New Year, Old Friends

by The Blue Engine

Sodor's New Year's celebrations are in jeoprady as snow batters the island and Gordon, who is away on an enthusiast trip, squirms his way out of collecting the fireworks needed, forcing Edward to come to the Mainland. A dispute erupts between the two, but neither are aware of two scheming diesels plotting to use their fight for their own gain.

8. The Last Stretch

Chapter Eight: The Last Stretch

12:21

Barrow-in-Furness: North Western Railway Terminus

Edward didn't think he had ever moved so quickly in his life.

After only a short stretch out of the countryside station, Edward began to feel the pain in his wheels and side rods. This may have been from the fact he'd already moved around more than often over the past few hours, but Edward was getting tired.

"Are you sure your up for this?" His driver called nervously, checking all of his gauges.

"I'm fine, it's just going to be a bit tiring." Edward answered, and he forced himself to carry on: if he stopped now, he should just push Gordon off a cliff himself. The fireworks trucks rattled behind and Rocky rattled behind, being battered by wind and snow and shaking due to the speed Edward was going at.

"You can do this Edward!" Rocky shouted in encouragement, and Edward smiled to himself. With these words in his mind, Edward began pounding the rails quickly, trying to get past the icy patches that could be his downfall. Thankfully there were more oil patches in the snow covering the tracks, indicating that they were on the right path in order to catch up to the diesels.

Edward felt a bit of a strain as he began going up a steady incline, and he could really feel the weight of his heavy train at this point. His crew were nervous, concerned about Edward's ability to make it up the hill by himself. However, Edward was determined to make it: he felt guilty enough about Gordon being taken away, and not saving him would just add to that.

Must keep going, must keep going, must keep going... Edward thought, sending steam and smoke high into the sky. His wheels were cold and in pain, and he felt like his back buffer beam was about to be torn off by Rocky and the vans. However, with a loud whistle of relief, Edward felt the track smooth out, and things instantly became a lot less difficult.

"Phew, that was tough!" Edward panted, and his crew chuckled.

"We're nearly at the terminus for our railway!" The fireman shouted, and they all heard the familiar sound of Henry's whistle cutting dramatically through the roaring wind. "Looks like Henry heard us!" And the fireman laughed again, but Edward and the driver were more concerned about a different noise: voices.

"It's the diesels!" Edward gasped, and he focused on the light coming from his headlamp. Moving at a slightly steadier, faster speed, the old engine was able to see a familiar moss green paint job through the swirling snow. He blew his whistle loudly, and was glad when it sounded like the diesels were shocked.

"We're caught up!" Rocky said in happiness, but was surpsied that Edward didn't respond. The blue engine was more focused than ever now: he had proven he could catch up, and now he had to save Gordon!

"Just slow down!" Edward shouted. "It will be better for you if you just let Gordon go!" He waited happily for some sort of response, but was dismayed that his words didn't seem to be discouraging the two diesels.

"Let's just keep trying," Edward's driver said. "We can do this!"

"Of course we can!" Edward replied, making Rocky and his crew laugh. "Just slow down! It will be better for you if you just let Gordon go!"

"We can't, we need the money!" The back diesel shouted back at Edward, who angrily sent steam into the air. Greedy bloody diesels Edward thought angrily, and he let himself move forwards slightly quicker. If he kept increasing his speed for a few more minutes, Edward would soon be buffer to buffer with the diesel!

But just as that thought entered his mind, Edward gasped as they all suddenly swerved to the left. Rocky yelled behind him at the sudden change in direction, and Edward found himself suddenly surrounded by buildings, signals and what looked like a platform up ahead. A familiar green coat of paint was clearly visible through the snow, and Edward blew his whistle at Henry, who looked very, very surprised.

"Edward, what's going on? Why do those diesels have Gordon?" The green engine asked curiously, as several workers swarmed around him.

"Sorry Henry, can't stop and chat now." Edward replied, and continued to chase after the diesels. The weather was going to be very dangerous as they got out onto the open bridge, so Edward had to be ready to take it on.

"You'd better hold on Rocky, things are going to get a bit colder." The old engine shouted back, and they raced forwards towards his home.