After another summer's night, the sun was slowly rising as morning dawned on Sodor. Thomas and the other engines woke up at Tidmouth Sheds, ready for another day. Thomas looked around the sheds, wondering what would happen today. He was still helping Ruth settle in on Sodor after they successfully found a place along Ffarquhar, and he wondered how she was doing right now. Then something else tweaked Thomas' mind. He looked to the last berth to his right and remembered. Just the day before, David and Emily had sailed off for the Mainland Canal and found to the Steelworks to determine what to do with Baz. This made Thomas start thinking again. By now, they had surely found the Steelworks. What would they be doing there? What would become of Baz in the end? And what would Emily have to tell once she returned?

"Oh, Emily," Thomas said to himself. "To actually think you're at the hottest place in town…just like James and I. Oh, bust my buffers…what shall you and David be doing there?"

Just then, Thomas' driver and fireman arrived to get him ready for the day.

"Morning, Thomas," said his driver. "Come along. We'd better see how Ruth is doing with her new spot, and how far she's come."

"Oh…Ruth. Yes, of course," said Thomas, still thinking about Emily.

Soon, Thomas was ready, and he set off down the line and up his Branch Line to check on Ruth. He soon came to the gate that gave him trouble now and again, but saw it was still open. Then Thomas came to the very spot Ruth had selected, and now he could see what Ruth had done so far. He saw that the entire tree growing out of the wall was gone, and the balcony running around the windmill had been refitted and rehammered together. It certainly looked like a step up from what it was the day before. Then sounds came from inside the windmill, telling Thomas just who was still working away in there.

"Ruth? Good morning, Ruth!" he called.

"Oh! Morning, Thomas!" came Ruth's voice from inside the windmill. "Been working on this for quite the time now! What do you think so far?"

"I…I don't know. Are you sure this is going to work?" Thomas called. There was no answer. "Ruth? Are you okay?"

Still there was no answer. Thomas looked a little closer. It looked like Ruth was trying to pull something out from inside the windmill. She pulled and tugged with considerable effort, until suddenly, the branch she was pulling popped out of place, making her stumble a little.

"Whoa!" she exclaimed. "I'm okay!"

Thomas had to laugh along with Ruth as the work continued. He then watched as she came outside and started looking around at the windmill and barn again. He could see she was thinking cleverly and inventively, but he puzzled again as to what she could be doing here…until he suddenly remembered something else regarding Emily and David. Vicarstown Bridge had been closed for maintenance the day before, but today it would open up again…and have Sonny on his way with Baz to the Mainland.

"Oh…I…I just remembered!" Thomas suddenly spoke.

"What, Thomas? What is it?" asked his driver.

"Vicarstown Bridge is opening again today, Bob," said Thomas. "That means…Sonny will be bringing Baz to the Mainland today! I sure hope David finds a way to ensnare that thief, just as he told us at the Town Square."

"David is an ambitious and diligent soldier, Thomas," said his driver. "And given what you and I experienced at the Steelworks, I'm pretty sure Hurricane and Frankie can help him find a way to ensnare and confine that thief…properly, if you know what I mean."

Thomas knew his driver was talking about how Hurricane and Frankie kept him there when he wanted to go home, but ensnaring someone like Baz was indeed a much better cause, and Thomas agreed at once.

"I know just what you mean, Bob," he said.

"Now, we'd best get on with our own work," said his driver. "Perhaps we can see Sonny before he goes on his way."

"Perhaps…but, oh, something very inventive is going to happen today…" Thomas spoke as he set off down the line again to start his own work…

Meanwhile, far out on the Mainland, at the Steelworks, Emily and David were still huddled in their shed, sleeping peacefully together since Hurricane and Frankie showed them in. As the sun rose over the area, Emily felt herself waking up after a long night. Her eyes opened and she gave a deep yawn before she looked around. She saw the large brick building that was the Steelworks, and in that moment, she remembered just where she was and why. She looked to her running plate and saw David just waking up himself. He stretched then sat up before turning around to his engine.

"Good morning, my precious Emily," he smiled as he spread his arms and hugged her face.

"Ohh…good morning, David," Emily smiled into his hug. "And good morning, Steelworks."

"Yes, indeed, Emily," said David. "And perhaps the others should be coming along too."

Emily looked up and went still. "Here they come."

David looked back, and with a whistle and a sounding diesel's horn, there were Hurricane and Frankie rolling along toward the shed. Closely following behind them were Merlin, Lexi and Theo. Emily and David picked up what they had talked about the night before, and they both felt a certain sense in their hearts.

"Oh. Good morning, Hurricane and Frankie," Emily greeted before she looked to the others. "And good morning to you three."

"Good morning, emerald darling," said Frankie. "And good morning, Captain."

"Good morning, Emily," said Hurricane. "We trust you slept well."

"We have indeed, Hurricane," said Emily.

"Top of the morning, Emily!" whistled Merlin.

"Y-yes. G-good m-morn-ning," Theo shook.

"Oh, did you have pleasant dreams, darling sheila?" Lexi asked.

"He-he! Yes, thank you, Lexi," Emily smiled. "And I'm glad to see all your smiling, chipper faces right here at the start of a lovely day."

"O-oh…th-thank you, Emily," Theo blushed lightly.

"Yes, thank you, Emily. Very good indeed," Frankie answered before she bore a practical expression. "Now…to business, you two. Captain Rider. You and Emily wish to check us out today, as I recall."

David got down from Emily's running plate and stood tall and firm. "That, we do, Frankie. We wish to start right away, as agreed."

"Well, we've all taken our time to get established last night," said Hurricane. "And now that it's morning, we hold to our promise. So…what say we show you around this place?"

"You shall see how this place works, here, there, and everywhere," said Frankie.

"Yes, yes," said Merlin. "We know this place like you know your ship, Captain Rider…and like Thomas knows the Island of Sonar."

"Hm-hm. It's Sodor, Merlin," Emily chuckled.

"Then you can decide if this place will suit your wishes, Captain Rider," said Lexi.

David and Emily looked around at the Steelworks, then to the five engines. David then gave a nod and got in Emily's cab. They were ready.

"What are we waiting for?" asked Emily. "Thomas and James have seen the hottest place in town, and today…it's my turn."

"Of course," Frankie smiled. "Come on inside."

So Emily and David proceeded to make their way inside. Just as they did with Thomas' first visit here, Frankie backed her way inside, and Hurricane followed alongside Emily, followed by the Experimental Engines. As she huffed towards the big building, Emily took a deep breath of excitement as she made ready to see what awaited her and David. As soon as they were inside, Hurricane and Frankie started singing of the Hottest Place in Town again, allowing Emily and David to look around and see everything. Indeed, as the song was sung, Emily had to admit it was rather hot inside the Steelworks. Not humid like her unfortunate experience with the heatwave while Thomas was away, but very hot nonetheless.

"Whew! It's certainly hot. That much is true," Emily remarked through Hurricane and Frankie's singing. Even David wiped his brow with the heat too.

As they continued through the large and impressive facility, Emily looked all around at the stairways, balconies, contraptions and very bright lights all around her, and she was finding herself considerably drawn to everything she saw. She looked ahead and saw Frankie and Hurricane crossing along the lines ahead with two sets of ladle trucks each. Emily went right on through until something else caught her eye. She could see bright lines of molten slag running like river creeks along channels that flowed right into Frankie's ladle trucks, perfectly lined up for each channel of slag. After hearing all about Thomas and James' experience, Emily was finding herself more and more impressed by what she was seeing, all while David kept quiet, scanning his eyes up, down and every which way, trying to figure out if and how they could use this facility to advantage regarding Baz's pending trial.

The tracks were all perfectly smooth, as if Emily were gliding right along her way with the fellow engines showing her around. In spite of the dramatic and perilous story this place had to tell regarding Thomas and James' journey, Emily found herself rather enjoying it. She'd had her thoughts about the Steelworks before, but even then, she had not expected it to be quite like this. Then as Merlin, Theo and Lexi joined in the song too, Emily found herself singing with them too, but David still kept quiet as he analyzed everything he could see. The showing, touring and singing would go on for a fair while yet, until Emily and David had seen everything inside the Steelworks…


Meanwhile, back on Sodor, while Thomas was busy with his own work, and Ruth was still working on her workshop, other things were waiting to happen in the Sudrian Prison Unit. In the solitary confinement hall, Baz was still being held in his cell, waiting for his transportation to the Mainland. Phelps and Gallagher were both standing guard of his cell while the Chief walked up and down the hall a few times. All three of them were waiting endlessly for the very news they needed to set things in motion. Any time now, they knew that Vicarstown Bridge's maintenance would be complete, and Sonny would be arranged to take his former and unworthy leader to the Mainland to be put to justice.

Amidst the waiting, after being held here for a few weeks since the Fair, Baz was scowling and grimacing vainly as he looked at the two detectives, and the pacing Chief. Then he shrugged his shoulders and decided to blurt out his sour mood.

"So, this is how you treat those who simply wanted to make rich with some impressive plans?" Baz complained vainly to Gallagher. "Leaving them waiting to have everything taken from them…and added to that, while I'm shriveling away here, you all dine like kings, no doubt."

Gallagher turned around fast and gripped the cell's bars so hard, they vibrated a little.

"Away with your sort of talk, unworthy man," he replied unimpressively. "You won't be needing it today, or any other day."

"It's as true as I'm locked up here!" Baz complained further with an impolite pout. "That's why I'm being starved out in this cell; it's just to keep you in your kingly ways! I told you all it was Bernie what stole the-"

"SILENCE, peasant!" the Chief barked, but then thought a little more. "Yet, it would not do to have the brat fainting on the way. Dan!"

Phelps looked and nodded to the Chief, who then gave the order.

"Bring the thieving creature food and drink."

Phelps nodded and marched away, while Baz raised his eyebrow unimpressively. When Phelps returned a few minutes later and nodded to the Chief, his idea of Baz's food and drink was as fitting for a prisoner as could be. As the standard style always was, Phelps handed Baz a small cup of water, and a large slice of bread, completely dry and stale, almost like kindling wood.

"Buck up like a man and eat," was all Phelps said as he resumed standing guard.

"Take it away!" Baz pouted sulkily. "I don't want dry bread!"

But the Chief shot such a terrible glare that Baz instinctively said sorry and dug into the bread, though it was so stale, he could hardly chew it, making quite an unhappy face to the Chief, who only hardened his expression in return.

"You may be glad of it before you taste bread and water again," he said to Baz.

At that moment, another policeman came in. "Shay? We have a phone call on the line from Vicarstown."

Gallagher looked up at once, then nodded to Phelps and the Chief before he left the room to take the call. Phelps and the Chief had a strong feeling as to what this could mean and waited with a sense of eagerness. Baz sulked even more as he worked through the water and stale bread. Every few moments, he exclaimed unhappily with the bread, but neither the Chief nor Phelps paid any attention.

By this time, Thomas was busy with a goods train going to Wellsworth. He had been thinking off and on about Ruth's ongoing workshop project and Emily and David's presence on the Mainland all morning. His smokebox was indeed full of questions on both areas. He was curious as to what Ruth could be putting together at Maithwaite, and he was even more curious and a little serious about what Emily and David could be up to with the Steelworks Engines and Experimental Engines.

"Ohh…so much going on here and beyond Sodor," Thomas said aloud as they passed through Crosby. "Just what will happen today?"

"Just stick to your dues for now, Thomas," said his driver. "Your questions will be answered soon enough."

Just then, one of Thomas' wonders was answered up ahead. He heard a familiar whistle and looked up. There was Sonny pulling an empty Breakdown Coach on his way down the line. Thomas remembered the plans David told him about and came up beside the navy engine. He could see Sonny was looking solidly ahead with a hard expression on his face.

"Hello, Sonny," said Thomas. "You look like you're onto something important."

Sonny looked to Thomas and gave a firm nod.

"Utmost important, Thomas. The Gov has just told me Vicarstown Bridge is open again…and I have to be ready to do my part. Those policemen will be bringing Baz to Maron Station any minute for me to take on his way…to that Steelworks your emerald madam is at."

Thomas' heart jumped to this news, and he looked quite serious himself now as he nodded.

"I understand, Sonny. You're doing Sodor a great service in doing this…and for the whole Island, I say thank you, Sonny."

"My pleasure, Thomas. But that's not all. Once I'm on the Mainland, I'll also be picking up a few members of the Royal Guard to bring them to the Steelworks too."

Thomas' heart pounded to hear this detail and he gave quite a shudder.

"Cinders and Ashes…you're bringing the Royal Guard? That is astounding, Sonny! Well…I will see you later then."

Sonny whistled and went on ahead just as they came by Wellsworth. Thomas stopped to let off his load and watched as Sonny went down the line. With Baz on his way to the Mainland, Thomas was now even more anxious to hear everything once Emily and David returned, but he also knew it would all proceed in due time.

Back in the Prison Unit, Baz had begrudgingly finished off the bread and water and was still grimacing vainly, while Phelps and the Chief simply ignored his sour mood. Just then, after leaving the room, Gallagher came walking back in with a ready look in his eyes.

"Report, Gallagher," said the Chief. "What news from Vicarstown?"

Gallagher then announced the news they needed right then and there.

"Chief, sir? Vicarstown Bridge is open again, and Sonny is on schedule for Maron. Everything is set and ready."

"He has the coach?" asked the Chief.

"Yes. A spare Breakdown Coach," said Gallagher. "I believe it's time to put this thief on his transportation to justice."

The Chief gave a single nod and proceeded to unlock Baz's cell and open it. Then he started walking out of the prison unit.

"Come, you," he said bluntly to Baz.

Phelps and Gallagher put Baz back in handcuffs and ushered him to move and they followed the Chief out of the prison unit. Outside stood a police van, where Baz was loaded into the back, and Phelps and Gallagher drove the van all the way to Maron. When they arrived, there they saw Sonny waiting at the platform with his Breakdown Coach. The two detectives unloaded Baz from the back and walked him right to the platform. Sonny looked and there he saw the very man who had only ever used him as means to an end. Baz looked right back and gave his former engine a contemptuous glare. Sonny showed no softness and returned a low, despising glare to Baz as he was placed inside the coach and secured in good and tight. Phelps then locked the coaches' door firmly, then nodded to the navy engine.

"You're ready now, Sonny," he said as he gestured down the line. "Be quick now. The Royal Guard will be waiting for you at Bridlington Goods Yards."

"I'm on it, Gov," said Sonny. "I'll help put this villain to rights, for the good of Sodor."

And Sonny set off down the Main Line to find Vicarstown Bridge again, then he would be heading back to the Mainland…where it would all happen.


By this time, back at the Steelworks, Hurricane, Frankie and the Experimental Engines had toured Emily and David all throughout the inside of the main facility, and by now, Emily was quite absorbed by all she had seen. As the Steelworks Team finished their song, they escorted Emily and David outside again into the cooler fresh air, where Emily took a deep breath and sighed heavily, taking in everything she had just experienced. She had seen everything that Thomas and James had seen on their journey beyond Sodor, and she was admittedly impressed by it all. Then the engines gathered around Emily, eager to see and hear what she thought about everything.

"Wow…the hottest place in town," Emily said aloud.

"Indeed, it is, Emily, and Captain Rider. So there you are," said Hurricane. "This is the Steelworks for you."

"So…what do you two think?" asked Frankie.

Emily took a few deep breaths and felt her smile lingering on her face.

"I…oh, my goodness! Frankie, Hurricane, Merlin, Theo and Lexi…I am…absolutely astonished! No other words for it! This place is quite a spectacle!"

"Thank you, Emily," said Hurricane. "Glad to see your fascination with this place."

"And it certainly has become a spectacle with all five of us working here together," said Merlin.

"Y-yes. Five is c-certainly better than just t-two," said Theo.

"And with all of us working together, this is just the place for the five of us," said Lexi.

"For us, it certainly us," said Frankie. "Oh! That reminds me…Captain Rider…"

"Of course," said Emily. "What did you think, David?"

"Yes," said Hurricane. "Now that you've seen it, what is your input, Captain?"

David, who had been keeping completely silent throughout the whole tour, got down from Emily's cab and approached Hurricane and Frankie. They could both see he had quite an absorbed look on his face after seeing what he saw.

"Well, now. Thank you, Hurricane and Frankie," he said deeply. "I saw everything there was to see thanks to you showing us around. I have now seen what this place is, how it works and what it must be like for all five of you. I now have quite the insight on this place…but before I can confirm what to do about Baz…I think I need to look a little closer as to what else this place does besides produce molten slag."

"What do you mean, Captain Rider?" asked Merlin.

"What I mean, Merlin, is that my plans for Baz regard making steel. Not just melting it," said David. "I think I'd like a little more detailed study inside. A little more up close."

"I see. Right," said Hurricane. "Well, Frankie and I are kept busy taking steel from this place to Bridlington Goods yards and beyond."

"Yes. Steel pipes, rods, frames, girders and more," said Frankie. "All different things made of the steel that comes from this very place. If you'd like a closer look at how our workmen forge steel here, you're welcome to look inside."

"And so I will," said David. "Baz's steely justice depends upon it."

And David proceeded back inside the building, while Emily looked around the yards a little more, wondering what to do next.

"Well…until we hear that Sonny is on his way…what do we do now?" she asked.

Hurricane and Frankie thought for a moment, until they looked to the siding beside Emily. There were six empty ladle trucks standing right there. Then their eyes fell upon the slope ahead, and Hurricane and Frankie suddenly felt an idea come to them.

"Say, Emily…to answer your question," said Hurricane. "May we suggest something you could do?"

"What's that, Hurricane?" asked Emily.

"Now that you've seen the Steelworks, Emily," said Frankie. "Just to get a little feel of what it's like to work here…would you like the honour of seeing how those ladle trucks work at the slag tip?"

Emily saw the ladle trucks beside her, then looked up the slope. "Hmm…do you mean to say…if I'd like to bring them there myself?"

"If you'd like," said Frankie. "Of course, it's all up to you."

Emily thought about this idea, then smiled.

"Well…I think I'd be glad of a little working experience while I'm here. Yes, I'd be happy to see how it works."

"Alright, then," said Hurricane. "Just bring those trucks inside where they'll be loaded with slag, then you can bring them up the slope, where you can watch it pour out."

"Thanks, Hurricane," said Emily.

"But I should warn you," said Hurricane. "You need to be very careful with that stuff, what with it melting my wheels when I saved Thomas."

"Ohh, of course," said Emily. "Being Sodor's Safety Engine, being careful is definitely a top priority."

Hurricane, Frankie, and the Experimental Engines watched as Emily collected the ladle trucks and brought them inside the Steelworks. She shunted them through the building to the slag heap, where she saw David taking a particular look to how it worked before he turned and saw her.

"Emily? What are you doing in here?" he asked.

"Hurricane and Frankie offered me to see how the ladle trucks work, David," said Emily. "How is your closer look going?"

"I'm definitely thinking, Emily," said David. "I'll decide on this place soon enough."

Emily nodded and brought her eyes back to how the slag heap worked. She watched as the workmen signaled and waved to each other, then a few levers turned, and the molten slag come pouring out like trails of red-hot lava freshly erupting from a volcano, all glowing like the sun. The slag trailed this way and that along the tipples, and poured in sync into Emily's ladle trucks until she was clear to go.

"Wow!" she breathed steadily. "Fascinating!"

Then Emily gave a push to go on her way, and realized just how heavy and thick this stuff really was. After a few shoves, she managed to proceed slowly and heavily out of the Steelworks, panting a little as she worked her way toward the slope. David saw her and decided to follow her outside and watch. As Emily approached the slope, Hurricane and Frankie watched with interest as David stood beside them.

"Bust my boiler! This is hot and heavy work!" Emily gasped as she pushed with great effort to get up the slope.

"Go to it, Emily. Up the slope!" Hurricane called.

"You can do it, Emily! Go, go, go!" Frankie called.

"Go, Emily. Up, up, up!" Merlin whistled.

"On, on, on, Emily!" Lexi called.

It was a heavy and panting job, but soon, Emily reached the top of the slope and approached the slag tip. More workmen were waiting for her as she came into position, then stopped. She then watched as the workmen tipped the ladles over and all the slag came pouring out again as it cascaded down the slope, slowly thickening like lava again. Emily had never, ever seen anything like this, and it made her feel quite a tingle in her boiler as a few sparks floated through the air like fireworks.

"Wow! Bless my funnel, this is amazing!" she gasped. "Absolutely and truly amazing!"

"Good job, Emily!" Hurricane called from the distance.

"She is good, isn't she?" chortled Frankie. "In fact, I'd say she might be my favourite new engine…to visit us while she's here."

"Yes, Frankie. She is," said Hurricane. "A most honourable guest indeed."

Soon, the ladle trucks were emptied, and Emily brought them back down to place in a siding. She then came up alongside Hurricane, Frankie and David with quite a smile.

"Hurricane and Frankie…that was truly fantastic!" she exclaimed. "Nowhere on Sodor has any place like this! Did you see me, David?"

David nodded and answered with interest. "Impressive. Most impressive."

"Y-y-yes…so impressive to see a lovely e-engine like you w-work so well," said Theo.

Emily couldn't help but chortle with bubbling enthusiasm to her experience just now. Then suddenly, a Steelworks workman came running out of the building.

"Frankie! We just received a call from Bridlington Goods Yards," said the workman. "Something about an engine and a Breakdown Coach…and I think the Royal Guard. I think you might want to check it out."

Emily and David saw the workman wink to them, and they suddenly felt alert and serious again, feeling a very strong sense as to what this could mean.

"There's no doubt about what this means," Emily murmured as she looked to Hurricane and Frankie. "Do you sense what I sense, you two?"

"I sure do," said Hurricane.

"We all do," said Merlin. "Our guest will be here soon…and we'll see who this Baz character is."

"Well, then…got to go," said Frankie. "I'll be back as soon as I can…with the report."

And with a little wink, she dashed away. David and Emily looked to each other, and to Hurricane and the Experimental Engines.

"He's on his way …I'm truly sure of it," said David. "For that matter, I'm going to check just a little further. Then I'll know for sure if this place can suffice my idea."

And so he did. David went back inside the Steelworks once again to make his final judgement, weighing the options and circumstances, while Emily, Hurricane, and the Experimental Engines waited and wondered…


At Bridlington Goods Yards, there were several engines bustling about and hauling trains every which way. And in the midst of all the bustle was Sonny, working his way steadily and carefully through the yards with Baz in the Breakdown Coach. To be back on the Mainland again reawakened a few unhappy memories for Sonny, such as when he was picked off by Baz and Bernie in the first place with little to no choice. But he managed to fight those thoughts with the fact that he was here to get rid of this wretched man, and that he would be there to see it happen.

Then suddenly, Sonny looked and stopped dead in his tracks, freezing where he was and not making another move for a few moments. His heart flipped and jumped quite wildly in his boiler. There, just a few yards again, were the Royal Guard of England waiting and standing by. They were all clad in magnificent red tunics, black trousers and tall, black fir hats. They stood perfectly straight and tall with straight expressions. Then they turned and saw the engine they were waiting for.

"Sonny. Come forward," said one of the guards.

With pride and great dignity shining in his boiler, Sonny did exactly that until he was right beside these three most professional gentlemen. When he stopped, all three guards stood even straighter and perform a salute.

"The Royal Guard of England…I am at your service," Sonny said with great decorum and humbleness.

"So you've come, just as planned," said another guard. "Yes, Captain David Rider has been talking with us on this matter, and we hear tell that he's at the Steelworks right now…where we are to put this sneaking thief to rights for his trial tomorrow."

"Indeed, yes, sir," said Sonny. "Now, if you wish to come aboard, I'm here to take you there."

"Yes, yes. Very good," said the third Royal Guard.

Sonny's driver got down, gave a small bow, then opened the Breakdown Coach to let this most important group on board. With a perfect march in sequence, the Royal Guard got onboard the coach, where Baz was still held in cuffs. He looked up with a scowl at first, but then froze with widening eyes when he saw just who was with him. He didn't dare make a move or speak a single word for now. The Royal Guard didn't speak a word either yet. Not a muscle moved in their faces, and not an eyebrow raised. The coach door shut, and Sonny whistled and set off again to find his way to the Steelworks, feeling quite a slew of wonder rushing through his boiler.

But as Sonny made his way out of the yards, Frankie had been watching from behind a line of trucks, and she had seen everything. She felt quite a tingle in her engine to see the Royal Guard with her own eyes, and as soon as she saw just what kind of steam engine Sonny was, she scurried away to tell the news…and find out the plans.

Back the Steelworks, Emily, Hurricane, Merlin, Theo and Lexi had gone inside and had been watching David closely analyze and observe the workmen operating the various machines, while still waiting for Frankie to come back with whatever news she'd have to tell about what was going on at Bridlington. By now, Hurricane was beginning to wonder if David would come to a conclusion sooner or later.

"Sizzling Sprockets, he's been having a time of it by now," Hurricane said aloud. "Are you sure he's putting the pieces together, Emily?"

"Oh, he's thinking alright," said Emily. "After all, he's the most notorious soldier the Royal Navy has ever seen."

"That is c-certainly t-true," said Theo. "His silver and g-gold medals, sword and c-captain's hat say it all for m-me."

Merlin and Lexi nodded in agreement and continued to wait as David continued to pace slowly and ponder deep in thought…until a few minutes more went by, and David suddenly turned around to the engines. They all looked up as he came pacing towards them, wondering just what he would say.

"I have settled my decision," he said steadily. "I think I now know what I think of this place…and what service it can do us."

"Okay, then," Emily replied with a nod.

"What might that be?" asked Merlin.

"Y-y-yes. W-what do you w-wish to do h-here?" asked Theo.

"Aye, Cap'n Rider," said Lexi. "You've seen the hottest place in town, and now, could we do something about this Baz through this place?"

David paced up and down once more as he heard the drilling of steel and saw the showering of sparks from the various machines. Then he came striding back toward the engines as he made his answer.

"This facility is crude," David observed. "But it should be adequate to ensnare Baz for his one-way journey to the Court of London."

Hurricane, Merlin, Theo and Lexi looked to each other, taking in David's judgement. They considered this to be a fair point all around, and Emily nodded to herself, sensing that David's decision was final.

"Well, our operation here is considerably raw and straightforward," said Hurricane. "But thank you for your input…and what exactly do you propose we do to ensnare this thief, Captain Rider?"

"You will all find out soon enough," David answered. "And our thieving guest is in for quite a surprise, in more ways than one."

Emily almost spoke next, wondering what he could be up to, when Frankie came hurrying inside the Steelworks and approached David, panting a little as she regathered herself. The other engines looked up at once, ready to hear the news.

"Hello again, Frankie," said Emily. "This is just in: David considers this Steelworks crude, but adequate for his plan for Baz."

"Well. I see," said Frankie. "I think that's fair enough, but right now, I have utmost important news for you."

"Do tell, Frankie," asked David.

"Captain Rider," she reported. "From Bridlington Goods Yards, steam engine approaching. 0-6-0 WT Class…and carrying the Royal Guard onboard his coach."

David recognized this configuration at once. "Good. When he arrives, monitor Sonny and allow him to enter."

"And we'll see to it that our thieving culprit is fit for a steely justice," Emily added solidly as Frankie went outside again.

"You needn't worry about that, Emily," said David. "Thanks to this Steelworks...I have it all worked out for our fugitive."

While David checked his pocket watch, Hurricane looked around, then suddenly felt a sense of fright as he glanced to the pool of slag Thomas almost fell into, remembering what almost happened there. He glanced to Emily, then came alongside David and spoke urgently.

"Captain Rider. We only use this part of the facility for melting steel into molten slag. You put him in there, it would kill him instantly."

"I do NOT want the Royal Guards' prize damaged," David stated firmly. "We will test the Steelworks' inventive potential...by forging a strong steel cage."

And David returned to Emily's cab and gave a nod to Hurricane. He then looked to the workmen standing by.

"You heard him. Get to work with that cage," said Hurricane.

"Of course. Right away," said the workmen. "Anything to be of service to Sodor, and the Mainland, of course."

And so the work got started. David and Emily watched everything proceed in the fashion that this Steelworks knew best. Hurricane and Merlin worked to bring together a series of steel rods, frames, beams and various tools. The workmen inspected and checked all the steel parts and gathered their tools together, consisting of wrenches, hammers, hinges, welding torches, a lock and a small, but thick steel chain. Emily and David then watched as a bunch of the steel beams were pieced together like a puzzle to form the floor and top of the cage. Once the beams were all in place, the workmen put on gloves and welding masks, then with a series of showering sparks, they drilled, fastened and welded the beams together. Sparks flew everywhere, and the welding torches shone brightly on the workmen's masks, until the top and bottom of the steel cage was created.

Next, the workmen gathered the steel rods and frames and brought them to the melting area to shape and mould the steel into bars. Emily and David watched with keen interest as this went on. Eventually, the rods and frames were moulded together into bars around three inches thick. Perfectly impenetrable with no chance of being broken out of place. The workmen then brought all the bars together, and the main course of this operation began. Hurricane, Merlin, Theo and Lexi gathered beside Emily and David as the workmen placed the bars all around the bottom of the cage, then drilled, fastened and welded each bar after the next to the cage's bottom, after which they formed a door out of the bars to open and shut once Baz came along. After all the bars were bolted down good and tight, the workmen fitted the top of the cage from above, and drilled, fastened, welded and bolted the bars from up there too. And with that, the strong steel cage was complete.

"Ta-da!" the workmen cheered together.

Emily, David, Hurricane and the Experimental Engines all took a good look at the steel cage. Around six feet tall and wide, the top and bottom were around four inches thick, and each bar around three inches thick. David's plan had been put to the image, and was now ready for use.

"Hmm. A very fine piece of inventive engineering," said David. "Wouldn't you say so, Emily?"

"Whoosh!" Emily said with an impressed smile. "I don't suppose any of you have had anything like this built here before?"

Hurricane, Merlin, Theo and Lexi all had to agree that they never had.

"Most extraordinary," said Hurricane. "I think our workmen have outdone themselves on this one."

"I'd say they did well by that," said Lexi. "This cage is practically impenetrable."

"Excellent solution, Captain Rider," said Merlin. "This will be a tale to tell Thomas once you're back home."

"Y-yes. It will be ind-deed," said Theo.

"Yes, Theo. This is indeed quite a tale so far," said Emily. "Now, we'll see how Baz takes to it once Sonny brings him along…"


Meanwhile, Sonny was still making his way along the line toward the Steelworks, carrying Baz and the Royal Guard in his coach. By now, he felt a heavy sense in his boiler, carrying the Royal Guard in his coach, and he was making sure his ride was precise and smooth, but he was proud to be doing a good deed for Sodor's sake. Then after a few minutes more, he looked up and saw quite a bright glow up ahead, followed by tall chimneys and a large brick building. His driver looked and recognized just where they were.

"There it is, Sonny," said his driver. "The Steelworks. This is the place."

Sonny looked and felt a stir in his boiler. "Oh…oh, my…what a large, hot place. Here we go…"

Sonny made his way toward the main gate, gazing ever upwards and the tall and slightly foreboding sense this place was giving him, until he looked to the gate and saw Frankie standing there, watching him closely.

"Hmm. You're Sonny, I suppose?" she asked.

"Y-yes," said Sonny. "I'm here to bring Baz the Thief and the Royal Guard here for Emily and David Rider to put him to a steely fate."

To this, Frankie gave a nod and ushered Sonny to follow her into the grounds. Sonny took a deep breath and sighed as he felt everything coming together. Now was the time for him to see just how Emily and David would deal with Baz, and how his judgement would eventually unfold.

Inside the Steelworks, Emily and the other engines were watching as the workmen finished lifting the steel cage into the air and toward the ceiling with the magnet crane that had almost dropped Thomas into that pool of molten slag. David had a plan as to how he would reveal this to Baz, and Emily was curious as to what he had in mind.

"David…just how are you going to make this unfold?" she asked.

"You'll see," said David. "Right now, in fact, I have something for your driver to do for now…"

David approached Emily's cab and whispered a few things to Paul, who nodded with interest. Then David removed his cutlass from over his shoulder and handed it to Paul.

"Wait for my signal," David whispered with a wink.

Paul nodded and kept the cutlass with him in Emily's cab until his signal would come…and at that moment, all the engines heard a new whistle. They looked, and there was Sonny, proceeding slowly through the Steelworks with Frankie beside him. Emily could see he was absolutely absorbed by everything around him, much like she was. He came almost right up to Emily and stopped, looking serious and devoted to what had to be done.

"Hello, Sonny…so you've come," said Emily. "Everything is now ready and waiting to be done."

"Aye, Emily…I see you're all ready," said Sonny. "Everyone is here with me too. The good…and the bad."

All the engines, particularly Emily watched as the Breakdown coach opened. Then everyone went very silent and still as the three professionally dressed men in red tunics, black trousers and tall fur hats came marching out. The Royal Guard of England themselves. Emily went very, very still and kept her lips tightly shut in great respect for these people. David felt a certain pulse hit his heart and instinctively made a bow to the Royal Guard, who nodded once to David.

David then gathered the Royal Guard together and quietly explained everything as to what he and Emily had done here and how they planned to utilize it for Baz. The Royal Guard nodded with approval and made their move. They walked back to the coach, and ushered their guest out. There, before everyone's eyes was Baz, his arms firmly bound in handcuffs. That sneaking thief who tried to make off with Ruth's plans through stealing Kenji from the Technology Fair. The Royal Guard took him by the shoulders and maneuvered him over beside Sonny, while Hurricane, Merlin, Lexi and Theo all stared hard at him. Baz took one look at the hot place around him, then turned a glowering eye to Sonny.

"What's going on...buddy?" he mumbled cynically.

"I'm NOT your buddy. And you're being put to a steely fate," Sonny glared back. "Consider it my highest honour to dispose of the man who only used me as means to an end."

"Emily and Captain Rider have told us all about you," Frankie glared. "And we're here to doubly ensure you DO NOT slip away from your pending moment to stand trial in London."

"It serves you right after all the things you tried to do on Sodor," Hurricane added firmly.

"Aye. Threating to scrap this poor tank engine when he wanted to be really useful," Lexi added. "And trying to make off with Ruth's beloved plans!"

"But I assure you all, I haven't done nothing," Baz jested immaturely. "It was Baz what stole the plans, just as I told them before, and-"

"WE'LL HAVE NO MORE OF THAT!" all the engines shouted in unison.

Baz gave a startled jump and begrudgingly went quiet, looking away with a frown. At that moment, one of the Royal Guards recalled hearing about Sailor John's suicide in prison, and approached David to address Baz's position.

"What if he doesn't survive? Sailor John only lasted three and a half years out of his seventy-five year term before he cut to the chase on himself."

"Buckingham Palace will compensate you if he dies," David assured before gesturing toward Baz. "Put him in!"

But before anyone could make a move, Baz suddenly let loose with a desperate yell, then began thrashing to try and escape, trying to pull free of the other two Royal Guard's hold of him, kicking, thrashing and trying to jolt free in spite of being cuffed.

"NO! No-no-no-no-NOO!" Baz yelled with quite a racket, starting to flail his cuffed arms behind himself. "I don't wanna! I DON'T WANNA!"

"Oh, no you don't!" Emily wheeshed angrily.

"No! No-no-no! Stop!" Sonny exclaimed urgently.

"Stop, Baz! STOP! STOP!" the Royal Guards barked as they tightened their grip on him.

"Yes, stop, please! I'm not fit for any more insanity!" Sonny blurted out.

"HEY! HEY!" the third Royal Guard barked angrily. "Baz, this won't aid you! HEY! You're not Sailor John. There won't be another time for you!"

But Baz continued to try resisting, as little as he could manage. David immediately marched over and seized Baz's shoulder.

"Have you lost all sense, man?!" David barked. "Infiltration, theft and now resistance to the Royal Guard! Are you DETERMINED to hang?! The Court of London will decide your fate! Secure him into position immediately!"

But even as the Royal Guards dragged Baz into position, he still made a final childish fuss, screaming his voice out and thrashing his head left and right.

"I-WILL-NOT-LIVE-WITH-INJUSTICE!"

"WAIT!" David roared. The Royal Guard stopped and looked to David. "If he makes another sound...gag him."

The Royal Guard nodded and resumed shoving Baz over into position, while more sparks and smoke showered through the Steelworks. Sonny was curious as to what was going on, but he didn't have a very good view behind Hurricane and the other engines.

"What the-what's going on? Hurricane, I can't see!"

Through the smoke and steam, David gave a grin of pending victory as he approached the panel buttons Theo had pressed to get Thomas down from the magnet crane. Then he looked and gave a little gesture to Paul, who nodded back.

That was the signal. Paul took David's cutlass and began climbing along Emily's side with her handrails, until he came up to her running plate. Emily looked and saw Paul, wondering why he had David's cutlass. He spoke lowly to her as to what David had worked out, and she immediately complied with a clever nod. While everyone else kept their eye on Baz and the Royal Guard holding their position, Paul got Emily ready. Then just a moment later, her chance came as she gave a loud whistle.

"Now, you sneaking, slimy bastard!" Emily shouted to Baz. "You may think you're quick like a mouse, but you're NOT going anywhere now! By the power held rightly by the Royal Guard and the Royal Navy too, the time has now come to put you to your steely fate! Everyone look at me, please!"

Hurricane, Frankie, the Experimental Engines, Sonny and the Royal Guard all looked at Emily, then saw that David's cutlass was perched on her funnel, with the blade pointing upwards, and the base of the handle just inside her funnel.

"Captain Rider," Emily declared. "I think this belongs to YOU!"

And she took a deep breath, then suddenly blew the cutlass right out of her funnel with a billow of white smoke. Sonny, Hurricane, Frankie, Theo, Lexi, Merlin and the Royal Guard all watched as the sword sailed through the air, then down again, flailing in circles until David caught its handle and held it firm as he pointed to Baz's direction.

"Never again will you or your naïve posse threaten the Island of Sodor!" David roared. "There will be NO escape for you! EVER!"

And on the last bellowed word, David brought his left hand downwards, pressing hard on the magnet crane's red button. Then in that moment, everyone heard a rim of releasing metal coming from the ceiling. They looked up, and in that moment, the large steel cage came descending downwards, then suddenly...SLAM! The cage clanged right behind Baz, the Royal Guard threw the door open, then hurled Baz right inside as he hit the bars behind him so that he fell on his front. Before Baz could get up again, the Royal Guard slammed the door shut, fastening it with the lock and steel chain. Baz was now caught and ensnared for his one-way journey to the Court of London, and the time to put him to justice could come forward.

All the Steelworks Engines, and Emily held a glare to Baz as he held the bars in stunned and clouded shock, confusion, and defeat. The Royal Guard stood tall again as Hurricane left for a few moments, then came back with a flatbed for Sonny to carry the cage on to London. As the workmen worked to haul the cage to the flatbed, the smoke and steam settled down. Now Sonny could see the inventive work.

"Ohh, they've encased him in a steel cage," he eyed with interest. "He should be quite well confined. Nothing can penetrate steel that thick."

"Exactly, Sonny," said Emily. "I'd say this turned out better than any of us expected."

"Well, Hurricane? Is he impeccably locked up?" David asked.

"Yes, he's completely locked up," Hurricane replied. "And in perfect, inescapable confinement."

David turned to the red-uniformed men. "He's all yours, Royal Guard. I'll meet you in London tomorrow to witness the trial."

The Royal Guard saluted to David, and marched back to Sonny while the Steelworks workmen hauled together to maneuver the cage to the flatbed Hurricane brought.

"Put Baz in the cargo hold," the Royal Guard said instinctively.

Before long, the steel cage and Baz were loaded onto Hurricane's flatbed and secured good and tight with chains and ropes. Then Sonny collected the flatbed behind his coach.

"Alright, now. I'm all set," said Sonny. "Set to take this unworthy specimen to London to stand trial."

All the engines nodded in response. Then David checked his pocket watch and noticed something else.

"Sonny, I should have you know, it's a fairly long journey to London. King's Cross is around five or six hours away. You think you're up for it?"

"For ensuring Sodor is safe from this thieving creature? Certainly," said Sonny. "I'll get Baz there, and the Royal Guard will keep an eye on him."

And with that, Sonny whistled goodbye and set off out of the Steelworks to make his long journey to London. David, Emily and the Steelworks Engines all followed him to the gates, then watched as he disappeared around the bend. Then they all looked to each other, taking everything in.

"Well. That's that," said Merlin. "The time is set tomorrow, and there's no arguing about it."

"That Baz," Hurricane stated. "I fancy he would have been at home here amongst the molten slag. But better yet he remains solitary."

"Indeed, he must remain so," said Frankie. "I wouldn't trust him for an instant around here."

"None of us would," Lexi added. "Anyway. Now that this is all sorted, perhaps we should make our goodbyes to our guests before they're on their way."

"Y-yes. We must," said Theo. "So, E-Emily…what did you th-think of the Steelworks?"

Emily looked to Theo and the other engines and smiled.

"Well, everyone…I must say I rather enjoyed my visit here," she said. "Thomas and James had quite the journey here, while my journey turned out quite differently…and I really enjoyed it altogether. This place really is one of a kind, and I look forward to telling Thomas all about it."

"Indeed. As well as what Baz is put to tomorrow," said David. "As for me, Frankie and Hurricane, I wish to thank you for all you've done to help us on this matter. You've done Sodor an honourable service through providing us with what this place can do."

"Thank you, Captain Rider," said Hurricane. "We are greatly honoured by your visit. Thomas' love of his life and the best sea captain the Navy has ever seen."

"Hurricane is quite right," said Frankie. "Never have we seen any engine as lovely and sleek as you, Emily."

Emily had to blush. "T-heh! It's nothing, Frankie."

"A true pleasure to see you here with us, Captain Rider," said Merlin. "And I'm glad you and Emily both liked your visit here."

"Aye. And Thomas will be most delighted to hear all these tales from his lovely sheila!" Lexi chimed merrily.

"Oh, Lexi," Emily blushed again.

"Alright, Emily," David spoke as he checked his pocket watch. "It's off to London for us, where the trial shall be held tomorrow."

"Then we'll find out what steely justice shall befall that thief," said Emily. "Goodbye, Hurricane and Frankie. Goodbye, Merlin, Theo and Lexi."

"Goodbye, Emily," they all said together.

David nodded to all the engines, then boarded Emily's cab, patted her boiler and gestured ahead.

"Onward, Emily. London calls!"

Emily looked ahead, gave a steady whistle, then set off out of the Steelworks and on her way. She and David were now off for London, where they would soon learn the sufficient judgement due to befall their fallen thief.

"There she goes! Pip-pip! Adios! Cheerio! Bye-bye!" called the Steelworks Engines.

"Bye, everyone! Thank you! Goodbye!" Emily called back as she and David ran around the bend.

Thanks to Merlin's guidance the day before, Emily knew which tracks to take back. She soon found the tracks that led through the old yards where the Experimental Engines used to work, then back through the forest track. Then some time later, Emily and David came to another spot where the tracks went separate ways. One track to the left, another to the right.

"Hmm…" Emily pondered for a moment, until she looked and saw a sign as to where that track led. "Oh…David, look! That's it!"

"What's it, Emily?" David asked.

"This right track seems to lead to York Station…which does connect to King's Cross in London," said Emily.

David looked, and indeed the sign did direct the line to York.

"Well, Emily. Perhaps luck is in our favour…especially how it goes to the right," he said. "Like Lorenzo and Beppe told Thomas about on his last trip to Italy."

"Of course," said Emily. "I say we go for it."

And so they did. Declan got down from Emily and turned the points. Then he returned and she set off down the right line. It seemed a little unfamiliar at first, but after a few minutes, Emily recognized the liens she was travelling on, and she knew exactly where she was going now. She gave a happy toot on her whistle while David looked out her cab and nodded, sensing what would probably happen next before they arrived in London.


About two hours later, they arrived at the very station Emily always held fondly in her heart. They were back at York Station, her original home before she ever came to Sodor…and where she and David had been to more than once on her first big adventure through England and Scotland.

"Well, David," Emily said cheerfully. "Once again, nestled in my first home station."

"Yes, we are," David remarked as he stepped down from her cab. "Now…I know York connects to King's Cross, Emily, and I knew we'd be coming through here anyway, but I think I know why else you were inclined to come back here."

"Admittedly…yes, David," said Emily. "Your thoughts are in line. I wonder…if he's here. Perhaps we can tell him a little about-"

"What's this? Well, Bust my boiler! Emily! David! What are you doing here again?" came that familiar voice.

Emily's heart jumped and she looked up at once with a gasp of surprise. Right in front of her, there was her Stirling brother, Bernard again. After his surprise visit to Sodor for Thomas and Emily's tenth anniversary, she was not expecting to see him again this quickly.

"O-oh! Oh, my goodness! Hello again, Bernard!" Emily chimed as she kissed his cheek. "Mmm…hm-hm-hm…Mmm…ah!"

Bernard blushed happily and kissed Emily's cheek in turn, while David just smiled.

"Hello again to you, Emily. So very lovely to see you again," Bernard chimed. "Especially after your tenth anniversary with Thomas! It looks like we're seeing each other more often, aren't we?"

"And there's nothing wrong with that, my sweet brother," Emily gleamed. "How have you been keeping, Bernard? Any Safety Engine routines you had to manage yourself? I know the Fat Controller encouraged the railway here to make you their safety engine."

"Not much," said Bernard. "But I'm always ready for what may need my input, just like you are."

Then suddenly, right on cue to Bernard's answer, there came a series of calls and shouts from children's' voices.

"Kick it! Kick it!" called a boy.

"To me! To me!" called another boy.

Emily and Bernard suddenly looked and saw some children lightly kicking a football among themselves close to the station platform.

"Kick it over this way!" called a girl.

"Come on, why don't you lot ever kick it to me?" called another boy's voice.

"Over here!" called another girl's voice.

Then suddenly, Emily and Bernard watched as the football was kicked off to the line and in front of both of them.

"Uh-oh," said some of the children.

Bernard's driver got down and picked up the football, then tossed it back to the children.

"Uhh…hi, Bernard," one of the girls said nervously.

Emily watched as Bernard approached the platform and issued a stern smile to the children.

"Lads and lasses," he said assertively. "What did I say about playing football too close to the line?"

"Sorry, Bernard," said one of the boys as he and the children left with their ball.

"Kids," Bernard chuckled to his sister. "Now, Emily. I trust you and David have a reason for coming back. What brings you both here?"

"Long story, Bernard," said David. "One that involves thieves, the Steelworks, and the Royal Guard of England."

Bernard's eyes raised with a sense of alert. "The Royal Guard, you say? What's this all about?"

Emily and David told Bernard all about Baz, his thievery on Sodor with Ruth's plans, and scapegoating Bernie and Kenji along the way. They then told him about Sonny's new place on Sodor, David's plans at the Steelworks, their visit there, and what Baz has just been put to through the Steelworks' inner workings, with Sonny taking him to London at King's Cross to await trial. Bernard was intrigued, impressed and amazed all at once by all he had heard by the end.

"And so it turned out exactly as planned," David concluded. "Baz is in the lockup, and tomorrow, he's up in front of the beak."

"Well. That's all quite interesting," said Bernard. "Because…I actually recall seeing this Sonny figure pass through here while I was waiting at the platform. He passed on by the station and down the line with a Breakdown Coach and a flatbed with a large steel cage…with Baz inside it."

"You did? When?" asked David.

"It was about an hour ago," said Bernard. "And given the line I saw him travelling, he's certainly on his way to King's Cross."

"That's where we're going too, Bernard," said David. "I plan that we spend the night there, then I'll go to the Court of London tomorrow to see the trial myself."

"So. Going to King's Cross, are you?" Bernard inquired. "Because in fact, I have a long passenger run going there too…perhaps we can go together, Emily?"

"Oh, I would love that, Bernard," Emily smiled. "It's a long journey, though. David and I have been on the line for about two hours now, and we still have three more to go."

"Long journeys make no difference to me. I'll take whatever time we have today…with my pretty sister," Bernard smiled sweetly.

"Ooh. And I'll take whatever time we have too, Bernard," Emily bubbled sweetly.

David nodded with approval as he got onboard Emily again. Soon, Bernard gathered his coaches together and made ready for his passengers. The stationmaster saw Emily and David were back and waved cheerfully to them both. Emily winked in turn and David tipped his captain's hat. As soon as Bernard's passengers arrived and boarded and the guards whistle blew, Bernard and Emily set off on their way for King's Cross in London. Once again, Emily was venturing on her original home that was the Great Northern Railway, this time with her beloved brother. They thoroughly enjoyed huffing side by side together, making sure to stop at all the stations Bernard's passengers were scheduled for. They stopped at Selby, Doncaster, Retford, Newark North Gate, Grantham and Huntingdon, all while they occasionally thought as to what would happen the next day. But they knew it would turn out in the end.

At last, around three hours later, Emily, David and Bernard arrived at King's Cross Station where the last of Bernard's passengers would be let off and on their way. By now, the sun was starting to set, and Emily and Bernard were about ready to call it a day together. David looked out from Emily's cab and nodded impressively to be back here again. As soon as they stopped at the platform, Emily and Bernard took a deep breath and let off a wave of steam together, tired, but triumphant, both for Bernard's passengers, and for David's accomplished plan at the Steelworks.

"We made it," David remarked as Bernard's passengers left his coaches. "King's Cross at last."

"Yes…one of the most famous stations in the whole of England," said Bernard. "And where you can make off to see the trial, David."

"That's right, Bernard," David nodded. Then his eyes fell upon who was at another platform. "Oh! Emily, Bernard! Look!"

Emily looked up and gasped. "Bernard! It's Sonny! He made the journey. Let's see what he has to tell us."

Bernard left his coaches in a siding, then followed Emily to the line beside Sonny's platform. They noticed his flatbed was now empty, and his Breakdown Coach was empty too, giving them a sense as to what this could mean. Sonny looked up and saw who was right there with him.

"Hello again, Sonny," said David. "I see you made the journey here in good time. Is Baz secure and locked away?"

"Hello again, David and Emily," said Sonny. "Yes. The Royal Guard have that thieving beast is in the lockup in the heart of London. Tomorrow is the day, just as arranged. Everything is prepared."

"Excellent," said David. "You've done your part well, Sonny. Sodor will be most grateful for your success in this operation."

"Thank you, David," said Sonny. Then he noticed who else was there. "Oh…Ohh…and who is this here? This engine looks very much like me!"

"Oh, you mean me?" said Bernard. "Hello, Sonny. I'm Emily's Stirling brother, Bernard."

"Good lord! Are you really?" Sonny smiled admirably.

"He is, Sonny," said Emily. "Like any brother and sister, I love him so very much. We came here together since I used to live with him on this railway."

"Very nice," said Sonny. "Well, today turned out quite well, I think. You're all ready for tomorrow, David?"

"I am, Sonny," said David.

"Very good. Well, I'll see you all later."

And Sonny set off to find a shed to rest in for the night. Emily and Bernard saw the sun was just about setting now, and they had the prospect of a good rest on their minds now too.

"Well, now. My passengers are taken care of, Baz's trial is set tomorrow, and everything has gone to plan," said Bernard.

"Yes, Bernard. Everything has worked out quite fittingly today," said Emily.

"Now…where are we to sleep?" asked Bernard. "I won't be needed back at York until late morning tomorrow…and I'd be quite happy to share a night with you while I can, Emily."

Emily's face lit up to this and she felt her cheeks go pink and warm.

"Oh, would you, Bernard? Aww, I would love that," she cooed sweetly. "But as you said…where to sleep?"

David thought about this too, then suddenly remembered back to his first adventure with Emily and looked down towards the yards.

"I think I know the very place for us tonight, you two," he pondered.

David then drove Emily toward the King's Cross turntable and turned her around. She then came back to Bernard and buffered up to him as they proceeded slowly and gently through the yards. Bernard looked at Emily and could tell by her smile she was eager for his company tonight. A few minutes later, they came to a shed which Emily was a little unfamiliar of at first, but then she recognized what shed it was.

"Oh…goodness. David," she said with a rush of memory. "It's the shed you and I slept in when we first started our big adventure here to find Beatrice."

"That, it is, Emily," said David. "It's just how I remember it."

Emily looked to her brother again. "Shall we?"

"Just like brother and sister," Bernard smiled.

So Emily and Bernard went right inside the shed and settled in for the night. Emily and Bernard spent a few minutes cooling their fireboxes and resting their pistons, simply looking into each other's eyes and wearing content smiles for each other as the sky darkened and the stars began to appear outside.

"Mmm. This is nice," Emily smiled. "Back inside a shed with my brother right here at my buffers."

"Not just nice, Emily…this is perfect," said Bernard. "Another night with my perfect sister…here on the Great Northern Railway."

"I think you're right, Bernard. It is perfect," Emily sighed. Then she got a little idea. "Say, Bernard. You'll be leaving in the morning again…and we don't know yet when we'll see each other next."

"That's true, Emily. It will be another wait until the next time," said Bernard.

"Yes. Therefore…as we're here together for tonight," said Emily. "How about we cuddle together for a while? Nothing steamy between us. Just brother to sister affections."

Bernard smiled dearly and nodded, taking the opportunity at once. "I would like that, Emily. Just gentle affection, no more, no less."

Emily's eyes glimmered sweetly and she buffered up. "That's very good, Bernard. Here we go."

Then they started rubbing their cheeks softly along each other's faces. Emily's wonderfully soft and warm face was enough to make Bernard's heart jolt and race as he felt his face tingle happily to this close and intimate connection only he and Emily had for each other. They then touched each other's noses and gently rubbed them together affectionately.

"Oh, Emily," Bernard smiled. "I love your cuddles. You're so warm, and your nose is very cute."

"Hm-hm-hm! Thank you, Bernard," Emily smiled as she gave him a kiss on his chin. "I love cuddling you too. You're such a peach."

"Only because I'm your brother, Emily," Bernard replied cheerfully.

Emily took a deep breath and sighed, closing her eyes as she relaxed her body. Bernard couldn't get over how lovely she was, and he couldn't resist giving her cheek a few little kisses, to which Emily cooed and blushed lightly.

"O-oh…Bernard?" she whispered shyly as she opened her eyes again. "Are you kissing me?"

"Yes, Emily. Just gentle and brotherly," Bernard murmured as he kissed her other cheek a few times too, then very softly gave her cheek a little nibble.

"Aww, thanks, Bernard," Emily smiled heartfeltly.

"You're welcome, Emily. Just one more little present I'd like to give you," Bernard winked.

Emily smiled as he leaned in and proceeded to gently tickle her cute little nose by giving it a few tiny kisses, which was enough to make her giggle and jump gently with affectionate joy.

"Tickle-tickle, Emily. Tickle-tickle-tickle," he whispered happily.

"Ohh…B-B-Bernard…" Emily giggled softly. "That t-t-tickles…Mm-hm-hm-hm!"

Bernard really loved how ticklish Emily was, but knew to keep the banter professional, so he gently withdrew a few moments later and gave her one more kiss on her cheek.

"There, Emily. How was that?" Bernard asked pleasantly.

"Very good, Bernard. Very good," Emily nodded with approval. "Now…Mmm…I'd love to kiss and tickle you just a little bit. May I? Please?"

"No need to ask, Emily," Bernard winked. "I would love that."

"Thank you, Bernard," Emily whispered. "Here I come."

And she softly pressed her lips to his cheek and started kissing it again and again, making Bernard close his eyes and hum gently.

David watched with a heartfelt smile as his engine and her brother gently shared their affections for each other. He remembered how Emily kissed and cuddled with Donald and Douglas when they were her buffers to cry on during Thomas' first big adventure, and he knew a little of how she and Bernard had quite the night together on Sodor after his heroic rescue of that boy's father at the end of his first visit to Sodor. A most special night that was for them both, but tonight, gentle, quiet affections for each other was all they needed. They knew it, and so did he.

"Oh, Emily. I love your kisses," Bernard whispered. "I love you, Emily…"

"Oh, I love you too, Bernard," Emily purred affectionately through her kisses. "Mmm…ah. Mmm…ah."

Then to finish her share of affections, Emily proceeded to softly tickle and nibble Bernard's cheek. When he felt his sister's lips gently pecking and nibbling his cheek, Bernard jumped and giggled merrily.

"O-oh! Emily!" he whispered loudly.

"He-he! You're ticklish, aren't you, Bernard?" Emily teased happily. "Tickle-tickle-tickle."

Bernard laughed softly to Emily's tickles, then a few moments later, Emily let go and kissed his nose with a tiny giggle.

"There, Bernard. Just a gentle, fun little night, brother to sister," she smiled. "That was fun, wasn't it?"

"Thank you so much, Emily. That indeed was fun," Bernard chimed before he gave a yawn. "Well, now…I think I'm ready to turn in."

"Ohh…" Emily yawned. "I think so too, Bernard. Thank you for staying with us tonight…"

As Bernard and Emily settled where they were and began to fall asleep, David climbed on Emily's running plate, then lay down by her face with a little nod.

"Well, tomorrow is the day," he said. "Then we'll be on our way home again."

"Yes, David. We will be," said Emily. "Well, Bernard. I'm so glad we got to share tonight together. And I just know we'll meet up again someday."

"Yes, Emily. We will," said Bernard. "I'm so happy to have seen you again, and I'm truly happy to sleep here with you, my beloved sister."

And he kissed Emily's cheek, to which she kissed Bernard's cheek in turn.

"Sweet dreams, my pretty Emily," Bernard chimed.

"Oh-ho-ho, Bernard," Emily blushed. "Sweet dreams to you, my perfect brother. You too, David."

"Sweet dreams, Emily. And Bernard," David remarked.

Emily and Bernard then gave a yawn together and fell sound asleep together, while David kissed Emily's cheek and fell asleep on her running plate, feeling impressively accomplished with the day. The plan at the Steelworks had worked like a charm. Baz was in the steel lockup, and the very next day, his trail would be held, then David and Emily would learn just what would befall him for them to tell Sodor upon their return. As for Thomas and Ruth, her workshop progress was coming along well, as that very night, she had been working on fixing the windmill's sails. She still had plenty to do yet, but it was coming closer and closer to being finished, and soon, everything would be complete on Sodor and the Mainland.


Yep, the Steelworks was an obvious excuse for us to adapt the carbonite chamber from "Empire Strikes Back", so anyone expecting a Star Wars reference, pat yourself on the back. And it was also a good excuse to see Bernard again so soon after his appearance in the last story. Next chapter should be the finale, so until then, tell us what you thought of this chapter, and as always, stay safe.