21 - No 4468 - Part II
Mallard felt his eyes water and whimpered as the pain became even more intense. He could hear his crew shouting but right now he didn't care. He'd pushed himself too hard and now something was burning in his undercarriage.
It felt like he'd overheated something. It was burning hot and the pain was flowing out in waves from the damaged part.
Flying Scotsman had been right, going over 100mph was agonising, it hurt, he felt like he was about to lose control at any moment and he wanted to scream but refrained from doing so as it would displease Great Northern.
"It's alright, it's alright boy," he heard Joe reassuring him. "You performed beautifully over Stokes bank. I think we got it."
"Something hurts," he muttered weakly, afraid to admit it but the pain was getting unbearable. "I need to stop! It hurts too much!"
"We'll stop at Peterborough and have you changed out for another engine so you can rest," Thomas assured him. "You'll be fine."
"Thank you," was all Mallard could say as he pulled the train onwards.
Somehow, not sure how, he managed to pull the train to where a gaggle of spectators and the A3 Pacific, Spion Kop, sat awaiting him.
"Dear me did you shake yourself to bits young Mallard?" Spion asked concerned. "What's wrong? Did you make it?"
"I- I- don't know," Mallard said shakily as he pulled into the station. "But something broke inside me. I don't know what but it hurts."
There was a long moment of fuss as his crew and the people in the dynamo car discussed what had happened. There was a long tense moment before a cry went up.
"126mph? Are you sure?"
"It wasn't over a mile but 125 is still faster than those Germans!"
"Did you hear that Mallard? You did it!" Joe proclaimed loudly and for a brief moment, Mallard forgot all his pain.
"I- did it?" He asked, shocked before a swell of pride filled his boiler. "Of course I did! I'm the fastest Steam Locomotive in the world!"
Spion Kop, and the other engines around the station blasted their whistles and a huge cheer went up. People on the platforms and engines became raucous a loud, the celebration echoing around the yard.
There was no doubt that Great Northern would be proud of him now.
After a while, he was uncoupled from the train by one of his siblings and Spion Kob replaced him so he could rest. He was placed in the yard and throes of people swarmed around him, cheering and happy, congratulating him and his crew.
He didn't talk much, he just wanted to rest, the sibling that had brought him there sat next to him quietly, giving him space to bask in his achievement.
He sat there through most of the day as people came by to take photos, talk to him and even try to interview him. The humans were abuzz and they showered him in adoration and praise.
He revelled in it despite his pain and exhaustion he lapped up every single bit of attention and he adored it.
Sir Gresley came by with Quicksilver proclaiming his pride and love for him and his achievement.
"Mallard! My greatest achievement! You have done me so proud my engine!" Sir Gresley called to him and Mallard smiled through his tears of joy.
"Thank you, sir! I did my best sir! I wanted to show the world that I truly am the most powerful and fastest steam engine in the world sir!" Mallard proclaimed excitedly.
"And you certainly did that Mallard!" Sir Gresley smiled. "I have never been so proud of an engine as I am now!"
"I heard you were hurt though," Quicksilver said, concerned. "Are you alright little brother?"
Mallard sniffed.
"My wheels ran too hot Quick," he admitted. "I couldn't complete the entire journey to Edinburgh sir, I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologise for Mallard," Sir Gresley assured him. "I would have preferred that you not be damaged but all things considered it could have been a lot worse. You are welcome to rest until you feel well enough to run again."
"Thank you, sir," Mallard said gratefully. He looked at Quicksilver who looked at him with an adoring gaze.
"I'm so proud of you little brother," she praised him. "You really are the best of us."
Mallard felt both his pride and ego swell.
"Thank you, sister!" He said proudly.
After a while, Quicksilver and Sir Gresley departed and his sibling moved him into a shed to be inspected. As the men got to work he was surprised to find the sibling staying and keeping him company.
"Haven't you got trains to pull?" He asked the engine and his older sibling laughed.
"No, no, afraid not," he chuckled. "Still not on the timetables after getting a few bolts replaced. Been running trials for a few days, you're just lucky I was around here to meet you and shunt you around."
"Oh, I see," Mallard smiled. His brother seemed friendly enough. "I'm Mallard."
The engine laughed. "Yes, yes I got all that from the media circus you pulled in with youy friend."
Mallard blushed embarrassed.
"Sorry about that," he mumbled and the other engine waved him off.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "Just honoured to be around to see the famous Mallard finish his record run!"
Mallard grinned widely. He liked this engine.
"My name is Merlin," the engine introduced himself. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Mallard."
"The pleasure is all mine!"
Mallard returned to the workshop later that evening to be fully repaired. He found a gaggle of engineers excitedly going over him and checking him over. Some of them cheered and drank long into the night until the foreman shooed them away, concerned that they might damage the workshop or Mallard himself.
The men gave him and loud and energetic, albeit drunken, goodbye and went off to continue their party elsewhere.
He smiled to himself as they left.
He'd fulfilled his purpose, he'd made everyone proud.
No doubt the other engines would want to celebrate with him in the morning. Maybe he could see Polly again, or even Flying Scotsman.
He wondered if the Scotsman had had a similar experience when he had broken his record. He was excited to exchange notes with the A3 Pacific despite their initial meeting.
Scotsman had been right about going over 100mph. The experience had been excruciating. It had taxed him to his limit. But still, the experience had been worth it.
He smiled to himself as he fell into a well-earned sleep.
The next morning he found Flying Scotsman filling his tender with water at a nearby tower.
"Look who it is, it's the fastest engine in the world!" Scotsman greeted Mallard with a friendly whistle and a smile as he saw him approaching. Scotsman's crew were also delighted to see the blue engine, cheerily waving to him and shouting their praise of him.
Word had spread fast it seemed.
Mallard grinned at him, pleased with himself.
"Hello former fastest engine in the world," he teased and Scotsman laughed.
"I think you'll find I still have fire in me Ducky boy," Scotsman shot back playfully and Mallard smirked.
"Prove it," He challenged and the Scotsman snorted.
"One day perhaps, but I hear you damaged yourself on the run, are you okay?" Scotsman asked concerned. "You didn't push yourself too hard did you?"
"I had to or I wouldn't beat the Germans," Mallard said. "I couldn't let Sir Gresley down. Well, I guess I did by damaging myself and not being able to continue."
"At least it was only a hotbox," Scotsman smiled encouragingly at him. "Happens to the best of us. You did fantastic Mallard."
"Thank you," Mallard smiled at the A3 Pacific.
Mallard was about to ask Scotsman about his own record when he heard another A3 Pacific come up behind him.
"What have I told you about speaking to other engines Mallard?" Great Northern scolded the A4 Pacific.
"But sir can't I at least celebrate-"
"And do not talk back to me!" North shouted at him.
"Leave Mallard alone!" Scotsman snapped at his older brother. "He achieved something great, he deserves to be celebrated!"
"There is still much Mallard has to learn, regardless of his achievement," North said looking at Mallard who avoided his gaze and looked at his buffers shamefully. "He is still a child. Like you are."
Scotsman frowned at his brother.
"I'm not the one throwing insults around," Scotsman pointed out. He looked at Mallard who had gone completely docile once North had appeared. "Mallard, it's okay. We're all proud of you."
Mallard looked at Scotsman and then to Great Northern who was sitting there glaring at him.
"Are you proud of me, Great Northern? I broke the record, I made the LNER proud!" He said full of pride and Great Northern just looked at the engine up and down with a distasteful gaze.
"I will never be proud of a hideous engine like you, I have more pride in my stupid younger brother here than I ever will have in you. You will never surpass Flying Scotsman and you will never impress me," was all he said and Mallard looked heartbroken.
"North!" Flying Scotsman looked furious. "That is completely uncalled for! What the hell are you-"
"I'll make you proud I swear!" Mallard pleaded with North. "I don't know what I did to disappoint you but I can prove to you how loyal, how good I am!"
Great Northern just gave Mallard a disgusted look and moved off into the distance, Scotsman staring at him in complete shock. Scotsman quickly looked to Mallard who had tears leaking from his eyes but he didn't look sad or upset.
He looked furious.
Mallard looked at Flying Scotsman and hissed steam angrily.
"I'll prove to him that I'm better than you!" He declared angrily. "I'm better than you! I'm better than the Flying Scotsman!"
"Mallard please, he's not worth it-"
"Shut up! I'm better than you! I'm faster than you how can he be proud of you and not me?!" Mallard shrieked confused and angry.
"He's just taking out his frustrations on you Mallard, you can't let him get to you!"
Mallard just glared at Scotsman who stared back at him sadly.
"I'm better than you!" He repeated angrily. "I will always be better than you!"
"Mallard please," Scotsman begged but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
The angry A4 Pacific stormed away, Scotsman unable to follow as his tender was still being filled with water. He sighed heavily and his crew looked deeply concerned and confused.
"You were such a good engine, Mallard. What happened to you?"
"What?" Mallard froze, taking himself out of his memory and suddenly becoming aware of Scotsman's presence somewhere in his mind.
That wasn't right, HE was the one to invade and break his victim's minds, go through their memories and use their weaknesses against them.
"What is this? What have you done?"
"You invited me into your mind, Mallard, don't be so surprised," Flying Scotsman said and Mallard grew angry.
"I did not! How did you do this? This was a trick! You did trick me!"
"I truly didn't. Once a door is opened, you can enter from both directions," Scotsman explained. "I doubt the other engines who you drained of Gold Dust even realised they could do this. Then again why would they when they were scared for their life."
Mallard snarled in anger and tried to force Scotsman from his mind but he couldn't grab him or even know where he was.
"Get out!" Mallard roared at Scotsman. "Get out of my mind!"
"But I wish to learn about Merlin," Scotsman said. "You know, I never actually knew Merlin that well. He seems like such a lovely engine."
"Stop it! Get out! NO!" Mallard yelled but he felt Scotsman dig into his memories of Merlin and tighten his grip. He attempted to push the other engine out but Scotsman lashed out at him causing pain to explode in his mind.
The Black Smoke swarmed around confused and frightened. Mallard felt it edge away from Scotsman, feeling threatened and wary. Scotsman's Gold dust was stronger than any other engine, it burned and it was fierce like a steady wall of advancing lava.
He'd made a mistake. Scotsman was too powerful, for as much Black Smoke under his command, Mallard had not anticipated an engine's gold dust being able to overwhelm him.
"I want to see Mallard," Scotsman's voice hummed. "Let me see please."
"No! Stop it! Asshole!" Mallard bit back but golden light overwhelmed him and he shrieked in pain unable to stop Scotsman.
"How about I show you some of my memories instead?" Scotsman asked, his voice distant.
"Do you have a minute to talk?" Silver Link asked as Flying Scotsman found himself ready to depart home for the night after a long run from Scotland.
"Depends on what you want to talk about doesn't it?" Scotsman said with a yawn. He was tired, he wanted to sleep after a long 14-hour journey. "I've had a long day, Link, I do not wish to engage in any shenanigans. Especially ones involving Bittern as fun as he is."
"It's about Great Northern and how he's treating Mallard. Not to mention the number of times we've been overworked these days," Sliver Link interrupted Scotsman. "My brothers are holding an indignation meeting and we'd like to invite you to drive home the point to Sir Gresley."
Flying Scotsman looked over at Silver Link, who was looking at him grimly. Sounds like the A4s had also had enough of Great Northern's attitude towards them at long last and the A3 found himself wide awake despite his aches and exhausted nature.
"Certainly, I think we've all had more than enough of that old boiler, shall I go and fetch Polly as well? She has more sway over King's Cross than I."
"Quicksilver is distracting Great Northern and taking him away from Sir Gresley's workshop so please hurry," Link intoned. "She can't keep the old fool busy for long, you know how he is."
"I do indeed," Scotsman said with no humour. "I'll meet you at the workshop."
Without another word the Flying Scotsman quickly raced to the sheds and found Pretty Polly, taking her, albeit protesting and complaining on her part, to Sir Gresley's workshop.
"How long have you been awake?" Polly nagged. "You're performing like you have a spanner in your gear!"
"Listen it's important!" He whined annoyed at Polly. "Stop complaining will you? The Silvers want back up on dealing with Great Northern!"
"Oh!" Polly said suddenly interested. "About time! North's a bad boiler and needs to get the rust out of his funnel."
Scotsman's wheels suddenly slipped and ground the rails and he groaned in exhaustion. Polly looked concerned.
"Are you alright?" She asked concerned as he slipped into a siding to stop. She couldn't see his face but she knew that Scotsman was completely and utterly drained from his two-way trip from Edinburgh.
"I'm just so tired," he huffed exhausted. "I need to rest but, I can't let the Silver's down, they asked for me personally."
Normally a single engine didn't do a two-way trip on the Flying Scotsman Express but after the return engine had failed to be fired up, Scotsman had had to complete the entire journey twice on the same day. It was happening a lot more often these days.
Polly had had to do the same thing just over a week ago and she could sympathise with her older brother. At the end of it, she had felt completely broken.
"Why don't you let your crew fire me up and I'll take us to Doncaster older brother," Polly said deeply concerned. "I don't like how the directors are letting us down. I can see why the Silvers are pissed off. Our Railway has become something of a joke."
Flying Scotsman grunted an affirmation but said nothing more, allowing his crew to carefully shut him down and move to Pretty Polly. It took a long while but finally, they were able to get her fire started and soon she was pushing Scotsman down the mainline.
"Thank you Polly," Scotsman said sleepily.
"That's okay big brother, you just rest for a bit," Polly said sweetly. "Don't want my old man of a brother to blow out a valve now do we?"
"I'm not that old," Scotsman grumbled and Polly just giggled to herself.
After a while Scotsman was awoken by Polly whistling and found himself being shunted into the workshop, Silver Link and Silver King already there and looking annoyed.
"I told you to hurry," Link chastised him but Scotsman glared at him.
"I had to take the Flying Scotsman both ways today, shut up!" He snapped grumpily at the silver engine. "I am exhausted beyond exhaustion!"
"Both ways?" Sir Gresley's voice suddenly called and the Scotsman looked down and saw their designer standing before the Silver's worried. "I told the directors not to overload my engines! It could lead to wearing out parts and overheating issues!"
"The engine stationed at Edinburgh did not start and they had none left to spare," Scotsman said wearily. "I had no choice but to take it, sir. I am proud of the work I do, but I cannot do this every day. Polly had the same issue last week. I think their repair yard is lacking resources, sir."
"That is one of the reasons why we have held an indignation meeting today sir," Silver King said importantly. "We are being overworked and engines are not where they should be. There has been no communication between our crews and the higher-ups. We also have another issue to discuss with you, it's about Mallard."
"Mallard?"
"Yes," Silver King intoned. "Mallard has made friends with Merlin, however, he is being isolated and overworked by Great Northern. There have been a few minor incidents with Mallard having overflows and risking both his crews and passengers to try and please North. It is getting out of control."
"He's pushing himself too far sir," Link said sadly. "He's taking on far too many jobs that Merlin has had to do a few behind his back just so Mallard can rest."
"He's doing all this to try and please North?" Polly asked extremely concerned. "I knew that old fool was a bad influence on him!"
Sir Gresley looked deeply troubled.
"I may have pushed Great Northern too far," He admitted quietly. "I did threaten him if Mallard did not perform, however, I only meant it for the record."
"Sir, may I confess something?" Scotsman suddenly asked out of the blue. Sir Gresley looked up at him.
"Yes, Scotsman?"
"Great Northern abused me in the same way," he said. "He tried to work me until my wheels felt like they were going to fall off and never once encouraged me. He always demeaned me and made me feel like nothing."
Scotsman spoke through tears now clearly upset and rattled.
"Even after I became the first to reach 100mph, he still bullied me and threatened me if I didn't perform. That night my valve gear malfunctioned on the non-stop express back to King's Cross? He specifically sought me out and dressed me down for something that wasn't even my fault," Scotsman continued upset. "I know you want the best out of us sir, but North's treatment was abuse and it was never going to work!"
Sir Gresley stared up at Scotsman who was now crying. He walked over and laid a comforting hand on Scotsman's buffer beam.
"Why didn't you tell me this Scott?" He asked and Scotsman refused to look down at the man out of embarrassment.
"I thought, I thought you would be mad at me for speaking up against Great Northern," he said tearfully. "North is your favourite engine after all. I didn't want to upset you but, I don't want him to do the same thing to Mallard sir."
Sir Gresley observed Scotsman quietly for a few long seconds before he gave a deep sigh.
"Great Northern is not my favourite Scotsman," Sir Gresley said quietly. "You are. I apologise, for not noticing how North was treating you."
"Can you at least stop him from treating Mallard badly?" Scotsman asked.
Silver King stepped in, however.
"I fear it may be too late," he said glumly. "Mallard cannot be reasoned with and he has become very standoffish and incites conflict with other engines. We have tried to lead him in a better direction but he seems to have made his mind up. Even Merlin, who Mallard confides in is having difficulty curbing his troublesome nature."
Sir Gresley looked extremely concerned. He nodded to his lead engines.
"I will have Great Northern moved to work in Scotland in the hell hills with Rooster and the other P2s," he said and a collective exhale sounded around the workshop.
The Hell Hills were an engine's worst nightmare on the LNER. They sat between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and they were called the Hell Hills for a very good reason.
The inclines on that part of the railway were so steep that no A3 nor A4 could climb them without the help of another large express engine. Gresley's P2's had been made for that very purpose, to climb those hills with no aid just their pure power and strength.
Cock 'O the North, or Rooster as he was called led these engines and his siblings dwarfed even the A3 and A4 Pacifics. They did not take kindly to being ordered around by the 'little Pacific engines'. Rooster himself was a huge Scottish engine that took nothing from anyone.
To be sent to work with them on the Scottish highlands meant that you had truly insulted or displeased the directors or Sir Gresley. The P2s pushed their engines hard and they expecting nothing but the best of those around them. They were some of the most powerful engines on the LNER and to argue with them was foolish as it was stupid.
"Rooster's going to have fun with North," Polly sniggered to herself.
Scotsman yawned. "I saw him today, he called me a flying shrimp."
"Well, you are a shrimp compared to him," Silver King laughed.
"So are you, King of the Shrimps," Scotsman snapped back. He immediately blushed and looked shameful when Sir Gresley looked at him disapprovingly.
"Sorry sir, I'm just tired," Scotsman lied. He could tell their designer wasn't buying it but didn't want to press him.
"I will speak with the directors about fixing the timetables and getting resources for our Scottish works," Sir Gresley told the other engines. "I cannot have my engines running themselves into the ground. It could cause accidents and overheated hotboxes. I thank you all for bringing this to my attention. If necessary I may call upon all of you to argue your cases to the directors themselves."
"Yes sir!" The engines chorused.
"You are all dismissed!" He said turning his heel and walking away.
"Um, sir?" Polly called out to their designer.
"Yes, Pretty Polly?" He asked, annoyed.
"Scotsman doesn't have a crew sir, he shunted me until his wheels started slipping so we stopped and he swapped his crew out," she explained.
"Ah I see," he stroked his moustache in deep thought. "Well then Scotsman, you're welcome to spend the night here. I'll have another engine replace you for tomorrow."
"Thank you sir! I'm truly grateful sir!" He said completely exhausted.
Sir Gresley smiled at the Scotsman before looking at Polly.
"Of you go Polly, safe journey," he said with a little wave.
"Goodbye, sir!" She called and departed with a tired but joyous whistle.
Sir Gresley turned to speak with Flying Scotsman however when he gazed upon his face he found the engine already sound asleep.
Sir Gresley chuckled to himself and went over and laid a hand on the engine's buffer. The Scotsman's eye twitched slightly but he didn't react anymore.
Hopefully, Scotsman's Golden Soul would never deplete and last for 100 if not a thousand years. Sir Gresley didn't want to think of a world without these remarkable engines and their differing personalities. Certainly, the Directors wanted obedient and confirming machines but that just wasn't what a steam engine was.
They were temperamental. They consumed 'food', they breathed and they produced waste, unlike anything else mankind had ever created. They could argue and they could simply refuse to work for no reason at all.
They truly were 'alive' unlike the other machines humans made. Sometimes he forgot that but having four of his biggest engines confront him on their issues certainly reminded him of that.
Every single one was unique and every single one was special.
He was truly honoured to have engineered such remarkable things.
A loud whistle echoed through the workshop, however, Scotsman did not stir, completely dead to the world around him.
Sir Gresley did not take his hand off Scotsman's buffer as he turned to meet the engine. It was Great Northern, who looked very annoyed and indignant.
"Sir forgive me! That ridiculous Quicksilver held me upon my return from overseeing Mallard," North exclaimed importantly. "That young engine has become most indignant and-"
He stopped when he noticed the sleeping Flying Scotsman, out like a light with Sir Gresley standing next to him looking both sad and angry.
"Is something wrong sir? Why is 4472 here?"
"He is resting for the night in my workshop," Sir Gresley said with a glance at Scotsman. "He has had an exhausting day."
Great Northern huffed.
"Probably not used to it-" he stopped when Sir Gresley held up his hand.
"There was an issue at Edinburgh, it's none of your concern," he said. "There have been complaints about you from the other engines."
North snorted.
"Probably Pretty Polly and her ideas," he said dismissively. "It's not right to have such an engine order myself around let alone a woman."
"Enough!" Sir Gresley snapped and North immediately became quiet. "Polly is well founded in her complaints and I will not have you demean her! Mallard has been taking too many risks and putting his passengers and crew in danger to please you."
"But sir-"
"No Great Northern, I have been ignoring this issue for far too long. I pushed you too hard, yes, but you took it in the worst way possible," Sir Gresley rounded on him stalking towards him. "I asked you to discipline and train Scotsman and Mallard, not abuse them!"
"I am not abusing them, sir! I am teaching them the right way to behave!" North shouted back.
"Do not argue with me!" Sir Gresley snapped. "The fact that I had to have an indignation meeting with all 4 heads of the LNER Pacific's should give you an idea of how serious this is!"
North was about to speak but the glare his designer was giving him made him stop. He'd truly done something to piss the man off and now he was scared.
"I'm sending you to Edinburgh to work with Cock 'O the North and the other P2s," Sir Gresley said coldly. "You will be replaced by another engine to oversee the awakening of new engines."
"But sir please!"
"Enough!" Sir Gresley cut him down. "I gave you a lot of free will because you were my confidant, however, I see you just used that to lord 'authority' over the other engines. You abused your power as my personal engine and I will not have it!"
Scotsman wearily opened his eyes as he was awakened by Sir Gresley's shouting.
"Sir?" He mumbled wearily.
"I apologise for waking you Scotsman," Sir Gresley said sympathetically. He turned back to North. He looked angry and devastated.
"Get out of my sight," Gresley snapped at him. "You are no longer welcome to use the private berths here."
"Yes sir, sorry sir," he said regretfully. He looked at the Scotsman who looked confused but was also drifting off to sleep very quickly. He glared at 4472 but said no more, quickly exiting the workshop.
Sir Gresley watched him go before turning back to the Scotsman who had quickly fallen back to sleep. He chuckled to himself before closing down the workshop for the night.
"Merlin?" Mallard asked as his elder brother backed into the berth next to him. "I'm not supposed to talk to you let alone be in the same building as you. What if North sees?"
The older engine just laughed.
"Tell me, my dear brother, did you see that neurotic and nasty engine today?" Merlin asked and Mallard paused.
He hadn't seen Great Northern all day. He'd been constantly paranoid, always looking and searching for the A3 Pacific. Always anxious about what he'd done wrong this time or if he would get caught talking to the other engines.
"I did not," he realised. He looked over to Merlin who had a mysterious smile on his face.
"Did you do something?"
"Not I, but the heads of the Pacific's held an indignation meeting about North last night," Merlin smiled to himself. "He's been sent to work in the Hell Hills with Rooster and the big lads."
"He's what!?" Mallard yelled loudly, eliciting a loud yell from one of the other engines in the shed. "Oh no, oh no this is bad! He'll blame me! He'll take it out on me!"
"Mallard," Merlin said sternly and the young engine quieted down but still look worried. "Great Northern is not the ruler of the railway. The Board of Directors and Sir Gresley are the ones who control the railway."
"But North will hurt me, he'll, he'll give me even more jobs to do!" Mallard said sadly. "He'll blame me for this!"
"Then the Silver's will defend you, I will defend you. Gresley's decision is not your fault," Merlin said proudly. "You are my younger brother and if North even thinks of coming near you, I'll deal with him myself."
Mallard looked over at Merlin who gave him an encouraging smile.
"Why would you do that? Is it because I'm the fastest and best engine in the world?"
Merlin gave a good-humoured chuckle.
"No dearest brother, I did it because you're my friend," Merlin smiled at him. "I would have done it before or even if you hadn't achieved your record."
"Are you- are you proud of me Merlin?" Mallard asked and Merlin smiled.
"Of course I am," Merlin chimed. "I will always be proud of you. You need not concern yourself with impressing yourself with North anymore. He is after all in disgrace with Sir Gresley, do you want an engine like that to approve of you?"
Mallard looked away and then down at his buffers. Merlin was right. Why was he so desperate to please an engine that Sir Gresley had sent to work with the Mikado's?
Mallard smirked to himself.
"Ridiculous old fool," he snorted.
"Does this mean that you'll stop acting a fool in trying to impress an engine who isn't worth your time and who caused you a lot of pain?" Merlin asked.
Mallard looked ashamed of himself. Merlin had said this many times before but this was the first time he was hearing Merlin's words.
Great Northern had truly been terrible to him. Part of him still wanted to make him proud though but if Sir Gresley said otherwise then, he had no choice but to accept it.
"Yes Merlin," Mallard admitted quietly. "I won't go chasing pointless endeavours."
"I'm glad, the heads of the pacifics will be pleased to hear that," Merlin smiled. "I think tomorrow will be a new day for you, Mallard. A chance to get your life back on track as it were."
Merlin chuckled at his own joke but Mallard just rolled his eyes at it.
"Time to get some sleep my young friend," Merlin advised and closed his eyes.
Mallard, however, stayed away long into the night. His mind constantly turned and the memories of North chastising him, saying how ugly his shape was, always praising Scotsman and saying what a fine engine he was replayed in his head.
The more they replayed the angrier he grew.
And the angrier he grew, the more vicious and nasty his thoughts of revenge on North became.
Great Northern had treated him like a doormat. He'd constantly pushed him around and made him feel worthless.
He wasn't worthless, he was the fastest engine in the world! He wasn't some coddled engine like North was, who gloomily rolled around the yards like he owned them.
Great Northern hadn't even set a record for himself, not like Scotsman, Papyrus or Silver Link!
He was a joke.
A cruel grin flashed across his face.
The next time he saw North, he wouldn't be a snivelling grovelling fool. That was in the past.
Mallard glanced at Merlin who was snoring softly to himself.
Yes, Mallard decided, North would no longer push him around. And he never would again.
A few weeks later, Mallard found himself pulling into the Edinburgh Terminus for the Flying Scotsman.
He'd been approved by the directors, Polly and Scotsman themselves to join the LNER's London team, a team only the elite engines were part of. Polly had been beside herself with pride to have two Famous engines working side by side.
Flying Scotsman himself was very welcoming although he had told Mallard to ease up on the boasting as some engines and railway workers did not like it.
Mallard chose to ignore that advice as he felt that Scotsman was probably jealous.
The passengers themselves swooned and fawned over him. The famous Mallard was pulling their train, they'd cry overjoyed.
Why wouldn't they swoon? He was such a stately engine! Such a magnificent sight to behold!
However the most important thing was Mallard could stretch his wheels, he could run at full pelt down the line as the Flying Scotsman express allowed such speed and power. Unlike the previous express trains and jobs which were short and often speed limited, this train was the very definition of power.
The passengers getting off his train all cheered, congratulated him and thanked him for their journey. It hadn't been the smoothest but he was famous and that forgave the bumps he found.
He smiled to himself as slowly the crowds died down and he was uncoupled from his train and allowed to rest in the yard.
He sat there for a while, humming to himself, ignoring the irritating little tank engines that went about their ways and the loud Scottish engines who laughed and cheered at each other as they went about their days.
How annoying.
"Why aren't you working?" A familiar voice suddenly snapped at him. He flinched instinctively at the sound of his voice but did not give the engine in question the pleasure of whimpering in servitude or begging for approval as he once did.
"Don't talk to me like that, you disgraceful engine!" Mallard snapped back importantly.
Great Northern looked shocked.
"Excuse me? What did you say to me, you little ingrate?" He snarled. "You don't talk to your superior engine like that 4468!"
"I think you'll find it's Mallard, you old fool," Mallard snapped. "You should address me as such."
North glared at him.
"Just because I have lost favour with our designer does not mean you can speak to me with such disrespect!" He shouted at the A4.
"Oh I think it does," Mallard smiled a vicious grin. "Why would I respect an engine who lost Sir Gresley's favour and did not show me any reason to respect him in turn? I was very wrong to want the favour of an old broken down engine such as you."
"Broken down? Broken down!" North thundered furiously. "Now you listen here, boy-!"
"No!" Mallard shouted above North, drawing the attention of some of the shunters. "Listen to me you rusty old boiler! I am NOT going to lie around and let you step all over me like Flying Scotsman!"
Mallard hissed steam and air out in a loud bellow that drew attention even more.
"I am the fastest, the best engine in the world!" Mallard yelled at him. "I pushed myself beyond my limits to achieve my goals and yet what have you ever done? You've never achieved any records nor have you ever helped another engine. You're a joke!"
Great Northern stood his ground but Mallard could see hurt in his eyes.
"Don't you ever speak to me again you waste an engine! A disgrace engine like you should never speak to a grand engine such as I!" Mallard snarled. "I'm glad you're up here with the others! It means I can do my work for once!"
A silence echoed across the yard as Mallard glared daggers at Great Northern. The A3 Pacific was shocked, no one had ever spoken to him like that. No one had ever dared.
"You are an insolent and horrible engine-" North began but he was cut off by a loud deep whistle that shook his boiler.
One of the enormous P2 Mikado engines had entered the yard and it was just North's luck that it was Cock 'O the North, head of the Edinburgh engines.
"Why are yer shrimps makin' so much noise!?" He boomed angrily in a heavy Scottish accent. "Yer all are suppose' ter be working!"
Cock 'O the North was truly an intimidating engine, many times larger than an A3 or A4 pacific he towered over both Mallard and Great Northern. The cowl over his smokebox cast dark shadows across his face and made him look even more menacing.
When he moved, the little shunters moved to allow him to pass and every rotation of his wheels sounded threatening.
Although Mallard was completely intimidated by this massive engine he didn't dare show it as the engine put himself between Mallard and Great Northern.
"I dunna know how yer work down in the south but we dunna waste time with petty arguments here!" Rooster hollered at the both of them. "We are hard workers here! None of that time wastin' yer English seem ter be always doing!"
The enormous engine then looked down at Great Northern.
"What have I told ye about picking fights with other engines?" He snapped angrily. "Madadh-allaidh be waiting for his connection at Aberdeen! You best be goin' Great Shrimp!"
Great Northern looked like he wanted to argue but the look Cock 'O the North gave him convinced him otherwise. Great Northern avoided Mallard's gaze as he quickly departed to take his next train.
"I apologise for wasting your time and patience sir," Mallard said diplomatically. He thought it best to not boast for once and try and at the very least get on this engine's good side.
Pretty Polly had warned him not to challenge or boast to these engines. They didn't care for records and work to them was everything. Going around saying you were better than them would make them and the shunters target you for bullying.
"Sir? Sir?" Cock 'O the North gave a loud booming laugh. "Yer English are all so proper. It's just Rooster me good man!"
"Rooster," Mallard said curiously. "Always with the bird names with Sir Gresley."
Rooster laughed. "I had ter change it, yer English always get so flustered if I ask yer to call me 'Cock' all the time!"
"I don't see why, that's a human euphemism," Mallard said politely. "We are engines, we don't have such things. But I will call you Rooster if wish."
"I dunna care either way," Rooster admitted. "You that fast shrimp?"
Mallard's eyes widened, surprised that this big engine had recognised him.
"I am," Mallard remarked. "I'm Mallard. Pleased to meet you."
"Nice ter meet yer, Mallard! A little word of advice, don't be boasting and foolish here like that Great North fella, it ain't looked on too well," Rooster warned. "Yer earn yer respect here, it ain't given away."
Mallard smiled warmly at the bigger engine. He was big and intimidating, but he seemed friendly under that cowl.
"I'll do no such thing Rooster," he smiled, meaning it for once. "You can count on it."
"Glad ter hear it!"
The Gresley P2 Mikado's are finally here. Wanted to introduce them for a long time but we never went to Scotland where they worked. Tornado's build team is currently working on a P2, "Prince of Wales" so I wanted a little taste of what to expect from Tornado's build brother. All 6 engines made were scrapped after being defiled by Thompson.
The name (you can stop your giggling) 'Cock 'O the North' comes from the title of the Chief of the noble Clan Gordon so it makes sense for Rooster to be the leader of the P2's. Was tempted to call him Gordon but I feel like there's enough Gordon's as it is. Especially considering Rooster is also the prototype for his class.
Over on the ask blog, we're having a little fun antagonising Flying Scotsman and calling him a shrimp so a lot of people knew Cock 'O the North would be appearing in this chapter.
~For updates, extra lore or to ask questions or discuss the fic, you can find me on tumblr at tornadoyoungiron or on twitter as BakunawaArt. You can also ask the characters of this story questions at askyoungiron on tumblr.