Great Western Visitor
Tina and the Great Western Locomotives were just waking up and getting ready for another day of hard work when the Kalos Controller arrived on Gervase.
Gervase: Good morning one and all. I bring big news from Sodor.
The fleet of Great Western Locomotives were surprised to see Gervase at their sheds with the Kalos Controller but they knew he had a good reason.
Kalos Controller: I bet you're all wondering why Gervase is here. Well the thing is that the Fat Controller called me up. He needs some help with the summer traffic on the North Western Railway. I told him I could spare a locomotive or two to help out. Normally I'd ask Duchess Corrinne but she's away on the Orient Express today so Gervase here is gonna make the recommendation on which of you gets to go to Sodor.
King Elgar: Well that does make sense considering he's been to Sodor during the war and got some much needed modifications.
Edinburgh Castle: Yeah but the thing is with Chantal Payne breathing down Jen O'Donnell's neck whoever goes to Sodor will need to have a strong will.
Gervase: So before we got to that I'll need to ask you lot a couple of questions. So here's the first. If you discovered your driver or fireman's wife or girlfriend was cheating on them would you tell your driver or fireman?
The locomotives were confused for a minute by that question before Monica spoke.
Monica: I'd tell my crew. What kind of engine would I be if I didn't?
The Kalos Controller nodded at Monica's response before Gervase looked to the rest of the Great Western Locomotives for a response to Gervase's question.
?: Well the thing is that it would really crush my crew and I'm here to pull trains not deal with relationships so I wouldn't say anything.
The Kalos Controller shook his head in disappointment at the GWR 5700 class who spoke before a GWR 4300 class spoke to answer the question.
4300 Class: Well I'm the type of locomotive who sticks to the truth and tells the truth so while it's not pretty I have to tell them or my name isn't Brody.
The Kalos Controller nodded his head in approval at that response as the other Great Western Locomotives gave their responses before only two were left and the Kalos Controller figured it was time to chat with Gervase and his crew.
The Kalos Controller: Okay Gervase we're down to the last two candidates.
Gervase: And let me guess we're looking at some potential problems I presume?
The Kalos Controller: Correct. Now the first candidate is Zach, a GWR 7200. He's said to be a leader and does what he knows is right. He has a strong will and won't let anybody push him around or force him to back down from a confrontation and he's spent his entire life on heavy goods trains.
Gervase: And let me guess he has little to no training on handling Coaches.
The Kalos Controller: Correct. Now Tyler, a GWR 5101 Class is a Large Prairie Tank engine who was built for mixed traffic duties but he's spent most of his life on passenger trains and is trained to handle slip coaches and he's done stints on suburban trains which would make him an asset in the summer passenger trains but that would make him more likely to shy away from goods trains.
Gervase's Driver: And probably more likely to yield to threats, I understand and given what you told us we'll need a plan.
Gervase's Fireman: So Gervase what are you thinking? Which engine will it be?
Gervase considered the potential issues and factored in the loading gauge of Sodor's Branch lines before making a decision.
Gervase: Go with Zach. It's gonna be tough for Tyler to endure the heavy goods trains that Chantal Payne's probably gonna force the Fat Controller to dump on him. Besides, Zach is used to heavy goods trains and shunting duties but maybe he can step up to the plate on the occasional passenger train and rally the Small Railway Locomotives in Arlesburgh to support Duchess Corrinne and those that she's fighting for.
The Kalos Controller: Very well. Tyler, you are excused. Go get the slip coaches and get to work. Zach, I need you to remain here for a bit. We've got a few things to discuss. Brody, I need you to take a goods train to Paris and then back here. You both are two of the potential locomotives that I told the Fat Controller I'd be sending to Sodor to help with the summer traffic. As for the rest of you, back to your usual jobs and duties.
The fleet aside form Zach left and went to work as Gervase was getting some coal and water before being turned around and parked into a berth next to Zach so they could talk alone about some potential issues.
Zach: So why did you ask that question about what we'd do if we found out our drivers or firemen's wives or girlfriends were cheating on them? Was there a point to that or did you want to see how we'd react?
Gervase: The Kalos Controller, Duchess Corinne, and I wanted to see how much you and the Kalos Railway Fleet value the truth over the consequences of reporting that truth over the consequences of reporting that truth. We also wanted to know if you lot have the strength and will to do what you know is right no matter what even at the cost of your life and if your crews are as strong willed as you. Do you understand?
Zach: I think I understand. Everyone knows of Duchess Corrinne's story and how her enemies have tried to scrap her because she made a difference in a high school with the Prime Minister of Great Britain backing her up.
Gervase's Driver: Yeah we know and so does Ranger Walker.
Zach: But there's something neither she nor the Unova Fleet know and it has to do with her enemies and I'm afraid it's bad news.
Gervase's Fireman: Let's hear it.
Zach: After Corrinne left for Sodor and the States Beyond, one of the well-mannered diesels tried to pick up where she left off and continue Duchess Corrinne's work but Payne found out and forced Jen to send the diesel to the scrapyard the minute it broke down and fire the diesel's driver on the spot or she'd force the Railway Board to fire her instead and replace her with somebody who will do what Payne says.
Gervase: Let me guess Jen caved didn't she?
Zach: I'm afraid so and to make matters worse the well-mannered diesel's driver is in danger of losing their home.
Kalos Controller: All this because the diesel tried to do the right thing and bring positive change and pick up where Duchess Corrinne left off? Payne's nothing but a brat.
Gervase: I know. Fortunately when I was in the states the Unova Controller and his pals put a plan together to help Jen. The plan is to put her in a martial arts program to help her gain confidence.
Zach's Driver and Fireman were present and they too had to give their own thoughts on the subject.
Zach's Driver: Sounds like Jen needs all the help she can get to grow a back bone.
Zach's Fireman: I hate to be a black cloud here but that won't do any good if Payne gets wind of our plan.
Gervase's Driver: Not to mention Lord Arcanon. Still Zach is pretty much the best option at this point but did the Fat Controller state which locomotive he'll chose?
The Kalos Controller: He said that he wanted a locomotive to help out on the Little Western which meant that I had to select among the Great Western Locomotives on the Kalos Railway.
Gervase's Fireman: And that's what led to Zach being chosen right?
The Kalos Controller: That's right. Now I need you to double head a goods train with Zach to the docks at Saint-Malo. The ship will arrive to pick him up. I've already told the Fat Controller that I'm sending Zach over and that he's reliable.
Gervase and his crew nodded as Zach's crew already packed their bags before they got their goods train and headed to the docks with Gervase taking the train and Zach coupled in front.
When Gervase and Zach arrived at Saint-Malo the workmen were loading up the ship and were just waiting for the train.
Dock Manager: You're just in time. You can leave the trucks where they are. Gervase the manager needs you back at the yard at once.
Gervase: Yes sir.
Gervase left at once as he and Zach were detached from the train before the Manager turned to Zach.
Dock Manager: So Zach of all the great Western Locomotives going to Sodor, the Kalos Controller decided to choose you huh? For a moment I thought they'd pick somebody like Bryant, Norton Manor, or Monica.
Zach: If this is due to the fact that Duchess Corrinne usually has final say in the recommendations then you should know that she's away on the orient express today and Gervase was in charge. He was looking for how much a locomotive valued the truth over the consequences of reporting that truth and I was a good match. Hopefully I can figure out what the heck is going on and how to stop Lord Arcanon, help Jen get a spine, and get her out of Chantal Payne's Thumb once and for all.
The staff agreed as they all got Zach secured and ready to be lifted into the ship while Zach's crew entered the ship itself. After everything was ready and Zach was tied down in the hold the ship set sail for the Island of Sodor and to Zach's Sodor Adventure.
Author's Note: Sorry for the Delay I was dealing with personal issues. Anyway please read and review.