The Brother's Grimm

by AaronCottrell97

As one last special reward for her heroic actions that led to her becoming safety engine and No. 12, Emily is overjoyed that her brother Bernard is visiting Sodor for the first time. The two Sterling Single siblings have a wonderful time reuniting with each other, but all their cheerfulness fades after a dark and tragic secret regarding Bernard is revealed...

3. A Grave Truth

Another night had come to pass on Sodor after Bernard's first full day on Sodor being spent with his emerald sister Emily, seeing how she performed as the safety engine when she reported on a faulty signal and Farmer McColl's broken fence, and even saved Gordon and his passengers from a rockslide just outside the Search and Rescue Centre. Bernard was there to see it all, and that same evening, he, Thomas, Emily and Percy all gathered together in Knapford Sheds to hear all that had happened since he and Emily last saw each other, right up to Percy and Gina exchanging their long-distance Valentines...but once the time was right, Bernard would come to hear the rest of what happened since then...and when the time came about, there would be a rather sudden and heartbreaking turn in Bernard's visit to Sodor, regarding a few secrets of his own that would somehow intertwine with what he would hear in due course.

After another close and warm sleep with his sister and two friends, Bernard, Thomas, Emily and Percy woke up at Knapford Sheds again to another sunrise. They all yawned themselves awake and looked among themselves and each other.

"Ohh...good morning, Bernard," Emily smiled warmly.

"Good morning, Emily," Bernard smiled back. "Another morning, another start to a day with my No. 12 sister."

"Good morning, Emily and Bernard," Percy drowsed comfortably.

"Good morning, everyone," Thomas yawned last.

"Well, it looks like we're soon due to start another day," said Bernard. "I adored every story I heard last night, Emily. All of you have such stories to tell, and once we find the time, I'm anxious to hear the rest of those stories."

"I know you are, Bernard. That time will come soon enough," said Emily. "For now, the railway needs their safety engine on the go, ready to provide whatever help she may need to provide."

"Of course, Emily," said Bernard. "I can only wonder what sorts of stories you'll have to tell me once the time comes."

"Well, as we told you, Bernard," said Thomas. "Some may be rather heavy-handed. Especially Percy's story, so bear that in mind."

"Of course, Thomas," said Bernard. "And if it's possible, I may or may not have a few tales to tell myself, depending on what I may hear from these stories."

Emily looked to her brother and began to wonder. "What stories would these be, Bernard?"

"Well, I think I'll need to think it over a little more and see what comes along once the rest of your stories come to be," Bernard replied.

"Alright, then," said Thomas. "I'm off to my Branch Line again, and Percy is off to deliver the mail again."

"And I'm off for more goods and keeping an open eye and ear," said Emily. "With Bernard too, of course."

The four engines made their way out of Knapford Sheds, and so Bernard's visit continued on through that entire day...then another day. Two more days came to pass. During that time, Emily and Bernard continued to work together as Emily's goods duties continued. Unlike their first full day together, Emily didn't see or hear of any emergencies or sirens, showing her again that emergencies don't happen often and that the other engines were indeed pitching in and being careful so as not to overwork her. But what was more important to her and Bernard was finding the right time to continue with their stories and bring him completely up to speed as to what had happened on Sodor ever since they last saw each other. Over the two evenings that passed by, Thomas, Percy and Emily thought carefully to themselves as to how to bring it all forward to Bernard and see what he would make of it. There was plenty more for Bernard to hear...but what no one knew yet was just what a certain story or two would bring about for Bernard...and change his visit completely.

As for Bernard, there was a little more to this visit to Sodor than he was letting on over these two days. In the midst of feeling so very happy to be with Emily again as two more days progressed, he began to feel the excitement easing off and he was getting used to being on Sodor at this point. But with that sense of settlement also came another line of thought for him to fall into. With the thought of hearing more heavy-handed stories about Percy and maybe Thomas and Emily too, he began to wonder just how heavy-handed they'd really be...and if they would in any way trigger a deep, dark secret hidden deep within Bernard's boiler. Something he had gone through many years ago, and had hidden it ever since it happened. When the moment came, depending on what he would come to hear, Bernard was carrying a grave truth to reveal to his friends and see just what they would make of it after holding in for so very many years...

At last, the time came. It was the evening of the second day and Emily was just leaving Arlesburgh after delivering more goods to the harbour. Bernard, Thomas and Percy were all waiting for her back in the yards to return, and to see if she thought the time was right to tell Bernard the rest of the stories. Emily was just about to go on her way back when she looked and saw David's house. This made her stop and think for a moment. The past two days had gone by quite busily, and now with the possibility of sharing more stories with Bernard, Emily suddenly wondered if maybe David and Beatrice could join them tonight.

Emily whistled to see if David and Beatrice were home, and sure enough, the two of them came out of his house and saw Emily right there.

"Hello, David and Beatrice," said Emily. "How have you both been lately?"

"Busy on the harbour as always, Emily," said David. "And I trust you and Bernard have been working together most harmoniously? Especially after telling him quite a deal of stories two nights pass, so we hear?"

"We have, David," said Emily. "And now, after two more days, I'm beginning to think that we should tell him the rest of our stories so he'll be fully caught up since I last saw him at York...and I was wondering if you two would be interested in coming along this time?"

David and Beatrice looked to each other and thought. They had both been considerably busy of late, but to see what Bernard would think of the remaining stories on Sodor would surely be something to see for themselves. David and Beatrice looked to Emily again, then came right down to her cab.

"I think this would be a very fine way to spend the evening, Emily," said David. "I think Bernard would like the additional company."

"He would indeed, David," Beatrice agreed. "Lead the way, Emily."

And so Emily set off out of Arlesburgh. When she returned to Knapford Yards, she saw Thomas, Percy and Bernard all waiting together. Ever since their work had been done, they were waiting here for Emily. Thomas and Percy were still thinking to themselves how to tell Emily's brother the remaining stories, and Bernard had been keeping quiet himself, thinking about just what he would hear...but also beginning to feel concerned as to the certain story he had been keeping hidden for a long time now...and there was yet one other thing he did not know yet which would really change his little story to a deeper and more troubling place.

When Thomas, Percy and Bernard looked and saw Emily return, they could all feel the arrival of the moment they had been waiting for two more days to bring forth. By this time, Emily and Bernard felt solidly connected as brother and sister again, and now with the plan they had all been holding onto, the time had come for things to become serious...and more that implied as such for Emily's Stirling brother.

"Hello, boys," Emily greeted. "So. You're all here, then."

"Hello, Emily. We've been waiting for your return," said Bernard. "It's been two days now since my first full day with you again, Emily. We've been working hard together and we've been waiting for the right time for me to hear the rest of the stories you have to tell. I need to know...has the time arrived?"

It was at that moment when David and Beatrice came down from Emily's cab and toward Bernard.

"I think it has arrived, Bernard," said Beatrice. "Emily was on her way out of Arlesburgh when she came along and invited us both to bear you the company."

"Three full days now since you came here, Bernard," said David. "We've come to hear about the stories you've heard from Emily's return with my mother and I, right up to Percy and Gina's long distance Valentines. And now, I think Emily is right. It's about time you hear the rest of these stories."

Bernard looked to the Riders and the other three engines. He could feel the anticipation building as he swallowed hard.

"Well...whenever you're all ready, I'm ready to hear the remaining tales...about all of you," he said.

"Very well, then," Thomas said with a wink to Emily.

It wasn't long before the four engines gathered themselves together and made their way to Knapford Sheds again. Percy, Thomas, Emily and Bernard all lined up inside the sheds beside each other while David and Beatrice came inside and shut the shed doors. Now everything was ready.

"Alright, Bernard. Are you ready to continue on with the stories?" Emily asked. "Because once again, they're very heavy handed...and I should also warn you, there is to be a great deal of shock and even tragedy to this next story, and maybe a few more too."

When Bernard heard this, he felt his heart begin to beat faster, not only from concerned anticipation, but also that little secret waiting to be unveiled. He did his best not to show any inner fear and sighed deeply.

"I...I'm ready, Emily," he said. "All I know is that Percy is alright and has been ever since his recovery...but now, I think I'm ready to hear the rest of your stories, after Percy and Gina's long-distance valentines."

The other three engines looked amongst themselves and could once again feel that rush of heavy memory run through their boilers, but they were ready.

"Alright, Bernard," said Thomas. "Here's what happened after that Valentine's Day. Spring came again, and we all kept on with Sudrian Life...until something happened to truly change Percy's life forever, and even crushed his spirits in ways that no one could ever have seen coming."

Bernard looked right to Percy, who began leaning left and right, shaking his head in what seemed like remorse.

"Well...why? What happened to Percy...to crush his spirits?" Bernard asked.

"Well, as you know in the storybooks, Bernard," said David. "Percy is a cheerful, slightly cheeky and very exuberant, high-spirited little chap...and of course, many find him to be cute and carefree, and so he was...until that fateful spring day shortly after he and Gina exchanged long distance valentines."

Bernard suddenly got a sensation that something potentially scathing would be told...and it made him begin to feel little creases of trouble he had carried in himself for a long, long time now. He began to feel anxious as to whether or not this story would remind him of a few past instances in his life.

"Well...what happened with you, Percy?" he asked carefully.

"Well, Bernard. I've lived through it, and we all had to retell it with Gina when she came to visit me again," said Percy.

"Therefore, we cannot dive into every last crack and crevice again, Bernard," said Thomas. "That would take far too long."

"Thomas is right, Bernard," said Emily. "Therefore, we'll only tell you the key points. The absolute changing aspects through this story."

"Alright then," said Bernard. "So what befell our little Percy, and what did he have to navigate to work it out?"

"Well, Percy had a late mail run one night," said Beatrice. "And so he was late returning to Knapford Sheds, absolutely exhausted, but he still wanted to make up for lost time and finish his goods run on Thomas' Branch Line...but given the circumstances surrounding his sleep-deprived position, the weather, and just which truck was kept at that quarry, everything changed for Percy, and he entered an unfamiliar, harsh and scathing world for about two whole weeks."

"Oh...well...what happened?" Bernard asked.

"As it turns out, Bernard," said Emily. "There was a most villainous truck here on Sodor that had a most unpredictable and dangerous mind, and he had caused such danger and hazards to so many engines that he was left in an old unused siding, not ever to be used...until Percy came along the quarry...and gathered that truck. Because of the fog, his sleep deprivation and wanting to hold to his schedule, he didn't see he had placed that very truck to the head of his train, and the foreman couldn't see just what had happened...and so Percy set off with that truck."

"And as he approached the waterfall along Ffarquhar...that's when it happened to my best friend," said Thomas.

"What did?" Bernard asked.

"Well...along the Ffarquhar valley, there is a whole line of cottages and homes down there," said Thomas. "To protect those houses from accidents, there is a fence placed along the line...but that truck had other, truly devastating ideas. Right when the moment came for him to seize, he suddenly placed his scheme to action and started pulling back on Percy, lifting him off the rails...then surging him forward, knocking him off the rails, and right through the fence!"

"Oh...oh, no. Then what happened?" Bernard worried.

Percy plucked up the best courage he could to restate what had happened.

"I...I slid right down that hill with no hope of stopping...then rammed directly through one of the cottages...where an entire innocent family, a mother, father and child were all inside...and...my crash killed them all!"

As soon as these words hit Bernard's ears he gaped and froze right where he was. Then just a moment later, his eyes shut very tight, then he began leaning left and right, shaking his head, then leaning rather low. Thomas, Emily and Percy could see he was clearly thinking a few things himself as his face began to redden just a little bit until his eyes opened again and he panted a little to himself.

"I...is this true, Percy? Did...did this really happen?" he almost choked. "You...you were sent crashing into that house...where a whole family died?!"

"It did, Bernard. I'm very sorry to have to tell you," Percy shook. "I...I still can't shake it away fully!"

"Well. B...because...it...it reminds me..." Bernard began. This made all the engines look at Bernard. What was he talking about?

"Bernard...what does it remind you of?" Emily asked. "Did something else happen on the Mainland likewise to this tragedy?"

"N-no, Emily," Bernard shook. "I...I need to bring my thoughts closer together, but first, please carry on, Percy."

Thomas, Emily and Percy looked amongst each other and sighed as they went on.

"It was truly terrible, Bernard," Percy continued. "It also left me in complete incapacitation to work for an entire week. I was so truly broken and shattered by everything that when I was brought to the Steamworks to be fixed, I fell into a coma-like sleep for that entire week, truly overwhelmed down to my very last sprocket by trauma, fear, shock and agony all at once. When I finally came to and I was fully repaired, I could almost taste the Fat Controller being so intensely furious with me for what I had done...but he wasn't."

"That's right, Bernard," said Emily. "He knew that the family's death was not Percy's calling in any way. He had made a vow never to allow any more trucks like that on Sodor again, sending that truck to be scrapped immediately. And until Percy could well and truly recover, he was put into Beatrice's care, as well as my own whenever I had the time to spare. Percy was so afraid that I wouldn't love him anymore, but since I knew just how everything played out, I knew he wasn't to blame. I love Percy as my son figure, and he will never lose me."

"Well, that's very good to hear, Emily," said Bernard. "Having David's mother and Percy's mother figure helping him too."

"Indeed, Bernard," Beatrice added. "I not only help people in need of my counselling, but engines have the chance too, starting with Percy."

"And so Percy began having therapy sessions with Beatrice," said Thomas. "But only a couple days later, that's when the Fat Controller told me that I had to go to Italy and help Gina on a big archeological project they were working to build. Normally, I would have been excited to take the chance and go to Italy anyway, but I was at complete impasse between helping Percy and obliging the Italian Railway's request...and yet I foresaw that I could bring Gina back with me and give Percy all the healing he could ever need...and so I told Emily and Percy about the plan, and I set off the next day for Italy."

"It was difficult for us both to take the news," said Percy. "But with the chance of Gina coming back for me, I agreed. And so Beatrice and I kept having sessions together where I talked about other big, serious events in my life...until it came time for the family's funeral...and something else that came to all our knowledge...something that serves as an ironic omen."

"Ironic omen, whatever do you mean, Percy?" Bernard asked.

"Hmm...well...Bernard, I trust you've heard word of a villainous sailor? Sailor John?" Thomas asked. "Him and his Legend of the Lost Treasure?"

Bernard felt a few more uncomfortable stirrings weave through his heart as he answered.

"Oh, of course we've come to hear of him on the Mainland, Thomas," said Bernard. "Him plighting for Cap'n Calles' treasure, stealing the treasure from the Fat Controller's office, then you chased him across the island to Arlesburgh, Thomas. He then lost the treasure and ended up in the law's hands."

"So he did...for two years," said Thomas. "Then he sprung free and wrecked such havoc across Sodor, performing the Kathryn Heist, distributing morphine injections to mass areas across the island, had Lawrence killed on Gordon's express right after Emily met him again, then he incapacitated the Fat Controller and kidnapped him along with Emily and Skiff, and nearly killing me and Emily at Vicarstown until Henry, Gordon, James and Hiro all came to our rescue and that pirate was stopped for good, put to seventy-five years in prison for all he had done."

Bernard shuddered to everything Thomas said.

"Ohh...I...I came to hear about some of that," he shook. "And of course I heard of Lawrence's death onboard the express. A monstrous deception. And when I heard that you went through all of that, Emily...if only I could have been there to see you be saved! Anyway, what ironic omen would this be, regarding your predicament, Percy?"

The other three engines took a deep breath and brought it forth, while David and Beatrice gave a solid look to each other.

"Well, Bernard...a sheer tragedy struck Sodor with Percy's accident," said David. "But a little miracle also happened too. As it so happened, Bernard...while Percy was caught in that ensnaring trap of guilt, chaos and anarchy...Sailor John died on that very same day."

Bernard's heart jolted then almost froze to what he had just heard. "Sailor John? Dead? How?"

"It was only three and a half years out of his seventy-five year sentence," said David. "And the Detective Agency said it best. Driven mad by hopeless longing, Sailor John killed himself in prison so as to truly escape this world...and I consider it an ironic omen for that event to befall upon the same day Percy's scathing predicament unfolded and festered the way that it did. When Sir Topham Hatt gave me the call, I went right to the Sudrian Prison and was shown the grave right there...and that's where I also heard the news of what happened to Percy."

"That's right, Bernard," said Emily. "David had been busy for those few days and Beatrice wasn't sure how to tell him the news until he found it out for himself."

"And from then on, since I had two weeks off from work, I decided to pitch in and help Percy myself," said David.

"And that came into play at the family's funeral," said Emily. "Percy thought it best to attend the funeral himself, so he and I went along to the Sodor Cemetery. David came along too and we all watched the burial. Once the service was done, I had to escort Jack and the Construction Team to the beach where an Italian freight ship called Stefano was to take them to Italy and help Thomas and Gina. When I returned to the Cemetery, Percy knew he should not feel responsible for all that had happened, but he could not shake away the scathing image of having to see the very burial his accident had brought about."

Bernard continued to listen, but within his boiler, his heart was now buzzing and pounding with such a strong sense of eerily familiar sensations he once felt many, many years ago, and he now began to feel that his visit with Emily would really change, depending on what more there would be to tell.

"Oh, God..." he shook. "P...Percy, you should NEVER have been put through something as that! NO engine should have to see the burial of their own accident's cause!"

"Well, Bernard. I said it myself that the family's death was not of Percy's making," said David. "We all kept helping him onwards and forwards."

"And so we did...but then came the most outlandish line of events that ever came to be for me...and David too," said Emily.

"What outlandish thing was that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

Emily suddenly turned a little pale as she remembered that very night once again, while David turned away and shook his head.

"Oh...it was such a shocking and horrible thing, Bernard," said Emily. "It happened to me and David at Maron Station...something absolutely affronting."

"What happened, Emily?" Bernard asked as he saw Emily begin to shudder a little herself.

"Well...as every steam engine knows, we always rely on water for our boiler," said Emily. "But...but would you believe, Bernard, that your emerald sister...a steam engine at that too, was unfortunate enough...to...to f-f...fall drunk?"

Bernard stopped right where he was, seeming to freeze right on his rails, not making a single move. His own sister? A steam engine drunk?

"Steam engines? Drunk? Wh...w-w-w...What? WHAT?" Bernard exclaimed with boggling eyes.

"Yes, Bernard...it happened to me!" Emily shuddered. "And it's only right that we tell you about it too."

"It was another day of therapy for Percy," said David. "I watched him and Mum talking together. Then he started to cry, although he really didn't want to. Mum told him it's perfectly alright to do so and cast out overflowing emotion. As for me, I was still coping with the facts, and it made me start thinking deeper. I've heard of the odd number of people who drink to solve their problems, only to land in even bigger problems. I never like alcohol and I knew that turning to it myself was the last thing any of us needed when it came to Percy's rough situation."

"But...that didn't stop it from happening to me and David...all thanks to Diesel," said Emily.

"That night, there was a special shipment of alcoholic drinks going to a high-class restaurant," said Thomas. "Diesel was the only engine available, so he was sent to deliver the load. But in his impatience, he didn't wait for the wine and champagne to be properly secured...and then as he rushed through Maron Station, he bumped right into James, and all the wine and champagne went flying into the water tower, spiking it immediately."

Bernard's mouth gaped and a shaky exclaim escaped his throat as he boggled his eyes on his sister, not finding any words at the moment.

"And I had a busy day myself," said Emily. "I was coming back along the line to meet up with Percy for the night when I saw David beside the line. We then noticed that my water was running low and I'd have to fill up again to get home...and it so happened that we were approaching Maron Station...and neither David nor I knew just what was in that water tower."

Bernard shuddered and shook. "Ohh...I...I can scarcely imagine what it must have felt like! What exactly happened, Emily?"

"Well, I noticed nothing at first," said Emily. "As my crew filled my tank again, David began talking about how Gina would make everything so much better for Percy if she could return. I agreed, but then my boiler began to feel funny. It felt as if there were something else in that water. David thought I was just tired from the hard work, but then I felt very feeble. My boiler got a steady ache, then a nasty cramp. Then I felt quite sick. I didn't know what was going on...then I began to hiccup."

"I still hoped she was overly tired," said David. "But then when she hiccupped quite loudly, then spouted bubbles from her funnel, it was my turn to become suspicious. I had never seen her act like that before. Then she said that her funnel felt fizzy inside until she sneezed several more bubbles out through her funnel."

Bernard stared at Emily with a look of shocked awe. No other steam engine had ever gone through something as affronting as this, and it had befallen his very own sister, Thomas' emerald angel, queen and wife figure, the No. 12 Safety Engine.

"It felt as if I had butterflies and feathers tickling me all over inside my boiler," said Emily. "Then I felt something else building within me...and I ended up belching through that alcoholic mess. That was too much for David to stand by."

Bernard gave a perplexed look to Emily, then to David.

"I looked into the water tower, trying to see what was making Emily act the way she was," said David. "Until I leaned too far and fell right into that alcoholic pool. I got quite a mouthful of that concoction and nearly threw up...but just one mouthful of such a strong mixture was too much for me...and that's when things became awkwardly hilarious."

"I heard David begin to sing in that tower," said Emily. "Then he came out and wrung his coat and shirt out...and such hijinks ensued between both of us, dancing and singing in such an uneven manner. My crew thought it best to drop my fire and not let the alcohol end up exploding from the heat, and it was indeed a long night. I blew more bubbles from my funnel, then I just began to see them."

"See what, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"As the saying goes...pink elephants," said Emily. "That's when Donald and Douglas came along and soon figured out what had happened. David and I were too giddy and lost to care as we kept making up silly jokes that came into our heads out of nowhere, even singing a little opera together, we were so lost in that drunken spell, until we both fell asleep there...while Percy and Beatrice worried on through the night and didn't sleep very well at all."

Bernard still couldn't put his buffer on what he was hearing, no more than Thomas and Gina could at the time they first heard it. Percy went on.

"I was indeed worried," said Percy. "But I had no idea in the least that such an atrocious circumstance would befall Emily!"

"The very next morning, Sir Topham Hatt drove me to Maron," said Beatrice. "I hadn't slept at all well that night, and when we arrived, we saw some children and a workman looking at Emily and David as they slept on. Donald and Douglas had told Sir Topham Hatt what had happened and when Emily and David woke up, I knew they could feel everything flowing back to their heads."

"We felt so ashamed of everything," said David. "And so we brought everything forth to Sir Topham Hatt, then Henry came by to help Emily to the Steamworks and give her a good washout."

"Indeed, he did," said Emily. "I still felt rather sick with all that tainted water sitting in my boiler, and when I was finally washed out and refilled with proper clean water, I had never felt anything like it. I told the whole story to the other engines, Diesel was put back in his shed until further notice, and I promised Percy I would never fall to such an event again. He needed me, and I would stay with him through every moment I could give him...and even better, after having his vow to never touch alcohol be broken by that event, David has now pledged to never touch alcohol again."

"Well...that is most wonderful to hear, David," said Bernard. "What came next for Percy?"

"Well, Bernard, life went on for Percy trying to recover," said Emily. "Until he began to form another certain plan that I didn't expect him to bring forth to me."

"What's that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well, Beatrice did most of the work herself to help Percy regather himself emotionally, and it worked quite well in its way. Percy always felt better in the short terms, but understandably so, it wasn't enough to heal him indefinitely...and he was of course shocked to hear just what had happened to me and David, and as such, he began to cling to me a little more. I knew it was mainly because of his situation, but then he approached me and asked if I could provide him...with motherly therapy."

"Motherly therapy?" Bernard asked.

"It made me seek Beatrice's advice. She told me just what to do, and the next day was when I began to cling to Percy. I greeted him good morning, escorted him to Knapford until I had to go. When we saw each other along the line, I smiled and blew him kisses, and then when he came back that evening, I was right here, ready for him. I took him right in here for our mother to son session of therapy."

"And what did that consist of, Emily?" Bernard asked. "What did my beloved No. 12 sister do as Percy's dear, sweet mother that night?"

"Well..." Emily smiled, looking sweetly to Percy, then to Bernard again. "I'd had a polishing job to look beautiful for Percy, and I visited Susan Kyndley's Florist Shop and gathered flowers and ribbons to place throughout these sheds. Percy and I rubbed our buffers together, danced together softly, brushed our lips to our cheeks, we tickled and kissed each other...and when Percy started to flash back to that accident again, I realized that he wanted an exception or two to really help him through those emotional barriers."

Bernard raised an eyebrow as he looked notably at Emily and Percy. "Hmm. What exceptions would these be?"

Percy and Emily looked surely to each other and told Bernard just what they had done together for the sake of his wellbeing and healing and for the sake of bringing his spirits back to a considerable level. When Bernard heard it for himself, he fell silent and looked quite deeply into Emily's eyes.

"Yes, Bernard," Emily whispered. "The bond between mother and son is absolutely sacred...and so is my sister's bond for you, my dear brother."

Bernard continued to stare, then smiled. "Oh, Emily...you...you're such a perfectly sacred mother to our Percy. I...I have no other way to put it."

"Well...it was a truly special night, Bernard," Percy added. "One that neither Emily nor I will ever forget. I love her so much as my mother."

"And I love you, Percy," Emily cooed sweetly. "We both slept beautifully that night. And as we slept, David and Beatrice came along with Donald and Douglas and saw Percy and I fast asleep right in here. Then when we woke up the next morning, Percy felt truly amazing. We knew there were still a few things to be done to heal him completely, but my motherly therapy worked like gold for him."

"Mum and I came back with Donald and Douglas to greet them good morning," said David. "And we could tell how far they had come together."

"Indeed, they did," said Beatrice. "I knew the time was drawing near for Percy's recovery."

"And so we kept onwards and forwards," said Percy. "I still had my occasional flickers of doubt, regret and remorse for that family...and I still wondered how Gina would take the word. As we're whole counties apart, I had no way of knowing what she would think of me if she heard the news. So I sent her another letter of expression, hoping she would have heard about what happened...and that she'd still love me. That very night, I dreamt of seeing her again...and the whole family was with her too. They all assured me that everything would be alright."

"Goodness me, Percy," said Bernard. "That must have been a dream that should never have been woken up from."

"Perhaps not, Bernard," Percy peeped. "I passed the time with Beatrice, Emily and myself all through the next day. I waited, wondered and listened for any word to come from Gina...until that evening came and the Fat Controller had a letter especially for me. I returned to Tidmouth Sheds with Emily, and David read the letter. Gina had indeed heard all that had befallen me, and she had it written that she and Thomas had so much to share with me, and that she was coming home. My Italian Queen was coming home at last. Thomas had granted the promise he made me, and I would be truly rejuvenated for the better...and so Gina did come back."

Bernard finally managed to smile fully again. "So...did your Italian Queen heal your spirits for good, Percy?"

"She so very did that, Bernard. And so the day came," said Percy. "Emily and I rushed to Brendam and saw Thomas return...then my Italian Queen returned after three entire years. I could not have been happier than that very day. We immediately went to the Whistling Woods and exchanged all the stories we could until we had told everything to each other."

"Yes. Indeed we did," said Thomas. "All while Percy worked through his barriers with Emily and Beatrice, I had been working with Gina the Italian Queen and ensuing such adventures there myself..."

Thomas then went on to tell his whole story about what had happened in Italy between him and Gina, how he started out fairly with her, then wound up into a little trouble in that mine, which led her to saving him and coming off to a rough start. Then Thomas went on to talk about how he told Gina and her friends the entire story about Percy's scathing predicament and how it affected Gina. Then how the whole Construction Team came along to help Thomas and Gina, and how they all laughed over Thomas' incident at the mine, onto Thomas getting lost in that mine again and rediscovering Lorenzo and Beppe, then talking about Gina's guilt and self-defeat which was immediately countered by Thomas' assurances, and life managed to go on between him and the Italian Queen. Bernard was deeply intrigued and drawn into what he had heard about these adventures as Thomas went on to talk about Lorenzo's Solo, Thomas trying to sing opera, then losing his voice, right up to when he and Gina heard the news and were on their way home.

"Whoa...I...I have no clear words for any of this, Thomas...except Bellissima!" Bernard stated when those stories were finally finished.

"Well, that's just what Gina says about Italy, and it's very true," said Thomas. "And the very next day, her visit with Percy began."

"They began their time together the very next day," said Emily. "While comparing each other as finest greenery compared to pretty much all the other green engines there are on Sodor. They met so many green engines throughout the start of her visit until they concluded to themselves that they themselves are the finest greenery for each other."

"Hmm. Interesting. Simple, but interesting," said Bernard. "Then what came to be for Gina?"

"Well, a few days later, it was a rainy, wet day when Gina had a little accident when she ran into a big, derailed tree and struck her forehead. She wasn't too badly hurt, but her crew made quite a fuss about it. They went so far as to put a black patch over her eye until they felt she didn't need it anymore...but she felt for sure she'd look like a pirate."

"Hmm...I can't help but recall hearing a story like that about Sir Handel," said Bernard.

"Indeed, it happened to him too, Bernard," said Thomas. "Anyway, it was a big and important day for all of us. In light of Sailor John's passing, the Navy Admiral was paying a visit to Sodor and the Maritime Museum at Arlesburgh to see Cap'n Calles' ship, treasures and other artifacts... and despite her pirate-like attire, Gina was chosen to bring the Admiral to the museum."

"Was she?" Bernard asked. "Well. That is a deep and powerful honour."

"As for me," said David. "I was there in my full Navy attire to show the Admiral around. I even showed him the Sea Emperor and Skiff, Sailor John's Railboat who long-since found a better life. The Admiral went on to tell us that the Navy has now taken extensive measures to never let anyone else follow in Sailor John's footprints and cause any more havoc to Sodor, and that as long as I live here, I may protect Sodor from any more atrocities like Sailor John ever touching the island again, and so I hold to that promise and always will."

Bernard gave David a deep look of dignity and David nodded right back to the navy Stirling.

"Yes, it was a lovely visit from the Admiral," said Emily. "And a good experience for Gina, even if she did look like a pirate...but for Thomas, that visit brought him something quite devastating to dream of."

"Dream of?" Bernard asked. "Well...what was it, Thomas?"

Thomas shut his eyes and thought back to that scathing nightmare, then brought it forth to his angel's brother.

"Well...with Sailor John gone, I was conditioned to start thinking about him again. I remember all my experiences with him, from first meeting him and searching for the treasure, meeting him again and following the treasure map however we could, then him stealing the treasure and almost blowing me up, then him escaping and almost killing Emily and I at the Vicarstown Viaduct...and all of that made me start thinking what would have happened...if Emily and I weren't saved...and as it so happened, I had a most scathing nightmare...of Sailor John counting our time down until he'd kill us...and as cruel fate would have it for that nightmare to bestow...he actually did kill Emily. I...I actually saw it happen with my own eyes...in a dream, of course, but still..."

Bernard's heart pounded very hard and he shot such a look of shock and horror to his sister. Emily could see that deeper thoughts were bouncing around in his smokebox, and although she didn't know for sure just what they could be, she knew just what to do.

"Sailor John is dead, Bernard...we're all here together," she assured him softly.

Bernard breathed as deeply as he could, then sighed strongly as Thomas went on.

"Then Sailor John finally got his long sought-after chance and killed me," Thomas continued. "Just as I woke up and began to rush out to save Emily...but she was right there on the turntable. She then knew we had to talk, and she whisked me right to Arlesburgh, where we told David and Beatrice everything. To know that my most notorious enemy is now dead made me look back to everything and what could have been...if I lost my angel...and now that you're here, if you lost your sister."

"No! No!" Bernard began to beg with fright. "I will NOT let anything like that take my sister away!"

"Bernard...nothing will take me away from my Thomas," said Emily. "As Thomas dreamt, in that dream, I told him how we held together as husband and wife until death do us part, as is one of the vows of marriage...and so we hold to that vow...but in a much stronger and more powerful way."

"More powerful than 'death do us part'?" Bernard asked. "What ever do you mean, Emily?"

Emily looked deeply into Bernard's eyes and blinked once as her eyes glimmered in the ceiling lights. Then she looked to Thomas again.

"Well, Bernard," said Emily. "There was a previous time Thomas feared I would be scrapped after he had faced so much during Sailor John's first plight...to which I told him that the Fat Controller assured me that it will NEVER happen. I will always be here on Sodor for Thomas...and what he had said to me that night still speaks today."

"What did he say?" Bernard asked.

"He told me that if ever I were scrapped, he'd be scrapped too," said Emily. "Now of course that will never come to be for either of us, but all the same, it's a pledge we've made for each other. If one of us ever went down, the other would go too, and we would be together forever and for always. Not even death can part love. Only the end of time could do something like that, but even then, I tend to say otherwise."

"Indeed, they did, Bernard," said David. "And that's when Thomas brought on something even more heavily special."

"Yes, Bernard," said Thomas. "After Sailor John's final defeat...would you believe that I actually proposed to Emily that she marry me?"

Bernard looked deeply to Thomas, then to Emily as they both smiled purely to him.

"I was so very happy to have heard him say that, Bernard," Emily whispered. "And if we were people, I would have certainly married him, but since we're engines, I didn't think a wedding would make the most sense. We love each other so purely, marriage isn't truly required. Love is all you need...and that's when Thomas gave me a bridal veil all for myself to wear for him that night...and then after living through that nightmare, I had the bridal veil worn on my funnel again...I was his bride once again."

"And that's when David did it," said Thomas. "As Emily once belonged to his father, so too she belongs to him...and thus, you might say, he courted us together as husband and wife figures in the way he would have done if we were people and could truly marry."

Bernard looked right to David, who gave Bernard a dignified bow. "I did, Bernard. In our own individual way, I courted your sister to Thomas the Tank Engine. They performed their own unique vows to hold together until the end of time to they part."

Bernard was so very happy to hear this, he wanted to blow his whistle in rejoice, but knew that wouldn't be necessary...then he saw the three engines and Riders' smiles fall away and turn to a sense of displeasure.

"Yes...it was truly an amazing night," said Emily. "But then, after such a golden night of glory...then came two days of absolute Hell laced upon Gina and I. By a particular vehicle...with big wheels and an absolute hatred for railways."

"Oh. Well...who was it, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"None other than George the Steamroller," said Thomas. "Does that ring a bell, Bernard?"

"Huh! Do you even have to ask?" Bernard scoffed suddenly. "I know just what he had done over those years to Sir Handel, Daisy, and even the Fat Controller, Percy, Thomas, Duck and even Gordon! Did...did he commit any crimes against my sister?"

"As a matter of fact, he did," said Emily. "To me and Gina. I only remember glimpsing George briefly when I was first selected to take the Black Loch Route, and when he finished paving the Sodor Airport's runway, but then, just after Thomas and I reassessed our husband and wife bond...George spewed out all his nonsense of railways being no good when Gina and I were asked to bring him materials to expand one of the roads. He, of course, wasted no time making our lives miserable whenever we came along. Blocking me at the level crossing, always calling me an 'Imitation Steamroller,' then splashing me with oil is what he started out with."

"And when she told us the news, I came to notice that I never even gave thought to George giving my angel trouble. Ever since he finished the Sodor Airport's runway, no one had mentioned him for years and years...until Emily did, and it brought about so much worry and suspicion for me...and David too."

"Did it, indeed," said David. "When I came to hear the news, I felt very defensive and protective of Emily. Sir Topham Hatt may be the controller of this railway, but to me, that doesn't make him truly in charge of my engine, who was my father's before me, and now she's my engine too."

"Hmm. Admirable loyalties to my sister you have, David," Bernard nodded. "Then what happened?"

"Then Gina was splashed with oil too, along with George mocking my accident in most heinous ways," Percy added.

"He was quite relentless and ungrateful for all the things we were doing to help," said Emily. "Until finally I lost patience with him and managed to infuriate him. Whether you ignore him or not makes little difference in what he'd do next...and what he did next could have potentially spawned another tragedy. After Percy's tragic accident that killed a whole innocent family...another innocent family was almost next."

Bernard's heart raced and began to hurt badly as he could feel a few things rushing through his mind, but much more so with Emily.

"D-don't tell me that you...you had a tragic accident too, Emily?!" he begged.

"No, Bernard. I didn't," said Emily. "The key word is 'almost,' meaning that it didn't turn out a tragedy. As I made way to gather the last load of stone for the road...George tarmacked the level crossing without Jem Cole to stop him since his hat blew away and he ran to get it...and when I came back along the line, still fuming about George...that's when I went flying off the rails!"

"Then what, Emily?!" Bernard begged.

"There was a farmer and two children in the field I slid into," said Emily. "And it's only because I called to them to get out of the way that they're still alive today. I crashed right into that barn and got rather scratched and dirty. Then Gina came rushing along behind my line and she slid into the field too, upsetting her train of building material all over the field. George was indeed proud of what he had done to us both...until he hit the scattered rocks the wrong way and cascaded down the slope into a muddy ditch."

"Then outrage and fire-eyed fury became my conduct," said David. "The instant Sir Topham Hatt came and told us what happened, I could see just what had happened to my engine all by that steamroller's doing, and for just a short period of time, I took the railway into my own hands for the better good of Emily, the other engines, and the road industry too. We rode with Sir Topham Hatt right to the scene of disaster."

"Percy and I, meanwhile had heard the news too," said Thomas. "We were both so incensed as we fetched Rocky, Butch and Harold to help our two queens out of the mess. After they were back on track, George was brought out of that ditch, he had no remorse for what he had done to Emily and Gina. The Fat Controller began to punish George, intending to take him off the roads for a week...but then David came onto the scene and admittedly, I think he scared us all with how angry he was."

"I was indeed furious," said David. "I had warned George earlier that if he made anything happen to Emily, he'd have me to answer to, which of course he didn't take seriously in the least. And since Sir Topham Hatt seemed open to at least giving him another chance, I demanded him to look back on George's history and that he will NEVER be one of us. I drew my naval cutlass and threatened George away from Emily, then demanded that Sir Topham Hatt get rid of him."

"Hmm," Bernard hissed indignantly. "All of that laced upon my No. 12 sister for no reason at all! Well, what did the Fat Controller do?"

"He sternly refused at first, stating that no one tells him what to do," said David. "But for that given situation, I would not let it slide. I told Sir Topham Hatt that I was only going to say this to him once: he may be the manager of this railway, but Emily is still my engine, and it's my job to protect her from errant vehicles, as well as honour my promise to the Admiral to bar any more atrocities like Sailor John from endangering this island. Therefore, I didn't care how much authority Sir Topham Hatt carries; I hammered in that he was going to bring the matter forth to the Mayor and the Sodor Island Council, he was going to do what I said, 'and get that damn steamroller off the Island of Sodor'."

"Whoa..." Bernard murmured. "You...you have quite the military weight even now, David."

"He does, Bernard," said Emily. "And to our surprise and gratitude, the Fat Controller submitted to my Captain's orders, even referring to him as Captain."

"And that's when George's fate was first announced," said Beatrice. "I went right over to that steamroller and slapped him true on both cheeks. I'm a true gem and helper to those in need, but to anyone who scathes me or my friends, I will not let it slide either."

"Neither did I," said David. "I held George at sword point, and I most insensitively threatened him that if he EVER touched Emily again, I would cut his funnel off and donate it to the Steamworks. Then I demanded Jem Cole to pay ten percent of the money he makes in a year to the farmer to build a new barn."

Bernard stood there, enthralled. "By my navy paint, you are one diligent soldier, David!"

"Of course I am," said David. "Last, but definitely not least, I hammered in that I didn't want to see George's face wandering the island for at least five years."

"And even further to our surprise and gratitude, the Fat Controller agreed," said Thomas. "He had George taken away and locked up for the next little while, while the Mayor of Sodor and the island Council were both called about this matter, and an emergency hearing was heard the very next day. We all waited, wondered and hoped for the best...until finally, David, Beatrice, the Fat Controller and the Mayor came to see us at Knapford, and they told us the most staggering, but truly amazing news."

"Yes, Emily? What is it?" Bernard asked.

"Bernard, my brother...George the Steamroller has been banished," Emily announced.

"For five years at least," said David. "And even after that, the mainland will hold custody on George until which time he learns to be polite, patient and careful. And there's not much chance of that ever happening. Is there?"

"And that reminds me, Bernard...did you come to see George anywhere recently?" Emily asked.

"Well..." Bernard pondered. "Come to think of it...I did hear the odd word that he'd be kept on the Mainland...they said somewhere near Bridlington, locked away in a shed and kept under strict supervision and intensive confinement...rather like Diesel 10's intensive confinement."

"Oh, really?" Thomas pondered. "Well, in that sense, he has no hope of escape, and even if he tried...since he's at Bridlington, I can only guess if he tried any stunts, the Mainland Board would hand him over to the Steelworks, to Hurricane and Frankie's buffers. Now that is one prisoner they are WELCOME to keep forever! The Steelworks may be a much friendlier place now thanks to the Experimental Engines' help, but all the same, George being held there with no choice would be very fitting!"

"And so George is gone from Sodor, likely never to return again," said Emily. "Since then, Miss Jenny's red steamroller Buster has been in charge of paving the roads. A much friendlier, sunny steamroller he is too. He'll be liked so dearly by all of us."

"Anyway, that's the story of George and his Imitation Steamroller," said Thomas. "His last story on Sodor too...and so we finally moved on."

"How, Thomas?" Bernard asked.

"In light of his banishment, Thomas and I began to wonder where we could spend our spare time together," said Emily. "And that's when David and Beatrice brought on the subject of family trees...then he told Thomas and I to find our very own Love Tree. It was such a heartfelt idea that Thomas and I searched Henry's Forest, the Whistling Woods, then finally Maithwaite Forest...and that's where we found our Love Tree. Such a big, lush, lifelike tree, it was just too much to pass up. And so all the other engine couples spent their time there, then all of us gathered there together, with even the Riders and the Hatts too...and as it so happens, there's another significance surrounding that tree."

"What's that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"It...it's where Sir Topham and Lady Hatt first ever met, back when they were children...and it so happens that they themselves named it the Love Tree."

"Wow...it...it is?" Bernard asked. "Well...before my visit is out, I'd better find a chance to at least see it."

"All in good time, Bernard," said Emily. "And so Percy and Gina's visit carried on...including a time they had to take dynamite to the quarry, and 'Arry and Bert gave Percy quite the trouble teasing him into thinking one tiny bump would set off all the dynamite. Luckily, Gina was there to help him...and the payback they laced upon 'Arry and Bert was absolutely classic. The workmen agreed to blast the dynamite and scare 'Arry and Bert away for frightening Percy so badly, and they of course didn't escape the Fat Controller's strict and meticulous eye."

"Oh, I bet," said Bernard.

"Then, since Percy and Gina's visit was due to come to an end," said Thomas. "They thought about anything they had never done before...and after helping Percy out of such an awful curse and scathing predicament to be had...they found something to really feed and satisfy their temptations together. A bath of temptation."

"A...bath of temptation? Wow..." Bernard breathed. "I...I never knew engines could bring upon temptations through a washdown! Do...do you and Thomas bring on your own temptations at the washdown, Emily?"

"W-Well...he-he-he...yes, Bernard, we do," Emily blushed. "But like with Percy's stories, I don't intend to become too detailed about it. I am your sister after all."

"Of course," said Bernard as he winked to his sister and Thomas too.

"Anyway," said Emily. "Percy and Gina agreed to do so, and after seeing me at the washdown myself, that was all they needed. All I can say is they had a most unforgettable evening together, right until they had to say goodbye the next day. They were of course sad to see each other leave again, but that time, it was more hopeful than sad, and we await the next time she could probably come back, however it may turn out."

"Yes...until we meet again," Percy peeped longingly. "Emily was such a perfect mother to hold onto me that very evening."

"I'm ever-proud to do so for you, Percy," said Emily. "And so life went on for all of us, including a time Gordon and Rebecca had to manage a high-stress express together with so many passengers and destinations to look after, but they made it through most gallantly. Then after that...Thomas gave me quite the cheeky trouble."

Bernard raised an eyebrow to his sister's husband figure.

"Did he now? I always knew he was a cheeky engine by nature...but he's even cheeky with my own sister?"

"Apparently he is, Bernard," said Emily. "He's done it a few times before, but for this story, he kept my coaches away from me until the passengers arrived, then made me chase him around the yard for my goods train. David and Beatrice came to hear the news and David was not at all pleased, going so far as to think of finding Thomas and scolding him for such behaviour...until he took note of Black Loch and mentioned the full moon due to come that night...and that's when he began to wonder."

"Wonder what, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well, Bernard. It is said that the effect of moonlight makes people behave different among each other, especially if it's a full moon. It certainly had a heavily passionate effect on James and Molly one night...and with Thomas' cheekiness with me, I wondered if it were due to the full moon we'd be getting that night. Neither of us were quite sure if it would come to be, but David knew it would come that night...and that Thomas would surely be my scoundrel by moonlight as it were...and after a little more tricky behaviour from Thomas...it all happened that very night."

"With a full moon?" Bernard asked.

"Yes, Bernard. It did," said David. "As I came to hear, the full moon took full hold of both my engine and her cobalt star, and I can only say that with the lunar spells that moon cast upon them, they were both at each other's passionate mercy."

Bernard gave a narrow smile to Thomas and Emily and leaned up and down to nod right at them. Percy didn't dare question anything further himself.

"We enjoy the time we share together," was all Thomas chortled. "Until I left for another adventure in Brazil."

"Yes, Bernard. Thomas went back to Brazil," said Emily. "I was once again left to manage without him...until came a rainy, cold day for me to manage. I looked after passengers all through the pouring rain and the bitter wind. It was quite a miserable day for me, and I was ready to turn in once my passengers were taken care of. But I still had a load to take to Arlesburgh West that evening. Luckily the rain stopped on my way there...but then the turntable at Arlesburgh West was out of order, which meant I couldn't turn around and have a fast way home. Then Donald and Douglas came along with a new motor for the turntable, both wearing tarpaulins over their tenders."

"Of course they would wear those," said Bernard. "All of us should wear one for the rain."

"But they're not entirely flawless solutions, Bernard," said Emily. "You have to be careful that those tarpaulins don't get caught in your feed pipe and block the water flow to your boiler. Donald had a little story to tell me just about that. He and Douglas were working in the wet and their drivers put tarpaulins over both their tenders, but then Donald was in a hurry and his tarpaulin wasn't properly secured. As such, he had quite a bad ache in his boiler as no water could flow through. His tarpaulin had got tangled and tattered inside his feed pipe, and Douglas had quite a laugh about it."

"Oh, I'm sure he did," said Bernard.

"Then once the story was done, I thought the turntable was fixed," said Emily. "But it wasn't. It was then that Donald and Douglas suggested to me that I use the Harwick turntable instead, so I would still get home quickly. That was enough for me to feel better for the night...until Thomas came home from Brazil...and then we had quite a steamy session together."

Bernard raised an eyebrow to this. "Hmm. And what session would this be, Emily?"

"Well...what happened shortly after his return, there came a time when I was a...a fragrant emerald," said Emily.

"Fragrant emerald? What do you exactly mean by that?" Bernard asked.

"Well, Bernard, dear, it was after Thomas came back from Brazil after another adventure, and since it had been another adventure with him being away, it made us wonder what we could do in light of his return...and it was then when we realized that neither of us had shared a washdown for around two years...and that made us both wildly excited."

"Really?" Bernard pondered. "So what did you both do?"

"We both had a lot of messy work to do that day," said Thomas. "I had to deliver coal to all the chutes, and Emily had many loads of stone to help Mavis with at the quarry. With the thought of another washdown on our minds, we both got as messy as we could. I let some of the coal at the Coaling Plan pour on me."

"And I let quarry dust a few small stones pour on me," said Emily. "The dirtier the better. In addition, Mavis ended up breaking down before she could take the last load of stone with me, so I did it all myself. And by my funnel, did it pay off! We both came back from work that day, and we were both absolutely messy...and that's when David came along to see us, and my driver brought his plan and reward for me right at the washdown."

"What reward would that be, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well, all engines wash down with soap and water," said Emily. "But my wash was not with just any soap. To reward me for my efforts, and give Thomas a passionate bonus too, David washed me with women's shampoo, Bernard. A lovely sort too, called Fragrance of Beauty."

Bernard couldn't hold back his blush. "Oh...my lovely emerald sister being washed with women's shampoo...such a lovely, fitting treat for her!"

"Thank you, Bernard," Emily blushed.

"So David did the washing, while I watched on, Bernard," said Thomas. "It was so lovely to see Emily so happy with such a fragrant bath...and what came next, well...let's just say we had a most fragrant evening together and leave it at that."

Bernard gave a narrow, thin smile to Emily, who couldn't help but return the look to her brother.

"Yes, it was a lovely time for us both," said Emily. "Then followed a night between Gordon and Rebecca where they just spent a night of complete silence together in their own little world...but then after that came something that never happened to any of us before."

"To any of you?" Bernard asked. "What do you mean by that, Emily?"

"Oh...it's a notable piece of Sudrian history now," said Thomas. "Very heavy rains hit upon Sodor, and much of the island scrambled to prepare for flooding. The Search and Rescue Centre placed sandbags all along their coast, most of Arlesburgh laid sandbags throughout the area too...but Tidmouth Sheds was not so lucky. We all hoped it wouldn't be too bad...but then what happened to us at Tidmouth Sheds has never EVER happened before."

"What, Thomas?" Bernard asked.

"We...we were all flooded at Tidmouth Sheds," said Percy. "The rain became so very heavy and deluged that we all ended up submerged about three feet in water. It was then too dangerous for us to do any work, so we were all quarantined inside a damp shed for about eight days."

"Eight days?! Damn," Bernard stated. "It must have been frightening for such things to befall my beloved sister!"

"It was frightful, Bernard," Emily replied. "When we saw that water seeping under the shed doors...oh, it was horrifying!"

"The Fat Controller came the next morning and said we'd all have to stay in the sheds until the flood receded," said Thomas. "All we could do then for those few days was exchange stories, conversation and merely pass the time together. I told my tales of adventure in India and Brazil while the other engines told me what happened during that time among themselves. We had a family of ducks bear us company, and David and Beatrice even paid us a visit to assure us they were both okay. Emily began to worry about them, but felt better to see them."

"Then the Fat Controller came back to the sheds and told us something truly amazing," said Emily. "The rain was due to finally stop that evening, then over the next four days, nothing but clear, hot, crisp, sunny weather to recede the water levels, and by the time the fifth morning came by...we were free. The flood was over and we could all return to work. The Fat Controller was so pleased with the turnout that he, Sir Robert and the Mayor of Sodor endeavoured to put together a summer-themed carnival with a ride and sand sculpture which we all had to help put together and pay a visit to when we could...which during that time raised a certain situation for me."

"Oh...and what situation be that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Oh...well, Bernard," said Emily. "I...I began to think about best friends...and how I didn't feel like I had one of my own. It sounds silly, I know, since Thomas has been my best friend after all he has done for me over these years, but that best friend aspect turned into love and eternal devotion between us ever since we first ever kissed to the lips for the very first time...and the next day, we were all working in pairs to help finish the carnival...but I was left to work by myself, fetching sand to finish the sculptures."

"Hmm...working alone and thinking of best friends," said Bernard. "What did you do then, Emily?"

"I spent the day wondering who my own best friend could be," said Emily. "I saw Philip with the carnival ride, Marion digging a ditch beside the line, Thomas and Percy shunting at the docks, and Henry and Edward passing through the docks themselves. I confided to Philip, Marion, Henry and Edward that they were all my best friends, but Philip, Marion and Henry were all busy and assured me they'd see me at the unveiling of the sand sculpture, and they all considered me their best friend too."

"Well...who is your best friend, Emily?" Bernard asked.

"Well...that's what the Fat Controller helped me about that very day after the sand sculpture's unveiling. After I helped Edward's load to the Scrapyard, Philip, Marion and Henry came along stating they were my best friend, and when Philip mentioned the sand sculpture unveiling, I noticed I had forgotten all about those trucks, and when I returned to the Docks, they were gone...as it turned out, Thomas and Percy brought them along for me."

"We did," said Thomas. "The sand sculpture unveiling was a big success, and as for Emily, well...she had a little more to conclude. I'm her cobalt star and husband figure and so it shall be forever."

"I'm her cute, innocent, adorable baby," Percy peeped. "We idolize each other as mother to son figures and so that shall remain."

"As for Philip, Marion, Henry and Edward? They are my very good friends," said Emily. "And Donald and Douglas are my Sudrian brother figures...but as for best friends, the Fat Controller told me to go to Arlesburgh. I went there at once, and there was David. He had heard everything and I told him that that was indeed what happened...then he asked me the question to who my best friend is...and it was then when I realized...it's him. David is my true best friend after all we've done together, Bernard."

"Indeed, I am, Bernard," said David. "Emily is my best friend too with all we've done together and will continue doing together."

"I see. Well, that's a nice little uplift for my sister. You both make perfect best friends to me. Then what happened?" Bernard inquired.

"Well...let's just say Thomas and I made a fuzzy friend this past autumn," Emily stated. "We met a hefty little dog together."

"Yes, Bernard," said Thomas. "Gordon, Nia, James and I were at Knapford Station when Nia saw and heard that dog on one of the platforms. He had no collar which could only mean he was a stray. James didn't like him too much, and Fuzzy was by no means afraid to go where he pleased...right on James' shiny wheels."

"Hmm. I see," Bernard replied, not inquiring any further than he should. "What about you, Emily?"

"David and I were at Dryaw Station when we met the dog ourselves," said Emily. "I've always liked dogs considerably. I think they're faithful, dedicated pets, although David thinks a little otherwise."

"It's true I don't like dogs very much," said David. "Although I have an adequate interest in collies, and I know the stories of Lassie, Old Yeller and Balto quite well."

"Oh, of course. All well-known tales of dogs," said Bernard.

"Anyway," said Emily. "The Fat Controller almost tripped over that dog and he knew the railway is no place for a dog. But when he mentioned the idea of calling a Dog Warden, that dog took off at once and ran right into Thomas, who then decided to look after the dog until he could find a home."

"I did. We placed notices for that dog wherever we could," said Thomas. "While we did that, the dog rode with me...but when we got to Tidmouth Beach, that dog ran loose after a squirrel. I chased him along the line, into Maithwaite Forest and past the Love Tree, but then I derailed just around that bend, and that dog took my driver's cap with him. I thought I'd be stuck for a long time...but I had no idea just what that dog was doing, and who he brought along to help me."

"That dog ran to Knapford Station where I was waiting," said Emily. "The Fat Controller and a workman named Albert and his son Little Thomas were waiting for my Thomas to come along. Then Fuzzy came along with his driver's cap, and he brought me along to Thomas. He led me all the way to Maithwaite Forest. Now that I knew where Thomas was, I went and fetched Rocky...going right past the Love Tree while I did. We helped Thomas back to Knapford, and that dog finally found an owner. Little Thomas and Albert took him in and named him 'Fuzzy,' the Dog. Even David had to admire Fuzzy had some good qualities to lead his engine to my star...and so Thomas and I spent the evening at the Love Tree together again."

"Hmm. An interesting little story," said Bernard. "Then what came after that?"

"Oh, Bernard. A few weeks later came a time for me to really shine," said Percy. "There was a Railway Show for little engines being presented at Ulfstead Castle, and the Fat Controller told me to collect a special shipment to deliver for that show. I was so excited about it, I spread the word to all the little engines that I could and invited them to come along...but it wasn't until plenty of confusion and delay ensued across the island and the Fat Controller, Thin Controller, Small Controller and Thin Clergyman all arrived at Ulfstead Castle and inquired to what was happening."

"All the little engines gathering at once? That would indeed cause confusion and delay," said Bernard.

"Well, it did, Bernard," said Percy. "I said we were all there for the Little Railway Show...and that's when the Thin Clergyman clarified just what I had misread from the Fat Controller. The show was really for little model engines and a model of this railway."

Bernard thought about it, then immediately understood what Percy meant by all of that.

"Oh...why didn't I think of it before?" Bernard asked. "But then again, little engines would probably sound simple enough, wouldn't it?"

"Well, it certainly sounded such to me," said Percy. "But thankfully, Sir Robert Norramby, the Earl of the Ulfstead Estate thought that by having the little engines take part in the show themselves, it would make the show even more spectacular, and so it did. The show went on for a few days, and as such, a select few engines got their chance to be in the show. There were plenty of engines for the visitors to enjoy, no matter what the size. Even Luke and Millie, and Rosie and Stanley got a chance to be on display together. They don't often see each other like the other engine couples...and as for me, well, since I weaved the idea to have all the little engines take part, I was given the Rosette for Best in Show."

"Ahh. Congratulations, Percy," Bernard smiled. "You must have been proud."

"He was, Bernard," said Emily. "And so was I. I thought it was such a resourceful idea for Percy to invite all the little engines, and for him to be given the best reward in show was more than deserving for him...and now, there's just one more story to truly bring you up to speed, Bernard. Something between Thomas, myself, David and Beatrice."

"What's that, Emily?" Bernard asked.

David and Beatrice looked to Thomas and Emily, remembering that most prominent night they had shared together just a few months ago. Then they all looked to Bernard.

"Well, Bernard," said Thomas. "With everything that has befallen us all, sometimes it makes you wonder what could have been...if our lives ran a different course. Several years, shortly before I went on his first big adventure ever, Emily and I spent a night together thinking about how it could have been if our relationship ran a different course, such as if we had confessed earlier."

"Indeed we did," said Beatrice. "And in the end, we decided that with the way our lives ran their course, it ultimately turned out for the very best."

"And so it did," said David. "But then, just this past autumn, it was my turn to think such thoughts."

"That's right, Bernard," said Beatrice. "A night of great stirrings and extensive imagination was spent between all four of us, regarding how else it could have been if David were on Sodor earlier during certain events regarding Thomas, Emily and such."

So Bernard listened further as Thomas, Emily, David and Beatrice all took their chance to recap all that David had conjured up in his mind about how else it could have been if he were on Sodor earlier, including when he confronted then fought the Fat Controller when Thomas was being given such a cruel shadow for mere mistakes and saving Ryan's life, to when David ousted Bradford away from Sodor himself, his fire-eyed fury-driven revenge against Donald and Douglas after Emily's accident, him seeing and hearing of Lawrence's death himself, right up to him being there to see the death of his father's murderer, then facing Sailor John one last time and thus closing the deal on the pirate's tyranny himself. All the while, Bernard was mystified, enthralled, and when it came to Lawrence's death, his nerves were subjected to considerable strain. Then they all finished on the note of seeing Lawrence again over the sea and how he conversed with the four individuals that night, then they all concluded the night themselves.

At last, Thomas, Emily, David and Beatrice concluded those stories and remained silent for a moment, looking at Bernard and his enthralled expression.

"And that is how we all imagined how else it could have been," said Thomas. "Then after that, well...Halloween, November, then December came and went with another truly amazing Christmas for us all to love and be together for...and then this spring came along and...well...Emily had her experience of saving everyone from their accidents when the pretend emergency turned into a real emergency, and...you know the rest. And that is everything, Bernard. Every story as to what happened since you and Emily last saw each other."

"And finally...that's everything, Bernard," said Emily. "Ever since you and I saw each other last, and with all these stories to be told, you are now well and truly caught up."

As silence fell upon the sheds, everyone looked as Bernard started thinking and taking everything in with all he had heard tonight. He was now indeed well and truly caught up with all that had happened on Sodor, and when it came to how everything turned out, he was indeed most intrigued to hear all that could happen here on Sodor, and with his sister too. They were all most impressive stories...but it had also brought on a new and even troubling sensation he was still hiding under his silent position.

"That is all...fascinating, everyone," he said at last. "DO the wonders of Sodor ever stop?"

"I don't think they ever will, Bernard," said Emily. "Indeed, a great deal of heavy-handed things can befall Sodor, such as all that happened this past year, but there is something indeed fascinating about that, isn't there?"

"Fascinating indeed," said David. "And now, I think Mum and I should be going home. And you should all hunker down and bear each other's warmth tonight."

"I think David's perfectly right," said Beatrice. "Goodnight to all of you, and you too, Bernard."

David and Beatrice then set off out of the sheds and back to the station to make their way home. Thomas, Emily, Percy and Bernard all stayed together in the sheds, still taking every moment in...until Emily's eyes trailed to Bernard and she was sure she could see a look of trouble on his face. It made her suddenly wonder if there was something on his mind regarding the heavy-handed stories or anything of that matter.

"Bernard? Is everything alright?" she asked. "Is anything wrong?"

Much like Thomas and Skiff, Bernard held a deep expression before looking to his sister again. He had been losing himself to much deeper thoughts, but he didn't think this was the right time to tell her all.

"No, Emily...no, it's nothing," he said quietly. "For now, let us all sleep together again."

"Hmm. I agree, Bernard," said Emily. "Sweet dreams to all of you."

Thomas and Percy bade sweet dreams to Emily and Bernard too, and so the engines fell asleep again, all huddled together...but with all the stories Bernard had now heard, he was feeling very different underneath. He was too tired to bring forth the thoughts he had now, but he had a very strong feeling that the next day would be rather grave for himself and his friends. The serious, dark stories he had come to hear, particularly Percy's crushed spirits, Thomas' nightmare of Emily and even David's scenarios to how else it could have been, were all playing on his mind when it came to the secret he was still holding. After such a midst of pride and joy to be back with Emily again and re-establishing their strong connection, it would soon be time for that secret and grave truth to be revealed. Just as he had secretly though, these particular stories had come to bring these inner secrets rushing back to Bernard, and he somehow knew the next day would be a serious shift in his visit...

---

When morning came again, Thomas, Emily and Percy woke up together and greeted good morning to each other, when they suddenly noticed that there wasn't much sunlight making its way through the windows. Outside, it was a completely cloudy and slightly grey day. This made the first three engines feel as though it wouldn't the most engaging day with weather such as this...and then they all turned to Bernard, set to greet him good morning, but what they saw made them feel something else.

Bernard was already awake, and looking rather unhappy as he stared out the window to the grey day. Emily looked and could see him staring with such a look of forlorn gloom and inner trouble. The other engines wondered if it was mainly due to the heavy-handed stories he had heard the night before, but very little did any of them know of just what the real reason behind it was.

"Bernard? What's the matter, dear?" Emily asked.

"I...I do not know," Bernard replied, keeping his gaze on the grey day outside.

"Well, it's not the sunniest day ever, we can understand that," said Thomas.

"It's nothing to do with grey weather," Bernard stated neutrally.

"Well...do you feel ill?" Percy asked.

"It's nothing to do with illness either," Bernard replied.

"What is it then? Please tell us," said Thomas.

Bernard looked rigidly to the three engines, right to his sister.

"I...I think things are going to be quite different now I...I can't explain it all right now, but as soon as your work is done...come and see me at Arlesburgh. Last night's stories have brought on a few things for me to tell you. Things I should have brought forth decades ago."

This perplexed Thomas, Percy and especially Emily. What was Bernard talking about, and how did those stories bring this trouble forth for him?

"Whatever are you talking about, Bernard?" Emily asked.

"Emily...my dear, sweet sister," Bernard said in a shifty manner. "There's...there's something I've been holding back for many years ever since it happened. I think you saw how I took Percy's story of crushed spirit...and I potently need you all to see me at Arlesburgh as soon as your work is done."

And with that, the shed doors opened and Bernard took off rather hastily to be on his own, to hide and to think. Thomas, Emily and Percy all looked to each other, starting to feel a bit concerned as they started work too. All through that day, on into the afternoon, as Thomas, Percy and Emily held to their duties, they all wondered just what could be eating at Bernard's spirits. If it wasn't the grey weather, and not him being ill, then what could it be? Was it anything to do with the stories he had come to hear? What secret was Bernard holding back, and what would they come to find out? Whatever questions they had would have to wait until their work was done...but that was not easy to do in the least.

"What could have happened to make Bernard so downhearted?" Emily thought as she remained prepared for any emergency to respond to.

"What secrets does my mother's brother withhold for us to hear?" Percy thought to himself with the mail train.

"What truth beneath the emerald's brother is there for us to hear it all?" Thomas thought on his Branch Line.

And all throughout this grey, dreary day, as Bernard wandered the island by himself, he had a whole bunch of thoughts festering in his mind, as to what he had to tell his friends and just how to bring it all forth...

Eventually as afternoon lingered upon the grey day, Bernard found his way to Arlesburgh and huffed unsteadily through the town, feeling too troubled to look about and enjoy everything around him. Then he looked up and saw David and Beatrice outside their home looking at the sky. They could hear Bernard coming along the line, and when they looked to him, they suddenly saw the deep and scathed look on his face.

"Bernard? Whatever is the matter?" David asked.

"You look so very troubled, Bernard," said Beatrice. "Has something happened?"

Bernard looked grimly to the Riders and said nothing more to them but to come with him to the pier and wait for Thomas, Emily and Percy. David and Beatrice could both tell that something was indeed going on with Bernard, but they didn't know just what it was yet. With a sense of troubling news in their minds, they rode with Bernard down to the pier, and there they waited for the other three engines. But even now, there was just one little thing Bernard did not know when he had heard all those stories the night before. He still had not heard just who killed Lawrence onboard the express. While he had come to know of the tragic event, he did not know any explicit details as to just who was involved...and when he met up with his sister and friends again, this would open a whole other door for him to overcome with only the help of his sister and her friends.

At last, Thomas, Percy and Emily's work was done that late afternoon. By this time, the clouds were steadily grey and looming overhead. It was indeed a most down-hearting day to work through after such upbeat and high-spirited times that had been shared with Bernard before. When Thomas, Emily and Percy returned to the yards, they couldn't see Bernard anywhere.

"Oh, Thomas...what could be the matter with my brother?" Emily worried. "We started out so nicely when he first arrived...but now..."

"Something's clearly eating at him, Emily," said Thomas. "And I think we ought to find out just as he invited us to hear for ourselves."

"I have a troubling feeling that he may have something truly shocking to tell us," said Percy. "I don't know why or what it could be..."

"Well, we're about to find out," said Emily. "I'm beginning to feel that there is something Bernard feels he has done...but never came to tell any of us, and it's making me wonder if we may have to really help him out or not."

"Well, as you said, Emily. We're about to find out," Thomas said solidly.

And with a deep sigh together, Thomas, Emily and Percy all set off on their way for Arlesburgh. For the whole journey, they all began to feel their hearts jumping uncomfortably. With every minute that ticked by, they all felt like something was very wrong, but they didn't know what. Whatever Bernard had to tell them once they saw him next would surely be most heavy handed...but no one knew yet just how heavy-handed it would be...until less than an hour's time to come.

At last, the three engines arrived at Arlesburgh and looked through the town. They passed David's house and looked further. Then as they came to see the pier, they all saw Bernard sitting perfectly still, right between Cap'n Calles' ship and the Sea Emperor. As they got closer, they saw that David and Beatrice were beside him too, waiting for the other three engines to come by. When David and Beatrice looked to the three engines, they were all wearing a look of concern and serious business themselves. Emily in particular began to sense that something was indeed quite wrong, and she was almost afraid to find out what it could be, but if her brother was in any inner trouble and need of help, she'd have to hear it.

"B...Bernard?" she said carefully.

Bernard looked back. "Thomas, Emily and Percy. So you've come."

"We have, Bernard," said Emily. "We...we're here as you requested us to be. Now...you've been rather distant and disheartened, Bernard. We've started out so very well, but now what dampens my brother's spirits?"

"Indeed, that's what we're thinking, Emily," said David. "Bernard came here and told us to wait here for you three...it appears he has something to tell us all."

"And I don't know what it can all mean," Beatrice added.

"Well...what do you have to tell us, Bernard?" Emily asked.

To this, Bernard began to reverse off the pier. David and Beatrice got on-board Emily and everyone followed Bernard further into Arlesburgh, right back beside David's house. There, Bernard stopped and was looking more and more frightened and self-contained than ever. He looked to Emily and was almost afraid to keep looking at her, which made Emily, Thomas and Percy all feel more and more concerned as to what this could all mean.

"Bernard? Please tell me," said Emily. "What is it that's troubling you? Is it anything to do with the stories you heard last night? Have they triggered anything that pains your heart?"

Bernard shut his eyes tight, looked to the grey, dreary sky, then to all three engines and both Riders.

"David, Beatrice, Thomas, Percy...and my sister Emily...there is something I've had to tell you...something I should have told Emily long, long ago before she ever came to live here. There's a reason I'm now feeling deeply troubled. A reason why I've been distant all day. I think I've known for a while...but I think you have too. There's something else to all of those stories you told me last night. As amazing as they are...I feel as if I have something rather serious to tell you all...something that is rather like Percy's crushed spirits...and even Thomas' distraught reign of time following his demon's final act."

In that moment, everyone's debonair changed. They all thought the night before was merely a night of exchanging stories and catching Bernard up on all that had happened on Sodor. But now it seemed this was bringing forth a secret that would surely leave a strong and even troubling impression upon all gathered here.

"Bernard...I know it isn't just nothing as you said last night," said Emily. "Please be solid and full-out with your feelings. Whatever is wrong?"

Bernard looked up with a grim and grave glitter in his eyes.

"Thomas, Percy, David, Beatrice and Emily...It appears that when it comes to crushed spirits...I'm not so different from either of you, Thomas and Percy."

"How so, Bernard?" Thomas asked.

"Well...we didn't talk about this particular story last night, but I did come to hear a little about Emily's big tumble a few years back, and how your demonic drive ended up killing that leading truck from the Mainland, Thomas. It left you feeling so very broken and emotionally destroyed. Percy, you were sent cascading into that valley and killing an entire innocent family. And you, Emily...George sent you tumbling off the tracks and almost killing another innocent family which you most wonderfully saved by warning them to move aside...but for me...I...I have a particular secret I've yet been holding for many years...even before you were built, Emily. Before I came to have my beloved emerald sister."

A tingle of ache began to take hold of Emily's heart. She began to feel frightened by what she didn't know yet what she was going to hear.

"Oh...well...what happened, Bernard?" Emily asked. "If your spirits have been crushed in any way for all these years, I'd have you tell me right now."

"I...well, Emily...what happened to me...is not so different from Thomas and Percy's scathing predicaments when it comes to having your spirits crushed. Percy's scathing predicament, your accident with George, Emily, and even your scenarios, David...they've all made me wonder something that will surely scathe all out hearts."

Emily began to feel her wheels wobble, as did Thomas and Percy's. David and Beatrice were both quaking a little in their legs.

"What's that, Bernard?" Thomas asked.

Bernard's eyes glittered anxiously and fearfully through the grey clouds overhead.

"Well...ever since I heard your scenario about hearing of Lawrence's death, David, and hearing of you chasing down his killer, it made me remember when Lawrence truly died onboard Gordon's express. The news, of course, reached me at York Station when it happened, as I told Emily and David on their adventure. I knew it was a monstrous deception of someone killing him...but ever since hearing that news, I've never come to hear one particular thing about that event. Not even when you retold it to me last night, David."

"What's that, Bernard?" David asked.

"In all the years that have passed since I ever heard of Lawrence's death...I never found out just who did it," said Bernard.

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat as they looked to Bernard with a questioning and increasingly concerned expression.

"You...you didn't?" Emily asked. "You...you don't know just who killed my first-ever driver?"

"No, Emily. I didn't," said Bernard. "But the more I've begun to think about it, I feel as though my suspicions...and fears are just about to be confirmed. With the subject of such serious circumstances that have come and gone on Sodor through the stories I heard last night, it's been leaving me to wonder endlessly...depending on just who killed your first driver, Emily. I never knew for sure all these years...but before I say anything more, I must know here and now...who killed Lawrence onboard that express?"

Thomas, Emily and Percy all looked grimly to each other, then to the Riders. Beatrice bowed her head in remorse. David swallowed hard and looked right at his engine's brother, knowing what he'd have to say to all of this. He knew they'd have to tell Bernard in some way or other.

"A witty man named Seymour Murphy, who was a solicitor of Sir Topham Hatt's until he unveiled his evil, helped Sailor John hunt down and destroy Emily's early life. He betrayed and murdered my father. Now my father is all but a spiritual likeness living among us. Murphy was seduced by what he called 'Murphy's Law.' What can go wrong WILL go wrong."

Then everyone watched as Bernard seemed to freeze right where he was for several moments. It was almost as if he were petrified into stone. Thomas, Emily, Percy, David and Beatrice all waited for him to say or do something or make a single move, all while the silence kept building the suspense until finally, Bernard broke it.

"Seymour Murphy?" he breathed so heavily, he was almost hoarse. "Seymour Murphy killed Lawrence Rider? I...I came to hear about Sailor John's Pirate Vendetta when the news reached the Mainland, but once again, I didn't come to hear just everything that happened...with you, Emily. Did...did he do anything upon you?"

Emily immediately flashed back to all the perils she had faced on that most fateful day.

"Oh...oh, Bernard! I...I was put into such peril and ruin after Lawrence's' death!" she gasped. "I was nearly destroyed to hear the news myself that he was killed...until 'Arry and Bert kidnapped me and took me to the Dieselworks. There, the Fat Controller, Lady Hatt and Skiff were all being held there too! Diesel, Diesel 10, and all the other diesels were there with Sailor John...and among them was Seymour Murphy...and that's when he revealed a truly nasty scheme...a secret as to why he developed 'Murphy's Law,' all for himself and joined Sailor John's cause...to place revenge upon any Stirling Single he could...because it was...was..."

Emily began to trail off as she suddenly felt a new suspicion and fear clicking away in her smokebox...and she suddenly felt a huge rush of shock and pending realization festering and fizzing in her boiler in a way she had never come to suspect. She slowly began to gaze to Bernard, who suddenly looked away in ever-building fear. Thomas, Percy, David and Beatrice all began to feel Emily's shock and fear sweeping right into them as they gazed suspiciously and shockingly at Bernard.

"Oh...oh...I...I remember what he said! I KNOW!" Emily gasped and wheeshed with shock. "I remember just what he had said to us all!"

"What...what the Hell did he say, Emily?!" Bernard panicked, still not looking at Emily. "What did he say and do to you?! TELL ME!"

"Yes...I...I will!" Emily gasped.

And so she frightfully recapped everything that had transpired between herself, the Fat Controller and Seymour Murphy, right in the Dieselworks...

---

The Fat Controller turned his attention to Murphy. "Betrayal, Murphy! Why in all your years on Sodor would you work with John under our noses?!"

Murphy turned to the Fat Controller with a cold expression. "I would never have told you if there was any threat against us at the moment…but as no one knows where you are, I can reveal everything now…I joined this pirate because we both thought on similar lines. We both wanted revenge. Sailor John obviously wanted to get Thomas back for his imprisonment…but I…I saw a chance to avenge my father."

"What?" said the Fat Controller. "No one here killed him…not even when you first came here and worked for me!"

"I know that, you fool," Murphy hissed. "It was a steam engine who killed him…and that steam engine class is right there." He pointed right to Emily.

Everyone gasped, and Emily was suddenly shocked. "What the hell are you playing at, Murphy?! I never killed ANYONE and never will!"

"I am all-too aware that you didn't kill my father, Emily…but it was a Stirling Single who took his life nonetheless. One of your brothers, back on the Great Northern Railway killed him…" Seymour Murphy could feel his memories as a child creeping back to him as he told his story.

"I can remember it all too well…When I was just a young child, my father and I lived together on the Great Northern Railway. My loving father was a rail enthusiast and a guard too. I used to love steam engines. Particularly Stirling Singles. My father even let me travel in his brake coach. I was also eager to ride right inside a Stirling Single one day."

"Please, father? Could I ride in the cab of a Stirling? I love them so much!" A young Seymour said to his father on the platform.

"You seem to really love these beauties, don't you, Seymour?" His father said, placing an arm on his son's shoulder. "Well, perhaps I could talk to the driver when I get the chance. I think it would be exciting for you to ride with the driver and fireman."

"Really, father? Thank you!" Seymour cheered as he hugged his father.

"And so, he did make an arrangement with the driver," Murphy continued in the Dieselworks. "A few days later, I was looking forward to having an evening ride in the cab of that very Stirling Single…and on that day of hoping…anticipating…about to get my wish…that's when everything went wrong."

"What went wrong, you overreaching snake?!" the Fat Controller demanded. Murphy shot a glare back at him then continued.

"That Stirling Single came back after a journey as evening was just beginning to fall," said Murphy. "My dear father went over to help uncouple the coaches, then he would take me on my ride. As the police said upon investigation, he signalled the driver to take off after he uncoupled the coaches…but then that engine suddenly moved backwards instead of forwards…and my father was still between the coaches."

Emily's heart jumped. One of her brothers had unintentionally killed a child's father, even though it was a complete accident.

"I heard engine sounds where I was waiting…then I heard panicking and screaming. I came running down…and there were my father's legs, hanging limp between the coaches."

"Father! Come out! Please! …FATHER!" the young Seymour had screamed with fright when he saw the accident. But then a workman touched his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, lad. He's gone," he said sadly. The next half hour was spent with police arriving on the scene and investigating how it all happened.

"Driver, exactly WHAT could have happened?" an officer asked the Stirling's driver.

"Well, officer…" the driver confessed. "There's a chance that maybe I didn't lock the reverse lever in place…hence why my engine slipped between forward and back."

"Well, whatever the mistake, I can see this poor boy's father was crushed and killed in an instant. He didn't stand a chance," said the officer.

"This is highly unusual, sirs," said one of the investigators. "I cannot see why Mr. Murphy would have no reason to believe the train would suddenly change direction. MY best lead can be that not locking the reverse lever is a simple, but common forgetfulness all of us befall."

Seymour could not listen anymore. He collapsed against the coaches and sobbed, devastated over his father's death. Back home, he continued to cry after dinner, and even when he went to bed, he still cried. When he finally stopped crying, he got out of bed and looked out his window to the moon. After what felt like hours of staring outside, something changed inside Murphy. His love of steam engines suddenly dissolved into very powerful hatred…particularly to the Stirling Single, and anyone having to do with that class of engines. And it was on that night that Murphy learned the expression of "Murphy's Law." Whatever can go wrong WILL go wrong.

"And so…" Murphy said as everyone stared at him in aghast awe. "All joy and love was taken from me…and replaced with hatred and rage. I eventually came here and worked as Sir Topham and his wife's solicitor…but my hatred to steamies lived on ever since…and when YOU, Bertram purchased Emily here…another Stirling Single, my anger only grew stronger…and duplicated onto you as well. Ever since losing my father, I longed to avenge him by extracting my anger on the Stirling Single Class. After all this time, it doesn't matter to me whether or not a certain Stirling killed my father…all of them are the same to me; unsightly machines that should never exist."

Emily could not believe what she had heard. This man was twisted, cold and cynical in every way imaginable. In some ways, she thought he was worse than Sailor John.

"Murphy…that was a mere accident, and tragic indeed…but WHY would you go so far?!" she demanded.

Murphy didn't answer Emily directly and kept talking.

"And then…when Sailor John escaped prison, I came upon him and he revealed his intentions to me. I agreed to help him…but only for me to seize any chance to fulfill my revenge just as he wanted his own revenge. Hence, we formed a partnership. From there on, I arranged the Kathryn Heist to help Sailor John in his revenge against the Sudrian society for stealing his freedom…as for YOUR question, Emily…I ordered the gunfire ambush upon you in Henry's forest which got you shot everywhere…and when Lawrence Rider, your dear first driver came along to visit, Phelps and Gallagher believed that a henchman named Kurt killed him with that morphine…but he was framed. I framed him to keep helping Sailor John to this point. It was I who killed Lawrence…as my first and biggest step in getting my own taste of revenge…"

The Fat Controller finally took a chance to speak up. "Seymour Murphy…your story is a very sad one, and I would be crushed too if I lost my father so young. No child should lose their father so suddenly…but that does NOT excuse your actions in any way! Using an event, even as tragic as this is NOT a reason to go as far as you have!"

After hearing everything, Emily's anger overwhelmed her. In that moment, she felt a bloodthirsty hatred to Murphy as she shot a glare of despising loath for him. If she still had a driver, she would have gladly charged forward and ran him over.

"You…you heartless monster!" she shouted. "You murdering wretch!"

---

And in that instant, Emily fell right out of that most horrific memory, as did Thomas, Percy and the Riders...and it was in that very moment when their fears, speculations and senses of horrific realizations were slowly creeping to a higher and higher state as they stared and stared at Bernard's reddening face and his squeezing-shut eyes. Bernard's buffers and axles were now shaking with great shame and remorse over something that none of the engines knew yet...but now they would.

"It...it was a Stirling Single...who ended up accidentally killing Murphy's father," Emily shook. "B...Bernard...my...my navy brother...are you the one...who was involved in that accident?! Was it you who...?"

Bernard lost the red in his cheeks, then they went very pale as he finally opened his eyes. They were cloudy, and almost ghostly as he began to shudder and shake so wildly, it seemed almost as if he'd fall apart. This was the secret he had withheld for years as he went on with his life, but now that he had heard just what Seymour Murphy had brought upon Emily's life, there was no chance of withholding anything now. It HAD to be told!

"Emily, my emerald sister, Captain David Rider, Ms. Beatrice Rider, Percy the Small Green Engine and Thomas the Tank Engine...I do not believe I can hide anything from any of you, now that I know just what came to be through all of this...but the whole cruel thing is...I'm the one who was cursed with that accident...of killing Seymour Murphy's father!"

Everything froze as still as stone for everyone gathered right here at Arlesburgh. In the moments that followed, the mood between these engines and people suddenly changed to something else entirely. What had begun as a hefty night before of storytelling and suspenseful discoveries had now changed to a most discouraging, scathing and truly horrifying discovery. Emily in particular felt her heart almost freeze as solid as a block of ice unable to melt or break away. She began gaping so, so wide, and leaning left and right as if she were shaking her head. Her mouth gaped and she breathed so heavily, she felt like her mouth was drying up as she did.

Then David shockingly let it out, his voice shaking so very strongly. "No...! No!"

"It's not true!" Emily shuddered most wildly and horrifically. "That's IMPOSSIBLE!"

David and Emily could almost hear Seymour Murphy's distorted, dark voice echo above. "Search your feelings, you know it to be true."

"NOOO! NO!" David and Emily howled their voice of shock and utterly hurt spirits into the air.

"Bernard...Bernard? Emily's brother? Entwined into the death of Murphy's father?!" Thomas exclaimed with affront and shock.

"No...no!" Percy shook and shuddered.

"Bernard...is...is this really true?" Beatrice shook and gestured shakily too. "Were...were you the one who was unfortunate enough to have your driver make that very mistake?"

"It's beyond true, everyone!" Bernard heaved with a wrenching heart. "I've been living both a scar and a mystery...all these years! I was the very Stirling Single involved in the accidental death of Seymour Murphy's father...I knew Lawrence was murdered quietly and deceptively onboard Gordon's exprees...but I NEVER thought it was none other than Seymour Murphy! So he went on to serve as the Fat Controller's solicitor...but when no one else suspected, he killed your first-ever driver, Emily...and your father, David! That he'd be the very man who had my sister tortured, attacked and nearly even killed all through his bargain with Sailor John! To think I'M the one who spawned his pure hatred for all Stirling Singles, regardless of which one it was who killed his father or not!"

Thomas and Percy gasped and panted with such shock to each other. And Emily...she could feel such uncomfortable fizzing and buzzing all through her boiler as she kept festering with thoughts about all that Murphy had said...and now, here in this moment, she had heard that her own brother had been jinxed with cruel fate to be the very Stirling who was wound up in that accident.

"B...Bernard...I...I had no idea in the very least...!" Emily gasped. "I...I know you'd never have done it on purpose! You must have been truly shattered to have seen and heard what had happened!"

"Of course, I never intended for this to happen...but it has! It has!" Bernard wrenched awfully. "To think that Murphy was there to see it...his own father being crushed to death by my cause And because of that, he resented all Stirling Singles, regardless of who it was! All through these years, even when I was doing well, I've had to live with this immense inner guilt of having accidentally killed someone. Someone's father at that, all while that child had to witness it! I may have disguised it well around you, Emily, both on your big adventure, and my visit here...until now. But every now and then, for as long as I have worked at York Station, always I remembered just how that day went down! It is something I can never forget...but now for me to think that the boy whose father I ended up reversing into...was the very person who murdered your driver, Emily, and your father, David! Seymour Murphy killed an innocent man, causing such agony, pain and heartache to all three of you, David, Beatrice and Emily! And to think that this villain played such a massive role in having you be kidnapped, Emily...tortured and almost killed all through revenge...all because I ended up killing his father!"

Everyone stared amongst themselves and each other as Bernard kept lamenting.

"And as such, through my doing on that day...perhaps I'm the one who has triggered ALL these tragedies that have come to be...Lawrence being killed on Gordon's express, Ryan being seriously injured, you almost got killed by that munition explosion, Thomas. And YOU, Emily! My dear sweet sister...you had to languish and lament in distraught over losing your first-ever driver...then 'Arry and Bert savagely kidnapped you and locked you in the Dieselworks, where that very man spilled everything about what I had done...and you had no idea! Then Murphy had Diesel 10 take the time to cripple your cab roof, scratch away at your boiler's paint, shred apart your running board and more...then both you and Thomas almost met certain death at that pirate's hands, and it's only because Henry, Gordon, James and Hiro all came to the rescue by your urging Rosie, Thomas, that you are all here alive and well...especially you, Emily! But just to now think...that I am the one to have brought about all these atrocious, poisoned jinxes upon the Island of Sodor...all because of that one tiny, stupid, yet dangerous mistake that ended up killing that man's father!"

Then Bernard fell silent and shut his eyes as tightly as he could, almost seeming like he wanted to disappear from everything, feeling overwhelmed by such heartbreaking burdens casting through his boiler. Thomas, Emily, Percy, David and Beatrice all stared amongst each other with aching, throbbing hearts, not knowing how to take this all in. They all began thinking quickly to each other and themselves as they took in what Bernard had just revealed...then they began to regain themselves a little and they regarded how everything turned out in the end as to how everything came to be...and what they could possibly do for Bernard. Even as shock, surprise and complete staggered discovery hit all their hearts, they knew that what was done was done and that there was no way to go back and change it. Everything had turned out as it did, and for how they did turn out, victory, safety and poetic justice all came to be in the end.

Of course, as Emily knew when Murphy spilled all this treachery, his father's death was indeed a complete and total accident, and she, Thomas, Percy, David and Beatrice all knew that Bernard never meant for such a thing to ever happen...and they all felt as though they knew just what to do. What had begun as a happy reunion between brother and sister had now changed into another scenario of crushed spirits, quite like Percy's spirits ended up for a while...but this time, everyone knew that sensation and they were ready. At last, Emily broke the silence as she gathered a few thoughts together herself.

"Bernard," she said at last. "I...I know it's most difficult to believe, but perhaps we knew this discovery would be made...we just never expected the unfortunate circumstances befall upon you that day...and it did happen many, many years ago, long before anything ever began with me on Sodor, with Thomas...and with everyone. No one ever could have foreseen what that would bring in the many years that would come along later."

"Emily is right, Bernard," said David. "No engine can ever help it if their controls are managed the wrong way...but what I do know is this. In life, Murphy ain't human, he ain't. He didn't care which Stirling was directly or indirectly involved in his father's death. No. All he wanted was revenge on ANY and ALL Stirling Singles, PERIOD...which is why he went so far as to murder my father, all because he was your driver, Emily."

"Then having to torture me through killing Lawrence," said Emily. "Then slowly cut into my cab, boiler and running boards by Diesel 10...all because receiving revenge on even an innocent Stirling was enough to satisfy his decade-long vendetta."

"I'm almost afraid to say it..." said David. "But if I could say it to Murphy with my own mouth...a German soldier from the Second World War would have had more dignity, stability and sound mind than him!"

This made all four engines stare at David with shock, awe and disturbed stirrings in their hearts.

"Even for a man such as Murphy...that is a very serious accusation, David!" Emily remarked strongly.

"Indeed, but a man such as him...with that clever debonair," David said strongly. "That venomous lust for revenge, seeing it come slowly and purely in his own eyes! It is a fierce and jealous love, Emily! It would drive any person or engine mad to go so far as that."

"That man murdered my driver and your father, David," said Emily. "I'm sure Murphy was selfishly thinking that Lawrence chose his own fate...so too Murphy chose his fate in the end. We did fight. And he DID die."

"All because of the cruel, dark, disturbing fate that had to befall me, all through that one trivial mistake!" Bernard heaved.

"Bernard," David said strongly. "This is all such a dark and disturbing thing to learn coming from you. We all knew that it was a Stirling who accidentally killed Murphy's father...but we never had any inkling that it turned out to be you. I truly and beyond every shred of doubt, do not know what in the name of Sodor to say to all of this. I never imagined that the very Stirling who happened to be the one who was accidentally reversed into Murphy's father would be you of all Stirlings..."

"But...but it happened with Me. ME, David and Emily!" Bernard shook. "I've been living with that inner scar for decades, but only now I learn that it was the father of the very man who has caused so much despair and rage to so many across Sodor...and I know I should be shunned and have everyone furious at me."

Thomas, Emily and Percy looked to each other, as did David and Beatrice as they all retreated to their own inner thoughts. Ever since those horrors occurred on Sodor during Sailor John's plight, so very much had changed following his defeat. Such poetic justice, such amazing, wonderful, fascinating things had come to follow in the years after Murphy's death and Sailor John's final defeat. Bernard's truth may have been grave, but there was still the fact that he didn't do it himself.

"Bernard...as shocking and horrifying as this is to hear...you didn't choose to do that," said Emily. "David is truly right. No engine can control how their controls are handled and managed by their crews. We know you never intended for such a thing to happen. And for what it was worth, how were you to know or foresee ANY of the tragedies that would occur? None of us could...all through Seymour Murphy's quiet proceedings to become the Fat Controller's solicitor until he met his own downfall."

"Indeed, Bernard," said David. "Seymour couldn't let go of his hate, and in the end, it destroyed him."

"I've...never heard the story of Seymour Murphy that way," Bernard whispered gravely. "In a way that brings me to such a grave realization!"

David looked to his mother, and to the other three engines as he spoke again.

"There have been so many changes and revolutions that came upon Sodor, Bernard," he stated. "Poetic justice, my arrival here, my adventure with Emily to find my mother. Every last thing all the engines have gone through together, good, bad and in between alike. It's all a constant balance tipping in its scale. There have been wonderful times and horrific times. Such times befalling Thomas, Emily, Percy and even you, now that we've heard your story. But sometimes, what's left behind can grow better than the generation before...if given the chance."

"Well...I think it's time," said Bernard. "Time for..."

"Time for what?" Thomas asked.

Bernard stumbled a little on his words, when suddenly, out of everyone's corner of their eyes, they saw a familiar figure drift through the grey, ominous clouds, and into sight, ghostly and spiritual...just what Thomas, Emily and the Riders had seen together when they all talked about how else it could have been...there was Lawrence Rider again. Everyone went still and felt their hearts racing again...but Bernard popped his eyes bigger than all else, then his axles shook to another shocking surprise. Ever since he heard the news of Emily's driver's death, he never imagined he'd see something like this, even though Emily did give the odd mention of such a miracle to see.

"Dad...hello again," David whispered while Beatrice held his hand.

"L...L...Lawrence Rider!" Bernard gasped.

"Young Bernard," Lawrence answered, looking deeply and solidly into Emily's brother's eyes. "Your sorrows would move even the coldest hearts. You've been speaking of what had befallen you...and what you think you ended up bringing about upon all of us."

"Yes...yes, Lawrence. I've been living a scar and a mystery," Bernard shuddered. "I'm sure you know what I speak of. In every last speck of meaning of the words I speak, I can NEVER, EVER apologize and say sorry enough for what my accident ultimately spawned upon the Island of Sodor, my sister, and you, Lawrence. And because of all of that, I think it's time for...for..."

"Time, it is..." Lawrence stated. "For you to look past an event that you yourself did not cause, or have any control over."

"It was ME who wound up killing Murphy's father!" Bernard protested.

"Turn their levers and open their regulators on their own, engines cannot," Lawrence remarked. "Yes, yes, yes. A pure tragedy that was, but that day and time contained nothing that could have foretold any of what was to come forth for any of us. What has happened has happened, Bernard. It is indeed a most scathing discovery for you to make, but everything has played out the way it has, and we can't look back now. If you stand any chance of getting through this barrier...you can only go onwards and forwards."

"I was so unfortunate...so cursed on that very day!" Bernard lamented.

"Lost me in life, you all did. Lose faith, you must not," Lawrence spoke.

"I can't go back! I can't be what I used to be!" Bernard replied.

"Heeded everyone's words not, did you?" Lawrence inquired. "You were NOT the one who made the move to reverse. It was a situational, circumstantial event that caused a most unexpected turn of events, and yet here we all are years later in a much different world after all that has brought us to this point. We will all be helping you, Bernard...remember that."

And with a wink and a little nod, Lawrence slowly faded away again. Bernard watched until he'd completely disappeared, but still felt such inner pain.

"Lawrence is infinitely right, Bernard," said Emily. "And even then, Seymour Murphy has been long dead. Lawrence's soul and spirit has been at peace ever since, and Murphy's soul shall flame in Hell for all eternity with no inkling of hope to escape it."

"We know you never intended to do such a thing, Bernard," said Thomas. "No engine can help it if their driver turns a lever the wrong way, opens the regulator too far or doesn't apply the brakes properly. Little trivial mistakes like that do happen, quite often when least expected."

"The naughty boys who fiddled with James' controls," Percy listed. "The careless cleaner who meddled with Thomas' controls, Diesel's driver not applying his brakes properly and bumping into me, the firelighter who opened Rebecca's regulator. Such things could happen to any engine. We'll all help you, Bernard. We really will."

Everything that had been spoken over these several minutes gave Bernard a little sense of strength. He had been carrying this pain and inner guilt secretly in his heart ever since it happened, and it felt a little reassuring to know that he himself did not cause that accident. But even now, he could not shake away the fact that such a plight had cost someone their father and indirectly spawned such chaos and ruin upon Sodor. HE soon shut his eyes tight again and just leaned left and right, shaking his head in remorse.

It was at that moment when everyone heard a sudden and looming rumble of thunder overhead. Everyone looked up and saw it was getting dark. The day was coming to a close, and there were distance flashes of light through the sky. After an entire grey day, it was very clear that it would rain quite steadily. Not to flooding standards, but enough to be very dreary. Thomas, Emily and Percy were inclined to return to Knapford Sheds again and almost set off, but they saw that Bernard would not be moving any time soon. In spite of the reassurances he had been told just now, much like Percy's scathing predicament, it would in no way be enough to curb his sense of guilt and shame. He would need a lot more than this.

"Hey, Bernard. You look as if your boiler might pop from all that you feel," said David. "And I can tell a lot of rain is coming. If we stand any chance of helping you...you can't be getting soaking wet and cold. Come back with us again."

"Save your pity," Bernard said cynically. "I need this time to be alone. I'll come along when I feel the need, but for now, leave me be!"

"Suit yourself," Thomas replied neutrally.

Emily really didn't want to leave her brother feeling like this. In all her years on Sodor, she never would have guessed that her one remaining Stirling sibling Bernard was the one to have accidentally been reversed right into those coaches and accidentally kill Seymour Murphy's father and trigger his sheer hatred for all Stirlings, which in effect led to him siding with Sailor John and helping him spew out all the wrath and ruin he could. It was a strange and powerful sensation to be faced with. That accident had occurred decades ago, with no one being able to foretell what such an accident would bring about, given how everything turned out, what was done was done. All the same, she, Thomas and Percy would have to find shelter before the rain became too heavy, and David and Beatrice suddenly got onboard Emily.

"If you change your mind, we'll be in Knapford Sheds again," said David.

And with a silent departure, Thomas, Emily and Percy all went on their ways with heavy hearts, feeling completely transformed by all that had come to be known. Bernard watched them all go on their way, then he shut his eyes and leaned his body downward, not knowing what the Hell to think...until he eventually began to wander out of Arlesburgh on his own little trail. As he did this, a few rain drops began to patter on his boiler. Then it began to truly rain. Thunder began rumbling through the air, crackling a little, then booming fairly through the sky.

As Thomas, Emily and Percy rode back along the line in near oblivion with David and Beatrice, they could feel a whole new slew of thoughts spawning in their boilers. After such a happy, uplifting reunion for Emily to be with her brother figure again, what could they do now? How could they help Bernard rekindle his spirits in time for him to leave and return to York again? They'd all have to do something.

At last, Thomas, Emily, Percy, David and Beatrice all gathered together in Knapford Sheds, managing to get out of the rain, but still not knowing how or what to feel about all they had just learned. Emily's brother had been living on in darkness and in doubt that he had hidden quite impressively over these years, and now it had all come out at another perfectly imperfect time. For almost half an hour to count, Thomas, Emily and Percy idled in silence with the shed doors open as they waited for Bernard to come back again. The rain fell and pelted strongly outside, and rumbles of thunder and occasional flashes of sheet lightning flickered through the windows.

"Well, I never...well, I never!" Emily whispered heavily at last. "I just can't believe it! To think that Bernard of all my siblings...I...I'm more than grieved, and I knew nothing of it until today. And yet what has happened has happened, and there's nothing we can do about it now. Sailor John, Seymour Murphy, and all those villainous men are dead...but for Bernard? I...I have no words for all of this!"

"Bernard...why didn't you tell us?" David whispered to himself in awe and disappointment.

"Oh, this is a most different change in course for us all," said Thomas. "Bernard's visit is not indefinite, and now how can we make it something worthwhile again?"

"We've got to help him! We HAVE to do it!" Percy peeped sadly. "Think how scarred he'd feel if we don't help him!"

"And so we will," Beatrice remarked. "As once I helped you, Percy, so too we shall all help Emily's navy brother."

And that was when Emily looked out through the doors...and saw him. "Everyone. Look."

Everyone looked where Emily was looking. Outside, Thomas, Emily, Percy and the Riders could see him coming down the line from ahead. There was Bernard huffing slowly and shakily through the pouring rain. His navy blue livery could barely be seen in the dark of night until a flash of lightning lit him up. His eyes turned toward the shed and he could see who was inside. As the thunder roared and crackled overhead, he gave a forlorn sigh and tried to huff onward through the rain...but it was no use. His inner guilt was washing over him even stronger than the heavy rain and he stopped again and idled right where he was, overwhelmed by his guilt, shame and regret. It was clear to everyone in the shed that he would need Beatrice's counselling hand, Emily's gentle sister-hood and David's naval mentorship, but it was also clear that Bernard wouldn't budge without persuasion.

Emily couldn't stand seeing her brother idling where he was in the pelting rain, but before she could call out to him, David got down from her running plate and proceeded outside, while she, Thomas, Percy and Beatrice watched with aching hearts for the brother's grim situation.

Outside the sheds, the rain streamed down Bernard's boiler and face, as if the rain were endless tears he were shedding out there. He shivered and quivered in the low temperature the pelting rain brought upon him...until he heard someone's footsteps stop right before him. He looked and could see David standing there.

"You coming in, or what?" David asked.

"What is it with you?" Bernard glowered miserably.

"At least I know enough to get in out of the rain," David replied. "Now, come on. Before you catch cold."

Bernard shut his eyes and sighed rigidly, but as reluctant as he was, he slowly switched over the points, right to Emily's line, then huffed toward Knapford Sheds while David walked alongside him. Thomas, Percy, Emily and Beatrice all kept their eyes on Bernard as he came closer. Then as he ushered into the sheds and out of the rain, he held his gaze on his beloved sister. Emily waited for him to say or do something. Then he buffered right up to his sister and gently pushed her further in until he was right inside with her. Emily could see how the ceiling lights made his navy paintwork shine and glitter with the rainwater settled all around him, and his face shone damply too.

Thomas and Percy reversed further into the sheds to join the Stirling siblings. Then David came up right between the two Stirlings and looked at both their faces. Bernard was wearing a deeply forlorn look while Emily kept bearing a look of sympathy and sorrow for her brother figure, but she also had a little glitter in her eyes that she wasn't angry at him in the least. But that was not nearly enough for Bernard to shake his sense of guilt, regret and self-conflict over himself.

"...It wasn't your fault, you know," David said steadily. Bernard only sighed as David went on. "Once more, no engine can help it if their crew makes a mistake or-"

Bernard suddenly gave a sudden and fast exhale of frustration and took everyone by surprise to what he did next.

"Look! Don't you get it?!" Bernard snapped. "I SCREWED UP! In those cursed seconds all those years ago, I thought that maybe it wouldn't have turned out the way it did! But...AAGHH! I...huh...just forget it. Forget it."

Everyone was admittedly a little shocked by Bernard's sudden spat, but they all perfectly understood. The engines and Riders all watched as Bernard shut his eyes tight and leaned downward, feeling absolutely awful about everything right now...but David wouldn't let this slide. He thought about what he could do for the short term to help Bernard. Much like Percy's scathing predicament, it would not be easy to work through this barrier, but if Bernard stood any chance of help, it would have to start now...and that's just what David did as he got on Bernard's running plate and held his face, making him open his eyes.

"Now. You listen to me, Bernard the Navy Stirling," David said strongly, then spoke a monologue of inspiration. "You've got the makings of greatness in you! But you've got to take the helm and chart your own course! Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes you get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of. Well...I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day."

To everything David just spoke, Emily was particularly mystified by how purely inspiring David could present himself as. Thomas and Percy felt a deep tingle in their boilers...but Bernard was so overwhelmed by everything he was feeling, his eyes shimmered with tears right on the rim, threatening to spill any second as David looked to him again. Finally, Bernard could hold back no more. He sniffled hard, then shut his eyes tight, leaning downward where he was. David looked to the other engines, then Beatrice for a moment, then as Bernard began to sob bitterly, David got on his running plate and gave him a gentle, comforting hug, which made everyone else nearly cry too.

"There, there. Why, it's alright, Bernard," David coaxed gently. "It's alright..."

Eventually, David let go and gently got back down from Bernard's running plate. He and Beatrice were just about due to go home, but before they could leave, Emily's brother spoke again through a grave tone of voice.

"Why do you all do this? Push me on with false hope?" Bernard asked.

"It's hope that brought you back to your sister," said Beatrice. "And it's hope that will get you out of this barrier with all our help."

"It may sound hypocritical, but what's the point of hoping when you already accept fate? I've accepted mine," said Bernard.

"What fate is that?" Beatrice asked.

"To languish on in this reality. This visit has now gone from a golden reunion to a grey wall of guilt and shame."

"Only if you give up, Bernard. That accident was mere coincidence, not intent," said Beatrice. "We're all here to help."

"Everything has been so different for me ever since that day," said Bernard. "But now that I know just who that person was, and what it all ultimately caused, I don't know what to think anymore."

"Look, Bernard," said David. "We watch out for each other. We all stand a chance of helping you past this barrier."

"You sound and seem so sure," Bernard said doubtfully.

"I'm not...but it's all I know," said David. "Now, Bernard. Mum and I had best be getting home for tonight. And you'd best be getting some shuteye."

And David and Beatrice made ready to leave, giving a final nod and even a smile to the other engines, who simply nodded back as David slowly shut the shed doors for the night, leaving the four engines in their own company again. As he and Beatrice walked through the rainy yards and made their way back to the station to wait for Bertie, David thought a few things over himself. Beatrice looked at him and could see he was indeed thinking a few things.

"Getting in too deep here, Mum," David murmured. "Bernard needs all our help. And as for me, I've always been a man of high standards and military precision onboard my ship, and even when it comes to protecting Emily. But now with me helping Bernard in this way, next thing you know...my crew will be saying I've gone soft."

"Hmm. Well, that's just what you are with Emily, Davey," Beatrice whispered with a little smile. "We're all going to help Bernard however we can."

"I know we will, Mum. We all will," David nodded as he and Beatrice walked on toward the station and were soon on their way home.

Back in Knapford Sheds, Thomas, Percy, Emily and Bernard were all nestled together again, all feeling very different compared to just the night before. They may have all been gathered here together, but the sensation and emotion circling between the four engines was much heavier and more serious now. This visit had now turned into a plan to help Emily's brother past this grave truth and see what they could do to rekindle his spirits now.

"Well...what is going to happen now?" Thomas asked. "What started out as a glorifying reunion has now turned into a grave truth and a mission to rekindle my angel's brother's spirits. Just when and how can we do that?"

"We'll start tomorrow," said Emily. "The Fat Controller must know about this, as should the other engines. It's the only way we can make any good start."

"We're all here for you, Bernard," Percy peeped. "We're not letting my mother's brother leave Sodor feeling like this."

"And for now, what we all need until tomorrow is a warm and safe sleep together," Thomas yawned. "Out of the rain, and right here together."

"See you in the morning, Bernard," Percy yawned. "We'll help you."

"Yes, Bernard. Sleep tight. And sweet dreams, Emily," Thomas yawned again.

And Thomas and Percy fell asleep right then and there. Emily and Bernard were now the last ones awake. Emily waited a moment for Thomas and Percy to really settle into their slumber. Then she turned back to her brother figure, seeing that he still had a little more thought and concern to settle before he could fall asleep.

"Bernard? What is it? Please tell me," Emily offered.

"Emily...please tell me," Bernard whispered carefully. "Do...do you really think I'm not to blame for that accident all those years ago?"

"No, Bernard. I don't think so," said Emily. "It's very true that your accident spawned Murphy's hatred for Stirlings, and it brought on everything that came to happen because of that...but once more, we can't control our systems all by ourselves, and you're a good engine, Bernard. I know beyond every shred of doubt that you did not wish or intend for such a thing to happen...in fact, the way you consider yourself indirectly responsible for all that has happened is quite like how David thought he was indirectly responsible for Sailor John's plight after he flushed that pirate out of the Navy...but I know that he was not at fault for all that had come to happen. If anything, now that Sailor John is dead, that makes David the true key to having him be truly defeated."

Finally, Bernard began to feel more steady reassurances in his heart. His sister didn't come to hate him for all he had revealed. She and everyone else understood the circumstances and outcome of all that had come to happen, and the best way for Bernard to get past all of this was with his sister's help, along with everyone else' help too.

"It's just so unexpected," Bernard whispered. "All I wanted was to have a chance of being part of my Stirling Family again. I just never thought it would turn into this."

"Oh, Bernard. You ARE part of the engine family. Especially Thomas' and mine," said Emily. "Thomas has lived through crushed spirits, I have, and so has Percy. I know that you can rekindle your spirit just as we have. And one thing that I do know is for certain through everything...you'll always be one of our family, near or far. We're all going to help you, my navy brother...my sweet, humble brother, Bernard."

Bernard slowly began to smile again as Emily smiled sweetly to him. Then she glimpsed to Thomas and Percy briefly...then when she looked to Bernard, she had a little glitter in her eyes that only Bernard knew perfectly. He could see she had a brief, but truly heartfelt sisterly banter for him.

"Th...thank you, Emily...for all that you will do for me," Bernard whispered.

"Yes...yes, Bernard..." Emily whispered as she slowly leaned in, softly pressing her cheeks to Bernard's and cuddling him close.

Then, as the perfect emerald sister for the brother right here in front of her, Emily very softly touched her lips to the surface of Bernard's lips and very softly rubbed her lips with his, going no further than that, and sending such a shudder of warmth and almost magic tingles to Bernard's lips and making him shudder so warmly.

"Sleep, my Bernard...sleep," Emily whispered with such a sooth in her lovely silky voice.

Then she puckered her lips and pressed them softly to his cheek, very smoothly kissing his cheek nice and slowly and making him shudder gently with warmth and brotherly delight. And when Emily hummed so softly and silkily, her lips gave him an even warmer tingle until she smooched very quietly and let go.

"Mmm...ah. Sleep tight, Bernard dear," Emily whispered. "I love you."

And with a lovely, adorable yawn, Emily fell sound asleep with Thomas and Percy and gave a lovely little sigh. Bernard was the only one awake now. He looked to the ceiling lights in silence, thinking about everything he had just divulged to his sister, the other engines and the Riders. It was apparent that they all viewed him in a different light than they did before, and Emily's perception and viewing of him was indeed different...but not contemptuous or resentful. With all she had told him tonight, he could rest assured that she still loved him to her core as her brother and that she and the others would indeed help him however they could. And it was very true that he never intended for such a thing to happen. No engine could help if their controls were managed wrongly, and after so many decades of carrying this inner pain and disguising it consistently with his friends, Bernard was finally able to relieve at least some of that pain.

Bernard looked at each engine in sequence. Thomas as he stirred and mumbled a little in his sleep, then Percy who held a neutral look on his face as he tried not to let the thunder and heavy rain keep him too occupied.

Then Bernard looked right in front of him to his sweet, beloved sister Emily, looking at her lovely face and her beautiful sleeping form. He looked slowly along her side, looking at her gorgeous curves. As a brother figure, Bernard found his sister to be very beautiful and attractive indeed, but he respected that those gorgeous curves were truly for Thomas. Yet, she was still his sister by the flesh and steel, and as such, he would not turn down any chance to seek help from her. Bernard slowly managed to smile and he leaned in toward his sister, then very gently kissed her soft, beautiful cheek, feeling how lovely and warm and almost furry her cheek was, just like a mother fox's fur as Percy said every now and then.

"Thank you, Emily. Sweet dreams, my sweet, beautiful sister," he whispered. "I love you."

Bernard looked as he saw Emily's lips curl upward just a little, telling him she heard it. Then he managed to fall asleep too after such a huge shift in the course his visit was taking. But these conflicts were only beginning for Bernard. His friends would be there to help him through this barrier, but given the climate of how word got around Sodor, this grave truth would surely spread across the rest of the island. Some engines and people would sympathize and feel sorry for Bernard, mostly in the Steam Team and the Hatts, but some would surely find the chance to shun Bernard, calling him out as dangerous and untrustworthy to have on the island. The bad-mannered diesels would easily find a chance to do this...and this would even include one particular person who was always a nuisance for passengers and engines who had to deal with him. One who always complained about every little thing he could ever find an excuse for. Bernard would soon be in for quite a handful of trouble given particularly by this person, whom David, Beatrice, Emily and even the Fat Controller would all have to gear up on to keep him in line.

---

The big reveal is finally here; Bernard was the one who accidentally killed Seymour Murphy's father, which lead to Seymour teaming up with Sailor John and killing Lawrence, then kidnapping and torturing Emily before he was finally killed. If you need a refresher on "Sailor John: A Pirate's Vendetta", since it's been almost three years since it was published, or if you're just not familiar with it, here's the list of every important story leading up to that story so you can get the full picture;

. Nor Iron Bars a Cage

. The Kathryn Heist

. The Scottish Connection

. Rusting All Over

. The Black Caesar

. Trigger Happy

. The Enemy of My Enemy

. Wave of Nostalgia

. Murder on the Express

. Conspiracy Theory

. Sailor John: A Pirate's Vendetta

Those are the stories that will help refresh you on everything regarding Seymour Murphy and the build up to "Sailor John: A Pirate's Vendetta". This story will probably be the final story to really focus on the legacy of Sailor John and the impact that it left on everyone in any major sense, because I don't really know what else we could with it from this point onward, unless we think of something. And yes, the scene of Lawrence talking to Bernard was yet another clear Star Wars reference to the Luke and Yoda scene in "The Last Jedi". Obviously, the next chapter will focus on Bernard's secret being revealed to the public, and I hope you like the Grumpy Passenger that was introduced in "Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger", because he's going to be playing a big role. With all that said, tell us what you thought of this chapter, and as always, stay safe.