Beautiful Story, Interesting To See Emily Sticking Up For Diesel, Don't Believe I've Seen This Storyline

Beautiful story, interesting to see Emily sticking up for Diesel, don't believe I've seen this storyline before.

"...are we supposed to care?" this sent me.

Keep up the great work.

TrainTober 2023: Devious

"Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't"

A storm raged fiercely out in the morning dawn.

Many engines were gathered at the Big Sheds. Emily, who was still new to the Island, sat center-stage atop the Turntable, listening to the commotion around her.

"Everyone," she spoke pointedly, "We have a serious problem. Diesel is going to be scrapped."

The Sheds fell quiet. Too quiet. An uncomfortable, deafening silence hang in the air.

"Well?"

"...are we supposed to care?" someone murmured meekly. Emily shot a glare into the crowd of engines.

"Is this railway not a safe haven engines of all creed?"

"I wasn't aware Diesel had a creed," someone grumbled. There were faint murmurs of agreement among the crowd.

"Diesel has come back to our Island multiple times over the years!" Emily continued, "He's proved himself a hard worker, and that he's dedicated to giving his all for each and everyone of us. Most of all, he's proven, time and again, that he's a changed engine!"

"But not exactly a good engine, has he?"

Emily blinked, turning towards the familiar presence of a Great Western Pannier Tank sitting at the far corner of the Shed.

"Sure, he's changed," Duck grimaced, "We all have, but that doesn't change anything about the lies he told about us -- about me."

"This isn't about you, Duck. A fellow engine is in need of help, and--"

"--Your 'fellow engine' spread nothing but lies and deceit when he first came here," The Pannier scolded, "You are more than welcome to greet him with open buffers, but understand that I won't."

"No one said you had to." Came an oily voice.

The engines jumped as a crack of lightning danced across the horizon, revealing a dark boxy figure looming at the shed entrance. With a coughing wheeze, Diesel crept into the shed, looking exhausted.

"Don't mind me," he coughed, "Had to sort out a late arrival from the storm. What were you all talking about?"

The other engines didn't reply.

"I see," Diesel sighed, "You found out too, didn't you."

Duck and Emily glanced to one another, unsure of whether to say anything.

"Well, if you want me to say my piece," said Diesel, "Here it is: So be it. I've lived a fair life. If they're going to call my number, they'll call my number and get it done with. But..."

An oily grin, worn-out yet wily as ever, formed on Diesel's lips. Duck scowled at the sight of the devious look in his eyes, bringing back bad memories for the Great Western Engine.

"Let's just say, you all have more than enough incentive to keep me around."

The uproar was ferocious. Engines whistled and yelled, many cursing out the oily wreck standing at the shed entrance until it was silence by a Great Western whistle. Duck eyed the other engines, her gaze on them as stern as it was on Diesel.

"What sort of incentive?"

Diesel chuckled. "Oh, a little parting gift. You'd be surprised, but for all the time I've spent on your railway, I've been privy to some of the most interesting of tales. Tales I'm sure many of you would love to keep out of the public eye."

"Are You Blackmailing Us?!" Gordon spluttered.

"I'd call it more of a barter, really," Diesel smirked, "In exchange for my silence, and the destruction of any and evidence I have of such scandalous encounters that would besmirch quite a few fellow famous engines, all I ask in return is a place on this wonderful railway."

The engines huddled together, conversing quietly over whether Diesel could be trusted to keep his word. At last, Emily spoke up.

"We would be more than happy to have you with us," she answered.

"Excellent, I'll let--"

"--Provided you keep your word." put in Duck.

"Of course," said Diesel smugly.

"That means no lying, no tricks, and definitely no talking to the Troublesome Trucks."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Good," Duck replied, and she looked out to the horizon. "Storm's clearing up. I best be off. I shouldn't keep Alice & Mirabell waiting."

Duck set off out of the shed, only to be stopped by the cough of a devious diesel.

"One more thing," he grinned, "I assume there will be a deputation with the Fat Controller, to let him know where the engines stand on the matter, yes?"

"--Diesel is a hard-worker. He's dedicated beyond a doubt, and more than willing to put others before himself. He's Responsibly, Reliable and Really Useful. And most of all, he's..."

The Fat Controller stared. "He's...what, Duck?"

Duck coughed, feeling herself gag a little at the thought of her next words. "He's a better shunter than me, Sir."

The Great Western Engine stared as the Fat Controller fought to compose himself.

"Is everything alright, Sir?"

"Of course, Duck," he smiled, "It's just... did you and the others not know I was already intending to purchase Diesel from the Other Railway?"

Traintober: [Deleted Episode: Always Watching]

"The Arrival"

[October 31st, Sodor, Whistling Woods, Killdane]

Edward made his way through the dark and foggy forest, the sun had been going down as he passed through Cronk, now it seemed darker than ever. Edward didn't really mind, he found travelling during the dark hours quite calming due to the lack of trains at this time.

He did however mind the fog, it made it difficult to see. He did have his lamp, and there weren't any trains scheduled but all the same.

His mind wandered back to what Henry had told him before he left the sheds, to "keep an eye out for anything strange." which to be perfectly blunt, was code for watch out for ghosts normally.

Edward had become quite accustomed to the knowledge that there were things he and the rest of the world couldn't and likely wouldn't ever understand, but what Henry had said seemed off.

He had said more, and implicated he hadn't meant spirits, but what Henry would otherwise be implying, Edward found himself skeptical. All the same he couldn't shake the thought he was being watched, not by an invisible presence, but merely something he failed to catch sight of.

Perhaps they were trainspotters? He wasn't sure.

He soon came upon the first truck, the first of many he was supposed to collect from the sidings in the woods, but this one was off.

Not off the rails mind you, but its location was off.

It was sitting in the middle of the mainline, a ways away from his intended destination, and seemed to have been tagged. . .

-

Truth be told I ran into a bit of a dilemma on whether or not to make this or not, given I've already got a post for Day 5.

But alas, I've been really eager to share this so, yeah.

Sprites and Background by PrincessMuffins, [I have only reskinned some stuff]

Traintober: Day 8 "Bird"

"They say I waddle"

[Western Region Docks, United Kingdom]

"Oi, Monty where's the eggs?" 1437 ventured. 5741 let out a long sigh, "Terrence if this about my waddle then I don't wish to hear anymore." but 'Terrence' rallied again. "No, I mean, there were a few trucks of eggs on your line that I was meant to arrange." He clarified.

"Don't know Terrence, I just got back from the coaling stage." Just then a low whistle sounded out as 517 came in with a small mixed goods. "Afternoon Montague, Terrence." She whistled to the pair. "Hey Matilda, have you seen some trucks of eggs by chance." Terrence asked.

"Mhm."

"Where-"

"A few hours ago."

Terrence grumbled to himself as his face produced a long frown, Matilda only continued to smile.

"Not entirely helpful." Montague replied.

"The truth isn't entirely helpful." Matilda replied in kind.

"The Great Western Way would beg to differ," Terrence retorted, but Matilda merely smirked and said, "The Great Western Way ALSO admonishes failures that could have been avoided. I think losing your train in such conditions would be highly avoidable."

-

Sprites and backgrounds by PrincessMuffins, CJTheCreator, tsDra90n, Amelheronemus.

Inspiration wasn't really there for this, sorry.

Traintober: Day 6 "Special Letters"

"Thomas' Special Letter"

[Vicarstown Sheds, Post-Great War]

"Are you quite sure?" asked Henry in between coughing fits, "Very." replied Edward. "Mr. Hatt's bought a new engine from the mainland."

"Hmph, probably to handle goods work." Gordon snorted as he backed onto the table and prepared to turn 'round. "Saving the real work for important engines such as myself."

Edward continued, "By the sound of it, he's requested a tank engine."

Gordon snootily looked over, "For shunting at the big station?"

"Hard to say," ventured Edward, "the new engine could very well be used on the mainline-" this suggestion was interrupted by a loud guffaw from the big blue engine.

"If thats the case," replied Gordon, "Then I'm sure this new tank engine won't last a month!"

[Knapford Junction, Afternoon]

One afternoon Thomas brought their last train to the junction, she stopped alongside Toby and his coach Henrietta. Percy was sitting on the adjacent siding. "The Fat Controller's arranged for my trains to end earlier today and for me to report to the yards later." said Thomas excitedly.

"He said the same to us. Do you know?" Percy went on, "I think something's up."

Toby looked up at the sky "Where?"

"Down here silly!" Chuckled Thomas. Toby looked at Thomas. "How," asked Toby reasonably with a broad grin, "can something be up, when its down?" "Ask Topham and his supply of-" but Thomas was interrupted by Percy's shrill and excited whistle.

"Bust my buffers, look over there!" the little green engine all but shrieked. At that moment there came a loud rumbling and several engines from the other railway ran through the station.

"Hello Jane! Hello Pug! They're friends of mine from The Mainland, but I can't place the others."

Jane whistled cheerfully in response to Percy's calls, whilst Pug gave a loud blast, and grumbled the rest of the way through the station.

"What is all this?" Thomas half-chuckled. Their driver stuck his head out of the cab and called ahead. "I suppose we'll find out if we follow 'em. Its probably a part of Sir Topham's plan."

So Thomas, Toby and Percy, followed behind the long cavalcade of engines to The Big Station at the end of the line, where the rest of the engines were waiting.

-

Sprites and backgrounds by PrincessMuffins, SplendidEngine02, etc

Rando FNAF AU FazFact:

FazFact 1: The Current Location’s Management had to reverse Mike’s firing after it was revealed that a third party was involved in The Animatronics' tampering they had accidentally sent the slip to the wrong location.

Traintober: Day 7 "Refreshments"

"A Piece Of Cake"

[East Sodor, Skarloey Railway]

The crane had gotten to work picking up fallen branches and debris from the rails and surrounding infrastructure as Peter Sam approached.

The two exchanged a greeting, before Peter Sam inquired about the strange wooden box sitting propped against the fence.

"Mr. Hugh says this old shack is useless now, likely to be dismantled once we clear it away."

Peter Sam gave 'the shack' a once over, and noticed something odd about its appearance and its underside, or what was left of it.

"That's not a shed. . .thats an old coach!"

A low snore came from the old coach, she hadn't been awoken by the noise. . .somehow.

All the same Peter Sam now had an idea, and he couldn't wait to share it with Mr. Sam.

"Erm, Rusty do you remember how those two clergymen and Manager recovered that saloon coach last week?"

The little diesel cocked an eyebrow, but it didn't take long for them to catch on to what Peter Sam had in mind.

"Yes, if you think its a good idea, I'm sure Mr. Hugh wouldn't mind the challenge." the little diesel replied.

Mr. Hugh gave a thumbs up, as if to punctuate Rusty's sentence.

-

Sprites and backgrounds by PrincessMuffins, CJTheCreator, Swiftwin4ds, LeatherBootlace, etc

[Sorry for not crediting you initially CJ.]

Not much to say here, I wasn't feeling all that inspired here and I'm sure that shows. Then again college might have something to do with it.

I'll try to have more instore for the next two.