It had been a few years ever since the defeat of Diesel 10. At the castle, a girl who looked like she was 7 years old looked out of the window of the castle.
The girl's name was princess Diana. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas and Lady. She wore a pink skirt, a purple shirt and a brown jacket over it. She was a bit like Lady except she had Thomas' eyes. She was an adventerous princess who always liked to explore what's outside the kingdom. But her parents wouldn't let her because they said it was too dangerous to go outside of the kingdom. Diana usually spent time with her mom because her father, Thomas was usually is away on Sodor. One day it was 5 days after Diana's 15th birthday. And in the castle, she was with her younger brother, Simon. She was talking to him about sneaking out of the castle. At first Simon was hesitant but agreed to go. They got past the guards and almost went to the drawbridge when Simon decided to stop her.
"Um Diana!" called Simon quietly, "Are you sure this is a good idea? We aren't allowed to go outside. Mom and Dad told us, remember?"
"Come on little bro." scoffed Diana. "Stop being such a chicken."
"Simon just clucked imitating a chicken. Diana got annoyed.
"Alright, Simon that's enough." said Diana, "Don't you want to see what's outside the kingdom?"
"Well I do." said Simon. "But what if Mom or Dad catch us? They might get pretty mad."
"Pft. I'm not scared." said Diana. "And besides Dad isn't home yet. He hasn't been home for a week now. He has to work on sodor. With his team."
"Are you talking about the legendary steam team?"
"Of course I am. I want to see Uncle Edward, Uncle Henry, Uncle Gordon, Uncle James, Uncle Percy, Uncle Toby, Aunt Emily, Aunt Nia and Aunt Rebecca. Dad showed us a photo of him with the steam team when you were 2 years old and I was 7."
"Ok. But still we shouldn't worry our mom. Remember the last time we tried to sneak out? Mom took away our privilleges to visit Lily."
"Of course I remember. But I still want to see the world. Just a minute outside. I promise."
"OK." Simon finally gave in.
So the two got outside and saw the beautiful country side. Simon couldn't believe his eyes.
"Wow it's beautiful. I had no idea this was outside of the kingdom." Simon gasped.
"This is nothing. If you like this, you will like the island of sodor. But I forgot where the magic buffers are. Come on, let's play."
Then Diana and Simon played out in the field. They were having so much fun when suddenly, a bear came out and scared the two children. They saw that they were standing near the bear's cave and she looked very unhappy.
"Yikes! A bear! What do we do?" whimpered Simon.
"Don't worry. I got this." said Diana standing in front of the bear. "Leave my brother alone you big bully. Or else I will...I will..."
But before she could say or do anything else, a bright light of gold shone, the bear just ran away in fear. Then Daina and Simon looked behind them and saw their mother Lady. She looked disappointed with the two children.
"Meet me in the castle library, now!" Said Lady. "And also I am calling your father. He is not going to be happy about this."
And with that Lady left in a sparkle of gold dust. Diana and her brother were very worried now.
"Do you think we might be in trouble?" Simon asked.
"I think we are." Diana replied, "I just hope mother and father understand it was for a good cause."
At the library Diana and her brother saw their parents at the front door. They looked very unhappy with the kids.
"What were you two thinking?" asked Thomas sternly, "Going off like that. You could have injured yourselves. Or worse, you could have gotten killed."
"Explain why you went outside without our permission." Lady demanded.
"It was my idea mom and dad." Diana confessed. "I have been doimg nothing but be in the castle for 7 years. I want to explore what's outside of the kingdom. Even see the steam team in person."
"Where did I hear that from?" asked Thomas rhetorically to his wife.
"Listen here young lady." scolded Lady, "You should know that you aren't ready to go outside. It's just too dangerous."
"But mom, I never even been to Sodor. It isn't fair."
Then an idea came to Thomas.
"Hey, dear. I have an idea. How about letting Diana come with me to Sodor next week. She does need to start High school soon."
"Ok honey." said Lady. "Just don't let her out of your sight she can be a little restless.
"Thomas: Yeah I know. I think she gets that from me. Remember how I said that I wanted to see the world?"
"I'm right here." said Diana.
"You told us that story of when you travelled the world with our aunt Nia when we were little." said Simon. "Can you tell us a story before we go to bed?"
"Oh alright." said Thomas but stopped himself. "Actually I told you stories for too long. Polly do you want to tell them?"
"No I don't want to." said Lady. "I would love to."
"What is this story about?" asked Diana.
"It's about how your father saved me and the magic railroad the first time." said Lady.
"Take it away." said Thomas.
"Well it all started long ago when Sir Topham Hatt was on holiday..." Lady started to tell the story of how she and Thomas met. After one hour: "And then after I took Lily, Patch, Mutt and Burnett back to Shining Time, Thomas went home knowing that we will meet again. And that's how Thomas and Lily stone saved me and the magic railroad. And the moral of this story was that little people and engines can do big things."
"Hey! That's my line, dear." Thomas said
"Wow." exclaimed Diana, amazed. "I had no idea you did that, Dad."
"Well to be honest, it was Lily who figured out the riddle of the gold dust." said Thomas. "I just helped Lady escape."
"But you did a fantastic job Thomas." said Lady
"Thanks dear." said Thomas.
Lady and Thomas shared a quick kiss before they looked at their kids.
"Now it's bedtime for you two." said Thomas
Simon: Goodnight Dad. Goodnight Mom.
"Goodnight bud." said Lady and Thomas before turning to Diana
"Tomorrow, Diana, I am taking you to Sodor for the first time before you start school next week." Thomas informed Diana "Now get a goodnights rest."
"Oh I am so excited. I can't wait to see my uncles and aunts. Goodnight." said Thomas
"Goodnight." said Thomas and Lady.
When Diana went to bed, Thomas and Lady looked with worry.
"Sometimes your daughter worries me." said Thomas.
"She actually sounds a bit like your daughter." Lady countered.
"Touche." said Thomas. "I just hope she won't cause any trouble in the future.
"I know how you feel. But ever since the crisis with Diesel 10, you were getting more worried and less cheeky. Is everything okay darling?"
"No honey." sighed Thomas, "It's just, I hope that there won't be a threat harming our daughter or the other's children. Maybe one day a new generation will walk in the steam team's and my footprints."
"I think Gordon's footprint is too big for Diana's foot." said Lady.
"Lady, that is a figure of-" Thomas started to say but realized Lady's trick. "Ooooohhhh, You got me again!"
"That never get's old." chuckled Lady. "But I agree with you. I think Diana will lead a new team. But do you think she will be safe
"Only time will tell Polly. Only time will tell."
And with that, they went to their separate beds.