…
"Edward?!" James, Gordon, and Henry gasped in shock.
"Yes," Thomas sighed sadly. "He said that the Diesel's 'changed', and that he's 'really nice' now."
"I want to believe him," Percy joined in, "But he said such cruel things to all of us. It's hard to believe, indeed."
The bigger engines were indignant. "Well, who needs Edward, anyway?" Gordon finally spoke. "Leave it to a soft boiler like him to be a traitor." He puffed snootily.
"Of course!" We'll get our revenge on old Bowler with or without Edward!" James said confidently.
"Hold on a minute. We can't just dismiss Edward's actions like that." Toby interjected. "If you ask me, he handled this situation with poise and class. And I think that's how you three would go about it as well."
"I don't know, Toby." Emily argued. "I really don't think that the Diesel could changed after all that trouble he caused."
"Yes, I guess I do see your point," The tram engine acquiesced. "But I have a good feeling deep in my firebox that he could have learned his lesson after all of this."
"But what if he hasn't? What if this only triggered more of his behavior? What will happen then?" Thomas asked, doubtfully.
"Exactly! And if he hasn't learned his lesson, we have the perfect plan to teach him." Henry finished. And the three tender engines conveyed their plan to the other engines, who looked uncomfortable at hearing such a plan.
"Why do I not feel safe about this…?" Toby whispered nervously.
"Maybe because they're last plan ended in failure…" Emily sighed. And she regaled what happened to Paxton that afternoon, before glancing at James and Henry with a fierce glare from time to time.
"Poor Paxton!" Percy squeaked sadly. "Why would you do such a thing, Henry?" he gasped.
"I can understand James doing it, but not you," Thomas added, his eyes wide.
"It was an accident!" Henry defended, quickly. "I promise it wasn't intentional!" The other engines didn't know whether to feel sympathetic or ashamed.
"That's because they didn't have me to oversee the situation," said Gordon pompously. "At least this time, I'll be enacting our little plan."
"We'll do it tomorrow." The bigger engines agreed, with the other engines still skeptical, before drifting off to sleep.
…
The next morning, Gordon, James, and Henry rolled under the entrance of the Steamworks. They had informed Victor earlier that they intended to help sort some trucks of engine parts to help out. Victor greeted them as they approached his workplace.
"I really appreciate the help, my friends," The Cuban engine thanked graciously. "If this lot over here could be sorted out by tea time, that would be wonderful." He added, before reversing back to into the Steamworks to continue his work.
The remaining tender engines looked around as Gordon puffed over to truck of parts in front of him.
"How about this one? Seems very dirty to me," He asked his comrades.
"Hmmm. Not enough. Let's look around some more," His red friend answered before darting his eyes around the Steamworks lot.
"This one looks pretty full! Lot's of old rubbish parts in this truck here!" Henry called to the others with glee.
"Ah! Perfect! This is going to work wonders!" Gordon chuckled to himself, as his companions smiled evilly.
A familiar horn sounded over the area.
"Oh! Here he comes!" James hissed quietly, and the big engines switched tracks and reversed behind the trucks of parts that scattered the front of the Steamworks, just as the Diesel pulled in.
"I'm here, Victor!" He chirruped gleefully, as he puffed in with…
…Duck?
Henry, Gordon, and James could not believe what they were seeing.
First Edward, now Duck too? They thought, with anger and betrayal bubbling in their boilers.
"Calderas hirvientes! You look terrible, Duck. What happened this time, my friend?" Victor gasped.
"Well, it feels like my boiler's full of sludge," Duck groaned in sickness. "It didn't really help that I burst my safety valve on the way here, either. Luckily, the Diesel was on his way to Whiff's Waste Dump and saw me struggling. He really has turned a new leaf, Victor!" Duck managed a smile.
"No problem, Duck!" the Diesel puffed happily from the back. "It's the least I could do after all that I did to your earlier. I think it was quite deserving of me." He smiled reassuringly.
Henry, Gordon, and James seemingly gagged at this insulting fakery.
"Thats great to know, old friend," Victor beamed, excited to know of this behavior change. "But don't worry, Duck. I'll have you puffing along the track in no time."
Victor had the Diesel push Duck into the Steamworks before turning to him.
"This should take about an hour, my friend. Could you wait here and then escort Duck back to the station when he's fully repaired? I'd like to have an engine keep an eye on him," He asked.
"No worries, Victor!" the Diesel answered cheerfully, and he oiled outside to the far end of the Steamworks before looking around at the sky, and talking to some workmen on break.
"Now's our chance!' James whispered to the others, and the began to chuff out of their hiding place as quietly as they could.
Just then, Inspector Daman, who had just finished an inspection with The Fat Controller, walked out of the Steamworks with a smile.
"Well, Topham," he began, "Things appear to be running smoothly here at the Steamworks. I'd say Victor runs a clean ship." He finished.
"Thank you, Inspector," Sir Topham Hatt grinned with pride. "Victor is one of my most reliable engines, after all. I'm glad his workplace impressed you, sir."
The two gentlemen proceeded outside to Sir Topham Hatt's blue car before the Fat Controller spoke up again. "Inspector, you wouldn't mind taking a photo in front of he Steamworks, would you? I've been asked by the media." He asked.
"Not at all," Inspector Daman answered kindly. "Will this be quick, though? I understand you have your granddaughter's birthday to attend in a moment."
"Of course, sir. And thank you again for the oven inspection. I'm sure Bridget will enjoy her gift."
The Fat Controller set the mini oven on the ground, before posing proudly in front of the Steamworks with Inspector Daman.
"Are you ready?" Gordon hissed to the others, as the three engines were hid in a line behind a heavy truck of engine parts.
"Ready as we'll ever be." His friends whispered eagerly in response. The there engines backed up, slowly, now that the truck was carefully centered behind the Diesel, who, still oblivious to their trick, sat in a siding smiling at the clouds.
"One, two, three!" And with that, all three engines charged at the truck, which went flying towards the Diesel.
Unfortunately, there was a rut in the track before them, and with an almighty JOLT! , the truck flew off the rails, soaring perfectly over the Diesel, who still didn't seem to take notice.
Gordon, Henry, and James dropped their mouths open in shock as the truck landed loudly on the other side of the track, sending an array of engine parts everywhere.
"Thank you again, Inspector," The Fat Controller expressed in gratitude as he shook hands with the other gentleman. He held the car door open for the Inspector, and was about to pick up his granddaughter's new mini oven when…
WHACK!
A clang of metal hitting pink plastic and wires demolished the tiny oven, before the pink ruins of his birthday gift erupted in flames.
The Fat Controller held onto the car door in horror, as he looked to the Inspector, who look just as, if not more, appalled.
"Tell my wife," He whispered to the Inspector, "that I might be running a little late." He finished sadly. And feeling the onset of a pounding headache, he entered the car, and left the Steamworks.
…
Well Inspector Daman (aka ME!) is back! That poor mini oven, though. :P Bridget won't be happy.
I hope you enjoyed this update! I had much fun writing it; may have even giggled a bit! Please review! :D