Raging Wildfire

by AaronCottrell97

Misty Island, home to Bash, Dash and Ferdinand, is inhabited with Jobi Trees and endless forest, along with most breathtaking and intriguing landscapes along with it. For the Logging Locos, the strange and unique island is their own heaven on Earth, until one day, a storm that would change the lives of all three Logging Locos forever, strikes the forested island.

The tranquil and quiet period since Bernie's passing was still in considerable motion on Sodor. Only a few days had gone by since David endorsed in what he considered to be another perfect day, joined by Beatrice, Thomas and Emily all along the way. Through all the simple yet profound things they had shared in together that day, David had taken great notice to the many things some may take for granted each and every day, and after typing out the whole experience on the typewriter, he had a strong sense that his experience would be shared amongst others and surely take what he had wrote in his entry to great heart. Such a day as that really came to show how the Island of Sodor is a world of wonder. There are places and faces that are old and new. There are bridges and tunnels that engines huff through. There are hilltops and clifftops to climb and explore. There are rivers and railways and much, much more, all on the Island of Sodor.

And just a fair number of miles south of Sodor's coast, within eye-view from Brendam Docks, there is another island known to many. Misty Island. Home to the Logging Locos, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand, whom Thomas had personally called the three stooges during his first journey there after being wound up lost many years ago. Compared to Sodor, Misty Island is smaller and quite different. With the exception of the railway that weaves every which way across the land, almost every square meter of this island is inhabited with Jobi Trees and endless forest, along with most breathtaking and intriguing landscapes along with it. There is Echo Valley with a high, sheer drop right along the line where Thomas had shown Emily around. Then there is Misty Island Seashore with a lovely view of forested hills, and on the other side, the misty yet beautiful river that runs right along the rails. There is the Hollow Tree Tunnel that lets in creases of sunlight and moonlight all the way through, and of course, there is the Shake-Shake Bridge, where Bash and Dash are often at their silliest, where Emily experienced the bridge with Thomas, and where Edward giddily swung to and fro when he came with Thomas to collect Jobi Wood himself. Just beyond that bridge is the Zip-Line bridge, the Saw Mill and the Logging Station itself, where Ol' Wheezy and Hee-Haw the cranes work together, albeit a little wildly now and again. While few engines from Sodor had gone to this island, and only on very distant and rare occasions, they all knew this place well and held it with considerable acknowledgement in all their hearts…until one day would come…when something most unexpected would happen. Something that would change the lives of all three Logging Locos forever, and stir everyone on Sodor in some way or other.

Over the days that passed since David's perfect day, the Railway was slowly becoming busier and more active in some parts. In particular, Henry's Forest had been seeing more workmen and engines coming and going, to which Henry found himself visiting the forest himself on a few occasions. Furthermore, along the coastal sections of the Railway, the Fat Controller slowly but surely came to notice that the volume of ships and boats at several harbours was growing, and on the odd occasion, the harbours would experience an hour or two of holdup, requiring extra workmen to work longer hours to manage the loads of cargo and passengers.

One late afternoon, slowly approaching evening, Emily had finished her work for the day and was huffing on her way back to Knapford Station. Up ahead, she saw Thomas on his way back to Knapford too. She went a little faster to catch up, and when she came alongside him, she noticed Thomas was looking blankly ahead, not really concentrating on much around him. Emily had a sense he was thinking about something and was curious to know.

"Hey, Thomas?" she said gently and tooted her whistle.

Thomas looked up. "Oh…Emily. Hi."

"I've interrupted a very deep thought, haven't I?" said Emily. "I see it growing smaller in your eyes.

"Not at all, Emily," said Thomas. "But yes…I was thinking…quite deeply about…"

"About what?" she asked.

Thomas looked at Emily almost directly. "About Misty Island."

At the mention of this place, Emily immediately felt a few memories in her funnel and nodded slowly.

"Ohh…Misty Island, hmm?" she pondered. "Wow…it's been such a long, long time since any of us were there. What's made you wonder about it again, Thomas?"

"Well, Emily, besides seeing some of the harbours grow busier, I've also noticed that some of us have been visiting Henry's Forest more frequently than I can previously recall. It makes me think of how the Logging Locos constantly work with the Jobi Wood and manage it however they will, what with Misty Island being full of peculiar and intriguing features we all know too well."

"Of course. Who could forget the features of that place?" Emily replied. "And yes, the forest here has really been bustling lately."

"And actually…in regard to the forest's current work," said Thomas. "It almost makes me wonder if those three could be a valuable asset here, managing trees and wood along the Timber Mill we have here. What do you think, Emily?"

Emily pondered Thomas' words curiously, remembering too well of her own experiences on that island, and her little story with Dash.

"Hmm…I hadn't thought about that, Thomas," she replied. "As far as forest work is concerned, that is certainly their field of expertise. They're also undeniably peculiar and odd engines, even by their own standards. Maybe too odd and silly for some here on Sodor, although Dash did give me a little heartfelt experience to look fondly on. But all the same, Misty Island is their home. They may have visited us on their odd occasions, but I really don't see how they could move in here with all of us."

"Hmm. Maybe," Thomas agreed. "After all, Misty Island really is their own little world."

Thomas and Emily huffed along side by side until they came round the bend and saw Knapford Station up ahead. As they drew in closer, they could see Gordon and Rebecca at Platforms One and Two. Then they noticed David was on Platform One as well, and by his slight hand gestures, it was clear he was talking with both express engines. Thomas and Emily grew curious as they heard the voices more clearly.

"Ohh…I see, Gordon," they heard Rebecca say. "And she never knew?"

"Well, I suppose that's how some engines must weather their chances," came Gordon's voice.

"That is most interesting, Gordon. We never knew," came David's voice.

Then he and both express engines heard those two whistles and looked up. David nodded and winked to Emily, who winked right back.

"Hello, Thomas and Emily. Work all done for both of you?" Rebecca chimed.

"Yes, Rebecca," said Thomas. "Another busy one, what with the harbours seeing a little more activity, and Henry's Forest bustling away too."

"Oh, yes," said Rebecca. "They're all very busy."

"Say, Rebecca," said Emily. "We saw you, Gordon and David talking. Thomas and I are curious…what about?"

"Well, Emily," said David. "Whilst you two were finishing your work, I dropped in and saw them both come right in…and so we started talking."

"About what, David?" Thomas asked.

"Well…seeing as how I'm still working through low spirits, Gordon told me something," said David. "Something he has never told anyone else before. Not even you and Emily, or anyone."

Thomas and Emily looked at Gordon, who gave a slow nod of surety.

"Well…what? What did he confide to you?" Thomas asked.

Within minutes, Thomas and Emily heard everything. Through this little talk with David, Gordon had brought up one certain memory that no one had considered before. Something Gordon had never confessed to anyone before…about thinking of any engines he could have fallen in love with. It turned out that shortly after Ulfstead Castle had been restored, when Caitlin had to stay on Sodor that night and kept everyone awake, and for some time afterwards, Gordon did have little flickering thoughts that perhaps she could be the one for him. He never said anything of the sort, so she was never aware of such feelings, but given how she and Connor were just about always on the Mainland with only a few super brief visits on Sodor, there was no chance they would have worked out together, so Gordon ultimately decided not to try anything infatuating with her and simply got on with his own business. Thomas and Emily stood there, absorbed and intrigued as they looked directly at the big blue engine.

"Ohh…Gordon…you never told us this," said Thomas. "Why not?"

"I do not know, Thomas," said Gordon. "It just came to me again."

"Hmm…Well. I wonder what that relationship could have been like," Emily whispered.

"Well, what's done is done, Emily," said David. "Anyway, Gordon…what was it like to make that decision?"

"At the time, it was a little disappointing not to pair up with Caitlin," said Gordon. "But I fully understood it wouldn't have worked out between us anyway, especially after I blew all my chances as the Shooting Star. But then sure enough, I met Rebecca, who's smart, fun, full of delightful joy…and the only one I know who can give me the case of the giggles."

Rebecca looked away and blushed sweetly, while David spoke next.

"So to hear you talk, Gordon…you're saying do the right thing, even if it might hurt sometimes?"

Gordon looked right at David. "Just listen to your gut, your true self, and you'll know what to do."

David nodded steadily. "Indeed, that's what we all ought to do more often. I know Thomas and Emily do that all too well themselves."

Thomas and Emily nodded surely to David, and at that moment, the Fat Controller came out of his office and saw the four engines gathered with David. They all told him their progress for the day, to which the Fat Controller was pleased with the result.

"Well, that's very good to hear from all of you," he said. "All the more prudent, given the busier pace we're all partaking in."

Thomas suddenly remembered.

"Actually, I've come to notice, sir. I was thinking about the increase in work in some areas. We've been seeing slightly more ships coming and going at harbours than before, and Henry's Forest has been bustling more busily than before. It's almost as if we may need yet another engine or two to help with all the bustle."

"Well, Thomas, that's a curious point to make," said the Fat Controller. "Especially your point about the harbours. I too have noticed that Brendam, Arlesburgh and Knapford Harbour are all seeing slightly higher volumes in ships than I can previously recall. I will meditate on this matter over the next few days, but I feel there may be a considerable project for all of us to participate in soon. But for now, you'd all best make your way to Tidmouth Sheds and take your rest for another busy day tomorrow."

"Of course. Well, thank you, sir," said Thomas.

And so, while the Fat Controller returned to his car and drove home, the engines went on their way home to Tidmouth Sheds. There, as the sun set, the engines spoke of their own experience throughout the day, until nightfall came and the stars were soon spread throughout the sky. Gradually, five of the engines backed into their berths and fell asleep, but once again, Thomas and Emily were still awake and thinking gently to themselves and each other.

After a fair while, Thomas looked to his emerald wife and whispered.

"You know, Emily…I'm still wondering about those Logging Locos."

Emily looked to Thomas and nodded gently.

"So you are," she whispered back. "And I couldn't help but notice, Thomas…you didn't say anything about them to the Fat Controller."

"Well, I may have been curious, but what could I have said, Emily?" said Thomas. "As useful as they are on Misty Island, I really don't see how the Fat Controller would let them truly move in with us. And what would the other engines say? We know what they all think of those three."

"I know. Especially Gordon," Emily whispered very lowly. "But you know…the more I think about it, it does make me curious. It's been so many years since we last saw them at all. Perhaps after so much time having gone by, we'd all have a different experience from them…or not. Who knows if they've changed or not over the years?"

"Indeed, Emily. Who knows?" said Thomas. "But as the Fat Controller said, I think the best we can do right now is tend to our own work here."

"Of course," said Emily. "In any case, tomorrow's sure to be busy and bright…especially with you, Tommy."

Thomas blushed gently and blew her a kiss. "Oh, Emily. Thank you. Sleep well, my love."

"You too, Tommy," Emily whispered as she blew him a kiss too. "Sleep well, my love."

Then she and Thomas backed into their berths and were soon asleep as well under the quiet and still night…

Meanwhile, far out on a separate island, everything was winding down too. After another clockwork day of their own, the Logging Locos themselves, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand had all done a fair bundle of work on Misty Island, managing several loads of Jobi Wood and had it all set to make ready on its way the next day. Now, they were all huddled in their shed close to the Logging Station.

"Another day with all our beloved trees, eh, Dash?" said Bash.

"Oh, yes, Bash," said Dash.

"That's right," Ferdinand concluded as he so often did.

As these three engines cooled their fireboxes and rested their pistons, they quietly gazed out to the starry night. They may have had their silly and goofy ways of working together, but all the same, they truly loved nights like this. It was so secluded and yet so secure. Their own little world where everything was mostly their way with little to no interference. There indeed was a certain beauty to a life like this, and these three engines probably knew that the best of any engine. A few quiet minutes ticked on by, and the Logging Locos continued to wind down and rest as night settled in. Then slowly but surely, these three engines found themselves thinking about a few things. Then the silence was broken by a few more words.

"You know, Ferdinand…" Bash said curiously. "I must say…It's been a mighty long time…but…"

"Yes, Bash?" said Ferdinand.

"Well, we've all been working and playing here on our island for years and years…and I was thinking…that perhaps…"

"What, Bash?" said Ferdinand. "Come on, now. Don't be shy."

"It's…well…after so much time since the last time, I was almost wondering-"

"About another visit to Sodor?" Dash put in. "Is that what you were thinking Bash?"

"Uhh…yeah," Bash said slowly, but surely. "It's been such a long while since we've seen any of them…and, well…I wonder if and when we may be seeing it again, or one of the engines may come along here again. I can only wonder what's been going on there ever since any of us were there last. What do you think, Ferdinand?"

Ferdinand pondered curiously, having not forgotten any of the experiences they had shared on Sodor. The last time any of the Logging Locos were there seemed almost like an eternity, and hearing the mention again had him thinking a little too.

"Well…I…" he said slowly.

"After all, this may be our beloved home island…" said Bash.

"But perhaps if we had more engines to work and play with?" suggested Dash. "Something of the way of some fun and games with maybe Thomas, Edward, or even Emily?"

"Well…they are good fun indeed," said Ferdinand. "And I do indeed think of them once in a while. But the way we most often are…come on, Bash and Dash. What more could we want? There's no other place like our Misty Island. What with the endless forest, the valleys, and of course, the Shake-Shake Bridge."

"Hmm. You're right, Ferdinand," said Bash. "I was just wondering. Maybe some time soon, we could see them again."

"I do like the thought of it," said Dash. "Don't you, Ferdinand?"

After a few moments, Ferdinand answered as he always did.

"That's right. Perhaps one day we could see a few familiar faces. In the meantime, though, goodnight, boys. Sleep tight."

"Dream of bedbugs tonight," Bash and Dash puffed playfully.

Then before long, the Logging Locos were fast asleep themselves, and so Misty Island slept safely tonight. But as it would turn out in the most unexpected of ways, these three engines had absolutely no inkling or even the tiniest thought as to what was about to befall them, and this very island, right when they would never expect such a thing…

---

When the next morning arrived on Sodor, at Tidmouth Sheds, the engines woke up to a seemingly bright and promising day. When the Fat Controller arrived and handed out the engines' jobs, they all started off at once. The sun was creasing warmly through the morning clouds and it looked like it was going to be another lovely day, and so it seemed to be. For the first few hours of the morning, the engines all along the railway went about like clockwork, keeping to all their schedules and experiencing no confusion or delay.

All the way on Misty Island, the case in weather was likewise, for now. Bash, Dash and Ferdinand woke up and were once again bustling along Misty Island with their loads of Jobi Wood, catching it on flatbeds as Ol' Wheezy and Hee-Haw catapulted their loads through the air, which all landed succinctly on all the flatbeds. With much clashing, bumping, chirping on their whistles and swaying on the Shake-Shake Bridge, the Logging Locos hauled their loads of Jobi Wood to the Misty Island Harbour where some of their loads were sent off to sea. As the Locos watched the boats set off on their way, they suddenly started thinking again.

"Hmm…say. I wonder if any of those loads will make way for Sodor," said Bash.

"Actually, some of that wood is going there, Bash," said one of the dock men.

The Logging Locos suddenly gasped and looked out to the sea.

"Whoa! It is?" Bash exclaimed.

"Wow! So it is!" Dash whistled. "Ooh! Ooh! It might get them engines over there curious again. Wouldn't you say so, Ferdinand?"

"…That's right," Ferdinand smiled. "Perhaps some of that wood is bound to go there. Wonder what Thomas would think?"

After a moment, the Logging Locos chuckled and chortled, then set off to find more Jobi Wood.

Back on Sodor, the engines continued on with their work as the day progressed. Then, just around 12:00 noon, Thomas was sent with a load of four flatbeds to collect a load from Brendam Docks.

"Hmm…what could this load be?" he said to himself.

"We shall see, Thomas," said his driver. "Whatever it is, it must be big for us to need four flatbeds."

As Thomas huffed along the line, he wondered for a moment or two more, then suddenly felt a little twinge in his funnel. Given his line of thought the day before…could this load be what he was just starting to think it was? Little flickering thoughts of the Logging Locos quietly occupied Thomas' mind as he continued on his way, right to Brendam Docks. Cranky and Carly had their eyes on two boats just coming in to dock alongside them.

"Hello, Chuck," Carly called down to Thomas. "You're just in time for this lot. It's due to go to Crovan's Gate!"

"I see, Carly," said Thomas. "What's the load today, Cranky?"

"Well, let me get it out first, then we'll see," said Cranky.

Thomas watched as Cranky's hook lowered down to one of the boats…then when it came up again and showed the load, Thomas' eyes suddenly went still and focused right on Cranky's load. There, bundled with ropes and cables in Cranky's hook was a long, fresh load of…

"Cranky…am I seeing right? Is that what I think it is?" Thomas asked.

Cranky looked to his load and suddenly noticed. "Jobi Wood…Jobi Wood?! Why, yes, Thomas! It is! Wow!"

"From Misty Island?" Thomas exclaimed. "Cinders and Ashes, it's been such a long time! Well! This is a surprise!"

Cranky and Carly worked together to load Thomas' flatbeds with the Jobi Wood, and soon enough, Thomas' load was ready.

"Thank you, Cranky and Carly. Oh, goodness! I MUST show Emily!"

And Thomas dashed off out of the docks with an excited whistle.

Just past Maron, Emily was busy with her own goods run when she suddenly heard an approaching engine from the line beside her, then Thomas' voice called out with quite a rush.

"Emily! Hey, Emily!"

Emily looked back and saw him come right beside her.

"Thomas? What are you rushing about for?" she asked. "What's got you so excited?"

"Well, I just gathered my load from Brendam," said Thomas. "And in keeping with what we were thinking about yesterday…take a look at these!"

Thomas hurried a few yards ahead of Emily, giving her a clear view of his load. Emily took one look, then suddenly felt a certain distinctive sense creeping through her boiler. What she saw right now she had not seen for several years.

"What…? Thomas…is that…Jobi Wood?" she asked slowly with a growing smile.

"Yes, Emily. It is," said Thomas.

"Fresh from Misty Island," Emily asked, to which Thomas nodded. "Ohh! Wow! It's been such a long while, Thomas!"

"I know," said Thomas. "Now I'm really curious as to what they could be up to, having sent this lot to Sodor."

"Well…perhaps they are thinking about us again after all," said Emily. "This is certainly unexpected, but interesting too, Thomas."

Thomas agreed completely as he and Emily ran along side by side. Then suddenly, both engines heard a familiar whirring sound from above. They looked up and saw Harold swoop down from the sky and come lower towards them both.

"I say, Thomas! Emily!" he called down. "Here! You two! Come in!"

"Harold? What are you buzzing through the air for?" Thomas called up. "What's the hurry?"

"I'm on high alert once again," Harold called down. "Today's been looking quite dandy so far, but a news flash just got through. Bad weather's due yet again. Seems like another hefty summer storm is working its way toward Sodor from the northwest."

Emily suddenly felt alert herself. "A hefty storm? What can we expect from it, Harold?"

"It's forecast to be a very dark but very dry storm," said Harold. "We're not even sure if it will touch Sodor. Its path seems to be changing even as it's being forecast. Rain isn't too much the concern…but there's a strong potential for quite a lightning show if it does hit. You'd all best get your work done and find shelter quick just in case."

And Harold buzzed away through the sky. Thomas and Emily took in what had been spoken and felt a daunting sensation in their boilers. A storm with little to no rain was one thing, but a considerable lightning show? Every engine knew that lightning strikes could more or less often start fires, to which Belle and Flynn would have to rush to the rescue. And the fact that this storm could either pass on by Sodor, or make a hit made the odds more uncertain. It was then that Emily suddenly felt her Safety Engine instincts creeping up her funnel. Thomas could sense this too as he noticed her face draw a tight and even firm expression.

"Thomas…I'm going to alert the Search and Rescue Centre," she said steadily. "I'll catch up to you later."

"Right, Emily," said Thomas. "Just be quick, and careful of course."

Emily nodded and whistled off on her way. Thomas then hurried with his load of Jobi Wood to get it delivered quickly so as he and Emily could find shelter. Then Thomas came to a level crossing. He was just about to make a dash before it could close on him, but sure enough, the gates began to close and Thomas had to stop. When he looked to the road, he saw the Fat Controller's car driving along to cross through. Thomas suddenly blew his whistle and the Fat Controller stopped.

"Sir!" Thomas called. "Have you heard? Harold says there's been a news flash of a very strong storm that may or may not hit Sodor."

"I have heard, Thomas," said the Fat Controller. "If it does hit, it could bring ample amounts of lightning. Speaking of which, where's Emily?"

"She's gone to alert the Search and Rescue Centre," said Thomas. "If any lightning strikes are to set any fires, Belle and Flynn must be prepared."

"Of course," said the Fat Controller. "Very good on Emily to inform them. In the meantime, the rest of you ought to make your deliveries, then find shelter right afterwards."

"Of course, sir," said Thomas. "Just this load of Jobi Wood for me, then Emily and I will find the nearest shed we can."

The Fat Controller then drove off through the crossing and down the road. As he looked back for a moment, he pondered to himself.

"Jobi Wood? Hmm…I wonder," he said lowly.

Thomas meanwhile had set off again to deliver the wood. But only about a minute afterwards, he suddenly looked up, and there just peaking over the hills in the distance, he saw a thin but precise line of very dark clouds beginning to take shape. There was the storm beginning to work its way along Sodor, or even across it. It was then that Thomas suddenly felt a little twinge in his heart as he began to think again. Storms like this were one thing on Sodor…but what about elsewhere…and what if this storm took aim beyond Sodor? Thomas suddenly thought about Misty Island again and couldn't help but worry more and more. Sodor had a wide range of different landscapes and towns, as well as Belle, Flynn and the Fire Service to respond to any such emergency, but Misty Island, by contrast, was densely forested for almost every square inch, absolutely full to the brim with wood from the trees, and the stations and sheds there as well…and with no fire service out there, there was very little to stop a raging wildfire, should any lightning strikes shoot down from the sky. Thomas began to feel more and more uncertain until he finally delivered the Jobi Wood, then rushed to find Emily and seek a shed for the two of them.

After alerting the Search and Rescue Centre of the possible weather phenomenon to befall Sodor, Emily was working her way back on the Main Line. She too could see the growing line of dark grey on the horizon and felt a little jump in her heart as she didn't know if this storm would hit or not. As she watched the grey line slowly grow bigger, she suddenly heard Thomas' whistle behind her again. She looked back and he came rushing up alongside her again, panting a little bit.

"Emily! There…there you are. I…I got the Jobi Wood delivered," said Thomas. "Is the Rescue Centre ready?"

"Yes, Thomas. They're all standing by just in case," said Emily. "And the timing couldn't be more impeccable…as you can see straight ahead."

"Ooh…Yes, Emily. That's it coming," said Thomas. "Right now, it looks like Sodor might get a grazing to say the least."

Emily nodded slowly to herself, as she and even Thomas recognized this cloud formation from a few years ago when Skiff got blown away and had to be saved by Duck and Oliver. On one vast corner of the sky, there was bright blue and drifting white clouds, but slowly on the other side, growing darker and bigger was a churning line of greyish black clouds.

"It could be a grazing for us, Thomas," Emily said steadily. "But whatever it may be, we'd best do what Harold says and find shelter now."

While Thomas and Emily hurried to find shelter, the rest of the engines across the island had heard the news and were hurrying to finish their work then find shelter themselves. Over the next couple hours, the coming clouds blocked out the sun, while closer toward the northwest end of Sodor, much darker, greyer clouds loomed closer and closer. As summer was not quite over yet, the air didn't feel cool enough for much rain. Rather, the air felt strangely warm and the breeze felt rather dry. The engines weren't sure what sort of weather to expect of this, but either way, it didn't look too good.

At Arlesburgh, David and his crew had been working along the harbour all morning, but when the big rolling wall of grey came creeping through the sky, David thought it best to call off his crew's work until the storm would pass on by.

"Looks like a serious one, Captain," Copper noted as he and David watched from the pier.

"Serious and unpredictable, Copper," said David. "Forecasters are saying its path is changing almost every few minutes. All the same, we'd best get indoors for now."

And so David ran back home while Copper did the same while the storm continued to inch its way toward and along Sodor bit by bit. Gradually along the rest of the railway, the engines eventually finished their shares of work and were soon sheltered in various sheds across the railway. But as timely as they had managed their schedules, they couldn't stop gazing up to the sky every few minutes. Slowly but surely it seemed as if the sky was growing darker and darker with thicker and greyer clouds with almost every hour that slipped by. It was as if this storm was creeping right up on everyone as if it were alive.

On Misty Island, however, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand were still working away merrily with their loads of Jobi-Wood as usual. There, the sky was considerably brighter, and the weather didn't seem quite as alerting as the darker clouds hadn't found their way here. Yet. They just kept working along wherever they went along their island. But under the given circumstances of today, no one on Misty Island or Sodor had any idea of the results this approaching storm would bring…or its consequences.

---

At the Sodor Search and Rescue Centre, Belle and Flynn had been observing the sky hour by hour ever since Emily informed them about the weather, while Harold continued to fly about and observe the storm's path from the air. Both fire engines were now watching the slowly darkening sky and waiting to answer to any alarm in case a lightning strike would trigger a fire.

"Ohh, that is not a pretty sight, Belle," said Flynn. "You'd think this sky would bring a deluge like that massive flood at Tidmouth Sheds, yet the air is so dry."

"Well, summer isn't quite over yet, Flynn," said Belle. "Only about another week or so before Autumn begins. I can only wonder what this may bring for us to rush over to."

"We'll see, Belle. Just keep standing by," said Flynn.

Another half hour more ticked by, and the clouds were creeping closer and closer. Gradually, a few thunderclaps began rumbling through the air, and flashes of sheet lightning began to blink through the sky in the distance. Belle and Flynn looked up and could see some of the clouds writhing through the sky with considerable speed. Both fire engines felt their hearts beat strongly in their boilers and they both swallowed hard. As brave as they were in fighting fires, weather like this always brought a sense of high alert. Then suddenly, right when Belle and Flynn were almost expecting it, the alarm started blaring and the Rescue Centre Manager came running out.

"Belle! Flynn! The worst of the storm is just licking the northwestern spot of the island, and lightning just struck a bundle of trees in Harwick and set them alight! Don't let it jump ahead of your hoses!"

"Right on it, sir!" Belle and Flynn answered at once, then started with a roar and raced out of sight around the bend.

Belle and Flynn raced along the line to reach Harwick and stop the fire, with their hoses ready for action. As they sped along, Flynn looked at the sky again, watching closely as to how the clouds were moving and where they went.

"Ooh…I don't like the look of those clouds," said Belle. "Its almost like they're alive as they move."

"Yes, I can see them, Belle," said Flynn. "But odd as it is to say, it may or may not be much to worry about, depending on how you look at it. Occasionally, weather like this can be very localized. This storm could go in one direction and part of the island gets soaked and struck, maybe it goes somewhere else."

"Well at the moment, this storm's direction went through Harwick," said Belle. "And we must keep our mind on fighting that fire!"

The two fire engines continued to rush northward along the line. Then a few minutes later, Flynn looked up again and was a little surprised. The clouds now seemed a wee bit lighter than before, and the darker clouds seemed to be drifting away from Sodor toward the west.

"Well, what do you know, Belle?" said Flynn. "Unpredictable indeed. I think the storm's moving off now."

Belle looked up and nodded. "For now, at least. Right now, hurry, Flynn. We're almost to Harwick, and that fire needs containing!"

And so the two fire engines continued on their way. Up in the air a few miles away, Harold could see the darker clouds wafting away from the island and toward the west. It seemed that Sodor was just about clear of the worst of it, so he flew out over the railway.

At Tidmouth Sheds, all the engines were huddled in their berths, waiting for the all-clear to be let out of their sheds again.

"Ohh, I do hope we don't get water-bound in here again," said Rebecca. "Those clouds looked awful today!"

"That they did, Rebecca," said Gordon. "A very good thing our passengers got on home safely."

"Oh, it looked worse than the Cold from the North Emily and I hid from," Percy peeped. "And David and Beatrice's story to tell along with it."

In and amongst the other engines small talk, Thomas and Emily kept mostly quiet, with Thomas thinking more and more about Misty Island and about the Logging Locos. He seriously hoped this storm wouldn't harm them too badly, but until he and the Steam Team were clear to venture out again, all he could do was wonder and worry.

"Ohh…I can't get away from it," he said unsteadily. "What could happen?"

"What are you talking about, Thomas?" Nia spoke up. "You seem particularly worried."

"Oh, Nia," said Thomas. "With this very dry storm looming alongside the island…I've been thinking quite a bit…about Misty Island, and the Logging Locos."

Whatever small talk in the shed suddenly stopped, and the engines all looked at Thomas.

"Misty Island? The Logging Locos?" Gordon exclaimed. "No one has mentioned THEM for years!"

"Pah. Why worry about them?" sniffed James. "Thomas wound up lost there, and those three stooges would sooner fall on their own boilers than be really useful. Each of their little experiences here have been beyond goofy, juvenile and downright unfit for any of us."

"James!" Emily scolded. "They may be silly and goofy, but they ARE really useful enough for Misty Island!"

"Exactly, Emily," said Thomas. "In fact, I've been thinking about them for some time now."

And he told the other engines about his budding thoughts since the day before, and his delivery of Jobi Wood just before the weather alert.

"Hmm. Curious," said Gordon. "But even so, there's little we can do about them right now. We all have to stay in here until we're clear to leave again."

Thomas and Emily sighed together. Then just a minute later, the engines heard a whirring sound from outside. Thoams and Emily's drivers suddenly perked up and proceeded to open the shed doors, then the two engines ventured outside and saw Harold hovering just above the sheds.

"Hello, Harold!" Thomas called. "What's the latest on the weather?"

"A small emergency and good news too, chap," said Harold. "Lightning strikes at Harwick set a cluster of trees alight. Belle and Flynn are on the rush to fight it, but for now, the storm seems to be passing on by Sodor. That is, the worst of it is. Therefore, it's safe for you all to venture out now."

The other engines sighed contently with the all-clear. But given his line of thoughts since the day before, with the all-clear signal from Harold, Thomas suddenly felt a strong need to do something. Emily could sense this too as her star looked right at her.

"Thomas? What is it?" she asked.

"Emily…follow me to Arlesburgh," he said with a subtle wink. "Perhaps we'll see where the storm is heading next."

"Hmm. Alright, Thomas," Emily replied as she worked it in. "David is bound to be watching the sky himself."

So Thomas and Emily ventured out of Tidmouth Sheds and worked their way along the line. As they watched the sky, they could see the dark clouds huddling just along the horizon out toward the sea. The sky indeed looked like the storm that had flooded Tidmouth Sheds, and despite it drifting away from Sodor now, Thomas and Emily still felt a little antsy in case its path would change again. Then just as they neared Arlesburgh, Thomas' breathing caught something else and he began sniffing the air.

"Thomas? Is everything alright?" Emily asked.

Thomas sniffed a little stronger then looked ahead. "Fire."

Emily's heart jumped and she sniffed the air too. Indeed, there was a scent of smoke, and when she looked up, she could see small wisps of it in the air.

"That's sure to be the smoke line from Harwick's fire," said Emily. "Belle and Flynn surely must be fighting it by now."

The two engines ran along the line until they reached the Rider House. There, David and Beatrice were standing outside and watching the sea and the horizon together. Daisy was beside the Rider House too, looking worriedly at the sky as the clouds maintained a dark line.

"Hello, Thomas and Emily," said David. "You're out and about again, I see."

"Yes, David," said Emily. "We were inside Tidmouth Sheds on account of that nasty storm out there. Then Harold told us the storm is passing us by, for now."

"And we could smell smoke on our way in," said Thomas. "We assumed it's the Harwick fire."

"Yes, it is, Thomas," said Beatrice. "Belle and Flynn should be there now fighting it off. What are you two doing here?"

"With the storm moving away for now, Thomas wanted to see where it goes next," said Emily. "Because…he's been thinking quite a bit…"

"About what?" asked Beatrice.

Thomas swallowed hard and looked at the Riders. "Misty Island."

David and Beatrice took their view away from the sky and looked curiously at Thomas. Even Daisy, who had been quite a deal kinder of late since Bernie's death, was grabbed by the mention.

"Hmm…that is curious, Thomas," Daisy said, raising her eyebrow. "Last I recall you speaking of that place was when you guessed what I was going to do…when I was tasked with bringing that group of entertainers to Harwick."

"Well, I know we've barely talked about it since any of us last saw the Logging Locos," said Thomas. "But my load of Jobi Wood today, and this ongoing storm has left me increasingly worried about them."

"Whatever for, Thomas?" asked Daisy.

"Because of this dry storm," said Thomas. "If a lightning strike were to start a fire on Misty Island, there's very little to stop it as almost every last bit is literally wood and forest."

"Ohh…Oui," Daisy said. "Well, the best those…ahem, Locos ought to do is be careful."

Thomas shook his head slowly. After a few moments, he looked up again, then suddenly gasped.

"What is it, Thomas?" Emily asked, noticing his alert expression.

"Emily! Look! It's building up again," said Thomas. "It's getting darker…and…ohh, no! It's now moving southeast…probably on toward Misty Island."

Emily looked at where the clouds were going and hummed lowly, seeing what Thomas meant. The clouds were almost black on the horizon. Thunderclaps started rumbling through the air, and every few moments, their eyes caught a few distant crackles of lightning on the sea.

"Ohh…oh, my…" Emily gasped. "That doesn't look good at all."

"The Logging Locos! Misty Island! What will they do?" Thomas worried. "The whole island is practically a giant forest, and you heard what Harold said, Emily! This storm is very dry with almost no rain!"

"Oh, dear," Beatrice noted. "That is very bad news."

"Emily? Shouldn't we alert the Rescue Centre about this?" Thomas asked urgently.

"Mmm…I'm not sure, Thomas," said Emily. "Belle and Flynn are still fighting the fire up at Harwick, and the only way by rail to Misty Island is that one tunnel under the sea. It's a one-way tunnel too, which could result in them being blocked if the Locos were to seek cover in there. And with all due respect, my duties as Safety Engine apply to what happens here on Sodor. Even so, if anything were to happen there, I'm sure the alarm would sound just the same for them to rush on over."

"Uhh, bother!" Thomas exclaimed. "There's GOT to be a way to warn them in case they wind up trapped by a raging wildfire out there!"

David heard what both engines said and looked out to the sea, now feeling rather alert himself. He knew fully well of the tales of Misty Island and the three engines who lived there, and despite having never seen the island for himself, he somehow felt as if something serious was going to happen. He couldn't determine what, but the sensation was there. Then he suddenly looked to the Sea Emperor, and got an idea. An ambitious but fairly calculated idea, somewhat on account of his talk with Gordon and Rebecca. David slowly turned to Thomas and Emily, and they suddenly noticed what looked like a little spark in his eyes.

"David…what is it?" Thomas asked.

"Thomas, Emily…" he said discreetly. "I think I have to take the Sea Emperor to that island."

Thomas, Emily and especially Beatrice's hearts skipped a beat and they turned to David at once.

"Wh-wh-what?" Emily stumbled on her words. "Out there? In THAT storm?"

"But-but David…wh-why?" Beatrice trembled lightly.

David gave a small but solid smile to his mother and his best friend.

"Because my gut is telling me so."

Before Thomas, Emily or Beatrice could speak again, David turned and ran down on his way toward the pier.

"Hurry, Capitan Rider," Daisy urged. "Hop aboard the Sea Emperor, and for goodness sakes, do be careful!"

David didn't reply or look back, but took Daisy's words to heart as he kept running. Beatrice got onboard Thomas, then he, Emily and Daisy followed David toward the pier. There, he gave a loud whistle and sure enough, his crew came running through the village too, following their captain to the pier and aboard the Sea Emperor.

"Please be careful out there," Emily implored to her best friend.

"Cast off, you hauling lot!" David commanded his crew. "A nasty storm is the case, and Misty Island is the place to warn."

The crew scurried everywhere aboard the ship, unfurled the sails and with a swift turn of the wheel, David began sailing his vessel out of Arlesburgh and on toward the south. Daisy, Thomas, Emily and Beatrice all watched as the ship disappeared around the corner of the shoreline.

"The soldier's intuition," Emily said steadily. "That's David all over."

"My God," Beatrice said heavily. "I hope and pray this risk is calculated impeccably. My son has faced storms on the sea before, but this…"

"I know, Beatrice," said Thomas. "In fact, this doesn't seem too different from the Cold of the North told you Emily and Percy of that night."

"Who can say, Thomas?" said Emily. "I do hope this doesn't go too badly…for any of them."

"Actually, Emily…perhaps you and I should go to Brendam Docks. We can see Misty Island from there and see what happens."

"Good idea, Thomas," said Emily. "Then I could rush and alert the Rescue Centre in case I have to."

"I'm going with you two," said Beatrice. "I must see David makes it back safely."

So Thomas and Emily made haste for Brendam Docks with Beatrice. Daisy went along too, gradually starting to worry herself.

---

By this time, it was approaching late afternoon and soon going on evening. On Misty Island, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand had finished another fair share of work for the day and were making ready to settle in their shed again. Throughout the afternoon, the weather had changed ever-so slightly with the sun covered by white clouds and just very light grey too, bringing in an overcast afternoon for Misty Island. The Logging Locos didn't mind this. Rather, they liked cloudy weather from time to time as it made the island look misty in some way or other, even if there was no mist around the island.

"Wow. Yet another day of Jumping Jobi-Wood for us, eh, Dash?" said Bash.

"Oh, yes," said Dash. "Ol' Wheezy and Hee-Haw really do make the logs jump like frogs, right onto our flatbeds, like always."

"That's right," said Ferdinand. "Why, there's nothing like the best, right here on Misty Island. Isn't that right, Bash and Dash?"

"Ooh, yes," said the Loco Twins. "We bash and we dash, and there's never a crash."

The Logging Locos then chuckled together and rested their boilers for a while. Then about twenty minutes later, the silence was broken again.

"Well, I wonder what we'll be doing next," said Bash. "What to do tomorrow?"

"Don't know, Bash," said Dash. "But we're bound to have a lot more fun as we always do. What do you think, Ferdinand?"

"Uhh…that…that's right," he said, a little unevenly.

Bash and Dash suddenly noticed that Ferdinand didn't sound so enthused and carefree as he usually would. He looked a little unsure of himself too.

"Hey, Ferdinand? Are you okay?" Bash asked, feeling a little concerned himself now.

"Uhh…yeah…I guess," said Ferdinand. "It's…I…I don't know. But just now, I have this strange feeling…"

"What strange feeling?" Dash asked.

"Like…like something might happen," said Ferdinand. "I don't know why, but it's just suddenly come to me. Oh, well. Maybe it's not so important."

Ferdinand then took a deep breath and sighed. Bash and Dash weren't sure what to make of this…then Bash turned his eyes outside again, and in that very moment, he suddenly took a little gasp and froze right where he was. Dash and Ferdinand saw this and suddenly felt more unsure.

"Bash? What's wrong?" Dash whispered.

"Uhh…Ferdinand…" Bask asked as he started to quiver. "Wh…wh-wh-what's…th-th…that?"

Not two seconds after Bash's shaky question, Ferdinand and Dash looked to the sky, and suddenly froze themselves. There, creeping through the sky were very dark, purplish grey clouds, almost black, slowly creeping overhead. Most of them moved slowly, but some of them were curling and writhing every which way like giant fingers curling together in the sky.

"Whoa!" Ferdinand whispered strongly.

Bash and Dash watched as he huffed ever-so slowly out of the shed and toward the Logging Station to get a closer look. They had all seen bad weather many times on this island, but something about this particular sky was not familiar to them at all, and it made them all suddenly uncomfortable. Bash and Dash didn't even feel comfortable in their shed. They too slowly ventured out and stood beside Ferdinand, gazing upward to the sky themselves.

"What's happening up there?" asked Bash.

"I don't know," Ferdinand whispered.

All three engines looked up and right on the moment their eyes met the sky, it suddenly began. A few rumbles of thunder cracked through the air, then every few moments, pulses of sheet lightning began flashing through the clouds like strobe lights. Each flash made the Locos' hearts jump a little, and more crackles of thunder rippled through the air, some more precise and clear than others. All three engines goggled and gaped slowly to the sky. Then suddenly, there came another flash and quite a boom of thunder. The Locos shut their eyes in recoil, then thought it best to seek cover. They all slipped back into their shed, and there they continued to watch the ever-writhing storm snake across the sky.

Meanwhile, after a daunting voyage along Sodor's southern coast, the Sea Emperor was nearing Misty Island, just a few hundred yards from the shoreline. From the ship's wheel, David scoped out the view of the island for the first time. Indeed, every square meter was filled in with trees and vegetation, but as the sky continued to writhe and curl overhead, he couldn't waste a single moment to warn these three engines if he could help it. The crew lowered a rowboat to the water, David lowered himself off the ship, then rowed to the shore and hurried up the slopes to find the Logging Station, while the air grew even warmer and the sky grew darker and darker still.

Bash, Dash and Ferdinand were all huddled frightfully inside their shed, staring ever upwards to the sky, hoping against all hope that the island would hold out. Then suddenly, there came the sound of footsteps nearby the shed, then came a voice they had never heard before.

"Get off the island, Logging Locos."

Bash, Dash and Ferdinand all looked through the coming darkness of the storm, and there stood a young man in a black sailing coat with two naval medals on his pin, and a silver naval cutlass worn over his shoulder. Although none of these engines knew this was David Rider, they did know it had to be a navy sailor just the same.

"Get off!" David ordered. But none of the engines budged, confused and unsure. "…You must get off!"

"Whoever are you?" Ferdinand asked.

"There's no time to explain," said David. "You're all in budding danger of this coming storm. I implore you, get your boilers running hot and make haste!"

"For what?" Ferdinand asked. "What are you talking about?"

"This storm is what I'm talking about," said David. "It just grazed Sodor a little bit, but it's coming quite directly for here now! I have a very strong feeling it's not safe for any of you to be here. If I were you, I would leave as soon as possible and set a course for Sodor, through the only tunnel that leads you there, so I've heard."

The Logging Locos began to feel more unsettled, but with this soldier's firm yet honest persuasion, they nodded slowly.

"Uhh…well, thank you, sir," said Bash. "But if I may say so…we've seen a few storms come through here, and we've never had anything too serious happen here."

"Yeah. I must say you're probably being overly worried, sir," said Dash. "There's never been any great serious danger here."

"That…that's right," said Ferdinand, although he wasn't quite sure that was even true.

"Do NOT get complacent, you three," David said strongly. "This storm isn't like a common one. The air is warm and dry…which means little or even no rain. Now, I've given you my warning, and I must make haste myself. You should all get out of here while you can. There isn't much time."

And with that, David hurried back to the shoreline, rowed out to the Sea Emperor, got back onboard, then set off with all haste to return to Sodor.

Meanwhile, Thomas, Emily, Daisy and Beatrice had all gathered together at the Docks next to Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey, watching as the weather unfolded itself down in the south. The Fat Controller had come along as well, having heard the word spread and was now watching with great concern.

"Oh, boy. There it is, Emily. Misty Island," said Thomas. "Oh, dear…"

"Ohh…yes, Thomas," Emily said, taking heavy breaths. "That storm looks very, very bad."

"You're quite right, Emily," said the Fat Controller. "Is there any sign of the Sea Emperor? David can't get stuck out there."

Cranky, Carly and Big Mickey looked as best they could while Beatrice looked through a pair of binoculars and scanned the horizon. Then suddenly, a distant flash of lightning revealed something.

"There! I see it!" Beatrice exclaimed. "Looks like David has given his warning. Now he's starting his return."

"Just in time too," said the Fat Controller. "A few more minutes, and he probably would have been ensnared in that storm."

"Let's just hope the Logging Locos stay safe enough too," said Emily.

"Ohh…Logging Locos…do take care of yourselves," Thomas said strongly as they all continued to watch the scene on the horizon.

Back on Misty Island, the Logging Locos were still unsure of what to do despite David's warning. Then just before any of them could say something, another distant crackle of thunder crept through the air. Then there came a rolling gust of wind, teasingly blowing suddenly in hard puffs…but something was different. Unlike many breezing winds that had a cold blow, these gusts felt unusually warm. The Jobi Trees creaked and cracked in the warm, dry wind, and the darkening clouds crackled with thunder overhead. Then suddenly, just when all three engines were least expecting anything else, there came an instantaneous flash of white all around them, and less than half a second later, there came a bullet-fast shot of scraggly blue-ish light cutting through the air and hitting just over the hilltops almost a mile beyond the Logging Station. A loud crash of thunder ripped through the air immediately afterwards, and a tingle of electricity flashed through the length of Bash and Dash's boilers. Even within their shed, they suddenly felt intensely alert and much more uncomfortable…and just over that hill, the chaos had begun.

From the Sea Emperor, David and his crew saw the lightning strike themselves, and the crash of thunder rattled their ears for a second or two.

"What the Devil?!" Copper exclaimed.

"Good Heavens!" Jordan exclaimed as he watched the writhing clouds. "The storm's wrath! It awakes!"

"EVASIVE ACTION, MEN!" David roared.

"Aye, Captain!" the whole crew shouted as the Sea Emperor's sails were unfurled further and the ship started going faster.

From Brendam Docks, Thomas, Emily, Beatrice, Daisy, the Fat Controller and the cranes had seen the big flash and heard the loud boom of thunder too. In that moment, all their concerns gradually felt confirmed.

"Cinders and Ashes…" Thomas shuddered. "Was that just my eyes…or…"

"That, Thomas…was a big, big lightning strike," Emily said dauntingly.

"That it was, Chuck," said Carly. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

The Fat Controller suddenly looked out to sea and gestured to Beatrice. She handed him the binoculars, then after looking for just a moment, the Fat Controller stopped. Everyone watched him, then he suddenly whipped around to Emily with a look of alert in his eyes.

"Emily. Misty Island is no longer safe," he said urgently. "Chart a course to the Search and Rescue Centre and get them ready!"

Emily took one glance out to sea, felt her heart jump strongly, then she gave a dutiful whistle and raced off down the line while Thomas, Daisy and Beatrice continued to watch the scene unfold.

On Misty Island, after the massive lightning strike and the crash of thunder, the Logging Locos' hearts began to jiggle and beat faster with growing uncertainty as the clouds curled and writhed overhead. Ferdinand kept watching the sky and seemed to become more and more serious by the moment. Then suddenly, his nose caught a whiff of something or other, and he began sniffing the air lightly at first, then more steadily as he suddenly left the shed again and ventured out to investigate. Bash and Dash thought it prudent to stick with him, so they slowly and a little hesitantly left the shed and ventured out, all while the thunder kept rumbling and intensifying overhead. The twins soon came along Ferdinand from both sides and could see he was still smelling the air.

"Ferdinand?" the twins whispered nervously.

Ferdinand's face creased into a most serious frown. "Something's wrong."

Bash and Dash sniffed the air too…then they smelt it. Smoke. And with it, there came a wave of sudden hot air flowing over the hillside up ahead. Bash's eyes widened and his pupils shrunk ever-so slightly as he came out beside the big Logging Loco.

"Ferdinand? Where's that young captain?!"

Ferdinand answered, but kept looking upwards. "He's already back on course to Sodor…I think…"

All the engines' eyes slowly turned toward the rolling hills in the distance…then sure enough, there came a ray of golden light just creeping over the hilltop. It started dimly at first, then steadily grew brighter and brighter…and hotter and hotter. Bash, Dash and Ferdinand all suddenly caught a much stronger scent of smoke up all their noses and became much alarmed. Misty Island's Jobi Wood Forest had caught fire! Bash, Dash and Ferdinand's hearts began to race in their boilers, then suddenly just over the hillside, there came a distant, but fairly pronounced BOOM! The ground shook ever-so slightly and even the tracks vibrated a teeny bit.

Bash looked shakily to the head Loco. "Is that…an echo from Echo Valley, Ferdinand?"

"I…don't…think so, Bash."

Even as Ferdinand spoke, the flames suddenly came licking over the hillside and on toward the Logging Station. All three Logging Locos stared in fright and stunned stillness. They wanted to run away and seek cover, but their wheels seemed stuck to the rails as they continued to stare and stare. Then sure enough, disaster lay right near where they were all standing. Some of the Locos' fuel drums were lined up together close to the Logging Station. The flames licked further and further wherever they could reach…then sure enough, the heat and flames ventured too close for comfort, and with a sudden ground-shaking BOOM, there came a massive, ear-splitting explosion as the fuel drums blew up! The Logging Locos felt their wheels go SMACK against the rails from the shockwave and all shut their eyes tight. Behind them, a great ball of fire erupted through the area into a massive ball of smoke rising into the air. Ferdinand gasped hoarsely and before any of the engines could say or do anything, another sudden BOOM roared through the air as more fuel drums blew up and another flash of orange burst out right nearby the station! In that instant, the Logging Locos knew what this all meant, and Ferdinand gave the shout of command.

"Come on! Go! GO! COME ON!"

All three Logging Locos' drivers and firemen scrambled to heat their fireboxes, open their regulators, then in almost no time next, they all gave a loud whistle and made haste to run for their lives.

"Bash! Dash! To Sodor!" Ferdinand commanded. "Run for your lives!"

And so they did. With sheer peril and horror flaring away in all their boilers, all they could do was run. They rushed out of the Logging Station and right past Ol' Wheezy and Hee-Haw, feeling absolutely dreadful that they had to leave those cranes behind. They came to the Shake-Shake Bridge, but this was no time to be silly. Not now, not ever. Holding together buffer by buffer, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand all shook and swayed right and left as they hurried over the bridge, but this time, unlike any other time they crossed this bridge, they were well and truly frightened. They were almost halfway across, when suddenly, another line of fuel drums close to the two cranes exploded from the coming flames, which then burst into a massive sheet of fire which engulfed and incinerated Ol' Wheezy and Hee-Haw within moments!

"OL' WHEEZY! HEE-HAW!" Bash and Dash shrieked with anguish as they looked back.

"Ol' Wheezy?!" Ferdinand howled as he struggled to look back. "Hee-Haw, where are you?!"

But even as he spoke, the realization was already hitting him. They had lost both cranes, and the fire was only raging more and more out of control. With a great cry of anguish, Ferdinand rushed on over the bridge, followed right behind by the two twins. In these fleeting moments of horror, the flames licked further then started to crease along the bridge! Second after second, the wobbling frames beneath the bridge set alight and began to burn away! The Logging Locos dashed and roared with utter peril over the bridge, and not two seconds after they cleared the bridge, the flames had burned through the wooden beams, and the bridge collapsed and fell away forever.

Out at sea, as the Sea Emperor cut trough the water to return to Sodor, David heard the booms over the water, and he ever-so faintly heard the distant shouts from the island. He turned his head fast, then saw it. Misty Island was going up in glowing orange light and billowing smoke as the flashes of lightning continued to circle the island.

In a last effort to guide the three peculiar engines, David roared as loud as he could to the island before refocusing his course back to Sodor.

"RUN, LOGGING LOCOS! RUN! RUN!" Then to his crew, he shouted further. "On deck, all hands! Make fast the bunt gasket! On deck, scurry! Scurry, I want movement! MOVEMENT! I WANT MOVEMENT! Lift that skin up! Keep your loof! Haul those sheets! Run them! Run! Keep running! Run as if the Devil Himself and Itself is upon us!"

Back on Misty Island, the Logging Locos continued to shout and run for their lives. Their hearts slammed with sheer pain and desolation as they realized what had just happened. In the ongoing chaos, Ol' Wheezy, Hee-Haw and the Shake-Shake Bridge didn't stand a chance. One moment they were all standing where they were, then before anyone could have known it, they were engulfed in flames, burning up and collapsing to the ground in ashes, as the pandemonium and blazing inferno raged on and on all over Misty Island.

"BASH! DASH! COME ON!" Ferdinand roared as they all raced along the ever-hot line.

Everywhere the Logging Locos ran and retreated, the Island was incinerating and burning away, the ground and the rails were red hot against their wheels and the blowing smoke made their throats hoarse and their eyes sting; they HAD to get out of here! Further and further the flames spread, the trees like torches blazing bright and more and more of the forest was turning to ash. Within minutes, the Logging Locos came to the Hollow Tree Tunnel, where Thomas, Annie and Clarabel, Hiro and Toby had all gone through once before. But just as they approached it, the three engines braked hard and stopped. The whole log was engulfed in constant flame.

"Ferdinand! We're trapped!" Bash coughed and gagged against the smoke.

"Ferdinand, we're scared!" Dash shook and choked.

It looked bad for the Logging Locos, but if they stood any chance of escape, they could not stop where they were.

"Come on, boys! This be our only chance!" Ferdinand roared.

Then with a loud, ear-splitting whistle, Ferdinand sounded the charge, and forward they all dashed right through the Hollow Tree Tunnel and out the other side, and just as they cleared the tunnel, lightning struck only ten yards behind them, and down the Hollow Tree Tunnel collapsed in a shower of endless sparks! Onwards and forwards the three engines rushed for their lives across the island. The fierce heat was overwhelming everywhere they dashed. Huge flames licked through the trees and red-hot coals and sparks flew through the air like meteors and fireworks, some of which almost landed on the Logging Locos, and a few sparks and coals landed right behind them, burning the rails and sleepers as they went! The Logging Locos panted, heaved and groaned with constant effort and burning hot pistons, but they couldn't let up for one instant as they rushed right past the Misty Island Seashore, no longer looking wistful and poetic in the curtains of red-hot flame that engulfed the hillside right along the line!

On Sodor, Emily rushed as fast as she could to reach the Search and Rescue Centre, passing by Gordon, James, Percy and a few other engines on the way and sounding the alarm about Misty Island. In turn, the engines became alarmed and spread the word further, while Emily dashed to the Search and Rescue Centre. Belle and Flynn had just gotten back from fighting the Harwick fire, but when they saw Emily's speedy entrance and her alarmed expression, they immediately sensed something else had happened.

"Misty Island Emergency!" Emily wailed.

"What? Come again, Emily?" said the Rescue Centre Manager.

"Misty Island has been hit by the dry thunderstorm, and it's all going in flames!" Emily reported urgently. "Belle and Flynn, wait at the Misty Island tunnel and stand by in case those three engines are inside! Being a one-way line, we can't risk blocking each other from both directions in there."

"Sodor's Fire Engines standing by, Emily!" Belle and Flynn answered as they and Emily hurried over and waited by the tunnel.

"Thomas and I saw a huge lightning strike from Brendam Docks," said Emily. "Then we just began to see the orange light out there. I only hope and pray those three engines are running ahead of the fire, wherever they may be."

"Leave that to us, Emily," said Flynn. "You go on back to Brendam Docks. Wait with Thomas and the others. As soon as this tunnel is clear, we'll do all we can for Misty Island."

Emily nodded and set off on her way while the fire engines waited.

"Oh, Logging Locos, please hurry!" Belle pleaded into the tunnel, while the Rescue workmen started making other preparations…

Indeed on Misty Island, hurrying was the very thing those three engines kept doing. They raced and roared along the line with every ounce of steam they had, rushing along Echo Valley and looking down the sheer drop. It too was now engulfed in flames with clouds of black smoke billowing upwards from the valley and engulfing the railway like ashy mist. The three engines coughed, choked and spluttered against the smoke, but they all held together and struggled onwards and forwards. They heaved, raced and rushed as hard as they could, all of which were becoming almost overheated from the constant flame and sparks all around them. It almost began to feel as if they wouldn't make it. But then suddenly, Ferdinand looked ahead, and saw their only available escape route they could take. There was the entrance to the tunnel where they had to dash in, then rush for the nearest refuge they had left. Sodor!

"There it is! The tunnel! Come on! Come on!" Bash howled.

"Faster, faster!" Dash wailed. "Get inside!"

"That's right!" Ferdinand roared, uttering those words with pure and vital urgency now.

But even as they approached the tunnel, there came a great thunderous crack just above their heads. The Logging Locos all shot their eyes upward, and just above the roof of the tunnel, they saw a massive burning tree falling over and spinning down toward them like a flaming lighthouse. In this mere instant for the Logging Locos, it was truly now or never. Do or Die.

"LOOK OUT! FALL IN!" Ferdinand roared and charged with all his might.

Bash and Dash raced up behind Ferdinand, buffered up and started pushing him toward the tunnel.

"We MUST get Belle and Flynn over here! FAST!" shouted Bash.

But then, just as Dash cleared the tunnel entrance behind the other two, they all heard a great splintering crash as the tree landed on the ground, then a series of boulders came raining down upon the entrance, then everything went dark, except for the engines' headlamps.

"Ohh! It's no use! The entrance has caved him!" Ferdinand roared. "Can't stop now! Follow me, boys! COME ON!"

With their hearts slamming harder than ever before, the Logging Locos raced through the tunnel, half-expecting the flames to lick after them through the tunnel, but luckily, the flames couldn't lick through the rocky barricade, and so the Logging Locos were safe enough as they hurried through the tunnel, leaving everything and everyone else behind. It wasn't long before Ferdinand could see a glint of light up ahead. Sodor was just in range, and suddenly, out they all popped, just beside the Search and Rescue Centre. Belle, Flynn, Harold, Captain, Rocky and Butch were all waiting and popped their eyes when they saw the three engines appear.

"There they are! They're out!" came Harold's voice from up above.

"Logging Locos! You made it out! Thank Goodness!" Belle gasped. "Emily told us all what's going on right now!"

"Now that you're safe, it's onto us!" said Flynn. "Into the tunnel, Belle! It's our only way to stop that fire!"

But in that same moment, Ferdinand stopped them.

"No, no, Flynn! It's over!" he wept. "The entrance is caved in! We just barely made inside in before it all gave way behind us!"

"What?! You mean to say…there's no way through?!" Flynn exclaimed.

"That's right! And I do mean RIGHT!" Ferdinand exclaimed strongly.

Belle and Flynn gaped and felt their hearts wrench badly. Here they were ready to stop the fire, and now there was no way through the tunnel. They knew all too well what Misty Island was like with the railway it had, but there had to be something that could be done.

"Dash it all, we've GOT to do something!" the Rescue Centre Manager commanded. "Belle and Flynn, I'm afraid this job will have to fall to two others. Harold and Captain! My workmen have made substitute arrangements. Take these special water tanks to Misty Island, across the sea, and across the sky! You're the only ones who can reach it now!"

"Do whatever you can! PLEASE, Captain!" Bash wailed.

"Help us, Harold!" Dash wailed.

"That fire's got us pinned down! Use your speed and stop that fire, Harold and Captain!" Ferdinand wailed.

"You've GOT it, lads!" called Harold and Captain.

Within ten minutes, both the boat and helicopter were equipped with special water tanks, and swiftly afterward, Captain was rushing out to sea toward the massive fireball on the water, while Harold roared through the air, eventually passing the Sea Emperor by a few hundred yards on the way. David took one glance at them both, but maintained his course. Captain had a few tanks connected to a water cannon on his deck, with others on standby for Harold to pick up along the way. In the air, Harold carried a massive tank on his hook and cable beneath him. As they rushed out across the sea, they could see the now glowing orange island and smoke clouds coursing through the air, but they had to do whatever they possibly could to stop this fire if they stood any chance of saving anything at all.

Within minutes, Captain and Harold arrived at the shores of the flaming island and immediately got to fighting the fire as best they could. Water roared and surged from Captain's cannon as he sprayed as far inland as he could from the shore. Harold flew overhead, further inland of the island, dumping gallons and gallons of water over the flames to douse them. Thick steam hissed and rose into the air, and every few minutes, Harold had to rush down to Captain and hitch on a new water tank, and so they repeated these sessions several times over, all while the raging wildfire continued to destroy and obliterate the Misty Island Railway.

---

On the Main Line, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand had left the Rescue Centre and were now wandering the railway, panting and hyperventilating as they worried uncontrollably over their beloved home. Then they began calling out for any familiar faces.

"Thomas! Emily! Where are you?!" Ferdinand called despairingly.

"Logging Locos! Over here!"

The three engines looked and saw Thomas and Emily in the distance. A swell of reunion flashed in all three Logging Locos after so many years, and with no hesitation, they all raced up to the cobalt and the emerald.

"Thomas and Emily! SUCH a very long time!" Ferdinand exclaimed.

"Bash, Dash and Ferdinand! Thank goodness you're all safe!" Thomas exclaimed.

"Tell us, Logging Locos! Do tell!" Emily urged. "Have Belle and Flynn got to Misty Island?"

"No…no, they haven't! They can't make it!" Ferdinand wailed as he told Thomas and Emily about the tunnel.

"…Oh, no!" Thomas groaned. "What about Harold or Captain?"

"Yes, they're out there right now," said Bash. "But it's all surely too late now!"

"The whole island burned away at our very wheels wherever we went!" Dash added. "Just as that young captain came and warned us of!"

Emily suddenly noticed who Dash meant by this and nodded very slightly.

"That's right! And I truly mean that in every way I can!" Ferdinand lamented.

"Ohh…well, come with us, you three," said Emily. "We've been seeing it all from Brendam Docks…"

"And there are plenty more gathered there now," said Thomas. "Perhaps we can see what Harold and Captain can do now."

The Logging Locos all swallowed very hard, then slowly and sadly followed Thomas and Emily down the line for Brendam Docks.

On Misty Island, the spraying and dumping of water went on and on. Captain circled the shores of the island and managed to rescue the remaining workmen who had fled the island in rowboats, while Harold kept flying overhead. But even with Captain and Harold's endless and fully devoted efforts, the fire was still persisting relentlessly in the deepest reaches of land over the island, until at last, both Harold and Captain's resources ran out, and their water tanks were completely empty. While their efforts had minimized a fair stretch of the fire, it was still not contained, burning away badly in other areas. Then suddenly, at long last since this storm started, it finally began to rain. Steadily at first, then harder and harder, falling endlessly all across Misty Island. Harold and Captain maneuvered clear of the island and watched together as it rained and rained over the island over several minutes. Ten, twenty, thirty and forty.

At last, the raging wildfire had gone out. The orange glows faded away, and the coals and sparks all settled down and lost all senses of burning. But by now, the damage was done and irreversible. Misty Island was now in ruin, and everything that made it unique was destroyed, never to return. With most heavy hearts, Captain and Harold departed Misty Island and proceeded to return to Sodor and gather with the others at Brendam Docks. Along the way, Captain passed the Sea Emperor again and could see David at the ship's wheel with his head bowed. David looked to Captain, then looked up and saw Harold flying overhead.

"Well?" David called to Captain. "What's left?"

Captain sighed and answered. "Captain Rider…there's nothing left. It's all gone."

Then Captain carried on across the water while Harold flew overhead. David took a deep breath and sighed gravely. All he could hope was that the Logging Locos at least had gotten away with their lives…

On Sodor, the Logging Locos had followed Thomas and Emily back to Brendam Docks to gather with the rest of the engines. They stopped right by Cranky and Carly, and the Fat Controller was standing in wait for the three logging engines. He gave a single nod to them all, then watched as their drivers and firemen came out, spotted with soot in some parts and all coughing profusely from the smoke and ash during the retreat. The Logging Locos looked around and saw just who had come for this gathering. Besides Thomas and Emily, there was Beatrice, Belle, Flynn, Daisy, Gordon, James, Percy, Toby, Nia, Rebecca, Donald and Douglas, and even Edward and Henry. Thomas and Emily alike had reached out to them all and urged them to gather here to see everything, and so they did, right up to now. Shortly afterward, Harold and Captain came back as well with the rescued workmen and they all and joined the gathering too, not saying a word.

In the numerous minutes that followed, all the people, engines and cranes stared endlessly out to the sea and toward Misty Island. Waves of black smoke continued to rise from the island, and even from the distance such as this, all the engines could see a vague image of what had befallen that very place. Not a single tree was left to be seen. While the Logging Locos were happy and relieved to have made it out with their lives, they were all very, very upset, unlike any time they could recall before ever since the day they were built so long ago.

"There…goes…our Island!" Ferdinand whispered hoarsely, utterly racked and shaken beyond most comfort.

Bash and Dash quivered and whimpered badly. "They're all gone!"

At long, long last, the Logging Locos couldn't hold back another moment as they all shut their eyes very, very tight and great tears fissured out and trailed down their faces. Their one and only home which they truly loved and knew for all their lives was burned to the ground, gone, finished, concluded. While the Island was still where it was, all the lush and green beauty it had carried all these years was now gone and would never return again, or at least for many, many decades to come. Most of the Steam Team, including formerly Edward and Henry remembered strongly how they all pitched in to complete the Search and Rescue Centre with all the loads of Jobi-Wood after Thomas made it back to Sodor. Now all the Jobi-Wood was gone, probably forever.

Thomas looked out to see and felt a strong lump in his throat, falling back to so many memories he held strongly about that very place. He remembered most intimately and poignantly how he wound up lost on that very island and caused Emily and the rest of Sodor such strife and worry until he and the Logging Locos found their way back through the linking tunnel, then when he brought Emily to the island himself for her to see and when he and Edward went along to bring back a load of Jobi-Wood for the Mayor. In all his years of knowing Misty Island, never did Thomas ever comprehend that it would befall such a fate as this.

Emily too felt a great and powerful stirring sense in her boiler. She thought back to the time Thomas wound up missing and how terribly worried and distraught she had become during that time, including how she had chastised Rosie on her budding love for Thomas and when Edward confided to her how he knew she and Thomas were falling in love even then. With a strong sigh, Emily also remembered when she went to Misty Island herself with Thomas and saw everything that made it so unique and wondrous in its way. Now everything about that place was gone and reduced down to ashes.

The gathering continued to look out to sea in complete silence and poignancy on the Logging Locos' account. Then suddenly, Emily looked out and gave a little coo. The other engines looked with her, and there came something else on the water, which made Beatrice gasp softly. Through the last few clouds of smoke, the Sea Emperor emerged, safe and all in one piece. Emily watched with deep breaths as the ship docked alongside Cranky and Carly. The whole ship's crew soon got off the ship, right until the last one to come off was the young captain. He walked slowly and solemnly across the docks and saw the Logging Locos all looking at him. He looked solemnly back at them, then heard his best friend's soft and most intimate voice.

"David!"

David looked, then ran right up to Emily, got on her running plate and hugged her face, after which he held her cheek for a moment, then ran to his mother and hugged her just as closely. Then David joined everyone's gaze out to the sea and Misty Island. For a long time, no one said a thing as they kept their eyes hooked on the horizon, out to the island that only a few hours ago was a thriving community of its own. Now with events having taken their course, it was merely a ghost island, and so it would remain most likely indefinitely. What had stood for decades and decades as a lush, green and breathtaking place in its way had changed to a barren wasteland of ash and isolation.

"…Bash, Dash and Ferdinand," the Fat Controller said at last. "So you all made it back. Never did I think that we would live to see an event like this unfold."

The Logging Locos said nothing and just nodded softly.

"David…" Emily said heavily. "Bash, Dash and Ferdinand say you warned them to escape."

David nodded slowly and rubbed her buffer gently.

"Yes, Emily. That I did," he replied. "I've only ever heard the tales about these three…and that unique island. But as Mum told me after I locked Bernie in the brig…it's not about me. It's about them."

Emily and Beatrice nodded surely to David.

"So your name is David," said Bash. "And you're a navy sailor?"

"He is, Bash," said Emily. "A captain, a commander, and my best friend. My navy mentor."

"Well…that is special," said Dash. "We didn't even know who he was when he showed up."

"But was he ever right to warn us," said Ferdinand. "But…but what are any of us to do now? We made it out with our lives…but now? Well, we Logging Locos, and all the rest of us might as well face it. Our home island is burned beyond saving, which therefore means that…M-Misty Island is going to stay baren and ash-laden for…all of…forever!"

All the engines took a deep breath and gave a deep sigh of sympathy and stirring acknowledgement as they looked out to Misty Island once more. Then after several more minutes of grieving, Thomas suddenly remembered his latest adventure in Brazil, concerning an adventure with Marcia and Marcio, the two wood-burning engines. Much like the Logging Locos, they too had their own little patch of railway line called the Eucalyptus Railway, in which Thomas had swapped jobs with them, only for him to discover the railway did not give him much room to travel on, and that Marcia and Marcio's journeys were much shorter due to their small fuel supply. Having to constantly borrow from their own deliveries of eucalyptus wood, they ended up stranded until Thomas brought them more wood to bring them to the docks.

As Thomas recalled that little adventure, he looked at the Logging Locos and their desolated and most shaken expressions. Then gradually, he felt all the pieces coming together. Marcia and Marcio were essentially Bash and Dash, only in Brazil and with Eucalyptus wood. Then as he thought back to the bustle at Henry's Forest, Thomas' heart beat steadily and purposefully as he saw it all coming together, and took a deep breath.

"Sir…if I may?" he said a little carefully.

The Fat Controller turned his gaze away from the horizon. "Yes, Thomas? What is it?"

Thomas looked around for a moment, then whistled gently. This ushered all the engines to gather closer as Thomas spoke out.

"Sir. As of this very hour onward, the Misty Island Railway is gone. Misty Island is now barren with smoke, dust and ash. The Logging Locos have lost everything they ever knew and lived with, probably forever. But as the North Western Railway is being kept ever-busy, I recall Henry's Forest becoming busier too, as are we all. As such, in light of these given events…surely the Logging Locos can find a new settlement at the Lumber Yards right near there? Their one and only home has been taken away from them, and if they are to stand any chance of being really useful yet, we can't forsake them. Please, may they find settlement here with all of us?"

To these words, Gordon, James and a few others all raised their eyebrows and spoke in unison.

"THEM?"

Thomas and Emily looked up at once and stood their ground.

"Yes," Thomas said firmly and strongly. "Misty Island is GONE. It is OVER. As such, we are all they have left."

"Thomas couldn't be more right," Emily added firmly. "There's only one choice left for the Logging Locos. Either they move in with us…or go back."

The Fat Controller, David, Beatrice and all the engines looked to the Logging Locos as they considered and weighed the circumstances.

"Thomas and Emily are utterly right," Ferdinand said strongly. "We can't go back."

"They may have much to learn about this Railway yet," Emily said to the Fat Controller. "But we're all they have now, and they can start a new chapter by making a new place for themselves at Henry's Forest."

The Fat Controller looked up at once to Thomas' proposition. Then he looked to the Logging Locos, who all looked right at him.

"You are quite right, Thomas, and Emily," said the Fat Controller. "And so they shall. They've only ever been here on very distant occasions, and of course they have much yet to learn about my railway, but all of us can and will pitch in to show them how everything works…and Henry's Forest shall indeed gain a valuable asset of usefulness too."

"You'll really do that for us, sir?" Bash asked.

"For Ferdinand too?" Dash added.

"Of course," said the Fat Controller. "You three are the most unique and indeed peculiar engines any Sudrian could ever know. But even so, you can all be really useful here too."

"And you're all steam engines too," said Thomas. "Like all of us."

"Yeah. We all are," Bash and Dash said together.

"That's right," said Ferdinand as he started to smile again.

All the engines looked to each other, and regardless of their differing views of the Logging Locos, they all solely agreed with Thomas' proposition and the Fat Controller's approval. It was then that David decided to give the whole situation a ray of hope. He ushered Copper to follow him, and everyone watched as they boarded the Sea Emperor. Five minutes later, as they came back alongside the engines, David had a bottle of ginger beer, and Copper had a bundle of glasses. He handed out a glass to each of the Logging Locos' drivers and firemen, then to the rescued workmen, then one to Beatrice, and the Fat Controller too. David popped the bottle open and filled each person's glass with ginger beer until he filled his own. He beckoned the engines and people to look at him, then he spoke.

"Here this evening, as we have all seen today, the unthinkable has befallen the place we all knew as Misty Island. However, in light of recent events, we now have three new engines to welcome to this railway. We have all known Misty Island for what it was ever since Thomas' first adventure there way back when. Perhaps some rumours have gone round that some Sudrians are allergic to Jobi-Wood. But it made for good housing material and furniture, as well as the finest Search and Rescue Centre Sodor has ever seen. Some may say the Logging Locos' only fitting place was Misty Island, where they were surrounded by forest. But now they can be fully operational in Henry's Forest. Sudrian folk will surely be saying the Misty Island Railway may never return. But one day, something may grow on that island again. My full point is this. We'll rejuvenate the Logging Locos' sense of belonging and being really useful however we can, and we'll do so with pride, guidance and above all, open minds. And so, ladies and gentlemen, let us all raise our glasses…to our newfound Logging Locos. And in dedicated memory…to Misty Island."

As David drank his share of ginger beer, the Fat Controller followed suit.

"Never another place like Misty Island," he said as he drank his share.

"It was a land of wonder and beauty, it was. For all three of the Logging Locos," Beatrice put in with her share.

"It was a place of fond adventures and fond memories, for me and for others," Thomas put in, winking gently to Emily.

"Yes, indeed, it was, Thomas," she added. "And so, may we all remember it for always and forever."

With that, the Logging Locos' crews and the workmen drank their shares as well.

"A most impeccable and solid point, David," said the Fat Controller. "Indeed, we shall all remember Misty Island and everything it has given us."

"For always…" said Bash.

"And forever," said Dash.

"That's right…Sir Topham Hatt," Ferdinand said with a noting wink.

The Fat Controller looked at Ferdinand and gave a single nod in turn. Ever since that one day Ferdinand loosely referred to the Fat Controller as boss and he and the twins were ordered to learn the ways of this railway, they hadn't forgotten that important way at all. Now from this day forth, they would slowly but surely embrace those ways with all the other engines alike.

Soon afterwards, as the sky slowly began to clear across Sodor, the other engines returned to their sheds across the railway, while Henry escorted the Logging Locos to his forest where they would spend the night, then from the next morning onwards, their transition to Sodor would begin. Bash, Dash and Ferdinand took a little glimpse at the forest around them and could feel some sense of settlement coming together. Their transition was not going to happen overnight. It would take time, and it was now up to them to embrace the transition as best they could.

"Well…this looks like a fine place," said Bash. "Secluded, peaceful and full of trees."

"Well, we're all here together, and in a brand new forest," said Dash.

"That's right," Ferdinand murmured.

Before long, the Logging Locos grew tired and weary after all that had happened today, and soon they were sound asleep, sheltered and safe on Sodor in Henry's Forest.

At Tidmouth Sheds, the other engines had already fallen asleep, while Thomas and Emily looked out to the coming stars and spoke softly together, feeling a strong sense of significance in their boilers as they thought back to Misty Island.

"Well, Emily," said Thomas. "Henry has brought the Locos to his forest for the night. At least they'll sleep safely here on Sodor."

"Yes, Thomas. They shall," Emily whispered. "Then from tomorrow on, they'll gradually adapt to living here with all of us."

Thomas nodded and looked right to Emily.

"You know, Emily…I will really miss it," he said softly. "Today has really opened my eyes to everything Misty Island truly did have…now it's all gone."

Emily nodded surely and sighed.

"Oh, Thomas. I'll miss it all too. Very much. I remember going there for the first time with you, shortly after you came back and how wistful and unique it all was. Even my little experience with Dash and his warbling trick has a fond spot in my heart."

"Oh, yes. I must admit, that is an adorable story you partook in," Thomas smiled gently.

"Now, given all that has happened today," Emily continued. "We must all truly take to heart what a unique and wonderful place it was for all the decades these three engines have spent there, right to the very end of it all."

"Yes, Emily. Today has indeed embedded the significance of Misty Island in all of us," said Thomas. "Of course, everything in the world has its time, a beginning and an end. But as we have all seen today, the ending can sometimes come in ways we would never, ever suspect."

"Well, perhaps it is the end of Misty Island," said Emily. "But it's also a new beginning for the Logging Locos. The beginning of their life here on Sodor."

"Indeed it is," Thomas smiled surely, then gave a yawn. "Well…Goodnight, Emily."

"Ohh…Goodnight, Thomas," Emily whispered and yawned softly as she and her star soon fell asleep with the rest of the engines.

And so it was set in. Over the next few days, Bash, Dash and Ferdinand, the Logging Locos would settle themselves in, now permanently stationed to work in and around Henry's Forest, where they could work to haul and unload logs and lumber from the forest and bring it to the timber mill to be turned into furniture, fences, building material and more. Over the days and weeks to come, they would soon enough learn the ways of the North Western Railway and become well-established with all the engines they could meet and make friends of. But to think that Misty Island, so full of trees, rolling cliffs and valleys and rivers, existed no more, some if not several on Sodor thought this was very, very sad. As such, most significantly and poignantly of all, the Logging Locos and all the rest across Sodor felt a most valuable and definitive lesson from all of this. We must always have the greatest respect for fire. It's our friend, but it's also our enemy, and therefore, must never be fooled with. If we don't hold to such respect for it, it can and will destroy us, our surroundings and our friends.

---

Yes, this is legit. We actually brought the Logging Locos back to become permanent residents of Sodor. Why? Because, as annoying as they are, they can still serve a proper purpose on Sodor. As for why I decided to burn Misty Island to the ground? As much as most fans would love nothing more than for Misty Island to be burned to ashes, this was not meant to be a hate-fic towards that death trap of an island. The real reason is because, as we are unfortunately aware, there have been an increasing amount of wildfires across the world lately, which is an absolute tragedy. That led to this story, and I specifically chose Misty Island to suffer the wildfire because, again as much as we all hate Misty Island, a wildfire is still a wildfire, and as such it should still be treated as a tragedy even if it's on Misty Island, otherwise it severely undermines the impact that wildfires have on the real world. So yeah, this was definitely going to be quite the surprise. Until next time, tell us what you thought of this story, and as always, stay safe.