At Shining Time, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with golden and white fur, short stubby legs, a long body, erect ears, and a bushy tail was walking down the side walk towards the station, breathing happily as it went. When it arrived, it held a map in place while a 14-year old boy of Native descent with short dark hair and an olive complexion. His name was Jesse Cosay, and he was busy painting the town's sign on a ladder.

"There, all done!" sighed Jesse as he finished. "I reckon, Atticus, Shining Time has the best welcome sign of any town in our valley."

Atticus barked in agreement.

"I'm glad you agree," Jesse smiled. "Amelia's old map that she lent me, helped a lot."

Atticus barked again.

"Oh, she's on her way back, is she?" he asked as Atticus nodded. "You hear that train whistle sooner than it hears itself."

And Atticus was right. Amelia was coming back as she drove the Rainbow Sun towards the station through the valley. She looked to see a few children waving near a fence and she waved back to them as she went on by.

But not far away, a man with long, pale blonde hair and light stubble on his chin was riding on a motorcycle down the road which runs through the forest. He had a very nasty look on his face. He drifted from place to place on his cycle, uncaring about anything else around him but himself. And now, he knew his next place. And that was Shining Time! When he emerged, he rode through the hillside, heading towards a railroad crossing, which had no gates, while the Rainbow Sun was coming towards it too.

Amelia didn't notice this until she saw the biker drive across the crossing just seconds before the train rode over. She was so surprised she put on the brakes, and blew the whistle so loud that birds squaked and flew away in fright. But when she saw the biker had disappeared, she carried on, confused as she was.

When she returned to the station, Amelia stepped down and took a look at the newly repainted sign.

"Fine work, Jesse," said Amelia with a smirk, taking a slight glance over at the crossing.

"Thanks," thanked Jesse before feeling concerned. "Was everything alright? I could've sworn I heard a loud whistle and braking just before you pulled in."

"Oh yes, Jesse. Nothing to worry about," smiled Amelia before noticing the map. "You really made the sign almost look like the map."

"Speaking of which," said Jesse, pulling up the map. "I've been looking at your map. What are those mysterious shadowy lines on it?" he asked, pointing at those faded lines on the map. "They look like straight railroad tracks, but I can't see any other tracks around here but the ones you travel on."

"Oh, its mysteries that make this place so..."

"Magical?" guessed Jesse, earning a smile from Amelia. "I'd better be off to Muffle Mountain," said Jesse as he put the paint away. "I promised Mr. Olsen I'd clean out his yard today."

Hearing this made Amelia a little concerned.

"Does Andy Olsen ever give you a smile?" she asked wistfully.

"No, but he doesn't frighten my horse, Alan Dracula, either," replied Jesse unhooking his horse from the post. "So, I don't think he's a bad man, I think he's just sad."

Amelia nodded in understanding before turning towards the Rainbow Sun.

"This Iron Horse of mine serves me proud," she thought before turning back to Jesse, remembering something. "Oh Jesse, before you go, if you see a stranger when you're out riding, please let me know, okay?"

Jesse nodded and rode away with his horse. Then Amelia went back to the station while Atticus followed.

To Amelia's surprise, the platform looks surprising empty. This didn't look like a good sign. She had an awful feeling of what that meant, a certain nasty person had come to town, a certain someone which she once knew before. Someone very terrible!

"Well, well, well, Amelia Hughes!" said a young, but dark voice, startling Amelia as she turned back to find that it was the very same drifter who drove across the crossing earlier, giving her an eerie smirk. "Do you know who I am?"

Amelia gave him a grim look on her face, clenching her fists.

"You're Simon Laurent and you left this valley a long time ago when I first became a railroader."

"Correct!" said Simon proudly. "So, now I'm back... for two reasons. And one of them, is that!" He pointed to Muffle Mountain in the distance. "You see that mountain over there? I'm going to own it. It's going to be mine, all mine!"

"That mountain's not for sale!" said Amelia firmly, trying to keep her composure, "it belongs to Mother Earth, You'll never own it."

"You're wrong," smirked Simon before turning back to the engineer. "Second reason, I'm back to find Andy Olsen. So, where is he?"

"Wherever he wants to be," replied Amelia, putting the map Jesse returned back to the slot.

"Playing innocent like everyone else in this town won't work on me," he sneered. "I'll find him no matter what."

"Yes, there is innocence here." said Amelia, looking up to the meadow leading up to the mountain. "So, don't mess with it."

Disappointed, Simon turned away, swiftly punching a hanging basket of flowers as he went, causing all the soil and flowers to fall to the ground. Amelia was horrified of this action of his and sighed as she tried to pick up the flowers. She knew that innocence was here because this valley was buit on land that's special, touched by gold dust. That combination equals harmony.

"You can't understand that even when it's staring you in the face," she muttered.

Inside the station, it was just an ordinary, cheerful day as people were coming and going. The interior was beautiful with an arcade, a waiting area, and the mindblowing mural with the history of transportation. At the ticket booth was a young African-American woman with short dark hair, accepting money, accepting tickets and making phone calls by the railroad.

"Shining Time Station Manager, Grace Monroe speaking," she said, answering the phone. "Yes, the 10:15 from Pelican Falls to Shining Time is right on time."

By the time her call ended, she saw Amelia enter, but hadn't noticed the broken flowers yet.

"Excuse me, Amelia. Take a look at this I found in the lost and found," she said, showing him a doodle of what looks like a happy boy climbing over a hill beside what looks like railroad tracks and a set of buffers along with a signature on it saying, ANDY OLSEN. "See that signature on it?" she asked. "So, is that him in the drawing?"

"Perhaps," answered Amelia.

"It's amazing how grumpy Olsen could've been so happy," Grace said.

"Yes, he had a wonderful smile," Amelia agreed, "and he did love railroading too. Although something always seemed to trouble him," she added before looking down at the flowers she was holding. "Oh! Here, Grace. These flowers got knocked out of their basket, Maybe some water will help them live longer."

"Oh my!" gasped Grace, holding the flowers. "How did they get broken?"

"Because Simon's back," said Amelia gravely, "And he still doesn't believe in magic."

And Amelia went to get her toolkit, leaving Grace concerned as she went to get another pot for them, before sitting down by the mural.

On the mural had what looks like a station building standing in between one of the iron-horses and a tunnel. You would think a tiny person could be living in that building. Then, just as almost everyone left, in front of the house's door, a gold sparkle appeared and faded to show Min-Gi standing on top of the bench in front of the station building door in his conductor's outfit. Amelia noticed this.

"Well, hello Mr. Min-Gi," she said with a smile.

"Oh, hello, Amelia," answered Min-Gi before locking the door on the mural, looking through the station building's window, and tapping his pockets, making sure he had everything in case of an emergency. "Tool kit... check! Ticket hole punch... check!" Then he cleared his throat before speaking. "All aboard! Just testing, Amelia. I musn't let my conductor skills get rusty."

"Important day?" asked Amelia.

"Oh, it is a very important day," said Min-Gi excitedly. "I'm going to the Island of Sodor. You know it's the only place in my universe where I seem to fit in, size-wise. Sir Topham Hatt has given me a big responsibility for the very first time, what's more, he says a new Diesel has arrived, and I have to make sure he behaves himself."

"I hope your visit goes well," said Amelia.

Min-Gi nodded before disappearing and reappearing in a cloud of gold dust onto the ticket booth, where he gave a wave to Grace, who waved back to him, unfazed by his apperance, before he turned to a fish bowl beside him, where two gold fish were swimming around.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked the fish, who made gurgling noises in response. "Oh, thank you. I like my sparkle too!" he said before hearing more gurgling. "Yes, gold really is a great color!

As a kid began to take his gold fish, Min-Gi turned to see Grace holding the drawing.

"Grace, where did you find this drawing?" he asked.

"In an old locker. It was done by Andy Olsen when he was a child," Grace responded. "I was told that he used to work on this railroad, but he never leaves the other side of the mountain now." she added before noticing Min-Gi looking at it longly. "You seem puzzled, Min-Gi."

"I am," he replied. "This place looks like the Island of Sodor, but how would Andy Olsen get there?" he wondered before looking at his pocket watch. "Oh, I better go now."

"Right now?" asked Grace, surprised.

"Yes, Grace." Min-Gi replied. "I have to help keep everything safe and sound on the Island of Sodor, just like I try to do here. Why? What's the matter?"

Grace was about to answer when she peered over at Amelia leaving, making a brief shush gesture as she went.

"Oh, nothing for you to worry about, Mr. Min-Gi," chuckled Grace. "I hope your visit goes well."

With that said, Min-Gi disappeared in a cloud of gold dust to make last minute stops before leaving for the island.

The Rainbow Sun was all set to leave while Atticus was on the end of the platform, looking very worried as Amelia was about to board the engine.

"I know, I know, Simon is bad news for this valley," said Amelia petting the sad dog. "But so is this train if I don't get it to Doodlehaven on time."

With that said, Amelia stepped on and pulled the cord. The engine made a shrill blast of the whistle as it departed while Atticus returned inside the station, where he found Min-Gi already set to leave himself as he was checking his list one last time. He then noticed Atticus.

"You don't want me to leave, don't you?" asked Min-Gi to Atticus, who whined in reply. "Is something wrong here?"

Atticus just whined again and turned around, looking sad and vulnerable, like he was crying. Min-Gi was going to ask again when he noticed the time on his watch.

"I'm going to be late, Atticus. I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised. "Now, I must concentrate. One blow on my whistle should give me enough gold dust for a lot of sparkle. I need it for this journey!"

And he blew on his whistle. Gold dust surrounded and covered him entirely before he and the sparkle disappeared completely. Atticus just flopped his ears in alarm. It never reacted this slowly before, it was usually much quicker than that. He could tell something was wrong with his gold dust!

Amelia was right to let Min-Gi leave. At least for now he was safe on the Island of Sodor. Simon was checking through a pile of 'Shining Times' newspapers. He stopped at one, scribbled in the top corner were the words "Andy Olsen - Muffle Mountain". Satisfied, Simon smirked evilly while a young boy collected the pile of newspapers, slightly knocking into him as he left.

"Hey, watch it!" Simon shouted, shaking his fist.

But the kid didn't hear and rode away on his bike.

"Children," grumbled Simon as he left himself.

In the big city, Tulip was making final preparations for her own journey as she was sitting on top of the fire escape, finishing with making her bracelet for her dad. With one tie of the knot, she was done!

"So, that's it, Dad. I hope you'll like it and I also hope it'll fit," she murmured to nobody in particular before sighing. "And I hope it'll help to make you happy again too."

After putting the bracelet away, she took out a harmonica and started playing a lovely, magical tune. As the busy traffic on the streets down below got louder, it urged her to play her instrument louder as well. She loved harmonizing with the city sounds. She looked down to the street below and a tap-dancer is dancing to her music. The moment was fleeting, but somehow magical, too as she tried to make herself heard above the sound of the sirens.

Far away on the Island of Sodor, an L&YR Class 28 2-6-0 tender engine with red paint, a gleaming brass dome, and a number 5 on his tender, was having a battle of a very different kind. This engine was called "James the Red Engine." He was busy resting in Tidmouth Sheds when a fly swooped down and flew around his smokebox. James didn't like it at all, remembering his encounter with bees one time after a beehive broke and his boiler being nice and warm, only for one of them to burn its foot and sting his nose as payback.

"Shoo! Shoo! Buzz off!" he shouted at it.

James was a rather moody engine. His temper can be as red as his paint. Then he saw Thomas backing down in a siding beside him. But Thomas was so focused on James, he wasn't paying attention and felt himself stop suddenly with a jolt as his back end hit the buffers with a loud bump!

"Botheration!" Thomas exclaimed.

James found this funny.

"You weren't concentrating, Thomas," said James. "Lucky for you that the buffers were there."

"That's what buffers are for — to stop engines crashing. That's why they are being repaired," said Thomas. "Anyway, what are you doing in the sheds, James?"

"My wheels were feeling worn out with work and I was being naughty," he grumbled, "so, Sir Topham Hatt told me to think about all the ways I can be a Really Useful Engine... and when I have, I can come out again."

"He's just trying to make this a better railway for steam engines," smiled Thomas.

But while Thomas was talking, James noticed Diesel 10 slowly approaching from behind. He tried to get his attention, but Thomas wasn't listening. And soon, the mean diesel was standing right beside them.

"Sir Topham Hatt says the harder we work," continued Thomas, "the less he'll need diesels to help-"

"Help YOU?!" chortled Diesel 10, finally getting Thomas's attention as they both looked at him fearfully. "You will always need help because steam engines are cowardly, cranky, worn-out hunks of metal who couldn't hurt a fly!" he added, noticing the fly still buzzing around James.

"No, we're not!" argued James.

"Yes, you are!" taunted Diesel 10.

"Aren't!"

"ARE!" snapped Diesel 10 angrily, earning a gulp from James. "I am going to dominate you; I am going to destroy you. And when I'm done, you'll be nothing but useless scrap."

And he purred away, sneering, leaving James furious.

"Big bully!" muttered James.

Thomas was outraged, but still nervous all the same.

"D-D-Diesels won't dominate," Thomas called out, "and they won't destroy — we won't let you — neither will Mr. Min-Gi. I'm off to fetch him now!"

And he hurried away to find him in a huff.

At the Sodor Ironworks, the two scrap BR Class 08 diesels, Arry and Bert were due for a long overhaul, so they were sent to the Works. And, because of this, two more BR Class 08 diesel shunters were sent to do their work at the ironworks. One was purple, and one was green. The purple one had his name, SPLATTER painted on his sides, and the green one had his name, DODGE painted on his sides. They looked very mischievous. As they worked, they could hear a few other engines outside.

One of them, a green saddle tank Avonside 0-4-0ST engine with a yellow number 6 on each side of his bunker pulled in with some trucks of scrap. Behind him was a GER Class C53/LNER J70 tram engine with a yellow number 7 on each side, crossing a high bridge with piles of scrap, such as cut up engines, laying underneath. But it wasn't the scrap that frightened him, it was how high the bridge was, remembering his own experience with bridges. Still, he managed to make it to the other side and shunted his trucks.

The saddle tank engine looked at the huge smelter shed with fright, seeing the fiery red glows coming from inside the opening and closing doors.

"I don't like going in there," he quivered. "I'm glad you're keeping me company, Toby."

"I agree, Percy," replied Toby. "But we must be brave and finish our job. The sooner we get this done, th sooner our railway will be better than ever for us steam engines."

"At least Mr. Min-Gi will be here to watch over us while Sir Topham Hatt is away on holiday," said Percy. "I'd hate to imagine what would happen if we were left on our own."

And Percy chuffed quickly away while Toby followed.

But none of them realized that they were being watched by Splatter and Dodge, who had been listening on their conversation.

"We should tell the boss," said Splatter.

"He won't be too happy about this," agreed Dodge.

Meanwhile, Thomas was still looking for Min-Gi. As he went, he thought about Diesel 10, thinking that there will soon be much more trouble while he was around. But at last, he was able to find a glimmer of gold sparkling beside the track. There was Min-Gi at last. Thomas was very pleased as he pulled up beside him.

"Good morning, Thomas. I have to see Sir Topham Matt to get my orders right away," Min-Gi said before rubbing his sore arms and legs. "The journey from Shining Time is getting bumpier every time." he muttered before sparkling into Thomas's cab.

"I'm very happy you're here, Mr. Min-Gi," said Thomas. "A big bully Diesel has arrived; he is behaving very badly."

"Don't worry, Thomas. I'll just pop in and out with my sparkle wherever he goes and keep him in order," Min-Gi told Thomas before looking at his whistle with a worried expression. "I hope," he muttered.

Little did they know that Splatter and Dodge were arriving at an old, abandoned quarry where they found Diesel 10 resting beside a cliff, which had his face carved into the wall with a disgusting grin. Diesel 10 was musing over it when they arrived, parking beside him in the sidings.

"Good, you're here," Diesel 10 said to them and the two diesels told him the news. "So, Fat Hatt's going away, eh? Good work, Splodge."

"Uh, it's Splatter," said Splatter.

"Er-and Dodge," put in Dodge.

"I ain't got time to say both names!" thundered Diesel 10 before grinning. "Now listen, while the boss, Fat Hatt's away, we diesels will play!"

The two shunters were very confused, but the mean diesel wasn't done yet.

"We're going to make life a misery for those steaming heaps of trash-on-wheels. This island doesn't need them, it needs Diesels — there's no use for steam engines these days — they're history."

"Uh, but there's one small problem," said Splatter.

"Yeah," agreed Dodge. "Mr. Min-Gi's coming and he won't let you do that."

"Twinkle Toes won't be a problem!" smirked Diesel 10. "Not while I have this!"

And he raised his claw high above him, snapping its jaws menacingly while the two shunters marvelled at in in amazement. However, it weren't very effective as it suddenly fell, bonking the big diesel on the forehead. He let out a big "OW!" Splatter and Dodge quietly chuckled to themselves at this.

"I don't think he meant to do that!" whispered Splatter to Dodge.