A LITTLE WESTERN CHRISTMAS
Written by Zack Wanzer, Rachel Ravens and James Riddle
It had been a long year for the engines on Sodor, but now everyone was looking forward to Christmas. Even more so with the recent rediscovery of Tasha, a tender engine who used to work for the Wellsworth and Suddery Railway. Duck and Oliver had found her recently, and Tasha had quickly fallen back into the routine of taking passengers and goods up her old branch line.
"Oh, the Christmas lights look almost identical to the ones I saw before I was locked away," said Tasha when she arrived at Haultraugh with Old Slow Coach. "I almost forgot how pretty they looked."
"Didn't Burnett ever put up Christmas decorations in your workshop, Tasha?" asked Duck.
"I'm afraid not," sighed Tasha. "He hadn't been in the mood to do much since his wife had died all those years ago."
"Ooh," winced Old Slow Coach. "Poor Burnett… If only there was a way we could help him."
"I wish that too," agreed Tasha. "But how?"
"I'm sure something will come along," insisted Oliver as he puffed in with a train full of Christmas decorations. "Christmas is a time for miracles, after all."
"I have to agree, Mr. Oliver," said Toad. "Remember when Tidmouth sheds were all decorated a couple of years ago?"
"Wait, really?" gasped Tasha. "Oh, do tell me about it."
While the group were talking, Dilly and Dallas were feeling a bit cold and wanted to stretch their wings out. Unfortunately, neither of the ducks watched where they were going, and flew right into a stationmaster trying to hang some Christmas lights.
"Whoa, watch out!" cried the stationmaster, but it was too late.
SMASH!
"Oh…" gasped Oliver when he, Duck, Tasha, Toad and Old Slow Coach examined the damage. Dilly and Dallas gave embarrassed and sorrowful quacks.
"At least no one was hurt," sighed Duck. "I'll get some replacement lights when I get the chance."
Meanwhile, Douglas was collecting some carolers from Knapford to take down the branch line. Among the covered up passengers on the platform was Lily, whose scarf was deep purple with horses all over it.
"Guid mornin', Lily," greeted Douglas. "How urr ye daein'?"
"Oh, very well today, Douglas," smiled Lily. "Patch invited me over to his farm today. He said he needed help with some animals who need more food to get through the cold months."
"Look oot fur Dilly 'n' Dallas," chuckled Douglas. "Thay micht try 'n' pinch some o' th' food."
"Considering how much they get fed at the station daily, I will keep my eyes open," laughed Lily. "Has their pond frozen over?"
"Aye," confirmed Douglas. "Thankfully, they're taking up shelter at yin o' th' farms."
"That's good," replied Lily. "I can't wait to see Patch again." She gave a bit of a giggle as she hopped onto the train.
Lily 'n' Patch hae bin getting rather claise lately, Douglas thought to himself as he left. Ah wonder if they stairted dating yit.
Later, down at Patch's farm, Douglas had brought up the carolers so they could perform their music there and Oliver had brought up the decorations he was delivering.
"Much obliged to ye two," complimented Patch, and Mutt barked while wagging his tail in approval.
"Just doing our job," smiled Oliver.
"And how have you both been doing as a couple?" asked Patch.
"Ower weel," said Douglas. "We've ne'er bin closer."
"We've been challenging each other to see who can get to the signal near Tidmouth sheds first with our night runs," chuckled Oliver. "And… maybe keeping Duck and Donald awake at night with our chatter."
Lily and Patch laughed at the last remark while Mutt rushed over to the carolers, barking in tune with the music.
"Your dog certainly has musical talent," chuckled Lily.
"He sure does," smiled Patch. He focused his attention more on the music. The song that was currently playing was "Silent Night", and if not for the cold weather, he and Lily might have been lulled into a sleep by the soft melody.
"I could listen to them all day," hummed Oliver.
Douglas smiled in agreement, but he then noticed something and winked at Oliver, giving a little chuckle.
"What's going on with you lovebirds?" asked Toad.
"We may not be the only lovebirds, Toad," chuckled Oliver quietly. "Look."
The engines and brake van could see that Patch and Lily had unknowingly started holding hands.
"What's so funny?" asked Lily.
"Is there somethin' on our faces… oh!" Patch looked down and realized what had happened. "Er… oh…" Embarrassed, he and Lily let their hands go.
"I… don't know how that happened either," Lily cleared her throat. "Er, why don't we go and unload the food for the animals and then come back to the carols?"
"Good idea," insisted Patch.
The two moved off and Mutt gave a confused bark. He padded over to Oliver, Toad and Douglas through the thickening snow.
"They twa ur in deep denial," Douglas remarked as he glanced at Mutt.
"Sounds like another pair I could mention," chuckled Toad.
"Now that you mention it," Oliver remarked, "Duck seems rather happy to be working with Tasha."
"Aye," agreed Douglas. "A've ne'er seen Duck sae happy afore, 'n' th' lassie haes fit richt intae oor railway."
"Mr. Duck, in love," gasped Toad. "It may be a bit early to make that conclusion."
Speaking of Duck, he was at the moment with Tasha outside of her old workshop.
"You okay, Tasha?" asked Duck.
"It's Burnett," Tasha explained. "I want him to stop sitting inside and come enjoy the Sodor Christmastime."
"It would be good for him to see everything," replied Duck. "The stations look absolutely beautiful this time of year. And it's important to cherish this time with those you love."
Tasha gave a warm smile at Duck. "That's what the true meaning of Christmas is all about." She whistled up at the workshop. "Burnett, please come out!"
"I don't want to," called Burnett in a sad tone.
"You're going to miss out on all the fun," called Duck.
"I don't deserve to be part of the fun," insisted Burnett. "Not after everything I allowed to happen."
"Would Tasha want this for you, Burnett?" asked the engine she was named after. "To be sad and lonely for the rest of your life?"
"No…" sighed Burnett. "But if she were here, and knew how I let her and those little engines down, she would be ashamed of me."
"But you did save me, Burnett," said Tasha. "And I know you still regret letting that bully Hockings get away with his misdeeds, but he's been punished for them by now. Those engines have been avenged, and so has Tasha. So please, Burnett. Stop sulking about and have some fun. Do it for her…"
Burnett gave a quiet sigh. His engine did make some good points. Reluctantly, he put on some winter clothes and opened the door.
"Okay, what have you two got in mind?"
"Well, I have to take some decorations down to Haultraugh," said Duck. "Er… some of the lights broke and they had to be replaced."
"And I have to take some passengers down the line so they can be home for their families," added Tasha.
Burnett hopped aboard Tasha's cab as the two engines set off.
It wasn't long before the duo reached Haultraugh; Tasha had Old Slow Coach in tow.
"Okay, Dilly and Dallas," chuckled Duck. "Take my advice and please watch your flight next time."
The two ducks quacked as though they were agreeing with Duck's advice and flapped away.
"Do you have a translator for them to understand what you're saying?" joked Tasha.
"If only that were possible," said Duck. "I don't know how certain animals do it, they just understand us by tone of voice."
"I guess they have to," said Tasha. "Unlike with foreign languages where people can look up words in a dictionary, we have to guess what the animals are trying to say. And sometimes, it's not so hard to figure it out."
"I never really thought about it like that," admitted Duck. "You're pretty clever, Tasha." The reddish-purple tender engine beamed as she giggled slightly.
Burnett was also quietly looking at the Christmas lights as they were turned on while the two engines chatted. They were dangling lights that looked like snowflakes, glowing in all colors of the rainbow.
"They look really nice," he said under his breath, and Tasha, Duck and Old Slow Coach admired them too, the two engines blissfully closing their eyes at the soft glow and warmth spreading through their fireboxes.
Meanwhile, Oliver and Toad were passing by Patch's farm again. Mutt came racing over with a friendly bark when they halted to drop off some food for the animals.
"Hello again, Mutt," smiled Oliver before he gave a shiver. "I'll be glad when the day's work is over."
"The cold never really bothered me, Mr. Oliver," insisted Toad.
"Hmph." Oliver rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stay indignant for long as he noticed Patch coming over.
"Oliver, Toad, good to see ye again," smiled Patch. "Ah, thanks fer bringin' over the food for the animals."
"It's always our pleasure to help. Patch," insisted Oliver, "would you be joining us at the Christmas party?"
"Of course I will," said Patch. "With Lily helpin' us with the animals, I think we can get things done in half the time we usually do." A faint hint of pink appeared on his cheeks.
"Begging your pardon, Mr. Patch," Toad spoke up, "but it seems you may have a crush on Miss Lily. Is this true?"
"Oh… er… uh…" Patch hid his hands behind his back, and Mutt gave a curious sniff at his owner.
"There's nothing wrong with being in love, Patch," insisted Oliver. "Next time you see Lily, why don't you tell her how you feel about her?"
"I… I'm not sure if she likes me back," sighed Patch.
"Patch," said Oliver, "with us engines, it can be more difficult to pinpoint if someone is in love with someone else because we are limited in our interactions. But Douglas, Toad and I all saw you and Lily holding hands earlier today."
"Yeah…" sighed Patch. "I'm not sure how Lily took that."
"Seemed like she didn't mind," said Toad. "Not until you both realized what had happened."
"And you won't know how things will go until you try," insisted Oliver. "Just don't make the same mistake Douglas and I did, where we confessed just after a living nightmare almost took place."
"Well… you both have good points," chuckled Patch.
Meanwhile, Lily was at Callan station checking over passengers for Douglas' train.
"…and there's the last ticket for the train," sighed Lily. "Whew! I think we may need another train after this, Douglas."
Douglas chuckled as he glanced back; there were more passengers on the platform that had yet to board a train.
"This is whit happens whin a' body wants tae come hame fur th' holidays," he insisted. "Guid thing Tasha's comin' up wi' anither train soon."
"Douglas, is Donald on a five yearly service or something?" asked Lily. "And isn't Emily supposed to be on the main line, I mean, the engine that Tasha's filling in for right now?"
"Nah, Donnie's workin' oan th' main line while Tasha wirks oan th' branch line," explained Douglas. "Ah wonder why that is…"
"Now that's a bit mysterious," said Lily. "Maybe it's because he wanted Tasha to feel more at home and let her work on her old branch line." She shrugged. "As long as he's alright with the change."
"Tis nae th' first time Donnie 'n' Ah hae worked apairt," said Douglas.
"I'm so excited for the Christmas party later," said Lily. "Patch says he'll be bringing up Mutt to sing the carols. I even got Mutt some dog treats for a present."
"Urr ye sure tis juist Mutt ye'll be happy tae see?" joked Douglas.
"Wh-what do you mean by that?" asked Lily, a bit surprised by the Caledonian engine's question.
"Rumor haes it ye'v taken a special shine tae Patch," explained Douglas.
Lily blushed bright red. "W-well… I… he's very charming…"
"Weel then, why dinnae ye tell him that neist time ye catch up wi`?" asked Douglas. "Ye ne'er ken whit kin happen if ye dinnae try."
"I guess you're right," said Lily. "You and Oliver are shining examples of that."
"Juist dinnae hae a heavy metal monster come 'n' grab ye afore yin o' ye confesses," Douglas remarked.
"Understood," chuckled Lily, and she blew her whistle as she got into the brake coach.
Later, at Knapford station, Tasha and Duck had brought in their trains. Like everywhere else on Sodor, the big station had been decked out with tinsel, lights and other decorations to get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
"I don't think I've ever seen Knapford look this good for Christmas," said Tasha.
"It truly is a sight to behold," agreed Duck. He glanced over to see Annabelle Regaby with an elderly woman and a box of Christmas decorations. "Hello, Annabelle, Miss Sanders," he greeted.
"Hello, Duck, Tasha, Old Slow Coach," Annabelle replied. "How has the Christmas season been treating you?"
"Fantastic," said Tasha. "Burnett's decided to come out to see Sodor during Christmas."
"Burnett?!" gasped Annabelle as she saw the figure in Tasha's cab. "Oh, it's good to see you out and about."
"It's been too long, old friend," said the elderly woman.
"Likewise, Mabel. And Annabelle," he said quietly. "My word, have you grown…"
"I sure have," the teenage girl smiled. "I was just helping out grandma Mabel with these for the children to hang on the tree. Here's one of our latest ones."
Annabelle proudly held a reddish-purple bauble up, the letters and number decorated with gold glitter. Tasha gasped quietly.
"That's… my name and number!"
Duck grinned. "We do it for anyone who's set wheel on this island; visitor or permanent resident."
"Bertram started the tradition when he became controller," added Mabel.
"Could you please do some for us?" asked a voice, and Duck and Tasha glanced over to see Sadie and Delilah shunting coaches for Gordon's Yuletide Express.
"Well, see for yourselves," chuckled Mabel as she held up two more baubles - one in green with gold glitter and the other in purple with silver glitter - each with the two engines' names and number on them.
"Oh, wow!" gasped Delilah. "That looks beautiful!"
"They're to go on the tree, aren't they?" asked Sadie.
"Of course," smiled Duck. "No engine, coach or brake van's going to be left out of this celebration."
"This sure will be a fresh start for us," said Sadie. "No more big bully to mess around with us."
"We really needed this year to clear out our systems," added Delilah. "Thanks for giving us a second chance."
"Our pleasure," said Tasha.
"Besides," added Burnett, "you two didn't wish to harm Lady. You're both good engines, Sadie and Delilah."
The Class 13 duo smiled warmly at Burnett as they headed back to work.
But unfortunately for everyone, the weather was beginning to change for the worst. The light dusting of snow falling through the day had changed to a heavy snowstorm, and the engines needed their snow plows.
"Haven't used this in a long time," said Tasha as she had it attached at Knapford. "I wonder if I still remember how to use it."
"Juist dae everything ye kin," said Donald. "We mist git thae passengers hame in time fur Christmas."
"Besides, Donnie 'n' Ah kin plow thro' th' wirst o' it," added Douglas, as the twins were coupled back to back with the van between them.
"Have you done this before?" asked Burnett.
"We've dane it sin oor days in Scotland," assured Donald. "We ken whit we're daein'."
The twins puffed away, and Tasha looked on at the gathering snowstorm.
"Well, here goes nothing," she said as she started off in the branch line direction. At first, the snow plow worked well. But soon, they came across much tighter packs.
"I can do this," she panted. "The passengers are counting on me to get them home."
Up at the other end of the branch line, Duck was coming with Old Slow Coach and a few other coaches.
"I don't like the looks of this, Coach," sighed Duck.
"Neither do I," agreed Old Slow Coach. "I do hope Tasha's alright."
"It's her first winter in a long time," said Duck. "But she has been getting back into the swing of things rather quickly." He gave a small smile as a warm feeling swept into his boiler. "She's not one to give up easily."
"Must be a thing amongst us Westerners," chuckled Old Slow Coach.
"Seems to be a running trend," Duck chuckled back. The two were so engrossed in their discussion, Duck wasn't fully focused on what was ahead of him, and the darkening sky and thick snowstorm didn't help.
"Great Railway above!" cried Duck, and before he knew it, he was wheel deep in snow. He tried pushing through the snow, but all that did was make more of it spill over his boiler and water tanks.
"Duck?" asked Old Slow Coach. "Are you okay?"
"We're stuck," the pannier tank engine groaned.
"Oh dear!" gasped Old Slow Coach. "How are we supposed to get ourselves and the passengers home now?"
Neither engine nor coach had an answer to that, for all they could do was hope that help would come soon.
Back up the branch line, Tasha was doing decently, all things considered.
"You'll get a well earned drink at the next station, Lady," said Burnett. "Keep up the good work."
"I'd appreciate that, Burnett," panted Tasha. She then saw a bigger drift than most.
"By Brunel's name!" she gasped. "I'll need all the effort I can get to plow through that."
"Tasha!" came a muffled voice from the snow. "Is that you?"
"Duck!" exclaimed Tasha. "Oh, hold on, dear, we'll get you out."
"Please hurry," shivered Duck. "It's freezing under here."
Quickly, the snowplows were removed and Tasha was coupled to Duck.
"Okay, Lady," said Burnett. "Back up."
Tasha pulled back as hard, but carefully, as she could, but it wasn't easy with only one pair of driving wheels.
"Maybe this will help." Burnett used Tasha's sanding gear and poured some over the rails. Tasha felt her wheels begin to grip.
"Thank you, Burnett," said Tasha gratefully, now getting the hang of the situation. After a couple more wheelslips and tired puffing, Duck and Old Slow Coach were finally out of the snowdrift.
"Thank goodness," sighed Duck with relief. "Thanks for getting us out, Tasha."
"Glad I could help, Duck," smiled Tasha, but she got a saddened expression. "If I wasn't a Single, it probably wouldn't have been as much of a struggle. I'm sorry I took so long."
"Natasha, listen," said Duck firmly. "It doesn't matter how long that process took. I'm grateful you came to my aid, and these passengers can now get to their families."
"I couldn't agree more," added Old Slow Coach. "As for your struggles, perhaps they can be fixed with the right modifications at the Steamworks."
"They did give Edward a major rebuild there after all," said Duck. "At least, that's what I've been told."
"I almost didn't recognize my brother figure after all this time," smiled Tasha. "But of course, you never forget a face, do you?"
"Indeed not," said Burnett. "But you two had better get moving before you're both snowed under."
"Oh, bother!" cried Duck. "We're late enough as it is. See you at the party later, Lady… er… Tasha." He puffed away in an instant.
"Did you just call her 'Lady'?" asked Old Slow Coach innocently.
"I-i-it was a slip of the tongue," insisted Duck, his face red with embarrassment.
"You didn't call Duck 'dear' when you were calling out to him in the snowdrift, did you?" joked Burnett to Tasha.
"It just came out," the reddish-purple engine insisted, trying to hold back a nervous giggle.
"Of course it did," Burnett chuckled in a sarcastic tone.
Thankfully, the Little Western engines didn't have any more problems that day, and the Christmas party was in full swing that evening at Knapford station. The engines all gathered around excitedly to hear the carols.
"I don't think I've seen Knapford station have this many engines here at a time," said Tasha. "It's all so lovely."
"I remember my first Christmas here; it was the twins' first Christmas on Sodor too," said Duck. "It was a hectic few months before, but the party was worth it."
The two engines glanced over at the Christmas tree. Everyone's named baubles had been hung on it by now, but on one branch in particular was a reddish-purple one and a lighter green one.
"Our baubles are together!" gasped Tasha.
"Why, so they are," remarked Duck. "I guess it makes sense, what with you spending all your time on the Little Western branch line lately."
"It does look wonderful," said Burnett as he got down from Tasha's cab. He saw his daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in the crowd. "Lori, Cody, Lily, Tristan!"
"Hi, dad," said Lori, Lily's mother. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Good to see you, Burnett," said Cody. "We were hoping you'd come out and see the family again."
"Lily said you were out driving your engine," said Tristan. "I said if I didn't see you or her until the new year, I'd win a chocolate chip cookie. Guess I lost the bet." He chuckled and hugged his grandfather. "Good to see you."
"It does feel good to be out again," admitted Burnett. He then saw Lily glancing around the crowd. "Lost something, Lily?"
"I was hoping Patch would have come," insisted Lily. "But I don't see him."
Just then, Lily heard the barking of a familiar sounding dog.
"Mutt!" she cried. "Hey boy. I got a little gift for-" But Mutt was touching Lily's knee with his nose before running a little ways away and pointed his tail to the left.
"Do you want me to follow you?"
Mutt barked, nudging Lily along.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming." She followed the dog, very curious as to what he had in mind.
Meanwhile, Patch was waiting in a spot Mutt had shown him.
"What's up with my dog lately?" he wondered to himself.
Mutt then returned and sat by his owner.
"So, what was it you wanted to-" Lily broke off in surprise. "Patch! There you are!"
"I was about to look for ye myself," replied Patch. "Though Mutt wanted me to remain here fer some reason."
Mutt then gave a sharp bark and glanced up at the wall.
"What is it, boy?" asked Lily. She and Patch glanced up at where the dog was looking. There, on the wall, was a small plant with white berries.
"A-a mistletoe…" gasped Patch quietly.
"Well… you know what that means." Lily gave a smile.
"You… wouldn't mind?" Patch smiled back as Lily leaned in closer. The young man and woman felt their lips touching for the first time and a rush of warmth filled them on the freezing cold night. Mutt gave a quiet wag of his tail, feeling quite pleased with himself, and Burnett was watching his granddaughter and her new boyfriend from close by.
"Let's hope they have a longer marriage than you and I had, my darling," he whispered to himself. Unknown to Burnett, a ghostly figure of an elderly woman was smiling right next to him.
After the festivities were over, Duck, Tasha, Oliver and Douglas were at Arlesburgh sheds together.
"I'm glad I got to spend Christmas with all of you," smiled Tasha.
"As are we," said Oliver.
"You've been a blessing to the branch line since you got here," added Duck.
"Well, that's because you and Oliver found me, Duck," said Tasha, "and you saved my life too. I owe much to you."
"No you don't, Tasha," said Duck. "I'm just glad I could help."
Oliver and Douglas were chuckling quietly to each other, when the quartet were interrupted by a whistle.
"Donald!" gasped Tasha. "Oh, did you want your berth back? I can go to Tidmouth right now."
Donald gave a light chuckle. "Nah, tis a'richt, lassie," he said.
"Donnie," asked Douglas, "why've you've bin oan th' main line this hail time?"
"You two haven't gotten into a fight have you?" asked Duck.
"Nah, Duck," laughed Donald. "Mah reason is a wee bit different."
"What would that be?" asked Oliver.
"Weel... Atween ye 'n' Douggie getting th'gither, Oliver, 'n' noo wi' Duck 'n' Tasha getting claise…"
Tasha and Duck's faces went bright red at that notion.
"That's, uh… a bit quick of a conclusion to make there, Donald," gasped Duck.
Donald, Douglas and Oliver had to bite back their chuckling before the older of the twins cleared his throat. "Anyway, wi' a' this gaun oan, Ah'm feelin' lik' Ah'm a fifth wheel."
"Well, I think I know a way or two to fix that," said Oliver. "What if we invite Katrina and Jackie back here?"
"And then they can see who's more compatible with Donald," chuckled Duck. "Good idea, cous."
Duck, Oliver, Douglas and Tasha burst out laughing, leaving Donald quite abashed.
"Mibbie bein' a fifth wheel insae sae bad efter a'..." he admitted to himself. He sighed. "Ah will be heading back tae Tidmouth noo. See ye th' mornin'." He puffed away.
"Och, Ah'd better git tae taking th' Midnight Goods," gasped Douglas.
"And it's the mail run for me," said Oliver. "First one to the signal gets to take Toad tomorrow."
"Ye'r oan." The autotank and soft-spoken Caledonian engine puffed away, leaving Duck and Tasha alone.
"This Christmas truly has been a special one," whispered Tasha. "Thank you, for making it possible."
"It's been my best Christmas, ever, Ta-"
"Lady."
"Sorry?"
"Call me Lady," insisted Tasha. "After tonight, I think you've earned it."
"Well, in that case," said Duck, blushing bright red, "this has been my best Christmas ever, Lady. And… Lady..."
"Yes?"
"Call me Monty."
Tasha giggled in a way that would have made Duck's fire leap, if it had been burning at the time. "Very well. Good night, Monty."
"Good night… Lady."
The two engines fell happily asleep, the stars twinkling brightly in the crisp winter sky. It seemed like nothing could ever separate the budding couple.
THE END
Author's Comments
To bring this portion of the Seventyverse to a close, here's a mini-special taking place directly after the events of Diesels and Westerners. There's not much to say in terms of story, as the sole purpose is to bring the energy down before we get into the next phase, especially after all the intensity in the movie. Think of this as an epilogue of sorts to D&W. Anyway, this is probably the most romance-heavy story of the Seventyverse to date, but after that, they'll be in smaller doses and only come up whenever needed.
I've got one more Christmas-themed story planned for the Seventyverse, so look out for that!