Narrator: Meanwhile, at the Steamworks, Henry was being examined.

Victor: Come now, my friend. Give me a smile. You could have turned out much worse than you did.

STH: Victor's right, Henry.

Henry: (sighs) I suppose so.

Victor: Kevin. Status report!

Kevin: Well, boss, his front end is…rather banged up. Buffers bent. A few scratches to his paint. Hmm, we should probably check his brakes, too. They might have damaged when he tried to slow down.

Victor: Very good, Kevin. Full marks all around.

Kevin: Thanks a mil, boss.

STH: And how long will all that take to manage, Victor?

Victor: Offhand, sir, I'd say give or take…three days.

STH: That long?

Victor: And that's round the clock, too. (Henry shudders at these thoughts.)

STH: Well, do your best. That's all I can suggest. (James' whistle blows, he enters the building quickly)

James: Sir! Sir! Oh, finally I found you. He's taken my trucks, the whole lot!

STH: Uh, I'm sorry, James? What are you saying?

James: Thomas, sir. He stole my train, and headed off to the Mainland himself.

STH: (groans) Oh botheration. Some engines just don't listen, do they?

James: You're telling me, sir. And, by the way, I'm fully prepared to go find Thomas and take back my train.

STH: Uh, what? No, James, that's not the answer. Not at all.

James: But it was my job, sir!

STH: And it's my job to keep my engines busy. If I let my engines go wherever they please, it'll only cause confusion. And I have enough of that already. Now, since you're available, James, I need you to collect some parcels from Knapford and deliver them to Ulfstead Castle. The Earl is expecting them. And once you've done that, since Thomas is gone, you can go do the passenger runs on his branch line.

James: (gnashes his teeth) Fine, sir. Just…fine. (James reverses out onto the transfer table, it leads him to another track. He speaks to himself) When Thomas gets back, I'll make him sorry!

Narrator: Meanwhile, on the Mainland, Thomas was enjoying himself enormously. Everything around him was new and exciting.

Thomas: So this is what James was looking forward to, eh? I can see his thinking. I still can't believe I got the drop on him, though! I haven't done a trick that successful in years!

Troublesome Trucks: Yeah, there's a reason for that, Thomas.

Troublesome Trucks: Sir Topham won't let you do anything mischievous.

Troublesome Trucks: If you do, he'll lock you up in the shed.

Troublesome Trucks: And you'll never see the world! (they chuckle, cackle)

Thomas: Your words will not hurt me this time, silly trucks. Why don't you have a look around instead?

Troublesome Trucks: Ah, who cares about the Mainland?

Troublesome Trucks: Yeah, what's so special about it?

Thomas: Everything! The buildings are new, and the bridges, the waterways and…(gasps) Look at those houses. They're painted bright blue! I haven't seen anyone paint their house like that on Sodor.

Troublesome Trucks: Ah, big deal. They might as well paint the houses green. That's all I can see from here.

Troublesome Trucks: Lucky you. All I can see is another track's backside. (they chuckle, cackle)

Thomas: Oh, here comes a junction. I wonder if it has a name.

Troublesome Trucks: Well, in that case I'd call it…Lost-ville.

Troublesome Trucks: Or maybe Confusing-ton.

Troublesome Trucks: Oh. How about Castle Who-Knows-Where.

Thomas: (chuckles) I know you're trying to confuse me, but it won't work. I'm certainly not lost. I know just where I'm going.

Troublesome Trucks: The question is, do you know where you are?

Troublesome Trucks: Ah, he's just trying to sound important.

Troublesome Trucks: Is it important to go the wrong way?

Troublesome Trucks: I think he's doing all right. (they chuckle, cackle)

Troublesome Trucks: You're one to talk. You're facing backwards!

Thomas: Will you cut it out? You're distracting my Driver!

Troublesome Trucks: Wow. He must have a lot of courage to get us through this trip.

Troublesome Trucks: Then, he may not have any courage.

Troublesome Trucks: Or a brain.

Troublesome Trucks: Yeah. Thomas sure doesn't have one of those!

Troublesome Trucks: Let's prove it, shall we?

Thomas: For the last time, will you all please SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!

Narrator: For a couple seconds, the trucks seemed to go along with his wish.

Thomas: (sighs) Ah. That's more like it.

Troublesome Trucks: NOW!

Narrator: And they began to push their weight against Thomas.

Troublesome Trucks: On! On! On!

Thomas: What? No! Not again! Not now! Slow down!

Troublesome Trucks: Make us, little engine!

Troublesome Trucks: If you think you can! (they chuckle, cackle)

Narrator: Thomas found himself going faster and faster. Passing trains seemed to whiz by him at incredible speed. He felt dazed and nervous. The world seemed to spin all around in his boiler. He let out a short scream as the trucks, squealing and giggling behind, pushed him onward into a dark tunnel.

Narrator: James, on the other hand, was having a considerably quieter journey as he made his way to the Castle.

James: Maybe on the Mainland, I would have found a castle that had living royalty in it. Hmmph.

Narrator: He could see Stephen and Glynn chatting each other up, while Millie was pulling into the exchange platform, with the Earl onboard.

SRN: Thank you, Millie. Ah, James! Excellent! Come in, come in.

James: I. Am. In.

Glynn: Oh. I know anger when I see it.

Stephen: Probably woke up on the wrong side of the shed.

Millie: Good to see you, James. The Earl has been waiting for this delivery for days now.

James: Oh, how important could a few old, wooden boxes be?

SRN: These old boxes, James, are full of materials needed for my new Railway Museum. And there will be plenty more deliveries like this to come.

James: You're actually going through with that project?

SRN: I see no harm in it, if that's what you mean.

Stephen: You can thank us for giving him that idea, James.

James: (sulks) I remember. You two old-timers made me and Gordon fall behind in our schedules.

Glynn: (chuckles) Well, you disrespected me and Stephen, so I'd say that makes us even. (they both chuckle)

James: Grr. Well, anyway, how long is this museum project supposed to take?

SRN: Oh, it will be at least several weeks, James. The sooner we start, the better. Not to mention all the help I'll have to borrow to build it.

Millie: Are you volunteering to help, James?

James: Ugh. No. I'd rather be on the Mainland having an adventure than spending days on end working with a bunch of old relics like you lot. (lets out a short shriek) Now, I guess I'd better get to work on Thomas' backwater branch line.

Narrator: And so he left, leaving the Ulfstead group at a loss.

Millie: I'm not that old, am I sir?

SRN: No, no, Millie, heavens no. Whatever's ailing him, I'm sure he'll get over it eventually. Besides, everyone is entitled to an opinion. (he heads off to examine the crates, leaving Millie to look on at a disappearing James.)

Narrator: Meanwhile, the trucks had decided to give up their reign of terror.

Thomas: (panting) You should be ashamed of yourselves. This train has already been delayed once. It doesn't need a second one. Why'd you stop, anyway?

Troublesome Trucks: Thomas, look where we are.

Narrator: Looking up, Thomas could see they were surrounded by thick trees and greenery.

Thomas: How did we end up here?

Troublesome Trucks: Seriously, Thomas?

Troublesome Trucks: You weren't looking ahead.

Thomas: Oh, so it's all my fault, eh? Typical trucks.

Troublesome Trucks: Typical tank engine, more like.

Troublesome Trucks: Getting us lost in the woods.

Troublesome Trucks: I told you he didn't have a brain.

Troublesome Trucks: Or courage.

Troublesome Trucks: Or even a heart.

Thomas: (gasps, spots an old signalbox ahead) Hey. I can see something. It looks like a…signalbox.

Troublesome Trucks: Out here?

Troublesome Trucks: Who would think to put a signalbox out in the middle of nowhere?

Troublesome Trucks: Are we there yet?

Thomas: Maybe this used to be a branch line. I recognize the track arrangements.

Narrator: As he got closer, passing the signalbox, he noticed the trees were getting less dense. He passed under an old sign, and found himself in what appeared to be an abandoned yard.

Thomas: This could have been a goods yard.

Troublesome Trucks: Well now it looks like a 'bads' yard.

Thomas: Shh. I'm trying to listen. (silence) Hello. (call echoes through the air) Is anyone here? (echoes again) Anyone at all? (an unseen voice echoes happily over the grounds)

Merlin: Ooh. Are you hiding, too? (Thomas is startled, gasps. So do the trucks.)

Thomas: W-Wh-What? No, I'm not hiding. W-Who said that?

Merlin: Oh, no reason for you to be frightened. I simply asked if you were hiding, because I am. I love hiding!

Thomas: Well, where are you hiding?

Merlin: Ah, that is for you to figure out. It won't be easy, though. I'm a terrific hider, especially since I…am invisible! (Thomas gasps, as do the trucks)

Troublesome Trucks: Thomas, let's just go back the way we came.

Troublesome Trucks: Yeah, this place is terrifying me. And so is this invisible fellow.

Thomas: Ugh, don't be silly. No one can turn themselves invisible.

Merlin: Nonsense. I do it all the time. I'm a stealth engine, designed in a special way so that I can approach anyone without being discovered. Out of sight, out of mind, you might say.

Thomas: (sighs) I don't have time to play hide and seek. Could you please show yourself? I don't like talking to…emptiness. It feels weird.

Merlin: Oh, once you see me, you'll find I'm nothing but weird. Weird can be good, you know. But if you really wish to cut to the chase, than so shall I! (Thomas hears puffing sounds, notices a gray tender engine with red wheels and three funnels approaching from the underbrush, eyes clenched shut. Missing left smoke deflector.)

Thomas: Oh, hello. I was wonder…

Merlin: Invisibility…off! (lets off steam all around him, encasing him in white. After a few moments, steam dissipates, revealing the same engine as before, just with his eyes open. Thomas looks confused.) Ah, so this is the explorer who has found my humble abode! Were you sent off to be scrapped, too?

Thomas: Scrapped?

Merlin: Broken up, disassembled, taken to pieces, the like. A truly tragic fate for any engine.

Thomas: No. I'm not being scrapped. I'm just…Well, I hate to say this in front of my trucks, but…I'm lost.

Troublesome Trucks: I'll say.

Troublesome Trucks: He admits it!

Troublesome Trucks: About time!

Troublesome Trucks: Biggest understatement of the year! (they chuckle, Thomas glares at them)

Merlin: Hmm. Lost, eh? Well, I'll certainly try to help you. Anything is worth a try! Oh, I just recalled. We haven't been formally introduced. I am Merlin, the Experimental Prototype King Arthur Class 'Stealth Engine'!

Thomas: I'm Thomas, the…Tank Engine.

Merlin: Thomas? A noble name, for a noble adventurer.

Thomas: Uh, thank you. Just…what do you mean by, 'experimental'?

Merlin: It means I'm unique. A test model. Trial and error. See my three funnels?

Thomas: Yes.

Merlin: That was a concept previously unheard of. They were designed to disperse my steam. That way, I could pass unseen by anything! And the best part? It worked a treat!

Thomas: Yeah, I'm not sure that…

Merlin: And what about you? Do you have anything special?

Troublesome Trucks: You mean besides the fact he's a terrible navigator?

Troublesome Trucks: Are we there yet? (trucks giggle, cackle)

Thomas: Quiet back there! Um, well I'm…I run my own branch line.

Merlin: Hmm. Very nice.

Thomas: I've been written about in a book.

Merlin: Oh, that's even better!

Thomas: And…I'm the #1 engine on the Island of Sodor.

Merlin: The Island of Sonar? A perfect name for your home territory! Just imagine, the brave knights charging down the iron rails, defending their home from anyone who means to do them toil and trouble!

Thomas: Uh, Merlin, we're not really…knights.

Merlin: Oh?

Thomas: And besides, knights don't really exist anymore.

Merlin: Maybe they don't, but it's never too late to start them back up again! Oh, but we're going down the wrong track, aren't we? You said you were lost.

Thomas: Ah, yes. This train has to be dropped off at the coastal village of Bridlington. Do you know where that is?

Merlin: Bridlington? Alas, that name does not ring any bells in my boiler.

Thomas: Oh.

Troublesome Trucks: Great. Now, we'll just get more lost!

Thomas: Hey, don't assume that. We'll just ask someone else for directions. Nothing else to do besides.

Merlin: Well, I do hope you find your destination, young Thomas. May our paths cross again in the future!

Narrator: As he backed away, a thought occurred to Thomas.

Thomas: Wait. I can't just leave you here.

Merlin: Oh, no worries. I'm used to it. This is my home. It's where I get to do the one thing I love all day long!

Thomas: Hiding?

Merlin: Precisely! Well, tally-ho! Invisibility on! (lets off steam all around him, encasing him in white. After a few moments, steam dissipates, revealing Merlin with his eyes clenched shut, backing up.)

Thomas: (whispers to himself) Wow. He's the strangest engine I've ever seen!

Troublesome Trucks: Uh, Thomas. We have to go now.

Thomas: Oh yes! Back we go. (blows his whistle, reverses back to crossover. Merlin watches from afar)

Merlin: (sighs) Another visitor come and gone. Well, there's always next time for the hiding game. (chuckles, settles into silence)

Narrator: Unfortunately, Merlin was not the only one who was missing Thomas. (James pulling A/C)

Annie/Clarabel: You're going too fast, James. Much too fast!

James: The sooner I get done here, the sooner Sir Topham Hatt can give me a new job. A better one! (continues on with coaches screaming behind.) Ah, Maithwaite is the next stop. Remember your cue. (clears throat as he sees station come into view) Hello, Maithwaite! James is Here! (slams on his brakes, zoom in on his wheels, cut to him stopped and looking pleased with himself.)

Clarabel: James, you've overshot the platform…(pan back to see that yes, James has overshot the platform).

Annie: Again!

James: (sighs) Yeah. Yeah. (to people) No worries, everyone. Just an accident. You know how it is, I'm sure.

Annie: (whispers) I do hope Thomas doesn't take too long.

Clarabel: (whispers) He has to come back soon.

James: Ahem. You know, I can hear you. If you've got anything to say, then out with it! (hears Guard's whistle, train is quickly off. Quickly! Coaches start screaming again.) (transition to him on another part of the line)

Narrator: Passengers were not the only problem for James, however. (he notices something ahead, slams on his brakes, camera pans out to reveal sheep crossing the line, from Farmer McColl's farm.)

James: Oh, come on!

Annie: Nothing you can do except wait, James. For Thomas, this is completely normal.

James: Well, not me. I think it's time for a new normal. (blows his whistle angrily, sheep go nowhere.)

Annie/Clarabel: James!

James: Don't. Say. Anything. I know what I'm doing. (prepares to blow again, instead he hears a different whistle, one from the farmer. The sheep quickly respond to his whistle, and clear the track.) Grr.

Clarabel: You're learning, James. Take some pride in that.

Annie: I know I will. (James starts up again, angrily.)

James: That's it! This is boring! I know what I have to do. The one thing I should have done all along. (he picks up speed again, the coaches question his next move, he ignores them.)

Hey, everyone. Realized I did not leave a comment on my first chapter. There is a simple reason for that: I did not know how to. I am gonna see if this works any better. Anyway, this rewrite of Journey Beyond Sodor is the first step in my continuation of the Thomas series before it sank into the murkiness that is the BWBA era. FTR, I do not consider this era to be completely terrible like the Sharon Miller seasons, but it is still mediocre enough that it is frustrating to sit through. I intend to do the best I can to "correct" it and continue it, as well as take the show in my own personal direction.

To start things off, my rewrite of Journey Beyond Sodor features a few alterations to the story. The opening chapter probably does not have much difference to the released version, but I was okay with that. Despite the lackluster and repetitive dialogue in the released version (which I have done my best to spice up), the inciting action is good enough for the story itself. For the first chapter, I gave more dialogue to the Steam Team, Rosie and the Fat Controller, to help balance out the majority of focus on Thomas and James. I also wanted to add more tension and build-up to Thomas' decision to take James' trucks. I am particularly proud of the scene at Tidmouth between the two. In practice, it comes across as quite dramatic.

The second chapter I used to correct the overall problems of pacing with the released version. By the time Beresford, Theo and Lexi were all introduced, the story slowed to a crawling snail. Also, Merlin wasn't introduced this early like he should have been. I tried to fix all of that by eliminating Beresford, and cutting Theo and Lexi back considerably. Have they been cut? No, not really. You'll see them later on in the story. As for Merlin, I wanted to keep the Shakespearean qualities to his character; he's very vibrant and adventurous. I incorporated some of Theo and Lexi's dialogue with his to flesh him out more. What I enjoyed the most about this chapter, though, was writing Thomas' exchanges with the trucks. This was one thing the released version got at least half-right. I tried to keep up that fast-paced, frantic tones of their conversation, while also adding my own take on it.

So, Thomas has met Merlin. Question is, though, where did Merlin come from? And what is he doing in that old yard? Meanwhile, what is James going to do now? And will Thomas ever reach Bridlington? Stick around for the next chapter to find out!