A dark cloud hung over Sodor for the next few weeks. A large funeral and celebration of life was held for the Fat Controller, with engines and people alike from every country and county. The service was beautiful, and those in attendance felt bittersweet; sure their dear friend, son, husband, grandfather, and controller was now free from all pain and illness, but they would still miss him all the same. That itself dug a knife into their hearts.
A few weeks after, Dowager Hatt had returned to the island for a small check in with her late son's railway. Despite mourning the loss of her dear Topham, she was in good spirits; it had been such a long time since she had seen her favorite engines, and was eager to speak with them again.
"James is on the Mainland, for now," Toby told her as he pulled into the Docks that morning. "He's been away for an important job, but I promise he'll back in time for your visit!"
"Oh, I'm just dying to see dear James!" Dowager Hatt giggled to Toby's driver. "I do hope he's...matured, a lot since I last saw him..."
"I'm not sure, ma'am," Toby's fireman mused quietly. "I say even Percy's more mature than him these days." As if to prove his point, a cheerful and familiar whistle filled the dockyard.
"Speak of the little devil," Toby chortled to himself as Percy sped over to greet his friend and the dowager. The latter saw the little green engine, and grinned broadly.
"Look at little Percy!" She squealed with joy. "Hello, my dear little engine!"
"Hello Toby! Hello ma'am!" Percy greeted, if not more gleefully. "What were you guys talking about? Driver says he heard my name come up. It's funny, I was just talking to him about your visit!"
Dowager Hatt smiled. "Well, Toby and his crew were just telling me about how much you've grown since we've last met." She informed.
Percy's face fell at hearing this, surprising his companions. "Well, yes; everyone has been telling me, but I wish...I hadn't," He admitted sheepishly.
"What's wrong, dear engine? I thought you'd be elated at hearing a compliment like that," The dowager asked.
Percy sighed. "Well, ma'am, one night when we were doing the mail train, Thomas mentioned that I had become much more mature than James lately. That's when Diesel 10 slithered up. 'Yes,' he said, "Small plants are graceful, while ugly weeds grow fast.' And since then, I've wished I wouldn't grow old so fast, because sweet flowers are slow while the weeds like me grow in a hurry." He finished, dejectedly.
Toby felt extremely sorry for the younger engine, more shocked, if he had to put it. It wasn't like Percy to be so pessimistic and cynical, especially when it came to compliments. Sure, he got teasing from James and Gordon about his size and cheerful mood, but usually, the little green engine jumped out of his smokebox to hear any kind words. But then again, this was Diesel 10 he was talking about.
"Well, it certainly wasn't true for Diesel 10," He told his little friend. "In fact, he's been taking such a long time to grow up that, according to his rule, he should have grown up into a wise, clever, old engine; but not everyone ages well, eh, Percy?" He chuckled, eliciting amusement from his crew, Dowager Hatt, and Percy.
"But he is clever, Toby," Percy quipped, after some silence.
"I suppose, but not in a good way," The tram engine murmured in reply.
"Hey, if we are talking about how cleverness affects growth, I could get back at Diesel 10 for what he said to me!" Percy piped up, now sounding much happier, though a little devious.
"Really? And how's that?" Dowager Hatt inquired curiously.
"They say Diesel 10 has been planning mischief against steam engines since he came out of the workshop!" The No. 6 engine revealed. "And there's me; who didn't know what a railway inspector was until recently- So it turns out I've been growing slowly all this time after all!"
The others exchanged knowing smirks. Percy did have a point with this. It was very amusing to think that little Percy had just outsmarted Diesel 10 without him knowing about it. Yet.
Just then, an abrupt "Hey! Could you quit talking? I've got news for you lot!" thundered from above. Who else but Cranky?
"And a good morning to you too, Cranky," Toby muttered.
"What news did you have?" Percy asked, oblivious of the cantankerous crane's tone.
"Well, it's not good, I'm afraid," He said, in a rare, soft, tone. This started to worry the engines below him greatly. However, they endeavored to hear his news, good or bad.
"Thomas and Edward have been shut up in the Smelter's Yard, it's been about five days now," Cranky explained solemnly.
"Jitters and Japes! Who locked them in such a place?" Dowager Hatt spluttered in disbelief.
"I don't know for sure, but a special source had Diesel 10 take them there." The crane replied.
Right away, Toby and Percy exchanged a look. No wonder Thomas and Edward had been absent for so long...why, they were sent to the Smelter's only to retrieve one thing. And now, they were...supposed to stay there?
And an even bigger question; what was that Diesel 10 up to now?