Thomas and Percy had fetched Rocky and were rushing back up the line to get past Wellsworth and find the scene of disaster, with Butch and Harold driving and flying right with them. The entire journey was such a fluster of pounding hearts and shaky heads that Thomas and Percy couldn't think straight.
"Emily...my Emily derailed AGAIN! And to see what it may look like with my own eyes!" Thomas heaved.
"And Gina too! Never has she derailed for me to see it!" Percy heaved in turn.
Then just a few minutes later, Thomas, Percy and Rocky all saw a signalmen waving a red flag several yards away from the tarmacked crossing. Thomas and Percy slowed down as they caught glimpse of the tarmac themselves, then they looked down the field, just as Harold and Butch spoke next.
"Flying Saucers! Emily, dear lassie!" Harold called down. "Gina! Are you two alright?"
"Burning Tires! WHAT'S happened here, then?" Butch gaped.
What a sight met everyone's eyes! Trucks and goods were sprawled all over the field and slope. Percy gaped down the field and saw Gina nestled in the dirt just outside the barn. Then Thomas gaped as he saw Emily's front and smokebox sticking out from the end of the barn. She looked so very miserable now. And just beneath the slope, Thomas and Percy caught glimpse of George's underside sticking upward from the mud, making them both twitch their eyes with flaming rage.
Thomas then darted his view back to Emily, his eyes as large as three dinner plates and his mouth open twice as wide as it usually would be.
"Oh, God, NO!" Thomas yelled, nearly crying with overwhelming shock. "Emily! Emily, my angel! What on SODOR has EVER happened to my angel?!"
"And Gina!" Percy yelled in turn. "What has that steamroller DONE to MY queen? AND my mother! Emily! Emily!"
"Thomas! Percy!" Emily called back. "Please get us out! Help! Help!"
"Please help us, by Italy!" Gina wailed.
"Don't worry, Emily!" Butch called as he rolled down to the field. "We'll get you out! Just hold on."
"All in good time, ladies," Harold called as he hovered lower. "Emily first, I think. Then we'll help you, Gina."
And so, over the never half hour, the rescues ensued, while Thomas and Percy slowly went from shocked and horrified to intensely angry as they had a lot to say to that steamroller. Workmen brushed the dirt away from Emily's front, revealing how bent it was. Then the workmen anchored chains from Butch to Emily's front while Harold hovered low with a chain lowered underneath him and hitched onto Emily as well. Then from the ground and the air, the vehicles worked together, slowly hauling Emily out of the barn and back across the field toward the line so as to let Rocky haul her back into place.
When she was close enough to the line above her, Rocky got straight to work in hitching his hook and securing systems to her body and tender. Then she was gently hauled back up the slope and gently placed onto the line beside Thomas and Percy, safe on the rails again.
"There we go, Emily. Back on track," said Rocky.
Thomas and Percy waited until Gina was helped back onto the line the same way by Butch, then Rocky. Eventually, she was safely placed right behind Emily and now Thomas and Percy could survey the damage their queens sustained.
First, Thomas and Percy looked at Emily with worry. Emily's funnel had three hefty scratches, her running boards and wheels were very dirty and her front was quite well bent like Thomas' was just before he and all the engines went to London all those years ago. As for Gina, the right side of her bufferbeam was completely scraped off and her entire right side's paintwork had been quite badly scratched off. Then in that moment, the farmer and children came running up the hill to join all the engines, followed closely by Jem Cole, who was now looking very nervous.
"Oh...by my God!" the farmer gasped. "It just happened so suddenly! Emily came careening down the line toward us and she called to me and my children to get out of the way! I'm lucky we jumped clear before anything terrible happened! Think of my children!"
Then Thomas suddenly burst into furious demand.
"Where is George?! WHERE IS HE?!" he roared. "I know he did this! Where the flying HELL is he?!"
"As you saw, Thomas. He's down there, of his own crashes, made drunk!" Emily's driver grumbled, pointing toward the ditch. "He's the one who did all this! NEVER has something like this happened to Emily, almost killing another innocent family! Thank goodness they're alright!"
Butch most reluctantly had his chains hitched to George, then he hauled the steamroller out of the ditch, and back up toward the very road George had tarmacked right over Emily's line. George coughed and spluttered from the mud until workmen wiped his face clean. He looked and saw Thomas, Percy, Emily and Gina all glaring with sheer contempt and seething hate for what he had done.
"George...George...the bloody goddamn...steamroller!" Thomas shuddered quietly, but very dangerously.
"Huh! About time!" George growled. "I didn't even get to see the Imitation Steamroller and Ms. Carriage Wheels sit in their farmer's perch!"
"GEORGE, YOU LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW!" Thomas screeched. "You've given us trouble before, but to do this to MY ANGEL, EMILY IS-!"
Thomas' yelling was cut short by a loud screech of tires close to the line. Everyone looked ahead, and at that moment, everyone watched as that distinctive blue car screeched to a halt right beside the line, and out came the Fat Controller as he slammed the door as hard as he possibly could. He was very, very cross. Then Beatrice came out from the front seat, slamming her door too as she and the Fat Controller came striding right to the scene of disaster.
"WHAT'S going on HERE?!" The Fat Controller demanded. "WHY is this crossing tarmacked?! WHY are all these trucks, rocks and building material all over the field?! And WHY are Emily and Gina so dirty and scratched?!"
"Ask...HIM!" Thomas snarled, sparks leaping from his funnel. What came next, no one was quite ready for.
"GEORGE-THE-STEAMROLLER!" the Fat Controller roared so loudly, all the engines cringed to the volume. "WHAT in the name of Flaming HELL are you playing at NOW?! I thought you had learnt to be more responsible ever since I took you off the roads for a week, then you helped save the Airport by paving the runway...EXPLAIN YOURSELF!"
"You KNOW he won't do that, sir! I'LL explain it!" Emily's driver snapped.
It didn't take long for the Fat Controller to hear everything that had happened between Emily, Gina and George, and all that had transpired up to this very moment. The farmer and children then told their side, all to which the Fat Controller listened very carefully until everything was explained. Then the Fat Controller turned even redder in the face and whipped his head back to the steamroller.
"I KNEW there was something else to all this. GEORGE!" he roared.
"I am so sorry, sir," said Jem Cole. "You see, I didn't drive George here in the first place. Right when I came back to him to resume our work, my hat blew-"
"Bother your hat! I could have been killed!" the farmer shouted. "And not just me! What if my children got killed to?! Thank you SO much, Emily, for warning us just in time! And George, you treacherous snake!"
"Just like my tragic accident!" Percy wheeshed. "Well, I never!"
"To think that I almost ended up in the same scathing predicament as Percy did!" Emily wheeshed angrily.
"HIGH TREASON!" the farmer roared to George. "ULTIMATE DISHONOUR!"
As Beatrice stormed toward George, no one yet saw who else came out of the Fat Controller's car and came walking up behind.
"George the Steamroller!" Beatrice yelled as she pounded her palm with her fist. "For Goddamn Sakes! I can't BELIEVE YOU!"
"RRGH! LOOK at you, George!" the Fat Controller scolded severely. "I can't TRUST you on my railway, OR the road! We have roads to build for our vehicles and you are NOT FIT TO STAY HERE! I am...affronted! I am taking you RIGHT back off the roads for another week, then you will-"
"WHAT...HAPPENED?!" growled another voice that sounded terribly enraged.
Everyone knew that voice and stopped right where they were and looked with pounding hearts. There was David, standing tall and foreboding with steely eyes scanning everyone there. No one said a word at first. Then Jem Cole suddenly bowed his head and walked solemnly toward the captain.
"...It was my fault, David," he said quietly.
"Jem Cole...?" the Fat Controller whispered with surprise.
"I came back from lunch break, but then my hat blew away. Another workman came to drive George to the crossing to fix a crack in the road. I think he blocked Emily once again, then when I came back...he had tarmacked the crossing. We meant to warn Sir Topham Hatt...but...ohh...I'm sorry, David."
But David merely brushed Jem Cole away by the shoulder and marched right to George.
"You almost KILLED someone!" David growled. "You didn't take my WARNING to ANY heed! I WARNED you not to make anything happen to Emily!"
"I don't care! You should have taken my warning to better heed," George retorted. "Your Imitation Steamroller is a goody-goody steamroller!"
"So help me, George!" David barked. "You are going to be put to rights, no matter WHAT it takes! And YOU, Sir Topham! Where do you get the GALL to allow this rolling BASTARD on our island?! And ONE week off the roads is not NEARLY enough! NOT by a long shot!"
"I told you already, David! This order didn't come from me!" the Fat Controller insisted. "The Sodor Island Council owns George and they've applied him to be doing this work! As I said before, George is under THEIR ownership, not mine!"
"THAT'S no excuse, Sir Topham!" David snarled. "You can't defend his actions anymore! He'll NEVER learn! He CAN'T learn to be one of us!"
"I'm not defending his actions, but he IS a steamroller, which all roads need!" the Fat Controller argued. "If he is to learn even an inkling of reason in the very least, he's to be given a chance!"
"Give him a CHANCE?! Topham, LOOK AT HIM!" David bellowed. "Look at his history! HE will NEVER be one of us!"
Then David bolted up to George and drew his naval cutlass, bearing it only an inch or two from George's face, making him yelp and roll back a little.
"You GET AWAY from my engine, you masochist!" David barked, then whipped his head around. "Sir Topham, get RID of this steamroller. He is no longer part of this railway, or the island! He does NOT belong here!"
"NO! I'm NOT taking orders from YOU, David!" the Fat Controller snapped. "For the last time, I'M the manager of this railway, not you! With the exception of when Emily corrected my treatment upon Thomas after he saved Ryan, NO ONE tells ME what to do! And I am NOT wasting time talking down to you as Mr. Percival did over your grudge against Donald and Douglas! So disperse and step aside!"
Before Thomas, Percy, Gina, or especially Emily could shout back to the Fat Controller in protest, David resheathed his cutlass, then spun right around with his hands on his hips. Standing taller than the Fat Controller, he came down hard as nails.
"Sir Bertram Topham Hatt, I am going to say this one time, and one time only: You may be the manager of the North Western Railway, and I may have been wrong to target Donald and Douglas the way I did, but I AM Navy Captain of the Sea Emperor, and by my family's bloodline, Emily is still MY engine! Therefore, it's MY job to protect her from errant vehicles, be they on road or rails! And it's also my duty to honour my promise to the Admiral that no more atrocities like Sailor John ever touch Sodor again! So in this given situation, I don't care what stature of authority you carry; For the sake of my engine, and the safety of other engines, you are bringing this forth to the Mayor and the Sodor Island Council, you're gonna do what I say, AND GET THAT DAMN STEAMROLLER OFF THE ISLAND OF SODOR!"
Then there was eerie, suspenseful silence. Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all gaped to each other as they watched David go still as a statue, looking the Fat Controller piercingly in the eyes. The Fat Controller had listened to everything David had just spilled out. It was indeed firm and intense, and it even seemed to challenge the Fat Controller's authority to some degree. But with that firmness, David also carried fairness, just like the Fat Controller himself carried all the time.
He thought quickly, but clearly for about five minutes. George had been on the Island of Sodor for too many years to count since the beginning, working for the road industry to pave roads...but through all those years, he was insensitively rude to every engine he came to and caused such havoc for many of them too. All he ever cared about was destroying railways and turning them into roads. He didn't care about being really useful. All he cared about was roads and superiority to railways...and this was indeed the worst crime he had ever committed. Derailing not one, but two queens on rails. Nothing like this had ever happened to Emily, or Gina. Even though it was nothing too serious, Thomas, Percy, Emily and especially David would not let up until their demands were met. Perhaps at long last...it was time for George to go. For good.
Finally, the Fat Controller looked up at David with a solemn expression. Then he bowed his head and spoke rather submissively.
"...Yes, Captain Rider. If you have any other demands...you may express them at the very least."
David's nail-hard posture ebbed away and the fury faded from his eyes a little. He gave a single nod to the Fat Controller, appearing much calmer now. But George's karma wasn't finished yet. There was plenty more to follow.
Beatrice had been keeping very quiet all this time, but now her chance had come. She was most infuriated with George, having heard what had just happened to her husband's engine, who was now her son's engine too. She came up to the Fat Controller and whispered something.
The next moment, the Fat Controller looked shocked by what Beatrice had just uttered to him, but then he nodded and quietly agreed. Beatrice nodded back, then looked right at George, making his heart suddenly jump into his throat. Beatrice was baring an icy cold glare in her eyes. The sort of glare a snake would give its victim just before it bites. She walked very slowly to George, until she was just a foot away from him. George didn't know what to say or do as he felt like something very harsh would happen. Then, to Thomas, Percy, Gina, and especially Emily's shock, Beatrice slowly raised her arm and drew it back. Then suddenly, SMACK! It sounded almost like the crack of a rifle going off, but not as loud.
Beatrice had slapped George very hard and true on his cheek, earning a most strained yell of stinging pain from the steamroller. Then a very bright red mark steadily appeared on his cheek with the shape of a hand. But it wasn't over. Beatrice raised her hand again, then it happened again. SMACK! Another loud crack split the air as Beatrice had slapped his other cheek just as hard. George yelled out again, no longer grouchy or rude. Rather, he was hurt, defeated and powerless as Beatrice seized his face and squeezed his cheeks very hard.
Percy and Emily both looked to each other with a jolt in their hearts. They had never seen Beatrice like this ever before.
Then David came up beside her and pointed his cutlass right at George with the blade shaking wildly. David's face was purple and sweating with rage, and his voice carried such a growl in his throat, he sounded like a tiger that had chronic rabies.
"If you EVER touch my engine again, I will cut your funnel off and donate it to the Steamworks!"
"U-u-u-u...Understood," George trembled shakily and very meekly, for the first time in his most hate-driving life.
"AND YOU!" David barked to Jem Cole. "For your negligence in this matter, YOU are going to give this farmer ten percent of the money you make in a year so he can build a new barn and compensate this hideous misdeed your steamroller just inflicted! Do you understand me?!"
"Yes, sir," Jem Cole agreed, knowing perfectly well not to argue with a soldier. "A tenth of my pay will mean...five thousand pounds."
David briefly turned his head to the farmer and announced victoriously, "Farmer, I've got you a new barn!"
"Hooray!" the farmer called back.
Then David turned to George once more.
"And last, but DEFINITELY not least, I DO NOT want to see your face gallivanting around the Island of Sodor for at LEAST five years!"
All the engines gasped and looked dependently to the Fat Controller. When he heard what David said, he found that he most certainly agreed with David. What George had done today was the very worst he had ever done, and after Percy's tragic accident, the Fat Controller had vowed never to let such atrocities ever happen again himself. All he and David had to do now would be to bring this forth to the Sodor Island Council and the Mayor and hopefully prevail in these demands.
The Fat Controller then spoke severely to George one last time.
"I will NOT allow another family to be threatened like this again! If the Council agrees with us, so be it, George! David is absolutely right. Things work MUCH better here before you ever arrived! If the Council sees fit to our point of view, I shall NOT be allowing you back for at LEAST five years!"
This made George finally droop his eyes and look very miserable, not able to find any more words. He was now well and truly defeated.
And when the other engines heard what the Fat Controller had just said, something deep within them stirred. Just like the poetic justice that had befallen Sodor following Sailor John's ruin and plunder, this was much, much more than any of them could have expected in regard to George the Steamroller. Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all gasped very slowly as they took it all in, feeling great satisfaction and definitive accomplishment bask in their boilers.
"So...that's it then," said Thomas. "If all goes well...George shall be gone."
"So...you personally hated George too, Sir Topham?" David asked. "You agree with my demand?"
"You...you really agree, sir?" Thomas asked.
"In fact, I do, David," said the Fat Controller. "And now that everything is sorted out for now, I assure all of you. If it were up to me, I would have had George removed from Sodor years and years ago. But for matters like this, disturbing Emily and Gina's peace at once, and debating banishing him...well, that's for the Mayor to decide. But don't worry. I'll call him as soon as I can, and I'll do the very best I can for you all. Especially you, Emily and Gina. And so will David."
With that, the thundering and blowing off to George was over. Butch's crew secured chains all around George's front as he was hitched up to Butch to be taken away and locked up, so as to be out of the way while discussions and consequence would ensue in due course.
"Those chains will hold even a scoundrel like you, George!" Butch scolded.
George looked to Jem Cole and tried once more to make any stand at all, as defeated as he was.
"Don't worry about ME, Jem Cole," he said, trying to sound tough with no success. "With the possible exception of David...there's no one who can get the better of me, and my most beloved and superior roads..."
Jem Cole said nothing, truly disgraced by George.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. The Sodor Island Council and the Mayor may have a very different, and scathing opinion," said Butch.
And with that, Butch started up and set off down the road, taking George with him until the hearing could begin. Thomas, Percy, Emily and Gina all glared with sheer contempt and seething hatred for all that George had done until he and Butch were out of sight.
"At last," said Thomas. "We're rid of that rolling menace. Now...how to get you to the Steamworks, Emily? The line's been tarmacked after all."
"That is true, sir," said Percy. "How will Gina get her due repairs with Emily?"
"And our loads," said Emily. "They're all over the place."
"Don't worry about that, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "Emily and Gina will wait here. I know what we can do about all of this."
Before long, Brenda and Jack were called over to the farm and level crossing with a small group of workmen carrying pick axes and cleaning material. The tarmacked asphalt was axed, dug and cut right off the line before Jack loaded it into his bucket. Then the formerly tarmacked rails were thoroughly cleaned so as to let the engines go onward to the Steamworks once they were ready. The workmen worked together to retrieve all the stone and building material that had been scattered, and once Rocky got all the trucks back on the rails, Jack and Brenda left to return to the Construction company, while James came to take the stones and building material to Wellsworth as originally intended.
At last, after Thomas and Percy returned Rocky to the Rescue Centre, they came back for their queens, all too ready to be given nothing but peace, compensation and very well-deserved company.
"Well, Emily," said Thomas. "You're safe and back on the rails with Gina. Are you ready for your much-deserved compensation?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Emily replied wearily. "And Gina?"
"Si, si, Emily," said Gina. "All I want now is a long rest in the Steamworks!"
"And after everything that has happened, I think we should stay with you, Emily," said Thomas.
"I agree with Thomas," said Percy. "I want to see them make you both good as new. Especially you, Gina."
"We're coming too," Beatrice put in. "I simply can't leave you for alone after what I've learned and witnessed."
"Nor me," said David as he helped Beatrice into Emily's cab. "We're all staying together this evening...then tomorrow, it shall be decided."
"Very well," said the Fat Controller. "Now, I must get back to Knapford and call the Council immediately to see when we can call an emergency hearing."
And with that, the Fat Controller returned to his car and drove away. Thomas and Percy traveled back along the line, switched to Emily and Gina's line, then came right back. Thomas buffered up to Emily and was coupled on, in spite of her bent buffers. As long as they went carefully, it would do alright until the Steamworks. Then Gina was coupled to Emily, and with that, the cavalcade of two couples set off to the Steamworks so they could be cleaned up and repaired however they needed to be.
When they got to the Steamworks, Kevin and Victor were both waiting as Emily and Gina were shunted inside. First, David and Beatrice got down from Emily. Then Gina was uncoupled from Emily, then hoisted up and out of the way for just a moment. Then Percy uncoupled from Thomas, who then shunted Emily to another section in the Steamworks. Percy then went to join Gina as she was lowered back down. Then two groups of workmen came and inspected Emily and Gina's damage. Twenty minutes later, they got to work while Victor came alongside the four engines.
"Well, my friends...I don't know how I never heard of this George character causing any trouble before...but I assure you, he would never be welcome in MY Steamworks. And Emily and Gina, you both deserve a special repair job for all you've been through these past few days."
"Grazie, Victor," said Gina. "Because these past two days have been absolute Hell for Emily AND I."
"I'm just happy it's over now," said Emily. "All that's left to worry about is what the Council will say about George, and if David's demand will be met."
"Yes...which does keep me a little worried," said Thomas. "They've always kept George on Sodor before...but will their opinion change by the fact that another innocent family was nearly killed by what he caused Emily and Gina to do?"
"I certainly hope it does," said Emily. "After all I've been through with George, I hope poetic justice can prevail again, as it did before with Sailor John."
"Yes. Very much so," said David. "I will have a say in this entire matter myself, Emily. As soon as I get home, I'll get straight to work writing a deposition against George. I may have been brash and loud with him in person, but I can't afford to be so in front of the Mayor or the Council. Even so, I won't hesitate to make my points very clear so they'll understand."
"I won't hesitate either," said Beatrice. "I'll gladly write a deposition of my own...and see just what the Council makes of these circumstances."
"Thank you, David and Beatrice," said Thomas. "Whatever happens, please tell me when you can. I really don't want George troubling us again. Ever."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see when the Council will speak, and what we can all do about it," said David.
And with that, over the next few hours, silence followed as the repairs on Emily and Gina continued. Some of the workmen worked on Emily's bent front while others examined her funnel to patch up the scratches. The other team was kept best scraping Gina's scratched paint off her side so as to give her a fresh coat on that side. David and Beatrice didn't say a word, losing themselves to thinking very deeply about just what they would write for the council whenever they could.
Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all kept silent themselves, not knowing how or what to feel. They all knew something tremendous had taken place today, and it had brought on a slew of anger and negativity that none of them could recall feeling for quite a long time. It was by no means as bad as the perils of Sailor John's reign of ruin over Sodor, but it had brought back slivers of the anger Emily felt toward Gordon and James by the uttering of George's tongue bringing out those same insults once again. Luckily, all thanks to everything Thomas had done for Emily all those years ago, she had brought her feelings forward right away and she was able to channel her emotions fairly well up to this point, and now with George out of the way, she and Gina felt like they could finally afford to start feeling peaceful again.
These two days had felt more like five days, given how negative they had turned out, but in the midst of this strange circle of emotion, all four engines couldn't help but feel a ray of assurance and the pre-showings of another wave of poetic justice.
At last, a few hours later, Emily and Gina's repairs were complete and they were good as new, thanks to the busy and numerous repair crew. Emily's funnel had been repaired, her bufferbeam was mended beautifully and her wheels were well and truly dusted off. As for Gina, she now had a fresh coat of green paint on her side that matched perfectly with the rest of her coat, and her buffer beam had been fixed as well.
When the two queens looked up, they saw that Thomas and Percy had fallen asleep during the wait. David and Beatrice were standing in the corner, still thinking in silence. Emily then buffered up to Thomas and kissed him awake.
Thomas woke up and saw Emily was fully repaired and gave a little smile. Gina then kissed Percy awake, who took a look at her too and smiled himself.
"Well, Emily and Gina. You're both good as new now," said Victor. "Now go and have a good night's sleep, my friends."
David looked up and took his mother's hand.
"Yes...yes. We must go home now," he said deeply.
As he and Beatrice got onboard Emily, she, Percy, and Gina gave a silent nod and followed Thomas outside. When they came out of the Steamworks, the sun had set and the stars were beginning to appear as the four engines made their way home for the night. They didn't know what else to say for now as they began to think even deeper about what would happen the next day. Would George be sent away as David demanded? Would the Council agree with what these events had ultimately brought upon Emily, Gina and another innocent family who were lucky enough to be saved this time?
These thoughts occupied everyone's mind until the four engines stopped at Knapford Station to let David and Beatrice off.
"Well, Emily...I shall do what I can tonight...and hopefully tomorrow," said David.
"Thank you, David...and good luck at the hearing if you can make it," said Emily.
David gave a single nod as he and Beatrice walked out of the station, where Bertie soon came along and took them home.
At last, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina returned to Tidmouth Sheds, where they saw Rebecca, Gordon, James and Nia all staring hard. Thomas, Emily and Percy took turns backing into their berths until they were all settled in. Gina stayed on the turntable and looked to all the other four engines' expressions as they had heard everything throughout the day.
"Emily...Gina...we...we heard everything that happened," Rebecca said quietly. "Right from the very start!"
"Oh, the Indignity," Gordon sighed. "And oh, the Outrage, just as I told Emily yesterday when this all began!"
"That filthy, arrogant, WEAK disgrace of a steamroller!" James exclaimed. "Just thinking about it all makes me even MORE ashamed of what Gordon and I said to you, Emily. We should NEVER have brought about those names to you, and I'm so VERY sorry once again!"
"I'd never heard of this George character," Nia said with shock. "But I certainly don't ever want to deal with him myself!"
"That's what we're hoping for, Nia," said Thomas. "I trust you heard what the Fat Controller and David have demanded together?"
"Yes, indeed," said Gordon. "They hope to have George sent away for five whole years at least. I COULDN'T agree more!"
"My only hope is that the Council and the Mayor will share this opinion...but when and how?" Emily asked.
Just then, the engines all saw the Fat Controller drive up to the sheds and come out. He seemed a little excited, which Thomas and Emily noticed at once.
"Good evening, sir," said Thomas. "Have you something important to tell us?"
"Indeed, I do, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina," said the Fat Controller. "I've been on several phone calls off and on throughout today, with the Mayor, the Sodor Island Council, the farmer, Jem Cole, and even Phelps and Gallagher. The Council has agreed to call an emergency hearing at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. So you could say that George is awaiting trial, as it were. Not that he'd be there...but the Council has agreed to come to a decision in the end, whatever it may be. I'll be there tomorrow when I can, and I trust David and Beatrice will be there too. All we can do tomorrow is wait, listen, and hope."
All the engines stared at the Fat Controller and held their breath, until at last Thomas spoke.
"Th...thank you, sir. When can we expect a final answer from the Council?"
"I don't know, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "Given what George has done and potentially could have done if fate took a different course for that farmer and his children, there is a lot to look into, assess, consider, examine and judge with no compromise whatsoever. Just keep your eyes and ears open, all of you."
And without another word, the Fat Controller left. Gina looked at Percy and softly buffered up, pushing him inside his berth. Then one by one, all the engines fell asleep...except Thomas and Emily. When she looked over to Thomas, she saw him biting his lip and muttering inconspicuously to himself again. As usual, Emily didn't hesitate to inquire and see what was on his mind.
"Thomas, what's the matter?" Emily asked gently.
Thomas took a deep breath and sighed as he looked at his angel. Everything was calming down again, and he had been thinking deeply about many things.
"I...I just can't believe it, Emily. To think that all these years...I never gave an inkling of thought to what George potentially could have done to you. It's actually shocking and amazing that all this time has gone by since our last encounter with him and he never did anything...until now. I can't help but feel ashamed to not have done something much earlier all those years ago..."
Emily knew just what Thomas meant and sighed heavily.
"I find it astounding too, Thomas," she said gently. "But as ironic as it may be...maybe it had to happen sooner or later. This may go to show us that Sodor has its own unique and sometimes most unexpected ways of how life can turn out every now and then. But as with how our relationship began and blossomed into what it is, what is done is done. We can't change the past, and everything is how it is now. Gina and I are alright now, and a decision will be made on George tomorrow."
"But we won't know anything until it's over, Emily," said Thomas. "And who knows when that will be...and what the Council will say."
"Well...the best we can do is wait and hope, Thomas," said Emily.
"And to think that George made you relive slivers of all that Gordon and James put you through!" Thomas remarked with shock. "I NEVER thought that would happen until now. But...oh, Emily. I'm SO glad you came forward to all of us and told us what was wrong. That goes to show us how you've truly gotten over that part of your past, and I can't be any more proud than I am to have instilled that strength in you again. And I'm so proud of you, Emily. In spite of your crash...you saved that family's life by warning them just in time. You may have crashed, but you also spoke up and prevented another tragedy from occurring."
"Oh...Oh, Tommy," Emily smiled with shimmering eyes. "You're right...I saved them. Thank you so, so much. As much as I've said it, I'll NEVER forget all that you've done for me to bring that strength back to my heart. I love you, Thomas, and whatever happens in due course, you and I will always be there for each other."
To this, Thomas got on the turntable and turned right to Emily's berth, then buffered right up to her and touched her nose.
"I pledge just the same, my love. We've come such a long way, and we'll keep going onwards and onwards...together."
And with that, he leaned in and kissed Emily's cheek goodnight, earning a tiny giggle from her.
"It will be alright, Emily. It'll be okay," said Thomas. "I love you."
Emily gave a nod and little smile to Thomas as she kissed his cheek goodnight as well.
"Yes...yes, it will be. I...I know, Thomas. I love you too," she whispered.
And with that, Thomas and Emily soon fell asleep with peaceful, but occupied minds as they let each minute then hour pass them by, until the hearing's results would be revealed, whatever they would bring...
The next morning, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all woke up with a strange feeling in their boilers. They had no idea when results would come in, and whether or not those results would be in their favor after all that George had done.
When they got to Knapford Station, they saw the Fat Controller dressed very professionally, with his jacket well-ironed and a most shiny top hat.
"Well, you four," he said. "Today is the day. I'm off to meet with the Sodor Island Council. We'll do what we can. In the meantime, you all go about your work. Thomas and Percy, you're on the Branch Line with passengers. And Emily and Gina, you'll take a few goods runs today. All of you do what you need to do...and I'll try and come back with the Mayor to tell you...how it turns out."
"Yes, sir," the four engines answered together, a little shakily.
And the Fat Controller drove off, while the four engines silently got to their work for the day, still not knowing what to think and feel. Soon, 10:00 a.m. came upon the day, and wherever they worked, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all felt a twinge in their boilers, knowing that the hearing was now in session, and so their speculations continued. From 10:00 a.m. onwards, on into the noon and afternoon, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina worked tirelessly and with most occupied minds, waiting for any sign of the Fat Controller, David, Beatrice or the Mayor of Sodor whenever anything would be revealed. With every hour that passed by, they felt more nervous and uncertain to themselves and each other whenever they passed each other by.
The rest of the island was caught up in the subject too. From Arlesburgh to Wellsworth to Brendam to Vicarstown and the Skarloey Railway alike, all the engines and civilians talked endlessly about what was going on surrounding George and what would befall him was anyone's question until all would be revealed.
At last, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all returned to Knapford Station around 4:00 p.m. as their work was done. There was still no sign of the Fat Controller, the Mayor, David or anyone else. It had been a most unusual, stressful time for them all these past two days, and after another entire day of waiting and wondering what George's punishment would be, they all began to feel a strange sensation of feeling satisfied, victorious, stressed and angry all at the same time.
"I...I just can't believe it!" Thomas said at last. "George the Steamroller. I'd never of questioned his potential of what he might have done to you, Emily!"
"Nor me," Percy peeped. "You didn't deserve any of what happened these past two days. Neither did you, Emily."
"Well, Thomas and Percy. What's done is done, and all we can do is wait," Emily sighed. "But that's getting difficult even for me at this point. Th hearing began at 10:00 a.m. this morning, now it's 4:00 in the afternoon! I'm starting to feel like it won't turn out!"
Thomas groaned quietly to himself. "I'm starting to feel that way too. I just hope it's that feeling of uncertainty right before all is revealed. We might just be all nervous...I hope."
"Well, whatever we may hear, I have a feeling it's going to be a huge intake," said Emily.
Thomas looked at Emily. "Yes, Emily...yes, it will. So until then...we'll just let the time pass..."
And so the waiting continued on. Ten minutes, then twenty minutes. Thirty, forty, then an hour. One hour slowly became two hours as 6:00 p.m. came closer and closer...everything had been recapped to the present moment...
Back in that very present moment, Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all looked up to each other as the clock now struck 7:00 p.m. They had recapped everything up to the present moment, and after all this time, there was still no sign of the Fat Controller or the Mayor of Sodor.
"So there it is," said Thomas. "Everything we had to be faced with...over that bloody steamroller."
"I still can't shake it away! That family was almost killed by my crash...because of that bloody damn steamroller!" Emily hissed angrily.
"We are NOT trading out Percy's recovery for the same trauma to befall you, Emily!" Gina hissed in turn. "I still have a visit to enjoy!"
"Indeed, Gina," Percy added. "And I want to enjoy it thoroughly with you from today on! Just where could the Fat Controller and the Mayor be?"
"Ohh...look everyone...look!" Thomas gasped with widening eyes.
The other three engines looked and slowly gasped themselves.
Right at that moment, there was the Fat Controller's car driving up to the station. It parked right by the station platform...then the doors opened. From the front seats, the Fat Controller and the Mayor of Sodor came out, wearing his bronze star medallion. Then from the back seat, David came out from one side, then from the other side, out came Beatrice. Just by the looks on all four people's faces, the four engines got a feeling that there would be some significant news for them to hear, and they all felt their hearts begin to beat rather unevenly as they could only speculate and hope for the best. After all the speculations, it was now finally time.
"Hello to you all. Thomas, Percy, Emily...and Gina of course," said the Mayor. "A true privilege to see you all here together."
"Than you, sir," the four engines aid together quietly.
"Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina," said the Fat Controller. "The time has come. The hearing is now complete...and we wish to share everything there is to know, from all of us. Myself, the Mayor, David and Beatrice. I think it's best to explain everything from the start, quickly and clearly."
At last, the answers would start coming in. This was what these four engines were waiting for. Emily was the first to speak.
"How did it go, sir? The hearing?" she asked the Fat Controller.
Everyone watched as the Fat Controller cleared his throat and looked up.
"Well...first off, the Mayor and the Council Members took turns talking about why George was there...then all about all the previous mishaps George had caused over the years; I won't bore you with all the details. It took about two hours to discuss all of that in great detail. Then Jem Cole got up and presented a statement. Admittedly, he said how George was a fairly decent steamroller, as far as road-building is concerned. Steamrollers are a bear-essential piece of equipment for road building. Then more discussion and debate was exchanged through the Council. And then a few hours later, it seemed like little progress was being made. They talked about what happened with Emily and Gina, of course, but no one seemed to come to a decision. There was a lot of talk about balance and giving George a second chance...but that's when the farmer stepped up, and you could imagine, he said George was a deadly and dangerous steamroller to do what he did, going so far as to accuse George of indirectly breaking and entering his barn through you two, Emily and Gina."
Emily and Gina looked to each other and deeply agreed with everything they heard so far.
"And then?" Thomas asked.
The Mayor and the Fat Controller turned their eyes to David, who stepped up with a glimmer in his eyes that expressed great pride and victory. He looked up to Emily and gave a little twitch of a smile, then a wink.
"If I may, Emily...they didn't know I was there first thing," said David. "Mum and I sent in our depositions this morning, wondering if they'd be read...but then we decided to come by...just after the farmer spoke up rather harshly about the matter, followed by Phelps and Gallagher's brief comments, then the depositions were read. That's when I came in and gave a statement in person...just before everything wrapped up."
"Yes? The depositions? And then?" Emily asked.
"Just as his depositions read, he had asked for the harshest, Captain Rider did," said the Mayor.
"They're not sacking Mr. Cole?!" Thomas exclaimed. "He drives Trevor too, and he's so friendly!"
"No, he's not sacked," said Beatrice. "He'll still be working with Trevor as always...but...well..."
She gave a little look to the Fat Controller, who looked directly at the four engines, with a sudden glimmer of excitement in his eyes.
"Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina...are you all ready?" he asked. "Truly and intently ready?"
All four engines nodded with a single lean as the Fat Controller paused for a very long time, making all the engines' hearts pound with most overpowering speculation and uncertainty...until it was let out.
"...George the Steamroller has been sentenced to banishment!"
Everything froze for the four engines, and even the four men. Everything seemed to start spinning and swaying around to all for engines' vision. Thomas and Percy's minds flooded with an absolute mental swath of memory, shock, gratitude and victory that almost made them pass out. Emily and Gina felt their heads spinning too, particularly Emily as she almost felt a similar wave of tingles as she did when she fell drunk at Maron with David. But this was a very good tingle to feel as she took everything in...then the silence finally broke with a big whistle.
"Cinders and Ashes! Fire and Smoke! Grease and Oil!" Thomas whistled. "Sir Topham Hatt! Captain David Rider! You did it!"
"Truly astounding! Complete and absolute surprise!" Percy whistled in turn.
"David! I can't believe you!" Emily exclaimed. "I knew you were a strong figure as a soldier, but now you've helped given us all another wave of pure poetic justice!"
"And that is exactly what everyone at the Council felt too, Emily," David declared proudly. "Would you care to hear how it wrapped up? It includes my deposition and Mum's, and what I said to make my point."
"Oh, David...we'd love to!" Emily bubbled.
"Very well," said David. "Here is how it happened, so far as I found out."
So the engines hunkered down and listened once more to one more recap, this time from David's side...
There was quite a gathering in the hearing room. The Mayor was at the head of the table, there were sixteen Council Members, eight on either side of him. And right beside the Mayor was the hearing clerk. In all the seats, there were several Sudrians who had come to either hear the results or give comments themselves. Among them were the Fat Controller, Jem Cole, Phelps and Gallagher, the farmer and his children, and Beatrice herself. David had not yet arrived. There was a large photograph of George the Steamroller in the room, and all day, discussions and statements had been made, but there didn't seem to be any decision-making for George. Just a lot of quiet and slightly nervous discussions on giving him another chance as they always did.
Suddenly, the farmer stood up and called for objection, still rather cross by what had almost happened to him and his children.
"Objection, Mr. Mayor! All this discussing and even bickering is getting us nowhere!"
"Compose yourself, sir," said one of the Council Members. "These things take time!"
But the farmer wouldn't back down.
"You've taken a whole lot of valuable time already and have come to almost nothing so far! Look at the facts that surround George! He's no more a steamroller than he is a cold-blooded masochist! Masqueraded his road-paving in order to indirectly break-and-enter my barn!"
"With manners of forfeit!" Phelps added, agreeing with the farmer. "No one warned Emily or Gina of what that steamroller had done, thus GEORGE is guilty of vandalism and damage to Sudrian railroads, thus he indirectly ripped apart that farmer's barn!"
"And no doubt with intent to slaughter that farmer's children!" Gallagher snapped. "Emily and Gina DID NOT deserve this disturbance put upon them!"
"Order!" the Mayor commanded. But at that moment, the clerk passed him some paper. "What? What is it, clerk?"
"Uh...Depositions testifying against the steamroller, Mr. Mayor," said the clerk. "Two for the record, sir."
"Depositions. By whom, I wonder? Silly schoolboys perhaps and...my Heavens!" the Mayor suddenly gasped.
"What is it? Is it distasteful? In poor taste?" asked a Council Member.
"No...not in the least! It's about...WHO it's from!" the Mayor gasped.
One of the Council members came up beside the Mayor and looked. "From none other than..."
"Captain David Rider!" the Mayor breathed. "The most notorious soldier the Navy will ever see! Well, then...here is his testimony:
'I am deeply appalled by what has happened with my engine, no thanks to George the
Steamroller's antics on the railway, which resulted in Emily crashing right through an old
barn and almost killing an entire innocent family, just as what happened with Percy only
three weeks ago. Not only that, but Gina the Italian Queen got careened right off the
same track and ended up beside Emily, thus ruining both their trains and causing most
outrageous confusion and delay, but also nearly caused ruin and death yet again. In
protest to the Sodor Island Council's policy and decision to keep George on Sodor after
all the misdeeds he has committed to other engines and Sir Topham Hatt's railway, it is
my naval opinion that enough is enough. The Steamroller is NOT in charge of the railway
or the road industry. And so. It has been several decades that George has worked on
Sodor, causing nothing but irritation, stress, annoyance, disturbance, potential danger,
and just recently, almost causing indirect slaughter upon yet another innocent family.
And as he has plainly learned no lessons what the Hell so-ever, I do hereby...demand'!"
The suddenly shocked Mayor stopped short on "demand," and all the Council members gasped and started looking anxiously amongst each other. In his seat, the Fat Controller held onto his collar. Even he didn't expect David to be this bold with the Sodor Island Council. Beatrice knew about this herself and felt a little anxious. She and the Fat Controller watched very closely as the Mayor wiped his brow and began whispering lowly to the other Council Members.
"A Navy Solider, and a Captain at that," he whispered. "He drove Sailor John out of the navy, and he surely still carries much of his military stature even now. He's exceedingly wealthy too. Nautical terms...what can we do to face a comment from a man of this stature?"
"David..." the Fat Controller whispered very softly, almost in a dreamlike state.
The Mayor continued on with David's testimony right to the very end.
"Where was I? Alright. Here's the rest of it.
'...I do hereby demand that George the Steamroller be vacated from the Island of Sodor
as soon as humanely possible. The fact that George the Steamroller is still being so
insensitively rude and blatantly destructive even today, with no changes whatsoever is
disgusting, revolting and beyond insulting. When I see an engine or vehicle behave not
only badly, but uncaringly bad, it makes me wonder why no one has woken up to all
these incidents and finally acted on them. For me, this is the tipping point where I am
just saying enough is enough. Give us true and genuine peace at last. Not just one or two
little weeks. My specific demand is to have George be sent away from Sodor for at least
five whole years. Please take my opinion into considerable account and understand that I
am not only speaking for myself and Emily. I am speaking for the safety of the entire
railway, and the road industry too. The hallmarks of Sir Topham Hatt's railway are
responsibility, reliability and above all, being really useful, as should these hallmarks apply
to the road industry as well. Thank you for hearing my side of this matter and take care.'
Yours truly,
Captain David Rider."
And with that, silence fell over the Council for several moments as they looked to each other with deep, considerable thought that they couldn't recall doing before. They had not considered anything like this in any previous meeting or uprising Sodor had faced in the past. The whole room fell silent for almost fifteen more minutes while everyone waited. Eventually, the silence broke and the hearing continued more straightforwardly.
"Well...that's one deposition...and quite a mouthful," said one of the Council Members. "This Captain Rider certainly has a very wise and deep way of looking at things. That is a most admirable statement indeed...and one we should probably hold onto very strongly."
"Speaking of depositions..." said another member. "Who's the other one from?"
The Mayor opened the other deposition and took a look. As soon as he started speaking, Beatrice's eyes widened and she listened very intently.
"One Beatrice Rider, right here with us today. David Rider's mother, and the most renowned counsellor throughout England and Scotland until she came to live on Sodor, following Diesel 10's final defeat and downfall. Beatrice's testimony says this:
'It is my personal and passionate duty to bring this matter forward to our Mayor and the
Sodor Island Council that both in the storybooks and in further events that came to follow,
George the Steamroller has surrounded his given name with a foul and scathing reputation
among road vehicles. I'm very sure there are many people and engines out there who just
have to look at any other Steamroller besides George and feel sheer hate stir within them.
We've become conditioned to despise steamrollers all thanks to George's most heinous
and abysmal behaviour, and I strongly discourage this image from going any further. I truly
support my son's position in this matter, and I would be most obliged to see what the Council
decides upon this matter.'
Yours truly,
Beatrice Rider."
The Council Members looked a little more among themselves, starting to wonder if something really had to be done about George, especially given he two depositions they had just received. One of them spoke up, thinking there wasn't enough material to finalize the sentence for George.
"Well, I believe an even stronger position against George could have been made if David were here in person, being a navy captain, of course. But since he's not here to testify-"
"Oh, but I AM here," said David's voice.
Everyone looked up and saw him coming into the hearing room. The Fat Controller and Beatrice both looked and gave a beaming smile. David nodded to the Fat Controller, then gave a secret wink to his mother before he looked up with his head held high.
"The accused is more than a menace to the road and the railway. He is more than a culprit. He is THE culprit, and has the absolute worst debonair of manners I have ever read about in the storybooks, and set eyes upon myself. And what is more, I am shameless to bring forth that his alleged victims, the farmer and his children are in need of a new barn. Hence, another demand I wish to bring forth is for George's driver to pay for the damages his steamroller has most unfairly caused. Let us take it up with the driver himself, Jem Cole."
To this, Jem Cole stood up too.
"It's true, Mr. Mayor," he said solemnly. "David approached me on this matter, and I have agreed that as George's driver, I carry some of the responsibility since I didn't drive George to the level crossing, all because I went to retrieve my hat. If it would help to mitigate the situation, I'll gladly pay the farmer for his troubles."
"Very well, Mr. Cole. So be it. I accept this motion as long as you do," said the Mayor. "But...what to do about George?"
"Oust him! Never mind the shrouds of good he's done!" shouted the farmer. "Once a great clumsy road-hog, ALWAYS a great clumsy road-hog!"
Then chattering and murmuring began ensuing among the people in their seats, slowly becoming more energetic and a little charged as light bickering began ensuing among the other people. The Mayor looked down and wrung his hands together, thinking even deeper about everything David had said in his deposition and in person. Being in charge of the Sodor Island Council, the Mayor thought quickly, but clearly about everything...then one other little element that was just about all he needed to make his decision.
"Without Captain David Rider..." he thought. "We might have never ultimately defeated Sailor John in the end. Without Captain Rider, we might have never become absolved of Diesel 10 for good. And if David's demands aren't met...George could potentially bring another tragedy upon another family, who wouldn't be so lucky..."
The Mayor then looked up and raised his hand, which made everyone fall silent. He then gave a single nod to the clerk. The clerk understood and looked around to all the council members, then Phelps and Gallagher, then the Fat Controller, then to David and Beatrice. After about five minutes, the silence broke again.
"Those...in favour of pardoning George?" said the clerk.
Discreetly, one or two Council Members slowly, and a little hesitantly, raised their hands, and Jem Cole most hesitantly began to raise his hand too, not entirely sure he really was in favour himself.
"Those in favour of vacating George from the Island of Sodor for a minimum of five years?" the clerk then asked.
Aside from the three hands before, all hands in the hearing room raised, including David's, Beatrice's, the Fat Controller's, all the other Council Members, and even the clerk's hand raised to this.
To all of this, the Mayor looked up almost anxiously, feeling the moment of truth charging nearer and nearer. He began to point a discreet finger to the large photograph of George in the middle of the room, his hand shaking with anticipation and a sense of heavy realization to what he was about to do. Everyone held their breath and waited excruciatingly. Then at last...two simple, yet loud words came from the Mayor as he pointed directly to the portrait of George the Steamroller.
"Banish him!"
And in that instant, there was some sort of explosion from everyone in the room. The whole room erupted with such shouts and clamours of victory and rejoice. The Fat Controller, in particular gave a big gasp, then a series of immense chortles of delight and accomplishment. David and Beatrice gaped and gasped together before they ran to each other and spun each other around in a hug. Phelps and Gallagher gave a nod and a pat to each other's shoulders, and they Mayor wrote down a few more things before he handed it to the clerk, who signed it, then gave it to David. And in just a few minutes more, David, Beatrice, the Fat Controller and the Mayor of Sodor all drove off together to tell the wonderful news...
"So there it is, my friends," David said to the four engines. "As I had demanded, for the sake of all the engines, and the roads too, my demands have indeed been obtained. George the Steamroller will not be troubling us again."
Thomas, Emily, Gina and Percy had heard everything and stood there, absolutely floored and enthralled. This was much more than they had ever hoped for. It was yet another wave of pure poetic justice just as they had hoped to achieve since their troubles with George were over and done with just the day before.
"Wow...just...just WOW!" Thomas wheeshed. "Truly astounding!"
"I can't believe you and Sir Topham Hatt did it, David! You really did it!" Percy whistled.
"Well done, David, my Navy Friend! Well, well, done!" Emily whistled. "I never doubted you for a second!"
"Many, many grazie to you, David," Gina gleamed. "And to you, Sir Mayor...thank you most appreciatively."
"And you are all most welcome," said the Mayor. "And congratulations on warning the family just in time and saving their lives."
"Oh...yes. Thank you so very much, sir," said Emily as she turned to David again.
"And here is what the Mayor and clerk gave to me to show you all," said David. "Here it is. The bare-bones proof, all in black and white. This official Council Order hereby states official banishment of George the Steamroller."
"Cinders...and Ashes! I don't BELIEVE it!" Thomas wheeshed with shock.
"It's all right there, Thomas," said David, pointing to the signatures. "The Mayor and the Council agree with Sir Topham Hatt and me that the railway and road industry were in potentially grave danger with George on this island, as it had always potentially been since he first ever arrived."
"Yes, Mr. Rider," said the Mayor. "And Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina? The Council wishes to pass on its condolences and apologies for their partial negligence to past incidents. David and Beatrice have indeed stirred them all to a much higher position than they were before."
"But the most important aspect of all," said the Fat Controller. "As David had strongly urged me to do, his demands have indeed been obtained for the better. As of today, George is to be shipped back to the Mainland, hereby banished and forbidden by law to set wheel on the Island of Sodor again for at least five years. And even beyond that time, the Mainland shall hold custody of him until which time he learns to be polite, patient and careful."
David suddenly scoffed humorously. "And there's not much chance of that ever happening. Is there?"
"George learning to be polite...that's RIDICULOUS!" Thomas wheeshed with a playful grin.
"It's tight as a drum," said David. "If George even dares to give the Mainland any trouble, I wager he'd end up in the hands of the Steelworks. Hurricane and Frankie would know how to keep him out of trouble."
"And now...there's one more thing to do for you four engines...and a great many more," said the Fat Controller.
"What's that?" Thomas asked.
"Well...George is being held at Brendam Docks, where his ship is ready," said the Mayor. "And we wondered if you would like to bestow the pleasure of seeing him leave for the last time, with your own eyes."
In that instant, all four engines slowly widened their eyes and glanced to each other.
"I think that would bring great settlement to us all," said Thomas. "It's never going to happen again, and I wouldn't want to miss any chance."
"Nor me," said Emily. "I would be glad to see it be done, for the sake of seeing true peace befall the rails and the roads at last."
"Off you go, then," said the Fat Controller. "I must take the Mayor back to the Council. David and Beatrice, you may ride with Emily. I'll meet you at the Docks later."
"OF course, sir," said David. Then he reached his hand out. "And thank you, Mr. Mayor. For everything."
"A pleasure, Captain Rider," said the Mayor, shaking hands with David.
So the Fat Controller and the Mayor drove off together, while David and Beatrice got onboard Emily. Then the four engines and the Riders huffed swiftly along the line, right until they came to Brendam Docks. There they saw a ferry waiting to take George away, and the Steamroller was being held by Butch once more until the banishment would be confirmed and completed.
Thomas and Emily stopped and looked solidly at George with a sense of superiority and victory, as did Percy and Gina. Then David stepped down from George once more, baring a serious and strict look once more. George looked miserable and had little more to say, now that he had been put to rights and would surely not return to Sodor at all, given the way that he was and would always be.
"So...George the Steamroller," David spoke solidly, but strictly. "I did warn you it would come to this, and now it HAS. But before you leave us for five years and surely beyond...have you any last words to Sodor?"
George let out the voice, very lowly and not so tough in the least.
"Railways are no good...t-turn 'em into roads..." he uttered, merely meek and powerless now.
David gave a small huff.
"I might have known," he remarked. "Well, before you leave us all in true peace at last, I have a final word you'd better say for all of Sodor."
"Huh! And what be that?" George asked. "Just get it over with. I have a ship to catch after all."
David thought for a moment, then stood tall and strict to George.
"Say you're an outcast," David ordered.
George gave a little gulp, then almost squeaked most meekly, "I'm an outcast."
"LOUDER!" David barked.
With nothing else to do on Sodor, George squeezed his eyes tight and echoed it out, almost in tears.
"I'M AN OUTCAST!"
And then, a chorus of cheers and singing from all the engines.
"HOORAY! George is an Outcast!
An Outcast! An Outcast!
An Outcast! An Outcast!"
"Alright, George," David announced, pointing to the ferry. "You're free to go! And in the Mainland's eyes...you're free to stay there, and NEVER return!"
And with that, Cranky proudly lowered his hook down to George, hoisted him up and placed him right on the ferry. And in just a little while more, the ferry's horn blew and it set off. Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina kept their eyes on the ship until it was finally out of sight. With that, George was taken away to be shipped back to the Mainland, not to return for at least five years...or ever again, given how the chance of him learning any lessons on the Mainland were practically nothing at all. In that moment, Thomas and Emily felt a little stir in their hearts, similar to when they were shown the film projection of Sailor John's final imprisonment.
"I did it...I did it!" David said shakily. "I...I...I can't believe it. We're...we're free! Free of George the Steamroller for five years! Perhaps even forever!"
"I'm deeply proud of you, David," said Beatrice. "You've brought great wisdom and insight to the Sodor Island Council, and great accomplishment and peace back to the railway and the roads."
"George is gone! He...he's gone!" Thomas chortled with great delight. "At last! I never imagined!"
"Unbelievable! And such a privilege it is!" Emily whistled proudly.
"Now we'll get some peace at last! Truly!" Percy whistled gleefully.
"Bellissima! Bellissima and Mamma Mia!" Gina whistled.
Right at that moment, the Fat Controller's car came driving up. He came out and smiled broadly to the engines, knowing what had just happened. But just then, another car came driving along and parked right next to the Fat Controller's car. When the door opened, Miss Jenny came out with an eager and excited look in her eyes.
"Well, good evening to you all," she announced. "I've heard all the news myself, Sir Topham."
"About George, Miss Jenny?" Thomas asked.
"Oh, yes, all you fellows," Miss Jenny nodded. "To think I would live to see this day...remarkable and ambitious efforts, Captain Rider."
"Oh, not at all, Jenny. My pleasure," David nodded. "George will trouble us no more."
"Well...that's that, then," said the Fat Controller. "George is at long-last banished from Sodor, most unlikely to return...but one more question remains. What will become of new roads we need to pave? Properly, of course, but what shall we do? We can't build or repair roads without a steamroller."
Miss Jenny thought for a moment...then snapped her finger with a grin.
"Don't worry about that, Sir Topham," she said. "I've already formed a solution to that. Right from when I first heard this news, I knew I could bring him to full service again. It may have been some very long years since any of you have seen him. Notably you, Thomas. But I have just the ticket to fill in George's void...and heal the image and reputation of steamrollers."
To this, Thomas and Percy perked up a little. Emily raised an eyebrow and Gina gave a curious look.
"Excuse me, but what do you mean I've seen this steamroller before, Miss Jenny?" Thomas asked. "I think I have little flickers, but..."
"Is there another member of the Construction Team, Miss Jenny?" Gina asked. "One I haven't met yet?"
"Well...all four of you come with me, to the Sodor Construction Company...and see for yourselves," Miss Jenny smiled.
The four engines watched as she returned to her car and started to drive off. They looked to the Fat Controller, who gestured in her direction.
"Do as she says," he said. "I'm going her way."
So the four engines set off down the line, following Miss Jenny and the Fat Controller's cars alongside the road. As they looked to each other, they wondered just what this was all about. Who was Miss Jenny referring to if she was to heal the outlook on Sudrian Steamrollers?
Eventually, they all arrived at the Sodor Construction Company. Jack, Max, Monty, Oliver, Alfie, Darcy and Brenda were all gathered together as Miss Jenny and the Fat Controller exited their cars and stood together as Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina all looked and waited.
"Hello again, all of you," said Gina. "Miss Jenny says there is someone for us to meet...and have you heard?"
"Yes. We've all heard," said Jack. "George is at long-last gone...which means it's time for you to meet a new friend, Gina. And an old friend you once worked with, Thomas. We all did."
"Who, Jack? Who is it?" Thomas asked.
"Bring him along," Miss Jenny called.
The engines all heard a new, unfamiliar whistle and another rolling sound of a steamroller. They all wondered just who this could be as he slowly came into view. Emily and Gina saw another steamroller, with brownish red livery with yellow and red lining. He looked very much like George, only he was noticeably bigger, with a bigger, larger roller, bigger wheels, and had a much more friendly face. And as soon as Thomas saw him, he felt some certain memories flash back to him.
"This is Buster...MY steamroller," said Miss Jenny. "He is a hard worker and committed in everything he does for our roads. He may not be the absolute sharpest-minded of us, but he has a very good heart and the pride to do a very good job. From now on, he is now our new official Steamroller of Sodor. Much kinder and friendlier than George has or will EVER be!"
"Ho-ho! Hello again, Thomas! It's been such a long time!" Buster greeted with a big, hearty smile. "And hello, Emily! So pleased to meet you at last!"
Emily was most, most delighted by Buster's much more positive debonair, as was Gina. But Thomas and Percy were particularly ecstatic to see this little miracle that had surely taken too long to come along, and yet it was completely worth it in the end.
"Welcome back, Buster! Welcome back!" Thomas whistled.
"Hello and welcome, Buster! You seem like such a good lad for all of us!" Emily smiled happily. "A truly joyful image for all roads, you may be!"
"Hello again, Buster!" Percy peeped. "And welcome to a whole new purpose on Sodor. Buster the Friendly Steamroller!"
"Oh, of course! Of course!" was all Buster chortled cheerfully.
"Bellissima, Buster! Ciao and welcome!" Gina whistled.
Thomas, Emily, Percy and Gina were all very happy and most grateful for this turnout. George the Steamroller was no longer on Sodor, and both the railway and the road industry had been given true and genuine peace at last. With Buster filling in the void of George's departure from Sodor, the mood of the roads and the rails had just gotten a whole lot better. But there was still a more for Percy and Gina to take part in, as well as all the other engine couples on Sodor, which would come along in just another day or two from now.