Narrator: Thomas, meanwhile, was in a more determined state of mind, as was his new friend.
(Thomas and Merlin puff alongside one another, headed towards the front entrance.)
Merlin: All right. Let's go over it one more time. I will create a conversion-
Thomas: Di-version.
Merlin: Conversion sounds better.
Thomas: Alright, fine. Anyway, while you've got Frankie's attention, I slip in and look for James.
Merlin: Yes.
Thomas: And Hurricane, too.
Merlin: What? That's not…
Thomas: I'm telling you, Merlin. He's not a bad engine. He saved me.
Merlin: Well…good for you. You do what you please with him. I'll…cross that bridge when I come to it.
Thomas: Fine. Now, you know when to give a whistle, right?
Merlin: Yes. As soon as your off on the side track. Hurry, or else they'll see your steam.
Thomas: I'm on it! (he chuffs quickly to the right, looking for a place to turn around. Meanwhile, Merlin gets into his position. He counts backwards to himself.)
Merlin: (to himself) Should I turn invisible? No. Better to confront them head on. (takes a deep breath) All right. 3. 2. 1. (he lets off consecutive whistles, it echoes around the entire area. Frankie, Hurricane and James all hear it, and look on in wonder.)
(Outside the Steelworks, the whistle, as well as the building itself, attracts someone else's attention; that of the Sodor rescue party.)
STH: Sounds like a Mainland engine. (sees Steelworks building) My word!
Toby: That's one big building.
Edward: That whistle sounded close. Maybe it came from there.
Percy: Maybe Thomas stopped there for coal, or directions.
Gordon: And how would you guess that?
Percy: That's what I would do. What say you, sir?
STH: (sighs) Well, it's as good as place as any to ask, I suppose. Anyway, seeing as how I have little control over this plan.
Percy: Thank you, sir. We'll save you yet, Thomas.
Emily: Uh, is anyone else just a little…?
Toby: (chuckles) Freaked out by this place? Yeah, I am.
Emily: Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one. (they smile at each other meekly.)
(Cut back to Frankie, in the main section of the Steelworks.)
Frankie: I know that whistle! Hurricane! Head for the entrance! (they both do so.)
Hurricane: Uh, for what? (the gates open up, to reveal Merlin sitting close by.)
Frankie: It seems an unwanted pest has returned. Very unwanted!
Merlin: If you both hadn't been so unkind to me and my friends, I wouldn't have had to be a pest.
Frankie: We were only telling the truth about you. It's not our fault if you can't handle it.
Merlin: Theodore and Alexis are gone! You destroyed them!
Frankie: They chose their own fate, when they betrayed our trust. You chose your fate as well.
Merlin: Then perhaps I can choose a fate for the two of you.
Frankie: Grr! Hurricane, go and prepare the melting pot. I have a vendetta to settle.
Hurricane: Uh, yes, that sounds lovely. (starts backing away. Merlin notices his reaction.)
Merlin: All right. It's you and me now. (starts reversing back from the gate.)
Frankie: At last, after so long! (she follows him down the line, failing to notice Thomas making his way to the gate, quickly and quietly. He enters the building, calling out James' name. Unbeknownst to him, because he's so determined, he passes by Hurricane. Hurricane spots him and acts quickly.)
Thomas: James! James, where are you? (Outside, James is returning to the sidings for another train, when he hears Thomas' voice.)
James: Wait. That can't be…Thomas. (goes to the rear entrance of the building to investigate.) Thomas, is that…? (sees Thomas heading his way on closest track. Thomas eyes him.)
Thomas: James?
James: Thomas! It is you! You're alright! (whistles with joy and acclamation, much to Thomas' horror. Outside, Frankie, who has closed in on Merlin, hears the whistle.)
Frankie: Huh? Why would James have to whistle like that?
Merlin: (casually) Search me.
Frankie: That whistle sounded very upbeat. Almost…joyful. (suddenly, from behind Merlin, Frankie sees the five Sodor engines approaching. Percy heads the group.)
Percy: Oh, uh, hello Mainlanders.
Merlin: (thinking quickly) Sorry. This place is off limits.
Frankie: I'll be the judge of that!
Merlin: You're not fit to judge anything!
STH: (whispers) What is up with these engines?
Percy: Beats me, sir.
Edward: (kindly) We were only wondering if you'd seen a blue tank engine numbered 1, or a red tender engine with…
Frankie: Blue tank engine! (eyes Merlin, realizes) Thomas!
Edward: That's his name, yes.
Frankie: (angrily, at Merlin) You did this. All of this. Do I have to do everything I want by myself?
Merlin: Mm, yes I think so.
Frankie: This is not over! (reverses through the main gate, for the building.)
Edward: (casually) I was only trying to be polite.
Merlin: (yelling) Thomas! You need to hurry! She's coming back!
Frankie: Zip it, tin kettle!
STH: (to Merlin) What in the world is going on here?
Percy: (to Merlin) That diesel knows Thomas. Do you?
Merlin: Very much so. Are you from the Island of Sonar? Err, I mean Sodor.
Percy: Yes.
Merlin: Huzzah! The brave knights of the Island have to come to rescue their comrades from danger. I knew knights could still exist.
Gordon: Hmmph. This one fantasizes too much.
Toby: Well, how do we save them?
Merlin: If I may, your arrival seems to have thrown a wrench into that diesel's thinking.
Emily: Meaning?
Merlin: Meaning: if she's expecting what I think she's expecting, than maybe…(camera zooms in on his determined face.) we should give it to her.
Author's Note: Thus, Thomas and Merlin have sprung into action! Thomas and James have reunited, Merlin confronts Frankie, and the Sudrian rescue party has arrived on the scene at last. I find myself surprised at how much action happens in this chapter, despite its relatively short length. I intend to continue this action in the next chapter, so keep an eye out for that!
Anyhow, writing the confrontation between Merlin and Frankie was a blast to write! I think they even have some elements in common. Both target their opponent in the name of preservation, but whereas he does it for honor, she does it for cruelty and domination. This chapter also allowed me to incorporate more humor into their dialogue, as well as that of the Steam Team cast. After reading the next chapter, I hope you will understand my desire to have a bit of side-tracked (no pun intended) humor to balance out the heaviness of the climax. What is that, you ask? What is Merlin's new improvised plan? And what will become of Thomas and James? Find out in the following chapter, Her Beautiful Ugliness!