Chapter 187: Thomas and Diesel

Percy had broken his arm, and couldn't work for at least a week. This left Sir Topham Hatt in a pickle.

"Rosie is helping on Edward's branchline, and Emily is running local trains on the mainline," he thought to himself, "But Thomas and Toby can't handle the work on their own. I shall have to see if the Other Railway has anyone they can spare."

They did, but Sir Topham Hatt knew Thomas and Toby wouldn't like it.

One morning, Thomas was waiting at the junction when he saw a very familiar diesel engine coming down the track.

"Oh no, not him!"

But it was. The engine rolled to a stop at the station, Diesel stepping down from the footplate, smiling.

"Good morning, Thomas."

Thomas glared at him, having heard all about his nasty tricks from Duck.

"You're here to help me and Toby, I suppose. Fine, but no tricks."

Diesel feigned being hurt.

"Tricks, me? Whatever gave you that idea?"

Thomas rolled his eyes. He had a feeling this wouldn't end well.

Diesel did his work without much trouble, but Thomas and Toby didn't trust him for a second. They made it quite clear that they would stand for no nonsense. One afternoon, Toby and Diesel were working at the quarry.

"The quarry needs this shipment out by today, so no tricks Diesel."

"Yes, Toby. I understand, Toby."

"Good."

With that, Toby left and Diesel set to work. But as he went about his business, he swore he could hear snickering. He turned around to see some workmen laughing at and mocking him.

"Yes, Toby. I understand, Toby."

Diesel ignored them, but this only encouraged them.

"I thought you Diesel drivers didn't need to learn. You know eeeeeverything."

"What'd he call it? Revo-thingamy?"

Diesel grinded his teeth, trying to block them out.

"Hey boys, this reminds me of a song. How'd it go again?"

"Ooh, ooh, I know!"

This made Diesel's blood boil.

"Don't. You. Dare!"

"I remember! Trucks are waiting in the yard, tackling them with easel..."

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

This made Diesel snap. Grabbing a wrench, he charged at the group, swinging it in a blind rage. Scared, they tried to run, but he caught them quickly, slamming them over and over again with it.

"POP GOES YOUR TINY BRAIN! YOU THINK YOU'R BETTER THAN ME! TAKE THIS!"

"Diesel stop!"

By the time Diesel had calmed down, the group of offenders lay in a bloody mess, groaning and moaning as they tried to move. He and Toby could only stare in horror at what he had done.

As the injured workmen were taken away in an ambulance, Sir Topham Hatt spoke severely to Diesel.

"I understand they were being rude, Diesel, but you seriously injured them! I cannot have such violent behavior on my Railway. Once your work is done for the day, I shall send you back to the Other Railway, and will not be inviting you back! Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir, sorry sir."

"Good day, Diesel."

Meanwhile, Annie and Clarabel's class had gone on a field trip to Maithwaite Forest. They were getting ready to head back, and the teacher was taking a head count.

"Lets see, Annie, Mary, Bueller...Bueller...Bueller... wait, where's Clarabel?"

Everyone looked around them, but Clarabel was nowhere to be seen.

"I thought she was right behind me," Annie said worriedly, "Something must have happened to her!"

A search party was sent out immediately, with Harold being called to help. They searched far and wide, but made no progress so far.

Diesel took a walk through the woods to help clear his head, the scolding hitting him harden than he realized.

"I'm so getting fired for this. Three whole chances and I blew them all! Am I good for anything?"

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllllllllllp."

Diesel barely heard the weak cry, but sprung into action. Running in the direction of the sound, he found Clarabel lying in a ditch near tears.

"Are you alright? What's wrong?"

"I sprained my ankle, and I lost my class. Plus, I'm terribly thirsty."

Acting fast, Diesel took a water bottle out of his backpack and gave it to her. While she drank, he took a look at her ankle.

"Doesn't look to bad. Can you put any weight on it at all?"

Clarabel tried, only to wince in pain an shake her head.

"Alright, just stay still. Gonna have to carry you. Any idea where your class may be?"

Clarabel nodded, pointing in the direction from which she came. Diesel gently scooped her up and carried her off.

By this time, Thomas had been called and was anxiously waiting with the class for any news. At last, Diesel came into the clearing, Clarabel in his arms.

"Looking for someone?"

"Clarabel!"

A relieved Thomas and Annie rushed over, hugging the little girl like she could disappear at any moment.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"I fell in a ditch and sprained my ankle. But its alright, Diesel helped me."

Thomas looked at the man, tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Diesel."

A photographer came and took Diesel's picture for the newspaper. Later that evening, the entire Ffarquhar crew came to see him off, as did Sir Topham Hatt.

"You did well today, Diesel. We do hope you are able to come back soon."

And although Diesel didn't want to admit it, he did too.