(Well, guys. It may be a few months late, but here you are! It was hard determining which would be a fitting storyline for Donald and Douglas and since I'm excited to see them get an episode in S20, I thought I could think of my own to write. A little change in conflict within the story where I changed the twins working together to help James but instead, I changed it to them eventually being able to manage independently. I was inspired by this moral from Den And Dart, but I tried not to make it too much like that episode, and I do hope to improve on future stories. Anyway, enjoy!)

No Twin Is An Island

Moral: teamwork is the best way to get the job done/special features make you useful in your own way

Short Synopsis: Donald and Douglas enjoy working together and one day, Sir Topham Hatt calls them over to work at the Coal Depot. Unfortunately, Edward has broken down and Douglas is assigned to help James with a heavy line of coal trucks in his place. The twins are dismayed to be separate from one another, but soon learn with a little confidence that working independently isn't so bad after all.

(Scene starts on seagulls flying over Arlesburgh Harbor and zooms in on Donald and Douglas at the yard)

Donald and Douglas are Scottish twins working on Sir Topham Hatt's railway. They are both have numbers 9 and 10 on their tenders respectively.

(Scene shifts from 9 on Donald's tender to 10 on Douglas' tender, and then shifts to a flashback of the twins' arrival with Sir Topham Hatt inspecting them)

When the twins arrived on Sodor, they came as a surprise since Sir Topham Hatt only expected one.

Topham: (confused, fingers over his chin) Hmm. (Donald and Douglas grin at him)

But the twins soon proved themselves useful and became part of Sir Topham Hatt's railway.

(Scene shifts back to the modern day with Donald and Douglas chuffing about Arlesburgh Harbor)

Now the twins keep themselves very busy, as they pull trucks and coaches about from the "Little Western" branch line up to Harwick. The twins never like to apart from one another and work best in pairs. Sir Topham Hatt knows this better than anyone else on Sodor, but sometimes the job might require only one of the twins.

(Scene cuts to Donald and Douglas chuffing together on the same track with a heavy load)

The twins also have two-tone whistles, a quality that most of Sir Topham Hatt's engines don't have, but some of the big engines like to tease the twins for this special quantity.

(Gordon whistles as he speeds up his Hill with the express when he gets stuck halfway up)

Gordon: O the indignity.

(Scene cuts to Edward chuffing towards Gordon's hill)

Edward soon came to help Gordon as always. Donald and Douglas were on the next track, hauling a heavy load.

Donald

And (whistling) Good day, Edward.

Douglas:

Edward: (panting as he pushes Gordon's coaches) Hello, Donald and Douglas.

Douglas: Keep yer steam up.

(The twins chuff farther up the hill and catch up with Gordon)

Donald

And (whistling) Good day, Gordon.

Douglas:

But Gordon only laughed.

Gordon: (chuckling) Your two-tone whistles. Such an amusement to listen to.

Donald: (suspicious) Hey, what's a'that supposed to mean?

Gordon: Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm usually controlled towards your practical jokes, but it sounds as if a tugboat horn's been stuck in your funnels. (chuckles)

(Donald and Douglas' expression turn glum as they carry on up the hill)

This made Donald and Douglas feel quite hurt. They enjoyed practical jokes indeed, but they didn't like being made fun of about their two-tone whistles)

Gordon: (reaching the top) Express coming through! (racing down and overtaking Donald and Douglas)

(Scene cuts to Donald and Douglas conferring with Duck and Oliver in the yard)

One day, the twins were bragging about their teamwork to Duck and Oliver.

Donald: I don't believe ya two understand.

Duck: What wouldn't we understand, Donald?

Douglas: How dependent Sir Topham Hatt is on Donal' and I working together. We make a grand pair.

Oliver: That may be so, Douglas. But you know, Toad and I don't always work together.

Donald: What do you mean, Oliver?

Oliver: Toad spends some of his time in the Shunting Yard while I take ordinary coaches of passengers from Knapford to beyond. But he works with me whenever I take Isabel and Dulcie out on the branch line and he helps keep my trucks in line too.

Douglas: Still, ya see my twin and I, the both of us seem inseparable. There's no way Sir Topham Hatt might ever bring us apart from one another.

Duck: (looking over) Oh, really? (as Sir Topham Hatt walks up) Try telling that to him now then.

(Donald and Douglas gasp as they look over to Sir Topham Hatt, who walks before the twins)

Topham: Ah, Donald and Douglas. Just the engines I wanted to see. I have a special job for you two.

Donald: Aye, a special job, sir?

Douglas: What is it, sir?

Topham: Well, I've discussed with the harbor manager on whether he could spare the two of you for today for while Oliver handles the goods and Duck takes both his coaches, as well as Isabel and Dulcie, around Arlesburgh to perform passenger duties.

Duck: Yes, sir.

Oliver: Much obliged, sir.

Douglas: Aye, but what's the special we'd be doing, sir?

Topham: Ah, right, well, Edward is need of repair at the SteamWorks and I'm in short supply of engines at the moment who can shunt loads of trucks at the coal depot and keep them in line. The Shunting Yard is bustling enough as it is and all my engines have other work to do. That's why I'd like you, Donald and Douglas, to help the other engines out at the Coal Depot.

Donald: Aye, sir.

Douglas: We'd be honored.

Topham: Good. Off you go then. And wait for my arrival 'cause I'll eventually need an engine or two to collect coal from the mainland and bring it over to the Depot.

(Donald and Douglas whistle as they chuff away. Next scene cuts to the Coal Depot with James and Emily shunting trucks about)

At the Shunting Yards, James and Emily were busy shunting trucks about. As mixed-traffic engines, they had just finished their morning passenger runs so Sir Topham Hatt had decided to keep them busy in the Yards until their next passenger trains.

(James bumps a line of trucks)

Trucks: Ow! Ow! That hurt, James. Leave us alone!

James: (firmly) Oh, keep quiet, you troublesome trucks. And stay in line where you belong. (bumps them once more)

Trucks: Ouch! Ouch! Ow!

Emily: (pulling up on the line across from James) You must be careful with trucks, James. They don't really need to be bumped until they start causing trouble.

James: Don't go so soft on these trucks, Emily. Every engine knows that trucks are always trouble.

Thomas: (whistles as he chuffs in with trucks) Hello, James. Hello, Emily. Wow, this depot seems busy. Did Sir Topham Hatt send you to work here as well?

James: Yes, Thomas. And the trucks are up to no good as usual.

Emily: I've handled them gently all morning, James. Besides, the trucks haven't really been much trouble to deal with.

James: Not yet they haven't, Emily. Just wait until you're chuffing along the main line. I've had quite a few experiences myself with them as both of you might remember.

Thomas: (chuckles) Oh, yes, James. I remember very well of your accidents in my early days of Sodor.

James: (embarrasedly) Well…well you might recall your own, Thomas, with your first experience with trucks. Lucky the buffers stopped you then.

Emily: In one of the few experiences I've had with trucks, the accident I had was on impulse when I pushed them into the ditch. But the lesson I learnt, James, is to not let the silly trucks get to you. You'll never be able to show them you're in control otherwise.

James: (confidently) I know all about trucks, thank you very much, Emily.

(Donald and Douglas arrive, sounding their two-whistles, causing James to laugh)

Donald: Good day, ya three!

Thomas: Hello, Donald and Douglas.

Douglas: Mm, lots 'o wee trucks to shunt aboot, aye?

Emily: Yes, indeed. We're glad you're here.

James: Ha! (cheekily) For helping us shunt…at least.

(Donald and Douglas give a confused look. Sir Topham Hatt walks up)

Topham: Ah, Donald and Douglas, you're here. Splendid. Thomas, you may fetch Annie and Clarabel now. James and Emily, you must stay a bit longer to help the twins around the Depot. (James groans a sigh of dissatisfaction) Not to worry. Percy and Stanley will be here to help out soon enough.

Thomas: (whistles) Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

(Sir Topham Hatt walks away)

James: (sighs) I can't believe it. Now I have to wait longer until my next passenger train.

Donald: Aye. Pushing trucks might cheer you up a bit, James. (whistles)

Douglas: (whistles) Indeed.

James: (chuckles) I believe I'm cheered up already, Donald and Douglas. Having to your two-tone whistles is enough to entertain anybody. It's like a tugboat on the line. The fact that they sound the same means I can't tell which one is which. (chuckles once more)

Donald and Douglas did not like James' joke. Emily spoke severely to James.

Emily: (sternly) That wasn't funny, James. You know Donald and Douglas don't like being teased for their two-tone whistles.

James just ignored Emily and was still amused as he went back to work.

(James whistles and chuffs away, still laughing. Thomas smiles at the twins)

Thomas: Don't worry, Donald and Douglas. I think your two-tone whistles are lovely.

Emily: They're unique in quality. The fact that they're different from our whistles is what makes you two special.

(Thomas whistles and chuffs away. Emily and the twins get to work. Drum intro to a rendition of We Make A Team Together, in the same style of Sodor's Legend Of The Lost Treasure, begins)

The twins appreciated the support they had from their friends, and that was enough to put them straight to work in the Yards.

(Donald and Douglas shunt trucks about as the song starts)

We make a team together (1, 2, 3!)

We go full steam together (Him, you, me!)

Best of friends forever we'll be (Yeah, yeah!)

Better together

(Percy and Stanley join the engines in the Depot and all six engines shunt trucks about)

We need our friends nearby us (Everyday)

So they can help and guide us (In every way)

And we know there's a place they will stay (Yeah, yeah!)

Forever beside us

Well, there's nothing that I couldn't do

When I'm steaming along next to you

We make a team together (1, 2, 3!)

We go full steam together (Him, you, me!)

We roll along together all the way

We make a team together (1, 2, 3!)

We go full steam together (Him, you, me!)

We roll along together all the way

(Song ends as the Coal Depot begins looking in a more orderly fashion)

Stanley: What fun that was. It takes a team of engines, big or small, to keep the yard in such an orderly fashion as this.

Percy: You said it, Stanley.

(Percy, Stanley, Donald and Douglas laugh as James whistles and chuffs in)

James: I must say I'm very impressed, Donald and Douglas, with the work you've done. (cheekily) Still thought, it's hard telling which twin was which.

Emily: (chuffing in, looking sternly at James) That's enough now, James. (looks over and smiles at Donald and Douglas) I'm glad you came to help us, twins. It's like I told you earlier. Different can be good.

Before the twins could answer, Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Topham: Well done to all of you. I'm very pleased with how well you've kept the trucks here in order. The Depot looks more splendid then ever.

James: Does that mean Emily and I can go back to pulling coaches now, sir?

Topham: Not yet, James. Samson is expecting a goods train to take over from the mainland and I need you to take deliver it from Brendam over to the Shunting Yards first. (James groans) But you can't do it alone. It's a heavy load and it's going to need two engines to pull.

Donald and Douglas looked away. They didn't want to work apart from each other. But unfortunately, the twins had no other choice.

Topham: Douglas, you think you can haul the goods train with James to the Shunting Yards?

Douglas: (hesitantly) Well, sir. I…

Topham: Great! I'll make arrangements right away.

Douglas: But what about Donald, sir?

Topham: (confused) What about Donald?

Donald: Ya think the three of us can pull that train together, sir? Ya see Douglas and I usually work together and…

Topham: Absolutely not, Donald. It doesn't take three engines to do the job. Besides, you're still needed here at the Coal Depot. Gator's also on his way and he's expected to pick up a coal delivery to bring back to the mainland.

Percy: (gasps, excitedly) Gator?

Topham: (sighs, nodding) Yes, Percy. Gator.

(Percy smiles happily. Sir Topham Hatt looks sternly at Donald for obedience on his task)

Donald: (sighs) Yes, sir. I'll make sure Gator's coal order is ready for him.

(Sir Topham Hatt beams and nods before walking away)

Douglas: (looking over at his twin) Sorry, Donald.

Donald: (sighs) It's fine, Douglas. The best I can do is make the best of this situation. You and James be careful now, will you?

James: (confidently) Ha! I'm always careful when it comes to trucks.

Douglas: (cheekily) Oh, yeah. We all know that, James. But we also know tell of an engine and some tar wagons.

(The engines all laugh as James chuffs away)

James was not very fond of Douglas' joke. He didn't like to be reminded of his own accidents with trucks.

(Donald sighs sadly as Douglas whistles and slowly chuffs away)

Emily: (whistling, kindly) Come on, Donald. Let's get to work.

Donald: (sighs) Sure thing, Emily.

(Donald and Emily get to work at pulling trucks about. Scene cuts to James and Douglas at Brendam Docks)

When James and Douglas arrived at the Docks, James was bumping all the trucks into line to take to the Shunting Yards. Douglas chuffed up alongside.

Douglas: (whistle) Ya'd best be careful now with those trucks, James. We don't wanna encounter trouble on the way to the Shunting Yards.

James: Nonsense, Douglas. (chuffs towards the points) The harder you bump the trucks, the more likely they are to know that you're in charge. (switches lines and backs up to the trucks where the shunter couples him up) You can be my back engine. That way, you can see how a really splendid engine like me can manage so many trucks.

Douglas: (cheekily) Aye, with pleasure. Ya'd eventually need Edward to get you up the hill anyway. (chuckles slightly, still remembering his twin)

(James scoffs at Douglas' joke as Douglas slowly chuffs up to the brake van)

James felt he had no time for jokes. He wanted to get back to pulling coaches as soon as possible. Douglas, on the other hand, tried making a practical to make the best of an uneasy situation, but matter how hard he tried, the only thing he ended up thinking of was his twin.

(Douglas sighs as he buffers up to the brake van and the shunter couples him up)

Douglas: (whistles) I'm ready, James.

James: (whistles back) So am I. Readier than you'll ever be, Douglas.

And with that, the two engines hauled the heavy train slowly and sternly out of the Docks.

(Scene fades out and cuts back to the Coal Depot with Donald shunting trucks into place)

At the Coal Depot, Donald was quietly shunting trucks into place.

Emily: (whistling, stopping across from Donald) Still missing your twin, are you, Donald?

Donald: (sighs) Yes, Emily. I just don't know I'll be able to manage all the independent work without him. Douglas and I have worked apart from each other before but...(thinking of what to say)

Emily: (suggestively) But?

Donald: (sighs) The truth is, we always do our jobs best when we work together. And Sir Topham Hatt knows it himself.

(Percy and Stanley pass by on the next set of lines across from each other)

Percy: Don't worry about it, Donald.

Stanley: At least you have the rest of your friends to share the work with.

Donald: (sighs) True, Stanley. Just a very special friend is what's missing to help me get the job done.

(Scene fades on Donald and cuts to James and Douglas on the main line)

Meanwhile, James and Douglas were busily hauling the heavy goods train along the main line. James was beginning to enjoy himself…a bit.

James: (to Douglas) I take it that you and your twin don't get such a splendid view of the main line where you work on that branch line up at Arlesburgh, do you?

Douglas: Aye, no, James. Instead, we got a nice view of the harbor… (smiling, to outsmart James)…and the branch line itself.

(James gasps, and then quickly scoffs as he pulls the trucks along, but then they start giggling)

Eventually, the trucks were up to their old tricks, but James believed they were easy to handle.

Trucks: (to each other) Hold back! Hold back!

(James bumps the trucks crossly and causes them to rattle in a pattern down the line towards Douglas, who groans as the last car wobbles the brake van and bumps him)

Douglas: (worriedly) Um, James. We're about to reach Gordon's Hill soon. Ya sure you don't need me to go in front and help you pull the train up the hill?

James: Nonsense, Douglas. We'd need some engine to help push us the hill. Gordon and I get stuck all the time.

Douglas: (confused) And your point is, James?

James: The key is, Douglas, not to slow down. Besides, you'd work as a more modern back engine than old slow Edward anyday. (smiles amusedly)

(Douglas rolls his eyes as the scene fades out and cuts back to the Coal Depot)

Back at the Coal Depot, Donald and Emily were working splendidly as Percy and Stanley shunted trucks in place for them to load under the coal hopper. They were just about done with getting Gator's train ready.

Donald: (shunting the last line of trucks with a brake van up to Gator) There you are, Gator. Your coal order is ready.

Gator: Thank you, Donald. You've all been a great help. Now we mainland engines have plenty more coal to last us a while. (whistling) Goodbye, now. (chuffs away)

(The engines all whistle as Gator leaves. Percy watches him especially)

Percy: (whistling after Gator) Goodbye, Gator! (to himself, quietly) My old friend.

Donald: (chuffing up across from Percy) Say, Percy. You and Gator seemed pretty intimate from what I be witnessing.

Percy: (sighs) Yes, Donald. Gator and I are old friends back to when he was first discovered on Sodor. He showed me that being brave is better than feeling scared. And then he went away for a while to work in the mountains, and during his absence, I learnt that it must be brave to work apart from those close to you as well.

Donald: (thinking about Douglas) Aye, reminds me of how it feels now working without my twin.

Percy: I know how you feel, Donald. But I moved on without Gator, and what do you know? He returned to Sodor. He works on the mainland nowadays but at least I get to see him often, and when I do, it just reminds me how lucky I am to have him as a friend. (whistles and gets back to work)

Donald thought hard about what Percy had said.

Donald: (to himself) Maybe seeing Douglas at the end of the day will remind me, too, how lucky I am to have him as a twin. (thinks harder) If Percy can move on from his experience with Gator and being a hard-working and useful engine, than I must do the same without my twin. (confidently) Aye! I'll do it.

Emily: (whistling as she chuffs by) Sir Topham Hatt has sent me to pull my next passenger train. Good luck, Donald!

(Drums beats start up to an instrumental reprise of We Make A Team Together, as Donald continues pulling coal trucks about the yard)

Donald felt confidence he never knew he had. He shunted the trucks gently about, and as a result, they behaved well.

(Sir Topham Hatt beams as he watches the work progression)

Sir Topham Hatt was very impressed with how the work was progressing that he was glad he was able to spare the twins for the day.

(Scene transitions back to James and Douglas passing through Henry's Tunnel)

Back on the main line, James and Douglas hauled the train through Henry's Tunnel and headed for Gordon's Hill.

James: Be careful not to slow down, Douglas. We can't afford to be stuck on this hill.

Douglas: I think I must cut in front now, James. The train does seem heavy enough for two engines to pull up the hill together.

James: Nonsense. A back engine is all I need to get the job done. That way I can get back to pulling coaches as soon as the delivery is at the Shunting Yards on time.

Douglas gave up. There was no way he could convince James how difficult it would be to get the long train up the hill without another engine in front.

(The train passes under the bridge and reaches Gordon's Hill)

Soon the two engines reached Gordon's Hill. James' fireman stoked up plenty of coal for him to make it over the Hill, but it wasn't long before the trucks' plan to trick the two engines was put into action.

Trucks: (whispering to each other) Hold back! Hold back!

The trucks holding James back halfway up Gordon's Hill.

(Douglas moves his wheels in an attempt to push the train)

Douglas tried pushing the train from the other end, but it was too heavy. The train was well and truly stuck.

(James groans)

Douglas: (sighs) I'm sorry, James. I'm trying my hardest. I think we took too many trucks.

James: Oh, stuff and nonsense, Douglas. Edward can push heavier trains than this, and he's one of the oldest engines on Sodor. Don't you haul trains like this all the time?

Douglas: Yes, but not as a back engine. I'm sorry, James. You were right. It's like my twin and I are indifferent. We're not usually best at working apart after all.

James: But, Douglas, you helped me haul this heavy goods train all the way from Brendam. It's me who should be sorry. I couldn't have gone all this way without you.

Douglas: Ya really mean that, James?

James: I do, Douglas. Besides, it takes time to learn new things. The harder you try at it, the more likely you are to end up succeeding. I've learnt this as a splendid red mixed-traffic engine myself.

Douglas had thought about what James had said. Then, he took a deep breath.

Douglas: Yer right. I'm also a mixed-traffic engine. There's nothing I can't do. (confidently) Don't worry, James. We'll get this train to the Shunting Yards on time. (whistles, pushing towards the train)

Douglas pushed and puffed, and puffed and pushed…and finally he was able to push the heavy train slowly up the hill.

(Another instrumental rendition of We Make A Team Together starts as Douglas pushes the train slowly up the hill, pushing all of the groaning trucks in line. James pulls them up the hill and over)

The two engines had made successfully pulled the heavy train over Gordon's Hill and had made it to the Shunting Yards all in good time.

Samson: (whistling) Thank you, James and Douglas. (chuffs away with the goods train, James and Douglas whistling after him)

(Instrumental ends as James and Douglas return to the Coal Depot)

James and Douglas arrived back at the Coal Depot where Donald was waiting.

Donald: Aye, Douglas. How was it?

Douglas: It was fun, Donald. I learnt from James that I could be as good of a back engine as Edward.

James: You learnt that yourself, Douglas, by helping me haul that train up the hill…(smiling)…with my help of course. I apologize if I hurt both of you earlier. Your two-tone whistles are just as good as any other, just a bit more…unique, that's all.

Then Sir Topham Hatt arrived.

Topham: Thanks for all your help here at the Depot today, Donald.

Donald: Oh, well, no problem, sir.

Topham: I know it wasn't easy without your twin, but you still managed to work independently in the Depot by yourself. As for you, James and Douglas, despite that little mishap on Gordon's Hill, I'm glad to see that you still managed to make the delivery over to the Shunting Yards all in good time.

James: Does this mean I can go back to pulling coaches now, sir?

Topham: Indeed, James. Your passengers are waiting after all.

(James whistles and chuffs away. Watching this, Donald and Douglas look over at Sir Topham Hatt beams and nods his head at them. The twins chuckle at each other and whistle as they leave the depot. Scene cuts to sunset with the twins chuffing together on the same line)

The twins felt good to be back together again, as they chuffed together back home to Arlesburgh. On the way, they met Gordon, who was stranded on the express line.

Douglas: Hello, Gordon. (cheekily) A little short of steam, are ya?

Gordon: Unfortunately, Douglas, I ran out of water on my way back to Tidmouth. It's a shame too for a big express engine like me.

Donald: Oh, well, why didn't you say so?

Gordon: (confused) I beg your pardon.

Donald: (switching lines) Don't worry, Gordon. We're here to help ya. (buffers up to Gordon)

Gordon: Really?

Douglas: Of course. That's what friends are for, eh?

Gordon: Um…well, I…

Gordon didn't know what to say. Luckily, he didn't have to say anything as the twins were glad to help a fellow engine in need.

(Douglas buffers up to Gordon's tender)

Douglas: Ya ready, Donald?

Donald: Ready when you are, Douglas.

(Donald and Douglas pull Gordon along the express line)

The twins pulled Gordon along the express line to the nearest water tower. Gordon didn't what to make of this. He hadn't been very kind to the twins lately by joking about their two-tone whistles, but felt more than grateful for their help anyway.

(The twins stop Gordon at the water tower where he takes on water)

Gordon: Thank you, Donald and Douglas. I'm sorry I teased you both. Your two-tone whistles are grand after all.

Donald: (whistles) Aye, thank ye, Gordon! (switches back to his line)

Douglas: Anytime, Gordon. Anytime. (reverses back to his line)

(Donald and Douglas chuff back on their way back home. Gordon slightly smiles as the scene fades out and cuts to nighttime with Donald, Douglas, Ryan and Daisy lined up in their berths at Arlesburgh Sheds)

Later that night, Sir Topham Hatt came to see the twins. He was very pleased with them.

Topham: I am happy to hear that you were able to work as well on your own, Donald and Douglas, as you do in pairs. You've both proved how well you can manage the work in the yard independently, and I'm very impressed.

Donald

And Thank ye, sir!

Douglas:

Topham: Better still, I understand that you both enjoy working best in pairs, even if the job calls for one engine and not two. While you may face the opportunity in future of working apart from one another, the probability is remote that you will work away from one another. While all my engines on the Island perform separate duties, you are all a team, especially when you work together.

Donald: Aye, sir.

Douglas: We've both learnt that today. Which leads to believe that…

Donald

And (together) …no twin is an island!

Douglas:

(Donald, Douglas, Ryan, Daisy and Sir Topham Hatt laugh as the scene zooms out over the nighttime sky and fades to credits)