Evening came and all the engines were rushed off their wheels. At the Dieselworks, everyone was very tired.

"I 'aven't moved loads that 'eavy in years," moaned 'Arry.

"My axles and coupling rods are sore," groaned Bert.

"At this rate, my engine will overheat again," agreed Derek.

"I just want to get some sleep," yawned Dennis.

Diesel 10 clashed his claw. "What are you complaining about? We haven't had this much work in a long time. Call yourselves lucky."

"But this much work isn't good for them," Den protested.

Dart agreed. "What 'e means is that extra work causes extra wear and that can lead to a breakdown. At this rate, if one of you needs repairs, what will the Railway come to?"

Diesel 10 growled.

Suddenly, there was a popping and a spluttering, and Diesel rolled into the Dieselworks making awful noises. "What happened to you?" asked Norman.

"Absolutely nothing," Diesel groaned. "I'm just-" But he got no further. With one big cough, Diesel's engine gave out.

"You see now?" sighed Den.

"This is what we we're talking about," added Dart. "Now, we're down one engine."

"Not exactly," said the Dieselworks Manager. "I heard from the Steamworks that the mess is almost clear and some of the engines will be back at work tomorrow."

"Does this mean Kevin will have to go, Sir?" asked Den.

"'E's been a big 'elp to us," said Dart.

The Manager sighed. "I'm afraid so, but at least Kevin can stay one more night. That means it will be easier to repair you, Diesel." Diesel tried to smile, but Diesel 10 frowned.

Later that night, Diesel 10 was still awake as Kevin and the workmen carried out Diesel's repairs. During their tea break, Diesel 10 rolled closer. "How much longer until you're fixed?" he whispered.

"They say I might not be ready until morning," Diesel whispered back.

Diesel 10 clenched his claw. "The Manager said those puffballs at the Steamworks will be back at work tomorrow. We can't let that happen. Something must be done."

Diesel groaned. "Why don't you have that Splatter and Dodge help you? They told me they used to work with you."

"Those little traitors can't do anything right," Diesel 10 growled. "Fine, if you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself." Just then, the workmen came back. Diesel 10 yawned; his claw clashed; sparks flew. "Oh my, I'm off to the Sheds. Good luck with your repairs, Diesel." Diesel 10 rolled up to the Sheds and slowed down. "But they don't know which sheds I'm going to," he muttered to himself.

"Boss-erm-Diesel 10?"

"Is there something going on that you're not telling us?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah"

Diesel 10 knew those voices. He looked to his right only to find Splatter and Dodge beside him. "Quiet," he whispered, "you'll give me away."

The two small diesels didn't like the sound of that.

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah, what?"

Diesel 10 grinned deviously. "You're very clever, you two. Very clever, indeed. Very well, I'll tell you, but if you tell anyone else or do anything to stop me, you'll be very sorry." Diesel 10's claw creeped closer. Splatter and Dodge whimpered. "You see, no one cares about us diesels as much as they should. It's those tin kettles that get all the attention. I mean, look at the state of the Dieselworks. So, I've been sending Diesel on some special errands for me. I mean…'us.'"

Splatter and Dodge gasped.

"You made him crash those trucks?"

"Both at the Steamworks and Tidmouth Sheds?

"Quite right," chuckled Diesel 10. "With the steam engines trapped, we have been taking more of their work. Everyone is seeing how useful we are, including the Fat Controller. Soon, not only will the Dieselworks be repaired, but we will have better jobs than we've ever had before. Everyone will see how great we diesels are."

The Twins didn't like the sound of that.

"But it's too much work for just us."

"Den and Dart said we'll need more repairs."

"Just look at Diesel."

Diesel 10 clenched his claw. "That doesn't matter. When the Dieselworks is repaired, it will be easier for Den and Dart to fix us and if we need help, the Fat Controller can always find more diesels on the Mainland. Diesel's breakdown is only a small inconvenience. I'll take care of the next accident myself." Diesel 10 creeped closer. "And remember, try anything and you rattle traps get what you deserve." And Diesel 10 slid away quietly so no one else would hear him.

Splatter and Dodge watched from the sidings.

"I wish we could do something," muttered Spatter.

"We have to do something," said Dodge. "This isn't right."

"Uh, but what about Diesel 10?"

"What about Diesel 10?"

"He said-"

"Exactly." Suddenly, Dodge felt something very different; he felt…cross. "All Diesel 10 has ever done is say things to us, scare us and order us about, but has he ever done anything to us?" Splatter was surprised; neither of them had ever said so much at once. "This isn't good for any engine, steam or diesel. We can't let him get away with this. I'm going to do something about it. What about you?"

Splatter was still worried about Diesel 10, but he could see his twin was determined. "…All right, let's do it." And with that, the two diesels roared away from the Dieselworks.

Splatter and Dodge secretly followed Diesel 10. They rolled as quietly as they could and were careful not to follow too closely. Diesel 10 raced towards the other side of the island with Splatter and Dodge sneaking along behind.

Finally, Diesel 10 arrived at the Shunting Yard. He slunk into the sidings, trying not to be heard. Then, he stopped. "Perfect." Diesel 10 rolled up to a line of heavy trucks and slowly pulled them away.

Splatter and Dodge watched.

"What is he doing?"

"Causing another accident, I'm sure."

Diesel 10 hauled the trucks to Knapford Sheds.

The two small diesels looked on.

"He's going to trap those engines now. What do we do?"

"I have an idea, but we have to move quickly."

Diesel 10 stopped and went to the other end of the trucks, cackling to himself. "One more accident, one more day and at last, everyone on Sodor will know the value…of diesels." Diesel 10 buffered up and started to push the long line of trucks faster and faster.

"…STOP, DIESEL 10!"

Diesel 10 jumped. Splatter was racing directly towards him. "WHAT?!" He applied his brakes, but he didn't see the points had been switched to a siding.

Then, there was a bump from behind. "This ends here, Diesel 10!" It was Dodge.

"I order you to stop this foolishness!"

But it was too late.

With the heavy trucks pulling him into the sidings and Dodge pushing from behind, Diesel 10 screeched along the rails with sparks flying everywhere. The trucks bashed the buffers and derailed and because Dodge was still pushing, Diesel 10 came off the rails too.

Diesel 10's claw clanked; he was cross. "I told you rattle traps not to interfere!"

"Yes, you did," said Splatter.

"But we chose not to listen," grinned Dodge.

Diesel 10 growled loudly. "Now, you-"

"What is going on here?!" The three engines looked and there was the night Foreman approaching them.

"It was Diesel 10, Sir," said Splatter.

"He's the one who's been causing these mysterious accidents!" fumed Dodge.

"And Diesel's involved too."

"That's right."

The Foreman groaned. "I'll telephone the Search and Rescue Centre and report this to Sir Topham Hatt first thing in the morning. In the meantime…you two keep an eye on our…culprit."

"Yes, Sir," said Splatter and Dodge together.

Diesel 10 crashed his claw. "SPLOOOOOOODGE!"

The Twins frowned.

"That's Splatter-"

"-and Dodge to you!"