"Oh man, what happened?" Aaron Z asked, rubbing his forehead. "I feel lightheaded," Aaron T added. The entire 4Town crew, along with Thomas and Carter, gathered outside the dressing rooms while Jesse and Robaire checked that everyone was alright.
"Guys, what happened to you all?" Carter asked, surveying the group.
"I saw a dark mist—and that's all I remember," Jesse replied.
"Same here," Tae added.
"Seems like we all did," Aaron Z chimed in.
Thomas glanced down, then met Carter's eyes.
"At least"It was that thing again, wasn't it?" Robaire asked. Thomas hesitated, feeling the weight of guilt.
"It's my fault—I came here, it was drawn to me, and then it attacked all of you," Thomas mumbled.
"No, Thomas, don't say that," Carter protested, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend. "It isn't your fault."
The rest of the 4Town group exchanged worried looks. "My chest feels strange," Jesse said.
Thomas recalled the glowing heart that had hovered above Tae's chest. That same phenomenon must have affected them all. "You said it's gone?" Jesse asked. Carter nodded.
"Mark gave Thomas this necklace for protection. He used it, and—I think it actually worked..."
"It worked?" Aaron Z asked, turning to Thomas. "You mean it completely got rid of it, or—"
"I believe it's gone for good. We literally saw it explode," Carter replied.
"Explode? Last time it couldn't go down with Thomas shunting him across the room, if it exploded it's probably gone for good now!" Tae said, signing in relief.
"But we should still be cautious—at least while we're in Toronto," Robaire added.
"Are the five of you still able to... perform?" Carter asked.
"I think so..." Robaire replied.
"Yeah, we better get ready; it looks like the entire school has shown up," Jesse noted, hearing the sound of the middle school outside from the dressing room area.
"You guys go on ahead, we'll join you shortly," Tae said with a smile. Carter and Thomas exchanged nods.
Yet, instead of moving forward, Thomas stopped Carter. "Huh? What's wrong, Thomas?" Carter asked. Thomas glanced down at his necklace before meeting Carter's eyes. "Do... do you think I should hand this over to them?"
"Them? You mean 4Town?" Carter tilted his head.
Thomas nodded.
"But why?"
"What do you mean 'why'? You saw what Nerraw did to Tae and everyone else! It's clearly targeting people now! I don't want my personal issues affecting others," Thomas said, then looked away. "I don't want to bring my problems onto them."
Carter grasped Thomas's shoulders firmly. "Mark gave you this necklace for a reason. And maybe you don't realize that this might be part of Nerraw's plan. Remember what Mark told us? You're essential to our dimension—that's why Nerraw targets you. Handing over your necklace would leave you vulnerable. I know it seems like it's gone, but I don't buy that. I don't want you to get hurt—especially knowing you'll be far from me for the next few months."
Thomas considered Carter's words, and he knew they were true. Nerraw might not truly be gone—and that would be a disaster if he no longer had the necklace. Carter's gaze softened. "I... don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled you're finally heading to the Island. But with everything going on, I'm terrified of you being all alone..."
Thomas was at a loss for words. He shared Carter's fear of being isolated on the Island—especially with Nerraw still a threat. Then he heard a soft sound; he looked up to see Carter in tears.
"C-Carter..." Thomas murmured.
Carter looked up, his words breaking through the sobs. "I-I... I don't want you to face any more problems. You're already dealing with so much—your engine issues and everything. I love you so much... I always had, I-.. I.. I don't-,"
Listening intently, Thomas wrapped his arms around Carter. "Carter... I promise I'll be as careful as possible. And I have a feeling that the Island won't be as barren as you imagine."
Carter nestled closer. "It better not be," he murmured. For several quiet minutes, they stood in the hallway, wrapped in each other's arms. Eventually, Carter pulled away and planted a soft, passionate kiss on Thomas. Just then, the rest of 4Town emerged from their rooms, ready for the performance.
"Were you two just out here making out the whole time?" Jesse teased.
Tae caught sight of their moment and began to giggle.
Carter pulled away suddenly with a startled gasp. "N-No!" he stammered.
"Uhhh... Are you alright?" Robaire asked.
"Yeah, it just looks like you were crying," Jesse observed.
"N-No! What makes you say that?" Carter protested, hastily rubbing his eyes—only causing his eye shadow to smear even more from the tears.
"Guys, we gotta go!" Aaron T interjected.
Robaire nodded. "We'll catch you guys in the crowd," he told Carter and Thomas.
After they parted ways, Carter glanced back at Thomas. "Man, I'm so sorry that happened," he said, turning around. "That was so not very goth of me,"
Thomas snorted softly. "I'm so flattered how much you care about me...I... I really love you too,"
Carter's cheeks flushed. "I... I know," he smiled.
Thomas noticed Carter's eye shadow was running. "Uh, um..."
Carter chuckled softly. "Yeah, my eye shadow is a total mess right now."
"Well... I got this," Thomas said as he reached into his pocket,a pocket-sized tissue box. He took a few tissues and gently began wiping Carter's cheeks and eyes, clearing away the smeared makeup. Thankfully, it came off.
"There, all gone," Thomas said.
Carter smiled. "Thanks, man," He said.
"Seriously, why do you even wear that stuff anyway, especially when it's such a hassle to keep up?" Thomas asked.
Carter rolled his eyes playfully. "Hey, I just like it. And don't pretend—you think it looks cute on me, don't you?"
Thomas blushed extremely hard because he does.
"Maybe you need to ware some," Carter said.
"I don't think that would suit me at all..." Thomas said, shaking his head.
"What are you talking about? Imagine your blue engine turning pitch black, accented with purple, black lipstick, black eye shadow, and red stripes on your boiler!" Carter exclaimed animatedly.
Thomas shook his head. "That would definitely not suit me."
Carter giggled. "I don't know—I think you'd look kinda cute like that."
Thomas blushed. He was about to say something, but then Robaire's voice blasted through, from the stage. "Pearson Middle! Who knows what's up!" He yelled into the mic.
"Cinders and ashes!" Thomas gasped, leaping in surprise—but his left leg collided with his right, and he tripped. "OOF!" he groaned as he hit the floor.
"Thomas, what the heck?!" Carter laughed.
"Ugh," Thomas grumbled while rising, then jabbed his finger into Carter's belly button, tickling him.
"Nohoho! What's gotten into you and my belly button these days?" Carter teased, playfully shoving Thomas.
Thomas grinned. "Let's go check on our friends and see what they're up to."
Carter nodded, extending his hand for Thomas to take.
Both Carter and Thomas made their way to the stadium, which was teeming with students. With 4Town performing on stage, the noise was deafening with all the "4-Townies" in full swing.
Carter and Thomas both went to fined their friends, but, it wasn't Carter and Thomas who had to search—soon, their friends found them.
"Guys! Where have you been? We've been searching everywhere!" Tyler called out as Thomas and Carter looked back and saw he and Percy.
"Oh! Tyler, where's the rest of the group?" Carter asked.
"The rest? Well, Abby's over there,gushing over Tae Young singing; Miriam and Mei are just a bit further back," Tyler pointed out, indicating Abby near the stage. "And there's Priya with her date over at the drink stand," he added, gesturing towards Priya and Shane.
"It looks like everyone's having a blast," Carter observed.
"Why wouldn't they? This is the best school dance our school has ever pulled off," Tyler replied.
"Why don't you two join them dancing?" Tyler suggested, scanning the lively crowd.
Thomas blushed. "I... I... um..."
"You guys stay here—I'll grab a drink. Want one, Tyler?" Percy offered.
"Sure, thanks, Percy," Tyler said.
"Dancing isn't really my thing..." Carter admitted.
"Not your thing? Just earlier you were going on about this, 'Silent dancing' of yours," He joked.
"Oh, shush," Carter giggled, giving Thomas a playful shove.
"You want to see some real dancing? Check this out!" Tyler declared, breaking into a wild breakdance. Thomas just stood there, blinking in disbelief.
"Dude, that isn't even on beat with 4Town's music," Carter sighed, shaking his head.
At that moment, Percy returned with drinks for him and Tyler. Seeing Tyler gyrating wildly, "Woo! So... how was that?!" Tyler exclaimed. He turned around, then saw Percy staring at him. His face went red. Percy snorted and started to laugh. Bashfully, Tyler took the drink from him, and sipped it sheepishly.
"You've got some moves, don't you?" Percy chuckled.
"Moves that were completely off-beat," Carter added with a laugh.
"Oh, shut up!" Tyler snapped playfully.
At one moment, 4 Town changed up their songs. And sang one of their more mellow songs.
"True Love"
After all, it was a Valentine's dance. They had never performed that song live before—only recorded it and put it on CDs. This was their first time singing it live. Just for Pearson's dance.
Heavy rain from my cloudy eyes
Every time you say
That isn't why I used to call you, babe
"Wait a minute... isn't that one of their love songs?" Tyler asked. "N-Not that I would know!" he stammered, his face turning red.
"It is..." Percy confirmed.
Just then, Mei and Miriam joined them. "Guys! They're playing their underrated love song, 'True Love'!" Mei exclaimed, grabbing Miriam's hand. "Come on, let's dance together!"
Tyler glanced at Percy, who smiled before taking his hand.
Thomas had never slow danced with anyone before. He glanced hesitantly at Carter. "Don't worry, Tom... I've never slow danced either," Carter said. Thomas blushed and looked away.
"But that doesn't mean we can't try," Carter continued, stepping closer. "So... shall we dance?" he asked in a playful British accent that made Thomas giggle. Carter wrapped his arms around Thomas's neck, and Thomas, albeit bashfully, mirrored him.
"Uh... Thomas, I think you're supposed to put your arms around my waist," Carter teased.
"Oh... uh... right," Thomas replied, laughing.
And so Thomas did as he was told. His face burned red, making it hard to meet Carter's gaze. "Thomas, your face is redder than your engine's running board," Carter joked, prompting a nervous chuckle from Thomas. They began dancing in sync, but suddenly, Thomas tripped, and they both tumbled to the floor. "OWW!" they cried out in unison. Laughter quickly replaced the pain.
"Oh man, that was embarrassing," Carter chuckled as he helped Thomas to his feet. They resumed their dance, and Carter joked, "Okay, let's try not to fall again!" he giggled.
'Cause you have opened my eyes and stolen my heart
You make me believe that love can be hard
And I can never survive a minute apart
You are my one true love, my one true love
My heaven above, my one true love
Thomas listened intently to the lyrics 4Town sang as he danced slowly with Carter. It might have seemed cliché, but it felt like he was getting closer and closer to Carter because of it.
Heavy rain on a Saturday
When you said my name in the saddest way
Nothing numbs the pain
You're still the light of my life
The words struck him deeply. Despite his struggles, Carter was the beacon that kept him going—even before the whole Nerraw disaster. When Thomas felt utterly alone, Carter had appeared as a friend, and now their bond had blossomed into something far more. As he'd once told Carter, it was Carter who sparked the change to everything. 'The light to his life' Like what the song says.
I drove by your house 10,000 times last year
Nobody else wanted to dry my tears
Nobody else
Nobody else, nobody else
Thomas's heart pounded as he gazed into Carter's red-orange eyes. He'd never looked at them this long before—each glance making Carter seem even more beautiful than ever. In that moment, Thomas felt an overwhelming urge to kiss him—
'Cause you have opened my eyes and stolen my heart
You make me believe that love can be hard
And I can never survive a minute apart
You are my one true love, my one true love
My heaven above, my one true love
Yeah, yeah
Nobody else
And so he did. Leaning in, Thomas pressed his lips to Carter's. Without hesitation, Carter melted into the kiss, their passion intensifying as 4Town wrapped up the song.
Eventually, Thomas pulled away, sighing as he gazed into Carter's eyes. Carter returned the look with tender affection. "I love you... I really love you, my tank engine," he murmured, resting his head against Thomas's chest.
But then a problem emerged.
Thomas's heart was still racing.
A grey hue creeped up on Thomas's skin.
"Thomas, it's okay," Carter soothed, feeling the rapid beat of Thomas's heart beneath his head. "You don't have to be so bashful." But then Carter saw it clearly—Thomas's skin was changing. He gasped.
Thomas knew what was happening. But where could he go? If he dashed toward the doors now, he might transform completely and risk hurting someone. Frantically, he scanned the room for an open space—It was either hurting everyone or showing the entire school his secret with no one getting hurt.
Then he saw his chance. Thomas bolted from Carter, weaving through the crowd and pushing aside a few kids—even Tyler, who looked visibly offended by the shove. He sprinted toward the stage and jumped onto it, struggling to pull himself up. Thankfully, 4Town had just finished their song, so his abrupt entrance didn't interrupt the performance.
Still, the boyband was taken aback. "Woah! T-Thomas, what are you doing?!" Tae exclaimed.
"Y-You know him?!" another student shouted upon hearing his name come from the boy band member's mouth.
Gritting his teeth, Thomas hauled himself up onto the stage, dashed past 4Town, and reached the center. Then, unable to hold back any longer, he turned around and—
WHEEEEESSSSSHHHHHH!
Steam burst from him as his human form gave way, replaced by his engine self. He slammed onto the stage with the force of a giant E2 locomotive, vibrating the ground so powerfully that all of 4Town was knocked to the floor.
Thomas panted as steam hissed from his engine, relief washing over him when he saw that everyone was safe.
But the problem was-
-that the entire school just saw him transform.