David, Emily and Bernard slept peacefully in their shed in London through the night. Now that Baz had been ensnared in his steely confinement, he had been brought to London by Sonny and was now in the Court of London's holding cell until his trial would be held the very next day. Soon afterwards, David and Emily would be leaving the Mainland and returning to Sodor again to tell Thomas and Percy everything, as well as see what Thomas' special job was all about regarding Ruth's ongoing progress.
After spending a warm and heartfelt night with her best friend and beloved Stirling brother, Emily was the first to wake up as she felt the coming sunrise shine through the shed windows. Her eyes opened and she gave a smile when she saw the train yard outside, and not far down the line, the roofs of King's Cross Station. She looked down and saw David waking up next. He sat up on her running plate and looked to her just as she began to yawn.
"Good morning, Emily," David smiled as he trailed his fingers along her cheek and tickled her.
"Hm-hm-hm!" Emily giggled softly. "Good morning to you, David."
At that moment, Bernard started waking up too. His eyes opened and he yawned steadily before smiling to who was there at his buffers. David nodded and stepped down from Emily's running plate so Bernard could greet his sister.
"Good morning, Emily. My sweet, pretty sister," he smiled as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Oh…" Emily smiled and sweetly kissed his cheek in turn. "Good morning, Bernard. Slept well, did you?"
"I did indeed, Emily," said Bernard. "And I know you certainly did. And you, David?"
"Of course, Bernard," said David. "And a good thing too. The day has now come. The day of judgement for that thieving specimen."
Emily and Bernard suddenly remembered and felt a serious wave in their boilers. Emily in particular took it firmly to heart. In just a few hours now, the outcome of Baz's judgement would be decided and made known, and Emily and David would be on their way home soon afterwards to tell the news to Thomas and Percy.
"Oh…goodness," said Emily. "It's happening soon. For everything he did during the World of Tomorrow, I can only wonder what his sentence will be."
"Furthermore, given yesterday's events at the Steelworks," said David. "I think now he's in even worse trouble than ever before."
"Even more trouble?" asked Bernard. "How, David?"
"Well, Bernard. Baz was already in a lot of trouble, along with Bernie, for what they did during the Fair. But with Baz resisting the Royal Guard yesterday at the Steelworks…Heavens, that will NOT sit well with the court. Not one bit."
Emily felt her heart tweak as she remembered seeing Baz resist the way he did, and Bernard tightened his lip with strong thought.
"Ohh…that was very, VERY bad of him to do," said Emily. "That will certainly merit an exceptionally harsh judgement."
"Why wouldn't it, Emily?" said Bernard. "That's the Royal Guard of England he was messing with…Her Majesty's service of all England."
"Yes. I think the court's opinion on that matter will be most important indeed," said David.
"Well, now," Bernard spoke as he remembered his own schedule. "I see it's morning, Emily. I think I'd best be going. York will be needing me for more shunting in the yards."
Emily looked to her brother again. "Yes, Bernard. They will be. Well, thank you for spending the night with us."
"My pleasure, Emily," said Bernard. "And thank you for accompanying me here, my dear sister. Perhaps later today, after you see the trial, David…maybe you could come by York and tell me about it? Then we can properly say goodbye."
David thought for a moment, then agreed. "Of course, Bernard."
"That would work nicely, I think," said Emily. "In that matter, for now…we'll see you later, Bernard."
With that, Bernard and Emily huffed out of the shed and through the yards, on towards King's Cross. Emily then let Bernard make his way to the turntable, where he was turned the right way back up the line. Then he set off to return to York Station, whistling goodbye to Emily and David.
"See you later, Emily, and David!" he called.
"Cheerio, Bernard," David waved.
"Bye-bye, Bernard!" Emily whistled.
And Bernard huffed down the line and out of sight. Emily and David then settled at one of King's Cross' platforms, where David picked up the morning newspaper to see if Baz's trial was anywhere to be reported. As he read through the paper, there came another whistle. He and Emily looked and saw that Sonny was up and about too. He came up alongside Emily with a ready look in his eyes.
"Good morning, Sonny," said Emily. "I trust you know what today is."
"Good morning, Emily and David. Yes, today is the day," said Sonny. "Whenever that trail is held, you find out what befalls that thief, David."
"I certainly will, Sonny," David nodded as he read the newspaper further. "Ah! And here it is, you two. It says here that Baz has been held in his steel cage in the London Court's holding centre since yesterday…and it seems my prediction has come true."
"What do you mean, David?" asked Emily.
"Well, according to the article here," said David. "The Courts have been notified of Baz' behaviour at the Steelworks. The Royal Guard described his resistance as, and I quote, 'extremely bad'."
Emily and Sonny exchanged a serious glance when they heard this.
"Well, then. That will no doubt be another offense to add to his sentencing," said Sonny. "And when will it be held today, David?"
"Hmm…" David noted as he finished the article. "To narrow it down to schedule, the trial is to be held at midday, around 10:00 a.m."
Emily and Sonny heard what David said, then realized it was still quite early. The station clock showed 8:00 a.m.
"Well, now," Emily pondered. "Hmm…Baz's trial won't be held until midday. What do we do until then?"
David folded the newspaper and put it in his inner pocket.
"Perhaps we can lend King's Cross a hand, Emily," said David. "Surely, they have trains that need arranging. Coaches to bring along, trucks to shunt. What do you think, Sonny?"
"I think we could do that," said Sonny. "I've come and gone from King's Cross a number of times while I still worked here."
David went to ask the King's Cross stationmaster if Emily and Sonny could help at the station, who agreed at once and soon made arrangements. When David returned to Emily and Sonny, he had it all worked out and got onboard his engine.
"Emily and Sonny, I've found you both a schedule throughout the morning to afternoon. There are two goods trains to go to Huntingdon which you can take on their way, then later on, Connor and Caitlin will need their coaches arranged for their passengers. After that, it's mostly shunting trucks in the yard."
"Alright, David. Thank you," said Emily. "Looks like you'll be going my way up the GNR, Sonny."
"Well, let's go together, Emily," said Sonny.
Before long, Emily and Sonny gathered their goods trains together, and soon they were off down the Main Line of the Great Northern Railway to Huntingdon for a fair day's work on Emily's original railway home until the time would come for David to see Baz be put to first rate judgement…
Meanwhile on Sodor, by this time, Ruth had been working hard on her new home ever since Thomas brought her to Maithwaite and discovered the broken down windmill and barn. Thomas had still been thinking now and again about Emily and David and what they could be up to by now, but his questions still had to wait a little while longer, during which he would soon have a little story of his own to tell.
After working on the Main Line for an hour or two, by daybreak, Thomas came back along his Branch Line and went to see Ruth again. This time, he could see she had made plenty of progress by now, having cleared out the tree and even installed a generator and a few other inventions. By now, he was indeed curious as to what Ruth planned to do next. Then Percy came by with the mail train and looked on with Thomas.
"What do you think she's up to?" Percy asked.
"I don't really know," said Thomas.
"Maybe she's trying to make the old barn fly?" Percy suggested playfully.
"Let's find out," Thomas replied. "Ruth! What's all this going to be?"
"You'll see very soon, Thomas. You won't believe what these sails can power!" said Ruth.
"Sail power?" Thomas gasped.
"That's right, Thomas," said Ruth. "But I'm going to need to finish touching this place up first. And to do that, I'm going to need your help."
"My help? What shall I be doing?" asked Thomas.
"This windmill needs some new bricks to fill in the holes," said Ruth. "And the barn is in need of some new roof tiles and wooden beams. Do you think you could bring them along?"
"Certainly, Ruth," Thomas nodded. "I can't wait to see what you plan to do with those sails!"
Soon, Thomas was hurrying along the line to collect fresh bricks and roof tiles for Ruth's workshop. In the midst of wondering about Emily and David and watching Ruth's progress continue, he was now wondering what could be done with those windmill sails. He recalled seeing windmills more times than he could count whenever he ran his Branch Line, and worked on the Main Line, but what could Ruth have in mind for her windmill? These thoughts occupied Thomas' mind as he spent the rest of the morning collecting bricks, roof tiles and workmen, then hustled them to Ruth's workshop. While the workmen helped Ruth fix up the windmill and barn, Thomas had more work to do on the Main Line himself, while his beloved angel was doing work of her own on her original home railway…
Meanwhile, Emily and Sonny kept on with their work on the Great Northern Railway, enjoying each other's company along the way. Their deliveries to Huntingdon were managed on time, and when they returned to King's Cross later that morning, they were just in time to see Connor and Caitlin come by to make ready for their passengers. This gave Emily and Sonny the chance to work together and sort the streamliners' coaches for their round of passengers. Once Connor and Caitlin set off again with another passenger run, Emily and Sonny then spent the rest of their time sorting trucks throughout the yards, all while David waited for the time to arrive so he could attend the London Court.
Eventually, Emily and Sonny's work was done. All the trucks were arranged as they needed to be, and all the passenger trains that came and went had their coaches arranged. David stepped onto the platform and told the stationmaster everything, who was indeed impressed with the two engines' work.
"Well done, Emily and Sonny," he noted. "Excellent work today."
"Thank you, sir," said Emily. "Very nice to be back here again along the line I used to work on so long ago."
"Indeed, it is," said the stationmaster. "Very good to see you here again too, Sonny. I hear your second chance on Sodor turned out quite well."
"Thanks, Gov," said Sonny. "I'm just glad it worked out for me…but now that we're done…oh, goodness. I can't help but wonder, just what judgement will befall Baz?"
"I wager he will not walk away with any benefit of the doubt, Sonny," said Emily. "You heard what David read in this morning's newspapers."
"I do. It's just…well, waiting to hear the outcome is almost making me nervous," said Sonny.
"It's just the buildup, Sonny," said Emily. "Although, the waiting is making me a little jumpy too…which reminds me…David? What time do we have?"
David checked his pocket watch, then suddenly stood quite still. Emily and Sonny felt a jump in their boilers as they waited for David to speak again. He looked at both engines, then discreetly pointed to the clock. Emily and Sonny looked up and saw the time was now 9:30 a.m. It was then and there that Emily and Sonny realized the time was just about upon them. After all the arrangements and processes David had been putting together with the Sudrian Police Department, the Steelworks and the Royal Guard of England, now was the time to make way and hear everything.
"It's time, Emily," said David. "I think we ought to go now, and head as deep into London as we can, to learn the result."
"I'm with you, David," Emily nodded. "Right into London. What about you, Sonny? Do you feel inclined to come along?"
"I would be glad to hear the result after playing my part in bringing that man to his much needed judgement," said Sonny.
"Alright, then," said Emily. "All the preparations and proceedings have led to this moment. Are you ready, David?"
"All I've been is ready since the beginning," David replied as he got in her cab. "Come, Emily. We must leave immediately, and make our way to the heart of London. There, I shall witness and hear everything to tell Thomas and Percy."
"Me too," Emily added. "Here we go. Off to London!"
And with a determined and serious pulse in their hearts, Emily, David and Sonny all set off out of King's Cross and along the line to enter the heart of London to learn the first rate judgement that awaited Baz. For about fifteen minutes, the three of them rode along the line, until they came to the heart of London.
"Here we are, Emily. London," said David.
"Wow," Emily spoke proudly as she looked around. "I don't think I've ever been this deep into London. Have you, Sonny?"
"I don't think so, Emily," said Sonny. "Not even while I used to work here…and look, Emily…my goodness…"
Emily looked to where Sonny was looking, then felt her heart stir when she saw two most iconic landmarks of London. The Clock of Big Ben, and the London Bridge could be seen over the other buildings. Then suddenly, given the nature as to why they were here, Emily felt one other place pop up in her mind.
"Hmm," she pondered. "I wonder how that would have gone."
"What? How what would have gone, Emily?" asked David.
"It just came to me, David," said Emily. "As we are in London…there is one place which I think would have fit Baz perfectly for his misdeeds to Sodor."
"Where?" asked Sonny and David.
"The Tower of London," Emily noted. "A most notorious place for holding fugitives in its day…and quite fitting for someone like Baz, in my smokebox."
"Maybe, Emily," said David. "But nowadays, Tower of London has long since been converted into a place for tourists to visit…although, I will say that Baz would fit that tour very nicely. Wonder how that would go with the court. 'Put him in the Tower of London! …Make him part of the tour'."
Despite the serious nature of the given day, Emily and Sonny couldn't help but laugh to David's remark. But only a few moments later, they looked ahead and saw another small rail yard with a small station up ahead. As they came closer, David took hold of Emily's controls and slowed her down to a stop at the station's platform, while Sonny stopped beside her. David checked his watch once more.
"9:50," he said. "Ten minutes early…and just in time."
Emily heard David and suddenly noticed. "Oh…David. You mean to say we made it?"
"Yes, Emily," said David. "The Court of London is very close."
Emily took a deep breath and sighed heavily. It was all coming together. Sonny breathed deeply himself, knowing what was about to happen.
"Well…this is it," Emily said eventually. "So…what happens now?"
David got down from her cab and looked right at her.
"You and Sonny rest here, Emily. I'm going in. It may be a few hours, but as soon as the trial is over, I'll come out and share whatever outcome we get."
"Right, Captain," Sonny nodded.
"Thank you, David," Emily smiled. "I must say. You really have kept your word to the Admiral. And to me."
David nodded with a tip of his hat and a wink to Sonny. Then he made his way out of the station to find his destination. Now Emily and Sonny had nothing to do…except wait.
David walked along the streets of London for a few minutes, preparing himself for whatever would befall Baz, until he came to the very place and stood still. There it was. The Court of London. And just outside the main entrance stood the Royal Guard from the Steelworks, waiting for David to arrive. When they saw him, they gave a single nod, and David gave a small bow in response. He approached the main door and presented his navy credentials, then he and the Royal Guard entered at once. All was now ready. The much-anticipated time had arrived.
When David made his way inside the courtroom, it was a large place indeed. He made his way to the seats and sat with a few other attendees who had picked up the news from Sodor about Baz and Bernie's plight. David looked ahead and saw five judge's seats, four of which were filled, except for the center seat where the Head Judge was due to arrive and sit at any minute. On the side of the courtroom, there sat a jury of twelve members, and placed right in the dock, David and all the attendees could see it. There was the steel cage, with Baz right inside it, guarded from both sides by the Royal Guard.
For a few minutes, quiet murmuring sounded through the courtroom as the attendees talked quietly among themselves and each other. David said nothing, fully prepared to take everything in once the time came. Then soon enough, just as David's pocket watch showed 10:00 a.m., a door from the side of the room opened, and the Court Clerk raised his hand and spoke.
"Silence. Silence in court."
The murmuring steadily quieted down at once and everyone looked ahead. There was the Head Judge making his way through to the centre seat, where he sat down and took one look at Baz through the steel cage.
Then with no further delay, the trial began. The Head Judge, the other four judges, the clerk and the jury all took their time looking over all the evidence provided to them by Sudrian Police figures, the Fat Controller, Ruth, Sir Robert, David and even some information the engines managed to tell, all while the Royal Guard stood perfectly still on either side of Baz's cage, waiting for the final outcome. David spoke not a word and took everything in, sensing just what would eventually come up for him to tell Emily.
It was indeed a long, lengthy and time-consuming process to bring everything together with all the court members speaking their fair share, until at last, after three long hours, everything had been assessed, evaluated and weighed. Now it was time to lay down the sentence. The Head Judge looked right down to the defendant held in the steel cage and finally spoke the key part of this judgement.
"To my mind, the only difficulty that presents itself in this otherwise very clear case is…how we can make it purely, intensely and sufficiently severe for the incorrigible, rogue and hardened ruffian who we see cowering in the steel cage before us. This unworthy specimen has had a considerably shady history here on the Mainland already, but here today, as the evidence stands, he has been found guilty of infiltrating the Island of Sodor, stealing very valuable plans to Inventor Ruth's Hover Car, using a steam engine he stole as means to divert the chase, driving a Japanese electric engine to the public danger, and just yesterday, blatantly gross insubordination and violent resistance towards the Royal Guard of the United Kingdom. Court Clerk, do provide the absolute strictest penalties we can impose for these offenses, without of course, giving the prisoner the benefit of any doubt, because quite clearly, there is none."
"Oh, there's benefit and doubt!" Baz tried to protest. "It was Bernie who stole the plans! I tried-"
"ORDER!" the Head Judge snapped, banging his gavel. "The court does NOT recognize the voice of the defendant, and all our evidence is clear! Please continue, Clerk."
Baz had to back down and shook his head vainly. The Court Clerk looked discreetly and intently through the rules and proceedings to make all the calculations. The whole entire time, Baz was quaking in his shoes as he trembled and sweated to the pending sentence. Then the Court Clerk spoke, making the thief sweat and hyperventilate even more.
"Well, your Honour, as the evidence stands, some people would consider that infiltrating Sodor and stealing the plans for the Hover Car are the worst offenses, but cheeking and resisting the Royal Guard appropriately carries the most severe penalty. And so, I would suggest to impose: two years for infiltrating Sodor, twelve months for the theft of Ruth's plans, two years for using Sonny to divert the chase, five years for the furious driving of Kenji and thus putting the railway at risk, and as for the cheek and resistance towards the Royal Guard of England, such behaviour, which as we've heard, was 'extremely bad', I would input...nineteen years."
With each penalty that had been spoken, Baz's heart was slamming harder and harder in his chest, and by the time the final penalty had been suggested, he was red in the face, gawking, gaping, and swaying from side to side, nearly fainting as the Clerk concluded the count-up, then handed the sentencing order to the Head Judge.
"Therefore, by my calculations, your Honour, this makes a grand total of...twenty-nine years."
"First rate!" the Head Judge remarked at once.
"Here, here!" the other four judges said together, settling the agreement tight as a drum.
"Most impeccable calculations, Clerk," said the Head Judge. "I would only suggest one more thing to make it final."
"And what is that, your Honour?" asked the Clerk.
"Call it thirty, to be on the safe side," the Head Judge said strongly as he added that year to the official sentencing order.
The other four judges agreed at once, and they all put their signature on the sentencing order. Then the Head Judge drew his pen and finalized it with his official signature.
"Most excellent, gentlemen. Thirty years it is, then," said the Head Judge.
David drew a small, but truly victorious smile to all this as he thought most impressively, "Pure Poetic Justice. I love it."
"And in retrospect to Sailor John's final defeat on Sodor," the Head Judge continued. "I think it best to follow Sodor's example. We shall keep this fugitive's isolated cell guarded at all times with shifts of five heavily armed guards time and time again. And so, it's final! Baz the Thief, as the Head Judge of the Supreme Court of London, England of the United Kingdom, I hereby sentence you to solitary confinement for thirty years with NO possibility of parole whatsoever!"
With that final word of justice, the gavel banged, and the sentence was official. Without another tarried moment, the Royal Guard worked to move the steel cage and its prisoner out of the courtroom. As the other attendees left, David followed the Royal Guard outside. There, parked close to the courthouse, David saw a heavily armored prison transport vehicle that would transfer Baz to the nearest solitary confinement unit for the next thirty years. The Royal Guard opened the back doors of the vehicle, and hauled Baz onboard, while David watched solidly and victoriously.
"Th-th-thirt…thirt…thirty years…!" Baz wheezed and squawked as he fell into most petrified tears. "No! No-ho-ho-ho! Mummy!"
But his pathetic cries were drowned out at once when the Royal Guard slammed the doors shut and knocked twice on the back of the vehicle before it drove away down the road, thus Baz was whisked away to the deepest solitary cellar in England.
David watched until the vehicle was finally out of sight. Then the Royal Guard turned to the young captain as one of them spoke.
"Who would have thought Britain's most notorious sailor would become such a resourceful commander on Sodor? Good work, Captain Rider."
"To serve doth suffice, Royal Guard," David answered with a dignified bow. "An honour to be acquainted with you, good sirs."
"Likewise to you, Captain Rider," said the Royal Guard.
Then David checked his pocket watch again. It was just after 1:00 p.m. now, and he noticed he had to go.
"I must be going now," said David. "Time to tell Sodor the news. Thank you, Royal Guard. My regards to Buckingham Palace."
The Royal Guard stood tall and saluted, to which David saluted in turn. Then he turned and set off back down the streets of London to tell Emily and Sonny the news…then once Bernard heard it himself, David and Emily would be going home.
Back at the small station, Emily and Sonny had been waiting and idling over the past three hours, constantly wondering what judgement Baz had been put to, and if it fit his offenses on Sodor. Sonny in particular was anxious to hear it for himself to give him true peace of mind that he would never be misused again.
Just then, David came walking quickly back to the station platform, and Emily and Sonny looked up at once.
"David! There you are," said Emily. "Well? What news from the Court of London?"
"Yes, David…what punishment has befallen my greatest enemy?" asked Sonny.
David looked to both engines with a steady beam in his eyes. "Emily, Sonny, it's all over and done with. First rate judgement shines through the sun today."
Then he told Emily and Sonny everything from start to finish, from the analysis of all the evidence presented, to the guilty finding, all the way to the final sentencing. The whole time, Emily and Sonny listened, and David left out no details. When David had explained everything, he waited to see what would follow.
Emily spoke first, sounding quite proud indeed.
"That's truly wonderful to hear, David. Your efforts to deal with that thief worked to perfection, and I am very glad to have taken part in seeing it be done."
As for Sonny, after his second chance had been fulfilled, he felt this news made his new place on Sodor even more precious and important than before.
"Worked to perfection indeed, Captain," said Sonny. "That Baz gave me such a shadow over my life, but thanks to your efforts, I am truly free."
"Yes, Sonny. You are," said David. "And there's so much more for you to enjoy, to be and to do. Your part on Sodor will prove most wonderful with us all."
"So…that's that," said Emily. "We came here to the Mainland, we put Baz to a steely fate, and he has been dealt first rate judgement, clear as crystal."
"Yes, Emily. It has all worked out as I had hoped," said David. "And now…with our objectives fulfilled, it would be my pleasure, Emily, to escort you back to York Station to tell your brother the news…then we make for the Mainland Canal and sail home."
Emily looked up at once and smiled. "Ohh, David! We're going home? Wonderful! Are you ready to go home, Sonny?"
"I am now, Emily," Sonny smiled. "I'll head back up the GNR, and back to Vicarstown Bridge, while you two sail your own way back."
"In that matter, I reckon we'll be back on Sodor late this evening," said David. "We'll see you back on the island, Sonny."
Then Sonny whistled and set off down the line. Emily whistled goodbye, then David got aboard her cab.
"As for you and I, Emily…back to York to see your brother once more," he said.
"Take us on, David!" Emily whistled.
Then she and David set off back down the line, back to King's Cross and made their long journey back along the Great Northern Railway. Over the next three hours, they ran past Huntingdon, Grantham, Newark North Gate, and Retford. They stopped briefly at Doncaster where David purchased a small bottle of ginger beer. He winked to Emily and she wondered what he would do with that bottle. They carried on past Selby, then at last, they arrived back at York Station. Emily looked around and gasped when she saw Bernard shunting about the yards. He just finished reversing into a siding when she came rushing up to him.
"Oh! Oh! Bernard!" she called as she hurried to his buffers, then stopped with a steady hiss of steam.
"Emily! David! You're back!" whistled Bernard. "I was wondering when you would come by again today."
"Well, we're here now, Bernard," said Emily. "We're heading back to the Mainland Canal to sail for home."
"But before we do, we wanted to share the news with you, Bernard," said David. "The trail has been held…and it went first rate indeed."
"First rate?" said Bernard. "Well…what judgement has befallen that thief?"
David told Bernard everything, who listened in turn, and was steadily enthralled by the end.
"Well, I'll be. No better way I could have put it," said Bernard. "Thirty years! And solitary confinement at that."
"Precisely, Bernard," David smiled victoriously as he drew his bottle of ginger beer and opened it. "No hope for fugitives like that thief. No clemency. And so, here and now, here's to a perfectly executed operation."
"Here, here," Emily and Bernard said together.
And David raised his bottle, then drank the whole thing. After that, he checked his pocket watch and saw the clock was ticking.
"Well, Emily. I see it's just after 4:00 p.m. Time to go," he said. "We'd best return to the Mainland Canal and head out to sea."
"Alright, David. Time to go, it is," said Emily. "So, Bernard. Would you say this news delivered?"
"It has indeed. So glad to hear it all worked out," said Bernard. "And I couldn't be more surprised and delighted to have spent time with you again, Emily. May our next meetup come in good time for both of us."
Emily smiled and nuzzled her brother's face, then gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Goodbye, Bernard. And thanks."
Bernard nodded and kissed her cheek in turn.
"You're welcome, Emily. Have a fun voyage home, and sure to tell Thomas and Percy all about it when you return."
"I will, Bernard," Emily nodded.
David smiled and nodded to Bernard, then returned to Emily's cab and patted the side of it.
"Come on, Emily. Let's go home," he said. "See you later, Bernard."
Bernard nodded with a smile, then David opened Emily's regulator, and the two of them set off down the line.
"Bye, Bernard!" Emily whistled.
"Bye, Emily!" Bernard whistled back.
And so, David and Emily were on their way back up the line. In only a couple hours, they would be back at the Mainland Canal and back on the Sea Emperor, sailing for home…while Thomas' ongoing progress with Ruth continued on.
Back on Sodor, Ruth had been kept very busy putting her workshop together. By now, she had made excellent progress and only had a couple more things to do before her work would be complete. As for Thomas, he had done most of his work on the Main Line for today and was making his way back to Maithwaite to check on Ruth's progress again. He had been thinking about windmill sails all day up to now, still trying to put together what Ruth could do with them, being the inventor that she was. Then, as Thomas worked his way back up his Branch Line, he suddenly felt a daydream flare up in his funnel surrounding this inventive thought…
Thomas saw himself running along the line, when Gordon suddenly whistled from up ahead, thundering along with the express.
"Thomas!" called Gordon.
Thomas was worried at first, then he suddenly looked up and chortled. Perched in his funnel was a set of windmill sails that spun round and round like Harold's rotor blades...which suddenly lifted him right off the rails and into the air!
"Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! Whoa-ho!" Thomas called as Gordon braked hard. "See you, Gordon!"
"Thomas?!" Gordon called as he looked up and behind himself.
Thomas kept whooping and laughing away through the sky…until he felt out of his daydream.
Thomas snapped out of his little vision, noticing he was back at the workshop, and Ruth had just finished welding one more thing into place. When she saw Thomas had come back, she looked up and gestured to all her progress.
"Ta-da!"
Thomas took a good look, and against all his skepticisms about this once old and abandoned windmill and barn being useful, Ruth had completely changed the look of the place. All the vegetation, old wear and holes in the barn and windmill were gone. The barn had new, shiny roof tiles, and the windmill's brick work had been cleaned up and refurbished like never before. It indeed looked brand new, and Thomas was quite impressed.
"Cool!" he exclaimed cheerfully. Then he remembered what Percy said and decided to bring it forth. "Uhh…does it fly?"
"Fly? No, Thomas," Ruth chuckled. "It's an electromagnetic generator. It will convert energy from the sails into electricity. All we need now is a blast of power to get it started. Like a bolt of lightning!"
Thomas was puzzled and confused. "But how are you going to make that happen? There's no storm in sight!"
"Oh-ho-ho, you'll see," said Ruth. "I just need you to do one more thing, Thomas…then I'll have you ready by this evening."
Thomas suddenly felt excited. What could Ruth be up to that would need him to be ready?
"Me? Ready? What do you mean, Ruth?" Thomas asked.
"I need you, please, to bring me some power poles, and electric cables," said Ruth. "We're going to need them along with my little invention, which I think you'll find very exciting."
"Really? Well, of course, Ruth," said Thomas. "I'm on my way!"
And with an excited whistle, Thomas set off down the line to pick up the power poles and cables, then Ruth would put her plan to action. Thomas was now even more curious as to what this could all entail…and once again, he found himself thinking about Emily and David on the Mainland. After thinking about her at the Steelworks, he began to wonder if they would be coming home soon.
"Oh, just what tales will I be telling her…and what tales will you be telling me, Emily?" Thomas wondered out loud as he hurried down the line…
Meanwhile, Emily and David kept on their way across the Mainland. After leaving York, they were working back they way they came from leaving the Steelworks. Then around two hours later, at 6:00 p.m., Emily found the line she had taken the day before, and soon, they were back along the line that would lead them to the Mainland Canal.
"You recognize where we are, Emily?" David asked.
"I do, David," said Emily. "I think Lorenzo was right. Going right was good luck on this trip…but I'm glad we're going home now."
David smiled in agreement, and soon, he and Emily were back at the Mainland Canal. The Sea Emperor was still docked next to Beresford, and David could see his crew waiting on deck. When they saw Emily return, they all waved to their captain, who waved back.
"Ahh, hello again, Emily and Captain Rider," Beresford called down. "Going back to Sodor so soon?"
"Hello again, Beresford," said Emily. "And yes, we are raring to go home now. Everything has been taken care of."
"Yes, Beresford," said David. "We've done what we needed to do, and now we must get home. Load Emily onboard, please."
"Right away, Captain. With grace and precision," said Beresford.
While David got back onboard the Sea Emperor and told his crew the news, Beresford secured his hook to Emily and lifted her off the rails. Emily looked down around her and was now quite eager to tell Thomas and Percy everything once the time came. Within moments, she was gently settled back on the Sea Emperor's deck, right on her set of rails, where the crew secured her in with the ropes. She was now ready to sail again.
"Hello again, Emily," said Copper. "Captain told us everything, and I must say, you've both done splendidly on this outing."
"Thanks, Copper. I'm glad to have gone on this journey too," said Emily. "David? Are we ready now?"
David came to the Sea Emperor's wheel, then drew his cutlass and pointed it to the air.
"Make ready to sail, boys!" he ordered. "Sodor calls!"
And the Sea Emperor's crew got straight to it, hoisting the anchor, unfurling the sails and managing the riggings. David turned the wheel hard to turn the Sea Emperor back around, and soon, they were sailing back down the Canal and on their way home.
"Thank you, Beresford. Pleasure to meet you," said Emily. "Goodbye now!"
"Take care, Emily and Captain Rider!" Beresford called back.
And with that, Emily and David were on their way home again, sailing back along the Mainland Canal until they would meet with the sea again and work their way back to Sodor's coastline, through the Walney Channel at Vicarstown Bridge and back to Brendam, home to Sodor again.
Around two hours later at 8:00 p.m., as the sun began to set and bring on the evening, the Sea Emperor came to the end of the canal, and David and Emily could see the open sea up ahead.
"We're getting close to Sodor again, Emily," said David. "Soon, we'll see the Walney Channel again."
"Then we'll be home," said Emily. "Oh…this has been such a treat, David, sailing with you again."
"You've made this voyage wonderful too in coming with me, Emily," said David. "I just wonder what Thomas could be on about with his special job?"
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see," Emily smiled.
The Sea Emperor continued on its way along the sea and back to Sodor for some time now, and Emily and David couldn't wait to see Thomas and Percy again. And what a surprise would await them regarding Thomas' progress with Ruth…
Back on Sodor, the Fat Controller was in his office when his telephone suddenly rang. When he answered, it was from the Mainland Canal.
"Hello? Oh…I…I see. What's that? Emily and David? Coming back! Thank you, and goodbye!"
The Fat Controller then hung up and gave a jump with glee to the news he had just heard.
"Excellent! Stupendous! They're coming back!" he rejoiced. Then he saw just who was at the platform outside. "Oh! Percy! Percy, wait there!"
Percy saw the Fat Controller burst out of his office and was a little surprised.
"What is it, sir? What's all the jumping and dancing about?" Percy asked.
The Fat Controller told Percy what he had just heard, and in that moment, Percy gasped and his boiler bubbled.
"Oh…oh, sir! Thank you! Thank you! Such wonderful news! I MUST tell Thomas!"
And Percy dashed away down the line to meet up with Thomas' Branch Line and find him.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Ruth had been keeping busy putting together her plan to give the windmill a blast of power to ignite the generator and make her workshop operational. Thomas had collected two poles and a long line of electric cables and delivered them to Ruth's workshop. Then he watched as Ruth installed the poles and connected the cables, until the last touch was made. Thomas watched as Ruth hitched the last cable directly to the windmill sail, which made his eyebrow raise with intrigue. Then suddenly, he saw Ruth give a nod, then she made one more adjustment. That's when Thomas suddenly heard a beaming sound coming from the cables. They were now live and full of voltage. Then Ruth came back down the windmill and went inside for a moment. When she came out, Thomas saw her holding a long metal rod, and he suddenly felt a rush in his boiler as he felt something fantastic was going to happen now.
"Okay, Thomas. That's everything," said Ruth. "We're all set at last. Time to get this blast of power going, and get my workshop running."
"Wow…okay, Ruth," said Thomas. "Now…you said I had to be ready?"
"I did, Thomas," said Ruth. "And here is my little invention. I'm going to hitch this metal rod to the top of your cab. Then we'll be ready."
"On my roof? Really?" asked Thomas.
"Yes, Thomas. The best thing about all of this…is that you're going to be my blast of power!" chimed Ruth.
"Me? Wow!" Thomas exclaimed.
Ruth brought the metal rod, a wrench and a few nuts and bolts with her to the top of Thomas' cab, and in a few minutes, Thomas had the metal rod installed on his cab. All was now ready. Ruth could now make her workshop operational, and Thomas would now have a tale to tell himself to Emily.
"So if you go fast enough," said Ruth. "Then that metal will connect with that cable and make a spark just like lightning, which will power the generator. But only if you go fast enough. Got it?"
"Got it!" said Thomas as he backed up several yards away and made ready. The cable was live and ready to be primed.
"Ready, Ruth!" Thomas called.
"Go for it!" called Ruth.
Thomas whistled and began making his move, going faster and faster by the second, approaching his full speed quite quickly.
"Faster, Thomas! Faster!" Ruth called.
Thomas went faster and faster and faster still. Then right at the exact precise moment, he bolted right past that cable. His metal rod struck the cable, causing a big spark and a sudden surge of power which snaked along the cable, right up to the windmill's sails. The surge fissured along the windmill's center piece, then the sails began turning. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, and before long, the energy from the sails' movement was directed down to the generator, and in no time at all, Ruth's workshop was now up and running. Her generator's gauge went right up to its operational point and was now humming like a tea kettle.
"It's working, Thomas! You powered the generator!" Ruth rejoiced.
"You did it, Ruth!" Thomas cheered.
"We did it, Thomas," laughed Ruth.
Thomas was most impressed by the final result of his special job. He had to admit he never expected to see such a worn down, abandoned and neglected place be transformed into such a useful and inventive place, but here and now, Ruth had brought about a new workshop with his help, and he had never seen anything like it. Just then, Percy came hurrying alongside Thomas with an excited peep on his whistle.
"Hello, Thomas! Hello, Ruth!" he panted. "And…wow, Ruth! Is that your new workshop?"
"Yes, Percy. What do you think?" asked Ruth. "Thomas helped power it up!"
"Cinders and Ashes! That's amazing!" Percy whistled. "Well done, Thomas and Ruth!"
"Thanks, Percy," Ruth waved.
"And what are you doing here, Percy? You seem most excited," said Thomas.
"I am excited! Because I have amazing news for you, Thomas!" Percy continued. "The Fat Controller just told me that David and Emily left the Mainland Canal earlier today, and they'll be back this very evening!"
Thomas felt a big jump in his boiler as he gasped and stared at Percy for a few moments. After three days of helping Ruth and her workshop, working on the Main Line and wondering off and on about David and Emily's whereabouts and what they were doing, they were now coming home again.
"Ohh! Percy!" Thomas exclaimed merrily with a loud whistle. "They're coming back tonight! What perfect timing! Thank you, Percy!"
"That's wonderful, Percy!" Ruth chimed in. "Well, Thomas. Why don't you go ahead and welcome them home once they come?"
"Of course! We must, Ruth!" Thomas exclaimed. "Okay, come on, Percy! Let's make for Brendam so we can welcome them back!"
"I'm right with you, Thomas!" Percy whistled.
After Ruth removed the metal rod from Thomas' cab, he and Percy hurried back along the line side by side, both feeling such a slew of excitement in their boilers. They couldn't wait to see Emily and David come back, and once the time was right, they would be in for another evening of tales to each other, just like Thomas did with his big world adventures.
Eventually, as the sun set over the horizon, Thomas and Percy arrived at Brendam Docks and stopped alongside Cranky and Carly. The first thing Thomas and Percy noticed was Sonny, just a few feet ahead of them. He had already come back by Vicarstown Bridge, and beside the line were the Fat Controller and Beatrice talking with Sonny. Thomas and Percy came a little closer and Sonny looked up.
"Hello, Sonny," said Thomas. "I see you came back first."
"Hello, Thomas and Percy," said Sonny. "Yes, I came back by Vicarstown Bridge, and I've just told Beatrice and the Gov my part of the story."
"Your part?" asked Thomas.
"That's right, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "Sonny has told me quite a bit. And I must say I'm very proud of you. Ruth told me everything about what you did to help her build that new workshop of hers. I must say, she is most inventive indeed."
"Thank you, sir," said Thomas. "She is an inventor after all. It was so exciting to see it all come together…and now Emily and David are coming back."
"Yes, Thomas. Sir Topham Hatt told me right away," said Beatrice. "My son is coming back."
"Hmm," said Thomas. "Speaking of which, what did Sonny tell you, sir?"
"Hmm," the Fat Controller pondered. "I think I'll leave those details to Emily and David."
"I agree, Sir Topham," said Beatrice. "After all, they will have tales to tell, as you do yourself, Thomas."
"True enough, Beatrice," said Thomas. "I can't wait to see her return."
With that, Thomas, Percy, Sonny, Beatrice and the Fat Controller all spent about two hours waiting for the Sea Emperor to return. The last rays of daylight soon faded, and night settled on the Docks as the stars began to flicker through the sky. Thomas and Percy were indeed excited to see Emily and David come back, then their tales could be told once the time was right.
At last, around 10:00 p.m., just a little way away out on the sea, Thomas and Percy looked and gave a gasp. Sonny, Beatrice and the Fat Controller looked and drew quite a smile. There was the Sea Emperor sailing its way into port again with its emerald sails beaming in the moonlight. Thomas and Percy immediately felt a ray of memory sweep over them as they remembered how Emily and David came home with Beatrice after their first big adventure together and what a truly happy welcome home that was. Now came the second time after a much shorter voyage, but still very welcoming for Thomas and Percy to see.
On the Sea Emperor, David and Emily looked and saw who had gathered at the docks and smiled immensely. Emily felt her heart jump and swirl with delight to be home again as David docked the Sea Emperor beside Carly, then signalled his crew to drop anchor. Copper undid Emily's ropes, then Carly brought her hook and securing system down and lifted Emily right up off the Sea Emperor and into the air.
As Emily looked down around her, she saw Thomas and Percy burst into a chorus of whistles and cheers as she was lowered down right in front of Thomas. The two engines stared to each other for a moment or two with beaming smiles. Then…
"Well. Hello, Thomas," Emily chimed happily. "I'm back."
Thomas gave quite a wheesh of steam and raced right up to Emily, pressing his lips to hers and kissing her strongly for her return. Emily gleefully returned the kiss until they let go and beamed even more to each other's faces.
"Emily! You're back!" Thomas exclaimed as he kissed her cheek a few times more. "Oh, joy! Oh, welcome home, my angel!"
"Welcome back, Emily! SO happy to see you home!" Percy whistled happily.
"Hello again, Percy!" Emily whistled, then kissed Thomas' cheek a few times too.
At that moment, Beatrice looked and saw David get off the ship and onto the docks. Then he went running right for her.
"David! You're home!" Beatrice chimed as David ran to her and spun her around in a hug.
"I'm back, Mum," David smiled. "I can't tell you how pleased I am to be home. Everything has been taken care of."
"Oh, yes," Emily beamed. "David and I have had quite the time on the Mainland, Thomas and Percy. And, oh, we have so much to tell each other, don't we?"
"Of course we do, Emily," said Thomas. "Sonny has already told Sir Topham Hatt his part of the story, but he's leaving the details to you to tell me."
"Is he? Well, I would be glad to tell you everything, Thomas," said Emily. "And I'm sure you have a lot to tell us too. But for now, David and I must get settled back in for tonight."
"I certainly agree," said the Fat Controller. "One thing at a time."
But then Emily suddenly remembered. "Oh! Thomas? I actually think right now, I'd like to hear just a little bit…about what you did."
"What do you mean, Emily?" asked Thomas.
"Well, now that I'm back, Thomas…I'd like to know…do you remember what I told you before I left?"
"Hmm…yes, Emily," said Thomas. "How you told me to do my special job well."
"That's right, Thomas," said Emily. "So…did you do it well, for me?"
Thomas thought for a moment, then smiled proudly.
"Well, Emily. You told me to do it very well for you…and my short answer for now is, I have certainly done that."
Emily smiled proudly and impressively. "Hmm. You have, have you? Well, what was it?"
"Yes, Thomas. What was your special job?" asked David.
Thomas thought a little more, then he decided what he wanted to do.
"Okay, Emily and David. I'll tell you…and show you a little, just for tonight," said Thomas. "While you were away…my special job was helping Ruth find a place to live and work!"
Emily gasped and David's eyebrow raised. They didn't expect this to be Thomas' special job, and they were now curious as to how it turned out.
"My goodness!" Emily exclaimed. "Really, Thomas? Ruth has a place now? And you helped her?"
"Oh, indeed I did, Emily!" Thomas smiled. "The tales will have to wait, but oh, you've got to at least see it, now come on!"
"See you at Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and Emily!" Percy whistled.
"I'll be back soon, Mum," David called to Beatrice, who waved with a smile.
While Copper and the Sea Emperor's crew sailed the ship back to Arlesburgh, the Fat Controller drove Beatrice back to Arlesburgh. Sonny left for the night, and Percy set off for Tidmouth Sheds, while Thomas whisked Emily and David through the night, back up the line to his Branch Line, and up towards Maithwaite Forest. David looked and suddenly remembered.
"Hang on. Emily, this is Maithwaite," he said. "I used to live nearby in Ffarquhar."
Emily gave a little gasp. "That's right, David. You did. Thomas…you don't mean to say…?"
"Oh, I think you'll find Ruth's home most interesting, David," said Thomas.
Before long, they came to a stop in the middle of the forest, and Emily looked to see windmill sails cast against the moon. She and David wondered what this could be all about, then Thomas blew his whistle. Ruth was still outside admiring all the work she and Thomas had done, until she turned around to Thomas' whistle and waved.
"Hello again, Thomas," she smiled.
"Good evening, Ruth," Thomas smiled. "Look who's home!"
"Wow! There she is! Hello again, Emily," Ruth waved.
"Hello again to you, Ruth," said Emily. "David and I are back…and Thomas says he wanted to show us your new home."
"That's right, Ruth," said David. "Before Thomas and Emily exchange their tales for another time, he wanted us to see how you've been settling in."
"Well, this is it right here!" Ruth chimed as she gestured to the barn and windmill. "It was very old, broken and abandoned before. But I thought this place was perfect for me. So now…what do you think?"
Emily and David spent a minute or two, gazing at the inventive work Ruth put into this project and they were both keenly interested.
"Hmm. Nice. A very fine place you've made of this area, Ruth," said Emily. "I can see why you would choose a place like this. I look forward to hearing all about it."
"Thank you, Emily. It's all perfect for me to continue my inventions," said Ruth. "What do you think, David?"
David took a particular look at the area and remembered how he once lived in this area. He walked along Emily's front, then rested his back to her buffer, pressing it a little into her housing.
"It's a curious thing," he said to Ruth. "There was once a time when I used to live in Ffarquhar when I first ever came to Sodor."
"You lived on this line, David?" asked Ruth.
"I did, once," said David. "After settling here and meeting Emily with my own eyes, I lived in Ffarquhar briefly and didn't find work right away, since I was still making my mark on Sodor as it were. Then when the Sea Emperor was almost stolen by a few thieves, I thought it best to move away from here and live in Arlesburgh, to be closer to my ship and lend my hand to the village and harbour. As for your workshop, it's a most interesting piece of inventive work. I'm glad to see you're happy here with your new workshop, Ruth."
"Thank you, David," said Ruth. "I'm sure you'll find my upcoming work interesting indeed."
"Well, thank you for showing us Ruth's new home, Thomas," said Emily. "Now, I really think we should settle in for the night."
"Of course, Emily," said Thomas. "Goodnight, Ruth."
"Thanks again, Thomas. Goodnight to you, Emily and David," Ruth waved.
"Goodnight, Ruth," David and Emily replied.
Thomas, Emily and David made their way back down the line, all too ready to settle in now. They stopped at Knapford Station and dropped David off where he rode Algy the rest of the way back to Arlesburgh. Then Thomas and Emily returned to Tidmouth Sheds at last, where the other engines, except Percy, were already asleep. Thomas backed into his berth, then watched as Emily settled on the turntable, smiling peacefully to be back home. Then she turned around to her berth and backed inside, warm and safe.
"Home sweet home. Ahh…" she sighed happily with a little wisp of steam.
"Oh, Emily," Percy peeped. "You're home. So nice to see you back in your berth, right beside Thomas and I."
"Aww, Percy. Thank you," Emily smiled and blew him a kiss.
Thomas got on the turntable, turned to Emily's berth and buffered up to her with a gentle smile.
"Oh, Emily…I'm so happy you're home again," Thomas smiled. "For three days, I woke up to see your empty berth here, and I kept wondering what you and David have been up to all this time."
"I'm sure you have been wondering, Thomas," Emily smiled. "And someday soon, you can bring us to Knapford Sheds, and we'll tell each other all about our tales."
"I would love that, Emily," Thomas smiled.
"Me too, Emily," Percy peeped. "Another time to hear and tell stories would be very nice."
"Yes, Percy. It will be," Emily nodded kindly.
"But for now, sweet dreams, my angel," Thomas whispered as he kissed Emily's lips goodnight. "I love you, Emily."
"Ohh…sweet dreams, Thomas," Emily yawned as she kissed his lips in turn. "I love you too."
Thomas then returned to his berth, then he, Emily and Percy fell sound asleep with the rest of the engines, truly happy to be together again. And one day soon, they would tell each other their tales, just like Thomas did with every one of his big world adventures.
The next day, Thomas popped in to see how Ruth was settling into her new home, when he came across the stuck gate again.
"Oh, no. The gate's stuck again!"
But as soon as Thomas said that, the gate opened right up and he made his way through, right up to Ruth's workshop.
"Smooth drive through the level crossing?" Ruth asked.
"That was you?"
"Sure was. My generator powers more than just my workshop," said Ruth. "Your level crossing is now fully automatic, thanks to the energy all around us! It can power almost everything!"
"All thanks to you, Ruth! Sodor's incredible, imaginative inventor," Thomas beamed.
Ruth just smiled as Thomas carried on down the line and about his day. He couldn't wait to tell Emily and David all about his special job, and David and Emily were eager to tell their tales in good time too. And so, Emily and David's plan had worked. Baz was put to a most steely justice and out of the way. Thanks to David's fierce dedication and straightforward drive of duty, his operation of crude but adequate solutions had worked perfectly. All that remained now surrounding these events was to tell tales of steel and workshops between him, Thomas, Emily and Percy. But that's another story.
Alright, so Baz has been dealt with, and that just leaves Bernie's fate, which we won't be getting to until next year, but it will certainly be a surprising story. Next up, however, is a story that I'm pretty excited for as it will focus on certain things that we haven't given much or any focus on, and it will definitely come as a surprise for you all. Until then, tell us what you thought of this finale, and as always, stay safe.