Ready! Set! Rescue!

Part V: Trevor And Flynn

Written by Michael White

With credit to Chase The Ferroequinologist

It was a lovely spring morning! Birds were singing and apples were ripening amongst the trees, as Thomas the Tank Engine made his way steadily along his Branch Line!

PEEP-PEEP!

"Good morning, birds!" he greeted.

He gazed at the trees and the blue sky all around, then marveled aloud.

"Wow! Spring is here, Annie and Clarabel! nothing like it with all this lovely scenery, is there?"

"Yes, Thomas," Annie wearily replied, "But you must keep steady and careful unless you wanna run an even worse risk than being late!"

"I quite agree, Annie!" Clarabel added. "I don't suppose our passengers like being bounced about like peas in a pod!"

Thomas chuckled.

"You two worry too much! Besides, it's nice to be out and about when it's the start of lovely spring day!"

He carried on in full steam, his pistons pumping proudly!

In the distance, Thomas could see a familiar Face of a head as he approached the field by Farmer McColl's farm!

"Good morning, Trevor!" he greeted.

"Good morning, Thomas!" the traction engine greeted back, as he marveled about the field. "Today is a very special day!"

"Why so?" Thomas wondered.

"Well, I've been threshing corn and hauling logs all morning corn and hauling logs all morning. Now, I'll be taking the children on a very special trip to the Search And Rescue Center! Farmer McColl's told Jem all about it!"

"That does sound very promising, Trevor! Have a great day!"

"Thank you, Thomas! I am particularly excited about it!"

And he watched the blue tank engine set off before continuing about his work.

"Marvelous!" he thought to himself. "Just think, how lovely it would be. Taking children to learn all about the Search and Rescue Center. Never seen the place myself, come to think of it."

Trevor's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a loud bell ringing! In the distance, he approached Farmer's McColl's barn, only to find that it was on fire!

Men came running about and shouting, while carrying buckets of water to put out the fire but it didn't do so with as much as they had.

"Oh, dear! What do we do, Farmer McColl?!" Trevor exclaimed, as he stopped beside the farmer himself.

"No worries, Trevor! I've called the Search and Rescue Center already! Flynn should be along soon enough!"

"Oh," Trevor thought, rather puzzled.

At that moment, they heard a loud siren.

"Here he comes!" Farmer McColl shouted aloud.

At long last, Flynn the Fire Engine came roaring into sight, both his water cannons at the ready!

"Keep calm! No cause for alarm! I'll have this fire out in no time!"

"What can I do to help?" Trevor asked.

"Stand aside Trevor!" Flynn insisted. "I have it all under control!"

Trevor watched with astonishment as Flynn plays both his water cannons towards the barn and efficiently put out the fire.

In no time at all, Flynn had the fire put out, as the man clapped and cheered for him!

"Thank you! Thank you!" Flynn chanted, then blushed a little. "No, no, think nothing of it, really."

He beamed slightly.

"That was some fire-fighting, Flynn," Trevor impressively admitted.

"Thank you, Trevor! All in the line of work, you know!"

"Yes, yes," Farmer McColl put in, "but now who will clean up the mess?"

"Oh, I can help!" Trevor suggested. "I can carry the fallen wood away! Then I can get back to threshing corn and hauling logs!"

"No need, Trevor!" Flynn kindly assured him. " Butch and Rocky will be along soon enough!"

HONK-HONK!

At that moment, they heard a familiar horn, and soon enough, Butch the Breakdown Truck came racing into the scene!

"Good day, all! Just came to clear up all this rubble! Rushed over as soon as I heard!"

The men stood back as Butch wasted no time and clearing the rubble away.

Trevor watched the rescue operation with awe and interest.

"Is there anything I can do?" the traction engine wondered. "I do like to keep you busy all the time, you know!"

"Stand back and let the experts handle it!" Flynn confidently, as he swiftly put out the smoke.

Trevor watched sadly as Butch cleared the rest of the rubble away and Emily and Rocky cleared away the fallen wood. He watched as they took it away and Jem Cole approached them.

"Say, Jem, where's all that fallen wood being taken to?"

"It's being sent for scrap, Trevor, dear boy," his owner explained, as Trevor listened with shock. "Since the barn's caught fire, it's not good anymore. But no worries. Farmer McColls will have the barn rebuilt right away with fresh timber."

Trevor express a sorrowful face as he watched Flynn and Butch set off.

"Cheer up, Trevor!" Jem went on. "Farmer McColl says that this wood you bought over will be perfect for building the new barn!"

"Oh, how lovely!" Trevor replied. "that means I can keep busy hauling these logs into place. Now I can keep myself very useful!"

"Not quite so, dear boy," Jem chuckled. "Farmer McColl says that the men will take care of it all. Besides, we still have a field trip to attend to, remember?"

"Oh, right," Trevor laughed.

Then he smiled as he said off, whistling cheerily at the men as he left the sight at the farm.

Trevor was disappointed that he couldn't help out with building the new barn but he felt much once he thought about the field trip.

"Not long now," he thought to himself, soothingly. "At least I'll have those happy children to keep me company."

Trevor arrived at Maithewaite and and waited till Bertie brought the children along.

HONK-HONK!

"Good day, old timer!" the bus greeted as he soar into view. "Your smile's as bright as your smokebox!"

"Laughing children always bring smile to my face, Bertie!" Trevor heartily admitted, as the children begin to climb aboard his bunker. " i'm taking them on a tour of the Rescue Center!"

"That does sound like fun!" Bertie admitted, then he took a deep breath. "Well, best be off! Passengers to look after! Don't know what Thomas would do without me to run his Branch Line of course!"

He honked loudly as he raced out of the station. Trevor smiled and set off with the children aboard his bunker.

On the way to the Rescue Center, the children laughed and chattered aboard Trevor's bunker. It made him very happy!

Trevor smiled and took a deep breath, as he observed the lovely spring scenery all around him.

Pretty soon they reached their destination, and the children clapped and cheered as they saw the ocean up ahead!

"We made it!" Trevor beamed, as he stopped by the main building.

He looked out to sea, as the children got out and gather in a line, and a representative of the Rescue Center approached.

"Welcome, dear children, to the Sodor Search and Rescue Center!" he greeted. "Now, get in line, please. I am much obliged to give you a tour of our facility from top to bottom!"

"Oh, sir. I have a bright idea! How about I lead the tour by taking you are for a stroll in my bunker whilst you point out the sites?"

"Thank you, Trevor!" the representative kindly declined, "but I've been given direct orders to give the tour by foot!"

The children cheered and got in a line as the man led them away. Trevor sighed with dismay as he watched them set off, then slowly edged towards the ocean bank.

"Don't worry, Trevor," said Jem kindly, as he stopped by the quay. "It shouldn't take long before the tour is over!"

"Oh, that's alright," Trevor sighed peacefully, as he watched the ocean tides. "This view makes me feel just like being at seaside!"

He felt the ocean breeze rush past him, whilst listening to the Fat Controller talking nearby.

"Well done, Flynn and Butch, for your valiant efforts in putting out the fire on Farmer McColl's barn!"

Trevor's eyes immediately shifted over as he went on.

"Now, I suggest you practice your best photo faces for the picture with the children! The picture shall be taken once the tour is complete!"

Flynn beamed brightly and rushed about, practicing his best photo face, as the Fat Controller walked off.

"Wow!" Trevor wondered in awe. "How marvelous it would be to be in a picture with the children."

He chuckled nervously as Flynn stopped near him, smiling.

"Not that having their company isn't already enough to keep me in high spirits!"

"It sure is an honor," the red fire engine admitted, "you know, to be in a photo with children as they take a tour of our facility."

"Heh!" Butch gruffed, rather modestly. "It's only a photo after all, Flynn!"

Flynn raised an eyebrow at him with confusion, Trevor sighed soothingly.

"I wonder if I could ever be in such a picture," he wondered.

"You, Trevor?" Flynn wondered with confusion.

"Why, yes," Trevor admitted, "the Vicar never takes pictures of me with the children when they come to the Orchard."

"Well, Trevor," Flynn reminded hIm, "the Rescue Center is important to all of Sodor. Each and every one of us work day and night to assure the safety and security of the island!"

Butch groaned and rolled his eyes as Flynn went on.

"That, my dear Trevor is why the children should be given a tour of our facility! It's educational!"

"I know," Trevor wondered in awe and agreement, as the children were led around the facility.

"I say, Flynn," he murmured thoughtfully, "could you and Belle perhaps use with some help fighting fires? After all, I don't know of any other job the Vicar has for me to do the rest of the day after I drop off the children."

"Huh?"

Flynn was a litlle taken aback and chuckled loudly, much to Trevor's confusion, as Butch groaned slightly.

"W-what's so funny?" Trevor asked.

Flynn sighed and smiled at Trevor, taking a deep breath.

"I'm very sorry, Trevor," he politely declined, "you're a really useful traction engine, but to be candid with you, being on the Rescue team is a huge responsibility and very dangerous work!"

"A huge responsibility? Very dangerous work?" Trevor thought over. "But…but…"

Flynn expressed a look of sorrow for his friend.

"I'm sorry, Trevor, but I can't really see any use for an old traction engine like you in a situation like that."

"Oh," Trevor thought, rather taken aback.

"Do you understand that, Trevor?" Flynn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess so, Flynn," Trevor replied, dismayed.

He sighed, rather understanding.

"I guess I'll just wait here by the waterfront till the tour is over and the children are ready to go home."

He ventured further to get a closer view, as Flynn raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, Trevor!" he pleaded. "Come back! I didn't mean it in a hurtful way!"

Butch sighed, exasperated.

"Wait!" Flynn called, "we can still chat until my next emergency is called…"

Just then, Belle rang her bell loud and stopped beside Flynn, much to Butch

"Come along, Flynn!" she encouraged cheerily. "Let's practice our best photo faces! The children's tour should be over any time now!"

"After you, Belle!" Flynn shouted out, sounding up his siren and following his friend into action.

Flynn's mood quickly changed at the thought of being in a photo, but Trevor remained down and rather unsure of Flynn's choice of words. Not even the sight of the ocean tides could cheer him up.

Trevor sighed sadly as he watched his reflection against the water.

"What if Flynn's right?" he thought to himself. "What if there really is no use for me in emergencies? It must be really fun being on the Rescue team and keeping busy all the time."

It wasn't long before he heard Belle ring her bell loud and the children cheer as they gathered by the main platform.

"Alright, children," the Fat Controller beamed, "I hope you all learnt a lot about the Rescue Center and that you know what it takes to be part of the team! Now, all of you gather by the waterfront, please. And be sure to put on your best photo faces too!"

Members of the Rescue team quickly raced over near Captain's haul by the quay and gathered around as the happy children also gathered in front of them.

The photographer readied the camera into position.

"Ready, everyone?" he said at last. "Smile!"

He took several shots as the team sat proud and tall with the children in front. Quickly, the photos printed out and the photographer handed them over.

"Thank you!" the Fat Controller beamed. "Now, everyone back to work please!"

The team members quickly went back about their work, as the children quickly hopped aboard Trevor's bunker.

Just as Trevor was preparing to take the children home, the alarm bell ring!

Men came running out of the building, shouting.

"Fire at Maithewaite Station!" Rocky swiftly announced

"Come along, Butch!" Belle shouted out, whistling and ringing her bell loudly.

"Right behind you, Belle!" the breakdown truck replied, as the pair raced into action.

"Oh, oh, wait for me!" Flynn called out.

His siren sounded out loud, but his operator quickly hopped aboard and shut him down.

"Not so fast, Flynn," he said. "The emergency only calls for one fire engine, not two. You'll have to wait in the shed for the next emergency to be called."

Flynn sighed and backed slowly back towards his shed.

Deep down, Flynn knew that his operator was right, but sitting around in his shed would already enough to make them very bored!

"Well," he thought aloud. "Not much I can really do to pass the time."

"Have you filled up on water this morning?" his operator wondered.

"No," Flynn admitted, as he reached his shed and backed slowly into his berth. "But I did fill up yesterday afternoon. I'm sure I'll have enough water to last me through the next couple fires."

Just then, he saw Trevor leaving with the children all aboard his bunker.

He sounded his horn loudly.

"Take care, Trevor!" he called after him.

But Trevor was too upset to take any notice and didn't hear Flynn as he made it on his way.

Flynn sighed sadly as he watched him set off.

"Poor fellow," he thought to himself.

Flynn couldn't help but feel that he had let Trevor down…

At Maithewaite, Belle wasted no time in putting out the station fire!

Belle poured away all the smoke and ashes from the station building and Butch cleared away all the rubble, as Bertie watched with interest.

"Wow, Belle!" he marveled. "It's a good thing you both showed up! I can't express how heroic your timing really was!"

"All in the line of duty, Bertie!" Belle admitted. "There's not a fire, let alone an emergency, that we aren't able to handle ourselves!"

Just then, Trevor rolled in, obviously expressing awareness at what she just said.

Trevor dropped the children at the platform, and Jem Cole cautiously assisted them over to where Bertie was waiting.

"Good work, Belle!" Trevor slightly beamed, as the children finished departing his bunker. "I'm glad that at least the Rescue team is able to keep busy all the time!"

"Eh, thanks, Trevor!" Belle replied, rather concerned. "Are you, erm, feeling alright?"

"Truth be told," Trevor admitted, "I feel a little down about what Flynn said to me. I know he didn't mean it in a harmful way."

"What exactly did he say?" Belle wondered curiously.

"That being on the Rescue team is very dangerous work and that he can't see any use for an old traction engine such as myself in a situation like this. I know it's not personal, but it just makes me feel down about my capablilites. I'm not given enough to do sometimes, you know."

Belle smiled.

"I'm sure Flynn didn't mean to hurt your feelings at all, Trevor! But it sounds like perhaps he just phrased things wrong a little bit! I've had experience with him handling things on an impulse, you know!"

Trevor's slight frown turned to a meek smile, as Belle went on.

"It's best that you don't let it get to you, Flynn! Think about the things you can do and you'll feel much better about things!"

Trevor took Belle's kind words into mind, but before he could reply, the station alarm went off and the stationmaster came running out!

"Fire by the pond at Arlesdale End!" he reported. "Quick, Belle and Butch! You're needed there right away!"

The pair quickly roared into action, but not before they called…

"Goodbye, Trevor!" Belle called out.

"Take care!" Butch added.

And they raced away. Trevor managed a slight smile as he made his way slowly back to his field, watching cheerily at Bertie as he left the station.

HONK-HONK!

"See you later, Trevor!" the bus honked, as he rolled away with the children all aboard.

"Bye, Bertie!" Trevor replied, and set off.

Belle raced towards Arlesdale End at full speed! She was determined to make it to the emergency on time!

"Slow down, Belle!" Butch called after her. "We aren't that far away, you know!"

But Belle remained unfazed!

"It's best we get there as soon as we can, Butch!" she replied. "That way, we can return to the Rescue Center as soon as we can for the next emergency!"

And she raced on past a very surprised Toby.

DING-DING! DING-DING!

"Careful, Belle!" Toby called, as Butch soar past.

"We'll be notified right away if we're called to another emergency, Belle!" Butch reminded her, as he raced along behind.

Belle smiled as she continued along. Her wheels pounded the rails as she sped along, but Butch sensed trouble any time soon when…

PEEP-PEEP!

"Look out, Belle!" Nia shouted from up ahead.

Belle gasped with surprise as she saw the Kenyan engine coming down the next track.

"GAHHHH! Points!" she shouted out, as the signalman wasted no time in diverting her to the next track!

The signalman did what he could to divert Belle to the next track, but unfortunately though it was too late and slowing down and swerved uncontrollably over when…!

BUMP!

Belle groaned as she opened her eyes. Butch revved to a stop alongside her.

"Are you alright, Belle?" he asked.

"My front wheels have come off the track, Butch!" she replied. "It's going to take me longer to get to Arleadale End now! But you carry on! Wouldn't want you to be late for the emergency as well!"

Butch raced off as Belle's driver ran out to get help.

Belle's driver quickly telephoned for help, and alerted the Search and Rescue of what had happened!

… … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ... … … ... ...

RING-RING! RING-RING! RING-RING!

Flynn woke with a start and edged slowly from his berth.

"Flaming fireboxes!" he wondered. "What's all the commotion?"

His operator quickly hopped aboard and got him going.

"Belle's derailed on the way to an emergency at Arlesdale End!" he explained. "Now, you must put the fire out all on your own!"

"Ready and raring!" Flynn called out, sounding his siren aloud. "I'll have that fire put out in no time! No trouble at all!"

And he raced out of the Rescue Center at full speed!

At Arlesdale End, Trevor had just delivered a load of logs in time to see the fire present by the pond.

Man shouted and ran about as Butch sat patiently by the fire.

"Goodness, Butch!" Trevor wondered. "Where are Belle and Flynn?"

"Belle's derailed on the way here, Trevor!" Butch replied. "Though the Rescue Center's been warned, so Flynn should be here be along any time now!"

Soon enough, the red fire engine arrived at the scene!

"Remain calm!" he reminded everyone present. "No cause for alarm! Flynn is here to save the day!"

Flynn wasted no time in readying his water cannons into position!

Flynn's cannons were hoisted up towards the fire and he quickly activated them, only to find that small sloshes of water were all that came out!

"Uh oh," he gasped.

Butch and Trevor both widened their eyes with surprise!

However, as he did so, he found that there wasn't much water left! As the last drip poured out, Flynn found that there was hardly enough left to fight the fire! His operator proceeded to check his tanks!

"When's the last time you filled up on water, Flynn" Butch wondered.

"Yesterday afternoon," Flynn admitted. "Though I was sure I had enough to last me through the next couple fires!"

"Well, that's done it!" his operator confirmed. "There is no water left in your tanks!"

"Oh, my," Flynn frowned. "Now I know I should filled up on water this morning!"

"Yes, you should have!" his operator agreed, "but the question is: now who will put out the fire?"

"Oh, oh," Trevor chipped in eagerly. "I know! The water in my tanks! That should do the trick!"

"Good idea, Trevor!" Jem agreed, chuckling. "What a clever traction engine you are!"

Flynn smiled at him, slightly doubtful, but Trevor beamed back, rather hopeful.

All three operators wasted no time with draining water from Trevor's tanks into Flynn's water cannons! Soon enough, Flynn was able to put out the fire successfully!

Trevor watched with interest as the smoke was put out and Butch cleared away all the rubble. The Fat Controller arrived in time to see everything as did Belle and she pulled up alongside Flynn.

"Sorry I'm late!" she murmured. "But Harvey in the workman did what they could help me back in the tracks!"

"No harm done, Belle!" the Fat Controller beamed. "And excellent work, Flynn, for having showed up in enough time on such short notice to put out the fire!"

Flynn frowned slightly.

"Thank you, sir," he humbly admitted. "But I couldn't have done it without Trevor."

"Oh," The Fat Controller thought, listening on with interest.

"I ran out of water, you see, so had it not been for his clever idea to lend me some of the water from the tanks, I never would've been able to fight this fire on my own."

"Think nothing of it!" Trevor assured him. "I'm always willing to lend a helping hand if needed!"

The two friends smiled at each other, as Belle coughed quietly, raising an eyebrow at Flynn.

"Now, Flynn," she reminded him, smiling, "is there anything else you would like to say to Trevor?"

Flynn sighed.

"I'm sorry, Trevor," he apologized. " I never meant to hurt your feelings earlier. I know now that I was wrong about your capabilities to fight fires after all!"

Trevor smiled.

"That's okay, Flynn! I know you didn't mean it in a hurtful way! I was just glad to be of service!"

"You were indeed!" Butch admitted. "We couldn't have done it without you!"

Trevor and Flynn both smiled at each other, as the Fat Controller led the Team in a delightful chorus of three cheers!

"Let's hear it for Trevor! Hip hip…"

"…hooray!" the team honked and rang.

"Hip hip…"

"…hooray!"

"Hip hip…"

"…hooray!"

Flynn, Belle and Butch all honked their horns and rang their bells loudly as Trevor just beamed.

Trevor smiled happily as he headed back to his field!

And that, my fellow readers, was the penultimate chapter of my Ready! Set! Rescue! DVD featuring two characters I've never written for before in the spotlight! Trevor iswritten here as being eager to help whenever he can and Flynn is written as well-meaning yet a little too self-conscious about his fire-fighting status that he inadvertently hurts Trevor's feelings. However, they make amends in the end that perhaps he can be really useful after all when it comes to providing the water in his tanks! I hope you all enjoyed thisstory! Just one more entry of this DVD before I cap off Set 3 with a batch of 5! Come back tomorrow to see a rather underutilized member of the Rescue team roar into actionTil then, be sure to leave thoughts, and as always, stay tuned for...

Not-So-Smooth Sailing - While out on patrol, Captain sees dark clouds looming towards Arlesburgh West. He warns everyone about the upcoming storm, but when poor Skiff gets caught in storm, it's up to Captain to brave the waves and rescue the little railboat!

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The Wrath Of Bulstrode - Bulstrode is brought to work at Norramby to help out with the fish deliveries. However, Saul's cautious nature makes him increasingly impatient, causing the two to clash at each other's throats!

Sleep Deprivation - Percy finds himself constantly having to get up early after taking the mail so late, and denies his friends' assistance in taking the pressure off of him to give him a rest.

Thieves! (based on Stop, Thief! by Christopher Awdry) - Thomas is informed that the stationmaster's house had been robbed, and comes across the thieves in the valley, ready to pursuit them!

Byron And Brenda - Byron and Brenda are tasked with clearing the grounds around a site by Wellsworth; however, things get out of hand as Byron attempts to take charge of the situation and Brenda just wants to do her own thing.