A/N: This was a request from a guest reviewer. So if you're reading this and you're the one who requested it, I hope you enjoy it!"
Chapter 295: Perfect Panto
Spring had arrived on the Island of Sodor, a much welcome change from the cold winter that had preceded it. To celebrate, the Children's Entertainment Troupe was putting on a Pantomime show at the park. It was the story of a group of space travelers and their adventures on an alien world. The children loved it, and would talk endlessly about it on the way back. This made the engine drivers smile.
One morning, Thomas was at the top station with the Pantomime special when he noticed a different group of children off to the side of the platform. Unlike the ones aboard his train, these children looked very sad. Concerned, Thomas walked over to them.
"Hey there, the train's about to leave. Don't you guys want to see the show?"
The children sadly shook their heads.
"We don't have any money for tickets. Our parents don't have enough money to spend on things like that."
"It's too bad, we really wanted to see it."
Thomas felt sorry for the children, and wished he could help. But before anything else could be said, the guard blew his whistle, and he had to leave. But the entire trip, all he could think about was those poor children.
That night, at the common house, he told the others about the events.
"I wish there was something I could do for them, but what?"
It was Toby who came up with an idea.
"Why don't we put on our own show for free? It'll be fun to make, and we can perform it for the children who missed out."
Everyone thought that was a splendid idea, but they needed Sir Topham Hatt's approval first. Luckily, Sir Topham Hatt was more than happy to allow them.
"You can use Ffarquhar Station's waiting room. We can have the show two weeks from now."
With a location and a date set, the quartet set to work making the preparations. Luckily, when the performing troupe heard about what they were doing, they gave them some spare costumes and set pieces, giving them much to work with. All that was left was the story.
Two weeks later, the show was ready to go. That evening, a group of children stepped into the station room, eager to see what they had been missing out on. Once the seats were filled, the lights dimmed and the show began.
The show was a simple, but engaging story. An old blacksmith, played by Thomas, weary and worn down by the ravages of time, saves a fairy princess, played by Emily and they fall in love. Currently, they were at the end of the show where they confessed their love for each other.
"Shuno, my love, I'd wish for nothing more than for you to spend eternity with me. Just say the words, and I'll make you young forever."
Shuno took Emily's character into his arms and spoke to her lovingly.
"All I need is you, and I feel like a young man. I love you, Shizuka."
And thus the two kissed, ending the play as the children clapped and cheered. Everyone agreed that it was the best show they had ever seen.