WELCOME HOME, THOMAS AND NIA
Before he could return to Sodor with Emily, Glynn, Spencer, Caitlin and Logan, Sir Topham Hatt knew that he had to take a flight to Tanzania to make sure that Thomas was safe. He had just boarded a plane bound for Tanzania.
"I hope Thomas is safe," he said to himself. "If anyone tries to harm one buffer on him, I'll make them sorry!"
A little over a week later, Emily, Spencer, Caitlin, Glynn and Logan had finally returned to Sodor by ship.
"Home sweet home at last," sighed Glynn, taking a deep breath of fresh Sudrian air.
"Welcome home, me hearties!" called Salty.
"How was the show, guys?" asked Porter.
"It was enjoyable," said Emily. "I won the Best Decorated Engine Parade while Caitlin won the Great Race."
"I flunked the Shunting Challenge," Logan mumbled sadly.
"Well, the important thing is that you tried," Porter insisted.
"I doubt I'll even come to another Great Railway Show after that performance," sighed Logan.
"Don't feel bad, Logan," said Caitlin. "It happens to even the best of us." Logan felt a bit better.
"I suppose we had all go back to work now," Spencer insisted.
"Oh, but don't forget about the party at Ulfstead Castle!" said Caitlin. "I heard that one will be held there to celebrate mine and Emily's victories!"
That night, there was quite the chatter and excitement at Ulfstead Castle. Emily and Caitlin were the engines of the hour.
"Speech! Speech! Speech!" the crowd chanted.
"Alright, alright!" Mr. Percival called over the sounds of the cheers. Once the cheers died down, he cleared his throat. "Tonight, we hold this party as congratulations to two of our winners at the Great Railway Show - Emily and Caitlin!"
A cheer went up for the two winners, and Emily and Caitlin blushed with modesty.
"To celebrate your achievements," continued Mr. Percival, "there will be special trains being pulled for the next couple of weeks."
"That sounds like fun," Caitlin smiled, looking over at Emily.
"It does indeed," agreed Emily.
"You both have earned this," smiled Mr. Percival. "And I've also heard positive things from the other competitors."
"That's very true, sir," Caitlin smiled. "Spencer helped another competitor over the finish line in the Great Race."
"He did?" gasped Mr. Percival. "What exactly happened?"
"There was an electric engine we were racing against," Caitlin explained, "but his power source went haywire and he couldn't move. Spencer then changed tracks and helped him over the finish line."
"Spencer did that?" gasped Henry.
"He turned down the chance to come out on top?" gasped Gordon. "That is so out-of-character for him."
"I didn't think he had it in him," Percy agreed.
"I suppose he has come a long way since he almost had Hiro sent away," Edward noted.
"I guess Thomas was right about him being regretful for his actions," said Toby.
"Oh, thanks for the reminder, Toby," Emily perked up. "Thomas was found in Tanzania, Africa."
"He was?!" Percy gasped. "Is he alright?"
"I hope so," said Emily. "All I can say is I'm glad he'll be coming home soon."
"Thank goodness for that," sighed Gordon. "Some people really don't know what they are doing at the docks."
"You can say that again," agreed Porter. "When Salty and I found out what happened, we were shocked to say the least."
"We all were," James agreed. "What else happened at the show?"
"Well, Rajiv wasn't exactly happy with being in second place," Emily chuckled.
"Oh, so you took him down a peg did you?" smirked James.
"Not intentionally, but yes."
"Oh, and Percy?" said Caitlin. "There was an engine in the Shunting Challenge that was a bit... boastful. If you run into her at the next Great Railway Show or something, I'd watch my back if I were you."
"Thanks for the warning, Caitlin," said Percy. "I'll make sure to be careful."
"And you'll never guess who I saw in the Best Decorated Engine Parade," Emily went on with a grin.
"Who?" asked Percy.
"Gator."
"He was there?" Percy smiled. "How was he?"
"He was good," Emily told him. "Gator also says hello."
"That's good to hear," said Percy.
"Maybe he'll visit us again sometime," Oliver smiled. "Or maybe since Thomas has accidentally wound up in Africa, one of us would visit another railway outside of England."
"Unfortunately, that is one thing I can't do while acting controller, Oliver," Mr. Percival said. "You're going to have to talk with Sir Topham about that."
"Oh, right. Yes, sir."
A couple of weeks later, Sir Topham Hatt had finally returned to Sodor by plane. The engines were pleased to see him once again.
"We're glad you're back home, sir," said Edward, "but when is Thomas expected to arrive home again?"
"No more than three weeks, at best," said Sir Topham Hatt. "But he's not coming by ship alone. While on his trip, Thomas befriended a tank engine named Nia. Sadly, her manager had been very cruel towards her. Thankfully, he was sent to prison, and I have purchased Nia to come to Sodor and help us."
"But sir, haven't you already bought another engine for the mainline?" asked Gordon.
"Yes," Sir Topham Hatt replied, "but she won't be here for another month or so. Nia, meanwhile, will be helping out on Thomas' branch line."
"Thank goodness!" cried Percy. "We've been worked off our wheels for a while."
"I know, Percy," said Sir Topham Hatt. "I'm sorry I didn't notice it sooner."
As the days passed, the engines grew more and more excited for Thomas' return home.
"Don't see what all the thus is about," grumbled Bulgy one morning. "That blue kettle being gone just paved the way for the buses to take over, and him coming back's gone and scuppered our plans!"
"Don't be silly, Bulgy," chuckled Caitlin. "Without railways, people and goods wouldn't travel long distances in vast quantities."
"I could carry just as many passengers in less time than you ever could," retorted Bulgy, "and with less down time too! My mates on the mainland can do that as well!"
But before Bulgy could continue, Caitlin's guard had blown the whistle, and the fuchsia streamlined engine pulled out of the station.
"WE'LL TAKE OVER ONE OF THESE DAYS!" Bulgy bellowed as Caitlin pulled away. "YOU HEAR ME?! WE'LL BRING YOUR TYRANNY TO AN END! FREE THE ROADS! FREE THE ROADS FROM RAILWAY TYRANNY!"
But Caitlin was too far away to hear him; even then, she was making so much noise that she couldn't hear Bulgy's ranting properly.
"Her lights are on, but no one's home," muttered Bulgy.
At long last, the big day came. A big party was to be held at Knapford station to celebrate Thomas' return to Sodor as well as Nia's arrival. Caitlin and Emily were assigned to take special trains carrying the likes of the stationmasters, Mr. and Mrs. Percival, Mr. Fergus Duncan, Sir Robert Norramby, the Duke and Duchess of Boxford, and other important people.
Caitlin was just bringing in a last train full of passengers. As she rounded a bend, a pile of crates had fallen onto her line!
"What in Sodor's name..." gasped Caitlin. "Where did they come from?" Quickly, the fuchsia streamlined engine applied her brakes, but it wasn't fast enough as she plowed right into the crates anyway.
"Oh dear!" she gasped. "Now how am I supposed to get to the celebration?" Caitlin's siderod had been damaged in the collision, so she couldn't move on her own power.
"Are you alright, Caitlin?" asked her driver, he and the fireman quickly getting out of the cab to check her over.
"I... I think so," gasped Caitlin. "I think I might've damaged some goods... and my siderod..."
"Where did they come from?" asked the fireman, scratching his head. At that moment, Emily was coming up with her own train of guests. She was surprised to see Caitlin stopped in the middle of the mainline.
"Caitlin, what happened? Are you okay?" gasped Emily.
"I don't know what happened, but it's just my siderod that are damaged," Caitlin sighed.
"How about I help you to the station before Thomas and Nia get here?" asked Emily.
"What about you?" asked Caitlin.
"I'm already running early," said Emily. "Besides, you did help me to the Steamworks sometime back."
Caitlin smiled, remembering. "How could I forget that day?"
Emily had switched tracks and she buffered up behind Caitlin's coaches. She blew her whistle to let the streamlined engine know she was ready. Caitlin whistled back, and then Emily took off.
Caitlin's damaged siderod had been removed to prevent further damage, and so she couldn't do much to help, but that didn't stop Emily from trying her hardest.
"Do you have any idea how those crates got there?" asked Emily.
"I don't know either," said Caitlin. "They just appeared from nowhere and I couldn't stop in time."
"That's most unusual," gasped Emily. "It's not that windy, so I doubt they were blown over."
"Do you think, maybe, they were knocked over?" asked Caitlin.
"It must've been that Bulgy," frowned Emily. "I'll bet he did it on purpose to try and sabotage the railway!"
"Remind me, didn't you say he was nicer as a vegetable stand?" Caitlin sighed.
"I suspect it was an act the whole time," said Emily. "I mean, being stuck in a field of hens for a long time would drive anyone mad. I swear that Bulgy's a few bolts short of a radiator."
Caitlin snorted with laughter at Emily's remark; it didn't seem far off from the truth.
"Where could that double decker bus be?" asked Emily. "I'd like to give him a piece of my mind!"
"Never mind that now, Emily," soothed her driver. "We have to get to Knapford for Thomas' return party."
"Of course, driver," Emily sighed. "Passengers take priority."
At last, Knapford station came into view, where lots of engines were waiting. Emily could hear the crowd cheering even before they'd gotten there.
"Oh no!" she groaned. "We're too late!"
"I don't see Thomas anywhere," said Caitlin. "I think it's us they're cheering."
"Really?" gasped Emily. "Why are they cheering us?"
"You got the last trains here just in time!" cried a little girl, scrambling out of the front coach with her mother. "Thank you, Emily and Caitlin. That was so cool!"
"Oh... just engines doing their job," Emily said modestly.
Just as soon as Emily and Caitlin had gotten into position, the signal had dropped, and two whistles sounded in the distance; one was unfamiliar to the engines, but the other was one they knew too well.
"Here he comes!" cried Percy in excitement. Yes indeed, it was Thomas the tank engine himself, back on Sudrian rails once again. Proudly puffing alongside him was an unfamiliar black tank engine with African patterns on her side tanks.
"Thomas!" gasped Percy. "I was so worried about you."
"We all were," said Toby. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Toby," smiled Thomas. "I've just run into a bit of a scrape in Africa, but I had a new friend to help me out. Everyone, this is Nia."
"Jambo, everyone," she greeted. "How are your wheels? How is your boiler? How are your pistons? Have the tracks been taking you where to go, and are your fellow engines keeping you well?"
The other engines blinked in confusion, but Thomas just chuckled. "Long story, everyone."
"Thomas, I'm so glad you're safe home," Sir Topham Hatt said, relieved. "And Nia, I welcome you to my railway with open arms."
"Thank you very much, sir," smiled Nia. "I will try my best to work hard and be really useful."
As the party continued, Thomas told his friends all about his trip in Africa, while Nia also told them about how she and her friends had been treated by their old manager.
"No engine deserves to be treated so cruelly," Edward gasped softly. "That must have been scary for you."
"Yes..." Nia sighed. "I thought I was done for."
"I can relate to that..." Duck almost whispered.
"You?" gasped Nia. "You were under a threat of..."
"And was almost put under it too." Duck winced as he shut his eyes at the memory. "Long and short, a pair of Ironworks 08s took their revenge plans too far."
"The teenager tasked to get the... chemical, got the Green Water by mistake," Diesel went on. "And I managed to get my brothers to back down... but it was still a close call."
"As for Thomas finding you at the last minute, Nia, I know how that can feel," sympathized Oliver. "If not for Douglas finding Toad and I at the last minute, we wouldn't be here at all."
"An' if nae fur Donal', Ah wooldnae be haur either," Douglas put in.
"Gosh, I guess Sir Topham Hatt has a habit of saving engines," Nia smiled.
"You could say that," Toby chuckled. "We're glad to have you here with us, Nia."
"I can't wait for you to see the Ffarquhar branch," Mavis perked up. "It will be great to have another girl engine around since Daisy took off to Harwick."
"Well, I can't wait to get to know everyone better," Nia grinned.
That evening, Thomas, Henry, Gordon, James, Percy and Emily were at Tidmouth sheds. There was, however, an open berth.
"Is someone else occupying that berth?" asked Nia.
"That used to be Edward's berth," explained James. "Last year, he'd moved to Wellsworth with Philip and BoCo."
"Oh. Well... is it okay if I move in?"
"Of course," smiled Thomas. "Come on in."
"Wha- I- Bu- Th-that should be where Edward sleeps...!" Gordon spluttered. But no one bothered to listen to him as Nia was spun around and then backed onto the remaining empty berth between him and James.
"It's nice to be in a shed again," Nia commented. "And it's very cozy in here too."
"We're glad you think so, Nia," smiled Percy.
"It's nice to finally have another girl to talk to at night," giggled Emily.
"You look beautiful painted like that," Nia commented.
"What... oh, I still haven't gotten my normal colors back," Emily realized. "This was for the Great Railway Show's Best Decorated Engine Parade."
"Who won?" asked Thomas.
"I did," Emily told him. "It was tough competition though."
"From what Emily said," said Percy, "you missed quite a show, Thomas."
"Ah well, maybe next time," Thomas said casually. "Besides, it's because I ended up on the wrong ship that I was able to help save Nia."
"That was rather lucky," said Henry. "I guess certain things do happen for a reason."
"Even if we don't realize that reason at the time," agreed Emily.
"It's a good thing Thomas found me when he did," Nia admitted. "I miss my friends back in Africa, but I am excited to start my new life on Sodor."
"And we all hope you feel at home with us, Nia," James put in. "Welcome to the railway."
Nia and the other engines started chatting amongst each other, but Gordon remained quiet. It didn't seem right for Nia to just barge in here and steal Edward's berth. But that's another story...
TO BE CONCLUDED
Author's Comments
And so Emily at the Great Railway Show comes to a close! Not only is this the final part of the Big World! Big Adventures! rewrite, it's also loosely adapted from the Railway Series story "Thomas Comes Home" from the book of the same name. This chapter was really difficult to try and get off of the ground, but with Rachel's help, we were finally able to complete this part of the saga. Bulgy's small appearance in the story serves as a bit of foreshadowing to a future book that'll center around Duck and the Little Western line, and yes, Emily's decorations will stick around for a while until the time comes for her to be repainted back to her regular livery.
Next time, we kick off the final book of the trilogy, Gordon and the New Engines!
