Happy Halloween! I know it's a couple days early, but I thought I might have this up a bit early in order to set the atmosphere. It's been a busy semester for me so far at college, but I'm relieved to have gotten my Fall set done by this point, while balancing that out with my coursework, and the Spring set in the New Year could take a bit of time as well. I'm pretty confident too that it won't affect my grades. Not that THIS current set did of course. But for now, I've finally gotten through with Ryan's Ghostly Tale for it's obvious deadline, and I've thought carefully about it too. I'd like to acknowledge Chase The Ferroequinologist for allowing me to use two characters from your Original Episodes and Rampage Of The Rail Bandits fanfics, something I wanted to remind you of before you read this story and see how they turn out in the supporting roles I've had for them here, so thank you! I've also prepared a new format for this story to set for future ones as well, that I hope you all might like. I don't know. I got a little bored of doing it in screenplay form, and figured this would seem more natural, with the italics only from the narrator's point of view. I must warn though, this is a long-arse story. Probably the longest I've ever written and it could probably split into a two-parter if it was televised. But I had so much story packed into it that this was the outcome, but I hope it doesn't affect the reading experience. And so, without further ado, ...to sit back on the edge of your seat and listen to...Ryan's Ghostly Tale!
Moral: nobody's brave all the time/overcoming your fears
Short Synopsis: it is Halloween night, and the Arlesdale Railway engines tell a ghost story about the Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh and all the clues that lead up to it's presence. Ryan laughs and seems confident not to believe in it. However, the route darkens along his evening journey, and as things constantly go bump in the night, Ryan's fearful instincts kick in, as he realizes that bravery isn't always such an easy thing to handle after all…
The engines on the Island of Sodor always look forward to Halloween. It is that time of year where they could easily finish have the day's work quickly to join in on the evening festivities….from Halloween parties…to seeing the children dress up as ghouls, ghosts, goblins, witches, wizards and many other things…and joining on in the fun as they pass by them go trick-or-treating from village to village, station to station. But if there was one thing the engines looked forward to, it was to listen to a nice spooky and chilling ghost story; haunted stations or ghost engines, it always set the mood for the most frighteningly anticipated night of the year
One Halloween night, a full moon was set in the sky, as the engines went about their evening jobs. The festivities were long gone over and the children were fast asleep in their beds. But that didn't stop the engines being really useful and resuming their work from where they left off at the end of the afternoon. There was much work to do at the ballast quarry over at the Arlesdale Railway. Ryan and Marion had been asked to work with Mike, Rex and Bert, and with their help, the work was just about finished, as Oliver and Toad arrived to take their usual load of ballast back to their branch line on the "Little Western".
"Phew!" Ryan let out, as he pulled alongside Marion, "we've shunted every last truck in the ballast quarry tonight. Haven't we, Marion?"
"Oh, I don't mind, Ryan," she replied, "if there's one thing I like better as much as digging, it's shunting trucks from here to there full of loud, heavy ballast! It surely helps to keep the pace going on a night like this."
Mike whistled and rolled his eyes and passed by Ryan and Marion.
"Oh, dear," he sighed, "her again."
He reached the platform the top station, just as Bert pulled in on the track across. He could see Mike looked troubled.
"What's the matter, Mike?" he asked.
"It's that silly old steam shovel again, Bert. She never stops talking. Next thing you know, it's going to be the magic engine story all over again, I tell you."
Rex chuckled, as he stopped on the other track across from Bert.
"What's the matter, Mike?" he teased, "scared that you'll be the subject again of her magic wishes? It is Halloween after all."
Mike scoffed, and argued back, "well, you wouldn't be laughing if you were her next target. Now, would you?"
"I don't know, Mike," replied Rex cheekily, "I've never had an issue with it."
Bert rolled his eyes and said, "that's quite enough, you two. Besides, we can have a bit of fun and tell those giant friends of ours a story to set the atmosphere. Remember the one we talked about earlier?
"Um…"
"Well…"
"Say no more. Let's spread the word to everyone and meet back up here at once."
And Bert chuffed away. Mike and Rex did the same, as they went about to tell their friends about their Halloween story.
In no time at all, Ryan, Marion, Oliver and Toad gathered at Arlesdale Junction. Bert, Rex and Mike arrived, and were ready to begin the tale they had thought of to set the atmosphere for a very special night.
"Thank you all for coming," said Bert, stopping three tracks away from Marion and Oliver's track, with Rex and Mike lined up respectfully on the next two, "the lads and I here have thought it over, and it has come to our attention that we have a special story to tell you all. Rex and Mike and I have agreed that you've all worked very hard this evening and before you finish up your evening deliveries, we'd like to look at this as a special treat: a ghost story."
"Ghost story?" Ryan wondered with curiousity.
"Ghost story?" inquired Oliver, raising his eyebrow in surprise.
"G-g-ghost story?" quivered Marion, shaking nervously.
"Oh, this will get her," Mike whispered smugly over to Rex, who giggled quietly back in agreement.
"A ghost story, my fellow engines," Bert explained, "the legendary tale of the…Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh." Everyone laughed, except for Marion who gulped nervously, as Bert took a deep breath, and so the story began. "It all started back in the olden days of Sodor down by Calles Cavern when The Lost Pirate Captain Calles himself went about attacking and sinking fellow merchant ships… and stealing their treasure. BUT…one very dark and misty Halloween night, Captain Calles figured he had stolen just about enough treasure to bury an old cavern by Arlesburgh, giving Calles Cavern itself it's very name of course."
The engines, minus a frightened Marion of course, listened with interest, as Rex chuffed up beside Bert and continued the story. "Because the old Captain had an entire posse on his tail, he sailed his ship far from sea and toward land he pressed on, BUT…the ship's masses were down that very night and fierce winds swirled around the ol' Captain's ship. Gusts of wind forced it away towards land and the Captain's precious treasure was blown overboard. The ship tipped over the tracks along with Captain Calles himself. And down it went plummeting into the grounds below. And while the map was in sight far beneath along with Captain Calles' ship, the treasure was covered far over from the accident, and was therefore buried deep within the Cavern. It had never been found to this very day, but Captain Calles seemed to have vanished that very night. The Navy arrived next morning and looked all over for him, but the remains of the accident were far within the Cavern, so therefore, new tracks were built, and once Calles' ship had been discovered about 400 years later, the Cavern had indeed been named after him as tribute to the very legend of The Lost Pirate himself."
Mike pulled quickly up beside Rex and finished off the story. "Every year on Halloween, as the mist rolls in around Calles Cavern and leads all the way up to Arlesburgh, a ghost, the old Ghost Captain himself will go looking for his dear treasure, which he has yet to find. But only time will tell when he does…and manages to escape Sodor aboard his very own ship where it now stands at the harbor view."
Marion trembled quietly and keeping her eyes shut in fear. Mike watched this, and with a sly expression on his face, he continued the story as he slowly snuck up on her. "And so, legend has it…that on Halloween night, the Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh roams about the line running from Harwick up to Arlesburgh, searching for his treasure to take back with him on his departure to Sodor, and looking to get his revenge by finding to an engine to haunt." He moved closer to a still scared Marion, quietly continuing, "and maybe…, tonight…, that engine…will be you! BOO!"
Mike whistled loudly, startling Marion and causing her to gasp and scream loudly out of fear. The three little engines laughed loudly and glanced at each other in amusement, while Oliver watched this with a solemn smile on his face, and Ryan and Toad glanced over at Marion with sympathy.
"Are you alright, Marion?" Ryan asked, "it's only a story."
"Oh, don't mind her," Mike chuckled, "Marion's gullible to anything, whether it's real or not. Even us three little engines oughta know that."
"I'm sorry," said Marion, finally getting a hold of herself, "you're right. What was I thinking? This is very silly of me to, you know, get scared and all, and…" She groaned as she couldn't think of a way to finish her sentence. Unfortunately, she didn't have to.
"Don't be scared, Marion," Oliver chuckled, "there's no such things as ghosts. You have nothing to worry about."
"Mr. Oliver is right, Ms. Marion," Toad added, "most ghost stories aren't true, as it happens. Even I get scared sometimes, but deep down down, it's all in my imagination."
"I don't even need imagination to overcome my fears," Ryan confidently explained", "being brave is a natural tendency for me, really, every time I pass the ship at Arlesburgh and think of pirates."
"Well, you'd best mind how you go tonight, Ryan," teased Rex, "you wouldn't want the The Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh to haunt you, now, would you?
"I'm not scared of any ghost pirate, Rex," chuckled Ryan, "I know that story is all just silly make-believe." And he chuffed away to fetch his evening train, as Mike, Rex and Bert looked at each other in disbelief.
Oliver and Toad picked their evening load of ballast and took it over to their own branch line, while Marion went home to the Clay Pits. Ryan collected his own ballast trucks and then picked up the rest of his train from the Construction Yard, before setting off into the misty night…
"Pfft! Ghost pirates! Huh!" he chuckled bravely as he left the yard.
Ryan felt very brave as he began his usual route along his own branch line, starting at Harwick Station.
"No ghosts for me on the way to Arlesburgh tonight. I guarantee it," he sighed, and smiled confidently, slowly shutting his eyes in relaxation. "Nothing to be scared of at…a-a-all!" He jumped suddenly and opened his eyes at the sudden sound of the guard's whistle before leaving the station, settling down immediately.
Meanwhile, Thomas was returning Annie and Clarabel to the yard. Once he arrived at Knapford, he was surprised to see police sirens flashing beside the station's interior. Sir Topham Hatt was in his office, conferring with two other men. Thomas could almost recognize who they were from looking through the office window.
"What do you suppose is going on here, Annie and Clarabel?"
"We have no idea, Thomas. But the police being involved must surely mean something.
"Indeed, Annie. But what could it possibly be?"
"It's strict police business! That's what it is," a voice suddenly called from just outside the station, startling all three.
"Sergeant Roy?" Thomas gasped with surprise, as he chuffed up beside him, "but…I don't understand. What are you doing here? Why are the police here at Knapford?"
Roy, the police buggy Sergeant who worked with Detective Regan, sighed, and explained, "I'm afraid I haven't much of an idea, little Thomas. But Detective Miles is surely keen to attend to the matter, and he's arranged a small party consisting of Constable Roger and himself. He seemed in a hurry and didn't tell me much, but the constable arrived just a few minutes ago."
"They must be solving some sort of mystery," thought Thomas carefully, "but the question is: what?"
"If I knew any more, I'd tell you, Thomas. But perhaps it's best we let Miles and Sir Topham sort this matter out themselves for now."
Thomas decided to wait till Sir Topham Hatt was finished talking and ask him for himself.
The three men left of the office, and Sir Topham Hatt listened carefully as Regan finished talking.
"I see," the controller replied gravely, as he stood before them on the platform, "yes, this is all quite shocking, gentlemen, but nothing strange or odd of the sort has happened here at Knapford tonight. If I figure anything out, I promise, Miles, you'll be the first to know. But I do highly suggest that you and your men keep on track of this investigation at all costs."
"Very well, Sir Topham, sir," Detective Regan replied, "the chief and I give you our full thanks for your participation in this matter."
"As do I, sir," added Roger.
"Thank you both very much," replied Sir Topham Hatt, "and remember: any issue on the railway is mine to deal with as well. If you folks need my assistance, just ask." Regan chuckled.
"Will do, Sir Topham, thanks." Then he turned to Roger and said "excuse me, constable. Can I speak with you in private for a moment?"
"Certainly, detective."
And they walked further down the platform and conferred with each other, as Sir Topham Hatt sighed and walked slowly back towards his office, thinking things over. Thomas pulled up alongside.
"Um, excuse me, sir," he began, as Sir Topham Hatt turned his head over at him in surprise, "but I do notice the police are here at Knapford Station. Is something wrong, sir?"
Sir Topham Hatt sighed and decided to tell Thomas all about it.
"Oh, it's quite a long story, Thomas. In fact, I'm not sure if you'll believe this or not. But it seems that…"
"AHHHH!"
Sir Topham Hatt's speech was suddenly interrupted by a loud screaming sound. All at once, Sir Topham Hatt, Detective Regan and Constable Roger ran out to see Sergeant Roy suddenly racing down the road thad led by Knapford Junction, panicking all the way.
"HELP! Help me, Miles! HELP!"
"Roy!" shouted Regan, running out a bit before stopping and sighing in dismay as he watched Roy race out of sight.
"Oh, dear" he groaned, walking back towards Sir Topham Hatt, Constable Roger and a very surprised Thomas. He then expressed regretfully, "this is all my fault. I really did pick the wrong night to leave the keys in the ignition."
"It's not like you knew something like that was going to happen, Miles," said Roger, "but it's sort of strange how many things can go wrong on a night like this."
"What is he talking about?!" Thomas inquired, getting a bit impatient.
"Um, just a moment, please," Sir Topham Hatt answered, before turning back towards the two men. "Don't worry, Miles. We're going to get him back. I declare myself a participant in this investigation."
"Eh, are you sure about Sir Topham?" Regan asked, "I do appreciate it, but shouldn't you settle that with the chief first?"
"This is my railway, Detective, and besides, there is no other way of me getting home since you and Roy gave me an escort here by car. Thomas could give me a lift since he has no other jobs for the night"
Regan sighed. "Okay, Sir Topham, you win. How 'bout we split up into two-man teams? I usually have a tracking beam equipped to Roy to know where is in case I lose him. Luckily that came in handy tonight. Roger and I will track him down along the road. Here, take this." He tossed a walkie talkie over to Sir Topham Hatt who startled and caught in just in time. "I always keep a spare one with me in case of emergencies. That'll come in handy as well."
"Um…thanks, detective. Excellent plan," agreed Sir Topham Hatt, "and Thomas and I will pursue our search on track."
"That's settled," nodded Roger.
"Hey, Roger, I hope you won't mind giving me a lift, would you?" Regan asked. Roger chuckled.
"Of course not, detective. Hop on in"
"Oh, thank you, constable. How could I ever repay you?"
"No need," Roger replied, heading towards his Sodor Police Department (SPD) car with Regan following, "it's all on our line of police work after all."
"Um…are you sure two won't need backup," called Sir Topham Hatt from a distance.
"Not at this moment in time, Sir Topham," called Roger, as he and Regan hopped in the car, "I think there's a good reason why the chief only asked Detective Regan and I to be on the case. We're sure to be fine." And he slammed the door shut before the car started up and drove away.
"Um, sir," asked Thomas, inching slowly forward, "may I ask now what this all about it, sir?"
"I'll explain to you and your driver on the way, Thomas, but there really is no time to lose," said Sir Topham Hatt, as he boarded Thomas' cab, and turned towards his driver and fireman. "Has Thomas a good fire then?"
"Better than he's had all week, sir," the driver answered.
"Just about enough to last the night, I suppose," the fireman replied.
"Good. I think I know where to pursue our search," thought Sir Topham Hatt carefully, "steady now, Thomas."
And the search party left Knapford Station. Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt began searching the whole Island on track, while Detective Roy and Constable Roger made their way by car. But as they started off, Regan was a little worried, and Roger could see this just from looking at him.
"Now, don't worry, Miles," he soothed, "we'll search the road where the tracking beam leads us, and have your partner Roy back in no time."
"Thanks, Roger," Regan replied, "but you must understand something. Roy's not just my partner, he's my best friend. And I'd put my life at risk just to save him, like I'm doing tonight."
"Mmm, very brave," Roger admitted, "I'd just about the same for my family, you see, especially in a matter so serious."
And with that, the two men continued on along the roadway.
Back on his branch line, Ryan had just finished making his deliveries to all the stations around the town of Harwick, and was now chuffing along his route that led by Arlesburgh Harbor.
"There's no such things as ghosts," Ryan reminded himself, and chuckled confidently, "silly little engines. Who do they think they're fooling?"
Even the fierce winds picking up, and the sound of an owl hooting didn't make Ryan scared. But pretty soon, the mist rolled in and he had to slow down.
"Hmm," he thought to himself, "the mist usually comes down around this time of night, especially when the line runs by the ocean tides."
In a moment, Ryan would pass by Calles Cavern, but he knew exactly where he was going, even in the dark when his headlamp shone brightly all around.
Ryan pressed on, murmuring to himself, "no such things as ghosts. No such things as ghosts." But reality was that Ryan was getting a little nervous, as he looked all around him.
SCREECH!
"Ah!" gasped Ryan, "what was that?!"
His driver chuckled.
"Settle down, Ryan. It's only an owl."
"Oh," sighed Ryan, chuckling nervously, "yeah, I knew that. Hehe."
But Ryan didn't really seem as brave as he would have hoped. Strange shadows from tree branches dangled over him as he made his way along. Then, he reached by near the cove by the Cavern.
"Isn't there where Mike, Rex and Bert said that ghost pirate would appear?" he wondered to himself.
A flock of birds suddenly flew out from atop the cave. Ryan gasped and screeched to a stop as he looked out overhead.
"Everything alright this evening, Ryan?" his driver asked.
Before Ryan could answer, a set of bright yellow eyes looked out at him from a tree branch that hung over the cove.
"What's that?" he trembled.
Several more sets of eyes peeked out from all around and emerged from the tree.
"AHHHHHH!"
Ryan shut his eyes as a flock of bats flew out overhead.
"Relax, Ryan," his driver urged, "it was just a flock of bats. Now we must carry on. We can't afford to be late."
Ryan moved slowly forward and looked all around him through the mist.
"Ryan!"
Ryan stopped quickly at the sudden sound of a faint voice and looked all around.
"W-w-what was that?" he trembled.
His driver sensed this too, as he looked out across from Ryan's cab. But the wind blew past, and it was so dark and misty that he could hardly see beyond Ryan's wheels.
"Ryan!" the voice came again.
"W-w-who's there?" Ryan stuttered nervously.
There was no reply; only a faint breathing sound. They were on the track that led beside the road, but Ryan was aware that he and his driver weren't alone.
"Who is that?" Ryan inquired again, "what do you want?"
"Keep away, Ryan! Keep away!"
"I warn you! Stay away! I-I-I don't want any trouble, you see…"
"Keep away, Ryan!" the voice wailed louder once more, as a strange figure emerged from the mist and peeked out at him.
"AHHHHHH! GHOST PIRATES!" Ryan's driver was worried too.
"Come on, Ryan! Let's get out of here."
"M-m-much obliged!"
And Ryan raced away with his trucks, screaming all the way. The figure followed in pursuit, as the voice wailed out "Ryan! Ryan!"
"AHHHHHH! KEEP AWAY!"
"Ryan!"
The chase followed out of the mist, and all the way up towards the top station at Arlesburgh.
Ryan's driver let off steam and urged "slow down, Ryan! Slow down!"
Ryan applied his brakes hard, but it was too late as he went rushing through the station, startling the porter.
"Woah!"
Ryan stopped with the other half of his trucks just beyond the platform. He backed down onto the platform until his trucks were all in alignment. The porter shot him a weird look, before he and the workmen prepared to unload his first truck.
"Oh, dear," Ryan sighed to himself, "I must get a hold of myself. Was that the real Captain Calles' ghost…or was it all in my imagination?"
Ryan wasn't for sure, but little did he know that the mysterious figure had made it's way along the harbor roadway through the mist.
Roger's police car was silent from the inside. Suddenly, the laser from Regan's tracker blinked from the built-in road map, and Regan and Roger gazed suddenly over at it.
"Mmm, the tracker must be detecting it's target," Regan assumed, "it's best we keep following it. You might never when we find what we're looking for."
"You certain that tracker's accurate to our predictions?" Roger inquired.
"I bet my badge on it," Regan replied, smoothening his trench coat slowly, as he fixedly watched the tracker beam, "I think it's best we call for backup. I'll contact the chief immediately."
"Splendid idea, Miles."
Regan dialed the chief's office number for the Sodor Police Department, and the call started pending as Roger drove on.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt had made their way up to Harwick, and were now patrolling the line carefully.
"Keep on the lookout, Thomas," said Sir Topham Hatt, as he leaned out and looked across from his cab, "if Roy's anywhere, he's bound to be here."
"I agree, sir. If not here, then perhaps up by Arlesburgh. The investigation may lead up here after all."
Thomas arrived at the top station by Harwick. The stationmaster was waiting for them on the platform, and Sir Topham Hatt explained everything.
"I'm sorry, Sir Topham. I haven't seen anything strange along these roads tonight," the stationmaster explained, "though I do have one slight concern."
"Oh," Sir Topham Hatt gapsed back in surprise, "what's that now?"
"Ryan's already taken his goods train up to Arlesburgh and Skiff eventually needs to bring the workmen home for the night. Should I phone the stations at the harbor and tell them otherwise, sir?"
"Hmm…," pondered Sir Topham Hatt, "well, surely it might not safe for Ryan or Skiff to be out there in a time like this, but they'll be much safer under my watch whilst I carry out the investigation with the police. Besides, the workmen do need to get home and there are still goods that need to be delivered. Please, proceed and warn the harbor stationmasters. If Sergeant Roy was hijacked, and my methods for why it happened are correct, then it's pretty remote, really, that it will happen of my engines."
Thomas quivered at such a thought and left the station, as the stationmaster walked away to telephone the stations at Arlesburgh.
Thomas was growing a little scared as he pressed on through the mist. And he was a bit worried about Ryan and Skiff as well, and whether or not they were going to be alright.
Ryan was currently making his deliveries around the stations by Arlesburgh, and only had a few more stops to make. He was making good time and feeling very pleased with himself. But he still wondered whether or not what he had really seen earlier was the Ghost Pirate that Mike, Rex and Bert were talking about. The mist began to roll in over harbor, and Ryan was determined to remain brave as he had planned, as his taillamp shone through the mist.
"There's no such things as ghosts. There's no such things as ghosts," he kept muttering to himself. But he was still skeptical whether or not he could stay brave or not, especially after what he had seen at the Cavern.
But no matter how scared Ryan seemed to be, the route that led along by the coast couldn't help but keep him in good spirits.
It wasn't long before Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt reached the harbor, and they looked about cautiously as the mist came down. Thomas ventured slowly forward, as Sir Topham Hatt looked hard out from his cab.
"Keep on the lookout, Thomas. Surely Ryan's nearly finished with his deliveries by now, and if the Sergeant is anywhere, he's bound to have ended up somewhere around here."
Now Thomas had three friends he was worried about, as he pressed on through the mist. Sir Topham Hatt spoke into his walkie-talkie.
"Miles? Come in, Miles. Do you read me?"
Eventually, a beeping sound occurred, followed by a reply, "roger."
"Roger?" Sir Topham Hatt asked, confused, "but…but…I don't understand. I thought Miles…"
Regan chuckled over the other end and spoke into the walkie-talkie, "no, Sir Topham. "Roger" is a form we use in police work to ensure that the one you're communicating through has received your message clearly." He sighed heavily and continued, "yes, well, the constable and I have just about made it. We're along the road through Harwick, and I've arranged for backup as well.
"Oh, oh, good. Excellent," Sir Topham Hatt's voice replied into the walkie-talkie, "yes, Thomas and I are sure we've nearly found what we're looking for, but…" Sir Topham Hatt continued, as he looked slowly out from Thomas cab, "…the mist does seem to be picking up real fast. It's kind of harder to get a signal now."
Sir Topham Hatt's voice buzzed over the other end as there was a cracking sound occurring from the walkie-talkie.
"Miles? Roger?" his voice blurred.
"Sir Topham? Please, stay with us," pleaded Regan, "we don't want…" But it was no use. A constant fast beeping sound indicated the loss of signal. "Thomas? Sir Topham!" the detective trembled, shaking the walkie-talkie before dropping it in a slight tantrum. Roger looked over from the driving seat in surprise.
"What's wrong?" he inquired, "where are they?"
"I have no idea, Roger," sighed Regan, "but here's what I do know: Thomas and Sir Topham are in considerable peril as now, and so is poor Roy."
"We're just about there, Miles. I'm sure we'll find them in time."
Regan just hoped that Roger was right, as they carried on.
Ryan had just finished making his last delivery, and was now ready to head back to the Construction Yard with his empty trucks. However, the mist rolled in along his route by the quay, and Ryan, once again, tried not to get scared.
"Must be brave! Must be brave!" he reminded himself. But reality was that he was rather nervous. Suddenly, he saw a strange pointy figure on the across from him beside the Ship of Arlesburgh. "Hmm," he thought, as he turned down onto the siding and stopped just beside the figure, surprised by who it was.
"Skiff?" he gasped.
"Hello, Ryan," the sailboat cheerily replied, "how are you doing this evening?"
"I'm, uh, doing fine, I guess. But what are you doing here at this time of night?"
"Me? Oh, I just thought I might look at view for a bit before going to pick up the workmen and take them home. It's a long journey, you see, through all the harbor stations and villages. But I enjoy it, really."
"I'm sorry, Skiff," sighed Ryan, "but I haven't really been myself lately. I thought you were something else for a second. Perhaps the…"
He paused right in the middle of his sentence, as Skiff gave him a look of curiosity.
"A what?" he asked.
"AHHHHHH!"
Before Ryan could finish his sentence, he and Skiff heard a strange wailing sound coming from up the line.
"Oh, no!" shivered Ryan, "here it comes! The ghost pirate!"
"Ghost pirate? Huh?"
Skiff suddenly widened his eyes as he saw a mysterious force coming along the roadway.
"The Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh! Captain Calles himself! It's here!" Ryan trembled, "run, Skiff!"
From out of the mist, the mysterious force believed to have been the ghost pirate spoke…
"I'm no ghost pirate!" it spluttered. The mist cleared a little, enough for Ryan and Skiff to see who it was.
"Sergeant Roy?" they both gasped.
Roy sighed heavily and said, "I don't think you two realize what has happened to me this very night. I warned you to stay away, Ryan, so you wouldn't get hijacked as well."
"Hijacked?" Ryan wondered, "but…"
"Hush! Look!" Skiff suddenly interrupted, as he looked nervously up towards Roy's interior.
The mysterious figure suddenly rose up from Roy's interior and hopped out and onto the ground. It walked slowly closer past Ryan, Skiff and Roy, carrying a lantern. It was so misty that the three of them couldn't make out who it was, but eventually they observed more closely. As the figure turned around to face them and worked slowly closer, they thought they had an idea.
Ryan gasped, speechless.
"Oh, dear! It's…it's…"
"Yes, Ryan," Roy quietly trembled, "I believe it is. It's…"
"The-g-g-ghost pirate!" Ryan trembled nervously.
"Um…ghost pirate?" Roy wondered, as he glance over at him in confusion.
There was a brief silence before the figure stopped and shone the lantern brightly against it's face as it looked towards the three. Skiff panicked when he realized who it was.
"S-s-s-Sailor…John!" he gulped.
The old pirate, still wearing his prison jumpsuit, chuckled darkly.
"Surprised to see me, eh, Skiff? It has been an awful long time now, hasn't it?" he said, before continuing vengefully, "since you've double-crossed me…that is."
But Skiff was eager to stand up to his former partner, and said boldly, "you won't get away this time, Sailor John!"
"Oh, now, is that so?" gasped Sailor John, leaning his head back slightly in surprise, "then how is it that I managed to escape from prison? Any treasure hunt is worth that, now, isn't it?"
"Not quite," Skiff solemnly replied.
"Unfortunately for you," Roy added, "my fellow detective and partner is on the way with the constable. You surely won't escape under their watch."
Ryan observed the confrontation nervously, not knowing what to think of it, as Sailor John chuckled once more.
"You silly great vehicles! You honestly think you can defeat ME?!" he spluttered, pointing his hands directly towards himself, and then reaching his fist out. "We'll see about that once the tides set way for that ol' pirate ship by the dock here, now, won't we?"
"Just what exactly would you want with the Ship of Arlesburgh?" Roy asked with suspicion.
"The treasure's been recovered from sea and safely placed in a museum where it belongs," Skiff added, "you'll never see that treasure again, Sailor John!"
Sailor John chuckled heavily, then sighed and let out, "oh, I'm amazed how even after over a year serving my time behind bars, you still tend to amuse me, Skiff. I don't care no more about any treasure! If anything, ol' Captain Calles' ship would drift merchants away from the coast for sure. Than I'll be able to steal their treasure. Pretty clever, eh?"
"You're living in the past, John!" Roy heavily stated, "you really think that after 400 years, merchants will believe that you're the real Lost Pirate?"
"No!" the old pirate finished, as he untied the Ship's ropes from the dock handles, "but I think I'd make for a pretty convincing ghost pirate instead."
Sailor John hopped onto the Ship, and Ryan, Skiff and Roy watched in shock as it sailed slowly forward, the loosened boat ropes slowly pulling off the dock.
"NOOOO!" Ryan shouted out, immediately racing into the siding towards the Ship. His driver stopped him just in time and quickly caught one of the boat ropes.
"So long Sodor!" Sailor John called out as he steered the Ship in alignment with the rails, "you'll never catch me now! Ah hahahahahaha…woah!"
Something suddenly jerked the Ship to a moving stop, startling Sailor John, as he looked over from the deck and grunted. There was Ryan, pulling hard with his eyes shut, as the rope hook was hitched firmly to his coupling rod.
"What do you think you're doing?" he spluttered. "let go of the rope! Let go, I tell you!"
"Looks like your voyage is over, pirate!" Ryan boldly declared, looking Sailor John right in the eyes, "I'm no longer afraid of you!"
Sailor John laughed loudly and said, "you silly tank engine! You've meddled with my plans for the last time tonight! What makes you think you can stop ol' Sailor John, eh?"
Ryan pulled as hard as he could, as the Ship trundled back and forth as result of Ryan's traction.
"Be careful, Ryan!" warned Roy.
Eventually, Ryan couldn't hold his grip any longer, and went flying along the rails.
"WOOOOOAH!" he wailed, as he strived to keep his balance looking towards the sea below him. His driver applied the brakes hard, and he stopped just in time. He opened his eyes to see himself dangling over the edge of the dock, looking towards the tide below him.
Ryan still pulled hard, and Sailor John chuckled…until he heard a familiar whistle echoing from down the line.
"Thomas!" he gasped.
Sure enough, the little blue tank engine made his way around on the track beside Ryan, and glared up at Sailor John.
"You picked the right night to escape from prison, Sailor John," he said firmly, as Sir Topham Hatt exited his cab and glared up at the old pirate as well, "but unfortunately, you won't be getting away this time either!"
Sailor John couldn't control his anger any longer and raised his fist, bursting out, "TRAITOR! DOUBLE CROSSER! And now I see two meddling tank engines, eh?! I'll have you in the scrap heaps for this, I tell you!" He picked up a small plank of wood beside him and smashed his lantern against it, lighting a flame around the top. He chuckled once more as he aimed it towards Ryan and the others.
"Look out! He's got a flare!" Skiff warned in a panick.
Ryan gasped and quickly shut his eyes.
"Back away!" shouted Roy, as he moved slowly backward.
Sailor John chuckled louder, holding his flare in midair and aiming it back, while shouting out, "who can stop me now, eh?" before chuckling once more. "Wooaah!"
Sailor John startled at the sound of a loud police siren and lost his balance as he fell over the side of the Ship. He plunged into the water, as the stick sank down below and black smoke billowed from beneath the surface. Sailor John swam towards the edge of the lower dock, as the police car stopped right in sight of him. He climbed onto the dock in a scurry, as both Regan and Roger had their guns pointed at him.
"Game's up, John!" Regan declared.
"Might as well surrender while you still can!" added Roger.
The old pirate ran as fast as he could up the side of the dock, with both Regan and Roger in pursuit chasing after him. They got closer and closer towards the running pirate, and Sailor John made his way up towards the tracks when….
BAM!
Something hit Sailor John hard across his head, and he thudded to the ground, in time for Roger to run up, before bending down and handcuffing him.
"Hmm," thought Sir Topham Hatt, as he stepped out into view, looking at the part carefully where he had hit Sailor John.
"Well done, Sir Topham! Well done!" chuckled Regan.
"Oh, well, thank you," he replied with surprise, smoothened his cane across the top. "I guess in this case, age does come with experience after all."
Thomas beamed at him in congratulation, and he chuckled right back at his #1 engine.
Skiff picked up the workmen and brought them on their journey home, relieved of such an unexpected encounter with his former friend. The boat ropes from the ship were hooked and tied up back on the dock handles, but Ryan's coupling rod was damaged. Soon afterwards, two deputies arrived from the Police Department as backup at Regan's request.
Thomas and Ryan glared over at a struggling Sailor John, as Roger and Deputy Wilson carried him over the car to the police car.
"This isn't the end of it!" fumed Sailor John, "I'll be back. Just you wait and see now…"
"Quiet!" Roger boomed.
They lowered him down and opened the door to the back seat, which suddenly bumped into Sailor's John's head.
"Ow!"
"Watch your head now!" Wilson reminded, as they pushed him inside and slammed the door.
Sailor John, hands still cuffed behind his back, kicked up and down in his seat in an outrage. Roger watched this for a split second, and then glanced over at the deputy.
"Get him back on the station on the double," he said, "this time, we'll make sure we have him up in shackles to ensure this won't happen again."
"Much obliged, sir," Wilson replied.
Deputy Clyde spoke into the intercom inside the car, "that's great news, Chief. Thanks." He then rose up from the driving seat and sighed as he walked towards Roger and Wilson.
"Chief says you and the detective can turn for the night, constable. Wilson and I still need to bring our prisoner back down to the station before we can call it a night."
"Thank you, Clyde," Roger replied, "you've both done your part in this investigation very well."
"So have you, constable, sir," said Wilson, as he and Clyde hopped into the car.
"Good night, gentleman," Roger called out, as the siren to their car sounded and they drove away. He then turned and walked back towards Sir Topham Hatt and Regan.
"Roger and I would like to thank you for your part in this investigation, Sir Topham," Regan said kindly, "we couldn't have caught that pirate with help from you or Thomas."
"Thank you, detective," Sir Topham Hatt replied, rather surprised.
"But let's not forget who stopped Sailor John from getting away," reminded Thomas, looking over at the purple next to him, "Ryan."
"Me?" gasped Ryan.
Sir Topham Hatt chuckled and said "of course, Thomas. I was getting to that, you see. Yes, well done, Ryan. That was a very noble deed you performed in such matter of time…and very brave too."
"Brave?" thought Ryan with surprise, "but…tonight…my fears really kicked in for the worst, sir. I only confronted that pirate, even though I was afraid of him. I'm not really as brave as I made myself out to be, sir."
"No, Ryan, you weren't," Sir Topham Hatt agreed, "instead, you faced your fears and stopped him from escaping."
"That's what being brave is all about, Ryan," Roy explained, "confronting the things which you fear the most. Not about being scared, so to say."
"Indeed," chuckled Regan, "yes. Very useful. Surely, Ryan, we can put in a good word for you as well." He suddenly looked at his watch and gasped. "Oh, dear. Will you look at the time? Well, I guess we'd better get going. You ready, Roy?"
"After you, Miles," the police buggy replied.
"Oh, well. Good night then," Sir Topham Hatt called out, as Regan hopped into the driver's seat.
"Good night, all," Regan called, as he drove Roy away. As they set off along the road, he patted Roy gently on the side and said "it's good to have you back, Roy. I wish now I warned you in advance about Sailor John. I was just in such a hurry with the investigation on my mind that I didn't take the time to do so."
"All that's in the past now, Miles," the police buggy replied, "what matters is that for a split second there, I thought I'd never get out of that mess, so thanks for rescuing me."
"Oh, Roy. You had nothing to be worried about. That's what friends are for, remember? And you, Roy, are my best friend."
"Thanks, Miles. You're my best friend too."
For the first time all night, both Regan and Roy couldn't have felt happier to be back together. Side-by-side, the two best friends went home.
Back at the harbor, Sir Topham Hatt inspected Ryan's coupling rod and quickly thought of a solution.
"Looks like you'll need to pay a visit to the SteamWorks for the night, Ryan," he told him, "they'll mend your coupling rod in no time. Thomas shall take you there after you return your trucks to the yard."
"With pleasure, sir," said Thomas, as he looked over at his friend, who smiled right back at him.
"You think you can give me a lift home, Roger?" Sir Topham Hatt.
"Of course, Sir Topham," the constable replied, "hop on in."
"Um…thank you, Roger." He then turned back and said "good night, Thomas, Ryan."
"Good night, sir!" they both whistled, as Sir Topham Hatt and Roger hopped into the car and drove away.
"Come on, Ryan," said Thomas, as he was hitched up in front of him, "let's get you to the SteamWorks now. Shall we?"
"Let's go, Thomas!" Ryan whistled excitedly. And the two friends set off.
Thomas and Ryan returned the trucks to the Construction Yard, and then set off for the SteamWorks. On the way, the two friends had a little heart-to-heart chat.
"Thanks for putting in the good word for me, Thomas," said Ryan, as the #1 tank engine pushed him forward along the line, "no engine's ever done such a thing for me before…as far as bravery goes, that is."
Thomas chuckled and replied, "that's alright, Ryan. It was somehow a matter of returning the favor to you?"
"To me?" Ryan asked, confused, "for what, Thomas?"
"For putting in the good word for me when I stopped Sailor John from escaping with the treasure. Only a miracle can tell whether or not I would have gotten my branch line back otherwise."
"Oh…well, um…you're welcome then, Thomas." He paused for a moment, as he observed around the scenery, and took a deep breath in relief. "This night was full of surprises, Thomas. Better still, I wish I could've been as brave as you."
"But Ryan, you ARE brave. Probably one of the bravest engines I know. Besides, I got a little scared on the way to the harbor as well. But like you did with Sailor John and the pirate ship, I confronted my fears and decided to keep on puffing. It just comes to show that no engine can ever be brave all the time."
"You're right, Thomas. In future, I'll take that thought into more consideration."
"I'm proud of you, Ryan. You've learnt fast since I've come to know you as a friend, and you've surely proven it by your course of actions tonight."
"Oh, thank you, Thomas! I guess I learn from the best, eh?"
"Maybe so, Ryan," Thomas chuckled, "maybe so."
Ryan sighed, happy to have had a good friend in Thomas. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted at the loud sound of an owl hooting.
"Ah!"
Ryan gasped and looked, as Thomas looked back at him and asked teasingly, "everything alright back there, Ryan?"
"Oh, yeah, Thomas. I'm fine," he chuckled nervously, and cautiously looked about him as they continued through the night.
Ryan still tended to be more of a brave engine, but in future, he would always be very mindful about it too, as he now realized that no engine could be brave all the time, even on Halloween!
Warned you, didn't I? This is indeed the longest story I've ever written, but there's just so much story to it with Ryan learning to be brave and the police investigation being taken into display as a subplot. I had lots of fun with it too, and both parts of the story come together with the Sailor John climax. I hope it came as much of a surprise as I thought it would be, because somehow I knew that Sailor John escaping from prison would give Ryan, and perhaps our audience, a fear to realize from the story of the Lost Ghost of Arlesburgh. Ryan was a fun character to do, and I think I've explored something different than I did with him in Maintenance Check! The beginning with Marion and the Arlesdale Railway engines was just something I wanted to take a stroll at for some possible comic relief that came from their interactions in SLOTLT. I originally had roles planned for Daisy (scoffing Marion and Ryan for being scared, and then viewing the "ghost" herself and warning Thomas and TFC) and Captain (originally accompanying Regan and Roger to Arlesburgh), but it seemed rather excessive so I wrote it out, and I rearranged Skiff's role too so it wouldn't be too similar to Roy's part. Thanks again, Chase The Ferroequinologist, for allowing me to use Detective Miles Regan and Sergeant Roy. With Thomas and TFC involved in the investigation subplot, I was able to display some fun police dynamics here between Regan and my Constable Roger character from Adventures Of Toby, as Roy's rescue/the search for Sailor John was put into action. The most excitement I had from writing this story was building up the tension as Ryan went along on his journey, and also where Ryan proved his bravery and stopped Sailor John. I hope that didn't seem too far-fetched, but somehow I believe it worked in a climatic sense. The ending scene with Thomas and Ryan's heart-to-heart was something I thought would work to expand upon their friendship from SLOTLT so their dynamic here is sort of "turned-on-head" so to say, where Ryan's the hero of the story and Thomas puts in the good word for him. I hope you all enjoyed this story. It's probably going to be my last entry until December and I've got the Christmas stories underway. But for now, stay tuned around November for...
Thomas & Friends in The Skarloey Adventure Begins
Moral: oldies can be goldies/it takes time to learn new things
Short Synopsis: based on the Railway Series books Four Little Engines and Duke The Lost Engine. In a direct follow-up to Adventures Of Edward, Edward is on his way to the work, but across his comes his old friend Skarloey, who reminisces on his past with his best friend Rheneas, who had been sent to be mended. Meet Sir Handel and Peter Sam, and watch as they discover the importance of patience and realize how it takes time to learn new things! Stand back and listen to the story of their old hero Duke, and cheer on Skarloey as he gets his passengers home with one final effort!
And...COMING THIS CHRISTMAS...
Thomas & Friends in The Little Engine Who Saved Christmas
It's Christmas time on Sodor and the engines are determined to make the best of the holiday season, while learning the importance of giving and helping others.
James leads Donald and Douglas on a wild goose chase, while Paxton surprises Mavis by bringing holiday fun to the quarry! Thomas braves a fierce snowstorm to bring Christmas to all of Sodor. Rusty helps Peter Sam out of a "snowy situation", as Salty and Cranky attempt drastic changes to themselves for the New Year!
Cheer on Thomas and his friends as they make tracks to festive destinations in these five tales with truckloads full of yuletide fun!
There will not be a separate FanFic for this one like there was last year. It will all be together in this FanFic. I originally had a pack outing planned where Patrick and Byron encounter trouble in the snow but I believe I've given The Pack enough development lately, so I'll hold that off for next year, and I thought I pay more attention to the narrow gauge engines instead. Cheers, guys! Happy Halloween! And be sure to let me know which of the wintry episodes sounds most promising to you.