But then he heard a voice -
"Hi there Diesel!"
The voice was cheerful, but oddly...sadistic. Taunting. Not to mention FAMILIAR. Diesel X eyes darted around, landing on...
...Percy. Bright and smile. Grinning, even.
"Remember me? Remember how you killed James and I at the Smelter's Yard? Well, Arry and Bert did- but you know what I mean." The grin hadn't left his face. In fact, it grew wider.
Diesel X couldn't respond. He couldn't even believe it. Percy was right- he DID kill him! How is he...
"Well, I just wanted you to know, Diesel," the green engine continued. "That the Island hasn't forgotten. And neither have I." It was here that the grin on Percy's face melted into a smirk, seemingly at the diesel's owlish blinking. He laughed, enjoying the sight.
"I'm off to see Mavis," Percy finished. "She'll be needing me tonight. Sweet dreams, Diesel." He smiled, giving the widest, toothiest smile the island had ever seen. Diesel X blinked rapidly, wishing to God that his engineer was with him so that he could rub his eyes for him. He looked around, hoping anyone could see the sight, but-
He was gone. Not a tank engine, anything in sight. But, what did he mean, "off to see Mavis"? What could she possibly use a dead tank engine for? Just then, there was a rustling from the bushes.
Out from the greenery stepped Burnett Stone, wiping dirt off his pants and sleeves. Diesel X's eyes nearly popped out their sockets.
"You know, Diesel," the man began, "I remember the first time you chased me and my Lady out of Sodor...crashed her. Nasty sight, that," He said dourly. "Say, how is she, anyway? Seen her around lately?"
Before the diesel could respond, the man continued, "Never mind that- I just wanted to talk to you about that other day. Don't know if you saw the aftermath, but man...the rescue team and police couldn't believe it- all those holes...blood everywhere...they say it was the first time ever on this Island there was a dead body on the tracks- and that's saying something!"
It flooded Diesel X's mind instantly. The blood...Lady's screams...Burnett's last dying breaths...Lily crying, begging for mercy...
"Well, that's it. Take care in your new post Diesel- Lady's expecting me in an hour. You really showed us, huh?" He chuckled, before retreating back into his bush.
The ochre diesel was gobsmacked. Then-
"Oi! Big guy! Yeah, that's right- I'm talking to you! You deaf or what?" A familiar, sleazy voice snapped from behind.
There watching him was...Diesel, glaring at him all the while. "I haven't forgotten about you burning me to a crisp in the Smelters! And we weren't alone, remember?"
Diesel X gulped. They weren't, for Arry and Bert were there with him. "Ah, forget it! The Fat Controller's needing me anyway! Silly old Mavis got herself derailed again, I suppose..." And with that, he left, grumbling all the while.
But Diesel X exhaled at this. All this talk about Mavis was making him very nervous, but now, if Mavis had derailed as Diesel said, then he should be safe!
"Night, Diesel!" Two chirpy voices called out. They belonged to none other than Edward and Thomas, grinning as they stared down Diesel X, who at this point, could vomit if he could...
"Don't forget about us tonight!" Thomas called. "The Fat Controller sent us here to send you a good night. He said you'd really be needing it."
"And of course, we had to leave the Smelters immediately- Sir Topham Hatt's orders!" Edward chimed in. "Wish you could come. It's quite...warm, as opposed to out here."
"400 degrees, to be exact," Thomas smiled devilishly. It was this that sent shivers down Diesel X's spine. Oh no...Oh GOD no...
"Oh, hey everyone! You didn't tell me you'd be stopping by as well!" Paxton chirruped as he made his way down the line, as if stopping by on a jog or stroll.
"PAXTON?!" the ochre diesel nearly choked on his own gasps.
"Of course! Who else would it be? We've been friends for years, remember?" The green diesel smiled. The way he said "Friends" was deeply concerning. It was stressed. Very stressed.
Just then, another engine purred into the fray. Sidney.
"Oh hey everyone! Getting Diesel X the news, huh?" the blue diesel asked curiously.
"Yes!" all the engines chorused, except Diesel X who was frozen and trembling with fear for the very first time in his life.
"Great, just make sure he remembers...not to let the shed door hit him on the way out." Sidney smirked, before grinning the same devilish toothy grin the ochre diesel had been receiving for the past...oh God, how long has it been?
"...on the way out," The engines repeated in unison. "On the way out...on the way out...ON THE WAY OUT..." It grew louder, LOUDER. Like a chant, roaring in Diesel X ears, as it seemed the engines were all closing in on him.
But he had nowhere to go! He had no crew to back him up, and his posse were asleep. He was alone, to be swallowed by the chant, the ghosts of those he had killed...
...and then it was dark.