"PENELOPE!"
The big purple engine jumped out of her boiler when she heard her name, "Wha- w-who's there?" she called out. She then gasped in shock as the Steam Team and the Brighton engines puffed up to her.
"Penelope, it's an emergency!" Gordon huffed.
"Whoa, keep your boiler down and chill, I'll help as much a-"
"It's Thomas!" Percy peeped impatiently, "H-He's in trouble!"
"Huh? Whatever happ-"
"He's been sent to a scrapyard here in London!" Edward cut in, "We need to save him! Now!"
"And we thought you might know where he is!" James cried out.
"You know London don't you?" Henry asked anxiously
"I guess." Penelope said, "But they could be anywhere – London is quite a big place."
"Please Penelope!" Emily cried.
"We need to do this for Thomas." Edward said sadly, "Please, can you help us?"
All the engines looked at Penelope hopefully. She gave a small smile and whistled.
"Follow me!" She cried as she steamed ahead, with the other engines quickly following behind her!
Meanwhile, in a large scrapyard, Thomas was on a siding. He couldn't move. He dared not to utter a sound in fear of being found. Thomas was horrified...all around him were scrapped remains of other steam engines and other forms of scrap metal.
Thomas thought the Mainland would be exciting, and fun to explore, but he never considered the scary side of it. Now, Thomas was on the verge of tears, and wished he could be back home on Sodor. He wanted to puff to his friends and apologise, he wanted to be reunited with Annie and Clarabel, he wanted to say sorry to Blake for not taking her advise.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the scrapyard, the Steam Team slowly entered. They were all scared, their boilers shivering, their wheels quivering...
"I-If Thomas isn't here...I don't know where he'd be..." Penelope admitted quietly, "I-I'll help if I can, but I am terrified of this place..."
"If we all stick together, we'll be fine." Edward spoke calmly, "Let's split up and find Thomas, try and not get caught – or we might end up becoming scrap too..."
Everyone agreed and quietly entered the scrapyard. Edward slowly chuffed down the sidings. Percy quietly peeked at every corner and turn. James and Emily quietly call for Thomas, their voices echoing in this spooky place. Henry was shaking in his boiler as he slowly puffed around, keeping his eyes wide open. Gordon and Penelope steamed together, the quiet sound of their wheels turning was all they could hear as they checked every space.
Edward was looking everywhere on the sidings and sighed sadly, "Oh Thomas...where are you?" He pleaded quietly. He then saw a hint of blue and gasped, he quickly chuffed over, "Thomas?"
Thomas' eyes popped opened and looked, "E-Edward!" He cried. Thomas felt like crying in relief at the sight of his friend, "Oh Edward!"
Edward just sighed in relief and smiled softly, "Oh Thomas, thank goodness I've found you. Just stay quiet – we'll get you out of here."
"P-Please hurry Edward, I-I'm scared..." Thomas whimpered in fear, his boiler shaking in fear, "I-I don't want to be..."
"Don't worry Thomas, I promise, I will never let that happen to you." Edward soothed, "Just do exactly as I say, and everything will be okay."
Thomas agreed in fear, looking around anxiously. Their drivers worked hard to give Thomas some of Edward's coal, and soon they both had enough steam to move away. They moved quietly, in order to avoid being seen – but then suddenly-
"HELP!" Thomas cried, gasping as he was being lifted by a crane, "EDWARD! HELP!"
"THOMAS!" Edward cried, "H-Hold on! I'll get you down!" Edward quickly steamed around, trying to get to an higher level – ignoring his own instruction, he started blaring his whistle loudly!
All the engines gasped in shock and quickly sped towards Edward's direction! Thomas was cowering in fear as he was suspended above a tank of molten steel. Thomas could feel the heat on his wheels and cried out for help!
Edward reached a rail that ended above the tank – hanging dangerously over it. Edward was shaking in fear and looked up at Thomas, trying to think of what he could do.
"Thomas!?" Thomas looked down as the other engines all gasped in shock and fear at the sight of the tank engine being suspended in mid air!
"H-Hang in there Thomas! We're coming!" Percy peeped as the engines quickly tried to get around – then they heard a ringing sound they feared.
The crane suddenly opened as Thomas was dropped from the air!
"THOMAS!" Edward shrieked!
Everyone watched in panic – not believing what they were seeing!
Thomas screamed as he fell – but then he felt a knock, and smashed wheels first onto the rail – and as if by a miracle, his coupling linked onto Edward, and Edward held his brakes on hard.
"Got you!" Edward cried, putting his brakes down hard! He then looked ahead and gasped in shock – he saw a big red engine, she must've pushed a hammer to knock Thomas away – and this engine was familiar.
"Duchess!" Edward cried out in relief! Duchess just smiled and steamed backwards.
"Hold on tight! We're coming!" Duchess cried and steamed away!
Edward was left hanging onto Thomas for dear life, he looked down at Thomas – who was clearly shaking in pure fright, and tears were pouring from his eyes in fear.
"E-Edward! I'm scared!" Thomas cried out, shaking badly.
"Thomas, stay still – I can't secure you if you shake..." Edward cried out, struggling to keep his brakes down, the weight of the tank engine slowly pulling him forward.
Edward could clearly see the fear in the tank engine – Edward himself was feeling terrified, but he knew he had to comfort the young tank engine, "Thomas, look at me." He said soothingly.
Thomas was shaking still, but he followed Edward's words, and looked into his caring eyes, Edward gave a small comforting smile.
"I know this is scary, but I need you to trust me." Edward spoke, his voice was calm and soothing, "I promise, I will never let you go. I was there for you, and I always will be, just like you always are for us. I promise, I won't let you go, I never will. I promise, we will both be fine."
Thomas slowly calmed down, and stopped shaking. Thomas felt comfort in Edward's voice, and he felt he would be alright.
Suddenly, Edward felt his two front wheels go over the edge! He slipped, as he and Thomas grew closer to the molten steel! Edward peeped out urgently for help! He and Thomas closed his eyes, expecting the worse-
"I GOT YOU!" cried a voice! Edward looked back, and saw Percy was coupled up to his tender, and pulling back as hard as he could! His wheels were spinning and pulling him back! "I promise not to let you go!" Percy cried, pulling back as hard as he could!
At the same time, Thomas looked down and saw the tank was slowly moving – he could see Gordon and Penelope pushing it as hard as they could! But it wasn't enough!
"W-We're not...strong enough!" Penelope called out, pushing as hard as she could!
"W-W-We're the strongest!" Gordon cried out, "We are...the BEST!" He huffed, pushing as hard as he could!
They then felt a thud beside them, and looked to their right in shock.
"Is that so!?" called a familiar voice – a green engine with two tenders!
"Scotsman!" Penelope cried!
"Push as hard as you ever pushed before!" Gordon called, as the three Doncaster siblings pushed as hard as they ever have pushed before! Their faces were red in frustration and exhaustion – but they never gave up!
Percy was pulling as hard as he could – but he felt himself slipping forward! He then heard two whistles behind him!"
"Hang on in there!" cried James!
"We're coming!" Emily shrieked, as they got behind Percy, coupled up, and started to pull as hard as they could! The five engines were pulling as hard as they could! The weight of the tank engine and the blue engine was a lot – but they never gave up!
Henry was making his way towards them, and whistled loud, "Keep on pulling!" he called out, "I'm coming as fast as I can!" He chuffed onwards! Henry then looked down at the tank, and saw three engines on the other side – pulling as hard as they could!
Henry could clearly see Duchess among them – and another red engine, and an amber tender engine! "Lorelei! Raymond!" Henry called out happily!
"Puff your hardest! Pull as hard as you can!" Raymond chanted!
"Don't dent your boiler!" Lorelei shrieked as she pulled as hard as she could!
Henry made his way behind Emily, and coupled up to them – and using his strength, he pulled as hard as he could!
All the engines whistled in unison! They cried out for any help they could get! Some shunting diesels oiled in, worrying about the commotion and gasped in shock at the sight of the difficult rescue!
"Stop all the work!"
"Close the tank!"
"Stop that crane!"
Their voices called out – as the scrapyard workers got to work to shut down all the machinery! Soon, the tank was closed, the crane was stopped – and Henry managed to pull Edward back onto the track, and held the engine chain firm, as Thomas dangled beneath them.
Everyone was panting in fear – they all felt exhausted, and all the engines were pushed to their limits on this rescue mission.
"Hang on in there!"
"We'll get you down from there!"
A short while after, the rescue operation had finished. Thomas was safely back on the rails, and everyone was slowly led out of the scrapyard to safety.
Thomas was still shaking in fear, buffered up in front and behind by Edward and Percy, trying to comfort their worrying friend.
"It's alright Thomas, your safe now." Edward soothed.
"Everything will be okay." Percy smiled.
Some shunting diesels came over to check everyone was alright.
"This was all our fault, we didn't check him properly."
"We got told all E2's were scrapped, so we thought we missed one."
"We wouldn't have caused this if we knew."
"Don't worry." Duchess soothed, "At least everyone is okay, and no one got hurt."
"Thank goodness." sighed Gordon.
"Even though my wheels are aching..." Henry complained.
"And my axles hurt..." James muttered.
"And my brakes feel funny, too..." Emily exclaimed.
Raymond then chuffed forward, puzzled, "But what I don't get is WHY Thomas is here in the first place." He explained, "Thomas told me he was heading for York."
"He came to the National Railway Museum..." Duchess spoke, "But...he asked for directions to Crewe."
"Then I met him in Doncaster." Flying Scotsman interrupted, "So I told him how to get there."
"When he came to Crewe, he asked for directions down south – so I told him to go to London." Lorelei explained, looking at Thomas suspiciously.
"And then I told him how to get to Brighton!" Penelope cried out.
Everyone looked at Thomas, they didn't look angry or disappointed. They all looked puzzled, and...concerned.
"Thomas? Is there something you want to say?" Edward asked, he didn't sound upset or cross, he sounded worried. The Steam Team all looked at Thomas worriedly.
Thomas looked around and looked down, ashamed, he couldn't fight back the tears he was holding. Jonathan, Heather and Charles all looked at him, they gave him a small smile – encouraging him to tell them.
"I-I...I wanted...I wanted to see the world..." Thomas muttered sadly, "I just wanted to see the Mainland but...I-I just let my own curiosity take over..."
"Oh Thomas..." Edward sighed.
"Why didn't you just tell us?" Emily asked, anxiously.
"You would all think it's funny...Gordon and James laughed whenever I mention about seeing the world before..." Thomas explained sadly.
"We were only teasing Thomas..." James admitted, "But we didn't actually mean it."
"You know it is dangerous to go onto the Mainland without letting the Fat Controller know." Gordon spoke.
"And poor Blake – she was worried sick about you. She was shaking and panicking..." Henry said, "She could've gotten into trouble with the Fat Controller because of this..."
Thomas' lip quivered, as more tears started to fall. The Steam Team came closer to Thomas to comfort the young tank engine.
"I'm sorry everyone...this is all my fault!" Thomas cried, "I-I put all of you in danger and I almost got Blake into trouble...I am so sorry..." he continued to cry out of guilt, the rest of the team all soothed Thomas and assured him until his tears subsided.
"Don't worry Thomas, it's all in the past now." Edward soothed.
"Besides – we have to admit, this journey was fun!" Percy peeped!
"Yes, we all loved the sights here, and it was a wonderful adventure!" Emily chirped excitedly. Thomas looked up, puzzled.
"I reunited with Lorelei after all these years, and it's lovely to see her again." Henry said with a smile, as Lorelei whistled excitedly!
"We met some famous engines here!" James puffed excitedly, blushing as he looked at Duchess, who giggled at the comment.
"I met Raymond after so many decades apart." Edward mentioned.
"And it has been TOO long, my friend." Raymond chuckled.
"And if it wasn't for you – Gordon would never have met his long lost sister." Scotsman chuffed happily, looking at Gordon and Penelope, who all smiled at each other.
"He's right! I met my big brother after all these years." Penelope squealed excitedly.
"Yes." Gordon chuffed, "BIG brother." He smirked towards Scotsman, who just chuckled.
"And we wouldn't have seen you after all these years!" Jonathan chuffed happily.
"We wouldn't have heard all about Sodor!" Heather puffed excitedly.
"And we wouldn't have met your friends!" Charles steamed happily.
Thomas slowly began to smile, and soon, his smile was as wide as his buffers, and everyone whistled happily.
"Okay, now we just need to go home." Edward said.
"Except...how do we get home?" James asked. The Steam Team looked at each other sadly. Their new friends all smiled.
"We can help you there!" Duchess chuffed happily.
Some time after, as the sun raised over the Mainland, all the Steam Team were packed with coal and water for the very long journey home. They all agreed that they would retrace their steps – going to Crewe, then to Doncaster, to York, and then go to Barrow-in-Furness, and then home to Sodor.
After an emotional farewell – and a promise to visit sometime – Thomas steamed goodbye to his Brighton friends. He whistled to them, until they were out of sight, heading for London.
Then, the large steam parade began to move, and were soon steaming down the tracks. They puffed through London to head towards Crewe. Gordon was puffing alongside his sister the whole time, and soon, Penelope got as far as she could go.
Penelope looked at Gordon with watery eyes, and whistled goodbye as he carried on. She whistled on, until her brother was out of sight.
This time, the engines were able to enjoy the views that the Mainland could offer. And this time, Thomas has his friends with him. They all looked at the majestic sights. They had to admit – the Mainland sure was a beauty.
As they passed Crewe, Lorelei had to stop. She and Henry shared an emotional farewell, and Lorelei whistled until the engines disappeared – never letting her sight off of Henry until she couldn't see him any more. She then slowly puffed home to the Crewe Steamworks.
An hour later, as they passed Doncaster, Flying Scotsman had to stop. He teased Gordon all the way – but he overall continued to praise Gordon, and encouraged his 'little brother' all the way, until he left on another track to head towards Doncaster.
The engines started to head towards York. They all asked Duchess last-minute questions, and asking her anything that came to their minds. James simply admired Duchess' paintwork – truly believing red was the best colour for any engine.
Soon, they had to stop, and say goodbye to Duchess. Duchess promised to see them again – and she chuffed onwards to the National Railway Museum.
With Raymond leading the Steam Team, they headed towards their final stop – Barrow-in-Furness.