Hello again, everyone! Welcome to the second chapter of Sodor Bladers! I'm so glad I already got two reviews! Thank you very much OctaviaOrPama for your compliments! And special thanks to Darkknight55 for reviewing and asking more questions about this AU! I was elated to find that they had already commented so early, and I'm so glad you all like it already and want to know more! (Especially because I've been reading Darkknight55's fanfiction for quite awhile now) You've both already given me so much more of a push to continue on publishing this story! (Episodes are actually written days in advance, I'm just insecure about posting my stuff lol) It's funny, there was a mention of how strong the workers were in this AU, and this next chapter just so happened to have our first injury! These two stories were interesting ones to rewrite, and I hope you guys enjoy it just as much as I do, even though I take a lot of creative liberties with it :)

Some clarifications before me continue - The express's front, because it is so much heavier than other coaches has a special kind of coupling system. It uses the normal coupling system on the Bladeway where the workers connect the metal chains to the sides and backs of their belts, but it also has a back support system that looks kind of like a backpack or rollercoaster overhead strap. As Gordon said last episode, sometimes pulling the express makes his shoulders ache because of all the weight. This is what he meant. I'll try to clarify what this means in the story itself more often, or maybe make a lore book, but for now I think doing it in author's notes is fine as to not break apart the story.

- StrawbearyBoba

Sodor Bladers

S1 E1 – The Three Bladeway Workers (Part 2)

The Sad Story of Henry –

Fade in on Henry rollerblading fast through the Bladeway, looking up and around anxiously.

Narrator: "Once there was a man attached to a train, who was afraid of a few drops of rain."

Henry sees a tunnel, he beams and frantically blows his whistle

Narrator: "He ran into a tunnel, and squeaked like a funnel, and never came out again."

Henry exhales in relief inside the tunnel, his passengers looking outside the coaches windows in confusion.

Narrator: "The man's name was Henry. He was usually nice, but his fears sometimes make him act quite irrationally. His coacher named Albert Rose argued with him, but he would not move!"

Albert: "Henry, are you serious? Get out the tunnel, we have work to do and we shouldn't be wasting our valuable time with this ridiculousness!"

Henry: "The rain will spoil my lovely green suit with red stripes! And I refuse to pull my coaches when it rains, what if I slip? Who will pay for my torn up clothes and my health insurance if I hurt myself, hmm? I'm not going to risk going outside in that craziness for you!"

Albert: "What did you expect, working a job like this!? Some work is going to be more rigorous than the rest at this Bladeway, and you can't just refuse to do the work that you don't want to do!"

Henry: "Oh really? Well here's what I say to that hogwash!"

Henry blows his whistle extra loudly, so loud his coacher covers his ears and so do the passengers.

Narrator:

"Then along came Sir Topham Hatt, the man in charge of all the workers. They called him the Fat Controller."

STH and his two assistants walk onto the scene, STH looking cross and his assistances looking a bit confused.

STH: "If you're going to be like that, we will pull you out! One, two, three, PULL!"

All of the passengers got out of the coaches, and Henry's coacher too. Every one of them pulled really hard, but Henry dug his metal brakes into the ground and held onto the sides of the tunnel. Henry won the game of tug of war and detached his coacher from his arm.

Narrator:
"Henry was a strong, big, man. He pulled coaches and freight with ease, and unfortunately he could easily shake off his coacher, who was at the front of the pulling line, and send everyone to the ground. All of the passengers looked dazed, they also looked rather annoyed with the Fat Controller"

STH: "Uhhh, my doctor has forbidden me to pull!"

STH glares at Henry in the tunnel, Henry sneezes because dust and soot is flying everywhere, at first he winces slightly at STH's harsh gaze, but then he becomes upset, refusing to move and looking cross at STH

STH: "We shall push him out the other way instead! One, two, three, PUSH!"

Henry rolls his eyes, as everyone in groups of two, except the Fat Controller, go to try and push him out the tunnel.

Narrator: "Henry rolled his eyes snootily. He knew that none of them would be able to push him out the tunnel either, so he welcomed their attempts, and pushed them right off."

Henry pushes his coacher and STH's workers, who were helping Albert. Henry lets out a big "hmph!"

Narrator: "Everyone once again looked crossly at the Fat Controller, and wondered why he had not attempted to push Henry out the tunnel."

STH: "Uhhh, my doctor has also forbidden me to push!"

Albert groaned: "Come now, Henry. The rain has stopped! There's no need for this foolishness!"

The passengers, murmured in agreement, and STH, who had his arms folded next to him nodded.

Henry: "Yes, but what if it starts up again and catches me by surprise? What will happen then?"

Henry stays in the tunnel while STH sends one of his men away to fetch his phone, so he can make a few calls. Soon, both Gordon and James come onto the scene.

Narrator: "The Fat Controller called upon the workmen who matched Henry's strength, to see if that would help at all. Gordon and James tried their best to push Henry out, and they even made him move a fair amount to the tunnel exit, but Henry powered back, and there was nothing they could do."

STH Helper 1: "What do we do now, sir? He's not going to move anytime soon."

STH: "We can't have this disturb the rest of the Bladeway workers while they go about their jobs!"

Narrator: "The Fat Controller spoke severely to Henry"

STH: "I didn't expect this utter tomfoolery from you of all workers, Henry! You shall have an indefinite amount of unpaid suspension until I can figure out what to do with you. I shall take away your rollerblades, and just look at your clothes now! They're a cobwebby, sooty mess, and all the pulling gave it loose strings! You've ruined it! I shall take away your suit too, you will LEAVE the premises this instant, and if you do come back, you will not do anything on this Bladeway that will cause confusion or delay!"

Narrator: "Henry was shocked. He tossed his weathered suit to the Hat Controller and fumed off the bladeway. He felt angry and upset, but most of all, he felt hurt."

Fade to Henry outside the Bladeway, watching as everything goes like clockwork. Edward slows to a stop in front of the fence where Henry is staring forlornly.

Edward: Hello, Henry~! I know I say this every day I see you, but it's so nice to still see your face on the Bladeway! Goodbye!"

Edward blades away, and Gordon comes in snidely

Gordon: "Pfteh! Edward's talking nonsense! Serves you right what you got, I thought you were better than this! Maybe if you hadn't been so worried about a few drops of rain, you'd still be here being useful like the rest of us!"

Narrator: "Henry was too depressed to answer. He had received these words for months, as he stared out at the job he used to have now serving an indefinite detention, watching it all go past him. 'Would the Fat Controller ever let me work again?', 'Would the Bladeway ever see my wonderful green suit with red stripes?' He thought, but he was certain that day would never come, he'd never pull another train again and would be stuck in this position for always and always always."

Edward, Gordon, and Henry

Fade to Gordon proudly pulling the express coaches

Narrator: "Gordon, the big worker who wore royal blue, was a prideful and fast worker. He pulled his coaches with ease and was glad he was the only worker who could do it so efficiently. Since Henry was put on an indefinite amount of leave, he had to do all of Henry's work too, which made him cross. He was in a good mood for now though, as he was pulling many important people like the Fat Controller, and he would pass by Henry on his route."

Pan to Gordon, hooked onto the express, getting ready to start. Butters (full name Ruth Butters) his coacher, is doing double checks, as coachers usually do.

Butters: "Couplings are all unrusted and in good condition?"

Gordon: "Yes."

Butters: "You've made sure your brakes are working?"

Gordon: "Indeed."

Butters: "And how about you? You've been doing okay with these extra workloads, right?"

Gordon sighs: "Yes, Butters. I'm fine. A few aches here and there, but that's to be expected from a job like this, and all of us workers get aches from time to time thanks to all the more-than-heavy lifting."

Butters: "Alright, we're ready to go, let's get started."

Gordon laughed: "Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Gordon pulled forward, but he started kind of slow, and even Butters noticed that his start was clumsier than usual and she raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

Gordon laughed nervously: "Ahaha, uh… everything's fine…hm…"

Gordon feels a strain, but he manages to start. Going slowly at first because he can't help but feel something stretching, and eventually is speeding down the line, laughing powerfully.

Gordon: "AHAHA! Express coming through!"

Henry just sighed as he saw Gordon pull up as usual,

Henry: "If only I hadn't been so worried about raindrops and wet clothes… to be able to pull coaches like that again… I only wish."

He saw Gordon happily pulling the express, but he couldn't see the slight unconsciously growing pain on Gordon's face and the sweat building up on his brow.

Gordon thought: "I'm going to blow my whistle at Henry, show him what he's missing!"

Narration: "But suddenly, when Gordon had gone to grab his whistle, he felt a harsh jolt on his upper thigh and heard a dreadful popping noise. He cringed greatly and slowed to a stop, telling his coacher that something had gone wrong."

Gordon looked at his leg upset, and back at Henry, who peered at him and Butters curiously

Gordon: "I was working so well doing both my and Henry's work for weeks! What's the problem, Butters? What's happened to me?! Our aches are never THIS bad!"

Butters: "You said the popping noise came from your thigh? You must've pulled your hamstring. I guess all the extra work you've been doing finally took its toll on you, you'll have to sit out for the rest of the day, maybe even a week or months."

Gordon: "Whaaaaat!? That cannot do! I have trains to pull, the EXPRESS! My important jobs nobody else can do!"

Narrator: "Henry had been laughing until he heard Gordon had been hurt, then he felt terrible. He hoped Gordon would get help, and soon everyone came out of the coaches to see why Gordon had stopped. The Fat Controller looked at Gordon sternly and said:"

STH: "I was worried this would happen eventually… There's not much we can do at the moment. Someone else will have to pull your trains and you'll need to be sent to the infirmary. This is why we always need more hands on board, and why I had hired that new boy James. The work is just too much for such a small amount of workers."

STH turned to one of his helpers

STH: "Go find James and go find Edward. James shall take Gordon to get his hamstring checked out, and Edward shall try to push the express."

Gordon looked at STH shocked: "EDWARD!? There's no way he could do it, sir. He may be able to push my goods trains, and pull strong loads like the rest of us, but he simply can't push the express like I can! Besides, he needed me to work hard as well to get up my hill. It's like you just said, he can't do it alone."

STH: "Well, we have to try anyway. Go, fetch them!"

STH's helpers went to fetch James and Edward. James linked his arm around Gordon's and helped him up, while Edward was waiting to try and push the train.

James looked to Henry and grumbled: "All this over a few measly drops of rain! You'd never see me act so ridiculous!"

Henry looked to the side, guiltily.

Narrator: "Edward had been coupled up to the back of the express, and he tried to proceed forward but the coaches would only move ever so slightly and ever so slowly. Just from that Edward was exhausted."

Edward with his hands on his knees, breathing heavily: "I could try again sir…"

STH: "No, Edward. If you can't push it on your own there's no need for you to strain yourself."

Edward nodded. STH looked to Gordon, who was currently thinking about something. Gordon's eyes shifted over to Henry, and he spoke his thoughts.

Gordon: "Why not let Henry try alongside Edward?"

James: "Henry? It's been months! Are you sure he can even shunt a truck anymore?"

Edward: "Why don't we ask him ourselves?"

STH: "Hmm… well, it won't hurt to try."

Narrator: "The Fat Controller called Henry over, and Henry's face lit up with joy. 'Finally!' he thought, 'Will I make my return?' Henry went over to the rest of them, and eagerly awaited The Fat Controllers orders."

STH: "Henry, do you think you could pull Gordon's express coaches while Edward pushes?"

Henry: "I can try sir, but I'm afraid I'm feeling stiff…"

STH: "Not to worry, go take your time and ease back into work. I hope you haven't let yourself go in the months you've been gone!"

Henry: "No, sir! Not at all, sir! I'll go warm up right away!"

After Henry rolled a few warm-up laps, shunted a few trucks and pulled a few coaches, he gained his old mojo back and soon came back to be coupled up and strapped to the front of the express.

STH: "Now, Henry. If it's too difficult for you we could-"

Henry, pridefully: "It won't be too difficult for me, sir. After all, I'm almost if not just as strong as Gordon."

Gordon rolled his eyes: "We'll see."

Edward collected himself and got in position to push the coaches, Henry did the same in the front

Edward: "I'm ready!"

Henry: "As am I!"

Narrator: "Edward and Henry began to push and pull respectively, and the coaches began to move. Soon, they were going fast speeding down the line. The passengers and Butters cheered for Edward and Henry, and they were celebrating as well.

Henry/Edward: "We did it! We did it together!"

Henry: Yes!

Edward: "Woohoo!"

Narrator: "As Edward and Henry laughed down the line, the Fat Controller was overjoyed. He'd leaned out his window to wave at the two workers, but they were going so fast, his hat blew right off!"

Pan to Gordon and James, walking away from the rails on the Bladeway

Narrator: "James and Gordon had observed them until they'd reached a point where they couldn't be followed anymore, and Gordon, feeling relieved that his passengers would be ok, allowed James to take him to the infirmary."

Cut to Edward and Henry, letting the passengers out at a station

Passengers: "Thank you, Henry! Thank you, Edward! It was a swell ride!"

Butters: "Thanks for being absolutely lovely with my coaches! Gordon's lucky to have friends like you."

Henry: "Friends? Are we?"

Butters: "Are you not? With the way Gordon speaks about you two to me, I've thought you were relatively close, but if I was incorrect-"

Henry: "Gordon talks about us?"

Edward laughs: "No! You weren't incorrect at all, we're friends, very good ones!"

Narrator: "Henry blinked in thought as he and Edward ran their course, until it was time to bring the coaches back to their siding. When that was done, they had both gone down to the infirmary to check on Gordon."

Henry and Edward stood outside the door to the infirmary, whispering to each other

Henry: "Edward, it's not like you to lie. We're not friends with Gordon at all, really. At most we're just work acquaintances who agree on certain things and work closely together. That doesn't mean we're friends. Why would you lie to Mrs. Butters like that?"

Edward: "If Gordon is speaking well of us, I'm certain that he probably does wish to be friends, he's just too prideful to admit it. Besides, friends or not, it's good to check if someone who was injured is doing well."

Henry nodded, but Edward raised an eyebrow at him.

Edward: "Are you opposed to the idea of the three of us becoming closer?"

Henry: "I- uh. I don't know. I'm just worried."

Edward: "You worry about almost everything, Henry! If you're not opposed, then it doesn't hurt to try right?"

Henry: "I guess."

Narrator: "Edward and Henry finally entered the infirmary and found their way to Gordon's room, where he was sitting at the edge of a bed with a thigh brace. He looked rather annoyed."

Edward: "I hope you're feeling okay, Gordon."

Henry: "And I hope you get better soon, I was going absolutely loopy when I couldn't pull my coaches."

Gordon: "I'm going lightheaded just thinking about it… how is it possible I've become attached to a giant hunk of metal?"

Edward: "The same way the coachers and the truckers have become to attached to theirs, themselves I suppose."

Gordon stirred for a moment: "How are my passengers? How's Butters? I hope they aren't cross I wasn't able to complete my job."

Henry: "Gordon you were injured! How could anyone be cross about that? Your passengers made it okay, they hope you'll be better soon. They're already starting to miss you as well!"

Gordon: "Ohohoh! Once I am back to my old self again, I shall pull the express so well and so fast it'll be the best ride they'll ever have!"

Edward sternly: "Do not strain yourself so much on your first day back, Gordon."

Gordon shrugged: "I have nothing to worry about, and even if I have some issue you'll just watch out for me as always. Thank you for taking good care of my passengers and Butter's coaches. And thank you for coming down to see me, I hadn't expected it. "

Edward looked surprised: "It's not a problem, Gordon! Off course we'd want to make sure you were okay; you weren't looking so good before!"

Narrator: "Gordon was shocked at this. He gives so much attitude and acts so snootily, even though he thinks he does nothing wrong, he'd thought the other works would have a problem with his constant boasting."

Henry thought for a moment, and then spoke up

Henry: "Say, Gordon."

Gordon: "What's the matter, Henry?"

Henry: "Nothing in particular, just… once you're feeling up to it. The three of us should do something together. For fun, I mean."

Gordon, surprised: "What? A night out?"

Henry nervously: "I suppose so!"

Edward looked at Henry, wise to what he was doing, he smiled and swiftly agreed.

Edward: "I see no reason not to! It could be very nice, and we could get to know each other as more than just coworkers. We could be-"

Henry: "-Friends?"

Narrator: "Gordon's eyes widened, Edward and Henry waited anxiously for Gordon's response. Just then, The Fat Controller entered the room. He had been looking for Edward and Henry."

STH: "Ah, there you two are! I've heard plenty of wonderful things about you two, and I have plenty of good to say myself. You did splendidly on the Bladeway today, I've never seen a man push a coach that well, before, Edward! Well- at all, really. I say, Henry, you could even give Gordon a run for his money!"

The Fat Controller chortled, Henry and Edward beamed, Gordon looked offended, but then spoke up.

Gordon: "Sir, if Henry has done so well, doesn't this mean you should allow him to come back and work once again?"

STH pondered: "Hmm... you're right Gordon. I do believe Henry has proven himself to be really useful and very hard-working."

The Fat Controller spoke to Henry

STH: "Henry, for your willingness to cooperate and amazing work on the express, you shall be reinstated on the Bladeway and given a brand new suit! What color would you like?"

Henry: "Oh, may I have green sir? With red stripes? Like my old one?"

STH: "Of course you can, Henry! But I say, I think you'll like the way this suit looks much more than your old one, now come with me. You need to go by the tailor's office to be properly fitted."

Henry: "Yes, sir! Right away sir!"

Narrator: "The Fat Controller and Henry left to the tailor's office, and Edward's gaze switched between them and Gordon plenty of times before he smiled from ear to ear. Gordon looked shocked."

Gordon: "A brand new suit?! Just for pulling the express? I should be getting new things every day for how hard I work!"

Edward laughed: "Oh, Gordon. I can not wait for you to be back working on the Bladeway! I'll take my leave, plenty of work to do tomorrow. Especially now, have a good night and get well soon!"

Narrator: "Gordon had just looked at Edward, confused at his comment. Edward left the infirmary to go back to the Living Quarters, leaving Gordon to think about all that had transpired that day. Having forgotten the question that Henry and Edward posed to him, he'd drifted off to sleep, not knowing he had already given them his answer."

And that's the end of The Three Bladeway Workers! I'm super proud of how this turned out, and now next chapter we get to the good stuff. Now I propose a vote. Should the next episode be a Sodor Blader's Exclusive where it's Edward, Henry, and Gordon hanging out for a night on the town or shall I make the next chapter Thomas the Tank Engine? Post what you want to see in the reviews or tell me on Twitter Fandom_StuckL77 As always, reviews and questions welcomed!

Anyway yeah, before this part, the three workers were only that: Workers on the same Bladeway. But now after this experience they've all become closer, and we get to see some more of softy Gordon, which is my second favorite aspect of his character (my top favorite is his pompous and overdramatic attitude) so expect to see that used quite a bit in my story, at least in the beginning when the gang is forming together. I feel like once they get used to each other they can snark each other's heads off because that's how it works with my friendships XD

Until next time, and don't forget to vote! I'll post that vote on my Twitter too so hopefully more people can see.

Thank you for reading!

-StrawbearyBoba