ENGINES TO THE RESCUE
Lyrics to "We Are One" by Marty Panzer and Jack Feldman
"It won't be long now, mom," said Nigel. "That little black escapee will be here soon."
"Indeed he will, dear." Addison playfully ruffled Nigel's hair. "Once the last North Western diesel is brought here, then we will begin the great purge! All these modern locomotives will feel the burn of the cutter's torch that many steam engines were forced to meet because of them!"
"You'll never get away with this!" snapped BoCo. "When Sir Topham Hatt returns and sees what you've done, you'll be in so much trouble!"
"Yeah," said Paxton. "None of the engines will like this!"
"Oh, I think they'll be thanking me for this endeavor," smirked Addison. "When word gets out about how I single-handedly freed Sodor of its oil-guzzling, electric-powered invaders, I'll be forever seen as their savior!"
Addison imagined herself being dressed in a royal gown for a parade, with many people and engines cheering for her. She blew kisses and threw roses out to the crowd.
"Oh, marry me, Addison!" one of the girls in the crowd squealed after accepting a rose.
Juxtaposing the grand display was the scrapped remains of some diesel engines behind Addison. She smiled and closed her eyes, taking in the atmosphere before…
…Addison opened her eyes again to the sound of many whistles coming towards the Dieselworks; in the mix was a diesel horn.
"It's our friends!" cried Derek.
"They've come to rescue us!" cheered Daisy.
"Hmm," grinned Addison. "They brought the last prisoner with them. How thoughtful…"
The cavalcade rushed into the siding; among the engines at the front was Percy.
"You give us back our friends right now!" he demanded.
"Oh, would you look at this, guys," smirked Rodney at Lawrence, Nathan and Roxanne. "Long time, no see, No. 50."
"My name is Percy!" snapped the little green engine. "I think that was made obvious when Sir Topham Hatt chose me to be his railway's number six."
"Say, if you guys are all the steam engines of the railway, why aren't there seventy-five of you?" asked Nathan, eyeing Amelia who had the highest number.
"That's none of your business!" snapped the Bloomer. "We are not leaving until you thieves return those you have kidnapped from us!"
"I can't believe my brother would be working for a bunch of crooks!" Rosie growled. "Bullying Percy was bad enough, but you had to threaten to harm our other friends too?!"
"N-now, now, sis–" began Nathan.
"Don't you 'sis' me, you traitor!" Rosie snapped. "Our fallen siblings would be ashamed of you if they could see what you were doing!"
"So would ours, Lawrence," added Belle. "How dare you try and harm our friends!"
"How dare you call these diesels and electrics 'friends'!" argued Lawrence. "It's their fault many of our kind were scrapped! They're monsters!"
"No, they're not!" argued Edward. "You're the monsters!"
"I never thought I'd hear that from you, Edward!" snapped Flower. "You've been too soft to stand up for yourself, much less these piles of new-fangled nonsense. Especially that Class 28–!"
"That's it!" Much to everyone's shock, Edward launched forward and bumped Flower into some old buffers. "Sister or not, nobody calls BoCo new-fangled nonsense!"
"And anyone who comments about Mavis like that will answer to me as well!" Percy added, ready to defend his girlfriend like his life depended on it.
What everyone didn't realize was that in Edward's rage, a spark flew from his funnel onto the old buffers.
"Why are you engines in such denial?!" demanded Addison, standing between them and her fleet. "Can't you see that we are doing this for your own good?! For far too long, diesels and electric engines have been the main reason so many hard working steam engines were cut up and forgotten about! Think about it! Most – if not all of – your siblings, gone! Because of them!" She pointed towards the captured diesels, ignoring the fact that Philip had stuck his tongue out at the insane woman and blew a raspberry at her.
"It wasn't the diesels and electrics that caused so many engines to be scrapped, Addison," argued a new voice as a familiar figure stepped out of Toby's cab.
"Ah, Annabelle Regaby," she smirked.
"Annabelle Percival, I think you'd find," corrected Annabelle, showing the ring on her finger. "But regardless, I return to what I was saying earlier. The diesels and electric engines did not cause those engines to be scrapped. It was the work of railway controllers who wanted a cheaper way of running their lines. It was their greed and corruption that brought about the end of steam!"
"If you lot are really as unified as you are," smirked Holly, "then why do you have a Dieselworks and a Steamworks? Is there an Electricworks too?"
The Sudrian engines looked at each other, stunned.
"No…" Charlie said quietly.
"They're mended at the Dieselworks…" Ryan shrugged.
"So you don't care about the electric engines enough to give them their own space," laughed Addison. "I thought so. And those Ironworks diesels don't care about anyone at all. They didn't hesitate to try to finish off Donald, Oliver, Toad, Duck–"
"You tried to kill Duck yourself!" Diesel snapped. "Lily, my driver and I saw it with our own eyes!"
"Ah, so you didn't guess," Addison remarked. "You're more dense than I thought." She turned her attention to Arry and Bert. "Tell me, did either of you hear a pipe burst when Duck was knocked out?"
"Er… no," Bert admitted.
"So how could the cutter's torches be shorted out by water… if there wasn't any?" Addison added.
"Wait…" gulped Arry. "Ya don't mean…"
"That's right, idiot!" smirked Addison. "I went to get Green Water on purpose, then used the real Black Water to short out the cutter's torches."
"Wait a minute…" Duck trailed. "I did wake up fairly quickly after the Green Water knocked me out. The only way that can happen is if–"
"Your fire was relit!" cried Diesel. "Then when I moved you outside, it must have shaken your fire."
"Bingo," Addison grinned. "Diesel didn't save you that day, Duck… I did!"
"He thought I died! Heck, I thought I was dying!" snapped Duck. "You could have just as easily backed out of the deal, Addison! But no, you just came up with a convoluted plan without thinking of what would happen if it went wrong."
"Had Diesel not been there," added Nia, "I wouldn't have any doubt Arry and Bert would have tried again after Duck woke up."
"And who knows if anyone else could have gotten there in time!" Oliver growled.
"Yer right about–"
"Shut it, Arry!" snapped Bert. "We're in enough 'ot water as it is!"
"Come now, Duck," Addison offered, approaching the Great Western pannier. "You of all engines should know how sadistic and cruel those two diesels are. You know all they've done, and all they tried to do to you and your friends." She put a hand onto Duck's bufferbeam, and he flinched. "Think of your brother, Collet. Wouldn't it be fitting to avenge him by taking the lives of those who took his?"
Duck looked at the Ironworks twins, then back to Addison, a rather stern look on his face. "No."
"No?!" Addison moved her hand away. "What do you mean, 'no'?!"
"True, I hate how they murdered my brother, and how they tried to kill me, my cousin and my friends," Duck insisted. "But what if I did the same thing to them? I'd be no better! No matter how you try to justify it, Addison Darnell, murder is murder! The only thing you can do in a situation like this is be the bigger person, and move on with your life. Collet would be ashamed of me if I were to commit such an atrocious act as to take another life!"
Everyone watched Addison. How would she take being told off like that? Especially by a steam engine, no less? At long last, Addison spoke up.
"Very well then," she said calmly. "If you want to be like that–"
"Er, guys?" cried Scarlett. "Scarlett hate to complain, but… it getting hot over here."
Everyone looked, and noticed a rather large flame getting nearer to the diesels.
"Oh no!" exclaimed Whiff. "Belle, Flynn, quick!"
"We need everyone's help!" Flynn called. "Get the diesels and electric engines clear!"
"Leave that to us," said Emily, before turning to Addison's fleet. "Either help put this fire out, or get out of the way so we can save our friends!"
"Never!" snapped Doris. "If we go down, they go with us!" Emily's eyes lowered as shoved Doris onto another siding.
"I tried to warn you," snapped Emily. "Sudrians, onward!"
Don't stop, keep on moving!
Sudrians, keep on cruising!
Helping each other every day!
The Sudrian engines charged forward, shunting the rogue engines out of their way so they could get to their friends. Oliver and Hurricane bumped their traitor siblings, while Thomas and Rebecca bumped Charleston and Sandra. Belle splashed water on Lawrence while helping to douse the flames. However, much to their surprise, Nathan, Fiona, Heather and Roxanne also started to help put out the fire.
When our dear friends are in trouble
None of us will rest!
Engines helping engines
Using every ounce that's left!
Edward and Percy managed to get to BoCo and Mavis, both diesels touched to see their lovers.
Pushing to the finish line
Yeah, we'll keep on keeping on!
When Sudrians work together
We're always pulling strong!
Ryan and the Scots managed to rescue Daisy, while Thomas, Toby and Nia rescued Scarlett.
Don't stop, let's work together!
Though the fire's hot, we'll go on forever!
There's nothing standing in our way!
Henry and Murdoch rescued Bear while Rosie found Dennis. Henney, meanwhile, helped to rescue Salty and Porter.
"Porter, I'm so sorry I got you into this mess," Henney apologized.
"No need to apologize, sis," smiled Porter. "You managed to get help in the end. And I'm proud of ya."
We're not giving up!
Gonna see this long day through!
The moon lights our way
Until the end is in view!
The Kirk Ronan engines rescued Paxton while Arthur and Molly rescued Sidney.
Don't stop, keep on moving!
Sudrians, keep on cruising!
Helping each other every day!
Amanda, Harvey, Stanley and Charlie rescued Stafford and Philip, while Hurricane and the Great Waterton engines saved the Peel Godred engines.
Don't stop, let's work together!
We're Sudrians! We'll go on forever!
There's nothing standing in our way!
Gordon, Rebecca and Emily recovered the Arlesdale and Skarloey diesels, while Merlin, Bill, Ben, Timothy and Amelia rescued Derek, Den and Dart.
No, not today! No, not today!
There's nothing in our way!
No, not today! And we won't stop!
Eventually, all that were left to be rescued were Arry and Bert. Giving a brave glance at each other, Duck and Oliver raced in together.
"W-why are ya doin' this?" stammered Bert as Oliver buffered up.
"Because all engines should help each other no matter what they've done," insisted Oliver. "It's the right thing to do."
Duck was getting close to Arry, who was quivering with terror. However, both engines failed to notice something.
"MONTAGUE, GET BACK!" cried Diesel.
Duck stopped in time to see a large piece of debris fall from the ceiling, most likely caused by the fire.
"No!" he cried. "I'm coming, Arry!"
The flames started to close in on the debris, and it started to burn Arry's wheels.
"Ferget about me!" argued Arry. "It's already too late!"
"No, wait!"
Diesel rushed forward and pulled Duck out of the way. He then gave one last look at his trapped brother.
"Diesel…" sighed Arry, "look after Bert fer me…" With that, he closed his eyes, and accepted his fate as more debris fell on him. The engines all stared in horror.
"Great Railway above…" gulped Duck, as Belle and Flynn started to put out that part of the fire.
"'E wouldn't 'ave gone up there," Bert said gravely. "Not after all we did…"
"Not even he deserved that fate," insisted Thomas. "No engine does."
"Of course he does!" snapped Addison. "You should have let them all burn!"
"That's what you think!" said another voice. The engines all looked up; an all-familiar buzzing noise was approaching.
"Perfect timing, whirly bird," Percy smiled. Sure enough, Harold the helicopter flew above the scene, shining his search light down upon them. He landed gently next to the tracks.
"So… it was you this whole time!" snapped Barbara Regaby; she and Henry Regaby hopped off Harold and stormed over to Addison. "You caused all of that chaos on the mainland! You kidnapped diesels belonging to British Railways just to have them scrapped alive! What kind of sick, twisted freak are you?!"
"To think we were friends with your parents," Henry Regaby added. "They would be so ashamed to see the monster you've become!"
"They wouldn't care if I jumped into the sea with the sharks!" Addison retorted. "They were too busy arguing to notice me. If mother had half a brain, she would have never allowed that monster, Jacob Hockings, to be a part of my life! Especially after all the abuse he put her through!"
"It was still your choice, Addison!" Rusty piped up. "You could have stood up to Hockings and refused to help him take over Sodor! You could have reported him to the police when he was bullying Sir Handel and Peter Sam at the aluminum plant! But instead, you chose to let it all happen!"
"And you kept Luke a secret for–"
"Shut up, Addison!" Fred growled. "At least we had the decency to help someone in need."
"You say you're nothing like your grandfather?" scoffed Annabelle. "Well, from what we've all seen and heard, you've proven that you're the spitting image of him – a spoiled brat who deliberately murders innocent engines for your own selfish gain! But the worst part about it all was the fact that you chose to attack my family's railway! What you did to Boris and all those other diesels, there's a special place in the Underground Railway reserved for narrow minded bigots like you!"
Addison growled like a wild animal ready to pounce at its prey. All of a sudden, with a wild scream, she pounced at Annabelle, knocking her to the ground.
"YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!" she shrieked. But just before she could strike her, a hand grabbed hold of Addison's fist, twisting her arm into letting go of Annabelle.
"Addison Darnell, you are under arrest for murder, trespassing, destruction of property, and attempted assault!" commanded Barbara, slapping some cuffs on Addison's arms as she dragged her away.
"It wasn't my fault!" argued Addison as she tried to break free. "It's those diesels! They're the ones who caused all this! The whole world would be better off without them!"
"Don't argue with me! You can save your excuses for the courtroom!"
Henry Regaby rushed to his daughter and hugged her. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" he asked in concern.
"I am, yeah," said Annabelle, hugging back. "Even after Addison saw me and Paul kissing, I hoped that she would try to change her ways for the better. Clearly, what we saw wasn't the case. I never thought of saying it before, but…" A small tear came to her eye. "She's a lost cause."
"Some people just don't want to be helped," sighed her father.
"I'm afraid you're right," sighed Henry the green engine. "To think she was as bright as you as a little girl."
"That being said though," said Gordon, "Addison was right about something."
"Really?" asked Lexi. "What's that?"
"The fact we have a Dieselworks and a Steamworks and are being mended separately," said Gordon.
"Oh yes…" said Henry. "Before the Dieselworks was built, we all used to be fixed at the Steamworks."
"And when the Dieselworks fell into disarray, I was mended there too," muttered Daisy.
"That's a good point," said Den. "But it would be crowded at the Steamworks if Diesel, Dart and I lived over there…"
"And 'aving just one workshop would make everyone feel overworked," Dart put in. "I remember 'earing 'bout Victor being backlogged a few years back."
"Exactly," said Annabelle. "But don't worry, dearies. I have a solution for when uncle Charles gets back…"
When Addison Hecate Darnell went to trial – and to make a long story short – she was found guilty of all charges, and sentenced to life imprisonment. The front page showed a photo of her being taken away on a gurney, strapped down and wearing a straitjacket and restraint mask. When her parents saw her like this, I'm sure they were wishing they had made better choices.
In a separate trial, Evelyn Broke and her parents were also found guilty for aiding in Addison's crimes (not helping their case was that their ancestor, Jedediah Broke, had a criminal history of his own back in Bigg City), and the three children adopted by the twisted couple – Nigel, Viola and Kyle – went into the foster care system.
As for the engines, their fates varied. Those that actually did want to be involved ran away, as they were to be executed via the Final Firing. However, those that wanted no part in it – Fiona and Heather being two examples – went to new homes; either on heritage railways on the mainland, or part of the Earl's railway museum at Ulfstead Castle. And as for Henney, Ellie and Silver…
"We're extremely sorry, sirs," said Ellie; she, Silver and Henney were at the recently renamed Crovan's Gate Works. "We never meant for any of this to happen. We were just following Miss Darnell's orders."
"And you wanted no part in this," finished Sir Topham Hatt.
"No, sir," sighed Henney. "And because of all this, Arry has perished."
"If we could turn back time, none of this would have happened," said Silver.
"That may be so, Silver," said Mr. Percival, "but you three worked very hard to try and put things right, and deserve a fair chance."
All three engines looked at each other in surprise. "Are you saying…"
"Welcome to Sodor," the controllers beamed.
Down at Vicarstown Works – also having recently been renamed from the Dieselworks – Diesel had just rolled out into the sunlight.
"I hope Bert's holding up okay," he said to himself. "He and Arry have worked together for a long time…"
"Oh, Jasper!" cried a female voice. "You're alright! I heard about the fire and…"
"Yes, Hailey," Diesel smiled slightly. "It's good to see you too. I take it Sir Topham Hatt invited you to join the railway?"
"Well, not exactly," Ali explained. Diesel got a better look at his sister. She now bore the words "Sodor Ironworks" on her side, just like Bert, with the number KW3 on her sides.
"Ah, I understand," said Diesel. "It's too soon for a new number one…"
"Yes," she sighed. "I hope I can keep Bert company."
"Thanks for doing this," said Diesel. "I… I couldn't work at an ironworks. Believe me, I tried."
"I know," said Ali. "Say… is it just me, or do I see something different about you too?"
Diesel looked back, acknowledging the dark purple stripe that had been painted on both sides of him, with North Western Railway lettering within it in white.
"Annabelle was pleased with how I saved Duck from the flames," said Diesel. "In fact, she's been pleased with all of us and is giving us all new coats of paint. But I requested this little change. The simple black livery was getting a bit dull."
"It suits you," smiled Ali. "Oh, say hi to Bruno, Den and Dart for me. I'd better run."
"See you later, Hailey," called Diesel, watching his sister trundle away.
Indeed, Annabelle was very pleased with her uncle's engines, and she looked into a photo album.
As you go through life, you'll see
There is so much that we
Don't understand
Bert was surprised, yet grateful that Ali had come to help him run the Ironworks.
And the only thing we know
Is things don't always go
The way we planned
Silver was helping Sir Handel and Peter Sam at the Blue Mountain Quarry, but she accidentally bumped some trucks off the line. She blushed in embarrassment, but thankfully, her new friends gave her no grief, and offered some advice to do better.
But you'll see every day
That we'll never turn away
When it seems all your dreams come undone
Ellie looked a bit worried as Sigrid approached her, but to her surprise, she was warmly smiling. They double headed a train together.
We will stand by your side
Filled with hope and filled with pride
We are more than we are
We are one
Henney was working at her new job at Tidmouth harbor and whistled to Henry and Bear as they entered.
Family, family
We are one
Family, family
We are one
Henney was surprised to see a familiar face – Meridian – arriving from Arlesburgh harbor, and the two beamed at each other.
If there's so much I must be
Can I still just be me
The way I am?
Alice Percival and her mother were watching the Skarloey engines leave for work.
Can I trust in my own heart?
Or am I just one part
Of some big plan?
The two were now observing Stephen, Glynn, Amelia and Millie working at Ulfstead Castle.
Even those who are gone
Are with us as we go on
Your journey has only begun
A funeral service had been held for Arry, due to him saving Duck in his last breath.
Tears of pain, tears of joy
One thing nothing can destroy
Is our pride, deep inside
We are one
Over on the mainland, the Rolling Hills Railway welcomed its newest arrivals, Roxanne and Nathan.
Family, family
We are one
Family, family
We are one
Heather and Fiona were at the Earl's railway museum along with various other engines the Earl had acquired.
We are one, you and I
We are like the earth and sky
One family under the sun
Silver and Ivo Hugh were doubleheading a passenger train with Gertrude and Millicent. Ivo Hugh smiled as Silver hummed a tune to herself.
All the wisdom to lead
All the courage that you need
You will find when you see
We are one
Ellie worked as the station pilot for Arlesburgh, whistling to her friends as they passed through.
(One, one, one)
Family, family
We are one
Family, family
The engines of all four railways had pictures taken of them.
We are one
Annabelle, Alice and Paul smiled at the photos of the engines as they gently closed the photo album.
THE E-
"There's just one thing I'm still confused about," said Rebecca one autumn evening. "Why is it called Scotland Yard if it's not in Scotland?"
"Er… you know what, Rebecca?" said Thomas. "I have absolutely no idea." Neither did the others. Just then, they all heard a familiar whistle, and an all too familiar red shape approached Tidmouth sheds.
"James!" the engines called happily.
"Hello, everyone!" he smiled. "Say, I just saw that both the Steamworks and Dieselworks were renamed, Ali's with Bert at the Ironworks, and Diesel's had a repaint too. What did I miss?"
"Er… that's a long story…" sighed Nia.
THE END (for real)
Author's Comments
And so we approach the finale of Engines of the Same Metals! Comparing this to Steam Team to the Rescue, the only things they really share are the diesels being out of action (albeit for different reasons) and the song "Don't Stop" and its reprise, albeit with altered lyrics in both cases. Outside of that, they're practically different animals; even Diesels and Westerners had more in common with Thomas and the Magic Railroad. I never really intended for the divergences to be that drastic, but I guess that's how it goes with storytelling; sometimes, it goes in directions you never expected it to. But anyway, yes, Addison Darnell and her crew have been defeated, but this isn't the last we've seen of her. Some of the engines working for her chose to abandon her while others stayed loyal. And yes, Arry has now been permanently killed off. Despite everything the steam engines did, they couldn't save everyone from certain death, even if two of the captured engines committed some atrocities in the past. The short little epilogue at the end takes place following James' trip to India, which shall receive an overhaul from when I first wrote it back in 2019.
But before we get to that, we have one final adaptation taking place in China - Wish You Were Here!