I present to you the first story of the 13 Nights of Halloween.
First up, a story from Thomas and Friends. It's Railway Series based as it deals with an engine from said books who had a tragic fate.
Sora is the 4th wall breaker, like Lincoln Loud in The Loud House, Deadpool in his movies, and Jennifer Walters in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Enjoy!
Island of Sodor, Culled Fell Railway:
Sora stood at Kirk Machen, overlooking the railway line. He turned to the fourth wall.
"The Island of Sodor is a truly magical place, home not just to humans and animals, but to vehicles that can talk, vehicles on rail, road, air, water, even some pieces of machinery. And they all work on four different railways. There's the standard gauge railway for engines like Thomas, Percy and James, the narrow gauge railway for engines like Skarloey, Rheneas, and Duke, and the miniature gauge railway for engines like Mike, Bert, and Rex. The last one is the Mountain Railway where 7 purple engines work. They have extra spiked wheels so they can grip the lines on the highest mountains on the island. The engines, numbers 2 through 8, are Ernest, Wilfred, Culdee, Shane Dooiney, Patrick, Alaric, and Eric. Their number 1? Well, that story is over a hundred years old. And the main premise of this story."
It was a bright and sunny day at Kirk Machen. Culdee was with his faithful coach Catherine waiting for passengers to arrive.
At that moment a loud whistle was heard and Nia, the NWR's Number 18 pulled into the station. She was pulling Old Slow Coach.
"Good morning Nia. And good morning to you Old Slow Coach." Culdee smiled.
"Good morning Culdee." Nia smiled. "There are many passengers here to see the summit on your line."
"They really want to get quite the brown from the mountain tops." Old Slow Coach added.
"I'm sure they are." Culdee said in agreement.
Nia's eyes drew towards Culdee's number.
"Culdee? Pardon me for asking, but how many are there on your line?" she asked. "Thomas mentioned there were 7 of you when he was in Africa."
"That's right there are 7 of us." Culdee puffed.
"But Thomas also mentioned that you were numbered 2 through 8." Nia added. "Don't you have a number 1? Thomas is on our railway, and so is Skarloey on his."
Culdee's face fell. "Well… yes we did. But that was a very long time ago. Back when the railway first opened." he replied.
"So… what did happen?" Nia asked.
Culdee sighed. "Our number 1 was named Godred, he was built around the same time as most of us." he said. "Built in 1895 and would arrive on the railway when it first opened in 1900 alongside me, Ernest, Wilfred, and Shane Dooiney. He was named after a king, which sadly inflated his ego. It made him think he was invisible."
Flashback, 1900:
Godred was puffing down the mountain with his passenger train at a fast pace.
"Godred slow down!" his driver shouted.
"You'll get into an accident!" said his fireman.
"Pah!" Godred snorted. "I'll be fine! I've done this many times and I have not derailed yet! You just worry about stoking my fire and making sure I'm topped off of coal and water."
Later Ernest and Culdee spoke to Godred in the sheds.
"You'll have an accident!" Culdee said crossly.
"Pooh!" scoffed Godred. "I got automatic brakes, haven't I? And Driver's got his air brake. What more do you want?"
"More sense from you." Culdee replied. "No engine can stop at once if he isn't ready to obey his Driver's controls."
"Pah!" Godred snorted. "I can handle myself."
"If you don't learn sense you will crash. And no type of break will be able to stop you." Ernest said grimly.
"And no type of fuddy-duddy has any good advice." Godred said rudely. "Now puff on out of here and stay out of my way."
And Godred puffed away to collect his next train.
Earnest, the standard gauge railway's Jenny Lind type 2-2-2, watched him go as he stood at Kirk Machan with a goods train.
"He's gonna get himself into an accident. No matter how much he says he won't." he said grimly.
"Agreed." Ernest and Culdee said in unison.
The engines tried to warn Godred, but he never learned sense.
Over a month after the railway opened, early June in 1900, Godred was puffing down the line from Culdee Fell Summit Station with a passenger train, being reckless as usual.
"Godred slow down!" his driver shouted.
"Stop worrying driver!" Godred huffed. "We're making excellent time!"
"You're gonna derail!" his fireman retorted.
"I have two types of breaks and I have not had an accident at all. Not once!" Godred scowled. "Now quit being fuddy-duddy's like the other engines and let me-"
Suddenly, Godred fell off the tracks around the bend thanks to his speed. The sudden derailment uncoupled him from hic coach, which thankfully stayed on the rails as the guard braked it to a stop. And Godred's crew thankfully jumped clear in time, albeit getting bruises in the process.
But Godred tumbled down the mountain, crying out in terror as he fell.
After so much falling, he crashed at the bottom of the hill violently.
They eventually recovered him and Godred was brought back on a flatbed to the sheds by Culdee. He was wrecked.
"Goodness me look at him!" exclaimed Wilfred.
"Now we know what an engine looks like if he tumbles down the mountain. All the way from the top." shuddered Shane Dooiney.
Mr. Barrane, the controller at the time, came up and scolded Godred severely.
"I warned you to be careful coming down the mountain at such a reckless speed. As did your crew, the other engines, and even the staff. But you never listened!"
"I'm sorry sir…" Godred said weakly.
"We have no money to mend you. So you'll go to the back of the shed." Mr. Baranne said.
And that was where Godred was placed. Over time, he began to get smaller, and smaller, and smaller, until nothing was left.
His remains were placed in a small truck attached to a goods train, pulled by Bloomer, the standard gauge railway's LNWR Large Bloomer class tender engine.
"They all tried to warn you..." Bloomer said somberly. "But you didn't listen to them..."
With a whistle, Bloomer set off down the track. Ernest, Wilfred, Culdee, Shane Dooiney, and Mr. Barrane watched him go, silent for their now late number 1.
Present:
"Rumors went around that Godred's pieces were used to mend us. But that was never the case." Culdee concluded.
Nia and Old Slow Coach were surprised.
"Bust my buffers… what a story." Nia murmured.
"So he was… scrapped?" Old Slow Coach asked.
"I'm afraid he was."
The engines looked over to see Ernest puff up.
"It was over 100 years ago when Godred crashed. We didn't have the technology to mend him then like we do now… mostly. He was pretty much beyond repair." he said grimly.
"I told the story to Duncan and Sir Handel years ago." Culdee said. "And we eventually told it to Patrick, back when he came to the railway as Lord Harry."
"Yes back then he was just as arrogant as Godred was. But unlike our old Number 1, Patrick later learned sense." Ernest said.
"We weren't keen on giving another engine the number 1, so that's why Patrick, Alaric, and Eric were numbered 6, 7, and 8. And we haven't had the need for another engine for a while since our railway isn't so big." Culdee added.
"Well thank you for telling us." Old Slow Coach said.
"Out of curiosity… have you ever encountered Godred… some time after his death?" Nia asked.
Culdee blinked. "You mean… his ghost?"
"Well there were some rumors about a purple engine roaming around at night when we're all asleep, but no one has ever proven it was Godred." Ernest replied.
"I see…" Nia murmured.
At that moment, the conductor blew his whistle and Nia pulled Old Slow Coach away.
Near the sheds, Patrick had been listening in on the story. But he wasn't convinced about the last part.
Later that day, the CFR's Number 6 was taking passengers up to the summit. He stopped at Devil's Back to take on water. Eric puffed up next to him, pushing a small goods train.
"Afternoon Patrick, something on your mind?" Eric asked.
"I overheard Ernest and Culdee talking about Godred." Patrick replied. "Tragic story, yes. But then they came up with the thought that his ghost is haunting our line. Preposterous if you ask me."
"I will agree it is far-fetched." Eric said. "Then again, strange things have happened on this island before."
Patrick scoffed. "Don't start getting into that rubbish." he said. "Ghosts don't exist. Besides, if Godred's ghost really was here, we would've seen him by now. It's been over a century for crying out loud."
After being filled up with water, Patrick set off for the summit.
That night, Alaric was coming up the mountain pushing a coach. He was picking up some staff and tourists ready to go home or to their hotels from the summit.
"I just don't understand why they cannot just spend the night." Alaric huffed. "I mean I know it's a stretch to call it a 'hotel' but it has overnight accommodations."
"That is true but there's only so much room up there." his driver said.
"I suppose so." Alaric conceded.
Soon they arrived at the summit.
"All aboard!" Alaric called.
"We were wondering when you would get here." said a man.
"We thought another engine came to pick us up. But he sat there and didn't respond to us." said a woman.
"Neither did the coach." said another man.
Alaric was confused. "Another engine was up here? That can't be right, I'm the only one running tonight."
"Well at least you're more respectful." said the woman as the passengers got on board.
Alaric soon went down the mountain at a steady pace. But then he heard some louder and faster puffing noises behind him.
"Driver is someone behind us?" he asked.
His driver looked out the window.
"Holy smokes there is! There's another engine going down behind us!l with a coach!" he told the CFR's Number 7.
Alaric was surprised. "What? That can't be right I didn't see anyone behind me and there was no one who left the summit!"
Suddenly what sounded like a crashing sound was heard.
"Bust my boiler! What was that?!" Alaric gasped.
"It sounded like a crash. Someone might be hurt!" his fireman said. "Only the coach is on the rails."
Alaric quickly but carefully raced down to the scene.
But when he got down there, there was no coach in sight.
The driver, fireman, conductor, and passengers used their phone lights to look down the mountain to see if they could spot any fire or smoke from the crashed engine.
But there was no sign of anything.
"This doesn't make any sense! I know I saw an engine. Go down the line!" said the driver.
"And I heard the puffing noises!" Alaric added.
"Well we don't see anything that looks like a crash." the conductor said.
Everyone was confused.
It was the talk of the sheds the next morning.
"Are you sure you weren't seeing things in the dark?" Patrick asked.
"I didn't see the engine but I did hear it!" Alaric said.
"Well it couldn't have been any of us. We were all in the shed last night." said Wilfred.
"Unless one of you decided to sneak out." countered Eric.
"How could we without a lit firebox?" Culdee challenged.
Mr. Walter Richards stepped into the sheds.
"The police will be here momentarily. They will be asking questions to everyone who was at the summit last night." he said.
"Hopefully they can solve this whole ordeal before it turns into an even bigger load of nonsense." Patrick muttered.
Later at Kirk Machan, Alaric, his crew, and the passengers and guard who were at the station last night were telling the police all they knew.
Culdee and Wilfred were in the sheds getting water as they watched.
"Do you really think Alaric saw an engine last night?" Culdee asked.
"I don't know. Strange things have happened on this island." Wilfred replied, unsure himself. "Though it seems weird how all of them either saw or heard that engine and it's supposed crash."
Later Shane Dooiney was taking passengers up to the summit in Catherine.
They stopped at Devil's Back.
"So far it's nice weather today." Shane commented.
"Yep. The sun is shining, the sky is clear, and the view is still wonderful." Catherine said in agreement.
Suddenly they heard a whistle echo around them. Then out of nowhere an engine and coach whizzed by the other two.
"Oi! Watch what you're doing! You're on a mountain for goodness sake!" yelled Shane.
"Reckless speeding imbecile…" snorted Catherine.
"When I get to the top of the summit I'll teach him a thing or two for going so fast." Shane scowled.
Soon they were given the all clear and the CFR's Number 5 puffed up the line.
But when he reached the summit, no one was there. No engine, no coach, no one.
"What the?! Where'd the engine go!?" exclaimed Shane.
"I-I-I don't understand! I saw an engine speed by and yet there's no one here!" said Catherine.
Everyone asked the station staff if they saw any engine arrive at the station. But they said they didn't see anyone.
"This is getting very strange…" Shane said to himself.
Later that day, Culdee was puffing into Kirk Machan to take on more coal. As he waited for his crew to finish filling him, he looked back towards the sheds and swore he could see an engine in the back corner. He couldn't tell who it was since he was a good distance away, but it did look like his design.
"Hmm. Wonder who that is." he said to himself. "Ernest? Wilfred? Shane is that any of you?" he called.
No response.
"Must be sleeping." Culdee said to himself.
At that moment, Thomas pulled up with a freight train.
"Hello Thomas. Goods work today?" Culdee asked.
"Yep. Percy has Annie and Clarabel today. I'm just waiting for the signal to drop." Thomas replied. "How about you?"
"Oh I'm filling up on coal." Culdee chuffed. "And there's one engine in the shed who's either asleep or ignoring me.
Thomas looked over in confusion. "What engine?"
Culdee was now confused too. "What do you mean what en-"
Culdee cut himself off when he saw that the shed was empty.
"What? I know I saw an engine in there! Where did he go?!" he asked.
"Maybe you should get out of the sun." Thomas joked. "That or one of your friends left so quietly that you didn't hear a peep. Well my signal's greens Toot toot! Goodbye."
And Thomas puffed off. Culdee was more confused than ever.
That evening the engines were talking about what had happened throughout the day.
"This isn't making any sense." Shane said in annoyance.
"One moment we're all seeing an engine or something and the next we aren't," said Wilfred.
"It must be a ghost!" said Eric.
"Rubbish!" snorted Patrick. "There's no such thing as ghosts! Maybe you're all seeing things."
"Our crew and many passengers all seeing the same thing as us? I doubt that is any coincidence," said Culdee.
"I can agree with you there Culdee."
The engines looked to see Mr. Richards walk up.
"Do you have any idea what's going on sir?" Ernest asked.
Mr. Richards sighed. "I'm afraid I don't Ernest. I just don't." he said. "Everyone is telling me the same story. And I don't know who could be responsible for everything going on."
"The engines are thinking it's a ghost." Patrick huffed. "I think it's all just supernatural nonsense."
"Of course you would. But it's the only thing we can think of." said Eric.
"What do you think sir?" Wilfred asked.
Mr. Richards was silent for a moment. He sighed. "I'm honestly not sure what to think, Wilfred," he replied. "I'm not one to believe in the supernatural, but given the circumstances throughout the day, I doubt anything could be a coincidence anymore."
"But who's ghost could it be?" Alaric asked.
"Well… there is one engine it could be." Culdee said slowly.
The engines and their controller were silent.
"You think it's Godred?" Eric asked.
"I'm not sure. But given where most of the incidents have been, I think it's safe to say it could be." Ernest said gravelly.
"Would this be the first time Godred's ghost has been on the railway?" Mr. Richards asked.
The engines looked at each other.
"Well sir," Wilfred said slowly. "There was one incident in 1950. Around the 50th anniversary. Back when your father was in charge."
1950:
Culdee was taking a passengers in Catherine up to the summit when they heard a loud crashing sound.
"What was that?!" Catherine asked in alarm.
"It wasn't me!" Culdee replied. "But I think it came from the bottom of the mountain! There must've been an accident!"
They had people searching the bottom of the hill for any signs of a wreck. But there was nothing to see.
They told Mr. Richards, Walter's father, what had happened at Kirk Machan. Edward was there to take them back to their homes on the standard gauge railway.
"And your positive there was nothing?" he asked.
"Very positive." said a male passenger. "Everyone in the coach heard it, including said coach herself, Culdee, his crew, the guard, all of us!"
Mr. Richards frowned. "This doesn't make any sense. How can there be a crash that everyone heard echoing down the mountain when there's no wrecked aftermath to be found?" he asked.
"It could be a ghost!" said another man.
"Preposterous!" another man said. "There's no such thing!"
"Then how else can we explain the crashing sound but no wreckage?" the second man retorted.
No one had a response.
Edward had overheard. He looked up at the mountains.
"I wonder if Godred has returned to his old puffing grounds..." Edward whispered ominously.
Present:
"No one knew what really happened. Not even us." said Wilfred. "So we didn't think much of it."
"It was similar on the 100th anniversary of the accident." said Culdee. "Only it was Ernest who heard the crash followed by a yell and yet there was no wreckage."
"I do remember that." Mr. Richards murmured.
Suddenly, puffings noises were heard outside of the shed.
"Wonder who's outside at this hour." Eric commented.
"Uh… no one." Culdee said nervously. "Eric, we're all in the shed."
Everyone froze. Even Patrick looked a little nervous.
Mr. Richards ran out of the sheds and ran to the station platform. He looked both ways of the standard gauge line but saw no engine coming. He checked his wristwatch and frowned. He returned to the sheds.
"There's no engine on the standard gauge line." he said. "So it must be here."
"But we're all in the shed!" exclaimed Alaric.
"Then we'd better go investigate." Mr. Richards said firmly, hopping into Culdee's cab. "Come on everyone!"
"Are you sure sir?" Alaric asked, taken aback.
"Yes. I want to know who's messing around the line at this time of night." he said firmly.
"Oh very well then." Patrick sighed.
And one by one, all 7 engines left the sheds and puffed down the line. First Culdee, then Ernest, Eric, Wilfred, Shane, Alaric, and Patrick leading up the rear, albeit reluctantly.
They all puffed down the line as the sky grew dark. Everyone looked around as they tried to spot anything out of the ordinary.
"This is ridiculous." Patrick scoffed. "We're all on a wild goose chase at this point."
"Patrick please keep your mouth shut." Eric said in annoyance.
"Do any of you see anything?" Mr. Richards asked.
"No sir. But whoever made that puffing noise seems to be getting farther from us." Ernest said.
"We're getting closer to the mountain." noted Shane.
The 7 engines made their way up the hill.
"Hopefully we can catch whoever's causing all these strange events." said Wilfred.
"But what if it is Godred's ghost?" Alaric asked.
"I don't know. But I guess we'll have to see." Mr. Richards replied.
They passed Devil's Back as they drew closer to the summit.
"Whoever's messing around won't have more room to go since they'll be trapped by the top station!" said Eric.
"Good!" Patrick huffed. "Then we can put all this ghost nonsense to bed-"
Suddenly what sounded like a loud scream followed by a crash echoed through the air. All 7 engines jumped as they braked to a halt.
"What was that?!" exclaimed Eric.
"It sounds like someone crashed!" said Shane.
Mr. Richards jumped out of the cab and peered over the mountain.
"I don't see any smoke." he said. "We'll back track-"
"LOOK!" Culdee suddenly shouted.
Mr. Richards looked up and his face went pale, followed by all 7 purple engines.
There in front of them all was a faded engine. He was purple with gold stripes. And like Ernest, had a black boiler, top of his tanks and nameplate. But what stood out was the number 1 on his side tanks.
It was Godred. He stared coldly at his fellow engines.
"It's… Godred…!" gasped Alaric.
"It's his ghost!" exclaimed Wilfred.
"It… it can't be…" stammered Patrick. "G-G-Ghosts aren't real!"
"Then what do you call that?!" snapped Eric.
Godred suddenly whistled loudly, his whistle echoing around the mountains in an eerie echo. He then began to puff forward, his eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched.
"Hey hey hey don't come near us until you calm down!" Culdee shouted.
"I don't think Godred wants to listen to us!" said Alaric.
Mr. Richards rushed back into Culdee's cab. "No point in talking to him if he's not in the right mind to listen! Everyone back down the mountain!" he ordered.
Without hesitation, all 7 mountain engines quickly raced down the mountain, while also making sure they didn't derail and end up like the ghost in front of them.
Godred stared at them all before he vanished into the night.
None of the engines stopped until they made it to the bottom.
"That… was a close one…" Alaric panted.
"I had never been so scared in my life…" Shane wheeshed.
"I never thought I'd be so scared of Godred ever…" said Wilfred.
"Well that spirit didn't look so eager to see us." Culdee grunted.
"Patrick? Are you ok?" Eric asked.
Patrick managed to calm down. "Not necessarily," he replied. "I always thought ghosts were a myth and yet the one of this railway's one dead engine suddenly appeared in front of me."
"Do you think we disturbed Godred?" asked Alaric.
"It's possible." said Ernest. "We do travel up and down his line a lot. Even if it is part of our jobs."
"So… what do we do now?" asked Shane.
Mr. Richards climbed out of Culdee's cab. "I'm not sure Culdee. Never before have I ever experienced something like this before…" he sighed. He looked at his watch again. "Regardless, I think you should head back to the shed and I should head back to my house. It's very late. We'll discuss this tomorrow."
The engines all murmured in agreement as they puffed away.
The next day, the engines were back to work taking passengers up and down the mountain and any goods around the line.
But even while they tried to distract themselves with their work, they couldn't help but think about what had happened last night, especially since they felt like Godred could come out at any moment. Even the oldest and wisest like Ernest and Wilfred were a little skittish.
Eric was pushing some trucks to Skarloey Road. He then heard a loud noise.
"Gah! It's Godred!" Eric cried.
But it was only a light tower in the distance.
"Oh… nevermind…" the CFR's Number8 muttered to himself as he continued on his way.
At the summit, Shane Dooiney was waiting for the passengers inside the cafe. He looked back nervously in case Godred was coming up the summit. Then he heard a crashing noise.
"Ah! He's back!" he cried.
"Who's back?" asked the stationmaster.
Shane looked over and saw what had really caused the crash: a porter had lost control of the luggage cart and it hit a metal flower part, knocking it over and shattering it.
"Uh… nothing sir." Shane sheepishly replied.
At Kirk Machan, Patrick was taking on water.
"Bust my boiler this is just so messed up…" he said to himself. "Godred's back from the dead and scaring the living daylights out of us…"
"Seems as though that Number 1 engine isn't really learning like you did." his driver commented.
Patrick was puzzled. "Whaddya mean?" he asked.
"Well I learned how you used to be like Godred back in the day from the Railways Series books." he said. "You were reckless and arrogant back when you were Lord Harry."
"But unlike Godred, you actually learned sense." his fireman added, moving the water pipe away from Patrick's tank. "You listened to the engines' words and became less conceited and more prone to common sense. You became a better engine."
"Godred could learn a thing or two from you if he were still alive… and not trying to scare us all." his driver said as the crew got back into the cab.
Patrick pondered his crew's words as he got back to work.
That evening, the engines and Mr. Richards were talking about Godred's haunting.
"There has to be a way to stop Godred from hus haunting." said Mr. Richards. "The question is what?"
"Well we have to think of something. Otherwise the people that live and visit here will avoid our line like the plague." said Ernest.
"Does anyone know how to do an exorcist?" asked Eric.
"We're engines Eric." Alaric deadpanned. "What about the vicar?"
"He doesn't do those." Mr. Richards replied.
"How do the standard gauge engines usually deal with ghosts?" asked Shane.
"Usually the wisest engines like Edward talk to them or something." said Wilfred.
"So talking to Godred is our only option?" asked Alaric.
"Well our line can't access the Magic Railroad to get help from that Lady engine since it's a standard gauge one." Culdee pointed out. "So I suppose it's our only option."
"So who's gonna go?" asked Mr. Richards.
The engines all traded glances. But before the likes of Culdee, Wilfred, or Ernest could speak up…
"I'll do it."
The engines looked over at Patrick in shock.
"Patrick? YOU wanna confront Godred?" asked Culdee.
"You of all engines?" Alaric asked.
"But why?" inquired Ernest.
"I was like Godred when I first came to this railway. But after my accident, you told me about him and I vowed to do better. And I did." Patrick replied. "I can relate to Godred back when he was alive. He may need someone who learned common sense."
The engines were surprised and impressed.
"Wow… that's actually pretty brave of you Patrick." commented Shane.
"You all gave me a chance to redeem myself so I could stay on this railway and I didn't waste it." Patrick smiled. "It's time I return the favor."
"You did that when you rescued the climbers." Culdee pointed out.
"That is true… but this is about an engine I used to be like before I changed." Patrick said. "And hopefully I can change him to. I may be taking a big risk, but it is necessary."
"You're a brave engine Patrick." Mr. Richards smiled. "But be extremely careful."
"I will sir." Patrick promised.
Nightfell soon came upon Sodor.
Mr. Richards was asleep in his house. And all the engines were asleep in the sheds.
All except Patrick. His crew agreed to accompany him up the mountain. After lighting his fire, the CFR's Number 6 puffed up the line towards the mountain.
Patrick puffed down the line looking from side to side, making sure Godred wasn't gonna jump him out of thin air.
Eventually he went up the mountain. His destination was drawing nearer as he went up higher and higher.
Patrick stopped at Devil's Back. "Driver? Fireman? I think it's best I go crewless from here." he said.
His crew were surprised.
"Why?" his driver asked.
"Because if Godred tried to do anything to me, I don't want you two to get hurt." he replied. "If you don't see me or hear anything bad, call for help."
"You're a brave engine." his fireman said as he and the driver got out. "But please be careful."
"I'll try…" Patrick said.
Patrick's crew stood beside the station as Patrick went up the track.
Patrick soon stopped at the spot where Godred had derailed and fell. He looked around the area. Truth be told, Patrick was feeling pretty scared. But he knew he had to be brave for his friends. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"I know you're here Godred." he said.
No response. But the air seemed to grow colder around him.
Then, he began to hear puffing noises. Patrick looked around to spot the source. They began to grow louder. And then, he heard a loud whistle he didn't recognize. But he did hear it from the night before. Thankfully it was less echoing and eerie than before.
Patrick stood his ground as the puffing noises came near him.
And there, he appeared. It was Godred.
He stared at Patrick coldly, his eyes menacing, teeth clenched, and his steam cold as ice.
Patrick was nervous but he looked down, knowing that his friends were counting on him. He took a deep breath again and stared back at Godred.
"Hello Godred. Never thought the day would come when we would meet face to face since you crashed the same year the railway opened." he said.
Godred was silent.
"Not sure if you know this, but I used to be like you back in the day. I was arrogant and reckless, taking risks and not listening to the others." Patrick went on. "But when I did, it actually helped change my life for the better. Including learning your story."
Godred hissed steam.
Patrick tried not to flinch. "Look… what happened back then was on you. Everyone on Sodor knows your story thanks to the books." he said. "You shouldn't be mad at the railway for what happened to you."
Godred scowled at Patrick.
"L-Look I know you were sorry for not listening to Mr. Barrane and the others and wanted another chance. But finances were different back then and you were damaged beyond repair." Patrick said. "There was nothing they could do. And besides, haunting the line isn't gonna accomplish anything. You're scaring all the engines and passengers when none of them did anything to you."
Godred began to puff forwards. Patrick stood his ground.
"Godred listen… I know that for over a century you had to deal with the pain of what happened to you." Patrick said. "And I just wanna say that… you're forgiven."
Godred stopped moving, his expression changing from menacing to surprised.
"The others and I spoke before they fell asleep. And we think enough time has passed since your death." Patrick said. "You did seem regretful of your actions after your accident. And I hope this will help you feel better. We're sorry if we disturbed you. But I hope this can help you be at piece. Leave for the afterlife or don't, but please don't haunt us again. We don't want to share your fate."
Godred was silent as he stared at Patrick.
"And I think you know you don't want that to happen either." Patrick added.
Godred was silent as he contemplated Patrick's words. His expression was now sad and guilty. He looked back at Patrick for a moment… before he disappeared into thin air.
Patrick stared at the spot where Godred disappeared. He managed to smile a bit as he puffed backwards down the line.
He arrived at Devil's Back where his crew were waiting.
"How did it go?" asked his driver.
"I think we're gonna be ok from now on." Patrick replied as his crew climbed on board.
And Patrick set off for home.
The next morning, Patrick was the last to wake up as the engines got ready for work.
"So did it work last night?" Eric asked. "Is Godred gone for good?"
"Well he didn't try to hurt me. So something must've stuck with him." said Patrick.
"Still it was a very brave thing you did Patrick." said Ernest.
"Indeed. We appreciate what you did last night." smiled Culdee.
Patrick smiled back. "It was the least I could do. Godred just needed some guidance from someone who used to be just like him." he said.
And with that, Patrick puffed away.
Later Patrick was taking passengers up to the summit. He felt content as he climbed the mountain line.
Suddenly a loud whistle was heard, causing Patrick to screech to a stop.
"Who's whistle was that?!" exclaimed the guard.
"I didn't blow mine that loud, I swear!" said Patrick.
"Well whoever blew it had a good reason. Look!" said his fireman, pointing ahead.
Everyone looked and saw a large branch on the line.
"Good grief, it must've fallen from the mountain! If we had kept going we would've derailed!" said the driver.
The driver, fireman, and guard climbed out to move the branch.
"I wonder who whistled so loudly to warn us." said the guard.
Patrick then looked behind him and saw a familiar purple engine down the line. He gave him a smile before fading.
Patrick smiled. "I think I know." he whispered to himself.
While Godred's ghost never made any appearances to frighten the engines, staff, or visitors again, many have a feeling that he's still among them. But the engines, especially Patrick, know he doesn't mean any harm. He's now finally being useful.
Even as a spirit.
Sora watched Godred's ghost disappear and Patrick move down the line. He turned to the fourth wall.
"Godred and Patrick were similar in the beginning, reckless, arrogant, thinking they knew better. The differences were that Godred never listened and it costed his life. Patrick did and got a new lease on the line, and a new name. And he was forgiven. And it seemed as though that was all Godred needed to move on... well, at least move on from haunting. It's never too late to be forgiven, whether you're alive or a ghost..." he said with a smile.
(Thomas and Friends Seasons 1-7 end credits theme plays)
CAST
(In Order of Appearance)
Sora - Haley Joel Osment
Culdee - Eddie Glenn
Nia - Yvonne Grundy
Old Slow Coach - Jules de Jongh
Godred - Kerry Shale
Ernest - William Hope
Earnest - Robert Gauld-Galliers
Wilfred - John Hasler
Shane Dooiney - Keith Wickham
Mr. Barrane - Stephen Tobolowsky
Bloomer - Christopher Awdry
Eric - Joe Millis
Patrick - Neil Crone
Alaric - Steven Kynman
Catherine - Teresa Gallagher
Mr. Walter Richards - Kerry Shale
Thomas - Joseph May
Mr. Richards - Neil Crone
Edward - William Hope
Additional voices:
Grey DeLisle
Rob Paulsen
Pendleton Ward
Hope you all enjoyed the first Halloween story! I'll see you in the next one!