned Cranky, as he started to buckle and his screws flew out of their sockets.
Luckily, the captain was able to stop his ship before cranky was pulled off the docks.
"I told you I had it," he sighed. Salty was relieved too.
"Percy, you can't leave."
"Percy? Is that what all this is about?!" exclaimed Cranky.
"Percy's not on the ship, Thomas," called Gator.
"I unloaded Percy half an hour ago," said Cranky. "And now I'm all disjointed out of shape for nothing!" he complained.
"You unloaded Percy? Then... where is he now?" asked Thomas.
Percy was on his way back to the Clay Pits. What Gator said on the ship was true. Running away from your problems isn't so brave.
As he passed Bill, Ben and Timothy, Bill got the wrong idea from his twin.
"Ben."
"What?"
"You're making puffing noises in your sleep again."
"Am not."
"Are too. So don't," with that, the twins fell asleep again.
Percy was rounding another bend towards the landslide site. "If I can find those footprints Thomas saw, it will prove that the monster is real, and then everyone will believe me and realize how brave I really am. But I do hope I only find footprints and not the monster again," he said to himself.
Percy stopped at the danger signs. He had had trouble with going past danger signs before. And this was the area where the landslide had been.
Then James came by, still in a mild teasing manner. "Hello, scaredy-engine. Oh, sorry, Percy. I shouldn't have said that. Actually, what I do need to say is-"
"I'm braver than you'll ever be, James," Percy cut in.
"Oh, really? If you're so brave, why don't you keep going and look for the monster?" challenged James.
"But...it's not safe to go past danger signs," said Percy.
"Only if you are a scaredy-engine. Let's see who is really the bravest, shall we?" said James as he slowly huffed forward. Thomas arrived at the Clay pits too. He snuck past Bill and Ben and through the tunnel.
"Percy. Percy? Are you here?" he called. Bill woke up again.
"Ugh, now I can even hear what you're dreaming, Ben."
"That wasn't my dream, Bill."
"Must have been Timothy's dream, then." They both looked at Timothy, still asleep.
"Oh, that Timothy!" the twins said together.
"Monster. Oh, monster. Come out, come out wherever you are!" called James as he kept moving along through the valley.
"James, wait. This is not a good idea. It isn't brave not to be careful, James. It's silly," cautioned Percy.
"That's just what I'd expect a scaredy-engine to say," James replied as he huffed on.
"James, wait. Come back! It isn't safe!" Then a rock clattered from above, revealing a footprint. "Thomas was right."
"Percy? Percy!" called Thomas as he kept looking around the Clay Pits.
"Nobody can say I'm the scaredy-engine now. I mean, I don't see any other engines up here, nothing to be frightened of...at all," James bragged to himself as he proudly kept going. But there was something poking out of the rocks up ahead, and it looked like...
"The monster!" James stopped and reversed quickly. His shouts and whistles were heard by Thomas and Percy.
"The monster! The monster!" cried James.
"Th-the monster?" stammered Percy.
"I saw it!" cried James.
The cliffs were still unstable. Percy had to move back to get away from the danger. Then there was trouble. A boulder crashed right behind James. He could now go no further backwards.
"No, James. Go forward. It's a landslide!" called Percy.
"Percy, you have to get out of there!" shouted Thomas.
Percy heard Thomas, but James was desperately in need of help. Despite everything James had done, Percy couldn't leave him, leaving James to be buried by the landslide as punishment for his sins wasn't the right thing for him to do, that wasn't who Percy was. "James needs my help. I must be brave." So Percy puffed bravely into the landslide to save James.
"Percy! NO!" called Thomas. He wanted to tell Percy to let James be defeated after everything he did, but he was cut off by the falling rocks. Percy had already made his decision.
"Go forward!" cried Percy.
"The monster!" screamed James.
"Go forward!"
"The monster!"
"The landslide!"
"Landslide? Huh?!"
Percy rushed forward and shunted James on his way. The landslide began to follow closely behind them. James went faster and faster and so did Percy. They rushed past falling boulders and dust clouds…until Percy was lifted right up off the tracks by the landslide! James continued on past Bill, Ben and Marion. "Woah! Look out!" cried Marion. As Percy was pushed helplessly by the landslide, one rock knocked the monster's head off the cliff and fell through the air for Percy. "Oh no!" he cried and shut his and prepared for the worst...but just it was about to him, Marion caught it with her shovel, and the landslide finally stopped. Luckily, nobody was hurt.
"That's not a monster. It's...a rock!" exclaimed Percy.
"No, it's a fossil," corrected Marion.
"A what?" asked Bill as he and Ben stopped beside Marion.
"A fossil. When something is buried for millions of years, it turns into stone, and that's called a fossil," explained Marion.
"So it is a rock now," said Percy.
"Ah, yes, a rock formed from the bones of a dinosaur." Bill and Ben didn't get it all.
"Oh, alas, poor dinosaur," sighed Marion.
"Where have I heard something like that before?" murmured Percy's driver. "Uh…never mind."
"Oh, I wonder where the rest of the dinosaur bones are. Oh, my. I've never dug up a dinosaur before," smiled Marion. "Um, maybe...if you wouldn't mind, you could dig me out first?" asked Percy. "Ooh, oops. Sorry, Percy. I wasn't thinking. Of course I should dig you out first!" chuckled Marion.
While Percy was being dug out, Thomas came by and gasped. "Cinders and Ashes! Percy, are you alright?!"
"Yes, Thomas. Rather dusty and full of earth, but nothing else," replied Percy.
"You'd best get to the Steamworks, Percy," said Thomas. And he hurried away to find Emily.
Meanwhile, James was by himself not far from Marion, safe but shocked and astounded...and very ashamed. He could not believe how brave Percy was...saving him even after such horrific teasing. As he looked back on his actions towards the little green engine, he began to think how a certain engine would react if he...or she saw how badly he hurt someone again.
James let a small tear escape his eye. He huffed slowly and shamefully out of the Clay Pits, a sadder and wiser engine.
At Knapford Station, the Fat Controller's phone began to ring.
"Hello?" he answered. It was the dock manager. The Fat Controller heard all about Percy being loaded and unloaded and how Cranky was almost pulled off the docks to stop the ship.
"Oh dear…OK. Goodbye," said the Fat Controller. "What in Sodor's name is going on?!" he asked. Then the phone rang again.
"Bother that telephone!" said the Fat Controller. When he answered it, it was Percy's driver from the Clay Pit's telephone. He told the Fat Controller all about the landslide. The Fat Controller listened very carefully.
"Leave this outrage to me," he said calmly, but very crossly underneath.
Emily was just waking up when she saw Thomas rushing back toward the sheds. "Emily!" he exclaimed.
"Thomas? What's all the hurry?" asked Emily.
"A landslide has occurred at the Clay Pits! Percy just escaped and is now being helped to the Steamworks."
"Percy?" gasped Emily. "Is he alright? And where's James?"
"He was at the Clay Pits too. Come with me," said Thomas. As they made their way to Knapford Station, Thomas told Emily everything what had happened before, during and after the landslide. Emily was astounded by Percy's bravery, but absolutely enraged by James' actions.
"He led him right into that landslide…he almost destroyed Percy!" she said vengefully.
"OK, now that's an exaggeration, Emily. Percy has been severely damaged by the landslide, but the damage done to him isn't fatal," Thomas clarified. Even so, Thomas and Emily were worried that the Fat Controller would be undeniably infuriated. Emily told him everything Thomas told her…the Fat Controller was undeniably infuriated…but not with Thomas or Emily.
"Whoever caused these disturbances will have me to answer to!" he snapped. He was so angry he couldn't even speak James' name. And he stormed back into his office.
"I'll find James, Emily. I'll see to it he apologizes to Percy once and for all," said Thomas.
"Very well, Thomas," said Emily. Then Emily got an idea. She went to the Steamworks in the hopes to keep Percy company.
"Victor?" called Emily.
"Hello, my friend," said Victor. "What engine problem brings you here, Emily?"
"I'm alright…but is Percy here?" asked Emily.
"Yes indeed. He's right here," said Victor. He led Emily further into the Steamworks and she found Percy being checked over by Kevin. She turned round on the turntable and reversed until she was beside the little green engine.
"Are you alright, Percy?" she asked.
"Much better, Emily," smiled Percy. "Did you come here to keep me company?"
"Yes, I did, Percy," smiled Emily. "You are a truly brave engine to go against that landslide…and, not that you made any wrong choices…but why did you save James after all that he did?"
"I couldn't leave him, Emily…and he isn't all bad. He's truly a friend…"
Emily stayed quiet…then finally spoke. "Oh well. You've been a trooper, little Percy."
"Oh! Someone's coming, Percy. I'll check it out," said Kevin. It was Thomas and James.
"How's Percy getting on, Kevin?" James asked with concern.
"Well, they're still getting the earth out of his funnel. But it shouldn't be too long now," said Kevin. But then…
"Hello." There was Percy.
"Percy! I...I owe you an apology. I played a trick on you and made a scrap monster to scare you. I'm so sorry, Percy," James said with honesty.
"And I'm sorry too. I should have listened when you told me about the monster. I should have believed you. I hope we're still friends," said Thomas.
"Of course we are. We all are," said Percy. After the three friends laughed a little, Emily came out beside Percy. Thomas was happy to see that she was still supporting Percy with her company. But all of a sudden, Henry came rattling angrily alongside Thomas.
"It's all over, James," he hissed. "You won't get away this time."
"JAMES THE RED ENGINE!" roared an all-too familiar voice from Henry's cab. "WHAT do you think you're DOING?!" It was the Fat Controller. He stepped down from Henry, climbed onto James' running plate and pointed a finger straight at his face.
"YOU, James, are an engine of MY railway, and an engine of the Steam Team! You will do as I say WHEN I say it, and obey all my orders! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
James said nothing, but the fear and shame his face was showing answered the question, yes.
"YOU have caused confusion and delay! Percy has been terribly frightened! You stole a whole pile of scrap and scared Percy just so you could get pleasure out of teasing him! He almost ran away to desperately prove his bravery, Cranky was almost pulled right off the docks, and because of YOU, Percy was nearly destroyed and his crew was nearly killed by a landslide!"
"You really are over exaggerating that, sir. The damage was nothing fatal, and my driver and fireman are perfectly fine, if a little shaken," interrupted Percy, while Thomas looked nervously away when the Fat Controller mentioned Cranky.
"He made a poor engine suffer just for the pleasure and amusement!" shouted Henry. "James broke his word to the Fat Controller and disobeyed his orders again!"
"Is everyone going to ignore what I just said?" Percy asked no one in particular.
The Fat Controller swung round to Henry. "As such, James the Red Engine is BANISHED!" Thomas, Percy, and Emily all gasped.
The Fat Controller swung back to James. "Emily and Thomas have told me everything! Things worked MUCH better here before you arrived! I shall NOT be allowing you back for a whole fortnight!" he thundered.
James didn't argue. He started to reverse without a word when Percy's voice spoke up suddenly. "Wait! James, don't go!"
"What did you say?" exclaimed the Fat Controller.
"Let James stay! Please!" pleaded Percy.
"After what he did to you?! And after breaking his word?!" argued Henry.
"But he's truly sorry…he really is!" protested Percy.
"Yes, sir," said Thomas. "James is sorry and he really means it."
"But…he broke his word I made after you saved Emily, Thomas. I said that disrupted peace will not go unpunished," said the Fat Controller.
"Yes, I fully agree," said Thomas. "But you can't send him away from his home…you bought him in the first place, and now you're going to throw him out? He's number 5…a member of the Steam Team…give him a lighter punishment…let him stay…"
The Fat Controller thought long and hard…James was indeed a self-indulgent engine, very selfish, blind and stubborn…but he was still an engine of Sodor who still wanted to be responsible, reliable and really useful.
"Very well…" he finally said. "I will put him back in the out-of-use siding for a fortnight instead," he said. Henry's anger faded and he sighed quietly to himself.
"Two weeks…I would have accepted much longer, but whatever punishment is given to me, I will accept," said James in a submissive manner.
"Thank you, James," said the Fat Controller. "You will start your fortnight there tonight…meanwhile, once Percy is mended, come to the Town Square. I have something to present to you."
"Yes, sir," said Thomas. James looked at Percy. Percy winked and James smiled lightly as he went on his way to prepare for the Town Square.
Soon Percy was fully mended and ready to go with Thomas. "Coming, Emily?" asked Thomas.
"Yes. I'll meet you there later," said Emily as she left on her own. Once Thomas collected Annie and Clarabel, he and Percy went on their way to the Town Square.
"Turns out the footprints were made by a dinosaur too. They left their shape in the rock, just like the fossil bones," said Thomas.
"So the monster was really a dinosaur a long, long time ago," said Percy.
"See for yourself," said Thomas.
Wow!" breathed Percy. The dinosaur bones were all gathered and put back together to form a skeleton model which grabbed everyone's attention. Then the Fat Controller began his speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen, engines and coaches, it is with great pleasure that I come here today..."
Suddenly, Emily arrived. "Thomas, Percy, Gator is leaving," she said.
"What? I thought he'd already gone," puzzled Percy.
"Well, no. His ship got delayed...again. There was a bit of a holdup…" said Thomas nervously.
"What kind of a holdup?" asked Percy.
"I'll tell you later…" As Thomas looked at Emily, she could tell that he had held Gator's ship back. She didn't want to see him feeling guilty, so she just gave him a look of sympathy and turned her attention to the Fat Controller's speech.
The Fat Controller was still in his speech. "And that is why Percy is not just a really useful fossil hunter but one of the bravest engines on the island of...uh, fizzling fireboxes. Where's he gone now?" Percy had gone and Thomas simply smiled at the Fat Controller.
At the docks, workmen were repairing Cranky's bends and re-tightening his screws. "Won't be long now, Cranky. You alright?" asked a workman.
"I'm fine. I'm fine," said Cranky.
"OK, we're gonna go up now, up in the air," said Gator as he was lifted slowly and carefully.
"Gator. Gator!" called a voice.
"Oh, Percy. I didn't think you were going to make it," said Gator as Percy stopped just beside him and beneath him.
"Neither did I, but...I wanted to say good-bye...and to thank you," smiled Percy.
"Thank me...for what?
"For being such a good friend and for helping me learn that I could be brave."
"You helped me too, Percy. Having seen how brave you've been, well, I think I'm ready for the highest of high bridges now. But I'll miss you," answered Gator.
"I'll miss you too. Have a safe journey," wished Percy.
"I will. Good-bye, Percy," smiled Gator as he disappeared down onto the deck. Percy watched the ship leave. Thomas and James came by, calling their goodbyes to Gator as the ship departed Sodor.
"I guess you have to be brave to say good-bye to someone too," said Percy.
"That sounds very wise, Percy. Did Gator tell you that?" asked James.
"No, I thought of it all by myself," replied Percy.
"Then I guess you must be wise now too, Percy, as well as brave," said Thomas.
"Very brave. I was amazed by what you did at the Clay Pits," praised James.
"I rushed to the rescue," said Percy as he and his friends began to leave.
Percy was sad to say good-bye to his new friend, but he was happy that he still had his old friends beside him. As they left the docks, Percy felt sad again, just as Emily whistled in. "Hello you three," she greeted. "Hello, Emily," said the three engines together.
"Percy, you look a little sad. You wanna come with me?" asked Emily.
"Thank you, Emily. See you later, Thomas," peeped Percy.
Emily took Percy along the line, back to Tidmouth Sheds by herself so she could talk to him and help him feel better. Once they were home, when Percy was inside his berth, Emily puffed onto his line to face him.
"Thank you for all your support and guidance, Emily," peeped Percy. "You never gave up on me and always believed in me."
"Well, you're just a little guy, Percy. A cute, playful little chap," said Emily sweetly.
"Thank you…mother," said Percy. Emily's heart jumped. She was not expecting that.
"What did you call me?" she asked, surprised, but flattered.
"I called you my mother, Emily," said Percy. "You've been so nice to me for the past few days…you've been like a mother. A kind, helpful mother."
Emily chuckled softly at that. "Aww, you're very sweet, Percy…just like Thomas, but we are engines, not people."
"But you are like a mother, Emily. You look out for me and protect me from anyone who teases me…but now, Gator isn't with us anymore. He was so much fun," Percy peeped sadly. Emily felt deeply sad for Percy and wanted him to be happy.
"Well, Percy, I know you'll miss Gator…why don't I give you something to really cheer you up?"
At first Percy was puzzled, but Emily gently buffered up then whispered, "My little Percy…" and she kissed Percy on his cheek. When Percy felt Emily's soft lips and her lovely, warm kiss, he squealed with excitement and blushed bright red. Emily giggled a bit at his reaction. When she released from Percy's cheek, she smiled and her eyes twinkled in the sunlight.
At first, Percy couldn't say anything. He remembered well when Mrs. Kyndley's daughter kissed him as thanks for arranging the good-luck package for her wedding. Finally, Percy found his voice again…
"Emily…you…you kissed me!" Emily felt happy that Percy felt much better, but also a little surprised herself over kissing him. She truly loved Thomas more than any engine, but giving Percy a kiss, just as a friend was alright.
"You kissed me!" Percy said again.
"I did, Percy. A friendly, motherly kiss is what you needed," smiled Emily.
"Thank you so much…mother," peeped Percy.
"Anytime, my little one," chuckled Emily as she touched her nose to Percy's.
"Oh, Emily," gasped Percy. "You're the best mother an engine could ask for…"
"And you're a cute son, Percy…just like Thomas," replied Emily sweetly, then she went into her own berth.
Thomas came by later that evening, while James had gone to the out-of-use siding to fulfill his punishment. "Hello, Emily, Percy," he said. "You look much happier, Percy."
"I am, Thomas. I feel whole again," smiled Percy.
"And how are you, Emily?" asked Thomas.
"I'm happy now that you're home again. Sleep beside me if you like," she said sweetly.
"Thank you, Emily!" said Thomas. He reversed into the berth beside her and fell asleep as the sun went down.
For some time, the stars shone over the sheds and the moon glowed white.
"Such a wondrous day it has been," whispered Percy to himself.
"Did you enjoy your kiss, Percy?" whispered Emily. But Percy was embarrassed and pretended to be asleep.
This is it. The penultimate chapter, which amazingly isn't the longest chapter of the story, I was seriously expecting it to be longer than KOTR, but it isn't. So we've gotten a lot of Season 20 news since the last chapter, but we also learned that Arc Productions has gone bankrupt, which doesn't mean the end of it, but it most likely is going to be. In any case, Arc Productions, you've done a magnificent job animation Thomas and you will be greatly missed. Next up, it's the final chapter folks, one more to go. Please leave a review for this chapter and stay tuned for the finale of "Thomas and Emily's Relationship" with "Flatbeds of Fear."
