That night on the Island of Sodor, all the engines slept in peace and safety. Sailor John had been finally stopped that very evening, and now, all the events, bad and good had to be punished and rewarded. After that evening, this poetic justice would begin and slowly carry out overtime until it was fully handed out and completed.
The next morning, the Fat Controller arrived at the Steamworks to see Thomas and Emily. When he came inside, he saw them sleeping together with their faces touching, and their lips pressed together. They had clearly spent some of the night, kissing together after their major victory. Thomas and Emily yawned as they drifted awake, then became alert and energetic when they saw the Fat Controller.
"Good morning, sir," said Thomas. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to tell you a few things, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "First and foremost, I'm proud of you. You may have placed yourself in great danger trying to save those people from the munitions ship…but it was very, very brave of you…and your decision to go after Emily and round up the big engines ultimately led to Sodor being saved. Risking so much just to save Emily is a true act of loyalty and solidarity to Sodor."
"Thank you, sir," said Thomas. "I'm just so happy…"
"So am I, sir," added Emily. "Are things going to get better?"
"Slowly, but surely, yes, Emily. Everything will be alright," said the Fat Controller. "For now, you two need to be repaired. So I will leave you to it."
Emily had been thinking the previous night and had something to say, looking a little nervous. "Sir? When I am fully repaired…I do have a small deputation for you…I'm still quite overwhelmed by everything that has happened. I've had my first driver killed just after he met me again…I almost lost Thomas to the chaos at Brendam…Diesel 10 shredded my cab and running board apart…and Sailor John almost killed Thomas and I. This is all too much thought for me to work at all. As such…I refuse to work until I feel fit to work again."
Thomas suddenly spoke up too. "I'll have to agree with Emily, sir. I had my buffers melted away from that explosion, and got my eye scarred…then Ryan told me that Emily could have been kidnapped. And after that…I almost died with Emily. I refuse to work too…until Emily and I hear any word on Sailor John's punishment. I hope you understand, sir. It really has been a huge deal for me and Emily to take…"
The Fat Controller paced a little in circles, thinking to himself. Then he looked at the two engines again.
"Well…perhaps I can make an exception and grant your requests," he said. "I remember when Gordon, James and Henry went on strike over shunting their own coaches, then Duck and Percy did the same when Diesel had to help them at the docks…but those were very simple and silly reasons to not work. After everything you two have gone through over the past few days, I think that a break from work is what you need."
Thomas and Emily both smiled. "Thank you, sir," said Thomas.
"I just hope things really do get better," added Emily.
"So do I, Emily. So do I," said the Fat Controller as he left the Steamworks.
Some time later, the engines at Tidmouth Sheds woke up to see the Fat Controller arrive.
"Well, everyone," he said. "As of yesterday, Sailor John and all his men are no longer endangering the railway. With them out of the way…there is a great deal of work to be done to restore the railway. Henry and James, I am putting you to work repair Vicarstown Viaduct. Donald and Douglas can help you."
"Yes sir," said Henry and James.
"And after Belle and Flynn stopped the fire at Brendam, I've set up Salty, Porter, Harvey and Duck to do major repairs there," the Fat Controller continued. "I have also let the Mainland know that we cannot accept shipments by boat or tramper until Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey are all repaired and standing back up. Until then, shipments will be coming by airplane from the Sodor Airport."
Throughout that day, Thomas and Emily had their first share of repairs. Thomas' buffers finally arrived and could be applied. After that, some workmen came along to further treat his scar. Emily had her crippled running board removed and taken to the furnace to be reshaped and molded, just like it was when she got shot in Henry's Forest.
That same day, Henry, James, Donald and Douglas all got several heavy loads of bricks, ballast and iron delivered to Vicarstown to rebuild the viaduct and replace the rails. At Brendam Docks, Carly had been taken apart and was being reassembled from scratch. Then she'd be able to carefully haul Big Mickey and then Cranky into place eventually.
That evening, Thomas' scar had been given plenty of care and was healing well. He turned around until he was facing Emily and buffered to her properly to comfort her. They spent the evening just talking quietly until they fell asleep.
The next day, since Thomas' burnt spots were never fully painted, and Emily's boiler had been scraped bare, they were both due for a repaint. Workmen came by and scraped all their paint off, right down to their bare frame. Only their smokeboxes were left untouched. They both remembered seeing each other like this after the Great Railway Show and blushed deeply again.
Thomas wanted to amuse Emily after everything they had faced. He buffered as close as he could and whispered something to her…then Emily looked at Thomas with a rather perplexed and slightly embarrassed expression.
"Thomas…whatever do you mean…naked?"
Thomas grinned. "We are both in our barest form, aren't we?"
"Thomas…" Emily said with a stern smile. "You're much more mature and you know it."
"I do know. I'm just saying there's no shame. All engines who get repainted have the same pattern," said Thomas.
"Hmm. That's true," said Emily.
After some time, Thomas and Emily were both repainted completely. By the time their paintwork had dried, Emily's running board was ready to fix back on.
"You're looking beautiful again, Emily," said Thomas. "You just need the new cab now."
"Thank you, Thomas," said Emily. "When we're both ready to leave…if we're not going to work until any word of Sailor John's fate is revealed, what do you suggest we do?"
Thomas looked at Emily with a caring expression. "We just do what we please together. We just calm down after everything that has happened."
Emily sighed contently and kissed his cheek. "That sounds lovely, Thomas," said Emily. "I really hope that the railway is getting back in line."
"I'm sure all our friends are working hard," said Thomas.
And they were. Henry and James collected a few coaches full of workmen to fix the viaduct, and Donald and Douglas came by with more building supplies to help. From there, repairs could begin and restore transport to and from Sodor. And at Brendam Docks, Carly had been rebuilt back into position. Salty and Porter had been working feverishly to clear away all the debris from the inferno at Brendam. By that evening, the workmen were working to reassemble Big Mickey from the ground then get him back up again.
Back in the Steamworks, Emily's cab had been removed completely and Victor had arranged for a new cab to be fitted on. Although Thomas had new buffers and new paintwork, he didn't pass up the chance of further treatment to his scar. He was looking forward to when Emily would be fully repaired once again…and looking forward to Sailor John's final fate. He could not go on unless that happened. He needed to hear what would become of his greatest enemy. Would his punishments fit his actions and would the railway get the justice it deserved? Time would eventually tell.
Two days later, Emily's cab had been fitted on and was given one more check before she was set to leave. After the treatment he had received, Thomas' scar was fairly resealed. With no more danger ahead of himself, nothing would tear it open again. As such, Thomas decided he wanted to leave and just explore the island with Emily until Sailor John's fate was decided.
Thomas turned round on the turntable and started approaching the doors. Emily followed behind him, and eventually switched to the track beside him. And so, they both began their time to simply do as they pleased together. But as they huffed smoothly along the line, they found themselves feeling the same eerily normal atmosphere around them. After Sailor John's reign of crime, it felt different to be back in a normal world. It was certainly more peaceful than before, but neither Thomas nor Emily felt used to it yet.
That evening, Thomas and Emily were once again the only engines to stay awake at Tidmouth Sheds.
"Well, Thomas…" she said. "I really don't know what to think…What will we all receive from these events? And what will become of the ones responsible for everything that has happened?"
"Well…Lawrence Rider is avenged after all," said Thomas. "Murphy did pay for what he did by losing his own life. That traitor can rot through eternity."
Emily sighed sadly at hearing her driver's name. "One thing I would really love is if David could come and meet us one day…surely the news of his father would make him want to break away from his life at sea."
"We'll see, Emily," said Thomas. "I feel that we'll all have our own sense of justice..."
The days passed. Thomas and Emily still would not work as long as they heard no word about Sailor John. They kept exploring around the island and staying together while the repairs at Vicarstown and the docks persisted and kept going. Days turned into weeks. As more time passed, more work got done. Cranky and Big Mickey were eventually repaired and Vicarstown Viaduct came closer and closer to being repaired too, and as they hoped, Thomas and Emily did indeed receive poetic justice…as did several others on Sodor.
Finally, an entire month had passed since Sailor John's defeat. That morning, Thomas and Emily woke up with the other engines at Knapford Station. Edward was visiting the sheds too, on the line beside Emily's berth. The Fat Controller came by, looking like he had a lot to say. All the engines looked at him.
"Good morning everyone," he said. "I'm here to tell you…everything is alright now. Thomas, I have a message from General Malcolm and Detectives Phelps and Gallagher…for you."
"What is it?" asked Thomas.
"They didn't say," said the Fat Controller. "They just said that you should go to Crovan's Gate Station this evening."
"Yes sir," said Thomas. "So…can you please tell us how everything is alright again?"
"Yes," said the Fat Controller. "I think our friends and enemies all got poetic justice, so to speak. Vicarstown Viaduct is now fixed, and trains can come to and from Sodor again. Brendam Docks is fully repaired and shipments by boat can come here again. Skiff has been back on his Railboat tours ever since Paxton took him back."
He took a step closer and beckoned all the engines to listen. "I have also made several changes to the diesels' timetable. The only diesels that will be allowed to keep working are Philip, Mavis, Salty, Paxton, Sidney, BoCo, Norman, Den and Dart, and maybe Daisy. I have sent Diesel 10 off of Sodor to the Mainland until they assure he's trustworthy to come back. I'd rather doubt it. As for Diesel, 'Arry and Bert…I have had their motors removed completely and locked away under strict guard by the railway staff."
All the steam engines smiled delightfully. Diesel 10 was gone, and all the devious diesels were incapacitated to work. But they still had the friendly diesels to talk to.
"Anything else, sir?" asked James.
"A few days ago, Phelps and Gallagher went to court and demanded an investigation order on the entire Sudrian Police Department. Already, it's being heavily criticized for its problematic loopholes that allowed many of Sailor John's wishes to be accomplished. They've been ordered to look through their policy and make several changes and improvements."
"I see," said Gordon. "I do hope they'll input a new rule to protect passengers on board my express."
"Well, this is all very good to hear, sir," said Henry.
"I look forward to my message tonight, sir," said Thomas. "Thank you."
So the Fat Controller gave out jobs to the engines for the day and everyone worked usefully from start to finish…but Thomas kept thinking about what this message would be…and it was from the General. He thought and thought all day of what it could be.
When evening arrived, Thomas was finally ready to go to Crovan's Gate to see his message…but he decided not to go alone. As he left Annie and Clarabel back at Knapford Station, he saw Emily come by after finishing her work.
"Hello, Emily," he called. "I'm about to go to Crovan's Gate for my message from Phelps, Gallagher and the General…and I wonder…would you like to come with me? If it's for me…there might be something for you to see too. Maybe something that would motivate us to return to work?"
Emily looked up for a moment, then agreed. "Alright, Thomas. I'll come with you."
She switched lines and then she and Thomas set off side-by-side. They both wondered what this would be. Either way, they were interested and a little excited. When they arrived at Crovan's Gate Station, they saw a film projector on the platform. And Phelps and Gallagher were standing there, waiting.
"Detective Phelps? Detective Gallagher? What are you doing here? Is this your message?" asked Thomas.
"Yes, it is, Thomas," said Gallagher.
"What is it exactly, now that we're here?" asked Emily.
"This film projection you're about to see…is Sailor John's re-trial and sentencing," said Phelps. "The court has spent this past month carefully debating what punishments fit Sailor John's crimes. Usually, court hearings are NEVER recorded in any manner, but after everything Sailor John had plagued on Sodor ever since his escape…the judge agreed with me, Gallagher and the General that we should permit a recording of the absolute strictest penalties imposed upon Sailor John. Roll the film, Shay."
"Right." And Gallagher turned the projector to the station wall and activated it. Thomas and Emily saw the court room. There were five judges altogether. The judge who had sentenced Sailor John once before was there, but he had called upon four other judges of a higher stature to help with the sentencing. The court clerk was there too, and a jury was on the side of the room. Sailor John was chained in the dock and had four armed policemen guarding him.
"You are Sailor John?" said the head judge, pointing to their defendant.
"Yes, your…honour," Sailor John said reluctantly.
"So…you have appeared before us again…and as we warned you of, we WILL deal with you much more seriously. Court Clerk, if you please…"
The court clerk looked up and spoke. "Sailor John, you are have been summoned here from the Sudrian holding center to receive your sentences and learn your fate after your commission of multiple deadly and heinous crimes against the Sudrian Crown. Your crimes include, but are not limited to: prison escape, misuse of a prisoner's body, the murder of Larry Montague, launching the Kathryn Heist, thievery, mass murder of the many Sudrian citizens through morphine injection, using Sir Topham Hatt's diesels as leverage, setting fire to Brendam Docks resulting in serious damage to all three cranes, kidnapping one of Sir Topham Hatt's steam engines, destruction of Vicarstown Viaduct, attempted murder upon Thomas and Emily, and last but not least, resisting arrest with violence upon three officers. And after calculating and weighing the balance of the strictest penalties possible, for these crimes, you are sentenced to be on this day, imprisoned as follows for each crime…"
The judge continued. "For breaking out of prison: eight years. For using a prisoner's corpse: four years. For the murder of Larry Montague: twenty years. For performing the Kathryn Heist: fifteen years. For destroying Vicarstown Viaduct and cutting off transport to and from Sodor: four years. For kidnapping Emily: five years. For resisting arrest with violence against not one, but three policemen: nineteen years. These sentences altogether, make a grand total of seventy-five years."
"This final sentence goes into effect today," said another judge. "The same twenty soldiers who stopped you at Vicarstown Station will take shifts of five armed men every few hours to guard your cell at all times."
"And one more thing…Sailor John," the third judge sad harshly. "This penalty is NOT in your sentence for the moment…but if you ever so much as attempt to escape prison through ANY stunt at all, we will NOT let that endanger Sodor again. Therefore, if you try to escape, it is possible, however unlikely, that the Death Penalty would be added to your sentence."
"If that ever should happen," said the fourth judge. "Just for the record, we have yet to decide if you would hang by the neck until dead…be lethally injected…or, since your actions have made us all SO angry and you have committed such horrendously traumatic crimes…we may possibly to turn to France's historical technique; the guillotine. Even without such a penalty, you will NOT see the open world ever again, especially given the length of your current sentences. Either way…may God have mercy upon your soul."
"And so, this session of the Sudrian Court is officially adjourned!" And the head judge banged the gavel. After that, the policemen dragged Sailor John away, and out of the court room to transfer him to his now-permanent life in prison.
And the projector stopped. Thomas and Emily looked at each other in silence as they acknowledged what they just saw. The look in their eyes said everything to each other. They were very satisfied that Sailor John was put to such punishments and would have no method or hope of escape this time…but somewhere inside them, they felt a tingle of deep shock. The very man who befriended Thomas and hunted treasure with was under the threat of the death penalty if he tried to escape again. Then they broke the silence.
"Well, Emily. Sodor is a safe haven with Sailor John officially no more."
"Hmm. It's for the best, Thomas," said Emily. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Emily," said Thomas. "Thank you very much, Detectives."
"You're welcome, you two," said Phelps. "It is a true honour to know what you and your friends have done as service to this railway."
Thomas and Emily smiled, then went back to Tidmouth Sheds to tell the other engines the simple version of what they had just learned.
The next morning, everything seemed fully normal. All the engines were working regularly again, all the repairs had been done and life had returned to its original state on the Island of Sodor. But Thomas was beginning to have jumpy feelings…about Emily. After his biggest conflict and test of bravery ever, he had some new thoughts bubbling in his mind…and he something to tell Emily in a few days…and something to ask her.
And that's a wrap! For the record, no, I am not making any sequels to this story, there will be no more plotting and scheming. It's all DONE! Sailor John is in prison until he for some reason is properly reintroduced back into the TV series, the show will determine John's final fate. And it also means that one guy has to stop telling me what to put into the chapters as if he thinks he's in control of my story. Jesus Christ that was annoying. Also, if you think 75 years is too lenient on John, he's already an old man, so he'll be long dead before his sentence even comes close to being finished. Either way, the next few stories will focus on the aftermath of this story, so in your reviews, please give us your final opinion on this dramatic adventure, and we'll see you next time.