Shattered Friendship

Written by Rachel Ravens and Zack Wanzer

Stuart's POV

RATTLE, BANG!

"Ugh…" I groaned. "Smudger just had to wake us up at this hour…"

"Who's this Smudger you speak of?" asked a gruff voice.

Blinking in shock, I glanced at the layout before me. Hazy, black clouds graced the what-should-have-been blue sky. The shed roof was layered in holes; when they should have been in a decent condition. And the engine who spoke, was a darker shade of brown than who I was expecting.

"Oh… sorry, uncle Bertram," I said quietly. "I thought… I thought that yesterday was… just a bad dream."

"Why couldn't it have been?" snapped Falcon. "That man… he's just a monster."

To call Mr. Hockings a "monster" was being generous; if there was something worse than that, I'm sure that would fit him perfectly. Though it's been a couple of years since then, Falcon and I still have visions of a much better time…

"I think we'd better get moving," sighed Freddie. "No telling what he'd do to us…"

Before any of us could start up, we heard a rushing of footsteps.

"They sound too light to be Hockings," I observed.

"If it was, he wouldn't be running like this," Falcon added. "So who…"

"Oh, thank goodness," said a small voice. "I got here early."

Falcon and I glanced down in surprise, while Bertram and Freddie beamed. It looked to be a little girl of three years old. What's she doing here? I thought. Isn't this a dangerous place for a child to roam?

"Oh, hello little one," said Bertram. "It's Addison, isn't it?"

The little girl nodded.

"I remember," said Freddie. "Carla and Rodney secretly visited us shortly after you were born, right?"

"That's me," said Addison. "And…" she looked at Bertram and Freddie's nameplates, but she struggled to read. "Er… you are… Bert-ram and Fred-ie."

We couldn't help but giggle; even Falcon had to smile.

"Very good," Bertram smiled. "You're quite a little railway star, aren't you?"

Addison had to giggle. "Thank you." She glanced at Falcon and I next, but was surprised. "Do you two have names?"

"Er… yes," I said quietly. "But… our nameplates came off. I'm known by our manager as No. 4, but my real name is Stuart."

"And my name is Falcon," he added. "Ugh, but that blasted manager knows me as No. 3!"

Poor Addison bit her lip, and her eyes began to leak tears.

"Falcon," I hissed, "she's only three; speak gently to her!"

"I-it's not that…" Addison tried to wipe tears away. "I-it's… y-your manager is… my… grandpa…"

"Your grandfather?!" Falcon and I were shocked; how could such a cruel human being be the grandfather to a sweet, innocent little girl like Addison?

"I'm sorry to say, but it's true," sighed Bertram. "Carla is Jacob Hockings' daughter, and Addison is Carla's."

"I-I'm sorry you have to live like that…" sobbed Addison. "You f-f-four are w-w-wonderful engines…"

"Addison, sweetheart," I said gently, "listen. Bloodlines don't define who you are."

"T-they don't?" Addison stammered. "M-mommy says that she s-s-still feels like part of grandpa…"

"Well," I said, "let Falcon and I tell you something that a dear friend told us."

"Wait, what?" asked Falcon. "What story is– oh!" He realised when I winked at him. "Right. Well, years ago, there was a man that was known as Robert Charles Norramby."

"This wasn't just any man," I added, "but the Duke of Sodor of his time. And his parents had betrothed him to a woman of noble birth."

"Be-what?" asked Addison in confusion.

Falcon chuckled. "Basically, he was going to marry this woman when they became of age."

"Ew!" Addison scoffed. "I'm glad I'm not be-troughed to anyone."

We all had to laugh. It seemed nearly all children went through this phase. "Well," Falcon continued, "when Robert continued to grow up, he was doing some community service at a local town. And it was there he met a woman who worked as a maid for a high-class family."

"They started to hang out together," I went on. "And the more they hung out, the more they realised how much they had in common. Soon enough, they fell in love."

"When the big day came," Falcon said, "Robert couldn't bring himself to marry the woman he was betrothed to. When his parents objected and scoffed at him marrying the maid, he said 'she may be a maid to you, but to me, she is my Duchess.' And with that, they got married on the spot."

Addison's eyes widened. "He… chose her over the noble woman?"

"He did," I said. "You may have the bloodline of our manager, Addison, but you can change the path you carve in life. Just like Robert Charles Norramby can choose who he wants in his life."

"Oh," Addison gave a small nod. "I… I think I understand. And I think I know what I want to do now–"

"Addison!" called a female and male voice.

"Oh… mommy and daddy," she gave a wave.

"Addison," sighed Carla, "you shouldn't be this near the railway line."

"Or run away from the house!" Rodney cried. "It's dangerous to be near the aluminium works!"

"You… didn't tell your parents where you were going?" cried Bertam. "I thought they were nearby!"

"I… just wanted to keep you four company," Addison said quietly.

"Your parents are there to keep you safe, Addison," said Freddie. "It's important to stay close to them at all times when you're this young."

Addison hung her head sadly. "S-sorry, everyone…"

"Come on, honey," said Rodney. "Let's go home."

We watched as Addison left with her parents, but the little girl had a misty look in her eyes. She's so sweet, I thought. I hope her heart will not be tainted…

Falcon's POV

As time went by, we and Colin saw more of Addison coming over to the aluminium works. Sometimes, she would come in with something extra in her hand.

"For you, Falcon!" she smiled.

My eyes widened. There, in her hand was a scratchy picture she had drawn of me… with a gold nameplate and in a bright blue and red striped livery. If this was any other child, I would have scoffed, but…

"Oh…" Memories flooded back to me. Mid Sodor. The passengers. Gertrude and Millicent. Gra… no, no, no. Don't think about him. It'll only make you sadder, Falcon.

"Y-you don't like it…"

"Oh, no, no," I said quickly. "It's lovely. Th-thank you, Addison. Thank you…"

"You miss your blue paint, don't you?" Addison asked. "And Stuart his green. I'm doing him next."

"T-that's very thoughtful, Addison," I stammered. "He'd appreciate that too."

"AND WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Addison jumped and placed the picture in her backpack. Thankfully, she was just in time. "How dare you show your pathetic little face around here!" Jacob Hockings bellowed. "It's bad enough we have these tin kettles running the joint, and now kids just have the engines stalling at stations!"

"She was just saying hello!" I growled.

"Need I remind you this is a power plant!" snapped Jacob Hockings. "Not a tourist attraction. Now you'd better watch your tongue, No. 3, or I may just have you taken to pieces for live television!"

I was about to retort, but Addison gestured with her hand and pleaded with her eyes to go. I swear, she's the master of the puppy stare, I thought. I hastily puffed away. Whatever Hockings was about to say or do next to Addison, I definitely didn't want to see it.

I eventually got to Peel Godred, where Carole was waiting with the trucks.

"Good to see you, Falcon," she greeted; of the North Western Railway engines, only the electric quartet knew Stuart and I by our names. "You're looking flustered. What happened?"

"Well," I sighed, "there's this little girl who's been visiting us. She's really sweet, but… her grandfather is our manager."

Carole gasped. "No! The poor little darling. Has Hockings caught his granddaughter visiting the aluminium works?"

"I'm afraid so," I sighed. "We're doing all we can to help her, but–"

"Falcon, we have to hurry back," my driver said. "We don't know what Hockings will do if we're late."

I sighed, knowing my driver was right, and hastily said goodbye to Carole.

"Take care!" she called. I feel awful that the electric engines know so much, and we swore them to secrecy, but things can't spread too far. One of the North Westerners or those "Skarloey" engines we hear about could get hurt… and young Addison was in enough danger as it was…

Stuart's POV

"Ah! I swear, Hockings, I swear, I'm not late, I'm–"

"Hey, hey, whoa!" said an unfamiliar voice. "It's okay. Deep breaths."

Glancing upwards, I saw a massive roof above my smokebox. It seemed to go on and on for miles. No holes in it whatsoever. And to my left, my brother stood beside me. There were a few scrapes and scratches, but they didn't look as bad as usual. And to my right…

"It's… it's you…" I said quietly. It was the thin gentleman who had bought us yesterday for fifty pounds. "Mr… Percival, right?"

"That's correct, Peter Sam," he soothed. Peter Sam. That's who I am now. And my brother… is Sir Handel.

"I still can't believe it," I said. "We're… we're safe now."

"You both are," he replied. "I'm just sorry we couldn't save your friends…" He was, of course, referring to Bertram, Freddie and Colin, who had unfortunately been scrapped by Hockings himself. Stevie was also tragically lost in the ordeal.

"It's not your fault," Sir Handel replied. "W-we're grateful for your help…"

"You two rest now," said Mr. Percival. "You've still got a long way to go. The Steamworks staff will have you back in order."

I couldn't wait to be back in working order again, this time under someone who actually understood engines' feelings.

"Do you think Addison's alright?" asked Sir Handel when Mr. Percival had left.

"I hope so," I said. "She's got a spark in her. I'm sure it'll shine through in the end."

Fal– Sir Handel's POV

I must say, having a knight title wasn't something I was expecting, but it's not an unwelcome change either. But while I was more than happy about my new name, Stu– er, pardon me, Peter Sam's optimism about Addison was a bit… worrying. She was very happy to see us being rescued, sure, but since the ordeal with Diesel… she hadn't been the same.

"No diesels better come to the island," scoffed Addison. "Who knows what harm they'd do!"

"Can we talk about something else?" I huffed. "You've been on our boilers about it for days!"

"Come now, Addie," said Annabelle; her best friend from school. "Let's think about something positive for a change." She looked over at the Steamworks. "Hmm? What's Donald shunting in there?"

Curiously, Peter Sam and I glanced over. On Donald's flatbeds were two bogie coaches. But they were too small for the North Western Railway.

"Wait… bogie coaches…" I looked closer. Those faces looked very familiar… "Gertrude, Millicent?! Is that you?"

"I don't believe it!" cried the first coach. "Millie, look! It's our old friends!"

"What a delightful surprise!" the other one grinned.

"Ye know these twa, Sur Handel?" asked Donald.

"They were my express coaches back in the day," I chuckled.

"Oh wow!" said Annabelle. "Please tell us more, Sir Handel." She sat down on an upside down bucket, eager to listen.

How could I say no to that face? Annabelle's smile practically lights up the whole shed, much like a certain little brother I could mention.

"Well, when I first came," I said, "I met the two coaches, Gertrude and Millicent. I was very eager to show off my new skills…"

However, as I told my story, Addison kept looking away and biting her lip. I wish I had Peter Sam's optimism… I sighed. I really do…

Despite Addison's wishes, we did end up getting a diesel for our line. And… as much as I hated to say it… her negative comments did end up getting to me. But they were disproved when I heard about a big accident.

"Oh, Peter Sam…" I sighed when I came to the Steamworks that evening; Rusty was close behind. "How are you feeling?"

"Very sore…" he wheezed. "Oh… I don't think I'll be able to move for days…"

"Take it easy, Peter Sam," soothed Rusty. "We've got things under control."

"Rusty, you were grand," I said. "I'm so sorry for my callousness toward you."

"Why are you apologising to him?!" The three of us widened our eyes in surprise; Addison was strolling over to us. "Diesels are nothing but trouble. If he hadn't come, Peter Sam's accident could have been avoided!"

"I didn't do anything!" cried Rusty. "I just came to mend the lines and…"

"Peter Sam's accident happened because of me!" I retorted. "If I had been taking the train, I would have stood well back so the trucks wouldn't get me. Furthermore, I discriminated against poor Rusty because of something someone else did before he was even built! Now I suggest you apologise to Rusty, or Mr. Percival will give you some real words to think about!"

Without hesitation, Addison darted away from the Steamworks, and Peter Sam gawked at her. Rusty stared at me with wide eyes.

"You two said she was a sweet girl, right?" asked Rusty. "I'm… not seeing that."

"Neither are we…" sighed Peter Sam. "Oh… I'm starting to have doubts now."

The truth hurts, Peter Sam, I thought. It really does…

Peter Sam's POV

And the truth continues to hurt. Not to say there weren't good things that happened; Skarloey and Rheneas came home, we welcomed Duncan and Flyer with open buffers, and best of all, Granpuff was back in our lives. You should have seen Sir Handel's and my reactions, we were over the moon–

Oh, sorry. My optimism overdrive. It's my way of trying to dance around a harsh truth, which came to us while Sir Topham Hatt and his family were on holiday…

"I-Impossible!" I cried. "She wouldn't! She couldn't!"

"She did," sighed James. "Duck almost died because of her."

"What?! How?"

"Addison was tasked to get a black water barrel and force it into Duck's tank," James explained grimly. "Let me tell you, it's a blessing she got the green one by mistake."

I couldn't believe it. Why would Addison do that… team up with that… that demon! Sure, Duck and I had an argument over if Duke was scrapped or not, but not only was that a misunderstanding, he was a good engine!

"I-is Duck going to be alright?" I asked.

"He will be," said James. "Of all engines, Diesel was the one who came to his aid. And it was a good thing he did."

"That's not only lucky, but amazing," I said. "They've come such a long way." When the guard's whistle blew, I was off.

I soon told the other engines of my railway of what transpired.

"Since that day when she saw Rusty, I knew this would happen!" Sir Handel snarled. "She's no better than her grandfather."

Everyone besides myself stared up at Sir Handel.

"Her… grandfather?" asked Flyer. "Who is her grandfather?"

"It's that demon in that ochre coloured diesel," Sir Handel said bluntly.

"Boomer?"

"No," I said. "Jacob Hockings!"

Duke stared at Sir Handel and I for what seemed like forever. "Are you two sure it's him?"

"Trust us, Granpuff," said Sir Handel. "There's no way we'd forget that face."

"But… why is he attacking the North Western Railway?" asked Rusty. "He doesn't have anything to do with them… does he?"

"He sort of does," I said, and I explained to the other engines what I told Bear earlier that day.

"Tasha Stone died of a heart attack?!" cried Rheneas.

"I'm afraid so," sighed Sir Handel. "She didn't deserve that. And yet Hockings spit it right back in Burnett's face."

"Just like Addison has rejected all friendship of the engines…" I sighed. "I… I can't believe we almost lost Duck to her…"

Why was this possible? I thought. Why did Addison want to scrap anyone? At least before, she still liked steam engines, but she's turned her back on all of us now…

Sir Handel's POV

"His granddaughter?!" Gordon exclaimed. "Addison was the little girl who was scared by Hockings the whole time?!"

"I'm afraid so, Gordon," I sighed.

"How did we not realise this before?" Gordon gasped. "Why didn't you and Peter Sam tell us?"

"Addison didn't want anyone else to know," I said quietly. "Just like how Peter Sam and I kept most of our history a secret…" I sighed with guilt. "And in the end… it destroyed her…"

"At least we know now," Gordon sighed.

"But it's too late to set things right," I admitted. "I'm so sorry…"

Gordon puffed away, deep in thought. No doubt the truth will reach everyone soon. It always does. I started away myself.

When I reached the next station, poor Peter Sam was sobbing.

"I can't believe we lost a friend…" he cried. "Wh-why did Addison turn so dark? She didn't have to follow in her grandfather's path."

"She didn't," I said firmly. "Like everyone else, she had a choice. And unfortunately, Addison chose poorly. Bad choices do come back to haunt others."

Peter Sam looked over at me, absorbing everything that I had said. He gave a weak smile.

"You've got a point," he replied. "We had a choice too. We both paid the price for not telling anyone about Addison's heritage."

"Indeed," I replied. "But we did get something right."

"We told everyone the truth about our Mid Sodor heritage," Peter Sam smiled. "And now, we have our Granpuff back."

"And we can continue to make him, and the other engines proud," I said. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, you're due to meet up with Skarloey at the next station and you're a couple of minutes behind schedule."

"Oh, whoops!" Peter Sam chuckled. "Can't be late for the Old Faithful." He started off. "Thanks, big brother. Love you."

"Love you too, little brother," I smiled. We may have lost a friend - too many friends actually - but it's important to value the friends and family that you currently have. It was partly our fault for not speaking up about Addison and her "grandfather", but she had a lot more issues beyond mine and Peter Sam's control. Make good choices in life, before it's too late.

The End

Athour's Notes: And here's another POV story, this time staring Sir Handel and Peter Sam. This time, we go back to before the beginning of their SkR days at Peel Godred, where we learn about their friendship with Addison. It's so hard seeing an innocent child corrupted by a brutal man, and Sir Handel and Peter Sam's friendship with her gets torn to shreds. This is also my first double POV story where it doesn't cut back to one character briefly. Who wants to give Sir Handel and Peter Sam a hug?