FanFic:Saving Sodor Part 16: Encouragement

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Previous Part: Part 15

Saving Sodor Part 16: Class 08 Encouragement

Characters: (in order of appearance)

• Thomas
• Lady
• Gordon
• Henry
• Edward
• Toby
• Duck
• Diesel

Chapter Sixteen

By now, Thomas and Lady had arrived at the yards, and were approaching Croven's Gate.

All was very quiet in the yards. The only sounds the two engines could hear were their own puffing.

"There's no sign of Diesel 10," remarked Lady quietly.

"Then we'd better check to see how the other engines are," replied Thomas.

So the two engines pulled up to the work sheds where Gordon, Henry, Edward, Toby and Duck were. They were all chatting, when they looked up in surprise to see Thomas back with Lady.

"Hi," said Thomas smiling. "Are you all okay? You haven't been attacked by Diesel 10?"

The other engines didn't answer. They were staring at Lady in silence, stunned looks on their faces. Lady was aware that they were staring at her, and felt rather uncomfortable about it.

At last, Edward broke the silence. "Thomas, this is who you went for to help us - Lady?"

"Yes. Aren't you glad of that? I knew Lady could help us, and she is prepared to. So you should be happy that-"

"Thomas!" Toby interrupted. "Lady is the engine Diesel 10 has always wanted to destroy! Haven't you forgotten that?"

"Um, well, no, Toby," Thomas replied, feeling embarrassed.

"So much for being so sure that you could find help to stop Diesel 10, Thomas!" scoffed Gordon crossly. "If he sees Lady, he'll destroy her within two seconds. You're just adding coal to the fire, Thomas!"

"Or you could say, adding fuel to the fuel tank," put in Henry. "Since Diesel 10 is a diesel engine."

"Yes, well, I really thought that you just might be able to help us Thomas!" huffed Gordon. "But you've let us all down, and now all the steam engines are doomed! Still, that's what happens when you send a silly little tank engine to try to save Sodor."

This made Thomas upset, but it made Lady cross. "No, Gordon! You're wrong! Thomas will not let us down! He was so determined to save the railway! That's why he came all the way to find me! I may the engine who Diesel 10 badly wants to destroy, but that won't stop me from trying. And I don't think I'll fail either, because I have the really useful engine, who will do whatever it takes to save Sodor, by my side."

Lady then looked at Thomas, who was still feeling offended by Gordon's remark. "Remember what you taught everyone the last time we defeated Diesel 10, Thomas; little engines can do big things."

"I do remember," whispered Thomas quietly. "But Lady-"

"But nothing, Thomas. You were so determined to prove that point the last time we battled against Diesel 10. And in all determination, you did!"

"That's right Lady, I did," remarked Thomas, his confidence growing back.

"And if you proved it once, I believe you'll prove it again! Same I know that tonight, you'll stop Diesel 10 for the second time! I believe in you, Thomas." Lady then looked at the other engines. "We all believe in you, don't we?"

Duck smiled. "You may not be Great-Western like me, Thomas, but I know you'll show that big diesel what steam engines can do better."

"Yeah, I don't think size matters," added Henry. "You may be a small tank engine Thomas, but you have a big heart."

"That's why you're a lot stronger than you look, Thomas," encouraged Toby. "That's all the strength you need."

"Do this for us, Thomas," smiled Edward. "Go ahead and show Diesel 10 that a bigger heart always defeats bigger size and strength."

Then Duck, Henry and Toby cheered in agreement. But Gordon was still not impressed. "Pah! You'd all say that because you're smaller than me! But I know otherwise, because like I said the last time we were fighting against Diesel 10; I'm a big blue engine who knows everything!"

"Then be prepared to discover that you really don't know everything, Gordon," replied Thomas proudly, his confidence finally coming back. "But don't worry. Tonight, you'll learn that little engines can do big things."

"That's the spirit, Thomas," smiled Lady. "Come on, now! Let's go stop Diesel 10!"

"See you later," Thomas said to the other engines. "I'll do my best to stop Diesel 10. But if I shall fail, I want to tell you that you are all good friends. Even you Gordon – but please don't brag about me if I should fail."

"You won't fail, Thomas," smiled Edward. "But be careful, all the same."

"We will. Goodbye." And with that, Thomas and Lady left the sheds and made their way to find Diesel 10."

"Such brave engines," smiled Toby proudly. "They will not let us down tonight!"

"No!" Henry, Edward and Duck replied in unison. Gordon said nothing. He was in fact very worried about Thomas and Lady, fearing their journey to find Diesel 10 would be their last. But he didn't feel dignified to admit his concern to the other engines.

Thomas and Lady continued to search across the yards for Diesel 10, but the big diesel was nowhere in sight.

"You don't suppose he's left Sodor?" Lady suggested hopefully, after they had been searching some sidings, only to find several kinds of trucks.

"I doubt it. You know once Diesel 10 has his mind on something, nothing distracts him. But not to worry," replied Thomas proudly. "There's nowhere he can hide from us, and once we find him, we'll show-"

CLUNK!

But before Thomas got and further, he was interrupted by a loud bang as something bumped Lady from behind, followed by a shriek of fright from her, followed by a remark in an oily voice.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the engine Diesel 10 badly wants to destroy! He will be pleased!"

"Diesel!" Thomas cried! "Let's get out of here Lady!" And together, the two steam engines ran ahead, as Diesel gave chase.

"You can't run forever! And when I catch you, I'll take you to Diesel 10! Then he'll destroy you - right after he's destroyed you're little purple friend!"

"Huh?!" exclaimed Thomas while still puffed as fast as he could. "You mean Rosie?"

"Of course! He's got her captured right now, and he's going to destroy her! And he's looking forward to it!"

Suddenly, Thomas slammed on his breaks, and screeched to a halt. Lady bumped into the back of him and stopped.

"What are you doing?" she hissed! "He's going to catch us!"

"Oh no!" Thomas cried out, pretended into be frightened. "I've run out of water."

Diesel then buffered up behind Lady and smirked. "Oh good. Now I can take you to Diesel 10!" With that, he started to push the two engines down the line.

Thomas was feeling pleased, but Lady was outraged. "Thomas, look what you've done!" She whispered, quiet enough so Diesel couldn't hear, but loud enough so that Thomas could. "Now Diesel's captured us and we're being taken to Diesel 10!"

"Well, now we'll be able to defeat him once we find him," Thomas whispered back. "And besides, if Diesel 10 has Rosie capture, then I have to save her. I can't let him destroy her, because I lo- er, because she's my friend."

All Thomas and Lady could do was be pushed up the line by Diesel and listen to him tell them what Diesel 10 would do to them.

They just hoped that what Diesel was telling them wouldn't turn to reality.