Hey, guys! I'm officially off hiatus now, I'm feeling much better and I can't thank you all enough for your kind words and support. Honestly, you lot are the reason I've stayed so long, and I'd never expected to find this kind of support on here, so I thank you deeply. :D Now that I'm back, I can finally make some progress with this whole thing, maybe even wrap it up by the end of the summer, if I have time :) But here's the next chapter of Diesel X! Enjoy!
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Meanwhile, Mavis was waiting anxiously behind the Dieselworks. Worried eyes darted from left to right as the young diesel scouted her surrounding for any eavesdroppers.
At last, Mavis heard a familiar puffing, and out from behind the shadows was a familiar magenta steam engine. On board was Lily, and Mavis felt relieved at the sight- it had been ages since she had seen them.
"Whoever is this stranger?" She mused as Lady pulled up alongside, Lily on board in her cab. Mavis are grim as she remembered something.
"I'm hoping to visit the Ironworks to see Percy and James, soon. I know how much they meant to Thomas and Edward..."She murmured to herself.
"Afternoon, Mavis," Lady greeted politely. Lily greeted in kind.
"The same to you, my dear Lady-er, ladies." Mavis winked. "Where are you two going?"
"Just to the Tower," Lily replied, leaning outside her engine's cab. "I'm guessing for the same reason you are- to visit Percy and James? I overheard you as we're pulling in."
"Of course, Lily," The young diesel answered. "We can all go together, then." The three were just about to depart when Salty pulled up.
"Just in time, Salty," Lily greeted. "Please, if you can, tell us how James and Little Percy are."
"Argh, they're just fine, Lily," Salty assured, but then he changed countenance. "But...I'm sorry- Um...you're not allowed to visit them. The New Controller has strictly forbidden it."
"New Controller? Who's that?" Mavis asked.
"Argh, I meant to say Diesel X, so he likes to be called." The other diesel replied awkwardly.
Mavis, Lady and Lily all exchanged looks, bubbling indignantly. Diesel 10? The new Controller? How dare he forbid them from seeing their dearest friends? It bothered them even further that this evil diesel now thought himself in charge of the island. They could not allow it.
"May Proteus keep him from the title of controller!" Mavis whispered aloud. "Diesel 10 has set boundaries between my fellow diesels and steam engines? I am their friend! Who's going to keep me from them?" She demanded angrily.
"I'm their friend, too," Lily joined in. "I will see them or else."
"It's my duty to protect them, and I love my fellow steam engines like a mother." Lady stepped in boldly. "Take me out to see them, or I'll be taking you out." She finished, with a strong sense of finality to it.
"No, ladies, no. I can't do this, as much it hurts to say this, lass." Salty sighed, knowing what kind of response this would trigger. "I'm bound by the oath of Diesel X, so please, please forgive me." He finished hurriedly, and he began to depart, but stopped.
"Oh, dears- in just an hour from now, Mavis, all the diesels and engines will be saluting Diesel X as the new controller. Come, Lady, you must go straight to Knapford Station, where you will be crowned Diesel X's... queen." He added, fearing what was to come.
"Oh, Lord, fill my fuel tank with boiling oil!" Mavis exclaimed. "How cruel is the world? I can't take much more of this!"
"Cruel, cruel world this is!" Lily muttered to Lady, who simply breathed a heavy sigh.
"Cheer up, lassies," Salty tried to encourage. "If you're feeling anxious about all this-"
"Oh shut up," Mavis snapped, much to shock of her companions. "Don't waste your breath, Salty, I've heard enough. Now leave."
"...wha-what are you saying, matey...?"
"What I'm sayingis," Mavis continued coldly, "If you wish to outrun death, you can either stay at Tidmouth with the rest of engines, or get back home to Brendam, but get out of this slaughterhouse." She gestured to the building she stood in front of. "Otherwise, you'll juts increase the amount of pent-up anxiety and dead engines while becoming slave to George's curse. You'll be nothing but a cheap, hunk or metal, taking orders from another useless hunk of metal."
Salty was stunned by his friend's out-of-character response. Was this some sort of insult? Or a warning.
"It may sound harsh, but her advice is wise and caring, my dear Salty," Lady cut in, a bit more polite. Please, take advantage of this time you have." She gave Salty a look that only a mother could give- it reminded Salty of a mother telling her child to hide from a home intruder. But he was at a loss for words.
"Um, come, dear lass," He said at last, trying to recompose himself. "I was sent in a hurry."
"And we'll go, unwillingly." Lily answered this time, sharing a worried look with her grandfather's prized possession.
"I just wish to God that the golden crown Diesel bestows on me burns through my boiler and into my conscience," Lady muttered, and Mavis and Lily didn't know whether to be disturbed by the metaphor or sympathetic to her plight.
"Go on, you two," Mavis replied softly. "I can't say I envy you." She oiled closer to Lady. "And, if you want to make this island happy, don't wish harm on yourself." She whispered.
"How can't I?" The magenta engine moaned. "I'm about to become second-in command to monster! He's committed countless crimes, and he not only killed Lily's grandfather but Diesel, Thomas, Edward- he hates me. He's been trying to be rid of me for years! Who's to say I'm not next?" Lady whispered fearfully, tearing up.
As much as Lily wanted to console her poor engine, what could she say? She was right, after all. She didn't want to think that something could happen again to her grandfather's most treasured possession, but something washed over her, something she couldn't shake off for the life of her. One look at Mavis's face told her she wasn't the only one with this thought.
"Goodbye, Lady," Mavis spoke at last. "You have my pity, and I know you're unhappy with all this, but things might improve, you never know."
"And no more than I do your pity," Lady answered. "I'm sorry you all must deal with the newfound shame that comes with being a diesel..." She added, before departing with Lily and Salty to Knapford Station, leaving a worried Mavis behind in the Dieselworks.