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Thomas and Friends: Parallel Lines
Bowled Over (Thomas and Friends: a New Generation)
Pipp smiled as the last note faded out. "And that's a wrap, guys!" she said. "Thanks for your help!"
"Not a problem," said the lead technician.
Pipp began disconnecting the cables that linked her to machinery hidden both above the stage and in the backstage area. "So, any changes to the plan?"
"Based on the data from the equipment we should probably slow down the cable rig slightly. I've also reworked the harness so that I can disconnect cables in case something goes wrong. There's no reason to think anything will go wrong as this kit's pretty reliable, but still better safe than sorry."
Pipp nodded. "That's great! I'll be back 90 minutes before the booked concert start so we can get everything checked over."
"No problem," the technician replied. "See you then!"
Pipp smiled as she headed offstage and checked her watch. She had a few hours to kill. Which was plenty of time for a bath and a quick stream for her followers. After all, they needed to know when to watch, right?
Pipp found that a bath was both a great way to unwind and to relax her muscles. She didn't want to strain anything, after all.
She got dressed, pulling on the dress she would be wearing for tonight's performance. It was a white sleeveless number with a yellow puffed skirt that would complement the light effects well. She also had time for a short stream.
The equipment was all set up, so Pipp simply hit the start button. "Good afternoon, Pippsqueaks!"
"Good afternoon, Pipp!" said a chorus of voices from the speakers. These were her fans, dubbed 'Pippsqueaks'.
"So great to see you all today! As I'm sure you all know I'm performing tonight in Swanage, and for those who cannot make the event in person we'll be streaming the event. The link will be posted here later. I'll be debuting my new song later- it's very close to my heart, but not as close as you guys!"
She paused. "OK, love you all so much, but I've gotta go now. See you later! Pipp Pipp Hooray!"
"Pipp Pipp Hooray!" came the reply as the stream ended.
Pipp sighed as she popped the phone down. "My diction could use some work. Right, need to check Sophie, check in with mom, and get to the stage." She walked out of the room. "Red lorry, yellow lorry, led lolly, lel- no, still not quite right."
Pipp headed out of the house and towards the engine depot where the Swanage Railway's diesels were kept. "Hello!" Sophie said, as she entered.
"How are you, Sophie?" Pipp asked, as she quickly checked her over.
"Pretty good, all things considered," the diesel replied. "Aren't you dressed a bit, well, formally for maintenance?"
"Oh no, this is just a visual inspection," Pipp replied. "Besides, I'm performing later tonight and need to look my best. And what better way than to look your best than wear something you like?"
Just then, her phone buzzed. Pipp took it out of her bag and took a look.
We have some unexpected visitors, so I have treated them to dinner at the Bridge Street Cafe. I'll be there if you want to speak to me.
Best of luck for the concert tonight.
Mother.
"Ooh!" Pipp squealed. "I love meeting new people!" She completed the inspection and headed towards the door.
"Have fun!" Sophie called. "Hopefully Charles won't do anything silly."
"He'll probably be too busy complaining about speed limits!" Pipp replied, as she exited the door. "So put your hands up high-!"
It didn't take Pipp long to find the Bridge Street Cafe. She'd lost track of the number of times she'd been here. She knew this town like the back of her hand, having lived all but the first few days of her life here. She pushed open the door and looked around.
"Good evening, Pipp," said the doorman. "If you are looking for Her Ladyship, she is over there next to the stairs for the Water Closet."
"Thanks! Totes helpful!" Pipp replied, and bounced through the room between tables, letting the beat of the music guide her movements.
At last she reached the table and spoke up to attract their attention. "Hi mom! Brought some friends?"
Lady Haven glanced up from her menu and smiled upon seeing her daughter. "Hello darling. How did it go?"
Pipp quickly figured out her mother was speaking about the practice. "The practice? Oh, it went great. We should be good to go tonight."
She also noticed Zipp, who looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her up. Pipp knew why; that was one of her dresses her sister was wearing. And Zipp had the nerve to call her a drama queen!
There was no opportunity to say anything else before Pipp spotted Zipp pulling a familiar trick. When Lady Haven's attention was distracted, Zipp took a glass of water and intentionally spilled it on herself. This was an old trick Pipp knew well. Zipp had historically used it to get out of wearing a dress.
Lady Haven, however, didn't notice. Until Zipp spoke.
"Oh bother!"
The attention of everybody else was raised, such as the three new people at the table.
"I need to get this cleaned up," Zipp said, before vanishing down the steps. Nobody else noticed, but she shot Pipp a death glare, the implications of which were obvious.
"We'll see if she's OK," one of the girls said, and both of them went down the stairs.
Lady Haven sighed. "Oh well, never mind. Accidents happen. Best of luck for tonight, my dear."
"Thanks mom!" Pipp replied. "I'd best get my stage makeup done. Those lights can be really bright!"
"I don't understand how you can step out onto stage so fearlessly every night. I get dreadful stage fright!"
"Truth be told, I do too. I find the best way to counter is to stop thinking about the music and start feeling it."
A while later, Lady Haven was making her final preparations for attending the concert. Of course she wanted to support her children in their various pursuits. What mother wouldn't? She made some slight adjustments to the gown she was wearing. "I'm not convinced now a hoopskirt was the best choice," she said to nobody in particular.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Enter!"
Zipp pushed open the door. "Mom, can we talk?"
"Of course!" Lady Haven replied, indicating to a chair. "If anything, we don't talk enough!" Her eyes widened in confusion at how Zipp was dressed, having exchanged the dress from earlier for her normal clothing. "You're cutting it a bit tight, Zara. You'll need to get dressed and have your makeup applied if you want to be at the concert on time." She stopped upon realising her error. "Sorry, Zipp. I didn't mean to use that name."
"It's OK," Zipp replied. "As for the dress, I don't find it very comfortable."
"Neither do I find a corset particularly comfortable, but sometimes we must sacrifice our personal preferences for the sake of things greater than ourselves." Lady Haven sighed. "This is something you'll need to understand for when you become Duchess."
Zipp visibly flinched when she said this. "Yeah. I don't particularly like thinking about that day."
"It's unlikely to be any time soon, Zipp. I am in my early fifties, after all. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Zipp was straight to the point. "Mom, can I skip the concert?"
It took Lady Haven a few seconds to process the request. "Why? Don't you want to support your sister?"
Zipp stammered for a moment. "That came out wrong. What I meant was I'd like to help out backstage."
Lady Haven's face softened. "Of course you can. Was that all?"
Zipp sighed. "I know I keep putting off the whole preparation thing and all that, but the truth is... I'm not ready. I don't really know who I am or where I belong in this world. How can I help others when I don't even know myself?"
Lady Haven took a seat next to her daughter, popping her skirt out of shape to avoid any embarrasment. "I think that's true of all of us. We're always learning who we are and how we fit in."
"Even adults?"
"Especially adults. When I succeeded your grandfather I was unsure about how well I'd do, or what sort of challenges I'd face. With life, we need to do our best in a given situation. That's all that matters. If you do your best, the world won't judge you for it."
Zipp nodded. "Thanks mom. I'd best get ready. I think I'll just reuse the one from earlier if that's OK. And I'll ask Thunder to put these ones backstage- a gown's not exactly practical for backstage work, if you know what I mean."
"That's reasonable," Lady Haven replied. "I just ask you accompany me in the car as far as the box."
"Of course." Zipp slipped out of the door just as Pipp entered.
"Everything OK?" Pipp asked.
"Yes, dear. Zipp would like to help out backstage tonight. I think she's still very self-conscious about how she appears in public, that's all."
Pipp nodded. "That's great! I know she prefers rock to pop, but an extra pair of hands backstage will be great!" She headed away as Argyle arrived.
"Good evening, your ladyship," he said. "I'm here to return the clothes we borrowed."
"Thank you," Lady Haven replied, as she got up. "I have an offer for you. Za- sorry, I mean Zipp wishes to help out backstage tonight. As a result, we have a spare seat in the Duchy Box. I am hereby extending the invitation to you."
Argyle looked a bit surprised. "That's very kind of you, your ladyship."
"Please, call me Elizabeth. There is no need for such formality amongst friends."
The Bentley pulled up at the arrival site, with a red carpet having already been laid out for the new arrivals. Zipp was closest to the door, and pulled it open to reveal a long line of flashing camera lenses. "Whoa. They really laid on the camera crews tonight."
"I was informed local press would be out in force," Lady Haven replied. "Thank you for dropping us off, Zoom."
"No problem, ma'am," Zoom replied. "When should I return to pick you up?"
"I shall notify you when such a thing is required."
"Of course," Zoom nodded. "Good luck, your Ladyship."
Zipp was there to assist her mother out of the car, and the pair walked forward down the red carpet to the blaring of cameras and loud techno music blasting from some speakers.
"I'm not sure the music really works," Lady Haven said. "Remember to smile!"
Just then, the music stopped, and a voice began to speak over a microphone. "And now, ladies and gentlement, arriving at the concert site, please welcome the Duchess of Dorset and Lady Zara Storm!"
An incredibly elaborate fanfare, complete with trumpets and drums began to sound as they made their way forward.
"This isn't the usual fanfare," Zipp said.
Lady Haven shook her head. "I think I know who's behind this. I shall be having a word with your father when we get back after the concert."
After reaching the backstage entrance, the pair parted ways. Zipp darted in through the doors and slid into a spare changing room, finding her usual clothes in there. She changed quickly, and then dipped back out to the door. She threw it open to ensure Sunny and Izzy could enter later and left it unlocked, before sneaking off towards the depot to prepare Charles for action.
Pipp stepped forward as the lights began to swivel around on the stage.
"Alright Pipp, you're up," radioed the stage manager. Pipp was wearing a concealed headset which allowed her to communicate with the stage crew. "How's the harness holding up?"
"Pretty good so far," Pipp replied. "Just need a second to get my microphone set."
"Understood."
Pipp adjusted her microphone, and then called out to the assembled audience. "Good evening, world! How are we doing tonight?"
There was a loud roar from the crowd, indicating people excited for a spectacular concert.
"That's great to hear. As I promised you all, I'll be debuting my new single tonight. It's called Glowin' Up. Hit it!"
The sound crew heard this, and most of the lights switched off, partly to conceal the wiring.
The stage manager got back on the line. "And we are go in three, two, one... launch. Effects powering up now."
The backing audio kicked in as Pipp took her cue.
"Used to care what they'd say, let 'em into my brain/
The lighting began to build to reveal a shimmering effect from behind Pipp's position, showing what appeared to be... wings?
"We don't fly like we used to/
Just as the music built for the start of the chorus, the stage manager radioed. "Starting harness... now!"
And on the word 'light' on the next verse, the cabling pulled back quite dramatically, timed with the effects wings flapping downwards to create the illusion of flight. Pipp glided gracefully around the stage, interacting with a variety of elements that were both physical props and projected elements.
"We got the light, we're comin' in stronger, we're in it together/
Just as the chorus came to an end, there was a sudden issue. The lights began to cut out. "Huh?"
"I'm bringing the cables to a stop," the stage manager said. "I'm encountering some fault lights with the equipment."
"OK," Pipp replied, noticing the effects shutting off.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologise for the interruption. We have encountered some slight technical difficulties, and hope to have resolved them shortly."
Over in the Duchy Box, Argyle leaned over to Lady Haven. "Is this normal?"
"No," Lady Haven replied. "Something's wrong."
She would proven to be correct almost immediately. The lighting came back in- but then the other equipment went haywire. Pipp was erratically dragged about through the air like a ragdoll, her screams being broadcast over the speaker system.
"Shut the speakers off!" the stage manager shouted. "Pipp, I'm disconnecting cables one and two."
The mechanical breakers triggered, and the first set of cabled disconnected, retracting into the ceiling with a bang.
This seemed to have no effect. In fact, it only seemed to make the problem worse. Pipp was now being flung in circles by the malfunctioning equipment. She could only assume this was what astronaut training felt like.
Moments later, a man in a green uniform appeared on stage. "There you are Su... he trailed off. "Wait a moment. This isn't the backstage exit!"
Seconds later, he got a boot to the face for his troubles, which sent him flying. "You are in violation of flying safety codes!" he shouted, as he tried to get back up.
"Pipp, I'm going to disconnect cables three and four. That should get the equipment back under control!" the stage manager said.
"Whatever you do, hurry! I'm gonna be sick!"
Cables three and four disconnected and retracted into the ceiling. The problems became noticably less violent.
"Come on! Come on! Work, you piece of junk!"
This was of no consolation to Pipp, who was still being hurled around erratically.
"Cut power to the machine! That will trigger the automatic safety mode!"
Seconds later, the cables pulled up sharply, and began to lift before stopping altogether.
"Automatic safety mode engaged. Ninety seconds until release."
This was of little consolation to the teen connected to the wiring. Owing to the way the machine had stopped, she was suspended upside down, looking back in a mixture of confusion and fright as an equally baffled crowd.
"What just happened?" asked a voice from the crowd.
One figure, however, was having none of it. The lights suddenly revealed a figure making her way across the field to the stage. "Pipp!"
"Your ladyship, you are not permitted to cross this section of the field!" said a security guard.
"I don't care!" Lady Haven replied. "That is my daughter who's in danger, and I am not leaving her hanging!"
It took a few moments for an engineer to get backstage and free up the equipment, which allowed them to lower Pipp to Earth. A doctor finished checking her over for any injuries. "No major injuries, I'm glad to report," she said. "Some very minor bruising, but she'll be physically fine."
Pipp was now a sobbing wreck as her mother comforted her. "It's all ruined!" she sobbed. "I feel so humiliated!"
"Everything will be OK," Lady Haven said calmly, as she held Pipp in her arms. "Nobody is laughing at you. It was all a terrible accident. Though I must ask what on Earth Zipp was doing to fail to notice such a failure."
"About that, your ladyship," said a guard. "We have the security footage here. It seems the problem was caused by a collision."
The three went into another room to watch the footage. They saw Zipp vanish, the two girls from the cafe enter, go into Pipp's dressing room and steal a tiara, go back the other way, get confronted by the man in green (who then smashed into the machine), and then the footage stopped.
"Those two... stole from me?" Pipp whimpered. "All that was to cover a heist?"
"Perhaps I trust too easily," Lady Haven said. "We must confront them."
"Allow me," Argyle said, who had entered the room. "I'll talk sense into them."
"Which way were they going?"
"Three engines were spotted heading away towards Norden," said another guard.
"That's the end of the line," Pipp said. "I can take you there!"
"Thank you," Argyle said. "I imagine you want to say something as well."
Pipp nodded. "I intend to give Zipp a piece of my mind." She then glanced to Lady Haven. "Are you gonna press charges?"
"No," Lady Haven replied. "For a very simple reason. I can easily replace a bit of stolen jewellery. But I cannot replace you."
Author's Note
The events of this chapter take place between chapters 8 and 10 of Thomas and Friends: a New Generation, and depict what was happening during Sunny and Izzy's heist. Some inspiration was taken from incidental scenes that occur within the movie that I chose to either cut for time or were difficult to adapt. The most difficult moment in that regard was Haven and Zipp's discussion, as the original dialogue about faking flying would not make sense in a human setting.
For those who are interested, these are the gowns Lady Haven and Zipp are wearing:
Lady Haven:
Zipp:
It's easy to see why Zipp compared herself to looking like an iced cake.
The heist sequence itself is heavily condensed from the movie; an early draft of the sequence had me intercutting between the two perspectives, but I scrapped this idea after I couldn't get the segment to flow properly.
These will be uploaded periodically, so stay tuned!
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Thomas and Friends: Parallel Lines
A Controller's Benevolence (Thomas and Friends: the Retold Adentures)
As Percy sat floating in the water, he no longer felt really useful. He felt very foolish. Not only had he asked the trucks to bump him, he had put his driver in danger as well. Not to mention the lines were slippery as well.
A familiar figure began to arrive, his blue car pulling up on the dockside. Out of it climbed Sir Topham Hatt, who seemed more puzzled rather than anything else. "Percy? Pinkie? What on Earth happened? How did you end up in the drink, so to speak?"
"The trucks pushed us!" Pinkie said. "Something about Percy asking them to push him!"
Sir Topham Hatt looked surprised. "Is this true, Percy?"
Percy sighed. "Yes sir. I wanted to see what was beyond the sign, and thought I could stop before reaching the water. I'm sorry sir." He looked down. "I'm not really useful. I'm only really silly."
Sir Topham Hatt's face was a mixture of stern-ness and something reassuring at the same time. "Now then, Percy," he said, "I will not beat about the bush on this one. It was foolish of you to ask the trucks to bump you. The trucks like playing tricks on engines, and cannot be trusted under any circumstances. I had rather hoped you knew this by now."
He paused to take a breath. "However, I do appreciate you are still new to some of the ways we do things here on Sodor, and that you have previously had a spotless record. As Controller of the line, it is my duty to assist you with learning how to do things the proper way. After all, there is right, and there is wrong. The rules are meant to help us along, and are only there for our protection. It is better to help somebody, or in this some engine, understand how to avoid repeating their mistakes rather than dispensing harsh punishments. This helps nobody."
He then turned his attention to Pinkie. "As for you, your efforts to prevent the accident should be recognised. If you hadn't reacted the way you did, the crash could have been a lot worse. The Board, to which I am beholden, does not always understand the difficult circumstances under which engine drivers work, and I shall be certain to put in a good word on your behalf. And after that, we need some cranes to get you out."
Sir Topham Hatt was as good as his word. Percy was back on the rails within the hour, and Pinkie was given a hot drink to warm her up. Afterwards, she was the recipient of a special award for meritorious conduct, and considered a Really Useful Driver.
And when Percy returned from the works a few weeks later, it is safe to say he had learned his lesson. He doesn't ask the trucks to bump him now, as he understands that working reliably is better than speed. After all, being late in this life is much better than being early in the next one!
Percy was still astonished as to how history had a habit of repeating itself. First he had had a dunk in the sea, now he was on top of a truck after having run away down a hill with a heavy train.
"This day is not going well at all," he said, as he looked around at the carnage.
The brake van didn't seem happy. "They'd only just finished the assembly work after Donald blew me to bits," he said, his face sitting on the floor and looking up in a grumpy expression. "And now you come along and blow me to pieces again! Some engines have no manners."
"Pinkie?" Percy asked. "Pinkie? Are you alright? Where are you?"
"I'm on your footplate, silly!" Pinkie said. "That was an OK crash, I'd say. No bruising or damage that I can see! Whee!"
"Apart from me being on top of a brake van and not on the rails, and bits of brake van over there," Percy pointed out.
"Well, there is that, but I prefer to think of the positives."
A few minutes later, the breakdown train arrived, being pulled by Toby. "What a mess!" he said. "Is anybody hurt?"
"No!" Percy said. "Not as far as we can tell."
Sir Topham Hatt was soon to arrive in his car, and looked at the scene in confusion. "Percy?" he asked. "How did you manage to get up there?"
"We came into the yard too quickly," Pinkie explained. "Heavy trucks and something about a sign telling us to go wheesh and crash."
"It appears some joker is swapping the signs around again," Sir Topham Hatt sighed. "It only seems like a few days since you went in the drink, but based on what I can see the blame is to be split between two things."
Daisy purred in, looking very smug. Her smug smile vanished when she saw the devastation. "What in the world?"
"Half the blame is on the trucks, who played tricks. They pushed Percy down that hill, and as such are troublesome. Troublesome trucks, you could say." He then walked over to the diesel railcar, who didn't look quite so pleased now. "You and Trixie are to blame for the other half."
"What?" Trixie said. "How could the Great and Powerful Trixie be rrrrrrrresponsible for these trucks being idiots?"
"Simple," Sir Topham Hatt said. "You both lied about taking the milk, when you hadn't. Toby had to take the milk, which meant Percy had to take the trucks. If you'd simply done as you were told none of this would have happened." He paused. "My engines do not tell lies. They work hard and do as they are told."
"It would appear that the not so Great and Powerful Trixie has made a severe oversi-"
"Oh, for heaven's sake, we're sorry, OK?" Daisy said. "We'll take the milk every day from now on. Twice a day if need be!"
Sir Topham Hatt nodded. "There's a good, erm, railcar. Whilst I am annoyed, I am also giving you two a second chance. Prove to me you can work well, and all will be forgiven. You can start by helping to clean up this mess."
Author's Note
The first of these two stories is an alternate version of Percy Takes the Plunge, which I previously adapted for the very first Thomas anthology I wrote. I received some criticism for the way I portrayed the Fat Controller, something I hope to remedy here.
The second is an alternate ending to Percy's Predicament, which attempts to fix the rather confusing bit with STH leaving Percy in place for something that wasn't his fault.
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Thomas and Friends: Parallel Lines
The Duchess and the Driver (Thomas and Friends: a New Generation)
Sophie rattled to a stop in Heywood platform, and the people onboard piled off the train. "Great job guys!" Pipp called. "We got those crystals without losing any of our own!"
"Safe to say, mission accomplished," Hitch added. "Even if we could have done without that bit at the end. But what matters is we are here now."
The crew were now on the platform, and Zipp handed the first crystal to Sunny, who had the other one in her possession. She was about to slot them together, when suddenly-
A whistle echoed through the area.
"What was that?" Salty asked.
"Don't look at me!" Rebecca said. "I'm not in steam."
Zipp glanced over to the others. "I know that whistle. But how did he get here?"
Moments later, a green tank engine rolled to a stop in the platform, towing a pair of crimson coaches. "And we have arrived, ma'am!" he said. "But I'm not sure when, as the station clock only seems to have a functioning minute hand. I know it's quarter to, but not what it's quarter to to."
Charles sighed. "Well, if it isn't Captain Boring. Finally decided to come out of retirement?"
A familiar figure stepped off the footplate. "Well, that was quite the journey," she said.
"Mom!" Pipp called, and ran over to Lady Haven. Zipp, on the other hand, approached slowly, not quite sure to make of this incident.
Lady Haven took both of them into a hug. "Thank goodness you're safe!" she said. "I've been worried sick about you two."
"To the point you'd follow us across Britain, it seems," Zipp said.
"Exactly," Lady Haven said. "Sorry I look like I was dragged through a hedge backwards, but needs must when the Devil drives. Now then, it's time to go home. I had Ray bring the special carriages fitted with sleeping quarters and bathrooms, not to mention your streaming suite, Pipp."
"Why?" Pipp asked. "We're so close to fixing the mystery!"
"What mystery?" Lady Haven asked, sounding confused more than anything else. "You vanished so fast I could only assume the worst! What about calling me to let me know you were safe?"
"Neither of us have any coverage here," Zipp explained. "Besides, these guys are our friends. We worked together to try and save the world as we know it."
"Not to mention fixing a really rusty engine and getting it running again!" Pipp added. "Normally I wouldn't do anything so mucky... unless it was for a friend!"
Lady Haven sighed. "Your friendship is truly genuine?" she asked. "In that case I cannot force either of you to go anywhere, at least at the moment. But at least explain to me what is going on, and why you took off in such a hurry without so much as a goodbye!"
Pipp nodded. "Here's the cliff notes version, mom; most machines used to be able to talk, and these crystals we have are the key to getting them back. It just so happened that one of them was put into that tiara of mine."
Just as two security officers stepped onto the platform, both in full tactical gear and armed to the teeth, a strange spluttering noise sounded down the platform. It looked like a car with rail wheels.
"Hey, look!" Porter called. "It's an old Land Rover with a roof box!"
The car ground to a stop in the platform, and Alphabittle clambered out. "And it's home, boys, home!" he proclaimed, as he stepped across the platform. His face dropped as he saw who was on the platform. "How could you do that? Shout that truly horrendous word across your software?"
"What's he talking about?" asked one of the guards, a blue skinned figure.
This caught Alphabittle's attention. His face darkened. "I should have guessed you lot would be behind this," he said. "I should have recognised you lot. You Havens have quite a lot of nerve stepping on Blossomforth territory."
"Oh, not this again," Lady Haven said, taking charge of the situation almost immediately. "What is it you want?"
Aphabittle's eyes narrowed. "I want the things your family stole from mine returned. But most of all, I want the crystals returned. The crystals that by right belong to me."
"Stole? Well, that's perhaps being rather economical with the truth, may I say, seeing as one of those crystals is actually my property. With all due respect-"
"With all due respect is your way of saying get stuffed. Well I won't. How in the world could I expect an old crone such as yourself to understand something as simple as ownership, considering what your family is built on?"
Pipp was incensed. "You can't talk to mom like that!" She spluttered for a moment whilst trying to decide on what to say next. "She-"
"Easy lady," Alphabittle interrupted. "You may want to keep your attack dog on a tight leash."
"I will not," Lady Haven replied. "Besides, you're no spring chicken yourself."
The man facing her growled. "Just give back what is owed to the Blossomforths and all will be well. Or else I may be required to use force."
"I would like to see you try," Lady Haven said coldly. "Take action against either me or my family and you won't live to regret it."
"Riddling somebody with bullets? Your family truly hasn't changed. You will give me what I want."
Both guards suddenly pointed their weapons. "Is that a threat?" asked the blue one.
"Yes, it is," Alphabittle said. "I thought it was obvious." He looked back to Lady Haven. "Your guards can put their guns away as well. That would be of no use if, shall we say, we exhausted all other options."
"This is actually a rifle, sir-" said the other guard, a figure with greenish skin.
"Not helping!" said the blue one.
"You always thought you were better just because of some battle you won long ago! Well, time for a reality check." Alphabittle smiled. "The only difference between a duchess and a thief is how you spell it."
Lady Haven rolled her eyes. "You've collectively had hundreds of years to invent an insult. Is that really the best you could come up with?"
"Err, mom, what's going on?" Zipp asked.
Lady Haven turned back to her daughters. "It's a very long story."
"We've got a long day," Pipp replied.
Lady Haven sighed. "Well, the story begins a long time ago, all the way back in the 17th Century."
"Can you speed it up a bit?" Alphabittle said. "I'm run-"
Lady Haven glared at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't realise I was done speaking." She looked back to all the others assembled. "Between 1642 and 1649, England was at war with itself. The two major powers were the Royalists, who wanted to defend King Charles' right to rule without any oversight, and the Parlimentarians, who believed that Parliament had ultimate authority over running the country. The Blossomforths sided with the King, and the Havens with Parliament. In 1646, the Blossomforths stronghold at Heywood Castle was besieged by an army under the command of Lord Bedivere Haven, one of our ancestors. His army levelled the Castle, but the Blossomforths escaped."
"So, all of this feuding over a castle?" Argyle asked. "Seems a bit silly to me."
"Silly?!" Alphabittle thundered. "It's not remotely silly! Heywood Castle had been the home of the Lancashire Blossomforths for centuries! It'd be like somebody driving up to your house and knocking it over because you held differing views!"
"It's also not the end of the story," Lady Haven said, retaking control of the situation. "After King Charles was captured and later executed, those families who had supported him were stripped of their lands and wealth, the Blossomforths being amongst them. The Blossomforths money, treasures, and lands were given to the Havens." She paused. "We have in the intervening centuries given most of the items back, but there's sadly nothing we can do about the land."
"Why is that?" Pipp asked.
"Your great grandfather sold it all to pay off debts accrued as a result of the extensive remodelling of Purbeck Manor in the early 20th Century." Lady Haven stood up. "None of which entitles you to the crystal, Arthur."
"What?"
"That crystal was given to my father by a clergyman, with the instruction to keep it safe until the time was right. He never understood what this meant, and had it incorporated into an elaborate tiara. And now it's right there, and based on what I just learned a chance to restore our world."
"Those pieces of gemstone? Pretty baubles, but nothing significant."
Sunny decided to try something. "Picture a land where the sky is so blue, a storybook land of wonder."
To her surprise, the two adults continued the phrase without any prompting. "A magical island just waiting for you."
"You know that?" Argyle asked, in surprise.
"Of course I do!" Alphabittle said. "My father read those stories to me when I was a boy!"
"And my father did the same for me!" Lady Haven said. "These crystals are somehow connected to Sodor?"
"These crystals power the magic that give machines sentience," Zipp said quickly. "And if we put them together, we think we can bring them back."
"It's be amazing to have those days back," Alphabittle said. "I only just remember them myself. "He paused. "What you waiting for, kid? Restore the Magic!"
Sunny nodded. "That I can do!" She took both crystals and placed them together, slotting the tall pointy one into the top of the wing shaped one.
Nothing happened.
"Huh?" Sunny asked, as she looked in confusion. "Something's wrong!" She lifted them apart and put them together again.
Still nothing.
"Come on! Work! Please!" Sunny didn't care how ridiculous it looked for her to be talking to a pair of inanimate objects, and tried again. And still nothing.
She put them down, her hopes crushed. "No..."
"What if we're missing something?" Izzy said. "That circle there seems like a space for something to fit!"
"I don't think so," Sunny said. "I'm so, so sorry. We came all this way for nothing."
"I wouldn't say so," Porter said. "Think of all the fun we had along the way! If anything, the true journey was the friends we made along the way."
"And I wouldn't give up so quickly!" Lady Haven added. "I have powerful allies. We can assist you!"
"And the men of Bolton Street can search through our archives to see if we have anything else," Alphabittle added.
"Maybe a song would lift your spirits?" Pipp suggested.
Salty began to cheerfully sing. "Help me Bob, I'm bu-"
"Salty, no," Sunny said. "I truly thought I could do something. I could change the world. I had a dream we could bring them back. But that's the thing about dreams. Eventually you have to wake up."
As the girl walked away, her heart crushed, Argyle looked to the others. "Looks like we'll be on our way home. Prepare your engines to move in the morning, as we can't get an available slot before then."
A pail of sadness fell over the station as the people dispersed. Only Alphabittle and Lady Haven were left after a while. "Err, Liz?" Alphabittle said.
"Yes, Arthur?"
"You know... sorry about what I said earlier. I know our families don't get on, but in the wider scheme of things this feud isn't worth it."
"I personally thought it was ridiculous as well," Lady Haven replied. "I'll arrange for the last few items from the Blossomforths to be transferred to you when I return home to Dorset."
"Thank you," Alphabittle replied, and began to make his way back towards his road car.
"Arthur?" a voice called out. He turned to look back and saw Lady Haven had moved forward a bit. "Take care."
Alphabittle nodded. "You too, Liz. You too." He continued on his way, and then started the engine of his vehicle before setting off back to Bury.
Author's Note
This chapter takes place right at the start of Chapter 13 of Thomas and Friends: a New Generation. The core prompt for this one was: what if Lady Haven followed the others away from Dorset?
Some features of this chapter are lifted from English history. Although the Havens and Blossomforths are fictional, the siege of Heywood Castle is based on a battle which occurred in Pontefract in 1648. Furthermore, many landed families sold off considerable amount of lands in the early 20th Centuries in order to pay off debts acrrued over the centuries.
The idea that Haven and Alphabittle know each other is based on a comment on a video uploaded by mlpdianne, whose work I consulted extensively whilst writing Thomas and Friends: a New Generation. In an upload of the confrontation between Queen Haven and Alphabittle, one commenter describes them as 'bickering like an old married couple'. I, however, chose to remove the romantic implications in the comment from the writing owing to the fact that there's an age gap of about a decade in this setting, and the rather more obvious example that Lady Haven is already married.
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Thomas and Friends: Parallel Lines
Heart to Heart (Thomas and Friends: a New Generation)
The convoy proceeded through the dark night on the West Coast Mainline. Traffic at this time of day was very light, so very little would be up to spot the off formation of several diesels and two steam engines being dragged along. The odd container train flew past with the high intensity lights illuminating the track ahead of them and bringing some light to the otherwise purpetual darkness. Zipp still wished they would at least turn them down when going the other way. If they weren't careful they'd blind somebody, and this could cause an accident.
It was fairly dark on the mainline when Zipp realised they would have to stop.
"Guys, Charles' fuel warning light has just come on," she said over the radio. "We need to stop for fuel."
"Got it," Argyle replied. He sounded grumpy, and Zipp knew precisely why. She herself was deeply regretting her actions earlier that day.
Zipp picked up the radio and switched channels. "33021 to control, requesting access to fuel line, over."
"Control to 33021, Wolverton has capacity for refuelling. Line is set for you to go there. Out."
After a few minutes more had passed, the cavalcade pulled into Wolverton depot, with Charles being positioned next to the fuel pump. Zipp shut down the engine and activated the radio again. "Hey, Pipp, could you get Sophie fired up? I'm feeling pretty wiped out."
There was no reply. Zipp slipped down from the cab and attached the pipe into the fueling port. She then walked over and started the pump, the familiar rumble of diesel fuel being pumped into an engine being clearly audible. The refuelling process would take a few minutes to complete, so that at least gave her a chance to self reflect.
A few seconds later, she heard footsteps approaching, and figured she knew who that was. "Engine problems?"
Pipp didn't reply until she was closer. "It's not a problem with Sophie. It's a problem with you."
Zipp sighed. "I know. Go ahead. Scream at me all you want. I deserve it."
"Wait, what?" Pipp sounded confused. "This isn't like you! Normally this would lead to a fight!"
"Not today," Zipp said. "Partly because I'm not in the mood, and I've spent some time thinking about the last few hours."
"There's a first."
"Hilarious," Zipp replied. "But the whole situation with the tiara, and the crystal... I've been feeling guilty about it the whole way here. And I know it sounds hollow, but I want to apologise for how I acted. I broke that bond of trust siblings are supposed to have."
Pipp's response surprised her. "It's OK Zipp. I know we don't agree on everything or get along on all topics."
"You can say that again," Zipp interrupted.
Pipp chuckled briefly at this. "But what made you keep that all hidden?"
"I thought you would think me crazy," Zipp said, who had never thought she would actually be forgiven for what she had done. "I mean, travelling across country to collect together crystals that power some sort of magic that allows machines to be sentient? That sounds like the plot of a fantasy movie you'd find on Netflix. And the idea that your tiara just happened to be one of those crystals would probably seem even more ridiculous."
Pipp laughed. "I would never think you were crazy! We grew up around Non-Faceless Vehicles, remember? Two of our family members are NFVs! None of it is silly to me at all!" Her face fell. "What concerns me more is that you didn't speak to me. If you'd just explained the importance of the crystal I'd have happily given it to you!"
"I know," Zipp sighed. "I guess I'm just not good at asking for help when I need it. Not least from my own family." There was another pause. "And I need to make it up to you. Argyle mentioned to me we are heading north somewhere. Once we get the other shards, restore the magic, and return to Swanage, I'll appear on one of your streams. You can even give me a makeover if you want!"
Pipp looked stunned. "But you hate getting makeovers!"
"And you hate having things taken from you. Consider us even."
Pipp looked over at something beginning to rise. "Look, Zipp! Over there! In the distance!"
Zipp looked over to see light. "Is that what I think it is?"
"The sun," Pipp smiled. "You know what that means, right?" She paused in her speech. "A wise man once said that the sunrise would mark a new beginning. And he was right. It's a new day. A chance to start again on a clean slate. So let's put this behind us and complete this mission."
Zipp nodded as the fuel pump beeped to indicate refuelling was complete. "Friends again?"
"Of course!" Pipp answered, and took her sister in a hug. "We may fight and have disagreements, but there's is one thing that will never change. Even if you irritate me to heck and back, I will never cease to love you."
Zipp knew exactly what she meant. "Thanks Pipp. I needed that." She paused. "Up for some driving?"
Pipp nodded as she broke the hug. "I'd be more than happy to. But based on the other engines we'd best drive gently, as the others seem to be asleep."
Zipp glanced back, seeing the sleeping figures of their friends on some of the locomotives. "Sure looks that way. Fancy being at the controls as far as Crewe? Based on my guesses we should be there by morning. Izzy may even give us a cooked breakfast if we're lucky."
"You are aware those are super unhealthy, right?" Pipp said.
"Come on, a bit of bacon won't hurt you every once in a while," Zipp said jokingly.
The two sisters boarded their respective engines and headed off for the main line. Life often goes in strange directions, but it's ultimately the bonds between those we love that bring us home.
Author's Note
Like many fans, I was a little surprised when Pipp suddenly dropped her hostility towards the rest of the crew during the film. It felt as though a scene was missing, and on rereading Thomas and Friends: a New Generation I found I had made the same error. This scene is a speculative look at what such a moment could look like, as well as take a look at sibling relations.
A point of English: When Pipp refers to love, she is speaking in terms of the Greek concept of Philia, or the affection siblings feel for one another.
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Thomas and Friends: Parallel Lines
Honesty is the Best Policy (Thomas and Friends: the Retold Adventures and Thomas and Friends: More Tales from Sodor)
It was complete and utter havoc at Knapford Station. The passengers had turned out from the cafe in droves, and were swarming around the ticket booth like angry bees.
"WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK!" shouted one.
"WHERE IS THE SPECIAL COACH?" shouted another.
"IF I WANTED SHODDY SERVICE AND NO TRAIN I'D HAVE GONE TO BRIGHTON AND TRAVELLED ON SOUTHERN RAIL!" shouted another.
"THIS IS A BAD RAILWAY!" shouted one and all.
The booking clerk retreated from the noise. "Excuse me just a moment," he said. He then went to make a phone call.
In the distance, Donald looked on glumly. This mess was his fault, and there wasn't much he could do. Bon-Bon and Douglas had already taken off with his tender, leaving him and Lyra with Douglas' tender in the hope of deflecting the blame.
A few minutes later, Sir Topham Hatt arrived and glanced about. The crowd from the station were there as well, still looking cross.
"As you can see," Sir Topham Hatt said, "the coach is not here. It appears to have vanished into the ether, as I cannot see it." He turned to Lyra. "Tell me, Lyra, have you seen the coach?"
"No sir," Lyra replied. "I have not seen the coach myself."
"But then why are you with Number 10?" Sir Topham Hatt asked.
"Bon-Bon needed some cover, so I agreed to it." Lyra was aware the excuse was flimsy but had no other option.
"We'd better find the coach, and the foolish engine who shunted it," said a passenger. "We should teach him a lesson he shall never forget."
"Or she will never forget," said another passenger. "The chances of the engine being female are approximately 50%."
"Are they?"
Donald knew this witch hunt would continue no matter what was said, and said possibly the hardest thing to say in that situation. "It was me, sir."
"Donald!" Lyra hissed.
Sir Topham Hatt looked in surprise. "It was you what?"
"I shunted the cooch into the wrong siding with the others," Donald said. "I wasn't concentrating on my work at the time, as my mind was occupied."
"No wonder this railway is a mess!" said a passenger.
"SILENCE!" boomed Sir Topham Hatt. "Now then, Donald, as you were saying."
"I was worried either me or Douggie would get sent away," Donald continued. "We chose to escape together with our drivers as we're twins, and the alternative wouldn't have been pretty."
"What do you mean?"
"Put bluntly, sir," Lyra said, "one of them would have been scrapped, and one of us would be out of a job so to speak. We couldn't bear the thought of that."
"Douggie and I are the only surviving members of our class," Donald added. "We're literally all we have left for each other."
Sir Topham Hatt was stunned, as were the passengers. "Allow me to extend a formal apology," he said. "I had no idea the situation on the mainland was so bad. But why didn't you tell me what was going on?"
"We thought you wouldn't believe us," Lyra sighed, hanging her head.
"At least we have that cleaned up," Sir Topham Hatt said. "Do you two think you can find our passengers a coach?"
Thomas the Tank Engine returned to the National Railway Museum after a long run. It had been a challenging day, to say the least. Not only had they run down a hill without crashing, they had also found an engine stranded in the forest, one whom everybody had seemingly forgotten about over the past 50 years or so.
But Thomas was conflicted in his boiler. Part of him felt that he should tell the others about the existance of Green Arrow, as that way they could work together and get him back into working order. But another part of him was worried. He knew that on Sodor things would work differently. Sir Topham Hatt would never scrap an engine, especially one who was completely unable to move and without any hope.
But this wasn't Sodor. The people on the mainland did things differently around here, and there was no guarantee that things would turn out so well if he spoke up. It was gnawing at him as to what to do, not least he was worried about that A4 who was causing trouble up and down the East Coast Mainline.
"What should we do, Twilight?" Thomas asked. "Should we speak up about him, or try to work on him ourselves?"
Twilight was silent for a moment. "I'm asking myself the same question, Thomas. I'm concerned the news would reflect badly on them, and we could suffer ourselves. That was pretty reckless, what we did."
There was another pause. "But if we don't speak up, a scrap dealer could find him."
"And he's the last of his kind," Thomas finished. "What would Billington do?"
In that moment both of them decided what had to be done. Both of them moved forward to find Spitfire, who at the time was working on Flying Scotsman. "Hey, you two," she said. "Have a nice run down to Heighington?"
"Well, we found something out there," Thomas said simply. "Near Shildon there's an engine in the woods, and he's unable to move. He may be in danger?"
"I think he said he was a V2?" Twilight said. "Either way, I and Thomas think he'd be a valuable asset to the National Railway Museum's operating fleet."
Spitfire's eyes widened. "A V2?" she said. "I thought those were all scrapped! Not only would an engine like that be really useful for our operations, it would fill a pretty big gap in the preservation pantheon. I'll send a recovery train out tomorrow so we can bring him back."
Spitfire was as good as her word. The next day, Green Arrow was drawn back into the shed, after having received stabilisation work to ensure he was safe to move. "Thank you, Thomas," he said. "It seems there are nice humans after all."
Thomas smiled in return. "Honesty is the best policy, after all," he said.
Author's Note
These two portions of story, although extensions of stories written more than a year apart, developed from a similar idea; what if a character had simply told the truth?
Several elements of the Donald segment are inspired by lore taken from Island of Sodor: it's People, History, and Railways and fantheories surrounding the Scottish twins. The other segment is a similar sort of idea.
The story will continue tomorrow, as two figures have a much-needed talk.
