Monica and the Express
The next evening after work was done for the day the Great Western Locomotives from the Kalos Railway were in Knapford Sheds but this time they had a guest tonight. Duck the Great Western Engine was staying at Knapford for the night and he was already chatting about the old days on the Great Western Railway and on all that had happened since the heads of house Brenton, Fox and Belmonte intervened on Duchess Corrinne's behalf and those she was fighting for.
Duck: Well I'm finally glad that somebody is stepping up to the plate by standing up to the Crows and those who hire them to do their bidding. No offense to Edward but he was waiting for something to happen and at this rate his plans would've gotten us blasted have to scrap and our crews murdered. At this point Edward was doing nothing at all.
Brody: Glad to see you remember what I taught you when I came back from France after World War I. As we speak plans are in motion to move Edna and her family to a safe house that almost nobody knows about. Once that's done we can begin the elimination of Arcanon, his Organization, those who work for them and free all the areas held under his iron rule. This is gonna be so Epic!
Monica: I can't wait to see the look on Duchess Corrinne's face when she finds out we were able to finish what she started and continue our positive change. When we return to the Kalos Railway by Summer's end we will be welcomed as heroes and given a hero's welcome.
Churton Hall: Assuming we're successful, Monica. The Crows worked as middlemen for various thugs, traffickers, White Collar Criminals, Blue Collar Criminals, and even terrorists. They'll work for anybody in the criminal underworld if it fancies them and they were said to do all kinds of jobs. But the most fearsome thing about the crows is that they're able to find and eliminate witnesses on behalf of those who employ them no matter how many measures are put in place to keep said witnesses safe. Anybody brave enough to testify against criminal organizations or gang leaders that hire the Crows had best be careful or they'll be eliminated, and the murder will be spread all over the media to silence any other would be snitches.
Monica: Don't say that Churton Hall, we still have a chance to prevail. We need to believe in ourselves and our abilities like we ask the people of France to believe in us and our Controller.
Zach: Monica's right, Churton Hall, we can't let Arcanon or the Crows scare us into submission. That's how guys like them have held power and rule the criminal underworld. We can defeat them and save this world.
Churton Hall: I don't question that we will succeed but if there's one thing I've learned over the years it's that nothing is set in stone and something or someone could plan retaliation against us just for being here. What I'm trying to say is that we'll need to tread lightly.
Monica: I'm not afraid of a bunch of thugs or this Arcanon coward. Bring them on. I'll show them what Great Western Locomotives can do!
Zach: Neither am I. Like I said before I do what I know is right. It's high time that the Steam Engines of this Island took a stand against Arcanon and his organization.
Duck: I completely agree with that. But first we should get some sleep. We're all gonna need it.
The visiting Kalos Railway's Great Western Engines agreed as they went to sleep. Upon waking up next morning, ready for work, Monica was to report to Knapford to collect her train and just as the fire was light and she was ready for work the Fat Controller came to see them.
Monica: Hello sir, what are you doing here?
Churton Hall: We're about to head off for work and we were chosen for a reason.
Fat Controller: I know that, and we have a situation on our hands. Pip and Emma have engine trouble and it'll take quite some time to fix. I need one of you to take the Express to Barrow in Furness.
Brody: When Churton Hall was at Tidmoth Sheds, he learned that the Express used to be hauled by Gordon, James, or Henry before you got Pip and Emma. Why don't you ask one of them?
Fat Controller: Because they're all unavailable right now and we don't have time to wait for them.
Zach: Which explains why you asked us for help. Well in that case, I don't think it should be me. I have no training to handle passengers let alone an express train.
Brody: I'm needed at the china clay works so count me out. That leaves Churton Hall and Monica.
Churton Hall: I'm due to take a goods train so I guess that leaves Monica.
Monica: Bring it on. Now where is the express?
Fat Controller: Right this way.
Monica went to where the Fat Controller told her to go after taking on coal and water and by the time she arrived the Coaches were already at the platform and the passengers gazed at her in awe and took photographs as she was coupled to the coaches.
Fat Controller: Do your best Monica.
Monica: I will, and I won't let anything stop me.
The passengers got in, the guard blew his whistle and with a firm tug Monica puffed carefully over the points and onto the open road.
Monica: (thinking) Now for a sprint.
Monica steamed at full speed through Edward's station up Gordon's hill. She felt the drag of the fifteen coaches, but she raced down the other side whistling long and loudly through stations to let the crowd know she was there.
At Crovan's Gate the Skarloey Railway Fleet and Staff were surprised to see how fast Monica raced by.
The Express with Monica at the helm reached Barrow in Furness in record time. The passengers cheered and took photos and the Fat Controller walked along the platform to see her.
Fat Controller: Well done Monica. You handled that run like a professional.
Monica: Well I was taught by some of the finest Great Western Express Locomotives and I used to handle heavy relief passenger services back on the Great Western.
Fat Controller: Well I can see that Gervase and the Kalos Controller made the right choice selecting you, Churton Hall, Zach, and Brody to help for the Summer Season. Even if you are here for other motives such as getting my apprentice out from under Chantal Payne's thumb and teaching my staff to stand up to the likes of the Crows, their clients, and Lord Arcanon.
Monica was shocked and surprised to know that the Fat Controller knew about that as she was uncoupled from the train. She reversed into a siding out of the way as a diesel from the other railway took the Express to London into the sunset.
Monica was about to make another move when the Fat Controller arrived.
Monica: So, what do I do now sir? I'm sure you probably know this, but Duchess Corrinne did not feel safe while she was here for a year before her escape. So, there is no way I'm staying here for the night and I'm not staying in Vicarstown either.
Fat Controller: I know. Fortunately, there's a goods train that's bound for Crovan's gate. Take it there and spend the night at the Steamworks.
Monica: Thank you sir.
On that note Monica got coupled to the Goods train in question as the Fat Controller caught a train to take him back to Tidmoth and they returned to Sodor knowing that the future was in good hands.