Narrator: The rain had spread to the Mainland as well. At the Steelworks, Thomas was beginning to feel the strain of his work… (Thomas approaches water tower, which Hurricane has stopped at. He and Frankie seem to be in a heated argument.)

Frankie: Those ladle trucks were meant to be shunted onto Siding 4.

Hurricane: There's already a train there. And besides, you said these trucks were for Siding 6.

Frankie: Guess I changed my mind. You know what you have to do. (she exits the scene, headed to shunt another train. Hurricane groans to himself)

Thomas: (panting) Everything…okay, Hurricane?

Hurricane: Oh, nothing to it, Thomas. Working in the heat can flare tempers now and then, you know.

Thomas: (panting for breath) I know… that this…is…thirsty…work.

Hurricane: (chuckles) Appropriate for the hottest place in town, don't you think?

Thomas: (still panting) I guess so.

Hurricane: It's not easy doing all of this when it's just me and Frankie. We really are grateful that you came along when you did.

Thomas: Oh, thank y… (Frankie's horn is heard, she pushes a train of flatbeds on the opposite track.)

Frankie: My thoughts exactly. Your work ethic is most impressive, little tank engine. And thanks to your help, Hurricane and I are free to make more deliveries. It's always lovely to get out and see the world once in a while. (Frankie continues on with her trucks.)

Thomas: (chuckles) I know how that feels. When I first arrived on Sodor, the one thing I wanted most was to see the world, and everything in it. But then I discovered the only world I needed was the island.

Hurricane: Sounds like that place has done wonders for…

Frankie: (interrupting) Hurricane. This steel won't deliver itself!

Hurricane: Oh. Guess I'll have to check back with you on that story, Thomas. See you later. (whistles, pulls off to collect train. Frankie reverses to Thomas as he goes to the water tower. Thomas hears the thunder, looks up.)

Thomas: Looks like we're going to get rained on.

Frankie: Then I suggest you get moving. Slag doesn't exactly mix well with water. Put the ingots in the cooling area, and make sure all the slag gets emptied onto the heaps. Once all of that is done, little tank engine, you can sort out trucks in the yard. I expect a train to be ready in time for the next delivery. (she backs away slowly)

Thomas: I…I don't have time for all of that, Frankie. I should be heading home to Sodor now.

Frankie: Don't be ridiculous. We delivered your trucks to Bridlington; it's only logical that you help us in return.

Thomas: But I have been helping you. My friends will be wondering where…

Frankie: You call a couple of hours help? Hurricane and I work for days on end. Once you feel as tired as we do, then we can say you've helped enough.

Thomas: (sighs) Alright.

Frankie: Oh, one more thing. Be careful on the tipping track. The more you go over it, the shakier the ground gets.

Thomas: (quietly) Got it. (after she's gone) Do they really appreciate my help? I wonder.

Narrator: By the time all the ingots had been put away, Thomas could barely turn his wheels. He struggled to dump his next load of slag.

Thomas: (grunting) Come on! Get moving! I've done this all before!

Narrator: His wheels just kept spinning and spinning. As they did so, they seemed to wear down the track. Stones started to fall from the embankment. Thomas hadn't a clue. He was focusing on reaching the end of the line.

Thomas: (panting) Finally. Now, to dump this lot. (He watches slag being dumped.) All right. Shunting time. (tries to pull trucks back, more stones slip out from under his wheels. He doesn't see the embankment crumble away. He gets the trucks moving.) Ah, that's the way. Should be smooth from here o-o-o-onnnn…

Narrator: The embankment had collapsed under him. As he crew leapt to safety, Thomas overbalanced, the coupling between him and the trucks broke, and he rolled cab over wheels down the bank. Reaching the bottom in seconds flat, he lay on his side, looking dazed, surprised and confused.

Thomas: Ouch. (groaning) A little help, someone? (after a few seconds, Frankie pulls up near him.)

Frankie: Tut, tut, tut, little tank engine. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Thomas: (groaning) It's Thomas. My name, Frankie…

Frankie: I know what your name is. And I also know that we haven't done enough to teach you how to work here.

Thomas: Teach me? You haven't done…wait, where are you going?

Frankie: To get the crane from the back of the works. We can't just leave you lying around. The sooner you're back on the rails, the sooner you can return to your job. (Thomas sighs, everyone else ignores him)

Narrator: Even though he had been damaged in his accident, Thomas was put straight back to work again. Nobody cared enough to repair him. Now, he felt far from happy.

Thomas: I used to think this place was amazing. Now, it feels horrible. What am I going to do about going home? (sighs) If I have to keep working, I might as well do it to a song. (Sad string music starts playing)

How much longer will I have to stay here?

One more day, one more month, one more year?

Far from everything I've ever known

Far away from the Island of Sodor

Far away from that island called Home

Where are you Annie & Clarabel?

Have you been left in the shed?

Or are you out on my Branch line

With some other engine instead?

I miss all of my friends

I miss hearing their names

Percy and Toby and Gordon

Henry, Emily, Edward and James

I'm not joking, I even miss James

I wanted to have an adventure

I wanted to wander and roam

I wanted to see places I'd never seen

But now I just want to go home

Tell me when do I get to go home?

Thomas: This is getting dull. Maybe I should sing faster.

All I want to do is go back to Sodor

All I want to do is get back to my friends

I don't want to be stuck here for always and always

In this hot house where work never ends

I wanted adventure, I wanted to roam

I wanted new places, but now I want home

I mean it! I have to go home

So lock up your gates with your skeleton key

You can't make me stay where I don't want to be

It's not fair, it's not right, this is no place for me

Narrator: As his work continued, Thomas spotted an old track. He wondered if it could lead to a way out. He headed straight down it, keeping up his singing.

I want to, I need to, I have to be free to go home!

I'll find my way, I'll make my way, the time has come for me to say: I'm going ho-o-o-o-m-m-me!

Narrator: The old track had been pulled up, leaving only old, wooden sleepers. Thomas bumped along these, and slid right off the track. Luckily, no one was hurt. Thomas could only sigh in dismay, again.

Narrator: Meanwhile, Bridlington Goods Yard was in a spot away from the rain clouds. The sun shone brightly as James finally arrived at his destination, or so he thought. He immediately began scanning the area for Thomas and the trucks, but the diesel shunters working the yard kept getting in his field of vision.

James: (calling out) Thomas? Come on out now, Thomas! I've got a score to settle with you! Oof! (bumps into a red and yellow Mainland Diesel shunter.)

MD 1: Careful there. This is the yard's rush hour. Where did you come from, anyway?

James: Sorry. I'm from the Island of Sodor. I'm looking for a blue tank engine, numbered 1.

MD 1: Well we get lots of engines passing through. Can't expect us to remember them all.

James: He was meant to deliver a goods train here. Actually I was, but you get my point. Surely he should have just arrived here.

MD 1: (calling out to partner) Ulli, you see a blue tank engine with the number 1?

MD 2: Um, nope. Sorry there.

MD 1: (sigh) Like I told you, friend, we get loads of engines coming and going, especially at this time of day. (races away with his coupled train.)

James: (sighs) Bother. He cannot get away with this! (the delivered trucks whisper from a corner of the yard, behind a wall. They grasp his attention) Huh?

Troublesome Trucks: Over here. We saw a blue tank engine.

Troublesome Trucks: Got lost with him, too.

Troublesome Trucks: Are we there yet? (trucks get shunted out of their siding by another Mainland Diesel.)

Troublesome Trucks: Ugh. Yes. Yes, we are.

James: Ha! I knew it! Well, when did Thomas drop you off here?

Troublesome Trucks: (laughs) He didn't!

Troublesome Trucks: Thomas never had the sense to bring us here.

Troublesome Trucks: Hurricane and Frankie were the ones who delivered us.

James: Hurricane? Frankie? (James follows the train to another siding)

Troublesome Trucks: Yeah. From that big Steelworks.

Troublesome Trucks: "This is the Hottest Place in Town."

Troublesome Trucks: "You'll always feel like a Circus Clown."

Troublesome Trucks: "Every evening you can sleep in a Gown." (laugh hysterically)

James: (groans) Ugh. This is hopeless. (starts to puff away. Trucks regain his attention.)

Troublesome Trucks: Hey. It's rude to go away when someone's talking to you.

Troublesome Trucks: Besides, we can tell you where the Steelworks is.

Troublesome Trucks: Thomas should still be there.

James: (gasps happily) Really? Well, then…tell me everything you know! (trucks reach new siding.)

Troublesome Trucks: Well, it's not that far from here. It'll take you about half an hour to reach the junction. To get there, you have to take a left down…"

Narrator: As the trucks helped James figure out where to go, Thomas was receiving some help of his own, though he didn't really want it. (Thomas watches a butterfly flutter past, gets shocked from suddenly being pulled in reverse.)

Frankie: You shouldn't have done that, little tank engine. Trying to run away will get you nowhere.

Hurricane: I'll say it won't. These old tracks haven't been used for ages! You could have seriously damaged yourself when you came off.

Narrator: Thomas couldn't take this treatment any longer.

Thomas: (crossly) I'm already damaged. Seems I have nothing to lose by getting moreso.

Frankie: I do wish you'd start thinking more clearly. If something happened to you, how would Hurricane and I be able to manage? We can't be expected to do all that dirty work. We have more important jobs to attend to, little tank engine. (Thomas finally snaps)

Thomas: (angrily) My name…is…Thomas! And I have work to do back on my island. You have no authority over me! You're only engines!

Frankie: (gasps) How dare you! We run this place. We're in charge. You will do what we say, and nothing else.

Thomas: Never! I will not be ordered about by another engine, especially not you…little diesel! (Frankie angrily bumps Thomas out of spite. The bump is felt by both Thomas and Hurricane. It hurts.)

Frankie: Don't…you…dare…call me that! Speak like that one more time and there will be trouble!

Thomas: (snarky) Oh. I'm sorry. I should have called you 'wicked little witch.' (Frankie lets a frightening yell. All animals and workmen in the vicinity get a big shock.)

Frankie: Hurricane! Put this little brat in his shed. No, better than that. Place him on a siding in the main building, and make sure he doesn't escape. If he even moves…eliminate him! (gasps from Thomas, Hurricane and the workmen.)

Hurricane: Where are you going, Frankie?

Frankie: I have a train to take. Besides, after this little event, I think we all need to…let off some steam. (smirks proudly. Camera focuses on Hurricane, looking contemplative. Then on Thomas, looking despondent. Camera cuts to above the trees to show them returning to the Steelworks building. The rain clouds are still present.)

Narrator: Meanwhile, back on Sodor, Percy was an engine on a mission. (Percy arrives quickly at Tidmouth sheds. He is surprised to find the rest of the Steam Team, bar Henry, waiting there.)

Percy: Everyone! Everyone! Thank goodness you're all here.

Edward: The Fat Controller says our services were cancelled until he found out where Thomas and James are.

Percy: I know where they are! (Toby, Edward and Emily look up in wonder.)

Emily: You do?

Toby: But how, Percy?

Percy: Rosie told me. Thomas took James' train to the Mainland, out of spite.

Edward: And James went to pay Thomas back?

Percy: Exactly.

Gordon. (to no one in particular) Some engines just can't get along, can they?

Percy: (determined) And we have to go bring them back. (All the engines are surprised)

G/T/Ed/Em: What?

Percy: You heard me.

Gordon: Only too well.

Toby: We can't just all go to find them, Percy. It would only cause more confusion.

Emily: If the Fat Controller found out…

Percy: Let him then! I've lost Thomas and James before. I'm not going to lose them again! We'll go on strike, hold a deputation, or…I don't know, but we must do something.

Edward: Percy, this time I think we should just let our friends sort out their problems in their own…(sees Percy turning on the turntable, to go back the way he came.) Percy? Where are you…?

Percy: To speak to The Fat Controller, then go to the Mainland and find my friends. Anyone who wants to join me is perfectly welcome! (engines watch him disappear.)

Gordon: (groans) Always playing hero, these engines. What a bore.

(Show engines contemplating amongst themselves. Turntable turns to Toby's berth, Toby rings his bell, steams up, heads off on turntable, steams off to follow Percy. Gordon is gobsmacked. Edward and Emily look at each other, steam themselves up, start puffing out. Gordon is in even more shock!...Transition to Sir Topham Hatt exiting his office for a moment of fresh air. Turning around from closing the door, he is surprised to find Percy waiting at the platform, with no train behind him. After they eye each other Toby, Emily and Edward each enter the station themselves with determined looks, followed momentarily by a smiling and equally determined Gordon. Gordon winks at Percy, and Percy returns the wink. After a moment of further eye contact, Sir Topham Hatt seems to understand the message they're trying to convey. He straightens himself out, puts his top hat further on his head, locks his office door with a key, climbs into Percy's cab, leans out and determinedly points straight ahead. All five engines look ahead with confidence and bravery, charging into steam one by one, on a search to find their friends. They proudly charge by the Steamworks, catching the attention of a wide awake Henry, while failing to wake up Victor and Kevin. They charge past the Vicarstown Dieselworks, headed towards the main station. Unknown to them, a skulking figure trails them discreetly, having gained a curiosity for the purpose of their journey. As the team of engines pass by Vicarstown Goods Yard and through the station, Rosie, shunting, spots them, making eye contact with Percy. He whistles at her and winks, and she returns both, smiling.)

Author's Note: In a short amount of time, Thomas is becoming fed up with Frankie's treatment of him, James has reached Bridlington and learned from the trucks about the Steelworks, and Percy has taken the initiative to form a search party for his friends. The action never stops; or at least that's what I am trying to show. The part focusing on Thomas is relatively similar to canon, although I tried to flesh the character interactions out more, as well as heighten the drama. The reference to "Cab Over Wheels" was something I threw in kinda last-minute, as I heard it mentioned in the Unlucky Tug's review of the canon special. Since it's set in a Steelworks, where Sixteen worked, I figured it would do the job just fine. Besides, my set of future stories, which includes non-adapted Awdry stories, does not feature "Cab Over Wheels", so consider this my tribute to that story. On the other end of the spectrum, I wanted to keep James' scene at Bridlington as close to canon as possible, because it's one of the best scenes in the real special. Only instead of Hurricane showing up and leading him to the Steelworks, James learns its location form the trucks.

Regarding the music, I altered the lyrics to I Want To Go Home so it would flow better. Besides, I always felt it odd that Thomas did not mention the whole Steam Team when talking about the friends he's missing. Incidentally, in my special, the plethora of cameo characters featured in that one shot are still kept, including Duck, who for some reason got left out of canon. As for the other songs in the special, only Somebody Has to Be the Favorite and The Hottest Place in Town will appear. The lyrics and compositions remain pretty much the same as canon; however, unlike the released JBS, both songs will be reprised numerous other times during the latter chapters.

On a side note, when writing out the action for Percy forming his search party, informing the Fat Controller, and having the other Steam Team engines (minus Henry) joining him, I set all of it to the reprise of I'll Make a Man out of You from Disney's Mulan. I felt like it was a great way to start some momentum. Of course, this is just my own personal idea. For a more realistic vision, I would have the latter half of I Want to Go Home (the faster strings part) be used as a motif that plays over the entire scene. BTW, in case it was not clear, no dialogue is featured in that bit. It is not needed.

Since I am thinking about it now, I would like to acknowledge and thank YouTube user KekofSdoor for coming up with his own alternate JBS that inspired me to create mine. Our plotlines share similarities, though I have done my best to distinguish mine as much as possible.

So, what's in store for Thomas, James and/or their rescue party? Stick around for the next chapter to find out!