"I thought you would be at Barrow today," Gordon commented as he saw Henry waiting in Knapford yards.

"I was supposed to but I was having trouble with my tubes so I asked Arrow to take it instead," Henry said. "They felt blocked up. But I'm okay now."

Gordon snorted at the mention of Green Arrow.

"That little upstart, taking everyone's jobs," the big blue engine huffed.

"I think he just doesn't want to be locked away in a shed again," Henry sympathised. "I don't blame him for not wanting that."

"Yes well, unlike him you willingly chose to lock yourself in a tunnel," Gordon sneered and Henry blasted steam at him.

"It was more complicated than that and you know it!" He snapped angrily. "I don't like being made fun of it Gordon!"

"I uh- sorry," Gordon mumbled. "It's an old habit I need to stop."

Henry slowly relaxed and sighed to himself.

"Yes, yes you do. It hurts my feelings every time someone brings it up," he said and Gordon looked guiltily at his buffers.

"I'm really sorry Henry, I've been trying to stop but… it's hard for me."

"I know Gordon," Henry smiled at his old friend. "I know."

Gordon's cheeks turned slightly pink and he smiled.

"I heard that you found out that you have lots of siblings," Gordon piped up trying to ease the tension in the air. "That must be exciting."

"It is but- but what if they don't like me? I met one but- I don't know I felt like I gave her the wrong impression," Henry said nervously. "What, what was it like with you and your siblings?"

Gordon seemed to freeze and he suddenly avoided Henry's gaze.

He didn't respond for the longest time, only startled by the little station pilot Phillip as he whistled while he worked.

"I'm sorry," Henry apologised as he realised how uncomfortable Gordon had suddenly become. "If that was too personal, I didn't mean to be so direct."

"It's fine," Gordon ground out in a tone that meant it clearly wasn't. "I'll say this, I was a prototype, my siblings didn't even consider me a sibling of theirs. The only one that did was Scotsman."

Henry cast his eyes downward.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," Henry said nervously. "How is… how is Scotsman?"

Gordon gave an exhausted sigh.

He was tired of people asking about his brother. He wanted to tell them but he had sworn to protect him and the secrets of the Gold Dust.

If anyone knew…

"I want to tell you Henry, but I can't," Gordon said curtly. "Let's leave it at that."

"Alright, no more prying," Henry said. "You have my word Gordon."

Gordon smiled. He knew he could rely on Henry to keep his promises.

"Thank-you Henry," he said gratefully. "And tell Green Arrow to keep his nose out of my business next time you see him. Don't think I haven't noticed him trying to stick his nose in places it doesn't belong."

"I'll tell him but I think he'll just ignore me."

Gordon blew off a loud wheesh of steam and slowly moved off to pull his express.

"Stupid cousin of mine," Henry heard Gordon mutter annoyed.

Honestly, Henry felt bad for how Arrow had been treated when he'd been mute.

However it was still well known that Arrow was devious and sneaky.

They'd still have to keep an eye on him.

"I was expecting Henry," the old man spoke to Green Arrow's driver gruffly.

Gabriel just laughed at the goods yard manager.

"Henry needs to get his tubes cleaned, so we're here instead I'm afraid," he told the man with a smile.

The man frowned but then gazed at Green Arrow, surveying him with a critical gaze.

"Yer engine looking a little small, yer really think he can handle Henry's load?"

"Excuse me! I can most certainly handle it!" Green Arrow huffed, annoyed. "I am much stronger than I look and I do not like being second guessed sir!"

"Apologies," the man grumbled. "Didn't know this one was so touchy."

"Only when he gets questioned about his strength or usefulness," Gabriel smiled. "He's a hard worker, this one."

Green Arrow seemed to puff himself up slightly on his wheels at his driver's worlds. He did like being praised for his effort and this new driver knew exactly how to get into his good graces.

"Alrighty then," the man didn't look at all like he believed Green Arrow's strength but moved off to find workers to do their final checks on the train.

Green Arrow and his crew sat waiting for a long while.

"You seemed agitated," Gabriel noted after a brief silence. "Is something wrong?"

Green Arrow shifted uncomfortably, his metal creaking before he suddenly spoke up.

"I'm worried about Tornado," Arrow said after a long while. "She fled the sheds last night when Rebecca tried to help her."

"I know, we remember," Gabriel said. "But Olivia's order for you to limit your interactions with her unless necessary or Tornado herself requests it still stands."

"I know," Arrow gave a sad sigh. "But, she needs help, or something like the incident involving my boiler may happen again."

Gabriel gave a thoughtful hum.

"Perhaps you could talk to Gordon or Truro?" He suggested.

"Gordon wants nothing to do with me," Arrow said, although he didn't sound bothered.

There was clearly no love between the two cousins.

"Well what about Truro?"

Green Arrow paused.

"I'm not sure."

"Well you don't have any afternoon trains, do you want to go and say hi?"

"What happened to my goods trains from the Clay Pits?"

"The new diesel Bear is taking them."

Green Arrow huffed, annoyed.

"I don't like diesels stealing my trains Gabriel," he grumbled out annoyed.

"I know, but it's not Bear's fault," his driver said with a sympathetic smile. "Besides, Bear is new and he hasn't met the Twins yet."

Green Arrow groaned at the mention of the troublesome twins.

"You know what, the diesel can have my train," he relented and Gabriel laughed.

"Hello Tornado," Edward came up beside the young engine as she sat at Wellsworth Station.

Tornado looked over at the old engine and gave him a small nervous smile.

"Hello Edward," she said.

At least she could rely on Edward to not ask about Flying Scotsman.

Edward was someone who made her feel safe or tried to cheer her up when she was upset.

"You seem very upset young Tornado, is everything okay?" Edward asked her kindly.

"I guess," she muttered, avoiding his gaze.

Edward's face turned into one of concern.

"Don't lie to this frail old man now," he remarked in good humour. "I don't think my boiler could take it."

Tornado gave a quick smile but it faded just as quickly as it appeared. She resumed looking at the tracks with a sad gaze.

"Do you want to talk to Gordon?" Edward asked, concerned.

"He won't listen to me," she said quietly. "He says, just accept that this is the way things are now but I don't want to. I can't."

Edward had no idea what she was talking about but he knew that it must have had something to do with the Flying Scotsman.

"Is there anyone you can talk to? Maybe even a human?" He suggested.

"Maybe Ms Olivia but she just had a baby, she'll be too busy to deal with me and my problems," Tornado admitted.

"Well if you explain your situation, she might be able to put time aside to help you," Edward said helpfully. "She was at Ulfstead Castle yesterday. She was worried about stuff going on up there."

"She was?" Tornado asked suddenly brightening up. "Are you sure?"

"Henry and Ryan spoke to her and Stainer yesterday," Edward confirmed. "And if it helps, Arrow came by with his train from Barrow earlier asking if you were okay. He was really concerned."

Tornado felt her face blush slightly.

She still felt awkward around Arrow, especially after the whole fiasco in Ulfstead Mines but it was nice to know that her old friend was still looking out for her regardless.

"What did you tell him?"

"I said if I see you I'll offer a buffer," Edward said with a kind smile. "He's been quite the hard worker that one."

"He always was," Tornado gave a warm smile.

She remembered him working back on the mainland when they had been friends. She simply marvelled at how efficient and reliable he was, even on his bad days.

"I am glad he's part of the North Western Railway," Edward said with a kind smile. "Truro said he was bullied quite viciously on the mainland. Even more so than he was when he was mute here."

Tornado lowered her gaze to stare at her buffers.

"Engines on the mainland are nasty and exhausting, they're always trying to get one over on each other, it's horrible," Tornado said sadly. "When I was new… it was awful, they kept tormenting me even when I did nothing to them. Green Arrow was my only friend back then. He was a gentleman to me. A good friend I could trust, even when everyone said he was awful."

Edward gazed at Tornado with a sad look.

"Maybe you could speak with Arrow?" He suggested hesitantly. "I know you two have your differences but he does seem to genuinely care about you Tornado."

"Perhaps," Tornado said hesitantly. "We- haven't spoken that much since we made up when Scott left for the mainland. Just greetings really."

Edward gave Tornado an encouraging smile.

"I'll go speak to Sir Topham to see if Olivia can see you," he said. "Meanwhile, why don't you go and speak to Green Arrow? It might not work but you can at least try, yes?"

"I'll try Edward," she said with a shy smile.

"Promise?" Edward challenged.

Tornado's cheeks turned red. She couldn't break a promise to Edward and he knew that.

"Yes Edward," she relented quietly. "I promise."

"I'm very glad to hear that Tornado," Edward smiled at the Young Iron.

Green Arrow returned to his berth at Ulfstead Castle earlier than expected that day.

All the jobs had been taken and so Sir Topham had allowed him to do as he wished for the rest of the day, so long as he didn't disturb other engines doing their jobs.

This annoyed Arrow.

He liked to be busy. He was easily bored and agitated and very restless when his mind was not occupied with work or something interesting.

It was perhaps why he had such an interest in humans and learning about things that wouldn't otherwise concern an engine.

Other engines or his previous crews called him out as his hyper fixated on things at times.

It was hardly his fault he was curious about things.

He once had an unhealthy interest in learning how diesel engines or combustion engines worked which didn't help the bullying he received. These engines were competition and nothing more to the other steam engines.

Some of the crews he had had hated it and just told him to do his jobs when he questioned things. For those crews he became difficult and frustrating to work with but it wasn't his fault. He just wanted to understand why.

Some crews had picked up on his quirks and were often more welcoming and patient with him. For those crews he worked exceedingly well, his work ethic was bar none and not even the GWR's engines could match him when he found his steam.

He sighed as he was returned to Ulfstead Castle, passing through the great iron gates.

He knew Truro would be displeased as Arrow would be bored and bored Arrow meant an agitated and over talkative Arrow.

He didn't mean to upset Truro. It just happened sometimes.

He rolled up to the sheds and saw Stephen with some tourists who gave him a hearty greeting, some of the tourists turning their attention to the unique engine.

He was the first and last of his kind and he was also restored to his former glory so he stopped to bask in it.

The Tourists were good fun. They made him feel special.

That was until they got their dirty fingerprints all over his paint.

He huffed annoyed to which Stephen only laughed at him.

After the tourists left to continue their tour of the castle, Arrow went to his sheds sulkily, complaining about greasy and sweaty hands corroding his new paintwork.

"Oh calm down it can be washed off you silly engine," Gabriel laughed at him but Arrow only pouted.

"You sound like James," he added. "Going on and on about his paint."

"I don't do that!" Arrow huffed.

"You kinda do though."

"I just like to be clean, okay!" Arrow snapped loudly. "Nothing wrong with that!"

Gabriel just smiled at his engine.

"Chill, I'm just winding you up Arrow," he said.

"I know," Arrow said with a deep sigh.

He didn't mind the teasing, but Gabriel could push his boundaries at times.

As he was turned around and backed into his shed he heard a commotion.

He was confused but didn't see what the fuss was until he'd been completely backed in.

He looked over and saw the City of Truro looking very angry and very flustered but surprisingly, not at him. Rather, the Great Western was glaring down at a scruffy and scrawny looking man in a large coat who was glaring up at him.

"Truro?" Arrow asked, confused. "What's going on?"

Truro raised an eyebrow and looked over at Arrow.

"You weren't supposed to be back until later," was all Truro said with a flat voice.

"A diesel stole my afternoon train," Arrow huffed. "So I'm in the shed early today."

"I see."

"Who's the human?" Arrow asked, staring down at the human curiously.

The human turned his attention to Arrow and scowled at him.

"It's just a smaller version of that idiotic scooter," he sneered looking at Arrow.

"It's Flying Scotsman to you peasant," Truro hissed venomously and Arrow was taken aback by just how nasty the older engine sounded.

"A foolish engine," the man said dismissively.

"What's going on? Who is this?" Green Arrow asked, confused.

Truro gave a deep exhausted sigh.

"You were never supposed to see this," Truro grumbled. "But this, Green Arrow, is Godred."

Green Arrow's eyes suddenly lit up with fascination.

"You mean the one from the story of the Gold Dust?" He asked excitedly. "Were you really an engine once?"

"What's it to you filthy mixed engine?" Godred snapped at him.

"I'm curious, that's all," Arrow said honestly. "And also, my mind gets bored easily."

"You must not have a big mind then."

"A lot of people think that about me," Arrow said unbothered by Godred's snide comments. "It makes it all the better when I prove them wrong."

Godred stared at Arrow, his dismissiveness dumbfounding him.

"Congratulations Godred," Truro said in a sarcastic tone. "You are now Green Arrow's current fixation. Have fun."

Godred just stared confused as Green Arrow gazed at him with an almost hungry gaze.

"Why indeed yes!" Arrow agreed. "It's been so long since something was worth my attention."

Godred just squirmed uncomfortably under the V2's gaze.

"Sir Gresley? May I speak with you?"

The designer looked up from his draftspaper to gaze at Gordon sitting before him.

"Why yes Gordon, of course you may."

"I wanted to speak to you on behalf of 4472," Gordon said with a glance at said engine who sat some distance away. He avoided both their gazes and stared at the ground.

Sir Gresley frowned and glanced at 4472.

"His name is Flying Scotsman," he corrected Gordon.

"Yes but that's the thing sir," Gordon said with a nervous glance at 4472. "He doesn't want to be the Flying Scotsman. He wants to continue his current jobs."

Sir Gresley's frown deepened.

"I'm sorry sir, that was out of line, I shouldn't have questioned you," Gordon said hastily.

"Did 4472 ask you to question me?"

Gordon looked over at 4472 who now looked terrified. He didn't say anything but he knew Sir Gresley knew the truth.

"I see."

Sir Gresley walked over to 4472 who was now trembling, his wheels shaking in fear.

"I didn't mean offence sir, please," 4472 begged quietly.

Sir Gresley looked up at his engine. His face was hard but his eyes were soft.

"You were my first choice for the Flying Scotsman, 4472," he said. "However I initially gave the role to Great Northern because I did not want you to be bullied anymore than you have."

4472 seemed to stop trembling and looked down at his designer.

"Rea- really sir?" 4472 asked confused.

"Yes. You outperformed all your siblings in the trials and you have a clear respect for your crew," Sir Gresley said with a smile. "You are the best fit for the role but I dislike how the others target you and so I kept you to the smaller roles to keep you out of the way."

4472 looked at his buffers contemplatively.

"But Great Northern said-"

"I told Great Northern that you are my first choice for this role, he was not pleased but even he would not dare to question me," Sir Gresley said.

"Then why did he protect me from the others?"

"Because he knows that you are my favourite and he does not want to displease me."

4472 looked at Gresley then at his buffers again.

"Really sir? I am?"

Sir Gresley smiled at the young nervous engine.

"You easily reached 90 miles without even flinching, you work harder than your siblings and you are my crew's favourite engine to drive," Gresley said, pleased. "I would like to see what you can do at full capacity. The role of Flying Scotsman will allow you to show the world how powerful you truly are."

4472's cheeks turned red and he gave his designer a shy smile.

"You really think I'm that good sir?"

"I designed you to be that good 4472," Gresley said proudly and 4472 felt a confidence rise in him he'd never had before. "You were made for the role of the Flying Scotsman and you will excel at it."

4472 looked over at Gordon who sat watching them quietly.

"What about Gordon sir?" 4472 asked. "He's my friend and- and- Great Northern says he's going to be scrapped!"

Gresley frowned and looked at Gordon who simply looked downtrodden but accepting. He'd accepted his fate long ago.

"I'll make a deal with you 4472," Gresley said and 4472 looked at him curiously. "If you agree to be the Flying Scotsman, my flagship engine, I will personally see to it that Gordon is restored to working order and sold to a Railway which he can work."

4472 eyes lit up and he eagerly accepted.

"Yes sir! I'll be the Flying Scotsman sir! Just let Gordon prove himself sir!"

Gresley gave a chuckle at the engine's sudden eagerness.

"I expect good things from you, Flying Scotsman," he said and the engine previously known as 4472 smiled at him.

"I won't let you down sir," The young Flying Scotsman said proudly. "I'll make you proud sir."

"I have no doubt that you will."

For updates, to ask questions or discuss the fic, you can find me on tumblr at tornadoyoungiron or on twitter as BakunawaArt.