Here's our last chapter. Hope you've enjoyed this little saga!

Chapter 8: Homeward Bound

The imperial family's visit to Sodor had gone on for three solid months, and the Miao siblings had gotten used to visiting their engine friends day in and day out. When one came to Ulfstead Road, the kittens would often hitch a ride up and down the line: after the mine incident, they preferred to save their exploring for places like the harbour at Arlesburgh, or better yet, the engine sheds at Arlesdale. Here, they could peep into the workshops to see how the engines were maintained and repaired, keep the railway staff company, and listen hour upon hour to stories from the engines. "Legend has it there was once a magical engine on our line," Duke told them.

Sheegwa's face lit up. "I knew it was magic!"

"Knew what was magic?" asked Tim.

"How you engines could talk!" Sheegwa chirped.

"Well," Duke murmured, "I never really thought of it that way: perhaps that is the case! But this engine certainly was magical. His name was Proteus, and he carried a large sum of his magic within a special headlamp that he always wore."

"His headlamp?" repeated Dongwa. "What was so special about it?"

"Well, Dongwa, anyone who found that lamp and wished upon it was sure to have their wishes come true."

"But," Sagwa cut in, "how would you know how to find it?"

"It is said," Duke went on mysteriously, "that whenever you're close to, you feel a rush of wind, and then hear a creaking noise. Lastly, you see the lamp's light flicker on and off, just in front of you. Remember those three clues, young'uns, and you'll be sure to find Proteus' magic lamp."

The Miao siblings stared with wide eyes. "Wa!" said Sagwa. "First King Godred's crown, and now Proteus' lamp. Sodor has so many hidden treasures just waiting to be found!"

One morning at breakfast, Mama and Baba had important news. "Our visit is almost through," said Baba. "We'll be making our return journey to China the day after tomorrow."

Sagwa swallowed the mouthful she'd been eating with a look of deep dismay on her face. "What?!" she cried.

Mama looked solemnly at her eldest daughter. "I see you've gotten used to your new surroundings, Sagwa," she said. "Yes, I'm afraid it's true: your father and I heard the Magistrate talking to the Duke about it last night. We told Fu-Fu ourselves."

But Sagwa's mind was on someone else she'd have to tell. "Duke," she murmured sadly.

"Come on, Sagwa," encouraged Dongwa. "We'll get to see the alley cats again..."

"They're not talking engines."

Sheegwa chimed in. "And Cook and Reader and Jun and Shei-Hu..."

"They're not talking engines!" Sagwa repeated forcefully, and ran angrily from the room.

"Sagwa!" said Mama sternly. "Come back here this instant, young lady..."

"Let her go, dear," Baba interrupted. "Just give her some time."

That afternoon, Sagwa and Fu-Fu were visiting Ulfstead Road Station. Fu-Fu could tell Sagwa was unhappy about leaving Sodor, and was trying his best to cheer her up. "Think of it as just another chance for more adventure!" he said brightly. "The boat, the palace, the village, the mountains - they're all just as much fun as this island!"

"That's true," Sagwa admitted. "But it won't be the same without..." A familiar whistle brought a lump to her throat. "...Duke," she squeaked.

Duke was heading back down the line with his afternoon passenger train. He was hoping to seeing one or two of his small friends on the platform, but was very surprised to see tears in Sagwa's eyes as he drew to a halt. "Why, whatever is the matter, Sagwa?" he asked, concerned.

Sagwa let out a sniffle. "Our visit's almost done, Duke," she explained, trying her best to maintain a steady voice. "Th-the M-Magistrate's taking us all back t-to China in two d-days." She came close to the old engine and placed a paw on his footplate. "I'm r-really going to m-miss you."

Duke looked down sympathetically at the small kitten. "And I'll miss you, Sagwa," he said. "And you, Fu-Fu, and Dongwa and Sheegwa too. I'll miss you all. It's not everyday I've gotten to meet talking animals."

Sagwa tried to smile. "Well, it's not everyday I've gotten to meet talking engines." Duke let out a hearty chuckle, and Sagwa was surprised to find herself laughing along with him - but not for long. "But I may not see you ever again," she persisted. "And I've really come to like you and the other engines - well, most of the other engines. How will we be able to keep in touch?"

"Well, we can always send letters to each other," Duke suggested. "I could ask my driver and fireman to write my thoughts on paper and send them to you."

"But I can't read English," said Sagwa unhappily. "And even if I wrote back to you, you couldn't understand my Chinese!"

Duke smiled. "Well, maybe I couldn't; but my fireman probably could. Why, he was so excited to hear the Chinese were visiting us, he decided to study a bit of calligraphy!"

Sagwa's eyes lit up with delight. "Really?!"

"That's right, young'un!" chuckled Duke. "All he'd have to do is translate my thoughts and send them straight to you!"

Just then, they heard the guard's whistle. Duke whistled back and started to puff away. "Tell you what, Sagwa!" he called. "Maybe we could all spend some time together tomorrow! Just something special before you went home!"

"I'd love that!" Sagwa called back, as the old engine disappeared around the bend. "Thank you, Duke! Xiexie!"

Duke was as good as his word. The following day, when he came by to see the Miao siblings, he gave them the treat of letting them ride in his cab. They travelled happily up and down the line together, and the Miao siblings got off at the harbour to watch ships come in and out, and spend time with the dock workers. Then, during the afternoon break at Arlesdale Sheds, Duke, Bertram and Tim told them countless stories; Sagwa got to paint the engines' picture, having brought some paper and ink with her; and, of course, they remembered to give Duke their address, so his fireman knew just where to send his letters.

"I hope we can come back soon!" said Sheegwa eagerly. "I wanna go looking for Proteus' magic lamp!"

"Or maybe King Godred's crown!" put in Sagwa.

Duke smiled. "I know of one treasure we've already found. And it's far more valuable than either of those two."

"Really?" asked Dongwa. "What is it, Duke?"

"Why, our friendship of course!" Duke replied. "Friendship is probably the most valuable treasure out there!"

"You're right, Duke," smiled Sagwa. "A golden crown or a magic lamp could never replace you being our friend - our pengyou."

"Not just a pongyou!" added Dongwa. "You're one of our hao pengyou - best friends!"

"Hao pengyou," murmured Duke happily. "I like the sound of that."

Just then, Tim's crew started to get him steamed up. "I guess this means I'll be taking you three home," he said to the kittens. "Come on now; we wouldn't want your parents to worry."

"Indeed not, young'uns!" agreed Duke. "That would never..."

"Suit His Grace!" chorused the kittens, and everyone laughed.

The next day came, and Duke carried His Grace and his guests down to Arlesburgh, where a ship was waiting to bring them home. "We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, Sir Henry," said the Magistrate, as he waved to his friend from the deck. "To express our gratitude before our departure, we'd like to sing you a popular song from our village. In Chinese, it means, 'Good friend, good friend. You are my good friend.'"

Sagwa knew which song the Magistrate was talking about, and giggled to herself, and joined in as the imperial family began to sing:

"Hao pengyou, hao pengyou.

Ni shi wo de hao pengyou.

Hao pengyou, hao pengyou.

Ni shi wo de hao pengyou."

His Grace, his servants, the dock workers, even Duke caught the tune, and joined in as the imperial family started again. Then, with a mighty blast of its whistle, the ship departed to a chorus of cheers. Sagwa gazed wistfully back at the harbour, as it grew tinier in the distance. "Goodbye, Duke," she whispered.

One day, another three months since the imperial family's visit, the Magistrate was sitting in his throne room while the Reader brought in the daily mail. Sagwa was relaxing in his lap.

The Reader opened the first letter and looked it over. "Ah!" he said. "We've finally heard back from the Island of Sodor."

"Sir Henry?" asked the Magistrate.

"No, Your Magistrate. It's from one of those engines you told me so much about."

Sagwa's face lit up, as the Reader began to read the letter aloud:

"Dearest Sagwa, Dongwa, and Sheegwa,

I hope you've been doing well since we last saw each other - I think of you almost everyday, and I miss you dearly.

Things on the Mid Sodor have been far from boring recently. Sadly, Albert is no longer with us: Manager had him taken apart for spares when he damaged his firebox crown beyond repair. He did buy another engine in Albert's place though: his name is Falcon. He's a bit full of himself; but his heart's in the right place, and he's learning the ropes quite quickly.

I look forward to hearing back from you - I've asked my fireman to give you the address to Arlesdale Sheds. Please look after yourselves, and give Fu-Fu my best wishes.

Your hao pengyou,

Duke."

The Magistrate and the Reader were silent for the longest time. "Well," said the Magistrate at last, "it was certainly gracious of Duke to send us a letter; but why would he address it to the kittens?"

"I have no idea, Your Magistrate," replied the Reader. "It's not as if cats can speak, after all!"

Sagwa just smiled!

Well, that's it! What did you think?