FanFic:Sodor Academy Part Nine: May

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Previous Part: Part Eight


The eighth part of Sodor Academy, a Thomas the Tank Engine fan fiction.


Story

At last, the big day arrived. It was time to test.

Victor used his engine to tow all of the students' out.

"Wouldn't want an explosion inside the workshop," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "It's happened before!"

All were lined up on the testing track, in order of size:

  • Percy's saddle-tanked shunter
  • Toby's Tram
  • Thomas's E2
  • Rosie's USA Dock Tank
  • Diesel's 08
  • Duck's 57xx
  • James's L&YR 27
  • Edward's Furness Railway 4-4-0
  • Donald & Douglas's 812s
  • Emily's Stirling Single
  • Molly's Claud Hamilton
  • Henry's Black 5
  • Gordon's A3 Pacific

Sir Topham Hatt and Victor stood ready, with several railway officials.

"You will be testing your engines today. These are symbols of you skill, hard work, and determination. All of your engines are excellent. I am very proud of all of you."

Percy's engine was first.

"Don't worry," said Thomas. "I've seen you work on it. I bet it's better than Gordon's!"

Percy smiled and walked over to his engine.

Thomas cheered him on as he put his engine through its paces. Everyone was impressed by its ability, and several railway officials were writing rapidly in their notebooks.

Toby went after Percy. No one was surprised to see that Toby did perfectly.

Next, it was Thomas's turn. "This should be good," remarked Gordon. Percy, Edward, Duck, Emily, Toby, and LAdy were cheering for him.

Thomas got into the cab. He stoked the fire, set the reverser forward, and opened the throttle.

And nothing happened.

Puzzled, Thomas closed the throttle, and opened again. Still nothing.

Sir Topham Hatt looked worried. The railway officials were whispering amongst themselves.

Suddenly, a cloud of steam rose up as the dome flew off the boiler.

"Such skills!' called Diesel.

Humiliuated, Thomas extinguished the fire and returned to his seat.

The rest of the tests went well. No one suffered the same embarrasment as Thomas. Even Diesel was at least able to move his engine.

Thomas was confused and angry. He knew that the engine should have worked. Someone must have sabotaged his engine. And he was pretty sure who it was.


Thomas picked at his lunch, which Lady had served to him on the house at the cafe. Percy, Edward, and Toby were trying to console him.

"Cheer up, Thomas," said Percy. "You've already fixed your engine. You could apply for retesting, and-"

"-lose twenty points from my grade," finished Thomas. "This shouldn't have happened. I checked my engine."

"Are you suggesting-?' asked Edward.

Thomas nodded. "Someone sabotaged my engine."

"Come on, Thomas," said Toby. "You're overeacting."

"Your engine is great!" added Percy. "The retesting penalty won't weigh that heavily."

Thomas grimaced.

"Thomas!" called Lady. "You left some books here by the shed yesterday."

"I'll grab 'em," replied Thomas.

He then returned to eating his lunch.

AS he was headin back to the academy, he realized that he had forgotten the books.

"Don't worry," said Edward. "I'll run and get them."

As Edward jogged down to the platform by the old shed, he didn't notice a man with shaved hair and burned skin sneak up behind him..


As Thomas headed back to the workshop, he heard Diesel sneering, "Well, if it isn't the brilliant engineer."

"Shut it, Diesel."

"I thought you would at least make your engine move."

"It would've, if you hadn't sabotaged my engine."

"What are you talking about?"

"The piping under the dome was gone. You pulled it out just before the test."

"I didn't!" shouted Diesel.

"You little weasel!" shouted Thomas. Percy grabbed his arm, but it was too late.

Thomas punched Diesel in the face. He fell backwards, and everything spilled out of his backpack.

Victor sprinted over. "What are you two doing?"

"He sabotageed my engine!" shouted Thomas.

"He couldn't have," said Bill Avonside. "He was helping me clean bathrooms as punishment for some stunt the other day. He was with me all morning."

Thomas lowered his fists.

"Shame on you, Thomas," said Victor. "Help him get his things up, then report to me for detention."

Dieselw as smirking as Thomas knelt down to pick up his things.

Then, he picked up an open notebook. He read:

May 13

Thomas and the blonde were down by the tracks. I think they were trainspotting. However, the blonde went into an old shed by the tracks afterwards, and didn't come out for a while.

The rest of it was filled with similar notes.

"What is this?" demanded Thomas, grabbing Diesel by the collar.

"Thomas, what did I just say?!" exclaimed Victor.

"He's been keeping notes! On me! On Percy! On Lady!"

Victor wheeled around to face Diesel.

"Why are you doing this?"

Diesel looked abashedd. "A- man- was paying me to."

Thomas froze. "A man? What did he look like?"

Diesel said shakily, "I couldn't see him very well, but he had shaved hair, old scars, burned skin, and- I think he had a prosthetic."

Thomas yanked Percy and Toby toward the school gate. "We've gotta get back to town!"


Thomas raced down to the station.

"Thomas, what's going on?" asked Percy.

Thomas didn't answer. He flew down to the shed.

Then he stopped so suddenly that he nearly fell over. Toby was lying sprawled on the ground, a bloody gunshot wound in his leg. Edward paled. Percy fainted.

"Diesel 10." said Thomas.

"Who?" asked Toby.

"Diesel 10. The criminal. That's who did this."

Toby paled some more.

"Go get a ambulance for Edward. Then run get Duck, and meet Edward at the hospital. Use your radio to keep in contact. I need all the smart people I can get."

Then Thomas walked over to the shed's door. Thankfully, it was still sealed.

"He must have left when he shot Edward," said Toby.

"He'll be back," said Thomas grimly.


Thomas eventually revived Percy, and explained everything to him. Then they went to meet Lady.

After Thomas had told Lady what had happened, the two of them went back to the shed.

"If D is trying to get to my engine," said Lady thoughtfully, "then he must have the key, and the combination."

"I've kept the key with me," said Thomas. "But I bet Diesel, that little skunk, stole it and made a copy."

Lady groaned. "I don't understand how he knows the combination."

"In any case, you won't be safe staying here," said Thomas.

"Why can't we just let Diesel 10 have whatever's in that compartment?" asked Percy.

Lady frowned. "It's the only thing keeping him from a murderous rampage. Once he gets it, what little scruples he had are gone."

"He's insane. He might go on a murderous rampage anyway," said Thomas.

Just then, the radio buzzed to life. Thomas grabbed it. "Toby"

"Edward's at the hospital. He should be fine. Duck's on his way."

"Good."

"I was looking into railway problems, and I got a call from the frieght office. Apparently, about ten trucks, apparently picked at random from eight trains, have gone missing. The signalmen have also been reporting seeing a train drawn by a non-regulation Warship diesel."

"That's him," said Lady.

"Try to figure out what's going on," said Thomas.

"Can do."

Thomas put the radio back. "Percy, you stay here with Lady. I'll run grab my engine, and we'll see if we can move Lady's engine somewhere safe."


In the hospital, Toby was scribbling down all the freight reports involving the missing trucks, while Edward examined them.

Duck burst into the room.

"I came as fast as I could."

Edward smiled. "I'll be all right."

"We're trying too figure out why Diesel 10 would steal ten random freight cars," said Toby.

"Let me see," said Duck.

The phone rang. Toby answered, talked for a minute, then hung up.

"That was the signalman. He says that there's an unaccounted-for train heading towards our neck of the woods."

"We've got to figure out what he's planning," said Edward urgently.

"I've got something," said Duck suddenly.

"All of these trains, at some point in their roster, were routed through the same town, Gretney, which," he said, leafing through his encyclopedia, "is the location of-" he froze. "A munitions factory."

"Explosives," moaned Edward. "Why did it have to be explosives?"


As Emily walked through the workshop, the lights flickered and died.

"What's going on?"

"Power failure," said Bill Avonside. "Something's wrong with the transformer outside of town."

Just then, Thomas sprinted in.

"Hi Thomas, what's up?' called Emily.

"Everyone in town could be in danger!"

Thomas raced over to his engine. Emily followed. "What's going on?"

"Diesel 10 could be trying to kill a great deal of people, including, probably, everyone at this academy."

The radio buzzed. "That'll be Toby. Could you take it?" Thomas hurriedly stoked his fire.

"Hello?"

"Emily? Okay. This is Toby. Tell Thomas that Duck's found something." The line went silent for a minute, and then Duck's voice came through.

"Diesel 10 has stolen ten trucks of explosives. He's directing them on the express line towards town."

Emily froze. "He's aiming for the academy. Everyone will be outside with the engines, and they'll be killed when the trucks reach them."

Thomas looked up. "What?"

"We've got to warn the station."


James paced the station platform. He was supposed to meet Gordon's train here, before they headed back to the academy.

Thomas and Emily arrived on Thomas's engine.

"What's the rush?" asked James.

"There's a train of explosives heading for the academy!"

James paled. "Gordon's on that track!"

"What?"

"Gordon's taking an express to the academy."

"The power's out, so we can't call the signalman," moaned Thomas.

"There's a siding with manual switch. I've got my engine, I can run and switch it so the trains won't collide."

"You'll have to hurry," said Emily.

James raced away.

"Where's Lady?" asked Thomas.

Lady and Percy ran up to the platform. Emily told them about the explosives train.

"Even if James saves Gordon, the train will still hit the academy."

"Except-" said Lady.

"Except what?" asked thomas.

"Except that Diesel 10 hasn't gotten what's in the engine. He was going to, but he shot Toby and had to leave."

"So?"

"I can distract him, and you can stop the train."

"It's too dangerous."

"It's the only chance we've got."

Thomas sighed. "Emily, can you call Victor and tell him to contact the police?'

"Sure."

There was a whoosh of steam behind them as James rattled away in his engine.

Thomas got into the cab. He watched as Percy and Lady ran to the shed. A few minutes later, the doors opened.

Thomas flexed his fingers on the throttle. "Okay. Let's see what this thing is made of."


Gordon was having a splendid run. His engine was even better than he'd anticipated. His radio buzzed.

"Hello?"

"Gordon. There's a phsycopath directing a train of explosives directly behind you."

Gordon chuckled. "Good one, James."

"I'm serious. The thing's going at least 130 kmph. You've got to highball it to the next siding. I'll be there."

"james, you're asking me to exceed 130 kmph on a rural branchline, and then come to a stop in a siding?"

"You can do it. You're the best engineer Sodor's got."

I hope so. thought Gordon.


James opened the throttle wider. He could see the smoke from Grdon's engine on the horizon.

At last, he could see the switch. He braked hard.

Gordon's engine was visible in the distance. James dashed out of his cab, and raced across the other line.

Huffing and panting, he wrenched the switch into position.


"I'm going to kill James when this is over," Gordon said to himself.

He set the reverser into full reverse, opened the throttle, and applied the brakes as much as he could. Then he waited.

With a clatter and a wheesh of steam, the train rattled into the siding. Gordon shut his eyes.

Everything went quiet. Gordon cautiously opened his eyes.

The train had stopped mere inches from the buffers. Gordon emptied his lungs and closed the throttle.

From behind him, a train of freight vans rolled by, being pushed by a large diesel with a claw.

"Diesel 10?" gasped Gordon.

Then, with a rattle and a roar, the train was gone again.


Thomas was pushing his engine as hard as he could. Lady and Percy were right behind him on the next line.

They were running out of time. They had nearly reached the academy junction, and were racing down the winding, two-track line line.

A thin line of oil smoke told him that he was close. Thomas slowed just enough to let Lady and Percy draw even with him.

The Warship was visible. Lady blew the whistle, loud and long.

A head poked out of the cab. The Warship slowed. This was the chance they were waiting for.

Thomas gritted his teeth. He jumped out of the cab, and made his way down the sideplates. Using a shunter's pole, he grabbed the coupling chain.

His engine met the Warship with a clang. Diesel 10, who had been staring at Lady, turned around. He withdrew, then returned, brandishing a gun.

Thomas deftly coupled the two engines together. Then he raced back to the cab, dodging several bullets. He set his engine on full reverse, with brakes.

Sparks flew from the wheels. Thomas leaned out the side of the cab, as Diesel 10 appeared to have gone back inside.

Then, a giant claw nearly grabbed him. He heard a maddened cry of frustration.

Lady and Percy were braking.The train was slowing. Thomas ducked into the cab, and breathed a sigh of relief. They would stop!

Then Thomas saw a brakevan. There was a slow goods train ahead, and the crew had apparently not seen the train behind. The very end of the train was on a wooden trestle over a ravine, and the engine was not visible.

Diesel 10 screamed in anger. He stood at the door. He appeared to be deciding whether to abandon his beloved creation, or to save his own life.

Diesel 10 jumped clear. Thomas did the same.

He winced upon hitting the ground.

Lady and Percy slowed the engine.

The trucks hit the brakevan, and the bridge exploded.


Thomas got up, and looked around.

Most of the bridge had been destroyed. There was no trace of Diesel 10's or Thomas's engines. Lady and Percy appeared to be safe, with their engine stopped a couple of meters away from the edge.

Thomas ran over. "Are you guys alright?"

Percy brushed himself off. "I think so."

"Where's Lady?' asked Thomas.

Percy looked around, puzzled. "I thought she was right-"

"Okay, nobody moves, nobody gets hurt," said a voice from behind them.

They all turned.

Diesel 10, his skin scorched beyond recognition, his metal arm badly dented, and his hand a bloody mess, was standing behind them. He had Lady in his arms, and was holding a gun to her head."

"Now, I know what you're thinking," he said, grinning. "How many shots did he make? Was it five, or was it six? Well, it really comes down to this: ya gotta ask yourself, 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya?"

He cackled. "Oh, wait. I just reloaded."

"Horribly quoted," muttered Percy.

"Shut it!" shouted Diesel 10, pointing the gun at him. "Come forward." Percy hesitated. "Do it or I shoot!" Percy walked forward.

"I've spent years in a prison. I've had my life, my freedom, and my sanity all taken from me. You've never suffered that sort of misery."

"I'm not going to rest until everyone in this damned town suffers the same misery I do."

"You think I'm crazy. I am crazy. But you don't think I'd shoot my own sister? You don't know me."

Still clutching Lady, he walked over to her engine.

"My father hid something very important to me here. He was such a coward. He thought he could hide things from me? There isn't anything that I want that I won't try to get."

Thomas hoped that Emily had called the police in time.

Diesel 10 turned the combination lock. Thomas couldn't see the code.

Then, he pulled out a key. He slowly pushed it into the lock.

But it wouldn't turn.

Diesel 10 frowned. He tried again. Still nothing. Growling, he wrenched it back and forth, to no avail.

Lady grabbed the gun, and slammed it into Diesel 10's forehead. She broke free of his grasp and dashed over to Thomas and Percy.

Diesel 10 wheeled around. "You're all gonna die for that. I mighta spared ya, but not now."

Thomas heard sirens in the distance.

Diesel 10 pointed at Lady, and tightened his finger on the trigger.


Surprising even himself, Thomas ran forward and tackled Diesel 10. The gun flew out of his hand.

The two wrestled on the bridge. Behind them, the sirens grew louder.

Thomas kept kicking the gun out of Diesel 10's reach. However, he was not too strong, and any adrenaline rush he had was slowly wearing off.

Suddenly, Diesel 10 grabbed the gun. Thomas kept pushed him flat on the wood, and they rolled ver and over.

Diesel 10 turned on Thomas. Thomas used the last of his strength to shove him backwards. Two gunshots rang out. And Diesel 10 plummeted off the bridge and into the ravine.

Percy and Lady rushed over. The police were not far behind.

The adrenaline was gone now. Thomas felt very tired. So tired that, when he fell back onto the bridge, he barely noticed his bloodstained chest, barely felt the searing pain . . .