Gordon sat in the Steamworks, waiting impatiently for his streamlined shell to be made.
"How long is this going to take?" He grumbled to a passing Kevin. Kevin stopped and thought for a moment.
"Uh... I don't know, Gordon, you'll have to ask the boss. All I know is that you still have a lot of waiting to do." Gordon groaned. Kevin thought for a moment before grinning.
"Oh, I know!" He raced away to the back of the Steamworks and quickly came back, pushing a television set on a cart with his hook.
"This just came today! I don't think it was meant for you, but it can still keep you entertained!" Kevin raised his crane arm above it and was about to lower it when several workmen ran up.
"Kevin, NO!" Kevin raised an eyebrow as the workmen hastily turned on the television.
"You mean that's not how you turn it on?" He mused to himself. Gordon rolled his eyes, but was surprised to see that on the screen was a smartly dressed man, behind him the Flying Scotsman. Another man seemed to be interviewing them.
"Mr. Pegler, it is now common knowledge that the Flying Scotsman will be competing in the Great Race in a few weeks. Just how fast can he go?" Mr. Pegler smirked and gestured to Scotsman.
"Why, good sir, this engine has been known to go as fast as one hundred five miles an hour. He will beat out the competition without breaking a sweat."
"Speaking of the competition..." The interviewer pointed the microphone at Scotsman. "Is there anything you would like to say to your competitors at the Great Railway Show?" Scotsman thought for a moment, and then grinned.
"Why yes, sir, indeed there is." He looked straight at the camera and smirked. "I'm looking forward to our race...little brother." Gordon's cheeks turned red with rage. He gritted his teeth.
"Kevin! Tell Victor to hurry up!" Kevin, caught off-guard, scurried away to do so. Gordon narrowed his eyes. "I won't let him beat me this time…"
Out on the main line, Vinnie was pulling another heavy goods train. He was making good time, and smirked as he rumbled through a green signal.
"Heh, I wanna see any of these Sodor losers try and do this! They'd probably just stall! Hah!" However, as the huge engine rumbled around the bend, he saw an old, slow engine, making his way along the line right in front of him. Vinnie whistled long and loud as he applied his brakes.
"Get outta da way!" He shouted, and managed to slow down just short of the old engine's tender. He rolled his eyes and looked down at the old engine.
"Look, buddy, I get that you're old and everything, but dis is my line! Let me through!" To his surprise, the old engine chuckled before looking back at him.
"Oh, hello, there! Are you Vinnie?" The Canadian engine raised an eyebrow.
"What's it to you, old man?" He snapped. Stephen chuckled.
"I'm Stephen, but you can call me 'The Rocket'!"
"Yeah, I ain't gonna do that. Is dere a reason why you're blockin' my line, or are you just tryin' to chat?" Vinnie rolled his eyes. Stephen grinned.
"Ah, that there is, old boy; you'll have to go up to the castle to find out, though! Drop off your trucks and go up to Ulfstead Castle. Trust me, it'll be worth it!" Finally, as they approached a set of points, Stephen whistled and switched onto another line to allow Vinnie to pass.
"Hope I can see you there!" He called. The Canadian engine rolled his eyes.
"Dis place is so weird…" He muttered to himself, and continued on to the next station.
Nonetheless, when he had finished his work, Vinnie did make his way up to the castle. When he made his way through the castle gates, he was greeted with a very peculiar sight.
"Come on, Henry, he's bound to show up any second! We need these trucks ready! Shunt! SHUNT LIKE YOU'VE NEVER SHUNTED BEFORE!" Stephen called to Henry, who was shunting the last few trucks to make two long lines of trucks in the platform, side by side. Henry panted furiously at the weight.
"Why-phew-are we doing-ugh-this, Stephen? I'm competing...in the strength competition...not the shunting...competition!" Finally, Henry braked to a halt, and let out a sigh of relief. Stephen grinned.
"Because, Henry, you always need to warm up before you exercise!" Vinnie snorted in response to this, and both Henry and Stephen looked at him. The older engine smiled.
"Ah, Vinnie! Glad you came!" The bully raised an eyebrow.
"What the heck are you doin'? I get dat Herring's a weakling but he's way too fat to shunt!" Vinnie laughed nastily, causing Henry to frown in embarrassment. Stephen, however, was undeterred.
"Now, now, Vinnie, be a good sport!" He chided playfully. Vinnie's gaze narrowed.
"Being a good sport doesn't make ya win, old man." He replied coldly. This caught Stephen off-guard, but his smile quickly returned as he continued.
"I suppose you're wondering why I asked you here?"
"One of many questions…" Vinnie muttered under his breath.
"Well, I'll tell you! Both you and Henry are competing in the Strength Competition, and I think it would beneficial for both of you to train with one another. Seeing as you're trapped here for the time being, and your competitors will be practicing at the showground, it'll be a great way to 'keep the playing field even', so to speak." The old engine grinned at Vinnie, who held in laughter for a moment before letting it all go in one burst.
"'Keep the playing field even'? I could run laps around Herring over here with twice as much weight right now! Why would I help make him stronger?" He finished cackling, and Henry looked at Stephen to see how he would respond. To Henry's surprise, the "Rocket" simply smirked.
"Why, to make it all the more satisfying when you beat him, of course!" He replied. Henry's jaw dropped, but a discrete wink from Stephen shut him up. Vinnie, surprised, thought for a moment, before smirking.
"All right, old man, you're on. Let's get on with da 'training' den." He whistled and rolled past Henry and Stephen to turn around on the turntable. Henry looked to Stephen with a nervous expression.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea, he's already-"
"Henry, you're competing with the greats! It is my responsibility as your coach to make sure you are ready for the competition ahead!" Vinnie backed down onto the trucks Henry had set out, and the green engine looked at Stephen again.
"Stephen, I won't really get much stronger than I'm designed to be-"
"Nonsense, Henry! As long as you put your all into improving yourself, you will!" Vinnie whistled impatiently.
"Hurry up, gramps! I haven't got all day!" Henry reversed quickly towards the trucks, before being coupled up. Stephen rolled towards the two engines, grinning.
"Alright, lads! Let an 'old-timer' show you how it's done!" He whistled, and the two engines began to strain forwards. Stephen rolled alongside them backwards, only keeping up because of their slow speed with the heavy load, and began to sing.
"Good, better, best!
Never let it rest!
Til' your good is your better, and your better is your best!" Vinnie had managed to gain some traction, and was beginning to overtake Henry significantly. The green engine strained furiously, and Stephen rolled alongside him as he continued, motivating him.
"Eyes on the goal!
You'll surely top the poll!
Control your chances, play fair, don't weigh the roll!" Henry began gasping furiously, and began to slow down. Up ahead, Vinnie noticed his competitor beginning to stop and smirked wickedly. Stephen switched tracks to be in front of Henry, and looked his trainee in the eyes.
"Henry, dear lad, when your wheels start to slip,
Don't lose your focus, keep on steering your ship!
You'll be good, better, best!" As Stephen sang, Henry started furiously turning his wheels, and soon enough got the train moving at a faster speed, and the "Rocket" moved out of the way to allow him to pass. Later, Stephen was waiting at the top of the hill leading up to the castle, and calling out down the hill.
"Wheel-turn, by wheel-turn
Puff by puff…" Henry and Vinnie were trying to push trucks piled high with rocks up the hill, and Henry was once again struggling. Vinnie noticed this, and began to slow down as well, beginning to grin wickedly.
"You've got to give your all to get better and to show you've got the stuff!" Stephen's words didn't help Henry, as Vinnie blew his whistle loudly and laughed as he picked up speed again and easily overtook him. The green engine looked miserable, even as they headed off to their next challenge. As Vinnie took a triumphant drink from the water tower, Stephen rolled alongside Henry and began to whisper-sing to him, so Vinnie wouldn't hear him.
"Henry, look ahead
Show Vinnie who to dread!
But don't let him get inside your head!" Henry smiled determinedly, and they continued their challenges. Stephen had the two engines pull trucks filled with all sorts of heavy things over all sorts of terrain. He brought them down to Brendam Docks and tied their couplings to Cranky, and the two began to pull. Henry couldn't keep his wheels spinning, and Stephen frowned as Vinnie laughed triumphantly. However, a distressed cry from Cranky showed that the crane was about to tip over, and the two engines stopped pulling on him. Later, he brought them back to Ulfstead Castle and put them on opposite ends of one long train, and, with a blast of his whistle, ordered them to begin pulling in the directions they were facing. He barked orders to Henry as the green engine strained furiously, and Stephen eyed some markers placed nearby the rails to indicate the distance the engines had travelled from the center.
"Henry, look alive!
When you start to lack the drive
Take your one puff left and turn it into five!" Henry's face was bright red as he was slowly dragged backwards, but he struggled on nonetheless. However, he let out a gasp of exhaustion and began to stop puffing. Stephen whistled sharply and glared at him.
"The name of the game, is just 'keep puffing on'!
Be a smart player, it isn't all brawn
To be good, better, best!" Henry raised an eyebrow at this remark, but it still hadn't hit him when he and Vinnie were having another go at pushing the trucks of rocks up the hill. Suddenly, the world seemed to go into slow-motion, as a version of Stephen seemed to float around in Henry's head, and the green engine shut his eyes. Everything went quiet as Henry's imaginary Stephen began to sing.
"Keep going
The wind will keep on blowing
And you will keep showing that you'll succeed…" Vinnie noticed Henry beginning to slow down and grinned wickedly. Henry remained focused on the Stephen in his head.
"Just look inside
Take a deep breath, swallow your pride
And Henry, lad, tell me you what you need!" Henry's eyes opened again, and they began to widen in realization.
"What I need?...
I NEED TO BE GOOD, BETTER, BEST!" His wheels began to pound against the rails, and he began to make up the ground between himself and Vinnie, and the "Rocket" at the top of the hill grinned.
"Atta boy, Henry!
Never let it rest
Til your good is better than your best!" Henry brought his newfound confidence to the other trials, and, as they completed each one again, the gaps between him and Vinnie got smaller.
"Henry, my boy, keep your eyes on the prize
And tell that big creep, "try this on for your size!" Vinnie grit his teeth furiously and tried to overtake Henry again, but the green engine, as red-faced as he was, wasn't willing to give up so easily. As a result, between challenges, Henry got a turn at the water tower first as Vinnie sat sulking behind him. Henry grinned at Stephen, and the two sang together.
"You've/I've just gotta keep your/my head in the game
But You/I shouldn't do it for fortune and fame!" Henry and Vinnie had returned to the tug-o-war, and were preparing for another go. Vinnie was red with rage, but Henry simply grinned determinedly as Stephen prepared to whistle.
"I should do it to be good, better, BEST!" Stephen's whistle sounded out, and he watched as Henry managed to keep the train still, exerting the same force as Vinnie while holding out the long final note. The "Rocket" watched as Henry slowly moved between two of the markers, monitoring his position.
"Good! Best! Good! Good! Better! BEST! Good! Good! Best!" Stephen grinned as Henry finally managed to slowly move onto the next marker, despite the force of the struggling Vinnie against him.
"Now you can rest." He smiled triumphantly, and Henry stopped pulling.
"Phew." Unfortunately for Vinnie, he hadn't heard Stephen say stop, and as a result, was sent flying into a coal bunker when the coupling between him and the trucks snapped.
"AAGH!" He hit the bunker with a loud bump and was covered from funnel to tender in coal dust, but Henry and Stephen didn't pay attention to him. They were too busy celebrating Henry's improvement.
That night, Vinnie sulked the whole way back to the yards, still covered in coal and grumbling dreadfully. He spotted Philip shunting trucks up ahead and grinned wickedly.
"Hey, Shrimp! Think fast!" Before Philip could react, Vinnie rammed into him, sending him flying a considerable distance forwards before managing to brake to a stop. The bully cackled as Philip groaned in pain.
"Ow! That really hurt!" The boxcab squeaked. Vinnie smirked.
"Well maybe next time, don't be in my way!" Philip remained still as the big engine rolled past. He raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you covered in coal dust?" Vinnie stopped and looked menacingly back at the little engine.
"You want me t'whack you again, kid?" Philip yelped and scampered away, leaving Vinnie to roll away to the sheds, now angry all over again.
Gordon was quickly becoming impatient again. "Hurry up, Victor, or I won't be ready in time for the show!" He insisted. Victor rolled up with a flatbed containing some parts of Gordon's shell.
"Streamlining an engine is a long job, you know. We have to do it properly, or something could go wrong!" Gordon was about to retort when a loud whistle blew. James entered the Steamworks, screeching to a halt in his signature way.
"Here's James!" He smirked proudly. Victor and Gordon shared a glance.
"Alright, James, I'll be with you in just a moment." Victor called. Gordon spluttered.
"What? Victor, you can't leave me; you have a job to do!" Victor rolled his eyes.
"That job can wait for a moment, Gordon. This won't take long." Gordon seethed as Victor puffed up to James.
"Hello, my friend. What is the matter? Do you need a tuneup?" James' smirk grew wider.
"What I need, Victor, is a repaint." Victor looked confused.
"A repaint? James, you had a repaint last week, it's still fresh." James rolled forward onto the turntable.
"Not fresh enough. I have to look my absolute best for the Great Railway Show." Kevin drove up with some pots of paint.
"If you want to look your best, James, how about you have some decorations painted on? Then, you'll look more splendid than ever!" James snorted indignantly.
"Are you saying I'm not already splendid?" Kevin faltered.
"Um…"
"Because I am! I don't need any 'decorations.' My red paint is sure to be enough to win over the hearts of the judges!" Whilst he said this, Kevin sheepishly rolled away, passing an increasingly cross Gordon.
"Are you sure about this, James?" Victor asked. "You are competing with the world's best painted, you know." James scoffed.
"Don't you start. I am sure, Victor. Nothing can compete with this." His paintwork glistened in the sunlight. Victor reluctantly sighed.
"If you say so…" The painters started crowding around James and began their work. Gordon watched on, scowling.
"I can't believe this island sometimes."
Chase: You've now seen the special's main original song, "Good, Better, Best" in action! Writing this song was an utter blast, and it's probably my favorite song sequence I've written for a Thomas project. Letting Stephen go full insane coach was fun, as well as coming up with the different challenges he puts Vinnie and Henry through were a lot of fun. You can listen to the song on SoundCloud, as previously said, which I highly recommend you do while reading the sequence! It really adds a lot! As shown in the song, Henry is vastly improving as the show draws closer, and he's managed to be pretty even with Vinnie!
Don: The chapter also sets up James' arc, though his is much less prominent than Gordon and Henry. He is going alone in this version as opposed to Emily tagging along, because having two Sodor competitors in the same competition is a bit strange. However, due to Emily not being there, that means there's a spot open for someone else to fill. But who is that someone? Well, if you've read the trailer, you may already have a good idea as to who it is.
Spencer is also not there either, as he lost the race to Scotsman for the spot. However, who will be the Great Race's fifth competitor? Find out in the sixth chapter, "The Rumor Mill Spins"!