It was Halloween on The Island of Sodor. As the engines traveled up and down the tracks, they could see stations covered in decorations and jack-o-lanterns. People all dressed up in their costumes stood on the platforms.
Of course, it wouldn't be Halloween without any of Salty and Edward's legendary ghost stories. And as the morning's rush of work was decreasing, the two engines told some of their newest tales to the engines and cranes at Brendam Docks. Big Mickey even had his face painted to set the mood!
Arthur: Now that's dedication right there.
Big Mickey: Sure is!
Neville: Shush, Arthur! I want to hear the end of Edward's story.
Arthur: Oop, sorry. Carry on then, Edward.
Edward grinned and resumed telling his story.
Edward: And then, all of a sudden, the engine that was pulling the line of coaches went over a bumpy section of track!
Salty: Cinders and ashes!
Porter: What happened next, Edward?
Edward: Well, Porter, the coupling between the engine and the first coach snapped. And if that wasn't bad enough, the coupling broke when the engine was going uphill! The line of coaches rolled down the hill and into the fog, never to be seen again...
Carly: Oh, my, that was a great story, Edward!
Edward: Thanks, Carly. I guess that's what happens when you have exactly one year to perfect all the little details. Well, I better hurry and get these fireworks over to Rolf's Castle! This year's display will be the biggest one yet!
And Edward puffed away. Arthur and Neville then proceeded to help Salty and Porter finish their work. There was always more cargo coming in during the later part of the year and they had offered to help.
Arthur: Ah, I love this time of year, don't you, Neville?
Neville: Oh, yes, Arthur. In fact, I would even go as far as to say that this is the only time of year where things get...y'know, interesting. All the decorations and holidays and all the special trains; oh, what fun!
Just then, Timothy arrived at the docks. He was hauling a train of china clay cars for one of the waiting ships.
Neville: What about you, Timothy? Do you enjoy this time of year as much as we do?
Timothy: Pah! If I had the choice, I'd stay in my shed until springtime…
Everyone was surprised by Timothy's blunt reply.
Carly: Oh. Well, that's ok, Timothy; not everybody likes the same things.
Timothy: Well...actually, I'm fine with fall and autumn. It's just that I'm not a big fan of...today.
Carly: Oh, you don't like Halloween?
Timothy: No, I don't. And it's all because of…
Timothy's sentence was cut short as he and Neville were bumped from behind!
Neville: Fizzling fireboxes, what was that?
Carly: Well, from up here, it looks like two mischievous tank engine twins!
Carly was right. Bill and Ben had also brought in some china clay for the ship and thought it would be fun to play a trick on Timothy and Neville.
Bill: Happy Halloween, everybody! Wasn't this a great trick to start this wonderful holiday?
Neville had to admit that he found it funny. Timothy, on the other buffer, did not.
Timothy: No, it wasn't. We have to deliver more china clay cars here before the end of the day and I can't properly work with you two being more annoying than usual.
Bill: Lighten up, Timothy, it was only a little joke. Seriously, you always say we can do without Halloween, but I say that we can do without an engine that doesn't understand the meaning of fun.
Ben: C'mon, Bill, let's get away from here and play some more tricks! The fun is just getting started...
And Bill and Ben puffed away, leaving Timothy in a sour mood.
Arthur: Wow, those two can really get under your paintwork, huh?
Timothy: They sure can. I've been working with them for years and right when I think they'll stop being pains in the tail lamp, they find more ways to push themselves further from that point. Ugh, if only I can get them back...just once!
And Timothy puffed back to the clay pits to collect more cars. Arthur, Neville, Salty and Porter didn't like seeing their friend so upset.
Porter: Oh, dear. I know I always say "water off a duck's back", but even I have to admit Timothy's right. Bill and Ben's tricks and jokes always seem to be the harshest towards him. Remember when they suggested Timothy should work here at the docks instead of the clay pits because he was apparently "no help at all?"
Cranky: Unfortunately, I do remember that. If only there was some way for Timothy to get back at those twins...
Salty: Hmm...leave it to me, Cranky. I have an idea. Although, I will need some help. Will you all help me?
Arthur: Of course, Salty! Tell us what you want us to do.
Salty: Ok, here's the plan…
Later that day, Bill and Ben brought down more china clay cars. Salty was pleased to see them.
Bill: Here's another delivery of clay, Salty!
Salty: Thanks, Bill. Big Mickey will help you unload it into the ship.
As the clay was being unloaded, Salty thought this was the perfect time to set his plan into motion.
Salty: Hmm, don't suppose you two would like to hear a story I've been putting together?
Ben: Oh, yes, please, Salty! What's it about?
Salty: It's a story about Timothy.
Ben: Ugh, I can already tell it's going to be boring. I'd rather spend time trying to convince Philip that the express coaches can move by themselves. Little boxcab will believe anything.
Salty: Will you be quiet? This isn't a story about the Timothy you work with. I was referring to an engine called Timothy that worked around here many years ago.
And this was the story Salty told…
Salty: A long, long time ago, when the North Western Railway was in its early stages and even before Edward arrived, there was an engine named Timothy. He looked similar to Thomas, except he was painted silver and had the number 'zero' painted on his side.
Bill: Yeah, so what happened to him?
Salty: Well, Timothy was one of the most obedient engines on the island. Some of the others found him boring because of this and made fun of him, but he took it in stride...until one day, the teasing became too much. So Timothy hatched a revenge plan on a particular engine that picked on him and bumped him quite often.
Ben: What happened next?
Salty: One foggy night, when the mean engine was out pulling a freight train, he approached a bridge. He started to cross it when he stopped. He could see Timothy waiting on the other side. Without any warning, Timothy charged at the other engine and bumped into him so hard that he and his train fell off the bridge and into the cavern below. As the engine fell down into the cavern below, Timothy only laughed and said "how does it feel to be bumped?"
Big Mickey: So, what did you two think of that story?
Bill: You honestly expect us to believe there once was an engine that arrived on Sodor before Edward and that he apparently had enough strength to shove another engine off a bridge? Yeah, right.
Ben: I believe Hiro's story about being one of the first engines on Sodor more than I believe your story, Salty. All the same, the Timothy in your story sounds more fun than our Timothy. Wouldn't mind scaring a few engines with him.
Just then, the dock manager walked up.
Dock Manager: If you two are finished, could you go back and get the last delivery of clay?
Bill/Ben: Gladly!
Bill and Ben puffed back to the clay pits, still proudly denying Salty's story.
Bill: You know, even if Salty's 'Timothy' was real and he tried to intimidate us, I'm sure we could easily muster up enough strength to push him off a bridge!
Ben: Here, here!
And with that, the twins were out of sight.
Carly: Tough crowd...
Big Mickey: I don't think your plan worked, Salty. The twins didn't seem to think your story was very convincing.
Salty: Don't get your cable in a twist, Big Mickey. That was just the start of the plan. Bill and Ben may not believe it, but they're surely thinking about it.
Cranky: Even so, when you have plotlines like 'engine causes another to fall off a bridge by charging at them' and 'Timothy being one of the first Sodor engines ever', could you really blame Bill and Ben for not taking it seriously?
Salty: Hey, sometimes you need to be a tad unrealistic to tell a good story. Unfortunately, some don't seem to agree with me on that. Argh, it's a shame…
Meanwhile, Thomas was making his way to the Steamworks. He was to pick up Annie and Clarabel so they could collect passengers that wanted to see the fireworks display at Rolf's Castle. But when Thomas arrived, he saw that Annie and Clarabel had been covered in Halloween decorations.
Annie: Kevin said that these would help us stand out as we travel across the island at night.
Clarabel: Yeah, apparently they glow in the dark or something. Thanks again, Kevin.
Kevin: You're welcome, Clarabel. I got the idea when my hook and cable got tangled in those skeleton lanterns.
Victor: There's still a few of them on you, Kevin.
Kevin: Oh...so there is...
Andrew: I got them, Kevin. Don't worry, just stay still.
Andrew quickly unwound the lantern wire from Kevin's arm and began to hang it over the shed in the Steamworks. But as he was doing this, his ladder began to wobble.
Victor: Steady on, Andrew.
Andrew: Don't worry, Victor, I'll be fine.
Thankfully, Andrew managed to hang the lanterns without any issue. Their bright glow was astonishing...a little too astonishing, in fact! The bright glow had caught Andrew off guard. He hit a can of silver paint that had somehow made its way onto the roof, knocking it off the roof and it landed onto Thomas. His cab roof and boiler were now a bright silver color.
Kevin: Huh. That's where our silver paint can went...
Thomas: Thanks for that…
Andrew: Oops, sorry, Thomas. I'll get some cleaning supplies to get all that paint off you.
Annie and Clarabel laughed when they saw Thomas.
Annie: You look just like a ghost engine, Thomas!
Thomas: I do?
Clarabel: Yes! If you were covered in more silver paint, I don't think anyone would be able to tell it was you!
Suddenly, an idea flew into Thomas' funnel.
Thomas: Andrew, would it be possible for you to fully paint me silver?
Andrew: Wait, now?
Thomas: I know it's an odd request, but I think it'll go well with the decorations Annie and Clarabel have!
So Andrew and the workmen set to work repainting Thomas in a bright silver color. After he took Annie, Clarabel and their passengers to Rolf's Castle, Thomas went to the docks to show everyone there his "costume."
Thomas: Ooooooooo! Happy Halloween, Brendam Docks!
By this time, slight fog had begun to roll in from the sea. Despite this, Salty and Porter could still tell who was talking to them.
Porter: Thomas, is that you?
Thomas chuckled and admitted that it was indeed him.
Thomas: Heh, yeah, it's me. Andrew accidentally dropped a can of silver paint on me, but I told him to fully repaint me in this color. I think it went well with these decorations Annie and Clarabel had.
Just then, Neville pulled into the docks with some flatbeds.
Neville: Hey, Salty, where do you want these...oh, hello, Thomas! Are you helping Salty with his big plan?
Thomas: Big plan? Salty, what is Neville going on about?
Salty looked at Neville and then at Thomas. All of a sudden, the dockside diesel realized what Neville was getting at!
Salty: Ohhh, I get it! It's because with that silver color, Thomas looks like Timothy! Erm, the Timothy from my story, not the Timothy from the clay pits.
Thomas: Now what are you going on about, Salty?
Salty quickly explained the plan he had come up with earlier in the day. After explaining what Thomas' role would be, the little blue-turned silver engine was more than happy to help!
Thomas: This oughta teach Bill and Ben a thing or two! C'mon, let's head on over to the clay pits!
Porter: Heh, we'll go after Salty runs through the plan again...and after we paint something on your tanks, Thomas!
Salty: Marion, Arthur and Timothy are already in their position at the clay pits and they know what to do. Now here's what we have to do...
Meanwhile, Bill and Ben were finally making their way back to the clay pits. The twins had been delayed after they were called away to help at Knapford and the slight fog was now becoming thicker and starting to roll across the island. But that didn't stop the twins from laughing about all the tricks they pulled that day.
Bill: Philip was certainly shocked when he thought the express coaches could move by themselves. It was even funnier this time compared to the last.
Ben: It wasn't as funny as when we tried to convince Daisy that she had to take a load of moldy old pumpkins to the waste dump, though.
Bill: Ha! That was a classic!
At last, the twins arrived at the clay pits, where Marion was busy loading up some cars with clay.
Marion: Ah, Bill, Ben, there you are. There's a line of empty cars on the upper level of the clay pits. Could you please bring them down for me? I'd get them myself, but I'm pretty busy at the moment.
Ben: Ok, Marion. But if we're late taking our last train of the night, we're pinning the blame on you.
Marion: If you say so…
Bill and Ben climbed up to the upper level of the clay pits. They looked everywhere but the empty cars were nowhere to be seen. Eventually, they came to rest on one side of a bridge that spanned over the area.
Ben: Is this Marion's idea of a trick? Because we've looked everywhere for those cars!
Bill: Hmm, not exactly, Ben. Look over there!
On the other side of the bridge, Bill could only just make out the shape of some cars in the fog.
Bill: Good eye, Ben! C'mon, let's go get them!
Ben: Let's be quick about it, too! This fog is starting to get thicker!
Bill and Ben hurried across the bridge and buffered up to the clay cars. They were about to push them away when they felt some resistance. The cars weren't going anywhere!
Ben: Stupid things must have their brakes on.
Bill: Not for long. On three?
Ben: Yep! One...two…
Bill/Ben: Three!
The twins charged at the clay cars, hoping that would cause them to release their brakes...when in fact, the cars' brakes were never on in the first place! The cars rolled away from the twins and down the track!
Bill: But...I don't understand. How….?
Then, Bill and Ben saw a sight that made their boilers bubble in fear. They could just make out the shape of a silver tank engine that looked exactly like Thomas. In fact, it was Thomas painted silver, but of course, the twins didn't know this. All they were concerned about was the shadowy figure with the intimidating voice.
Thomas: How dare you two get in my way?
Ben: Who...who are you?
Thomas: Who am I? Who am I? What are you even saying? I'm 'TIMOTHY', one of the very first Sodor engines! The one that shoved another engine off a bridge!
Bill: I wouldn't care if you were The Flying Scotsman! This is our place, so I suggest you make your way out of here!
Thomas: Hahahaha, oh, please! I'm not gonna have two toy tank engines boss me around. Try doing it again and you'll end up like your friends Timothy and Salty!
Ben: W-W-What did you do to them?
Thomas: What do you think? They tried to stand up to me, so I shoved them off a bridge. All that's left under those tarps down there are scrunched-up piles of metal that are bound for the Smelter's Yard tomorrow. And if you don't obey my orders, you'll be joining them!
Bill and Ben had had enough. As quickly as they could, they reversed away from 'TIMOTHY'. The ghostly figure buffered up to the line of cars and pushed them towards the twins as fast as he could.
Thomas: You can run, but you can't hide!
The twins didn't stop moving until they were back on the left side of the bridge. Stopping to catch their breath, they saw 'TIMOTHY' and the cars approaching them! The silver engine stopped, but the clay cars kept on moving. Bill and Ben rattled over a set of points. They went right and the cars sped down the left track. The cars derailed with a loud bang. The sound of some engines screaming followed shortly afterwards.
Arthur: Hurry, Bill! Hurry, Ben!
Porter: Save yourselves!
Bill: Porter! Arthur! Oh, I don't believe it! Salty's story is true!
Ben: We need to find Marion! Hopefully that ghost didn't get her yet!
Bill and Ben hurried down to the lower level of the clay pits. They were relieved when they saw Marion.
Bill: Marion! Marion! Thank goodness we...Marion?
The twins looked closer and could see that Marion was also covered in a tarp. And she was making horrible sounds, the kind one makes when they're in great pain.
Bill: It's too late; Timothy's gotten her too! That's it, I'm getting out of here!
Ben: Wait for me!
The twins hurried towards the exit. They were almost clear of it, when, out of the corner of their eye, they could see a line of cars heading towards them. The consist got to the exit before the twins did, blocking the only way out.
Bill: Ahhh, this is the worst Halloween ever!
Ben: What did we ever do to deserve this?
An eerie silence fell over the area. Slowly and quietly, 'TIMOTHY' rolled up towards Bill and Ben.
Thomas: This is payback for all the tricks you play on your friends, especially Timothy…! He helps you out everyday and instead of thanking him for all the hard work he does, you send him on wild goose chases for rainbow-colored cars and tell him he's no help at all. Now, before I damage you and have you covered in a tarp, do either of you have anything else to say?
Bill: Ahh, I'm sorry! I know Timothy can't possibly hear me right now, but I'm sorry for all the times I've teased him and put him down! And I'm sorry I ever doubted Salty's story about that other Timothy!
Thomas: You mean me?
Bill: Yes, you! I'm sorry…!
Ben: I'm sorry, too! Just let us go! Let our friends go and never come back!
Thomas: Very well then. But if you start acting toxic towards your Timothy again, you'll have me to answer to! Is...that...clear?!
Bill/Ben: Yes, yes! Just let us go!
And before you could say 'fizzling fireboxes', the cars were moved away from the exit. Bill and Ben puffed away as fast as they could, still screaming and apologizing. Once they were out of sight, the lights in the clay pits turned on and all the engines and workmen that participated in the trick came out of their hiding spots, laughing hysterically!
Thomas: Bust my buffers, that worked better than I thought! Neville, your timing with the freight cars that blocked the exit was amazing!
Neville: Thank you, Thomas! But did anyone else think that Porter and Arthur's screams felt so real?
Porter: Oh, Neville, you're too kind.
Arthur: Yeah, thanks, Neville. But the real thanks goes to Salty for putting this whole trick together!
Timothy: Yeah, Salty, that was amazing! I don't think those two will be playing any tricks for a few days...hopefully weeks!
Salty: Argh, well, I've had years of practice. None of my tall tales ever fail!
Marion: And neither did this trick of yours, Salty! Speaking of which, when do you think we should tell the twins that all of this was just that...a trick?
Thomas: Probably when it stops being funny.
Arthur: So...never?
Thomas: Yeah, that sounds about right.
And everyone had another good laugh. Some time after that Halloween night, Bill and Ben were extremely well-behaved and quiet. Everyone was surprised, especially Edward and Sir Topham Hatt.
Edward: Seeing those two so well-behaved is so...foreign to me.
Sir Topham Hatt: Yes indeed, Edward. I wonder what caused this sudden change in their behavior.
Edward: Me too. They also weren't at the Halloween party at Rolf's Castle. Instead, I found them hiding in Wellsworth Yard. I wonder why…
But we know why, don't we?