Three Tales of Horror

It was Halloween on the Island of Sodor, and the engines finished their work by sundown. Thomas, Henry, Boco, Rosie, Bertram, and Proteus all stopped by the sheds near a narrow gauge junction to relax when Dustin, the Snow Engine, arrived and stopped. "Bother", said Dustin, "This signal is broken!", "No worries", said Jimmy as he stepped out of the coach dressed as Indiana Jones, "We'll just wait until it's fixed." "We could tell some stories to pass the time", suggested Eliza, who was dressed as the Spoiler from the Batman comic series. "Who should go first?", asked Proteus. "I have an excellent one", said Henry, "I call it..."

Niles and the Skeleton

"Honey, I'm home", said Niles as he walked into the house. "Oh good", said Matilda, "I need some flowers for the decorations". "Like these?", said Niles as he held up some white roses.("Hey, is anything scary gonna happen in this story?", asked Thomas. "I need to set the mood", said Henry.) "They're almost perfect", said Matilda, "I just need to do one thing". Then, she wiggled her nose, and the roses turned red. "Much better", said Matilda as she put them above the fireplace, in front of tiny coffins. "I hope dinner is ready for the boss", said Niles as he put his hat on a hook. "It's almost done", smiled Matilda.

However, as soon as Niles had walked into the kitchen, he saw that Matilda's bone ladle had melted in the chicken soup! "Oh, I hate it when that happens", said Matilda, "I'll just restore it". "Oh no you don't", said Niles as he gently pinched her nose, "the neighbors are starting to give us funny looks. I'll just go get another one before Mr. Owain arrives". "You know what happened the last time", reminded Matilda. "I'll be fine", said Niles as he kissed her cheek. He opened up a window and climbed out into the backyard.

"Where can I get a leg bone to make a ladle?", Niles asked himself as he walked into a cemetery. Suddenly, he came upon a skeleton sitting idly under a dead tree. "That should do it", said Niles. He ran over and pulled off the leg bone. "Now", said Niles triumphantly, "to finish dinner". He ran off, unaware that the rest of the bones were rolling after him.

Niles arrived just in time to decorated the table. "Oh, I found this", he said, "I hope it will suffice." Suddenly, the leg bone flew out of his hand! It mingled with the other bones before reforming into a complete skeleton. "Niles", said Matilda, "Did you take a leg bone from a skeleton under a dead tree?" "...If I say yes, will you be mad?", asked Niles sheepishly. "Duh!", cried a slightly peeved Matilda. "Oh", said Niles, "In that case, no". The skeleton then grabbed him and tossed him into a wall! "I'll banish him back to where he belongs", said Matilda. "No", said Niles, "I can handle this problem. I just need you to make everything perfect for Mr. Owain". He then leaped at the skeleton, who kung fu kicked him down the hall! Just then, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it", said Matilda as the skeleton advanced toward Niles who rolled up his sleeves.

Matilda opened the door to find Mr. Owain waiting. "Come on in", said Matilda, "Dinner is almost ready." They both heard a loud crash in the other room. "Niles did something bad again, right?", asked Mr. Owain as he hung up his hat and coat. "You could say that", said Matilda, "By the way, that's a very lovely tie." "Thank you", said Mr. Owain, "I got it at the Steel Warehouse, where I get all of my formal wear needs!" ("Did you just put an ad in your story?", asked Rosie. "Hey, they need the money", said Henry.)

Meanwhile, Niles was fighting a losing battle against the skeleton. The skeleton punched him in the stomach, then tossed him into the bedroom! Niles got up and punched the skeleton, but the skeleton then kicked him in the groin! "Ow", he said in a high-pitched voice. The skeleton grabbed Niles and lifted him high above his head!

"Is Niles coming over?", asked Mr. Owain. "I'm sure he'll drop in any minute", said Matilda. Suddenly, Niles burst through the ceiling and onto the table! "Found him", said Mr. Owain. The skeleton leaped down, ready to finish him off. "OK", said a defeated Niles, "You can do the magic". Matilda wiggled her nose and just like that, the skeleton turned to dust. "Are you OK?", asked Matilda as she helped Niles off the floor. "Much better now, thanks", said Niles before kissing her on the cheek, "I have learned that I should always let an expert witch help me with my magical mistakes." "That's great and all, but when do eat dinner?", asked Mr. Owain. Niles and Matilda laughed at this, much to Mr. Owain's confusion. "This never happened with Barbara Eden", he mused. "We don't invoke that name in this house", said Niles and Matilda with another laugh.

The End.

"...This story was filmed in front of a live TV audience", said Henry. "It was not not!", said Bertram. "Come on, Henry", sad Thomas, "It's Halloween. We ask for something scary and what we got was a 60's sitcom." "But it had a witch, and Niles getting beaten up", stammered Henry, "Where did I go wrong?" "Simple", said Boco, "You didn't read the audience. Better luck next time, though". "Any one else?", asked Dustin. "I have seen many a horrifying sight in the darkest depths of the Underworld", said Proteus. "Please", smiled Bertram. "I have a scary story that'll knock your socks off. I like to call it..."

Revenge of the Red Engine!

One day, James entered the yard near Knapford Station. He was very conceited that day, because Gordon was at the works taking care of a boiler ache, making him that day's express engine. He was causing a ruckus over this fact. He bumped coaches, was rude to Rosie, and sang a song about himself…badly. "You know", said the station master, "you could be a little less rude, James". "You could be a little more steamed", said James, and he blew steam at the station master and passengers. Suddenly, the sound of a siren filled the air! Inspector Ron and the police arrived in Percy's brake-van and aimed their guns at James. "Freeze, perp!", yelled Inspector Ron. Niles, who was passing through, put his hands in the air. "Not you", said one of the cops. "I get it", sighed James, "No wash downs for a week". "Not this time", said Inspector Ron, "This is your third strike, and after nearly killing Gordon when he was a beast and crashing into Henrietta for an infantile prank, Sir Topham Hatt has a better punishment for you". "What?", asked James snootily.

The next night, everyone on Sodor tuned in to the Sodor Times Channel to see the newest reality TV hit. "Hi", said the host, "I'm Jason Wolchek. You may remember me from Desert Dwellers of the Sahara and Zorro: Fact or Legend? Tonight, it's the Scrapping of James". TV audiences saw James being put on a conveyor belt. "If anyone is interested", said Jason, "We'll be selling the parts when this is all done. Just call this toll-free number to make your purchase". James was then sent into the fire, melting instantly from the heat! "OK, Our business here is done, Leonard", said Jason with a smile, "Thanks for tuning in"!

The next few days were a blur, but something was different. Some of the engines had new parts. Donald and Douglas had new wheels, Thomas had new coupling rods, Rosie was painted red, and Gordon had new rivets in his boiler. "These new parts make us feel like a different engine", said Donald. "I'll say", said Thomas with a cheeky grin, "I feel like I could pull the express". All of the engines laughed at this, something that spooked Percy. All of the laughing engines sounded like James. But then, the accidents began.("Wait", said Rosie, "Why am I painted red?" "Symbolism, my dear Rosie", explained Bertram, "That and I ran out of ideas for spare parts". "I think I'm perfect just the way I am", snorted Rosie. "What about the accidents, though?", asked Dustin. "Well", said Bertram…)

The Knapford station master was looking at his grocery list when suddenly, Donald and Douglas rammed a line of trucks onto the platform. "Ha!", called the station master, "You missed!" Just then, Gordon came in with the express and flattened the station master, laughing maniacally as he did! "Soon", said the three of them with one voice, "I will have my revenge".

Later that day, Niles and Mr. Owain went down to the docks. There, Cranky the Crane was unloading a genuine, sky-blue 1965 Mustang convertible. "Yep", said Niles, "Life has been good to me. After this, Matilda and I might start our own business". "Really?", asked Mr. Owain. "Oh yes", said Niles, "After all, I do have two days until I retire from the newspaper business". What no one saw was Thomas and Rosie pushing a train of trucks into the support beam of a shed, which fell over, bumping another crane, which fell onto a boat that split in half, with half hitting Cranky, who lost his grip! "Yep", said Niles, "It's all falling into place!" BAM! The car crashed on top of Niles! "Talk about your crushing defeats", said Mr. Owain.

By nightfall, Percy had figured out what's up. He raced to safety, but was trapped at Henry's tunnel. "Why are you all doing this?", asked Percy in terror. "Because", said all the engines in one voice, "I desire revenge!" Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky, and all of the engines had merged together and became a new James. "You sent me to the scrap yard", snarled James, "So I'm sending y to the bottom of the ocean!". "Not if I have anything to say about!", said a voice. Inspector Ron and the police then leaped out of the bushes and aimed their guns at James! "Your weapons are no match for my arcane dark magic", boasted James. Then, he felt the sting if bullets in his sides! "OK, that really hurts", he said. "Keep shooting", cried Percy, "It would be monstrous to stop now!" The cops blasted James with their Tommy guns, until finally, he exploded in blast of fire! "Now shoot what's left", cried Inspector Ron. The cops then blasted the flaming wreckage of James further, destroying his evil for good.

The End

"Well?", asked Bertram. "It was good", said Proteus, "But not great". "I thought it could use a higher body count", commented Rosie, prompting some funny looks. "We have time for one more story", said Dustin, "Jimmy, Your Highness, tell them about yours". "If you insist", said Jimmy. "It's a little different from what you're used to", said Eliza, "We like to call it…"

Costume Party...of DOOM!

Jimmy and Eliza were inside Jimmy's secret treasure cave, preparing for Halloween night. "Halloween on Sodor is what I can best describe as being wild", said Jimmy as he put on a tan long-sleeved shirt and leather jacket, "As long as you wear a costume, everything will be just fine." "I hope so", said Eliza as she stepped out wearing a purple, armored costume with hood and black mask. "That's awesome", said Jimmy as he put on a brown fedora, "Who is it?" "Spoiler from the Batman comics", said Eliza, "She was Robin for a little bit and then replaced Cassandra Cain as Batgirl". "Oh, now I remember", smiled Jimmy, "My Indiana Jones costume is now complete. Come on, we don't to be late." They ran up the stairs, out into the desert, and into Dustin's coach!

They arrived at Knapford station and went to the town square. There, many people both young and old were wearing the costumes of characters both iconic and obscure. "Check it out", said Eliza, "Mr. Owain is dressed like Herman Munster and Miss Fletcher is dressed like Morticia Addams". "That's not all", said Jimmy, "It looks like Jeannie from that Bewitched knock-off, and Niles is dressed as...my dad?" "Wait, Macgyver's your dad?", asked Niles. "I'll explain later", said Jimmy, "Where's the Professor?" "Right here", said the Professor, and he appeared dressed up as King Kong. He beat his chest to emphasize his choice of outfit. "Oh please", said Dr. Caprice, who was dressed as a T-Rex, "That won't win the costume contest". Everyone turned to a podium, where I guy dressed as R2-D2 and woman dressed like Hecate, the Goddess of Witchcraft, were being judged by Jason Wolchek, who was dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, and Sir Topham Hatt, who was dressed like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. "After careful consideration", said Sir Topham Hatt, "the award of a free coupon to Moreno's Cuban Cantina is the lady dressed as Hecate!" Everyone cheered as the woman took her coupon. "Before you go", said Jason, "who are your beneath that metaphorical mask?" "Oh, I really am the Goddess, Hecate", she said. "Hey, wait a minute, that's cheating", said Niles, "She's just dressed as herself!" "Oh, well in that case", said Sir Topham Hatt before taking back the reward. "Now you will all pay", roared Hecate in anger, "Now you will become the costumes you doth wear!" "Are you gonna talk about turning us into our getups or you gonna do it?", asked Niles before Matilda elbowed him in the side. With a flash of green lightning and fire from her torch, Hecate cast her spell on the town square!

Eliza found that something was amiss. She felt warmth inside of her and ran to a mirror. She pulled of her mask and realized that her normally blue hair was now light blond. "Oh that's not good", she said. "I'll say", said Jimmy, who was now taller and older, along with looking more like Harrison Ford. They all looked and saw that most of the town denizens were now either superheroes or monsters. Soon enough, these opposing groups did what they did best: fight each other! Herman Munster slammed the Hulk into the pavement, only to kicked by Spider-Man! The Wolf-Man battled Batman, while the Thing of the Fantastic Four fought the Thing from Another World(the fifties version)! "What do we do, Mac?", asked Indiana Jones. "We have a genie", said Macgyver, "We'll just wish everything back to normal". "I'm on it", said Jeannie, but she was then sucked back into her bottle, which then flew into Hecate's hand! "OK, change of plans", said the Spoiler, "We have to take the bottle back from the Goddess of Witchcraft. I'm going to need the help of some expert treasure hunters. Who's with me?" The three heroes joined hands.

"I could get used to this", said Hecate as she watched the epic Halloween battle take place, "It's sort of ironic. The opposing sides actually have a lot in common." "I'll say", said the Spoiler, "Now break this spell before you force the three of us to use undo force". "A nice sentiment", said Hecate, "But to get to me, you'll have to go through them". At once, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and a T-Rex stepped forward! "Got any plan for that?", asked Indiana Jones. "Yeah", said the Spoiler, "Improvise!". "That we can do", said Macgyver as the three charged into battle. Indiana Jones used his whip to knock the Hunchback off balance, while the Spoiler kicked the Phantom in the chest! Then, she punched him in the face before dodging a T-Rex foot! Macgyver dodged punches from the Hunchback before using a rope to entangle him! Then, he flicked a switch, hoisting the Hunchback into the air! Indiana Jones was flipped over by the Phantom, but the Phantom was hit with a batarang by the Spoiler! This distracted him long enough for Indiana Jones to grab him and toss him off of the podium! The Spoiler dodged the stomping feet and chomping jaws of the T-Rex before sending up a flare, distracting him! But then, King Kong appeared and roared while beating his chest! The T-Rex recognized his greatest foe and charged! Kong punched the rampaging beast before putting him in a headlock, holding him back while our heroes confronted Hecate.

"I'm going to need one of your bullets", said Macgyver. "I though you hated guns", said Indiana Jones as he handed him a bullet. "If all goes to plan, we won't need one", smiled Macgyver. He took the powder out of the bullet and tossed in at some stray flames, igniting them further! The Spoiler took the bottle off of Hecate's belt as Indiana Jones used his whip to tie her up! "OK", smiled Hecate, "I know when I'm beat". She snapped her fingers and the spell was broken. She then disappeared, taking the coupon with her. "I hate when she does that", said Niles. "Is anyone going to get me down?", asked Sir Topham Hatt as he struggled with the ropes.

With that, the evening proceeded like normal and everyone was happy.

The End.

"That's the best one, hands down", said Thomas. "I don't believe a word of it", snorted Henry. "It happened like an hour ago", said Dustin in dismay. "Plus, I wouldn't disparage this story", said Proteus. "Why?", asked Henry. Suddenly, Hecate appeared in a flash lightning. "Oh boy, here we go again", sighed Eliza.

The End?