The Winx Club's Sodor Adventures - Season 2

Episode 17: The Deputation

Snow came early to the Island of Sodor. It was heavier than usual. Most engines hate snow. Donald and Douglas were used to it. Coupled back to back with the van between their tenders and a snowplough in their fronts, they set to work, along with Sky and Brandon. They puffed backwards and forward patrolling the line.

Generally, the snow slipped away fiercely, but sometimes they found deeper drifts. Presently, they came to a drift which was larger than most. They charged it, and were just backing for another try when they heard an engine whistle and two voices shouting from the snow.

"Help! Help!"

"What was that?" asked Brandon.

"Somebody help us! We're buried under the snow, and we're very cold! Please get us out!"

"Land sakes, lads!" cried Douglas. "It's Henry and Flora! Don't worry yourselves, you two! Wait a while! We'll have you out!"

Henry and Flora were very grateful. They saw all was not well. Sky, Brandon and the twins were looking glum. They told them Sir Topham Hatt was making a decision.

"He'll send us away for sure."

"It's a shame," said Percy.

"Yes," said Musa, "I hate to see our new friends scrapped back on their homeland."

"A lot of nonsense about a broken signal box," grumbled Gordon.

"Yeah," said Aisha, "we probably got too many of them."

"That spiteful brake van, too," put in James. "Good riddance. That's what I say."

"You're right, James," said Stella. "That ruffian Dominic had been nothing but trouble from the start."

"The twins were splendid in the snow," added Henry. "They deserve much better than being sent away."

"Yes," said Flora, "they weren't blamed for problems they didn't commit. It isn't fair."

They all agreed that something must be done, but none knew what.

Percy and Musa decided to talk to Edward and Tecna about it.

"What you need," said Edward, "is a deputation."

He and Tecna explained what that was.

"All you have to do is tell Sir Topham Hatt about the problem," said Tecna, "and ask him to put it right."

Percy and Musa ran back quickly.

"Edward and Tecna say we need a depot station," said Percy.

"Of course!" said Gordon. "The question is..."

"What is a desperation?" asked Henry.

"It's when we tell Sir Topham Hatt something's wrong," explained Musa, "and ask him to put it right."

"Did you say tell Sir Topham Hatt?" asked Duck thoughtfully.

There was a long silence.

"I propose," said Gordon, "that Percy and Musa be our... um... disputation."

"Us?!" Squeaked Percy. "We can't!"

"We're too nervous to do that," agreed Musa.

"Rubbish, Percy," said Henry, "it's easy."

"Henry's got a point there," agreed Flora. "We all know Sir Topham Hatt very well. He's very understanding, and he'll help us, no matter what."

"That's settled then," said Gordon.

Poor Percy and Musa wished it wasn't.

"Hello, Percy. Hello, Musa," said Sir Topham Hatt. "It's nice to be back."

Percy and Musa jumped.

"Uh, yes, sir, please, sir."

"We're happy to have you back."

"You two look nervous. What's the matter?"

"Please, sir, they made us a desperation, sir, to speak to you sir. I don't like it, sir."

"We forgot what that word is," said Musa nervously.

Sir Topham Hatt pondered. "Do you two mean a deputation?"

"Yes, that's it!" said Musa.

"Yes, sir, please, sir. It's Donald and Douglas. They say, sir, that if you send them away, sir, well, they'll be turned to scrap, sir. That would be dreadful, sir. Please, sir, don't send them away."

"Percy's right," said Musa, "they're not really bad engines. They've just been going though a rough time since you brought them here, and they were blamed for problems that wasn't their fault. They're our friends, and friends should never be seperated. So please, sir, please let them stay."

"Thank you, Percy and Musa. That will do."

Later, Sir Topham Hatt spoke to the engines and their friends. "I had a deputation. I understand your feelings and I've given a lot of thought to the matter." He paused impressively. "Donald and Douglas, I hear that your work in the snow with Sky and Brandon was good. You shall have a new coat of paint."

The twins were surprised. "Thank ye, sir."

"But your names will be painted on you. We'll have no more mistakes."

"Thank ye, sir. Uh, does this mean that the both of us?"

"Sir, do you really mean it?" asked Sky.

Sir Topham Hatt smiled. "It means..."

But the rest of his speech was drowned in a delighted chorus of cheers and whistles. The twins, along with the two Red Fountain students, were here to stay.

The End