Chapter 14
Author's Note: I know chronologically this Mr. Conductor is supposed to be the Alec Baldwin Mr. Conductor, but that's my least favourite version of the character so my headcanon accepts Rob McGee's Mr. Conductor from the Thomas and the Magic Railroad Parody which is the superior version of the movie.
Most of this chapter is new, and we're just about ready to meet and surpass the previous version's number of chapters.
Schemer was parked just outside of the limits into town, tucked into an unused and hidden driveway.
"Okay, let's run through this again. Billy is free but Paul's goons, the men that are under magical control, are actively looking for him," Schemer recounted while scouting the road for any signs of movement.
"Yes, exactly. Billy is currently in hiding, he managed to escape with a few townspeople after the memorial. And I don't want to test this theory but I suspect they'll track down and lock up just about anyone they spot so we'll want to remain undetected," Mr. Conductor explained.
"And what about Stacy and Schemee? Where are they headed? If Billy is free, he's likely safe for now. But if they've been taken by Paul we still don't know what he wants with either of them," Schemer asked carefully.
"I'm not fully certain where Stacy is going, unfortunately I lost track of her in the chaos. There were a number of people being moved in and around trains so she might be with the other townspeople. Paul seems to have some sleeping magic at his disposal, as they were all unconscious but alive. And without knowing her location or destination I can't travel to her directly. But I do know where Schemee is and it appears that he will be moving separately from Stacy. I saw the goons loading him up into a car. It looks like they're waiting, they're still at the station for the time being. I can at least check back periodically and figure out their direction. It's a small town, we should be able to intercept them."
Schemer thought carefully. "We should get Schemee first, and see what he can tell us. It sounds like he might be the easiest person to get to undetected, but once he's moving it's just going to get harder to track him down."
"I agree, but I think we should get Billy to assist us first. I can't break the spell over those men, only the person controlling them can do that, but I can at least stop them temporarily. That said the more help we have the better because we'll want to make sure we act fast enough to prevent any of them from alerting Paul, or whoever is controlling them."
"Fine, Billy first, then Schemee, then we figure out where Stacy and the townspeople are. I don't like that so many people are in terrible danger and we're picking and choosing the order. I just hope we can get to everyone fast enough," Schemer gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning white.
"Yes, I agree. But I think they're okay for now since Paul is still near the station. If we can increase our numbers without tipping off Paul we can work on it. I'm also certain that Mason and Jasper are being held together nearby. They weren't at the memorial, and I'd have to go check around a few locations to find out where they are, but Mason at the very least would be able to help with law enforcement."
Schemer started up his car again. "Where's Billy likely to be?"
"Probably your house because it's the safest place. I've contained it within a magical perimeter. I placed a protection around it early on, using the inherent magic of the area. I don't think any of you realize how much the three of you contributed to the overall magic of the station. You, Stacy and Billy really matter to the station, and while you were gone keeping the two of them plus Schemee safe was one thing it still responded to despite being under attack. Stacy, Billy and Schemee's combined presence kept it strong, and he really worked well in your place. That said, it is weakening now that they're separated."
Schemer considered this. He hadn't been aware of the true magic of the station until very early that morning, but he well and truly believed now. "Then that's where we'll start. Keep an eye out for Paul's minions, I can park nearby off of an unmaintained road that borders the very back of the lot, and then I'll walk in. Are you okay to bounce around while monitoring everyone?" Schemer asked as he began to pull away.
"Yes of course, I'll stay with you until then."
The trek through the woods was uneventful, and Schemer let out a sigh of relief when he encountered the boundary that Mr. Conductor described. He could see its gold shimmering surface, and passed through it easily. He couldn't be sure but it seemed like it grew brighter the moment he walked across its boundary.
He let himself inside quietly and looked around the front entrance. He had a clear view of the living room. Chairs from the kitchen had been moved inside and the couches had been moved into a semi-circle. He frowned and moved closer. There were papers scattered over the coffee table. He picked one up. It contained many plans, most of them scratched out. It seemed that not only had Schemee been living here, it was also a sort of planning headquarters. He shook his head and moved quickly upstairs.
He hadn't thought much about how he was going to reveal himself to Billy, but the house was so quiet that he wasn't sure if he was even here. He was also anxious about calling out for him, worried that somehow his position would be given away to the wrong people.
He made it to his bedroom when he heard the front door open.
He froze momentarily, and then slid slowly along the wall until the front entrance was in sight from the top of the stairs. Billy had just walked in, and had walked into the living room. Schemer could see him looking around suspiciously. Schemer moved forward but shifted his weight just slightly too far. He slipped and lost his balance, subsequently tumbling down the flight of stairs and crashing into a heap at the bottom.
"Who's there?" Billy quickly snapped. Schemer could hear his heavy footfall coming towards him and suddenly felt himself being picked up roughly by his shoulder. It was still dark, especially in the house with the lights off, and as Billy pushed him face first against the wall. Schemer gave an annoyed grunt.
"Who do you think you are? This is private property!" Billy growled.
"Thanks Billy, I know," Schemer said sarcastically, slightly muffled by the wall. He heard a gasp and felt Billy's hand release him. He didn't crash to the floor again but his knees buckled as his weight was placed back on them. Placing his arm on the wall in front of him, he used it to steady himself. His back was turned to Billy and he heard him take a step backwards.
"Who are you?" he demanded in a hoarse whisper.
Schemer turned to face him. "Horace Schemer? Alive and in the flesh. Thanks for the welcome back."
Billy frowned and moved forward slowly, one arm outstretched. He grabbed Schemer's left arm and methodically checked for a pulse. Schemer just looked bemused. "Not a ghost, sorry to disappoint you," he said with a smirk.
Billy let the arm that he was holding drop and without warming pulled Schemer into a fierce hug.
"Hey, knock it off Billy, it's okay! I'm happy to see you too but I'm having trouble breathing!" he cried out, but he was equally happy to see his friend. In fact, his heart was soaring at the sight of someone kind and familiar. It was the most hope he'd felt in days. They finally broke apart and Billy wore an expression that must've mirrored the hope Schemer was feeling.
Billy shook his head incredulously. "I must be losing it. Schemer, you're supposed to be-"
"Dead? Yeah, I didn't get the memo. I'm quite alive. Solid flesh and bone as you could probably tell from my crash at the bottom of the stairs," he said, rolling his eyes.
"I know we probably don't have time to discuss this, but how is this possible?" Billy asked with concern in his voice.
Schemer gave a humourless laugh. "Well you know the first part, Paul tried to kill me. Fortunately he didn't succeed because Mr. Conductor saved me. He then brought me to my father's house. We were supposed to get Schemee back to us so that we could go into hiding, but… well, Paul struck again."
Saying it aloud struck Schemer hard, and he suddenly felt lost. How could he be so flippant at a time like this? Schemee wasn't safe yet, and they still needed to rescue Stacy and countless others.
As if reading his mind Billy sympathetically said, "We'll get him back. I promise. Do you have a way out?"
"Yeah, we'll need to hike out a bit, but Mr. Conductor is going to meet us to let us know where to go next. We figured out that we should get Schemee is first, and then Stacy and the rest of the townsfolk. Who else is known to be safe?"
"I've managed to help the children and some of their parents get home safely. They're bunkering down at their houses. I promised that we'd rescue everyone, I have to keep that promise."
They walked through the woods in relative silence, speaking softly before the boundary.
"It's amazing you survived, but if you don't mind me saying, you look like you've been put through the ringer," Billy said carefully.
Schemer self-consciously thought back to his unhealthy pallor and the dark circles under his eyes. "I know. It wasn't fun," he said simply.
Billy gave him a worried look. "Are you alright though? I mean, it's great that you're alive but you've been through something rough."
Schemer brushed his concern off. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. We'll get through this, but that's going to have to be a problem for another day," he said hurriedly.
"Well, whatever happens, we'll face it together. We're all in this together."
Schemer smiled, genuinely. "One thing is for sure, when this is over I am going to have a stern word with Schemee about personal safety. Honestly, taking on a violent murderer," he said while rubbing his forehead, exasperation in his voice.
They made it back to the car. They were much more subdued, now that they had fully left the protection of the boundary. Almost on schedule, Mr. Conductor appeared.
"We have to go, now!" he exclaimed, not waiting for Schemer or Billy to greet him.
Schemer obediently started the ignition. "Where to?" he asked seriously.
"Schemee is on the move! Drive back the way we came. I think we can cut them off if we hurry."
Schemer took off with a roar. Mr. Conductor looked around. "I have an idea for a distraction to cover us." He snapped his fingers. Billy looked out the passenger's window as the sky around the boundary seemed to shimmer and twitch. He could see the protective bubble that had given them so much hope, was melting and dissolving away.
"They'll think it's fallen and flock to it," he explained.
"Thank you Mr. Conductor, for everything," Billy said sincerely, "Though if you don't mind me asking, you are a different Mr. Conductor? And our previous friend has definitely passed on?"
Mr. Conductor gave a sad smile. "I'm sorry, that is the case. He died protecting what he loved, and that's what any of us would do. Mourn him as a friend, but his sacrifice was not in vain."
Billy felt a sudden tightness form in his throat. "Thank you," he said softly, and not just to the vehicle's occupants.
As they sped down the road, they spotted a car moving suspiciously slow. It wasn't necessarily the speed that gave it away, but the fact that there were no other vehicles on the road. It was as if the driver was trying too hard to be subtle, and instead appeared conspicuous. Schemer drove behind it, attempting to close the distance. Sensing someone was following them, the car smoothly increased its speed and maintained an almost perfect distance in front of Schemer no matter how well he maneuvered the car.
Schemer let out a low growl of frustration. "Whoever he is, he's not going to hand him over easily. And we can't do anything that would put Schemee at risk."
"I can help, but I think we'll have to work fast to avoid alerting anyone else. That is, if they haven't already," Mr. Conductor explained.
"What are you going to do?" Schemer asked.
"Follow close behind, but leave a distance to avoid hitting the vehicle," he instructed, avoiding the question, before disappearing in a cloud of dust.
Billy looked on incredulously. "This is well beyond the actions of any Conductor I've ever seen. I guess I underestimated them and took their powers for granted."
"Glad he's on our side," Schemer mumbled, knuckles turning white as they gripped the steering wheel for the umpteenth time that day.
Mr. Conductor appeared under the driver's seat, knowing he only had moments before they started reacting to the car behind them. From his vantage point he could see two sets of feet in the front seats and none behind him. He peered underneath the seat into the backseat to see the bound and unconscious Schemee laying across the bench seat, his head lolling limply with each bump.
Suddenly, the car swerved hard to one side. The screeching of tires filled Mr. Conductor's ears as they did an apparent 180 degree turn and he was thrown roughly to the side. Okay, so they were aware of the car and were going to take action. Whatever enchantment they were under wasn't perfect, and there were only so many autonomous actions they had the capacity to make. But he believed they probably had several orders that they could follow, prioritized by importance. Firstly was probably getting Schemee to whatever location Paul was sending him. Secondly was probably capturing anyone they encountered, if possible. Which in this case likely wasn't. Thirdly, and this was a hunch he was most worried about, was using force to accomplish the first goal.
The car was stopped and he couldn't hear anything outside. He suspected that they were thinking, computing, the next course of action. This was his moment to act. He snapped his fingers and hoped his aim was correct.
Billy and Schemer sat in silence, watching the car in front of them. It had braked and turned abruptly and was facing them headlong, sitting about a hundred feet away.
"What do you suppose is going on?" Billy murmured.
Whatever it was, Schemer didn't like the look of it. He could just see the male occupants in the front seat, and while their enchanted eyes weren't visible from this distance, he knew that they were trained on them. Memories of the moments before he was roughly thrown off the docks haunted his mind and his lip curled into a snarl.
He reached forward and let his fingers lightly touch the gearshift, waiting. Whatever they decided to do likely wouldn't come with much warning.
Sweat beaded on his brow as he watched the car, unblinking. A sudden idea occurred to him, perhaps he could get the upper hand once again. "Hold on," he finally told Billy. He quickly flipped off the car's lights and let the road in front of him go dark. This triggered a reaction in the other car and he made his next move. Throwing the car into reverse he stepped on the pedal just as the other car roared in acceleration. The tricky part was the fact that they were driving blind and backwards, and holding a safe distance just beyond the other car's headlight beams could only be maintained for so long. Still he pushed his car onwards, using his rearview mirror to help judge his proximity relative to the road.
"Schemer, I don't mean to question you right now but do you have a plan?" Billy asked, hand grasping the handle tightly.
Pressing his tongue to the inside of his cheek he didn't respond immediately and instead checked behind him. Just a bit further… and yes! He flipped the lights back on, hopefully dazzling the driver of the other car momentarily, as he used his brief window to reverse smoothly into a driveway. As the other car whizzed past he threw the car back into drive and peeled out after them.
Putting the run on them gave him a short window of control to hopefully let Mr. Conductor to work his magic.
Sure enough, something did happen. The car in front of them began to slow, leaving a slick of fuel in its wake. They watched intently as the car slowly rolled into a ditch before slowing to a stop.
Schemer and Billy came to a halt behind it and leapt from their vehicle. Schemer wrenched open the door to find the driver and passenger fast asleep behind the wheel with Schemee bound in the back seat. His eyes were blindfolded and his hands were tied behind his back. Schemer could feel his heart thumping against his rib cage, his rage giving way to relief.
Mr. Conductor appeared beside them. "Sleeping dust!" he exclaimed, "I used their own trick against them. Also I cut the gas line to give you a bit of room to manuever. Nice driving by the way. I can reverse the magic on Schemee but leave these two goons to sleep it off and stay out of our hair." He snapped his fingers and Schemee started to stir before realizing that something about his predicament had changed and instead began to struggle.
Schemer's own breath wavered and he reached out to grasp Schemee's arm to help remove him from the vehicle. Upon his touch Schemee jerked back and shouted "NO!", causing Schemer to jump back from the door.
He momentarily forgot that Schemee had no idea that they were rescuing him, and he was going to be in for an even bigger shock once the blindfold was removed.
"Schemee!" Billy exclaimed gently, "It's okay, we're here to help you!" He had been binding the hands and arms of the goons, in case they eventually woke up.
Schemee stopped writhing and sat up as best he could, turning in the direction of Billy's voice. "Billy? Oh thank goodness," the relief poured through his voice.
Schemer once again grasped Schemee's arm and this time Schemee allowed himself to be pulled up through the car door. His heart was racing, and he felt light headed. He almost lost him, he came so close to losing him. Only dumb luck and Mr. Conductor's magic had saved him. Once Schemee was outside and standing again Billy moved forward to undo his bindings. Schemer felt his breathing hitch, realizing how lucky they were to have this reunion. " I will never leave again, I don't deserve this second chance but I will not take it for granted," he thought desperately, swallowing thickly. He stood back to face his nephew, to give him space.
"Wait Schemee, before you take it off-," Billy tried to say but Schemee pulled off his blindfold before he could finish.
For a moment he didn't move, didn't react. Then his knees weakened and he lurched forward, sinking down onto his knees. Schemer and Billy both moved towards him but instead Schemee pushed himself backwards, scooting back until his back met the car.
"Schemee," Schemer said gently, realizing how tight his throat suddenly felt.
"No," was all Schemee could say. He wasn't looking at Schemer, he was avoiding him entirely and shaking his head.
"Schemee," Billy tried cautiously.
"No," Schemee repeated, "No, no, NO!"
Schemer winced, this was too much for Schemee. He felt guilty as he thought about how this was one of the least sensitive ways they could have approached it. While he was beyond elated to see him again he suddenly resented the way they had to reunite.
"How dare they!" Scheme shouted, practically howling from the pain in his voice, "How dare YOU!"
Schemer and Billy exchanged worried glances.
"This is real," Billy said softly, "Schemee, oh goodness, we promise you. I would never lie about this. Your uncle, he's alive." He was pulsing his hands slowly towards Schemee in what he hoped was a soothing manner.
"Bullshit," Schemee exclaimed coldly.
"I'm real, I'm alive," Schemer murmured. He knelt down to the ground carefully, while trying to avoid crowding Schemee.
"Get away from me!" Schemee snarled as he threw himself backwards and pressed his back further into the car. "You're dead. Paul did it! And Paul is behind this… sick joke!" he cried viciously. "Billy, you can't actually believe that this isn't some kind of trick to fool us?"
Schemer watched as Billy faltered for a split second. Horror dawned on him that he may need to prove himself to not one but two people. The thought made him feel weary, it had already been a long day and there was still so much they needed to accomplish.
"I'm real," he said weakly, "I can prove it." He had to come up with something, and quickly.
"Schemee, the events that unfolded between your uncle's disappearance and now have been nothing short of incredulous. But I promise you, this man is alive and he is your uncle. I was alerted to his presence when he passed through the curtain, because I noticed it flickered and got stronger once he entered. So I went over to your house to investigate only to find him looking for me," Billy explained gently.
Schemer almost collapsed with the gratitude that washed over him. "Thank you Billy."
Billy turned back to Schemer. "Why don't you answer a few questions, you know, just to confirm you're not some eldritch horror in disguise."
A weak laugh escaped Schemer's throat. "Okay, that will work. Go ahead Schemee."
A small flicker of hope passed over Schemee's face, like he desperately wanted to believe it. "Okay, fine," he said softly, suspicion replacing his expression once more, "Prove it. Tell me, how old was I when I came to live with you?"
"Eight."
"Why?"
"Your mother was killed by a drunk driver."
"What's your middle name?"
"I don't have one, but I did use 'L' as a fake initial in the note to send a message."
Schemee narrowed his eyes. "Too obvious. What animal was that go-cart we made together modelled after?"
"A mouse, powered by one hundred real live mice," Schemer said and a small smile spread across his face.
Schemee softened, and seemed to waver on whether to move forward or collapse in a heap. Schemer waited with baited breath for his reaction.
"What was the last thing you said to me?" Schemee asked, quietly this time. He met Schemer's eyes, as if scanning him for any hint of doubt.
Schemer paused, thinking carefully. "I'll be back, I promise," he whispered, half to himself.
Schemee's lip trembled and there was a curtain of barely contained tears behind his eyes. "I can't lose you twice. Please," he pleaded.
Schemer understood and slowly exhaled the breath he was holding. He bit his bottom lip stopping short of the point of drawing blood at the thought of how badly his nephew must have taken his death. To believe him to be alive and real was setting Schemee up for a much larger sorrow if this were all just a cruel joke.
"I know I left you alone. I drove away from you, twice, and I was so terribly wrong for that. I thought I was doing the right thing but I didn't take your feelings into account. But there is nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, that could stop me from protecting you. I didn't die, and Paul is going to suffer the consequences for trying and failing to take me away from you," Schemer said softly but surely.
Schemer almost wasn't expecting the contact, as he was lost in his own thoughts when Schemee threw himself against Schemer.
The air was forced from his lungs but he held fast onto his trembling, sobbing nephew. Schemee was squeezing him so tightly it was as if he was worried his uncle wasn't entirely solid and would disappear again. Schemer wrapped one arm around Schemee's back and the other around the back of his head, clutching him to his shoulder. He felt the tears flowing from his own eyes and he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep himself together. The loneliness he had felt since he had made that series of mistakes that turned his life upside down was finally being broken down by the restored bond between him and his nephew.
Schemee broke apart to look at him properly. "It is you. I knew you wouldn't… you couldn't…" he trailed off, unable to finish the sentence between his sobs.
"I know, I know. I never wanted you to ever believe I could ever leave you. I am so sorry, I was a fool, I should have never left you like that, distanced myself from you. I made a terrible mistake, I thought it was right. I was so, so wrong. So terribly wrong," he was stammering now, tears rolling down his cheek.
"You came back, you once again landed on top like you always do." Schemee smiled weakly, wiping his eyes. He let go of his Uncle and rocked backwards to sit down, hugging his knees.
"I… I had a lot of help. A lot of it, really. And we still aren't out of danger. Stacy… She's still with Paul and the townspeople."
Schemee's expression immediately darkened. "Stacy and Billy, they were my rock. They risked everything to keep me safe. Stacy put herself in harm's way, moved even without us knowing, in order to keep one step ahead of Paul. He got to us in the end, and he has her. She's not with the townspeople, he's taking her with him. We can't let him win, we have to do it for her."
Schemer suddenly felt winded. This loyalty was not unexpected, but it still took him by surprise. The thought of Stacy in Paul's grasp made his heart ache. There were so many reasons to rescue her, both personal and general, but his nephew's impassioned talk of her made him remember exactly why he loved her. She was the bravest person he knew, and she risked everything for his nephew. He could never repay her, but he could do whatever it took to get her back.
"Where was he taking you?" Schemer asked. Schemer shook his head in frustration.
"I don't know," he admitted sadly.
"I think we do," Billy called out from the other vehicle. He had searched the car with Mr. Conductor. "There's coordinates punched into a GPS."
Schemer felt the weight of another decision on his shoulders. He said he would never leave, and he meant it, but the longer they took to get to the townspeople and Stacy, the higher the risk they were taking. He made eye contact with Schemee, who nodded knowingly, before turning to Billy and Mr. Conductor.
"I think we need to split up. I know, it's risky. But we can't choose who survives and who doesn't. Everyone deserves a fair chance, and the majority of people are in one place."
Billy nodded. "That's a good point. We need to find more help in town as well, like Mason. I hope he's okay."
"He is, I figured out where he was when I was bouncing around," Mr. Conductor chimed in, "He's safe for now but trapped at the police station. We know Paul, or his goons, have access to sleeping powder and it seemed like he managed to put them to sleep and trap them there. Jasper is there too, along with a few other staff. We should split up and have two of us go to the precinct, and the other can start chasing after Stacy,"
"Good idea. Mr. Conductor, would you mind helping me rig up this car? I think we could get it working enough to bring us closer to town, maybe with a little magic dust," Billy suggested, walking towards the disabled vehicle.
Schemee turned to Schemer with a hard expression on his face. "I want to help rescue Stacy, I think she's going the same place I was headed, Paul alluded to us seeing each other one last time."
"No!" Schemer said hurriedly but immediately softened, "No, I can't let you do that. That puts you too close to Paul and wherever he wanted to take you."
Schemee looked annoyed at first, but understanding fell across his features. "So you're planning on going to her then?"
"I… I didn't see another way, I can't lose her. But I did just say that I wouldn't leave you again, so are you okay with it? Say the word and we will figure out a new plan, but either way, I don't think you should go anywhere near Paul," Schemer explained gently.
Schemee nodded in understanding, and gave a small smile. "I'm okay with it, even if I'm not there to watch your back I think you need to be the one. And I also suppose it's time that I start listening to you better, I know you have my best interests at heart after all," he said sincerely. But his expression became grave. "Bring her back, and be careful. Like I said, I'm not losing you twice," he said seriously.
Schemer responded with a smile, feeling the pride spreading through his chest. He pulled Schemee into a tight hug, which he reciprocated fiercely. "I will be back, both of us will be," he promised, "But you have to as well. Be careful, I'm serious."
Billy rejoined the two. Schemer turned to him. "Billy, if I go get Stacy can I trust you and Schemee to be safe? I know you both have a big job ahead of you, but there's no one else I could have more faith in to pull it off."
"Of course. Be careful Schemer, and good luck," Billy responded solemnly. He held out his hand and Schemer gratefully shook it.
"Come on, let's do it for Stacy," Schemer said confidently.