One morning, the Fat Controller was in his office. He was enjoying a nice snack looking over some papers. Recently, the Fat Controller has noticed how much less money the Railway has been getting.
'With all the recent confusion and delay... I don't want to have my Railway closed down. I don't want to sell my engines and where else will I have to go after this?' these thoughts kept lingering in his head as he looked over the papers then looked at newspaper articles, talking about how a few years ago, other big railways have closed down.
Elsewhere
Timothy was puffing along the Main Line pulling some heavy freight cars as he was going around in his own thoughts.
'I have been able to cause some confusion and delay lately, I can't cause all of them of course but there are some I was able to do, too bad Emily was caught in the middle of the flour run, but it was so perfect, that Black Loch ser up was simply perfect, hearing a tale from a Salty about it then acting upon it, marvelous! However Thomas has been a hindrance for some of them, I have to keep him at a certain distance from now on, the Fat Controller HAD to pick him when that new station was being constructed. Though when I first performed my plan for Lady Hatt's birthday party, I think I should have done something else, but it doesn't seem like anyone has noticed it yet, so no loose ends there, and as long I keep a gun pointed at Thomas, Emily won't reveal any secrets.' said Timothy smirking all the way, then he had to stop at a red signal. Just then, Arry and Bert, with a heavy line of flatbeds, arrived next to him.
"Stinky steamy, can't you just keep your distance from us?" said Arry.
"Don't worry Arry," said Bert "The steamies will go to the scrap yard soon. I mean look at him, he is looking really old and dirty."
"That's right, us Diesels are superior." Timothy said nothing, all he was trying to do was keep his composure as Arry and Bert were insulting him. The signal went down, and Arry and Bert oiled away with their load. When Arry and Bert got out of sight, Timothy couldn't hold his composure anymore.
"You think I am old and dirty?! You think I am going to the scrap yard?! I am justice! I am the one who will become God of a new railway! All those who oppose me are the ones who deserve to go to the scrap yards! But sadly, I can't just do that... too bad, but you two will get what you deserve!" Timothy then puffed away to continue his delivery.
Meanwhile, Emily has just finished her passenger run and was currently at the Quarry helping Mavis. Emily got along well with Mavis and Salty, she was glad that they weren't just the same 'sticky Diesel that are evil' like Diesel or Arry and Bert, they felt like actual good friends and wishes that there are more diesels like them. Mavis was equally surprised with Emily, she was wondering if Emily was going to be a Tender Engine like Gordon or James, but instead Emily didn't, which was shown to her by the fact that Emily is willing to do a 'dirty job' as James would call it. Emily was helping Mavis to fill trucks up with stones for other engines like Thomas to deliver. After sometime, Thomas arrived.
"Hello Mavis. Hello Emily." said Thomas. Emily was happy and replied.
"Hello Thomas."
"Hey Thomas." said Mavis "Now excuse me whilst I leave you two alone..." teased Mavis as she was about to leave both Thomas and Emily by themselves.
"Why? What's the point?" Thomas asked out of curiosity.
"Oh nothing really, just don't want to interrupt your little moment." said Mavis which caused both Thomas and Emily to blush.
"Um... it's just gonna be quickly... I am gonna..." said Thomas trying to come up with something to say.
"I'll just help Thomas... and then um..." stuttered Emily equally.
"Oh alright alright. I'll just leave for now." Mavis then puffed next to Thomas "Meet me in here at 20:00 on the dot, around next week. You and Emily will like it." whispered Mavis as Emily tooted her whistle.
"Mavis! You'll be late like this!" said Emily bossily, Mavis then giggles a little.
"No need to be on the offensive Emily." as Mavis puffed away with Emily blushing out of embarrassment. Thomas was a little taken a back, it wasn't similar to when Emily was acting bossy to him on Winter, it felt more like when they were at the Smelters last Halloween. Thomas and Emily then realized they were alone, they couldn't help but look intently at each other until they realized they still had work to do.
"Um... I'll just shunt your trucks for you." said Emily.
"Yes.. deliveries..." said Thomas. Thomas cuppled to the line of trucks and steamed away. Emily couldn't help but look at Thomas with a smile on her face, she forgot about almost everything this time around. Thomas was deeply saddened that he had to leave, that moment when Emily was acting bossy was still lingering onto him, he wanted to know what was happening to Emily right now, but he wasn't sure how to go about it.
'Emily... where are you?' Thomas thought to himself 'I want you back...'
Mavis then sneaked next to Emily and honked her horn to snap Emily back to reality. Which made Emily move backwards out of shock.
"Why did you do that Mavis?!" Emily snapped blushingly.
"Well, why didn't you call Thomas out?" giggled Mavis which made Emily's face go redder than James' coat of paint.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about..." replied Emily giggling.
"I have seen the way you two look at each other."
"It's not like that at all... besides I want a big Tender Engine like me..."
"Emily, that's the lamest line ever." teased Mavis "I think you are wanting more than just..." Mavis cleared her throat "A big Tender Engine." said Mavis in her best Emily impression as she puffed away to continue working.
The next day
At a distant part of the island, where only the Diesels work at, Daisy was seen traveling along the line, ready for her passenger run. Daisy then felt a smell of something burning.
"What's that smell?" she asked herself when suddenly she saw a line of oil tankers on fire, she went backwards along the line as fast as she could "Yikes!" Daisy yelled as she went backwards. The fire alarm went off, gaining the attention of both Arry and Bert.
"What's happening?!" asked Arry then suddenly they saw Daisy going backwards with line of oil tankers tailing her.
"Help!" Daisy screamed. A quick shunter was able to have the trucks go on the runaway line just in time before they hit Daisy but Daisy was going too fast, she couldn't stop in time from getting derailed and they suddenly heard a noise come from her. The fire fighters arrived just in time to combat the fire from the oil tankers then Timothy arrived.
"What's happened?!" he asked in concern.
"There's been a strange fire occurring!" replied the fireman "Its dangerous to continue on the line right now! Wait for it all to calm down before than!" then Timothy saw Arry and Bert pushing a flatbed that has Daisy on top of it.
"Can you please move out of the way?" Arry asked "We have to get Daisy fixed right away." they were referring to the fact that Timothy was in their way with a line of empty trucks.
"Well, I have a very important job to do." said Timothy "And I want to make sure everything is going perfectly fine. You Diesels will have to wait patiently for this fire to go out." mocked Timothy, which made Arry and Bert cross.
"You can just go backwards and go to another line!" Bert snapped.
"What's that?! I can't hear you over the noise! Speak up!" replied Timothy. Arry and Bert were about to lose it but they tried to keep their composure, talking Timothy to get out of the way would be a waste of time. After some time, the line was cleared and Timothy was able to continue.
"Stinky steamy in the way." said Arry as he and Bert raced along the line to get Daisy mended than start their work for the airport.
'Just as according to plan!' said Timothy to himself as he puffed along the line 'Now they will all be late. Who would have thought that a few sparks and oil tankers would cause a scene like this! I was even able to find a good hiding spot to shunt the trucks then come back like nothing happened and all I was doing was going for work! Now I went from suspect 1 to an impossibility because it seems like I was just going along the line for deliveries!'
Meanwhile
Thomas and Percy arrived at the airport building site. They were bringing bricks and timber to the builders.
"Think of all the holiday makers." chuffed Thomas. But then Arry and Bert arrived with flatbeds carrying pipes and iron beams. They hit Thomas and Percy with the flatbeds, but not hard enough to make them move, only slightly push them.
"Stinky steamies in the way again!" mumbled Arry.
"Why do we have to work near them?!" grumbled Bert. This made Thomas and Percy cross, they didn't want to work near the Diesels either. The Diesels were oily and they were very different to the steamies. Timothy then showed up around the same time with more metal for the airport.
"Not you again." grumbled Arry.
"You got in our way!" added Bert.
"And you guys just insulted me for no reason." said Timothy "Because you can't get past your egos over the steam engines, you always think you are superior despite all the humiliations you had."
"Timothy may be a classic case of the kind of engine who hates to lose, but that's too far Arry and Bert." added Thomas for Timothy.
"Oh so you are willing to defend the child you just admitted he is but you are attacking us?" asked Arry. Timothy then puffed away still very cross with Arry and Bert.
That night
Not a lot of work has been done, the Suspension Bridge wasn't painted properly and the Airport wasn't half finished, but worst of all, Tidimouth Sheds was destroyed, meaning Thomas and his friends needed to sleep somewhere else. James had to stay at the Dirty Coaling Plant. Edward had to stay at the Quarry, but at Diesel's shed, still cross with each other, Edward for Diesel destroying his shed and Diesel for being delayed thanks to Thomas. Percy and Henry stayed at the Smelters Yard. Gordon went to sleep under a tent. Finally, Emily heard about Thomas coming over at Knapford sheds, Emily didn't like the idea, she was used to be sleeping by herself. Arthur and Murdoch have offered a place for her in their respective sheds, but Emily declined because she wanted a shed to herself, now she had to share a shed with another engine. Emily saw a flashlight, she thought it was Thomas at first but then noticed a green tender that she instantly recognized. It was Timothy.
"Timothy... please no..." begged Emily "I won't tell him anything."
"And to make sure you don't, since I have my own shed I can't be here, I will just create trap to make sure you don't tell Thomas." said Timothy "So what I will be doing is that I will be at that side shed with a line of troublesome trucks ready to being shunted towards this very shed. And who would have thought my biggest curse would be a benefit? I am such a light sleeper so I will instinctively know when you will be telling Thomas." bluffed Timothy, but Emily believed it, she just wanted Thomas to be safe. As Timothy puffed away with some trucks, Emily was concerned for Thomas, her only choice now was to try and push him away as much as possible. When Thomas arrived, Emily tried to put on her bossy act in front of a sad Thomas. Normally she would have asked what was wrong but she wanted to make sure he was safe. Thomas knew how closed Emily can be sometimes, she has a hard time opening up to others, so he didn't want to disturb her peace.
"Don't worry." puffed Thomas "We can fix everything. I'm sure I'll be back in Tidimouth Sheds tomorrow."
"Just be quiet and go to sleep already!" grumbled Emily. Thomas was deeply saddened, he wanted to talk to Emily, he doesn't get much of a chance to begin with, and the only chance he has, she shuts him off that badly. He didn't want to intrude or anything though, should be lucky that Emily even let him stay to begin with. So Thomas and Emily tried to go to sleep.
Next morning
Timothy woke up and was shocked. A big storm struck Sodor last night and all that Timothy could do was imagine the results. Timothy was beyond blown away with the results, he couldn't imagine just how much damage the storm had caused; water towers were knocked down, buildings were destroyed, even the Suspension Bridge was gone. The Fat Controller arrived to see Timothy.
"Timothy, I need you to help Harvey clear the tracks." said the Fat Controller.
"Yes of course sir." said Timothy.
"'I mean yes.' said Timothy in his own thoughts 'I got bigger plans to worry about. That airport can't be made.' so he puffed away to help Harvey. When Timothy met up with Harvey and got the breakdown train, Judy and Jerome, they met up with Arry and Bert.
"We're not talking to you!" snapped Arry.
"You got in our way over something so pitiful!" added Bert.
"I'm not talking to you guys either!" snapped back Timothy "You just randomly insulted me even though I did nothing to you guys!"
"How rude." said Harvey as they puffed away to clear the line. It wasn't just Timothy and Harvey who were having difficulties with the Diesels. Thomas, Edward and Henry just now had encounters with an equally cross Diesel. Emily was going along the line with workmen to fix water towers and buildings, and just then, a fixed Daisy cane along with more workmen.
"Please, I can do everything you can but better, since I don't need coaches." boasted Daisy which made Emily cross.
"How about you do something useful instead of just carrying passengers and getting fixed?" snapped Emily at Daisy, both were cross with each other. The Diesels wouldn't talk to the Steam Engines. And the Steam Engines wouldn't talk to the Diesels either. They were very cross with each other.
That night, Thomas thought to himself if he could start some small talk with Emily, so when he returned to the sheds, he told her all about his day and how scary Diesel 10 was, but all that was replied with was.
"Be quiet and go to sleep." grumbled Emily, though she was curious about what Thomas did today. But when Thomas fell asleep, he started to sleep whistle. It kept Emily awake.
Next Morning
Timothy was helping around Edward with some trucks to the airport, they were filled with bricks, timber, and so much more needed for the construction of the airport. Just then, both saw an angry coal covered Emily shunting Daisy on the other line. Then after some time Gordon passed by covered in coal.
"What's happening now?" asked Edward to Timothy. Before Timothy could answer, he felt a big shunt of trucks behind him, soon he felt the contents of the truck spill all over him. Once it was done, Timothy felt the smell of fish in the air.
"Stinky steamy." said an engine behind him, which was Diesel and he oiled away. This made Timothy crosser than ever before, he never felt so disrespected before but now he had it. Edward was equally as annoyed with Diesel, even the wise old Edward met his limits with the Diesel engines, but he still didn't want to payback, it was just the Diesels being silly for all he cared. Once Timothy was done helping Edward he immediately went to join he War that was happening between the Steam Engines and the Diesels. By the time everything calmed down, the engines were all dirty and all needed a good wash down, and no work was done. After the lecture of the Fat Controller, Timothy got back in the shed he was staying. Timothy then proceeded to scream in his head, he couldn't take it anymore.
'Diesel! I never felt so humiliated in my life!" said Timothy to himself.
Next morning
Timothy was shunting trucks to vent off some anger that he still has over Diesel and the war they just had. Suddenly he heard Thomas' whistle and decided to stop.
"Hey Timothy." said Thomas excitedly.
"Hi Thomas." grumbled Timothy "You seem happy."
"Well it's because I got an idea and I think you will like it." replied Thomas "I mean you are a hard working engine. I remember how you got into an accident whilst carrying some trucks and was almost going to be late, but you asked for shortcuts and went full speed ahead just to make it in time, that told me a lot about you." Timothy was mostly wondering about the meeting.
'This idea... what is it? Well obviously if I am going to cause some confusion and delay I have to continue this persona.' Timothy wondered to himself.
"No worries Thomas, go ahead and tell me your idea." Timothy replied.
"Tomorrow at the coaling plant, the Steam Engines and the Diesel Engines will hold a meeting and we will all work together." Timothy felt as if time stopped and he was shaking from the inside.
'What?! No... this can't be... they hate each other... why would Thomas want to do it?! We just recently had a war... was it Emily?! No, I am specifically manipulating her not to do it, she shouldn't have thought of the idea to tell Thomas... wait, I can't, I will find a way around this. Right now, Thomas is talking to Timothy, a hard working engine who is clumsy.'
"I love it, I will definitely be joining. After all, I want this airport to be completed as much as you, Thomas."
"Thanks Timothy." Thomas felt delighted "Remember this as well, the meeting is going to be first thing in the morning." Thomas then puffed away.
That night, Thomas was too tired to return to Emily's shed, so he went to sleep outside, only with an Owl to keep him company, all unbeknownst to Emily who was chilling in her shed. Now with Thomas gone, she had the shed all to herself.
'He must be staying with Percy.' Emily thought at first. Now without Thomas, it felt a little too quiet. Emily began to miss Thomas' sleep whistle and wanted to hear about Thomas' day, she even wanted to talk to him a little bit before sleeping.
Next morning
All the Engines, Steamy and Diesel alike arrived at the coaling plant. The engines were waiting to start the meeting, but Thomas was missing.
"I'm sure he will be here soon." said Mavis. Thomas was racing through the country side. He puffed as fast as he could but he had a long way to go.
"Must get to the coaling plant! Must get to the coaling plant!" Thomas finally puffed into the coaling plant, and was able to prevent another fight between the Steam Engines and the Diesel Engines again, after a big long whistle "Steamies and Diesels need to work together." chuffed Thomas.
"We don't want to work with stinky steamies." oiled Diesels.
"We don't want to work with dirty Diesels either!" puffed James.
"If the airport doesn't open it will be bad for all the engines." puffed Thomas "Both Steam Engines and Diesel Engines need passengers and freight to be useful." all of the engines agreed, they knew Thomas was right and they all wanted the airport to open. Timothy tried to pretend like he agreed, as Thomas explained to the Fat Controller, who just arrived in Harold the Helicopter, about the meeting, but he was still too amazed at how far Thomas is willing to go to complete his given objectives. Soon all the engines were working like clockwork, engines going left and right across stations, up and down hills, carrying coaches and freight cars, the airport started gaining speed in its construction.
The evening came and Emily looked at Thomas, she was debating to herself if she should ask him to stay at her sheds for a few more nights or something, she just wanted his company again. So she took a deep breath and puffed towards him.
"Hey Thomas..." said Emily which got Thomas' attention.
"Yes Emily?" puffed Thomas.
"Will you stay in my sheds for at least one more night?" asked Emily, hoping he will say yes.
"Of course." said Thomas cheerfully. Emily was so proud and delighted that she thought her boiler would burst.
"R... really?!" Emily said in excitement.
"Yeah, after all, I love your company." said Thomas. Emily was delighted. Soon they went back to Knapford sheds, Thomas was this time ready to sleep but Emily didn't want to sleep yet.
"Hey Thomas." said Emily which woke up Thomas "Can you tell me a story before we go to sleep?"
"Ooooh, I know a good one that I always remind myself of whenever I am working and I need motivation." said Thomas. Emily had stars in her eyes with wonder and excitement.
"Please tell me!"
"Once upon a time, there was a little railway known as the Skarloey Railway, but back than, like way before I was even here, there were only two engines running it, Skarloey and Rheneas. Things were bad. Both had to keep the trains running or the railway would close."
"How awful..." murmured Emily.
"Skarloey tried his best, but he would usually ache, so Rheneas, because he understood Skarloey, had to do most of the work. 'It's my turn now.' he'd say to Skarloey. He was sadly often short of steam but he ALWAYS continued till he reached the station and took a rest there. 'I mustn't stop between stations. The passengers wouldn't like it' he'd always say." told Thomas "As you know Emily, passengers get cross when you stop at the wrong places. Rheneas stopped in a wrong place once and this is what happened. One wet and windy afternoon when the rails were damp, Rheneas was traveling home with a full train. There were even passengers in the caboose. It wasn't a comfortable ride at all. Rheneas' wheels kept slipping and it was a steep climb, but he continued on until his wheels gripped the rails again. 'The worst is over. Now we're away.' or so he thought..." Thomas gave a dramatic pause, Emily was too anxious, she wanted to know what happened next "'Aah, I've got a cramp!'" said Thomas in his best Rheneas voice "And they stopped at the loneliest part of the railway part of the line. Rheneas' valve gear jammed but they still needed to get to the next station. His driver asked 'Do you think you can get us there?' Rheneas just said 'I'll try.' Rheneas then moved on and did the best he could, everything was blurry and he was too tired to continue, but all that Rheneas could think of was 'If I fail, the passengers will be furious and the railway will close.'. After another wheel turn, then another wheel turn, then another wheel turn, they finally reached the station 'I'm here at last!' the passengers were so pleased with Rheneas that they said 'We'll tell all our friends what a fine railway this is.' and sure enough, the Skarloey Railway is still going on all thanks to an engine who never gave up, even when he was tired and had cramps." concluded Thomas, Emily had so many emotions that it was impossible to tell which one she was trying to exhibit.
"Such a beautiful story Thomas... you are so full of wonder and excitement!" said Emily "What an inspiring and emotional story! Can I meet the engines at some point?"
"Sure, if we get the chance of course." replied Thomas.
Next morning
The Diesels and the Steam Engines were back to work, everything ran like clockwork, all the workmen, building materials, everything was arriving on time for the construction of the airport. They had to complete it today and they all knew it. Timothy has to cause some confusion and delay somehow, this was the last day of the airport and it was going even better than he anticipated.
'I need a plan. I need a plan... what is it?' Timothy wondered to himself, until he had an idea. So he left behind an entire line of trucks and flatbeds so that Thomas will pick up and bring it to complete the construction of the airport 'This is perfect. The tracks Thomas will come on are bumpy and the train is long and heavy.' said Timothy to himself. The airport was soon finished, it had shiny windows, gleaming doors and a big tall control tower, and the runway was long and smooth. The engines were very proud and very excited. Thomas was arriving with a long line of freight cars, one more job needed to be done.
'Who left these behind? I'll figure that out later, just remains this.' Thomas thought to himself as he took great care, but the tracks were wonky and soon the freight cars derailed and hit the water tower. The water tower creaked and wobbled then it started to tip. The water tower crashed onto the runway. Luckily no one was hurt. The runway soon started to crack.
"The runway's cracked!" cried Percy "And the track is blocked!"
'I won! I won! I won!' said Timothy in his head 'Nice nice try Thomas, did you really think that would work?! The one who left those cars behind was me! I knew you would take them no matter what, since you wanted the airport completed! I knew the tracks were bumpy and that it would be difficult to maintain control even for you! And now Thomas, after all that hard work, motivation, all the Engines around you, you destroyed the water tank and ruined the runway! Sodor will lose massive amounts of money and will be closed! And it's all thanks to you!' said Timothy in his head, very proud of himself. Diesel and Steam Engines equally were cross at Thomas for messing up this badly, all the hard work was now for nothing indeed. Emily wanted to remind Thomas to not give up, but Timothy was watching which broke her down from the inside. But then Thomas left which made Timothy confused. After some time has passed.
"Where's that scaredy steamy?" Wondered Arry, then they saw Thomas and, a shocker especially, Diesel 10 arrive.
"It's Thomas..." gasped Mavis "and he's with Diesel 10." Arry and Bert couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"Not so scaredy after all." puffed Percy. Before long, Diesel 10 was clearing the tracks and placing the wreckage in the empty trucks, and Thomas shunted them away.
'Diesel 10 isn't scary, I can take him on myself... but one thing is for certain now." said Timothy in his head 'I can't do anything... if I do anything to rebel, I will be kept an eye on. I can't just cause a large amounts of confusion and delay on my own, maybe small but not enough, I can't raise suspicion for myself, and if I leave the other engines will notice... wait, if I leave this time, I might be a suspect for Daisy's crash... Thomas, you win this... for now. But I promise, you will lose the next one."
"What are you all waiting for?! Let's help them!" Said Timothy as he went in to help Thomas and Diesel 10, and all the other Engines joined to help as well. Soon the line was clear, Thomas picked up George the Steam Roller, got him to the airport and they fixed the road. The airport was now complete.
That night
Thomas met up with Mavis, he was happy just now that Emily had a spot in Tidimouth sheds, now she doesn't have to be alone anymore and he can now investigate further what is happening to her. When Thomas arrived at the Quarry, he met up with Mavis at 20:00 as she said.
"Hey Mavis." greeted Thomas.
"Hi Thomas." replied Mavis "Now this is what I wanted to tell you about. Go to a nearby siding, you will spot some tracks there that will take you uphill and you will see someone there with a very beautiful view as well." said Mavis. Thomas was curious on who this someone was and what was the view like, so he puffed away immediately. Thomas did everything Mavis told him to do, went to the sidings that had tracks that took him uphill and soon he met up with another engine, a tender engine, and once Thomas got close, it was a surprise.
"Emily?!" Thomas said in excitement.
"Thomas?!" Emily exclaimed in equal excitement.
"I thought you were about to sleep." said Thomas.
"Well, Mavis told me to meet up with her... guessing she told you the same thing..." said a blushing Emily.
"She did..." said Thomas shyly "Let's ser this view she was talking about." said Thomas to Emily and both puffed uphill. When they arrived, they were amazed, the view was able to show a lot of Sodor, including the best view of the Suspension bridge, the moonlight even shown perfectly. Thomas and Emily both loved it equally, they even loved the peace and quiet, just the two of them with an amazing view.
Author note: Sorry for how long it took to write this one. Calling All Engines is a special and I wanted to include some extra things for Timothy to do and some extra scenes that I thought would be nice. Hope you all like it and if possible include a review.