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mythicalsanctuarysodor · 6 months

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The Adventure Begins

The Island of Sodor and the north western railway, the sun was shining on a mid-spring day, the rivers were running and the birds were singing. Through a tunnel of track ran a thundering galop before emerging from the end pulling a passenger train was horse-human chimera cheering “Express coming through!” He ran fast along the track with the pounding of hooves rhythming against the ground, he bellowed a mighty horse neigh signalling he was coming through, then again when he saw a work colleague passing him by on the opposite track. He ran past stations and up a steep hill and then down the other side cheering as he raced down.

The smallest odd looking human chimera working on the railway was Edward, an old mustang stallion centaur that was working the shunting yard at Knapford station. He was busy shunting and pulling coaches and cargo, he was just putting a flatbed away when he heard Gordon the large centaur exiting the yard. “A goods train, a goods train! Oh the shame of it, oh the shame of it…” He sulked as he passed the elder with the number 2 on his flank. “Oh come now Gordon, it can’t be that bad.” Edward said. “To be fair Edward I can’t imagen him griping at anything else.” A transparent pale man said from beside the tracks the number 2 was standing on, holding a rope that was attached to the horse chimera. Gordon ignored the man’s comment and continued trotting along. “Yes Edward, it is. I am a very important stallion. Thankfully I won’t be pulling goods trains for long, not after the new person gets here.” Gordon responded. Edward though was surprised. “New person?! What new person?” Edward asked attempting to follow after Gordon but his hitch hadn’t yet been undone, so he was jolted to a stop before the pale man undid them and then Edward quickly cantered forward to follow the bigger centaur.

“Haven’t you heard? Sir Bertrum said they were getting someone new. The last one they got was much too small with the fragile stone body.” “But I’m not small!” A centaur with his lower half made of solid black onyx and a horn sticking out of his head said as he came into the yard along a track that was covering Edward and Gordon’s paths. Both blue stallions planted their hooves hard into the dirt while pulling the brakes on their carriages and managed to not crash into the number 5 or his train. Gordon groaned as he glared at the new-comer. “James…” he hissed with his ears flat. “I might not be as big as you Gordon, but I’m bigger than Edward, and there’s nothing wrong with being made of onyx ither. And I am also the only unicorn here.” James said. “Unless you crack and break of course. Now do please move, you’re in my way…” James moved for Gordon and watched as he left. “I don’t break, I’m just as strong as you!” but the big blue stallion was already out of earshot.

After a while Gordon was on the mainline track as he approached the big hill and had trouble pulling his train over it. His hooves slipped on the sleepers as he tried to get his footing again. He groaned and strained but eventually got stuck and applied the brakes, giving up in a tiered groan as he stood on the track. His jockey looked confusingly from his carriage and locked its breaks on before hopping off and walking up to his work college. “Gordon? What is it?” the jockey asked. “I can’t do it, those noisy trucks hold a stallion back. If they were coaches, now that would be different.” The centaur stated.

The jockey sighed and pinched his nose in frustration, it was clear this didn’t faze the jockey but that didn’t make it all the more annoying. “Well to bad for you, they’re not coaches and their not just going to disappear into thin air for you just because you can’t be bothered. You need to muster some strength and keep trying, the fat controllers aren’t going to let you drop this job because we’re too far in now.” “Hmph! I’d need a banker then.” Gordon said crossing his arms. “Ugh… fine, I’ll get in touch with Sir Stephen. I’ll let the breaks off and you start heading to the bottom.” The jockey patted the centaurs hip and walked back to the van. “Are you going to do anything to make this up to me Harper?” Gordon asked his jockey. “I was thinking of inviting you to a lazy night tonight since we’ve both had a busy day, no need to moan.” Harper called back.

Back at Knapford station, the controllers of the railway endearingly called “The Fat Controllers” had a glass sphere glow and vibrate on one of the desks. A man tsked in annoyance from being distracted from his paperwork before answering it by tapping the crystal ball. “Hello?” he asked. “Hello Sir Stephen, it’s Harper. Gordon has come to a stop on the hill, we may need some help.” “I see… have you exhausted your options yet?” “Kind of hard to have options sir. He stopped half way up the hill, we’d need to head back to Knapford in order to gain enough speed, and knowing Gordon, he only reserves his speed for the express.” “Oh dear… well, I’ll get Edward onto it soon, hang tight.” Sir Stephon ended the connection and was about to stand up when another man at a desk peeked up to see what was happening. “Stephen? What’s happened?” the man who looked nearly exactly like Sir Stephon asked. “Nothing grandfather. Gordon has just stopped on the hill.” “Stopped on the hill? He’s an express stallion, he should have no problem getting over the hill.” Another man at a desk said. “Unless he wasn’t going fast enough.” The prior said. “Yes, that’s exactly what happened. Apparently he ‘only reserves his speed for the express.’ Harpers words not mine.” Sir Stephen said. The three stout men groaned. “Honestly Charles this is what I was worried about when you said you got a stallion like Gordon.” One man said. “I know father but we’ve all been somewhere dark in our lives before, Gordon is a proud stallion, so it will just take longer for him to… mature, in the right sense.” “Ironic you telling me that son.” The man who was apparently Sir Stephen’s grandfather said. “You haven’t reached there yourself grandfather.” Two of the three men laughed at the comment.

Bertrum checked his watch and realised they had been standing chatting long enough. “Well we need to go inform Edward he has to bank Gordon up the hill, I shall be back in a second.” “No, I could honestly use a break. Why not pay a visit to the old friend?” Charles said as he also stood up to follow. “Wait for me you two.” Stephen commented. “Okay I believe we’re all going then…” Bertrum said shaking his head fondly at his immortal family. “Alright Hatt’s, let’s move.” Sir Charles said following everyone out the door. When the Hatt family walked out onto the yard they greeted Edward with warm sets of hellos. “Hello Edward, I’m afraid Gordon needs your help.” Sir Bertrum said. “My help sir? Are you sure?” Edward questioned. “Do you expect me to pitch in as well sir? Because I can only assume it’s something to do with the goods train he was pulling.” The pale man quizzed. “Hopefully not Zorran, if Gordon pulls his weight as well.” The eldest Hatt told. “Okay sirs, I’ll do my best. Jockey?” Edward asked as he looked to Zorran. “Yeah, yeah, I gott’cha Eddie.” The ghost grinned petting the centaurs hip before mounting him and the two set off for the mainline. When they arrived at the hill Zorran hopped off Edward and floated over to Harper who was at the bottom signalling Gordon backwards. “‘Elo, Top Hat. Found yourself in a mess?” the pale spirit asked the other fellow jockey. Harper sighed tiredly at the old name and stopped Gordon backing down the hill. “Unfortunately Zorran. And here I was thinking when I was younger and naiver that Frank and Eddie were the most stuck up people I would ever meet.” “I’d say look in the mirror, but… you know.” “Glad to see your humour hasn’t changed over the last fifteen years. Now, onto real issues. We going for the standard approach?” Harper asked. Zorran clicked his tongue and checked the size of the train. “Yep, three stamps on the rails and then we go.” “Wonderful, see you at the yard later.” Harper waved and then floated up the slope to Gordon to tell him the plan. Zorran doing the same back over to Edward. “Alright ol’ boy, standard approach.” “Brilliant.” Edward said as Zorran mounted him again.

Harper climbed back onto the carriage and held the reins tightly then giving them a flick. “High hoe Gordon!” Harper shouted and the stallion proceeded to stamp his hove twice on the rail making a harsh clang as horse shoe meet with rail. Edward copied the action with three stamps then a high horse cry as he began to push with Gordon calling out from up front and trying to pull up the hill.

Gordon slipped a few times on the sleepers causing him to fall back and a sudden weight being shoved onto Edward, but the old stallion kept pushing. “Oh please Gordon, try!” Edward pleaded. “Come on Gordon this is a cake walk for you!” Harper encouraged. “I can’t do it!” Gordon shouted as the continued to climb. “I will do it!” Edward cheered as he continued to push. “I can’t do it!” Gordon shouted again as he continued to slip. “I will do it!” Edward cheered as he stomped his hooves hard into the ground for traction. “I can’t-” Gordon was stopped half sentence when he realised he was at the top of the hill and just beginning to get over the other side. Zorran and Harper using their levitation abilities to make the train less heavy for the centaurs. “I’ve done it! I’ve done it! Haha! I knew I could to it!” Gordon cheered in hara when he thundered down the other side. “Seriously?” Zorran questioned in annoyment when he watched the train move on. “Not even so much as a thank you? Hmph!” Edward nickered.

When Edward got back to the yard to sort the trucks and coaches he was confused when he heard a voice he had never heard before, he listened in as James talked to them when the new voice mentioned they were from the mainland to which it clicked to Edward. “The fat controllers new worker!” He gasped then backed up to where James was on a siding, when the blue stallion stood next to his work colleague he was surprised by what he saw.

It was a boy centaur standing there. He was covered in a teal full piece set of clothes down to his hooves leaving only his long tail with a fur tip to be seen, he had a heavy blanket over his back and a large head piece over his forehead that was buckled down like a complicated bike helmet. He had black hair and bright blue eyes, and if his tail was to go by, he presumably had blue fur under the suit.

The new centaur was confused when he saw Edward staring at him in shock. “Um… hello? What’s the matter? Do I have soot on my face?” Thomas asked as he whipped his face. “No, no… it’s just, well… you’re not a big colt, or even a stallion.” The boy seemed to grow upset at this as he scratched his front hooves on the ground and wiggled his ears in frustration while crossing his arms. “Yes I am!” the foal defended. James chuckled. “Hehe, no you’re not.” “Well I was big enough to pass my tests on the mainland.” The small blue colt said slowly trotted off, not really wanting these older centaurs company.

Edward tried to back track as he didn’t mean for that to come across as an insult. “Wait! Wait! All I meant was, you’re not as big as I am, and I can assume you’re a unicorn if your muffler is anything to go by.” Edward said while looking to all the mufflers around the young lads hidden horn.

“I may not be as big as you, but I’m very hard working.” A deep horse cry along with a thundering of hooves cut the young colt off as a cloud of dust from rubble Gordon kicked up entered the yard. “Hahaha! And who are you?” The big burly stallion asked in a judgmental tone down to the little colt. “I’m Thomas.” The young foal said. “The new centaur!” Edward said as he watched Gordon’s expression turn into one of finding this a joke. “Oh dear, I believe the fat controllers made a terrible mistake. I think they were expecting someone really useful.” Gordon said smugly. “I am really useful.” Thomas said while flicking his tail in annoyance. “For fetching coaches, perhaps. If you stick around long enough you might see me pulling the express, that will be a fine sight for you- Ow!” Harper flicked the reins from the carriage so they smacked Gordon in the face. He hopped off the carriage and came up to Gordon to pull him by the lead.

“If I hear one more remark like that Gordon you will find yourself pulling nothing at all for the next week.” The man gritted before sighing and looking to Thomas. “Terribly sorry about him young man, sometimes his ego is too big for his shoes. This is Gordon, and I’m his jockey Topham Harper, but everyone calls me Harper.” “I’m Edward, and this is my jockey Zorran.” The old stallion said looking up to his partner. “Nice ta meet ya squirt.” Zorran waved in a two fingered salute. “And I’m James.” The onyx stallion said with a bow and illumination of his horn. Thomas mimicked his stance awkwardly when they all heard a voice enter the yard.

“Hello! Hello! Hello!” “And here comes the fat-” “Ah, sir Topham Hatt’s.” Edward said cutting James off as the controllers of the railway walked into the yard. “Ah, you must be Thomas, our new colt! welcome to Sodor! I am sir Bertrum Topham Hatt. These men beside me are my descendants. My grandson- Stephen and my son- Charles.” “Pleased to meet you.” Thomas said with a smile and wag of his tail. The yard grew quiet with an awkward tension as the men expected for Thomas to continue when Edward whispered to the young colt. “‘Sir’, you’re supposed to call them ‘sir’…” “Oh, ah, pleased to meet you sirs.” Thomas corrected. “We’re very pleased to meet you to. Now, as you can see, we are very busy men, and this is a very busy railway, so we expect you to make yourself really useful right away. Edward will show you what to do, and Harper? I want you to fill in for Thomas’s jockey for the day, his boat here has been delayed until tomorrow.” Sir Bertrum said.

“Of course sir. Go have a small rest Gordon, you’ll have to take the express without me.” Harper said giving the big stallion a pet then letting go of Gordon’s lead and heading over to Thomas’s as he assumed Edward would be showing him how to buck. “Um? Sir? May I ask why we have another unicorn here? Let alone one so young?” James asked before the Hatt’s left the yard. “Ah… Thomas here is actually a very special request, I unfortunately can’t disclose why until tomorrow. For now I want Edward to show Thomas the ropes of bucking.” Sir Bertrum said. “Bucking? But I thought he was a unicorn sir, he should be able to use magic at his age.” Zorran said looking extremely puzzled. “He has all these mufflers on for a reason, he’s not allowed to use magic for the time being.” Sir Stephen said. “How odd.” Harper remarked as he took a hold of Thomas’s lead and guided him to follow Edward. “Come on Eddie, lets show the squirt how it’s done.” Zorran said taking Edward by the lead as well and walking him back to the rails. Edward showed Thomas the basics of bucking. He kicked with his back legs on a big block of wood that was around the coupling but in between the buffers of a truck. The truck went rolling a little ways and closed in on the truck behind it, when it gently tapped the other trucks buffers Zorran used his telekinesis and coupled them together. “Now you try Thomas.” Edward encouraged. “I’ll lead you to the trucks.” Harper said with a clipboard in one hand and Thomas’s lead in the other. They stopped in front of a line of trucks that needed to be pushed closer together to be coupled up. “Alright, just buck.” Harper said watching Thomas turn around and then kick hard against the truck making it crash into the others behind it with a few bits of cargo coming out. “Ohh… opps…” Thomas grimaced as he realised he bucked to hard. Harper sighed and clicked his fingers, the boxes that had fallen out being put back and the trucks being fixed up on the tracks while being coupled up.

Edward then showed Thomas how to push and pull, for this one Harper just floated beside Thomas as he was too big to actually ride on the small colt. Edward was linked up to the coupling on the coaches and slowly walked back, using his hands to hold the coaches from backing into him to quick. Once he had all the coaches together he pushed them onto the same track as Gordon. Gordon was harnessed and hitched up to a carriage that was coupled to the coaches, normally Harper would be on the carriage with the reins to drive Gordon but the stallion could break the train himself if he didn’t have a jockey with him. Thomas had untied himself from the lead that Harper was holding and actually trotted up to the front of the platform standing next to Gordon to admire the outside of the yard. When James came onto the same line he neighed loudly to tell Thomas to get off the track, the small blue colt did just that and tried to gallop out the way but was confused when he came to the signals, not knowing if he could go or not. He ended up flopping over himself before the lines crossed and narrowly missing a train that passed in front of him. Harper was quick to get him back on a lead and pulled him away from the signals. Thomas was put back in the yard and tried to get back to bucking and pulling. He crashed into a train this time face first into the wood causing the boxes to fly out of the trucks again. After Harper made sure he was okay and didn’t have a broken nose he fixed the trucks again and their cargo. When Thomas was pushing a train he accidentally went onto the wrong track and was put towards the station again. He stopped once he realized the mistake but was seen by the passengers on the platform, he was curious about a girl that seemed to fawn over him by being a- ‘pony’ but he was quickly snapped out of it when James cried out again for him to get out of the way, making the colt bolt backwards to get out of the station.

In the afternoon Thomas and Edward had taken a small break when the young colt noticed Gordon taking a rest in the yard. He as quietly as he could tiptoed up to the large stallion and when he was right next to him he cried out in a high pitched whinny as hard as he could. Gordon was startled awake, but when he heard Thomas laughing he instantly grew cross.

“Wake up lazy bones! Why don’t you work hard like me?” the young colt then cantered away, leaving Gordon to grumble as the sun set and rain clouds started to roll in. That night, Thomas was the smallest centaur in the stables. Harper guided him into the spare stall that had a big tank engine behind it and began to untie the harnesses for him. Thomas sighed as he began to unwind and relax. “I like being on Sodor Edward, I just can’t wait to pull trains.” Gordon groaned in Thomas’s direction from mere mention because of the disaster Thomas had caused everyone today. The large stallion undid his own harness in a grump since his own jockey was busy with the new comer, once it was off he tossed it into his tall fenced stall with a large tendered locomotive behind it.

“You have a long way to go Thomas if you think your even close to being able to pull trains yet.” Harper near scolded with the same expression as his centaur co-worker. “I actually have to agree with Harper Thomas, you best learn how to buck trucks and coaches before you pull any trains.” Edward cautioned as Zorran undid his harness in his own stall. “Learn how the trains are put together before you pull ‘em Thomas, the last thing you want to do is become a one trick pony that only knows how to pull trains.” Zorran quipped. “I resent that!” Gordon hissed as he knew that jab was directed at him.

“Oh do hush up Gordon, you have no room to speak after what happened today.” Harper shot down his centaur fast. “And even then, he’s too young to be pulling any big trains. And what’s the use of a unicorn if they can’t use their magic?” James asked from his stall as he clicked his crystalized fingers, teleporting his work harness off his body and onto a mannequin. “I do have to wonder that to. Why do you have so many mufflers on your horn? And… hold on.” Harper said as he took the straps and straddles off of Thomas and placed his harness on the floor, when he noticed something out of place. “This isn’t a normal blanket, this is a wing girdle.” Harper quickly undid the now discovered wing girdle. Thomas suddenly turned sheepish and looked to be upset as he began to undo the mufflers on his horn as Harper took off the girdle. “Why on earth do you have one of these on Thomas? These can cause some serious issues especially in your line of work, it restricts-” Harper was cut short when the girdle fell off Thomas’s back.

What flushed out spread wide open were a set of big blue purple tipped feathered wings, Thomas ruffled them a bit and made them flitter before folding them back down to his sides as he also took off the last muffler around his horn. Thomas wasn’t a unicorn colt, he was an alicorn colt.

All the mythic in the stables stared and gawked for what felt like hours to the young colt. He sat down and used his wings to partially hide himself in as he now looked really worried and embarrassed. “I was sent here because it’s the safest place for mythic… I was told I would be really needed here, so, here I am...” Thomas mumbled out.

Gordon was the first one to do anything as he walked over to Thomas and began to circle him. When the bigger stallion had done a lap, he stopped by Thomas’s wing and gently ran his hands down the feathers. “Hmm… your wings are like magpie ones, down to the rainbow gloss in the feathers. That gloss often means a pegasus can do magic, so I believe it makes sense that an alicorn’s feathers would be the same. And you have all your flight feathers but none of them look disturbed… have you ever actually flown before Thomas?” Gordon asked turning his attention back to the young colt.

“Um, no. I haven’t ever flown before… the people who owned me were to scared that any teacher they gave me would snitch and I would be hunted.” Thomas meekly said as he twitched his wings away from Gordon’s hand. James was the next to come over as he took a good look at Thomas’s horn. “A curved blade and blue tinting… your horn is definitely built for strong and fast attacks like an enchanted katana, but the blue tinting that’s strong at the tip then dulls down to the base means you have a lot of magic building up, and you don’t use it regularly. I can assume you’ve used magic before at least since you wouldn’t have a horn at all if you didn’t.” James observed. “I have used magic before, but I have a huge knockback whenever I use it that often causes trouble, so they keep a lot of mufflers on me.” Thomas said gently tracing his finger up the bone on his head.

“So you haven’t had a teacher for magic ether I assume.” Harper said gently petting the colts hair. “No, apparently mage unicorns are hard to find nowadays. And even then, the same reason I said before, they were scared that a teacher would snitch.” Thomas answered with his ears drooping. “Huh… say, Toppy? What do you think Magister Star could do to teach him?” Zorran questioned to his fellow jockey. Harper’s eyes lit up. “Oh! You have a good point Zorran.” Harper said with a little glee at the mention of his former employer.

“Hold on, isn’t magister a title used for a person who lead a gathering of mythic? Like how we could call the sir Topham Hatt’s magisters?” Thomas asked. “You’re correct in that assumption Thomas, magisters are titles given to well respected leaders of businesses or mythic of authority. You could call the fat controllers magisters but because their immortals they wouldn’t respond to well to you calling them that. I actually did that for a while when I first arrived.” Harper chuckled sheepishly. “Ugh, that was a weird culture shock to get over.” Zorran agreed but in a grimace as he recalled the awkwardness of his experience. “Culture shock?” Thomas asked.

“Me and Harper used to work in America for rivalling businesses, when the second war came about my magister sold us to Magister Star and after the war was over we relocated here to Sodor.” Zorran explained looking over to his work colleague. “We worked at the docks and harbours around the island for a bit before a few of us wanted to explore different careers. Sodor was known for being big on its railway so a few of us got qualified to become jockeys and now we work here.” Harper said smiling back up to the spectre as the ghoul flouted above them.

“Wow, how many of you work on the railway now?” Thomas asked as he wagged his tail and wiggled his ears in excitement. “Settle down kiddo, we’ve got plenty of time to tell you.” Just as Zorran finished that sentence a deep deer cry came from outside and what quickly bolted in and into a stall next to Gordon was a deer centaur with a jockey riding on its back. They were both soaking wet from the pouring rain and the second the jockey got off the deer shook himself dry. “Ah! Henry! How many times do I have to tell you to wait so I can dry you?” the jockey scolded his steed. “I hate being wet though…” the deer, Henry, said as he was given a towel to dry off.

Thomas had skittishly dashed into Edward’s stall and hid behind him when he heard Henry cry before he charged in. The young colt looked to Edward in a hope of an explanation. “Who are they?” “Those two are Henry and Zak, Henry is a very kind soul, but he’s a bit of a worrier. And he doesn’t like rain. Zak is both Henry’s jockey and his adopted father, he’s firm and strong, but his heart is in the right place.” Edward answered when said mythic looked to their direction.

“Hey guys, sorry about the floor. I’ll get to moping that up.” Zak said but did a double take when he saw Thomas. “Oh? Is he the new guy the fat controllers were talking about?” “He is indeed Zak, this is Thomas.” Zorran said to his co-worker. Thomas smiled nervously, he slowly walked out from behind Edward and approached the two, revealing his wings. Henry and Zak gawked when they saw that Thomas was an alicorn. “Woah! He’s an alicorn?!” Henry gasped as he walked up to the small colt and circled him a few times to get a better look, James and Gordon backed up to let him study Thomas. “How on earth did the Hatt’s afford an alicorn? Let alone find one.” Zak asked as he studied Thomas from afar.

“Apparently he’s here for protection. Sodor’s code word is Sanctuary after all.” James commented while stretching and waltzing off back to his own stall. “Wow…” Henry awed with a smile, he did a light skip on his front legs to Thomas as an instigation of play when a loud crash of thunder sounded overhead. Henry screamed and bolted into his own stall next to Gordon. Zak sighed then looked to the others. “See you all in the morning, ‘night.” He said then walking into Henry’s stall for the night. “Goodnight Zak.” Zorran said then looked to Thomas. “Are you going to be okay tonight Thomas? Maybe Edward can stay with you.” “I don’t want to bother him, plus, I don’t want to be seen as a scaredy-foal. I’m 14 after all.” Thomas smiled with his chest puffed up a bit before Edward placed a hand on his shoulder. “Believe it or not Thomas when Henry first came to the railway he stayed in my stall for a bit until he was comfortable in his own, same with Gordon, and the both of them were 13 and 14 as well. I don’t mind if you’d like a bit of company and comfort.” Edward said with a kind smile. Thomas looked decisive for a second before he nuzzled his head on Edward’s arm. The old stallion petted Thomas’s hair before he began to put his pyjama’s on.

“I can safely assume people don’t see you often without a muffler on or a wing girdle?” Harper asked as he handed Gordon his own set of pj’s. “No… the only person who’s seen me like this up until now has been my jockey.” Thomas answered. “What’s your jockey like? Since we’ve been told we’ll see them tomorrow.” Zorran asked. “My jockey mainly acts as my handler for now since he’s way too big for me to carry him, he’s a lot like my dad and he’s really caring and compassionate.” Thomas said as Edward helped him to take off his shirt since he didn’t have any pyjamas to change into. “Is he a mythic or is he human?” Harper asked. “He’s mythic.” “What kind?” James asked the colt. “He’s a fallen.” “A fallen what?” Zorran asked. “I don’t know, he’s always referred to himself as a fallen. I’ve never been able to get much more out of him.” Thomas sighed as he laid down on a mattress on the floor, Edward joining him by his side and handing him a pillow. Thomas took the pillow but rested himself under Edward’s arms so the stallion would have to rest on Thomas’s back, Edward chuckled and petted the young colt as he relaxed to ease into sleep.

“Well I guess we’ll have to see for ourselves tomorrow. Gordon? Are you ready in there?” Harper asked while knocking on the door to Gordon’s stall. “I’m ready.” The big stallion said from behind the door. Harper in a puff of red smoke disappeared and a big bat took his place, it flew over the stall walls and just like that it was out of sight.

Thomas gripped Edward’s arm in a fright, hugging him close to his body. “I didn’t know Harper was a vampire this whole time…” he shivered out. “He’s not a hundred percent a vampire Thomas, he’s half sea wizard as well.” Edward soothed the young colt. “Well if you wanna get things out the way then I guess knowledge about his new co-workers is in order. I’m a ghost, that’s obvious. Zak is a witch doctor, or shaman. Edward is a plain mustang centaur. Gordon… I think, is a shire mix breed of some kind. Henry is a forest spirit. And James is a crystal unicorn.” Zorran answered as he gradually floated higher above them to the support beams in the roof, kicking back as if he just set himself up in a hammock. “I’ll see you lads in the morning, ‘night.” “Good night Zorran. ‘Night Thomas…” Edward said before easing Thomas down to head to sleep. The young colt trilled in a soft purr, lifting one of his wings over Edward as a blanket. Edward chuckled softly before the two fell asleep.

In the morning as all the centaurs got up for the day the fat controllers came to talk to Thomas. The horse hybrids and their jockeys were eating breakfast when they heard a knock on the stable doors, Zak stomped his heel into the floor and the door magically swung open to reveal the stout men.

“Good morning everyone!” Bertrum said as they walked in. “Good morning sirs, what brings you all here?” Edward asked. “We’ve come to tell Thomas some news, oh! I see you’ve been informed about what he really is.” Stephen said when he noticed Thomas didn’t have his mufflers or wing girdle on. “Oh! Ah… I hope it’s okay sir.” Thomas said when he realised he was still only wearing his pants. “That’s okay Thomas, you’re going to be given a new uniform today anyhow.” Charles said making the alicorn smile and wag his tail. “Really?” “Hah-hah! Yes! We want you to head straight to the forge works to receive it, they will also be giving you your harness and reins and other work necessities.” Bertrum said. “You’ll also be meeting your jockey there, his ship finally arrived last night.” Stephen said.

Thomas bounced on his front hooves in a skip, he wanted to run straight out the door and get going. “Hoho! calm down Thomas, you need to still get dressed, and James will be escorting you to the forge works.” Charles said. James groaned when he heard that, and judging by the excitement on Thomas’s face the young colt wanted to get going as soon as possible. The crystal centaur sighed in defeat and got up from the table to fully get ready. “Could someone throw that out for me?” James asked as he walked back to his stall and got his clothes on, Thomas speed getting fully dressed as well.

When the two were done they were out onto the mainline and travelling down it at moderate speeds, Thomas having trouble keeping up with the stone mythic. James had noticed this but assumed Thomas would ease out by the time they got halfway, when he didn’t and the colt was still fumbling awkwardly James ran alongside him to talk.

“Thomas? Why are you running like that? You look like a sausage made of rubber with a jelly centre.” Thomas was huffing as he tried to keep up with James who had a longer stride than him, he also wasn’t as fit and had a physical deformity that made running awkward for him. “It’s not my fault, my wings are to big so when I run they offset my balance.” “Ah, I’ve heard of conditions like that, I thought they were fixed with a bit of therapy and practice.” James commented. “They are, but again, I’ve never had a teacher with wings, so I’ve never gotten physical therapy for that. And I was always kept in a close quarters room, I’ve never had space to properly run like out in a field.” “Sounds like you’ve been pretty sheltered then…” James said in an almost envious tone. Thomas decided to ignore that comment as he didn’t know whether he should be sad or insulted.

When the two got to the forge works there were a few workmen already waiting for Thomas’s arrival. James bid Thomas goodbye for now and erupted a black crystal from the earth before jumping into it in a flash of light and disappearing, the young colt assuming that was James’s method of teleporting while he trotted in.

He was told to strip down to his underwear and was given a compression suit for horses, except it had gaps in it for where his wings would go. When it was on he was given a white shirt for his human torso and then came the actual uniform he was to wear. For his human torso he was given a light blue collar shirt with a deeper blue vest over it, a bolo tie with a simple clip as the clasp, and finally a silver ring over the base of his horn but hidden by his hair.

For his horse body he was given a sturdy white leather chest piece that covered his horse torse but left the back empty for his wings, it had several buttons and clips on it for what Thomas could only assume was for his harness and reins. And last was a long blue cloth that had a number 1 on it that was clipped to his flank and covered the base of his tail.

“I gotta say that number does look good on you, almost makes me jealous.” A man from behind Thomas said as he was the one that clipped on the numeral cloth. Thomas darted around when he heard the voice and instantly lit up like a lighthouse when he recognized who the man was. “Titan!” Thomas cheered as he hugged the big burly man into a tight squeeze, using his wings to wrap around him as emphasis. “Haha! Good to see you to buddy, sorry I wasn’t here yesterday to join you, the ship I was on was delayed because of a sea beast.” Titan laughed hugging the boy back. “I’m just glad you’re here!” Thomas trilled and trotted as he snuggled his father figure and jockey. “Alright lad, calm down, we’ve still got the full day ahead of us. Why don’t we head down the mainline back to Knapford?” “Sure! How about a race?” Thomas skipped. “Why not? It’ll get you some practice in while we’re at it.” Titan said as he walked out to the front of the forge with Thomas darting around him with a glee filled smile.

Titan stopped at a line in the concrete to use as their starting line, beckoning Thomas to come over and ready up. “Alright, on your marks, get set… GO!” The two darted off, Titan floating just centimetres off the ground as he kept pace with Thomas’s awkward galloping. Titan knew they had a lot of work to do, but they had all of eternity if necessary.

Once the two got back to Knapford Thomas walked around a little bit until he found the yard and had spotted Edward getting a train ready. He neighed to get the stallions attention and when Edward saw Thomas he was very surprised by the get up and who he had floating beside him. “Edward! Look! I’m blue, I’m blue! Just like you!” “Haha! That you are Thomas. Oh! Your also number one,” the old stallion observed seeing the cloth on his flank. “Does that mean I’m the best?” Thomas giggled as he trotted in place from excitement. “Alright calm down kiddo, I’m sure it means something, we can find that out later. For now though I see you’ve already made a friend, who might this be?” Titan asked looking to Edward.

“Oh! Right. Titan, this is Edward. He showed me how to buck yesterday, and Edward, this is my jockey Titan Crescent.” Thomas introduced the pair. Titan lit up at hearing that Edward was Thomas’s first teacher. “Well hello ‘ol boy nice to meet you, thank you for being Thomas’s first teacher.” Titan said offering a handshake. Edward smiled and gently shook it, feeling flattered by Titans words. “It’s nice to meet you Mr Crescent, Thomas has told us your essentially his guardian and I must say you’ve done an excellent job, he’s such a polite yet cheeky young colt.” Edward commented with a little chuckle. “Oh dear, what has he done?” Titan grinned. “He spooked our express stallion awake when he was taking a nap, oh! Speaking of whom, here he comes into the yard now.”

The trio turned and watched as James, Gordon and Harper entered the yard. But things quickly turned ecstatic when the vampire and mystery mythic locked eyes. “No way… Top Hat?” Titan asked. “Ten Cents?” Harper questioned. The second those words left Harpers mouth Titan bolted into Harper, giving him a tight tackle hug, the vampire not even being half Titans height as the mystery mythic laughed in a hearty glee. “HAHA! Hello my old friend! How have you been? I didn’t expect you to be actually working on the railway, last I saw you, you were still bickering with Frank and Eddie. How did you get from there to here?” Titan smiled while gently putting the number 4 jockey down.

“How did I get from there to here?! Ten Cents! I don’t know if you’ve realised how big you’ve gotten! You were still shorter than O.J last I saw you, how did you get from then to now? I thought you divinely mythic aged ludicrously slowly.” Harper asked as he floated in front of the large mythic. “Oh sure fire tales for later in the eve’, I’m more excited we get to be work colleagues again.” Titan smiled. “Ah I should have known a powerful centaur like Thomas would need an even stronger jockey to rein him in, and I can’t think of a better man for the job. But honestly Ten Cents, you old dog! I didn’t think you’d be the first of us stars to have a kid!” Harper smiled looking over to Thomas.

Titan floated back over to the colt and landed back beside him. “I’d have gotten it on paper by now, but you know how the laws are, it’s been a miracle we’ve gotten this far and to this point already.” The giant man said while ruffling the alicorns hair. “Oh! Zorran and Zak are going to be so surprised! And all the others to if we get the time, they’re working at Arlesbrough harbor.” Harper informed. “We’re gonna be what now?” Zorran asked as he, Zak, and Henry entered the yard when the former rivals to Harper and Titan spotted the large mythic.

“Well I’ll be dipped! Titan Crescent is that you?” Zak gawked and having Zorran following suit when he recognised the former little number 1. “Zak! Zorran! My you two have changed, I adore how your hair looks now Zak, it looks great long. And Zorran, oh how the tables have turned ay?” Titan said walking up to them and giving them firm friendly handshakes. “I know, I never expected you to give Hercules a run for his money, but here you are.” Zorran said grasping the man’s hand in a cold icy lock.

“Say, how have the others been? Top Hat just told me they’re working at Arlesbrough harbor.” Titan asked. “Yeah, some of them are. Big Mac moved up to the Skarloey railway working as their standard gauge or as their river hauler since one travels along the railway. And Zip moved to working on the Arlesdale railway, apparently that side of the island is the gateway to its most mystic part and its entrance is heavily guarded by fae folk, so Zip got a little curious.” Zorran explained when Henry’s ears flattened and he whimpered a bit until Zak gently pet his side to calm him down.

“Are you okay Henry?” Thomas asked sounding concerned. “It seems we have a few stories to tell when we get back to the stables tonight, but for now we’d better get back to work.” Edward said as he watched Zorran float up to him then mount on his saddle. “True, we still have trains to pull.” Harper said floating back up and then sitting back down on the carriage Gordon was pulling, proceeded by giving the reins a flick. “Someone can fetch me my coaches.” Gordon said as he trotted off to the platform. Edward looked to Thomas with a bit of a sad sigh. “You’d better do it Thomas, I have to get back to my branch line, I’m rather behind on my work.” “But… I thought we were going to be working together.” Thomas said with a bit of disappointment. “We will be kiddo, just not all the time.” Zorran said with a grin. “Now! My coaches!” Gordon yelled from the distance. “Is it just me or does that centaur sound like a certain someone?” Titan smirked to the ghost. “3… 2… 1…” Zorran counted smugly before a harsh ‘thwap!’ could be heard from the station followed by Gordon yelping. “How many times have I told you to use manners?!” Harper shouted causing the quartet to snicker into a fit.

Titan waved the other pair off as they trotted down the line and guided Thomas by the reins to get to work. When they stopped in front of a pair of coaches Thomas took a hold of the coupling to pull them backwards, the carriages budged with a jolt but with the sharp movement made a strange phenomenon happen.

The coach facing them groaned with a disturbing creek making Thomas stop pulling. The coaches wood then suddenly splintered and broke, cracking and breaking into a vaguely familiar shape. Titan pulled Thomas back and grit his teeth in a hiss of- ‘uh oh’, while the young colt hid behind his leg. “Whoops… I think these ones must have been due for-” “I say, where were you taking us?” a ladies voice spoke making Titan and Thomas look back up to the coach.

In a splash zone of broken and splintered wood on the coach was a face, and a female one at that. Titan then smacked his forehead. “Ah, terribly sorry m’dears it seems we’ve given you a fright.” Titan apologized and beckoned Thomas back in front of him. “Yes you have, now, can you please tell us where we are going?” another ladies voice from the other coach says. “T-to Gordon, it’s time for the express.” Thomas says as he takes the coupling again and pulls them out. “But we’re not the express coaches.” The two coaches say in unison. “I’m Annie, and she is Clarabel.” “And the express coaches are on the other sidings.” Clarabel says gesturing over to the white and green coaches beside them.

“Oh! Uh, terribly sorry your ladyships. I’m new around here so I didn’t know.” Thomas said then pushing the two back. “Say, I didn’t know haunted coaches were even still allowed, how did you two manage to survive the restrictions?” Titan asked. “Well Sodor isn’t nicknamed sanctuary for nothing, every species is welcomed here.” Annie said. “Granted they don’t cause any trouble.” Clarabel said. “Any species huh?” Titan pondered but looked to Thomas. “Hm, well for now we’d better get the express coaches. It was nice talking to you two ladies.” “It was nice meeting you to, uh… gracious we didn’t even get your names.” Clarabel commented sheepishly. “Oh! Well how rude of us, my name is Titan, and this here is Thomas.” Titan said ruffling his boys hair. “It was a treasure meeting you! Until another day?” Annie called. “Until some other time!” Titan said as he guided Thomas to where the actual express coaches were.

The whole day was pushing and bucking, pushing and bucking. Thomas felt himself rushed off his hooves very quickly. But he enjoyed it! He was finally out and about, running some short distances up and down the yard. But he never got to fast as he would trip over his wings or they would make him lose balance. By the end of the day the steeds had begun returning back to Knapford to return their coaches and get a drink of water from the fountains.

James came thundering in and came to a sharp stop with Annie and Clarabel, his hooves dragging against the wooden sleepers and gravel balise. “Here’s James!” the crystal unicorn cheered at his arrival. “Oof! James! Careful.” Annie scolded the stallion at the sudden stop. Titan rolled his eyes, his attitude almost reminded him of Harper back in their younger years, except the vampire hybrid wasn’t as brash.

Thomas sniffed the air as James uncoupled himself from his train, the air smelt like there was a chemical in it somehow. “Do you guys smell that? Like a chemical smell?” “No, nothing out of the ordinary.” James quickly said and was about to trot away when Titan stopping him in his tracks and took a long whiff of the air. “That’s the smell of freshly cut gemstone, you never forget the smell after visiting a mine. James, I’m no expert on you’re kind but I’m very sure broken pieces of your body aren’t a good thing.” Titan confronted the unicorn. “N-Nonsense! It keeps my hooves sharp! Your exactly right! What would you know about my kind?” James seemed very offended but at the same time backed into a corner. He turned his nose away from the large jockey and walked around him to get away to work on his next train. Thomas grew worried for the unicorn but Titan shook his head in disapproval. “I can’t believe I ever had that faze, the only reason I did was because mine was justified.” Titan commented. “Huh?” “Oh, story for hopefully later tonight Thomas. I promise.” Titan ruffled the colts hair and guided him over to the fountain so he could rest.

Henry and Zak were already there taking a break, Henry cupped his hands into the water to take a drink while Zak was working on a wooden tiki. The stags ears twitched at their approaching presence and he gave a kind wave, he did abruptly leave Thomas last night after he had just shown an interest in playing with him. “Hello Thomas, Mr Crescent.” Henry gave a curt bow to the mystery mythic. “Oh don’t be so formal kiddo, it’s just Titan. Ay Zak, you still have wood carving as a hobby?” Titan said as he walked off with Zak to have an adults talk, leaving Thomas and Henry alone together.

Thomas hopped up onto the ledge of the fountain and laid down to have a rest, splashing his hooves with some cold water. “Are you alright Thomas?” Henry asked. “Yeah, just a little sore. First day of hard work I’ve ever had.” Thomas said while taking off his compressor socks and horse shoes to rub his sore feet. “Would you like some help?” Henry asked. “Help? Help how?” Henry smiled at Thomas’s question and showed that his hands lit up with a dim green glow and his eyes lighted up. “I’m a forest spirit, one of the perks of that is the natural ability to heal people.” Henry hovered his hands over Thomas’s hooves and just like that in an instant his aches were gone and his pains healed.

The alicorn colt was amazed, he didn’t know Henry could do magic. “Wow! You’re really good.” Thomas said while stamping his front hove as a test. “Thanks, I’ve had a lot of time to practice… I’m also the only healer here. Well, maybe except for Stuart.” “Who’s Stuart?” “A hybrid faun that works on the Skarloey railway, I think he can cast a little bit of healing magic, but I’ve never been in his presence long enough to tell.” “Hopefully you might someday, it’d be really useful to have more than one healer on the island.” “What about you Thomas? Do you like to practice a certain type of magic?”

Henry’s words got Thomas thinking. The young colt could still count on both hands the amount of times he’s casted magic before, and every time it caused him to have a knockback. “I guess… blasts? That’s the only magic I’ve ever casted, and it always makes me fall backwards.” Henry looked surprised at Thomas, but in a thoughtful way he peered into Thomas’s eyes. “Did you know that a magic casters first attempt at subconscious magic often defines what their style is? Mine for example was creating vines upon vines of thorns, when I panicked they started to entangle me and even began to choke me.” Thomas was shocked. “That sounds horrifying! Your own magic turning against you, how did you get it under control?”

Henry chuckled slightly. “That’s the biggest misconception of magic that non-magic casters interpret. Considering you’ve never been taught anything on magic I’m not surprised you’ve interpretated that as well. No, magic is a reflection of you right down to your mental health, it is your thoughts and ambitions. If you perceive magic as a threat it will become a threat. Going back to my first time I ever cast magic, I wasn’t in a good head space. I was getting headaches from my antlers growing in, and I was having horrible nightmares every night. And also going back to how I said a magic casters first attempt as subconscious magic often defines what type of style they use, I was showing my style with those first thorns. I specialise in plant magic.” Henry showed this off by growing a blue and white flower in his palm.

“This is a rare type of flower on Sodor only growing near the top of Culdee Fell or in the deepest parts of the enchanted forests, I was very lucky to find a sample on the Skarloey railway near Shane Dooiney. It’s called a silent princess, it was an old princess’s favourite flower back before Sodor was revolutionised by the English.” “Wow…” Thomas was amazed by the beauty of the flower, the luminescent blue in the shade catching his eye.

“I guess my very long point being, I don’t think your ill-trained in magic Thomas, I think you’re just interpreting your magic wrong.” “How?” Thomas asked. He understood it from Henry’s story but he didn’t understand it from his own story.

“Think about it. You might not have ever been told point blank that you are something powerful, but you got the inclination. Along with having no teachers for the sake of keeping you safe I can only imagen you feel like your magic would be naturally powerful and huge compared to you, which is why it comes out as a blast, you don’t think you can get a grip on it because it’s out of your experience.” Thomas looked like he had just been told the meaning of the universe, his eyes were wide with amazement as the gears in his head were turning and clicking into place.

“So… my style might be something to do with light, but it comes out as a blast because I think it’s too powerful for me?” “There you go!” “Huh… that… actually really puts my mind at ease, thanks Henry!” Thomas smiled while swishing his tail. “Heh-heh, no problem Thomas, I’m glad to have helped.” Thomas hoped up and brushed against Henry’s side like a cat, he trilled like a bird and a few short yips that sounded like enchanted neighs. Henry had heard James make such funny neighs and assumed it was a unicorn thing.

The pairs jockeys soon arrived back, ready to take them back to the stables. Zak mounted Henry and Titan held Thomas’s lead to guide him. When they arrived back at the stables Edward and Harper were setting up a dinner table and food for everyone, as they walked in the doors Edward peeked around to see them. “Welcome back you four, how were your days?” the old stallion asked.

“I got some practice in on running, that’ll be helpful.” Thomas smiled as he took off his reins and Titan taking off his hitch. “Oh that’s right, James told us you have a physical deformity with your wings.” Edward stated. “I thought you’re wings looked a little big on you.” Gordon commented. “He’ll grow into them, just you watch, he’ll be the best flyer on Sodor.” Titan said as he scratched his boys ears. “If we’re talking working mythic on the railway then he’ll be our only flyer, the only ones who can fly are me, Harper, and now you Titan.” Zorran said.

“On that note, can we discuss how you four know each other?” Gordon asked looking to the quartet of jockeys. “Remember how we’ve told you we used to work in America for rivalling boat companies? Well Titan was the number 1 on Harper’s side.” Zak said as he took Henry’s saddle off. “So you two used to be work colleagues?” James asked pointing to Harper and Titan. “Yes, I worked closely with the railroads. Ferrying the trucks and cargo around. Titan despite his species was the boat equivalent of a shunter.” Harper answered.

“Hold on, you used to shunt?” Thomas asked looking up to his father figure. “I did, though it was out on the water and I actually used the boat to do it.” Titan chuckled. “And I will never for the life of me figure out why, you could control water at the time.” Harper said. “I found human crafts rather fascinating, and to be fair you all did think I was human at first. The only person who knew was Hercules.” Titan smirked at his old colleague. “That was a surprise to find out that you were a mythic that day when it spread around the harbor.” Zak commented with a look of old surprise in his expression. “Right? And when he actually showed it off for the first time? That was the warmest and coldest I’ve ever felt in my life.” Zorran said while rubbing his arms in a chill running up his spine.

“How do you think we felt? We were there when it happened for darn sake! That absolutely pissed off expression at the hunters that he had? I never knew he could give Captain Star a run for his money until that day.” Harper said in a dramatic gasp. “It was also weird to find out you were the oldest person in the harbor although you didn’t act like it.” Zak said. “It’s a divine thing.” Titan said while grabbing himself a beer bottle from the fridge and taking a swig before handing it to Zak. “That should give it a kick.” Zak took the drink and gave a gulp of it. “Oof, yeah, that’s strong.”

“So can we maybe stop with the suspense and actually find out what you are? Even Thomas doesn’t know.” James asked while plonking his gem flank down at the table. “James, I expect this from Gordon, not you.” Harper scolded. “Oh hush up Top Hat, if I’m offended I’ll let him know.” Titan said as he removed his hat and coat, then disappearing them in a wind of ash and flame.

What revealed itself after the removal of his hat however, was the small set of horns he had just above his hair line and a gold ornament hung between them. “Oh, the crown thingy is new.” Zorran commented. “I made a plea with the higher ups and it was approved, the only condition is that I have to raise this little man.” Titan said petting Thomas’s head who was fascinated by the horns on his guardian.

“Plenty of mythic have horns though, that doesn’t exactly tell us much.” Edward said. “Alright then, this might be a little more recognisable.” Titan then had a silver rusted ring appear above his head, it floated in mid-air and followed his every twitch of his neck.

The stallions looked up and astonishment, this care giver of Thomas’s couldn’t have been implying that he was… “A halo… and Thomas called you a fallen. Of course, someone closely as powerful as him would be qualified to be his guardian.” Edward said in a realization, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Nah-ah, last I checked angels can’t have horns.” James said with a sneered frown. “Normal angels; correct. Fallen angels; no. 33 years ago when I still worked with Harper a powerful demon came to Bigg city port. I had fought him off but it left my heavenly signal very tainted, so it condemned me. My halo was shattered and my wings singed of my feathers. I sent him packing into heaven’s jail, but my divinity was lost in the process. Heaven was in a huge fuss over it because there hadn’t been a fallen angel since Satin, so I was sent to trial. I was basically given community service and a very long probation with the condition that I raise someone in the next few decades. Then I could get my divinity back.” “So your raising Thomas to get your angelic-ness back?” Zak asked. “At first I was doing just that and treating it like a job to do, but the more Thomas grew up the more I saw myself in him. So, I made it my mission to do right by him when I didn’t have that.” Titan answered. “Didn’t you act out to begin with in heaven because you wanted attention?” Harper asked. “Yeah, my older siblings were very dismissive of me and were really busy, so they didn’t have much time for me.” “You had siblings?” Thomas asked. “Yeah, Michael, Jophiel, Raphael. If you’ve heard about the bible then chances are you’ve heard of the archangels. I was the first archangel to be created in millennia.” Titan explained.

“I’ve actually read the bible, what part of god were you if you were an archangel?” Gordon asked. “Gods humanity they dubbed me, the biggest titan of titles to be had. And like humanity, I’ve struggled, I’ve messed up royally on some occasions, I’ve made progress, and more. So you can see how that mirrors my existence.” “Considering world war 2 was coming up in the next 20 years after you became burned I can see how that was a hidden message.” Harper commented. “Am I… am I really on the same level as an angel?” Thomas asked honestly looking rather worried. “Angel’s used to ride alicorns into battle, so while you’re not on the same level as an angel yet, you’ll grow and thrive into that, I’m sure of it.” Thomas didn’t look to confident at his father’s words, he hung his head low on the table with his ears drooping.

Henry trotted up and sat next to the young colt, wrapping his tail around the others back and giving him a kind smile, reminding Thomas of their talk earlier. Thomas smiled and wrapped his wing over Henry’s back, it was clear the two were growing close. Gordon peered at the alicorns outstretched wing and walked over, when he was behind the two he examined Thomas’s feathers. “Gordon, we’ve been over this. I don’t think it’d be a good idea, he needs an actual pegasus to teach him.” Harper said as he helped Edward serve the food. “What’s this now?” Titan asked. Harper sighed. “Gordon was a product of the Gresley line from Doncaster barns, he saw the pegasi being trained and flying all the time before he was bought by the Hatt’s. So naturally he thinks he can maybe teach Thomas how to fly.” “Hey! My cousins were taught by City of Truro, he was a clipped pegasus and yet he got them successfully flying up in the sky.” Gordon argued.

“He had wings at one point Gordon, he has experience, you don’t.” His jockey rebuttaled. “I’m half pegasus, that’s why I’m far lighter than a pure breed shire horse!” “But you’ve still never had wings!” “Gentlemen!” Edward cut the argument and the whole room silent, all eyes on him.

“Harper, as much as I actually agree with you in that under normal circumstances I would not trust Gordon to teach Thomas how to fly, he is the only one out of us who has knowledge in such anatomy. I’d presume Titan has more bat-like wings than feathered ones, and you also have bat wings. Zorran doesn’t need wings, and James barely has enough magic to levitate more than 2 trucks let alone himself. I think our number 4 may be Thomas’s best option for the time being to learning how to fly, at least in teaching the theory behind it or the basics.” Edward argued.

“Thomas? Would you be alright in learning how to fly?” Titan asked. Thomas practically hopped on the spot as he circled in pure excitement. “Yes!” He finally shouted and frolicked up to Gordon, giving him a big hug. The large stallion stiffened at the touch and everyone looked at them in shock as it was a known fact that Gordon didn’t do touching.

Thomas tap danced on his front hooves, his tail wagged behind him and his ears wiggled in joy, his wing fluttering with their feathers rattling together is what gave Gordon piece of mind. The big blue stallion hugged Thomas back, petting his head and holding him to his chest. The little colt began to trill and when Gordon put them apart he placed his hand on Thomas’s wing to get it to stop rattling. “First lesson then little Thomas. Don’t rattle your feathers, that is seen as an intimidation display to other pegasi, and the last thing you want to do at your stage is to pick a fight you won’t win.” “Why would a pegasus want to fight another pegasus?” Thomas asked. “You’ve heard of bar fights before right?” Gordon asked. “Ooohh…” Everyone laughed at the young colts realisation.

When the laughter died down Titan wanted to bring up what Edward mentioned about the Arlesdale forests, and why they seemed like a sore subject.

“Uh, Edward? You said that we could maybe hear more about the Arlesdale forest later. So, why does that place seem like such a sore subject?” All the local mythic to the island suddenly seemed shaken, Henry coward to Zak, hugging him close. While the others looked uncomfortable.

Edward started however. “This happened in 1915… Arlesdale forest was basically the name of the forest that covered the entire north side of the island. When the first world war started they really cracked down on the mythic business to use the mythos instead of their machines so more iron could go towards the war. That ambition lead them to the forests of Sodor, as it was a well-known fact that many mythic were living in there. So…” Edward trailed off in a sad tone. “They started raiding it, to draw the mythic out.”

Titan and Thomas were horrified, but in their shocked silence the old stallion continued. “The humans got as far as a few kilometres before the forest retaliated and pushed them back out, cursing itself with a powerful fog that no human may enter and only mythic or kin of mythic can even make an entrance. But the damage was done… even in those few kilometres there were a few houses and villages, mainly belonging to faun. Those poor souls were taken or killed, and the land the humans managed to conquer was turned into the mid Sodor railway. It’s the worst piece of history for us mythic on the island, and relationships between humans and mythic’s are still rather bad because of it. That area of the island is now called the Arlesdale railway, and is run mainly by fairy folk on miniature gauge tracks.”

Titan was saddened but also not that surprised, he was God’s humanity after all. Thomas however was horrified, he had no clue humans could be that cruel, he had only ever seen them as weird mythic that didn’t have the same energy around them. The young colt hugged into Titan’s hip, he was now nervous about being here, he could see why he was now hidden for all these years. Titan petted his head and eased him back down, and he also took notice that Henry was taking an exceptionally bad reaction to this story. Then it clicked, Henry was a forest spirit.

“Were those your grounds Henry?” Titan asked. Henry was in silent tears as he sniffled with a nod. “M-my m-m-mother was the g-guardian at the time, I w-was eight when they c-came… sh-she was k-killed when she went t-to check what was g-going on… I ran, I ran straight out as f-fast as I could… and ran into Edward…” Henry said through sobs when Zak continued, “Edward took him in from there and he was integrated into the railway, originally trying to pull the express but because of his damaged connection to the burned forest he was and still is kind of sickly. Then I was replaced after you left Titan in late 22 and came here so my abilities might be put into better use, and when I arrived I first took up what I thought would have been a temporary job as being a jockey, so I could get a house and get on my feet, but it ended up being permanent as I got to know Henry better.” Zak said as he soothed Henry down by rubbing his back and hugging him close.

Titan smiled at the albino witch doctor, knowing the feeling well of growing attached to a kid. “But why here? Why the UK? There were plenty of American soldiers.” the fallen angel asked. “The UK was always my back up plan, it was a lot smaller and obviously on another continent, so it worked great for a new start.” Zak answered. “You know, I always admired that about you. Your absolute ballsy-ness and disregard of nearly all common sense to preserve your life, you’ve always been very bold. A freak to your own species, then victim to mythos trade, that’s a hell to go through. And I’m surprised Magister Zero actually gave that away, whoever replaced you must have been a close second.” Titan stated. “He actually replaced me for a diesel, it made sense for the time. My ship and me didn’t really have the best of health, so I was the most logical one to boot.” Zak said. “Then why not just let you drive the diesel and scrap your old boat?” Titan asked. “Because the piolet of that diesel was a were-orca.” Zak answered nonchalantly. “Yeah, Oscar. Good kid and a pretty big change of pace at the time.” Zorran said. “huh… seems like a lot happened after I left…” Titan rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe we should arrange a get together, have the whole team back together for a night out.” Harper suggested. “I’d say that’s a stellar idea, once we get Thomas more worked into the railway I’d happily see the others again for old time sakes.” Titan said.

“Hm… about Thomas, if we were on the topics of giving Thomas a teacher beforehand, why not have James teach Thomas the basics in magic?” Zorran asked. James spat out the food he was eating. “Pu! What?! Me? Hell no!” James shouted. “Oh come on James, don’t be so dramatic.” Harper scolded. “Oh nah! Don’t pull that with me Harper, I’m not Gordon and you’re not my jockey! I have better things to do than to teach a 14 year old who can’t even run straight how to do magic.” James crossed his arms. Thomas looked really embarrassed, he used his wings to hide in while the others could hear muffled sounds of sheepish whining.

Edward walked over to the crystal centaur and grabbed him by the horn and dragged him over to a support beam. “Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! OW! Edward let me go! Gah!-” The old stallion drove the unicorns horn through the wooden beam of the stables and tied a cloth around the back his head so his horn was stuck there. “If Gordon can teach the basics of learning how to fly, then you can teach him how to do basic magic.” The old stallion dusted his hands off and returned to the dinner table. “I won’t be able to teach him anything with my horn through a poll!” James struggled, trying to shimmy back and forth to get his horn lose.

“Um… why is James having such a hard time getting his horn out?” Thomas asked, watching with a little amusement. “Have you seen what happens to kittens when you grab them by the scruff?” Zorran asked. “Yeah.” “Same thing, except when a unicorn is grabbed by the base of the horn they struggle to move or cast magic.” Henry finished. “So I should watch out if someone tries to grab my horn?” Thomas asked. “Yep! That’s also why we gave you such grief when fitting your horn mufflers, can’t have ‘em to tight or you’d start walking funny.” “You mean I don’t walk funny already?” Thomas quipped to his guardian. “No, you run funny. Theres a difference.” Titan defended. “Speaking of which, before we do anything with magic or flying, we’d better get him acquainted with running first.” Edward followed up.

“I agree, but I actually have to agree with James’s attitude towards Thomas’s running. I think it’d be a waste of time for any of you to teach him how to run, the best teacher for him learning how to run is himself. He just needs to get the exercise in.” Titan said looking to the slightly confused and hurt alicorn. “I think to put it in nicer terms Thomas, basically your anatomy is something only you can get a handle on. Your horn makes you run like a unicorn, but your wings also make you run like a pegasus. Both of those two have different run cycles, so no one other than another alicorn could teach you how to run. That’s an experience you’ll have to earn yourself. Find your rhythm and work with it.” Zak said petting the young boys hair. “Look at you acting all parent like,” Titan teased his co-worker making the others snicker and laugh.

Once everyone was finished and the dishes were done, everyone went to bed. Thomas had a large thick mat set up in his stable with a few large pillows and a nice fluffy blanket, Titan tied up a hammock since the bed that was already installed was too small for him. Once the two were comfortable, everyone had lights out and dimmed the lanterns.

Thomas however couldn’t fall asleep. He just laid there on his mat, hugging a pillow to his face and chest. What had been revealed to him today was a lot to take in…

His father figure used to be an angel, he found out how horrible humans could be, and worst of all… he found out how utterly defenceless he was. He had been in this mentality that he had been hidden for so long to protect others from him, and to also protect himself. But the truth was he was woefully over exaggerated, he didn’t know how to fly, he didn’t know how to cast the simples of spells, heck, he couldn’t even run straight without wobbling in his gallop. He had been over exaggerated to his whole life, like he was some prince of mythos, and that he was a kind of demigod. Well, he was, but he was an incredibly bad example. He needed a freaking fallen angel to be his body guard for crying out loud! And the fact that Titan wouldn’t have ever met him if he wasn’t assigned to look after him really hurt. Was he really his guardian? Even if he said that he loved him, was that just a part of his job?

The young colt wanted to cry, but he knew he would alert Titan if he did. So he just bottled his tears up. He kept his horn away from the pillows and his wings tucked in tight away from his line of vision, he just wanted to pretend that they weren’t there, or at least only one of them were, he wanted to imagen he was a normal magicless centaur like Edward or Gordon. He had never felt so unsure in his whole life.

The next morning Thomas was incredibly groggy, he was asleep on his feet and almost cut Zak with his horn when he nodded off for a second, and actually walked through Zorran and into a wall. Henry caught Thomas nodding off again as they all started to leave the stables, he let out his own dear/horse cry to wake the colt up, giving Thomas a small startle. “You need to wake up Thomas, Gordon is waiting at the platform to take the express soon.” Thomas shook off his drowsiness and started to stamp off to Knapford, running as best he could while still trying to stay up.

When they got to the yard, Titan dropped Thomas’s lead and tied it to his hip. “You can take the coaches to Gordon, I’ll make a small start on the other trains.” The fallen angel petted Thomas’s back, hoping to ease some of the work off him today. “Thanks Titan, I’ll be back.” Thomas pulled and pushed the coaches up to Gordon who seemed to be less than happy at Thomas’s delay. “Hurry up you!” He snapped. This made Thomas also cross. “Hurry up yourself!” the young colt huffed in a horse heft.

Harper hadn’t sat down on the carriage behind Gordon yet as the train wasn’t to leave for another 5 minutes, so the vampire had gone out real quick to stock up on some snacks for the stallion. But that of course left the larger centaur without a conscious to ground him. So when Gordon heard Thomas’s remark he grew a mischievous grin. “Yes… I shall, ah!” Gordon smiled to himself when he felt the rough bump that knocked him forward a few steps.

The big blue stallion flicked his reins off of their peg from the carriage and tied them around his waist so they wouldn’t become an inconvenience, his ears twitched as he listened for the chain rattling’s of the coupling being moved between the hitch and the shunters poll. When he heard that his own coupling was secure and the passengers were all boarded in, he pushed forward and began to move out of the platform. But Thomas hadn’t been disconnected from the coaches yet, so when Gordon began to take off with the express he dragged Thomas behind along with it.

“Woah! Ah! Gordon? Gordon?! Stop!” Thomas cried as he was pulled behind the coaches with his hooves dragging along the sleepers and ballast, it hurt as his frogs were run along the rough material like a cheese grater. As they went along Thomas tried to initially keep up but his sloppy running proved to be doing him in yet again, his shorter stride compared to Gordon also didn’t help much. The young colt then tried to jump up on the buffers to keep off the rails but his hitch was too tightly close to the coupling to climb up properly. Thomas was soon running out of ideas as Gordon kept picking up speed and the alicorn couldn’t keep up anymore, and if Thomas let himself drag behind the train he would be left with no hooves by the end.

As a last ditch attempt, Thomas opened his wings and began to flap them as he ran, like how he saw pegasi take off. His wings caught the wind from Gordon’s speed under them and gave him lift, pretty soon the alicorn colt was being pulled along like a kite just having to flap every so often. Thomas was amazed! This was the closest he’s ever gotten to flying before! Thomas was so thrilled he let out a high pitched horse cry as he cheered with his arms in the air. “WOOHOOO!” The fun was abruptly cut short however when the train came to a sharp stop and he was slammed into the back of the coach. His hame smacked into his second chest leaving a decent bruise but Thomas was too thrilled to care about the pain right now, he just flew! He flew for the first time and it was amazing!

Thomas undid the coupling himself and weakly trotted to the side of the track on shaky painful legs, his hooves hurt from being dragged on and his sternum hurt from faceplanting into the back of the coach, his nose didn’t thank him ether and he was pretty sure it was bleeding.

“Gordon!” “Thomas!” Harper and Titan called as they had flown after them once they saw that Gordon had taken off with Thomas still behind him. The young blue colt dropped to the ground once his legs gave up on him, but he still had a big glee-proud smile on his face. “I did it! WOO! I flew! I actually flied!” He cheered.

Titan came up to assess Thomas while Harper went up to Gordon and hit the emergency brake so the train wouldn’t be going anywhere. Thomas was a little scraped up and sore in a few places that it didn’t look pretty, but Titan was just glad he wasn’t crying. Now, what was this about him flying? “Tommy, what the hell happened?” “I wasn’t uncoupled from the train in time before Gordon took off, when he picked up speed he was going fast enough where I started to fly once I opened my wings! It was like I was a kite he was just pulling along!” Titan though, did not look pleased. In fact, he looked rather furious. “Did he now?” the fallen angel asked glaring over to Gordon. “Hey… maybe that’s how he could teach me, he could run and coach me while I’m being pulled along behind him!” Thomas said until he noticed Titan’s expression directed at the big stallion. “Sure sport… Hey, why don’t you ask Harper to clean you up while I go talk to Gordon.” Titan said getting up and walking over to the front of the train. “Please don’t hurt him dad!” Thomas called as he got up and brushed himself off.

The former oh so wanted to amputate the older centaurs legs as a punishment but he really didn’t want to endure the wrath of Harper, he’d seen what the kraken-vampire king could do and the idea of fighting him was something he really didn’t like. When the young archangel reached the front of the train he could see some passengers looking cross and the station master seemingly trying to discourage the disgruntled crowd, and Harper was to the side of the station ripping into Gordon and giving him a tongue lashing with the formerly proud stallion suddenly looking very meek in front of his jockey.

When Titan walked up to them Harper sheathed his fangs and eased his temper, Gordon was surprised by his partners sudden 180 mood change until he saw the expression of the person behind him. Titan’s face was loomed in shadow with his eyes lighting up the dim air of his murderous expression in a blue hue, the shade wasn’t as passive as one might think, the haunting blue glow was reminiscent of blue flames licking at the souls of the dammed or a frozen hell.

Gordon was fearful of Harper as it was a rare sight to see him so mad, but he was petrified at the sight of Titan. How could eyes burning so hot feel so cold? He could now realise why Harper stopped on his rampage of tearing him a new flank, Titan looked like he would do it literally with his thighs still attached.

Gordon felt his legs begin to shake and tremble as he cowered at the stature of the large man, with each wide step Titan took Gordon took two steps back of his own. He was hunkered down, ears flat, and expression absolutely terrified as he feared for his life cornered by the shrubbery and fence of the station. Titan got down on one knee and stared into Gordon’s soul with the fear akin to being hit by a frozen bullet, the stallions attention all on him. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again I will show you what it’s like in the darkest side of hell… are we clear?” Titan whispered into Gordon’s ear. The horrified stallion could only whimper as tears threatened to spill over his watery eyes.

Satisfied with the answer, Titan got up and left. When the mountain before Gordon was gone he could now see past him that Thomas and Harper had been watching the whole thing, both looking pretty worried. Gordon scrambled up onto his legs and bolted over to Harper to give him a full force tackle hug, he will never take for granted his jockey’s scolding ever again.

Harper hugged his comrade back to calm him down as they still had a train to pull, he petted his back carefully and guided him back to the hitch, taking one last glare at Titan before setting off again.

After Titan and Thomas made it back to the yard, Thomas got in a lot of trouble after the station master filled Titan in on the full story. The young alicorn was confined to the yard by himself while Titan watched him from afar, he shunted trucks and coaches all the while grumbling. “It’s not fair, I get my first ever taste at flying and I get in trouble for it. All the other stallions can at least run without galloping funny, and James can use his magic.” At the mention of magic, Thomas remembered Henry’s words about how magic works and how he’d been interoperating his own.

The colt backed away from the trucks he was pushing and decided to give a levitation spell a try. He concentrated on his breathing, calming down and relaxing his mind and muscles, not putting any strain into his horn and just letting his thoughts handle it. Thomas staired at the coupling between the train he was shunting, the small chain glowed with a light blue aura around it and lifted slowly, it was held in the air a little to Thomas’s amazement before it moved over to the hook on the other truck and looped on. Once it was there, he dropped his magic and the coupling staid where it was.

Thomas stamped his front hooves in excitement and fluttered his wings and wagged his tail, he had done it! He used magic successfully for the first time! The young colt kept going, the truck after that, and the truck after that. He pushed the train together and got a rhythm going of coupling them up, chaining them along one link at a time in smooth succession.

Next Thomas tried moving the whole truck. He couldn’t wrap his magic around the whole rail box, so he tried moving it by getting a grip on its buffers with his magic, which worked! He was shunting the trucks with his magic! He then moved onto trying to pull the train, he grabbed a hold of the coupling on the lead truck and pulled it along, he felt his horn strain as a row of trucks was heavier than one, but he managed, he pulled it to the other end of the yard and then added a brake van. Thomas was very proud of himself, he just marshalled a train together with only his magic!

But unfortunately his pride was short lived as James came grinding into the yard with his trucks. “Tah-dah! You can take my trucks away now Thomas, I’m ready for my coaches!” Thomas heard as Annie and Clarabel groaned from next to him. He couldn’t say he blamed them. He then smelt a familiar chemical smell, that one that Titan said was the smell of cut gemstone. “Are your hooves broken again James?” Thomas asked. “What?! No! They’ve never been broken! Hmph!” James huffed as he uncoupled himself and used his magic to pull Annie and Clarabel up to him. Thomas sighed and used his own magic to take the trucks away.

Almost in an instant, James and Thomas’s horn’s zapped each other! “Ow!” Both unicorn creatures yelped and instantly buckled down from a splitting headache. “Ahhh! Thomas! What was that for?!” “I didn’t mean to!” James and Thomas whined. “Are you two alright?” Annie asked as she watched the whole ordeal. “No! I just got static magiced!” James snapped. “How did that even happen? I was just trying to take the trucks away.” Thomas said confused. “That can sometimes happen when unicorns use magic at the same time, they need awhile to adjust to each other’s auras otherwise they give each other a static shock like just now. But Oooof Thomas, you pack a punch.” James explained as he steadied himself back up. “What would you expect James? He is an alicorn.” Clarabel said when the face of her coach disappeared and a lady in a ball gown floated over to Thomas to help him stand up.

Thomas was confused, he didn’t know she could do that. “Woah, you now look like Zorran!” Thomas said surprised. “That’s because I’m a ghost silly, most ghosts will be transparent.” Clarabel said. “I think he’s more confused we can even look human and not just a mouth on a coach.” Annie said doing the same thing as her sister, instead coming over to help James. “They just unpossessed the coaches Thomas, if Zorran were to possess something he could make it look like a face to. Annie and Clarabel just like to be more hidden.” James explained.

“Why?” Thomas asked the sister spirits. The two looked at each other then seemed to look sheepish or embarrassed. “It’s a little personal Thomas, we don’t like to talk about it.” Annie said. “Oh, okay then. Well thank you for helping us.” Thomas said as he shook himself off. “Not a problem,” Clarabel said before beckoning to her sister that they return to the coaches. “How about Thomas sets us on the line James, and then you take us away and leave the trucks for Thomas?” Annie questioned. “Works for me.” Thomas sighed. James smiled and did just that after Annie and Clarabel possessed the coaches again.

Once James was out of range and running down the branch line Thomas got back to work, taking the time to practice with his magic. He pulled and pushed with his magic the rest of the day and would even try to get off the ground and glide to the other side of the yard if some trucks he needed were far, he also managed to figure out how to make a massive jump using his wings to give him a boost. Thomas felt incredible! He was making more progress than he had with anyone trying to teach him in 10 years! He figured out how to fly on his own, and he was figuring out magic on his own as well! Well… sort of on his own anyway.

When the end of the day approached, Titan came down from the station roof and guided the young alicorn back to the stables. Thomas looked up to Titan with a happy expecting expression, after all he figured out how to do magic in the yard while Titan was watching over him. But when the fallen angel looked back at him with a less than amused frown Thomas’s enthusiasm dropped. Maybe what he did wasn’t good enough, it was only a levitation spell and gliding after all. Thomas promised himself that he would do better tomorrow, maybe figure out how to teleport and actually take off.

Thomas pondered this the walk home, but his thoughts were interrupted when Edward came trotting alongside him. “Hello Thomas, I saw that you flew behind Gordon’s train today, that must have been incredible!” The old stallion cheered for the young colt. But Thomas didn’t feel like it was that incredible anymore with Titan’s frowning expression. “It was an experience, but I doubt I’ll be doing that again…” Edward picked up on Thomas’s sad tone and noticed Titan’s frown. “Did you get into trouble for it? I can imagen being pulled behind a train isn’t exactly something to be praised over.” “Yeah… I did.” Thomas’s ears drooped. “But you managed to get a taste for flying! You should be able to apply that knowledge to next time right?” Edward asked with an encouraging enthusiasm. “I…” Thomas wanted to tell Edward that he had been all afternoon once he got back to the yard and even figured out how to use magic, but he was worried Titan might scold him again. “Hopefully…” Thomas muttered.

Edward gestured to Zorran for him to intervene, the old ghost could pick up what Edward was putting down and got Titan’s attention. “Ay TC, mind if we chat? I’ve been trying to get a more complicated ghost thing happening with Zak for a while but we may need some divine intervention.” Zorran guided Titan away over to Zak leaving the centaurs to talk.

Once they were gone Edward spoke to Thomas. “So, tell me everything that happened today.” “First was the thing with Gordon’s train, then when we got to the yard again Titan found out the full story and I got into trouble. He put me in the yard by myself as a punishment while he watched from the roof of the station. But while I was there I actually managed to do some magic thanks to Henry’s advice! I managed to push and pull the trucks and even couple them together! I even figured out how to glide and jump super high! But… I don’t think Titan was impressed… I know he must have seen me, there was no way he couldn’t have from his view point.”

Edward felt a pang of sympathy for Thomas, he wrapped his arm around the alicorns shoulder and gave him a small squeeze hug. “Well, even if Titan is upset with you, I think you should be proud of yourself, you managed so much in one day! You’re improving quicker than you think Thomas, have you even noticed your wobbling less as you walk?” Thomas then took notice of his trotting, he was indeed managing to keep on balance! And in the yard earlier he had to have been galloping around to try and get a running start for his gliding. “Oh wow! I am! I didn’t even realise,” Thomas smiled, his enthusiasm returning with a big ol’ smile. Edward chuckled as he amped up his trotting a little into a light gallop, bumping Thomas’s side in a teasing fashion. “Let’s see if you can keep up with this old colt then ay? Race you!” Edward then zoomed off! Thomas giving chase, “Your on Edward!”

Titan watched as the two centaurs raced off down the line, he hoped Edward would be careful with Thomas, he’d already been injured enough today and he didn’t want his little buddy to take another trip.

Zorran and Zak were talking between each other as they walked at their own pace, Titan knowing he was the third wheel and that Zorran had just wanted to give Edward and Thomas some room to chat. The tall standing divine mythic looked down to the pair and cut their conversation short. “Do you two think I might have been a little too harsh on him?” Titan asked. Zorran and Zak looked up to their former rival with a look of confusion, but Zorran was the one to address it. “He did seem pretty out of it when he was chatting with ol’ Ed, and he asks me to get involved very rarely. So when he does motion me to I can tell it’s important.” “What is the full story behind Thomas’s little spill? I’ve only heard it in passing today.” Zak asked wanting more context.

“Apparently Thomas and Gordon were in a bit of a grumpy mood, antagonising each other. So before Top Hat got back to the carriage Gordon took off early with Thomas still coupled behind him. Thomas was grinded along the rails for a bit before he figured out how to open his wings and fly. And he didn’t land safely ether, he face planted into the back coach when the train stopped, going at 90 kilometres per hour, I imagen that couldn’t have felt nice. So I ringed into Gordon and that was before I got back to the station. I just thought Gordon was being an ass until I was told Thomas enabled it. It made me feel like an idiot for defending Thomas afterwards because I worry he now thinks it’s okay to do dumb stuff like that because I’ll always be there for him, and it’s not unfounded now. He was practicing how to glide and even figured out how to use his magic! He could have had another knock back, crashed into a train, or even tripped again the whole time. This kid is so far behind, and with his strength now over powered compared to his experience I’m afraid he might accidently overdo it and hurt himself.” “That’s where Thomas got that from?”

The jockey’s looked to Henry who had been walking a little ahead of them but was apparently ease dropping. “Thomas got that from you?” “Got what exactly from me?” Titan asked the forest king, a little confused. “That mind set, we talked about his power beforehand and that his mindset was the thing holding him back. He thinks he’s too powerful for his own good, and if he thinks that then his magic will act on it, I had the same issue when I was younger.” Henry explained and it then clicked to Zak what his son was referring to.

“Oh! Thomas is having the same thought process you did back then? Okay that actually makes a lot more sense. Ty, like Henry said Thomas thinks he’s too over powered because you told him so, and with that mindset it probably makes him to scared to actually try magic, and whenever he does do magic his psyche will take over his control and make his magic have a powerful knock back.” Zak explained.

Titan looked at the witch doctor with a dreadful expression. “I… I did this?... I did this to Thomas?” he questioned worryingly as he checked his head back up to the way his son and Edward had ran. “If you’ve been the only one around him most of his life then it’s very likely, otherwise who else is he going to pick that up from?” Zak said. “I think your sheltering Thomas a little too much, if he figured out how to use magic and get to gliding by himself in the span of a few hours then I’d say he’s doing pretty well, I know I’d be proud if I were his age.” Henry said. “And call me for a fool, but you sort of sound like how Zeb treated Zip in his early years. Not letting him get to far ahead and monitoring his every move, what spells Zero tried to teach him and a few other things, and we all know how that ended up for him in his teens.” Zorran said.

Titan had his old memories of Bigg City port come rushing back to him. It was true, Zebedee absolutely watched Zip like a hawk when he was growing up, the naga was apparently really protective of his adoptive pixy son. And as such when Zip came into his teens he wasn’t preforming as well as the others had expected of him, he was rather depended on the others as a result and rather incapable. It wasn’t until Zip actually started to get a little upset with Zeb and put some space between them did he have enough room to learn on his own and eventually improve, by the time Titan had left, Zip was one of the most valuable members of the Zero fleet. And it looked like through Henry’s own past trauma his young mindset did the same to him, and now he was seeing it again in his own child because of him.

The young deity mythic looked really hurt, but what parent wouldn’t after they just realised they’ve been unintentionally hurting their kid. Titan steeled himself up and voiced his next course of action. “I’m going to chat with Thomas once we get back, I need to apologise to him…” To Zorran and Zak it was weird seeing Titan look so defeated and worried, fears were something just not normally in the fierce angels vocabulary. Zak petted Ty’s thigh in a comfort before walking up to Henry and giving his own reassuring pets, he knew Henry’s past was not one the deer centaurian liked to bring up. Zorran looked up the line and began to float ahead. “I’m gonna go check on them.” He then zoomed off to catch up to Edward and Thomas. Titan noticed Harper and Gordon coming up so he decided to join them the rest of the walk, much to Gordon’s dismay.

When everyone was back at the stables and beginning to take off their equipment Titan assisted Thomas in getting his off, he was gentle and wore a not so angry expression this time, making Thomas wonder what he and Zorran could have possibly talked about to change his mood. He didn’t have to wonder long however.

“Thomas? I wanted to take the time to tell you I’m sorry, how upset I got with you wasn’t okay once we got back to the station.” Thomas was surprised but it slowly warped into astonishment the more he just registered what Titan said to him. “I also owe you a humongous apology… for the most of your life… Henry brought it to my attention that you two apparently had a talk about magic beforehand, and he explained it to me your mindset towards your power. Thomas, I am so sorry I taught you that. I am so sorry I taught you that your power was something to be contained, I never wanted to make you feel like you were beneath your power, I am so sorry for giving you that misconception. And I’m proud of you, you managed to learn how to levitate something and practice how to glide in the span of a day! This is absolutely incredible progress for you! And your running, you’ve made so much progress in so little time… it really makes me regret not letting you see other mythic sooner, but I’ve come to realise that I was just being a really over protective parent, I was trying to protect you but in the end it was hurting you… I am so sorry, for what I’ve put you through.”

The second he finished that sentence Thomas jumped on Titan in a rough hug, his fears of the previous night suddenly washed away, Titan did care about him, he cared about him so much. “I love you dad…” Thomas whispered. Titan hugged him back tightly, petting his hair down gently. “I love you to son…” He gave Thomas a peck on the head before putting him back down to finish the rest of the alicorns harness. Thomas smiled and wagged his tail the rest of the night until it was dinner.

Thomas helped set the table, cutlery where the cushions ran parallel, even fluffing the cushions with his new levitating magic. Once that was done the food was still a long way away so Zak told Thomas to go play a little. The problem with that was that the stables weren’t very large, and he wasn’t allowed to go outside because it was dark out now. So Thomas tried to practice some things he’d seen pegasus centaurs do, he stretched out his wings and started to run his hands through his feathers, lining them up and evening them out, but he had some trouble the further away from his body his wings got.

Eventually Gordon came out dressed in some more casual clothes and spotted Thomas trying to preen his wings, and honestly doing a fumbling job. He had gotten the first half of his wings done as far as his arms could reach but the rest was a disaster. The big blue stallion checked to see if Titan was around before approaching the young colt, when he was standing in front of Thomas with his shadow looming over him did the young colt take notice of his presence.

“Oooh… um, h-hey Gordon. I-I’m sorry Titan went off on you, it really didn’t hurt as much as he made it out to be, he was just being over protective.” Thomas apologised for his guardian. “Don’t be sorry for him Thomas, he’s a grown mythic in his own ways, if he’s sorry he can tell me it himself. But I’m more intrigued by what you are doing, are you trying to preen?” Gordon asked. “Preen?” Thomas asked confused. “Preening is what birds do to groom and straighten out their feathers, pegasi and other feathered wing mythic do the same. However,” Gordon sat down beside Thomas’s wing and began gently running his hands through his feathers to straighten them out.

“These type of mythic are often in herds or flocks, as you can probably tell your arms don’t reach far enough to straighten them all out, so they rely on team members to finish the rest.” Gordon cupped his hands over his mouth and breathed into them as if he was warming them up, but he quickly ran his hands through Thomas’s feathers again, this time the feathers turned stiff and shiny and strong like he just put in hair jell over them. “Whoa! What did you do? They look so glossy now,” Thomas asked amazed. Gordon suddenly fell into shock and fluster, looking like he was embarrassed or terrified and looking to quickly scrape an excuse together. “Uhhhh, g-glands! Yes that’s it! Glands that I h-have! Before I came to Sodor I worked looking after my cousins and relatives who had feathers and such, when they were young I would preen them! Y-You should have some to Thomas.”

Thomas didn’t seem to by Gordon’s lie completely but he could tell there was some truth behind it when his voice got calmer, so he decided to take Gordon’s word for it. “Okay… So where are these glands and how do I use them?” The alicorn asked. “They replace your tonsils in your neck,” Gordon gently pressed under Thomas’s chin where they were. “When you breath out a long breath you can squeeze those glands and what will feel like spit will shoot onto your hands, that spit is actually a natural oil that when smoothed over your feathers straightens them out, you try, I’ll press on those glands while you open your mouth.”

Thomas and Gordon did just that, Thomas spat the oils into his cupped hands when Gordon pressed on Thomas’s throat. The young colt found it uncomfortable and rolled his neck when it was done. “Ugh, bleh.” “You should be able to get the hang of it with a little practice, just make sure not to do that aimed at anyone, it’s seen as very disrespectful.” Gordon warned. “Got it.” Thomas then went back to preening the feathers he could reach and Gordon got to work on the feathers that were further away.

As the two worked this large task of fixing Thomas’s wings up, Gordon decided to strike up a bit more conversation so he could try to bond with the alicorn colt if he’d be working with him, and trying to teach him how to fly. “So… have you been growing a mane?” Thomas was confused. “What’s a mane?” “A mane is a plume of feathers or fur that grows around your chest or second chest.” “I don’t think so. Why? Am I supposed to be growing one?” “It could just be my biased because I’ve seen many of my relatives grow manes, but when I see mythic having big fluffy manes I can’t help but feel like their very regal and elegant, and that’s a look I think would fit an alicorn. So I was just asking.” Thomas gave it a little thought, if growing a mane out would make him look regal he kind of wanted to know a little more about them. “When do pegasi normally grow a mane?” “They’re sort of born with one normally, but it’s just downy fluff until they grow older. When they hit their late teens is when their full adult bodies really starts to grow in, so if you do have a mane it should be showing up in full swing by the time your seventeen or eighteen.” “Nice,” Thomas said with a little smile, he would need to ask Titan if he was born with a mane because he honestly couldn’t remember.

Gordon then took a peek down at Thomas’s back hooves and he noticed a bud growing on each leg above from the hoof. “Ah, I see you’ve been growing your dewclaws.” “Dewclaws?” Thomas looked at his hands to see if he had been growing claws and he hadn’t noticed. Gordon stifled a laugh, “Heh-heh, no, no Thomas, on your back legs.” Gordon pointed. Thomas lifted his leg and his eyes lit up with understanding. “Oh! Is that what these bumps are?” “Yes, those will grow into dewclaws.” “What are dewclaws?” “Dewclaws are talon-like single claws that pegasi have, they’re used to grip into vertical surfaces or to pick things up from a swoop, like how hawks snatch up prey.” “Are pegasi carnivores?” “No they’re omnivores, but some pegasi in the past used to take on characteristics of specific birds, some took on after eagles, some after ducks, and their hooves would reflect that.” “So duck pegasi exist?” Thomas asked with a little amusement. “Oh there used to be, but they were breed out when the horse carriage industry came into full swing. Now you’ll see duck pegasi characteristics in hippocamps and kelpies.” “What are hippocampus and kelpies?” “They’re both types of water horse mythic, you’ll mainly find them around beaches if you’re lucky. Okay, that’s you’re wing done, want to move on to the other one?”

Thomas however had an idea he wanted to try out. “I actually wanna see if I can groom my other wing by using my magic.” He explained. “Alright… but be careful not to pull any feathers out.” Thomas stood up for this and spread his opposite wing, he gleeked his oil glands into his hands and tried to pick up the little liquid that was there. It was challenging to pick up water Thomas had to admit, but after 20 or so tries he finally managed and began to glide it through his feathers. He found this so much easier and faster than doing it by hand, using his magic to reach further than he could and getting it done in half the time. “Huh, I guess that would make sense that alicorns can preen themselves if unicorns can groom themselves with their magic.” Gordon commented, secretly surprised and impressed that Thomas was taking up on magic so quick, he could only hope he would take that quick to flying.

Just then Titan walked up to them. “Alicorn’s rarely actually stayed in herds, they were often solitary mythic when living on earth.” He commented. Thomas grew a little concerned. “Does that mean I should be keeping away from you guys?” “Oh no, no Thomas, I said rarely, that’s not to say they hate socialising, they just kept to themselves which was odd considering most other horse mythic stayed in herds.” The alicorns guardian explained. “Why is that? From what I’ve heard most centaurian’s followed alicorns like leaders in the past.” Gordon quizzed. “That’s actually a lot later in history than you think, before my brother Jesus was born, centaurs and all other kinds of mythic followed alicorns as leaders because when an alicorn was released onto earth it meant that their time was coming up. Essentially, letting an alicorn go was a mark of retirement. So by then they were wise and powerful, which made them great leaders. After my brother came to heaven though that practice stopped and alicorns could then only be found on earth. Alicorns were then hunted along with the other mythic during the witch hunts, and like so many with them they went extinct as a result.”

Thomas felt meek at that revelation, that he was the only alicorn left in existence. “So I’m a one of a kind?” “In all honesty we don’t know, we don’t know if alicorn’s used their powerful magic to hide or if they are just gone. A lot of angel’s believe that their just hiding and I want to believe that to, but so far it’s only been divine intervention that’s made one be revealed so far.” “Me…” “Yes.” Titan confirmed his son’s thought.

Gordon petted Thomas’s hair, he knew the feeling of being one of a kind in a world where you would be an exception. Thomas leaned into Gordon’s touch when James interrupted the moment.

“Thomas!” Everyone half jumped at the stone unicorns sudden yell, “I wanted to get you started on some magic training, if you’re going to be shunting in the yard and using your magic to do it, then I’d figure we’d better start getting used to each other’s auras so we don’t shock each other again.” James handed an old book to Thomas that read in runes and English ‘Magic Study’.

“This was the book I used to get going on basic magic, It should help. I’ve already gone through it with a fine tooth comb so you’ll find a few lines underlined in pencil and a few notes and drawings here and there.” James said as Thomas opened the book and began skimming the pages to find that James had scribbled on many of the pages with various notes and doodles “If you need to be taking notes Thomas I have some spare work books you can use to write in.” Gordon said walking into his own stall and coming back out with books and a few pencils. Thomas took them off Gordon’s hands and instantly began to read through the book at the kitchen table, writing down anything he found interesting or something he wanted to follow up on.

Titan looked to Gordon with a quizzed look. “How come you have work books? James I get why he has a book on magic but I don’t recall a reason why norms would have writing books.” “They’ve become more popular as of late for norms because we’ve been slowly getting an education in the past few generations, kind of hard to read station signs where you’re meant to stop if you can’t read them. I was born into a high prestige family so an education was mandatory fortunately. Edward however is actually literacy and numerically challenged, he’s been attending a church on his branch line on his free time to try and get some lessons in though.” This surprised Titan, Edward of all people was without an education?

“Edward? That’s a surprise, he always seems so collected, I wouldn’t have ever guessed he was illiterate.” James then cut in. “I was surprised to, I asked one of the Sir Topham Hatt’s for a cook book one year to give Edward as a Christmas present because he was the one always experimenting with food at dinner, I was surprised to see him look worried at it like it just spat fire at him. That’s when he told me he couldn’t read.” “I had a similar experience. When I first came to the island Edward asked how old I was, when I answered him I was twelve years old he asked if that was higher than four, I thought he was pulling my leg trying to be funny so I just scoffed and changed the subject. Looking back on it I can now realise he was being very serious.” Gordon stated.

Speaking of the devil, Edward had overheard them and decided to step in. “If all of you are so fixated on my education, then I will be happy to inform you as to why I’m illiterate. I was born in the late 18th century, so wild centaurs could still be found around then. I was born in Glasgow and captured along with the rest of my herd, we were brought to Barrow-in-Furness where we were then put to work. My herd didn’t have a literacy system in place and we didn’t even know how to write in Scottish, we just spoke it. So along with learning a new language we also had to figure out what a literacy and numeracy system was. I didn’t get to far with writing, I only drew the station signs in a book with a map layout so I knew what signs to lookout for to stop at.” Edward explained. “And you’re only now beginning to take classes at a church along your line?” Titan asked.

“A friend of mine who keeps a vicarage’s grounds helped me, most of the clergy were surprised a mythic would even enter a house of god.” Edward informed making Titan rather upset. “My dad helped create a lot of mythic we know today, he wouldn’t mind at all if any came to church, he’d welcome them just like all the others.” “Maybe you should tell them that.” James commented with a chuckle, knowing what would probably happen if Titan showed up to a church. “I wish, but fallen angels like demons were taught to be feared for a good reason. The people in mass are my type of people but I wouldn’t want to scare them.” “Fair.” Edward said to the formerly divine mythic before heading into the kitchen to start dinner but Titan decided to join him.

“If you have more time on your hands Edward I wouldn’t mind teaching you, I home schooled Thomas after all.” The large man offered. Edward thought about it, “Can you also teach me what the deal is with this worship of a book? And whatever else happens in a church?” “You want to become religious?” “No, I don’t think so at least. The humans at a church just seem to be a lot more kind than most of the other people I’ve meet in my life, I honestly want to keep seeing them but it’s not like I can follow them to a café once the day is over.” “So you want to understand and make friends.” “Yes, as much as I like talking with the others, meeting some new people would be a welcomed change.” “I get it, and who knows, maybe you’ll set in motion a more constructive view of mythic.” “You honestly think a small old centaur like me could change people’s views on mythic they’ve had for generations?” “I don’t think, I hope. It’s obviously not a guarantee but I believe your already heading in the right direction if you’ve been getting friendly with the people there.” Edward paused for a while, setting up a cook pot and lighting the stove. “…I’m not exactly to confident in teaching them how mythic really work, but I would like to take your offer up on being taught after hours.” Titan could work with that, after all, the future wasn’t set in stone.

The night went on as per a new norm the mythic would come to find. Thomas would be at his new book studying up with James checking in on him every so often, then for a few hours Gordon would lecture him on flight theory. The jockeys would chat and laugh about the old days and share old tales of a world with an oceans distance between them. Edward and Henry would work on food together, discussing recipes and new ideas. Then once everyone ate it was their usual bed routines.

Thomas would sleep on a large mat, Titan would hang in a large hammock. Edward would lay down in a pile of pillows and curl up to get comfortable, Zorran would float around the construction ever keen and on the lookout. Henry would cuddle up to Zak, his body half on a mattress and half on a rug with a blanket over the pair. Gordon would wrap himself in a blanket and Harper would transform into a bat and sleep somewhere in the room, whether on Gordon or hanging upside down from a ledge. James slept on a large flat of stone, his floating limbs losing their magic as they fell to the ground in all different messes as the unicorn snored.

The next morning, Henry was aching all over and sounded like he was hacking up a lung all throughout breakfast. Thomas was concerned and a little confused as to why Henry couldn’t just heal himself better. “Henry healed my aches a few days ago, why can’t he just heal himself?” “Henry’s healing powers are connected to his own health in a way, that’s why he can heal minor injuries, but full bodily chronic pains and a chest bug are out of the question.” Zak explained. Thomas understood, but was then curious as to who would take Henry’s train. “What should I do about Henry’s train then? All the others have their own work to do by now.” “Go ahead and get the train ready, we’ll see if this doesn’t improve after some medicine.” “Will do Zak, let’s get going Thomas.” Titan said before running with Thomas out to Knapford.

While they were running, Thomas got a thought into his head. If no other centaurs were available, then maybe he could pull the train. The idea suddenly made the young alicorn very giddy as he began to run with a skip in his hooves. Titan saw this and could guess why, he rolled his eyes with a smirk and began to mentally prepare for his sons impatience.

When they got to the yard Thomas used his magic to shunt and pull the cars again, and when Edward trotted by with his own train behind him he was surprised to see Thomas looking so spry. “Did Thomas make another milestone Ty?” Zorran asked from the carriage. “No, Henry’s still sick back at the stables, so Thomas thinks he could maybe pull the train if Henry doesn’t show up.” Titan answered making Thomas nod in excitement. “It’s not as easy as you think Thomas, it’s a lot of hard work.” Edward commented as he passed by. “If there’s no strain then there’s no hard work!” Zorran shouted out as they went.

Once Thomas was at the platform he waited to see if Henry would arrive, as the time turned closer for the trains departure and people were climbing into the coaches the fat controllers were standing on the platform waiting for Henry to show up. When it was calling it to close for comfort Sir Bertrum walked up to Thomas and Titan. “Thomas, Titan, I want you to quickly find a carriage car and attach it at the front of the train, you’ll have to take the train.” “Yes sir!” Thomas cheered as he skipped off to find a carriage.

Once the pair found a carriage they put it at the front of the train, Thomas coupled it up to the coaches while Titan got a carriage harness and reins ready for the alicorn. Thomas was then hitched up and Titan sat on the carriage holding the reins. The young colt danced on his hooves with eagerness but the eldest Hatt was quick to intervene, having seen this happen a few times already in his life. “Thomas, remember, there are poachers out there, and there have been a few instances along the route your taking where some tried to shoot at Henry. If you value your safety you need to keep a clear eye out in the shadows for anything shiny like a silver gun barrel. This is a privilege, yes, but it’s one that comes with bigger risks than shunting in a yard.” That instantly dropped Thomas’s excitement when he was reminded yet again of his position. He gulped and nodded to the senior most controller. “Yes sir, I’ll keep my guard up.” “There’s a good colt. Now, Edward will go first, then you, so this next whistle isn’t yours.” Just as Sir Bertrum finished that sentence the whistle for Edward’s platform went, and when the train cleared the signals Thomas’s platform whistle went.

Thomas gave a mighty enchanting neigh before trying to pull the train forward, it was a struggle but he managed to get going. As they travelled along the country side, Thomas couldn’t help but feel free pulling the coaches, he was happily running with the wind through his hair when a glint from a shade in the bushes caught his eye. He then felt his hackles raise, he kicked his magic in full gear to hopefully be strong enough to stop a speeding bullet should one be aimed at him. To the young alicorn’s relief no shots were made, but he was still on high alert as he could feel his father’s aura being rather intense as well, Titan only dropped his threatening aura when they came up to the platforms and started it right back up again when they got the clear to keep going.

This continued throughout the whole journey, Thomas still kept his wits about him though until they got back to the safety of the yard by the end of the day. He was surprised to see Henry in the yard using his antlers to push the trucks and coaches around, he trotted up to the large mythic and gave a friendly bray to let Henry know he was there as he came in. The deer centaur instantly turned his head up and was happy to see Thomas pulling in, he quickly cantered over to greet him as the alicorn came to a stop.

“Thomas! I see you did well with the train?” Henry asked. “I did, though maybe there were a few scares along the way.” “Scares? What do you mean?” Henry asked sounding concerned. “I think I saw a few flashes of silver from the bushes, I couldn’t have been too sure though if they were gun barrels.” Thomas answered. “Oh no, did Sir Bertrum tell you about poachers?” Zak asked as he walked up to them, a grin on his face. “He did, and I don’t know if I should be worried going down that way now…” Thomas answered, not hearing much of the amusement in Zak’s voice. “I can answer that for you Thomas, no. No you shouldn’t be worried. Poachers are a thing but they’re in more country nowhere stretches of line nowadays, Sir Bertrum probably just said that to keep your excitement down and your focus up.”

Thomas was surprised to hear Zak’s words, and was now a little confused. “But, Sir Bertrum said that Henry had been shot at before down that line.” “He did, when he was still new to the railway. Back when this railway used to be just one line with one or two branch lines, it was considered to be country land, so, poachers would be here and try to get at the mythic that worked on the rails. Edward would be able to tell you more, but thankfully those days are considered gone.” “Not quite old friend,” Titan answered Zak as he hopped off from the carriage. “I did sense something out there, Thomas had every right to have his guard up. I don’t think there’s a threat to any of the others, but some people may be gunning for an alicorn score.” “Right…” Zak hissed out awkwardly. “I completely forgot about that if I’m being honest…” “Wouldn’t the Sir Topham’s just give Thomas a guard charm?” Henry asked lifting a gold coin on a string out from around his neck. “Oh so that’s what I’ve been sensing.” Titan commented while looking at the coin.

“What does that do?” Thomas asked. “It’s basically a powerful guard spell that keeps you safe from intent to harm, so if a bullet was coming your way the charm would cancel it and the bullet would vanish before it reached you.” Henry explained then tucking his charm away. “The Sir Topham’s should’ve given you one at some point, Titan can’t always be around to protect you.” Zak said. “Huh… okay. Well, I’d better get this train away, we’ll see you two at the stables latter.” Thomas said before pulling his coaches away to shunt them into a siding.

Once everyone started to retire to the shed they gave they’re praises for Thomas managing to take his first train successfully, they were also empathetic to Thomas’s concerns of poachers. They were giving their own advice on how to deal with poachers when a knock came from the door, and to their surprise it was the fat controllers.

“Hello everyone, I apologize but we couldn’t help but ease drop as we came up to the door. Has something been happening to a few of you on your trains as of late?” Sir Charles asked. “It’s just me sirs, on my first run today I thought I saw something in the shadows, and since I’m an alicorn I’ve sort of become a little concerned.” Thomas answered. “We’ve figured that might of happened sooner or later, news such as an alicorn being on Sodor would spread fast unfortunately.” Sir Charles said. “Which is why I recommended giving Thomas this,” Sir Stephen said as he walked up and gave Thomas a gold coin clasp for his bolo tie with a number 1 etched into it. “This is for your tie Thomas, clip it on and it’ll be your protection charm, you’ll need it for a goods train tomorrow.”

“A goods?” Titan asked looking curiously at his boss. “Yes! We were very impressed by how Thomas managed his train today, so we figured we would give him a longer running train.” Sir Bertrum said. “As for you jockey’s, you’ve been requested to have a meeting with someone, so for tomorrow you won’t be with steeds. Edward, the train Thomas will be taking was your goods, so we want you back in the yard again tomorrow.” Sir Charles said making all the workers very confused. “Hold on sir, this is Thomas’s second ever train, and I’m also his jockey for good reason, what on earth could be so important that I and the rest of the jockey’s would be taken away for?” Titan asked sounding concerned. “You had to leave Thomas behind for a day when he first arrived, he’ll be fine, it’s just from Knapford to Maron. And the person who wants to speak with you all made a very compelling argument, he said something about… a crescent star?” Sir Bertrum said.

The jockey’s grew surprised in unison then looked back up to Titan who looked just as shocked. “Well… guess I can’t keep the man waiting, we’ll be there to meet him sirs.” Titan said tipping his hat with a smile. “Excellent! We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. As for the rest of you, we’ll leave you to it, have a nice night!” Sir Bertrum said as he and his descendants began to leave. “Goodnight sirs!” everyone chorused.

Once they were gone James jokingly prodded Thomas in the arm to tease him. “Looks like someone is shaping up!” the red stallion cheered. “Hey!” Thomas laughed as he tried to push James’s hands away. “Congratulations Thomas, looks like the Hatt’s are exceptionally proud of you if they want you to take that train.” Zorran commented catching the young colts attention. “What’s with that train that makes it so special?” Thomas asked. “The trucks that make up that train are haunted, and the spirits that possess them are known to be rather mischievous.” Harper said. “So they often like to try and derail the trains.” Zak said. “What? Then why is Thomas pulling them if they have a reputation like that?” Titan asked now filled back with worry. “My best guess is it’s actually a thing for Thomas to do while we have a long overdue talk with you know who.” Zorran chuckled as he floated around above their heads.

“Is he that intrigued?” Titan asked his fellow jockeys. “Oh you bet, he’s been wondering about you ever since you left. And besides, if you’re going to meet him it’s very likely you’ll see the others to.” Harper said with a smile. Titan couldn’t help but smile as well. “It would be nice to see them again, I really do miss Sunshine…” “He’ll be over the moon when he sees you, I just know it.” Zak said chuckling a little. “Well I guess it’ll be a party tomorrow then, I can’t wait to see their shocked faces…” Titan grinned mischievously.

The next morning the jockey’s set their steeds up so they could be working by themselves for the day. Zorran gave Edward a firm handshake and wish good luck, Zak gave Henry a blue bird plush and a hug, Harper listed off instructions to Gordon as the stallion writ them down in a note book, and finally Titan made sure Thomas’s protection charm was firmly on and everything else was secure. Once they were all done they watched as the centaurs all trotted off, leaving their guardians to pack for themselves.

“Just so I’m not caught with my pants down, should I be aware of anything before we arrive?” Titan asked. “We got a few newcomers since you left, we already told you about Oscar.” Zorran said as he packed a bag. “We also had some old faces join, Bluenose believe it or not was discharged from the navy and has been hanging around Magister Star.” Harper commented as he packed some books. “Bluenose?! As in officious naval twit Bluenose?” Titan asked absolutely shocked. “Yep, the one in the same.” Zorran said. “Well sink me, that’s a surprise.” The fallen angel said. “They also managed to get a ocean liner as of recent, she’s a mermaid orca and whale hybrid.” Zorran said with a smirk. “Yeah you and Edward would know,” Zak said in a teasing fashion. “Don’t be rude boys, sharing is caring.” Titan intrigued as he swung his bag over his shoulder. “Yeah, the mermaid is Edward’s long term girlfriend, apparently they’ve know each other ever since before Edward came to Sodor.” Zorran said. “Oh my~” Titan mock covered his mouth with his hand causing the others to laugh.

Once the old sailors were done with their packing they all began to fly over to Arlesbrugh harbor, Zak being carried on Titan’s back. They landed a little away from the town and began to walk in and have a look around, the group ether having never seen this side of the island or not really having the chance to sight see often. But they grew excited when they saw the piers come into view, they began to speed walk to the stairs with Titan in the back, when they got to the level where the building was the former angel hid behind a corner so he could reveal himself in dramatic effect.

Harper, Zak and Zorran turned the corner and cheered a happy ‘Hey!’ that the other mythos in front of the new Star Tug and Marine building copied with a lot more enthusiasm. “Zak! Good to see you again!” A naga said as he slithered up and gave the witch doctor a handshake and then firm hug. “Good to see you as well Zeb! You look great,” Zak commented to his old work colleague. “Zip! Good Christ kid what the hell happened to you?!” Zorran cheered as he saw a tall and large man with big pointy ears in the back and came up to give him a handshake. “Zorran! Good to see you again, and what happened to me? What happened to you?! Is that a goatee I see?” Zip teased back as he and the ghost joked. “Like you have room to say about my facial hair.” Zorran tried to do his best to ruffle Zip’s hair but was proven to be blocked. Zak and Zebedee chuckled at the twos antics, the naga slithering up to separate them and to give Zorran a proper hello. Zak then noticed Zip’s former other half wasn’t at his hip, so he looked around the crowd more and along the building walls were a few benches, one had a merman sitting the closest to Zip. Zak grinned and walked over to sit next to him. “Hey Zug, long time no see.” “Zak, good to see you again, I like how you’ve grown your hair out, and it seems like you’re doing better with your braiding.” The manta ray merman smiled. “Better than what I was doing last time you saw me, that’s for sure.” The former number 3 chuckled.

“Gentlemen, the pleasure is all mine to see you once again!” Harper said as he walked up to his old crew mates. “Nice seeing ya Top ‘at! Oh! You got rid of your monocle!” A merman said from the edge of the pier as his tail swayed over the side. “And I see you got a tattoo Warrior, very fitting and looks splendid!” Top Hat complemented. “Top Hat giving complements? Are we sure this isn’t an imposter?” a burly man with a Scottish accent chuckled. “Can’t even call him Top Hat since he doesn’t wear one anymore,” a shorter man with red hair humoured. “Big Mac! Sunshine! It’s great to see you both again- is that a cane? Mac, since when do you use a cane?” Top Hat asked worryingly when he took notice of the man’s walking stick. “Oh this? I’ve had it for three years now, the lads on the Skarloey railway noticed I’ve been having some aches more often so they made me it, pretty dignifying aye?” Mac asked as he gave the cane a few stamps on the ground. “With the way you ware your pelt now it makes you look very robust in an authoritative way indeed,” Top Hat smiled then turned his attention to Sunshine.

“And Sunshine! You really grew your hair out, don’t you think it deserves a cut by now?” “Nae, I tie it up when I’m on work hours, otherwise it’s kept down.” Sunshine smiled. “I personally like it, it reminds me of the gold falls at the end of Upriver when the sun would hit them just right.” A familiar and deep voice from behind them said as he came from behind. “Hercules!” The former Stars called as they saw the tall man with the sharp blue eyes smile a toothy grin. “Hello m’dears it’s been awhile!” Hercules cheered as he reached to shake Top Hat’s hand. “It’s been far too long, it’s good to hear your voice again.” Top Hat smiled when Warrior caught their attentions. “Oh! Hey Grampus,” Warrior smiled as another more skinnier merman jumped out of the water and sat next to him on the pier. “Hey guys! Long time no swim!” the deep sea merman said as he smiled and waved. “Grampus! How’s the light doing?” Top Hat asked. “Great after we found a vet that actually works with marine mythos, it works better than ever now!” Grampus smiled.

“It would have worked all the same if you hadn’t of gotten it damaged in the first place.” a familiar but irritating voice sounded out as the owner of it stepped off from his boat. “Ah, Bluenose, I didn’t expect you to fancy these sort of meet ups…” Top Hat in a monotone said while Zorran and Zak groaned behind him. “I admit curiosity got the better of me, so I will be here if anyone ‘fancy’s’ my company.” Bluenose said as he walked to a bench and sat down, knowing the answer to that question already. “You’ve got only yourself to blame for that, so don’t ruin the mood with your sulking.” “Kill joy.” Another few familiar voices said as a skeletal man with an eye patch jangled up to the group from his own boat followed by a human Atlantean hybrid. “Sea Rouge! Boomer!” Sunshine cheered as he came up and gave the undead pirates hand a fist bump. “Ay fellas, good to see you again.” Boomer said addressing Top Hat, Zorran and Zak. “Ay Boomer, haven’t seen your mug in a while,” Zak said as he came up to give him a hand shake followed by Zorran.

“So, you’re the one I replaced and heard so much about.” A new more gravelly voice said as its owner watched from the perch of his tugs bow, he jumped off and landed close to the group to walk up to Zak who took a defensive stance. “I can only assume you’re the Oscar I’ve heard about.” Zak said as he and Oscar sized each other up. “Seems we’ve both left a reputation.” Oscar said then offered his hand out for a shake. Zak took it cautiously, but when he saw Oscar give a more confident smile and firmer grip with the shake it spelt respect, Zak smiled back in return. “It’s nice to see you again Zorran, it feels weird not seeing you without your partner in crime.” A voice Zorran knew well spoke from the water and Zorran gave a tip of his hat to the owner of the voice. “It does feel weird seeing you without him here, I’d bet he’d feel jealous. Either way, it’s nice to see you again to miss Orcades.” “You know my preferred name, you can use it.” She insisted. “Alright, Orchid.” Zorran corrected.

“Top Hat, Zak, Zorran, it has been a very long time gentlemen.” A familiar voice said that cut the commotion as a man hobbled out of the door using a staff as a walking stick and a senior merman in a wheelchair following behind him. “Magister Star…” Top Hat smiled as he gave a salute, followed by the other mythos. “It’s good to see you again lads, I see you’ve been doing well.” The old merman said rolling his chair up to them to offer a hug, they each took it in turns before it landed on Top Hat’s turn. “It’s good to see your still around O.J, it’s been a little weird having to be the voices of reason to other mythos.” O.J laughed, “I can only imagen! Haha!” Everyone else gave a chuckle before they heard the heavier footsteps of a large man come up to them, all the mythos minus the jockeys gasped with mouths open when they saw who it was.

“Well now, this is quite the gathering, what are we celebrating?” Titan smiled with a big grin. The whole group didn’t make a sound for a solid minuet before it was Hercules to make the first move, he walked out from behind everyone and approached the now larger mythic. He stood directly in front of Titan’s chest and had to strain his neck to look up into his eyes, what looked back at him were the same blue eyes he had always known, a fierce blue that could always be interpreted as ether a bright hot blue flame, or a fridged unforgiving cold ice, indecisive not unlike humanity.

“Titan…” Hercules whispered as his eyes grew misty with tears, it had been decades since he saw his brother. “Hey Herc.” Titan’s smile broke away into a happy sob, he crushed the man into a tight hug which the other returned in kind. “Gods I missed your hugs, to hell with my height they’re still the same as I remember!” Titan laughed in a hearty jolly boom as he let Hercules go. “To hell with your height indeed, go back to being shorter than me!” Hercules laughed as well as he had to jump to try and ruffle Titan’s hair, knocking his hat off. As the two began to roughhouse a shout came from the crowd as well, “Ten Cents!” Sunshine yelled as he gave a running jump and leaped onto Titan’s back and have a hug around his neck. “Sunshine!” Titan cheered, swinging him around on his neck and sitting him on his shoulders so the shorter man could hug his head. “Man it’s been so long! Don’t you go running off for that long again!” Sunshine shouted as he tried to do his best to noogie the taller mythic. “It’s not like I had a choice, I was a freshly fallen, I had to start working out my options.” Titan chuckled as the others all started to trickle in and approach the former star tug number 1.

As they all started to get reacquainted it was a surprise how much had changed for all of them. “Holy cow, Zip? A controller of a railway?!” Titan gawked as he staired shocked at the man. “Granted it’s nothing like the NWR you’re working on but it’s definitely shaping up, I actually find it more surprising that the fae folk there are letting a pixy be their boss.” Zip said as he pulled a beer bottle out of a cooler he brought. “Huh, if only Magister Zero could see you now, he’d be eating his words.” Titan commented with a chuckle, causing a few of them to look at him with inquisitive looks, mainly Magister Star.

“Have you not seen Zero in hell? I would have thought you would have recognised his aura.” Star asked. “No, no! -Well I mean… okay, I’ve been to hell on some occasions, mainly to serve some errands that Lucifer wanted me to do among the angels on earth or some higher ranking demons, but I’ve never stuck around long enough to sight see, hell! I didn’t even know he was studying in hell until you just told me.” Titan said. “I’d have thought the devil would have mocked you for it.” Mac said grabbing a beer and sandwich as well. “What do you think he is? Ten thousand years old?” Titan asked, making the others nod in a fair point.

“Speaking of age, how old are you now Ty? I thought angels aged very slow.” O.J asked. “Once it was drawing closer to Thomas’s birthday I was allowed to go into heaven for a few errands and excess training, we went into a different area of heaven where time moves much faster, so to me it was another few centuries but on earth it was maybe a month at a time.” “How old are you now then?” Hercules asked. “Fifty million.” “Jesus!” Star said shocked. “No I’m Titan.” the fallen angel joked causing a laugh around the group. “But alright enough about me, what happened after I left?” he asked.

Star started off. “Well, after you left all of us were pretty sad, we all didn’t know if we would ever see you again so we started mourning you as if you were dead. I remember Hercules took the worst to it.” Hercules nodded his head in sad agreement. “And as I’ve told you I was replaced.” Zak said then the magister continued, “After a few months we started to fall into a better routine, we were down one switcher but we managed until I could purchase a new one,” “And that would have been me.” Sea Rouge said raising his hand. “You Rouge?” Titan asked sounding surprised. “Yep, the navy bought the munitions factory and that left me without a job since they didn’t want mythic as staff members, especially undead ones, they thought we were a bad omen.” “But then two years later the navy base was relocated, saying they didn’t want soldiers and military equipment so close to civilians.” Bluenose followed up from Sea Rouge. “And I’m betting they couldn’t take you with them so they sold you,” Titan smirked. “No actually, when we were relocating they did a mass inspection on everyone’s records, including mine. So after an extensive view into mine they found me more suitable for civilian company work instead of the navy, so they discharged me.” Bluenose corrected. “That’s a load of dredge and you know it!” Sunshine remarked rolling his eyes. “He attacked a human officer and he was chased off.” Rouge answered making the others chuckle. “You know what I can’t say I’m surprised.” Titan acknowledged.

“Then a few years later Boomer joined us again.” Sunshine commented. “Yeah, the council decided that maintaining a house boat wasn’t such a good idea, and tenants never appeared to stay long even with me being their personal butler that came with the house.” Boomer said. “They were going to scrap his boat and then run Boomer back through the trade, so I stepped in before they could do that. I paid for his restoration and brought him back, it ended up being a pretty good investment as Boomer worked as a large switcher able to do harbor tug work and switching.” Star commented also giving Boomer a pat on the back.

“Did his jinx come back after I turned?” Titan asked. “No it didn’t surprisingly enough,” Boomer said looking down to the tattoo and scar on his right arm. “To be fair mine didn’t disappear after you turned ether, I remember you and I were discussing it before you left but we never finished that conversation.” Hercules said looking down to his own scared and tattooed right arm. “And I’m afraid a few million years later didn’t give me any answers ether, the angels involved with Lucifer’s fall didn’t have any blessings with humans at the time because so far it was only Adam and Lilith around, so none of them could tell me if their blessings stayed after they got turned.” Titan grumbled. “Well maybe you’re the first, you can probably figure it out still.” O.J encouraged. “I’m not the first by far, the problem is that angels that had given blessings in more recent centuries that turned fallen had their “bless-ies” die from ether war, sickness, or just old age. Apparently angels just haven’t been giving blessings all that much anymore and it only happens in the span of three decades now.” Titan said earning a concerned look from the group.

“So heaven has been retreating from earth for a few generations as of late?” Star asked. “It’s not like hell has been doing much ether, the demons that are here are a lot more like Zero than anything else, not causing trouble and just living among humans.” “So what? Christianity mythos are kind of just flattening out?” Mac asked. “Basically yeah, but I’m sure once another sickness or war comes about they’ll be popping back up again.” Titan said. “Good time to be raising Thomas then without any divine intervention ay?” Zorran commented. “You have no idea, the few demons I have come across have been small potatoes but I wouldn’t want to run into another Johnny.” The others grew frowns and nodded in agreement, a demon like the one that could go toe to toe with Titan was one they didn’t hope to encounter again.

“Getting back on topic, how did you guys get from America to here?” Titan asked. “Well after Boomer joined us we had a few years peace before world war two came, and that’s when Zero wanted to sell his business as he saw it a prime time to move into hell for his more demonic studies. We’d all grown rather familiar with the zeds over the decades and the idea of them being separated and not seeing each other anymore set a lot of us off, so I bought Zero’s business, and then the zeds were stars. Afterwards I thought it would have been a good idea to relocate, so I found Sodor after a while and we moved here.” Star answered. “Then after a few years of working around the docks here a few of us wanted a change, so some of us went our separate ways and went for other carriers.” Top Hat said. “Then that was when a few of us went inland a little more, me and Top Hat found Zak riding on Henry’s back when we went into Knapford and he told us all about a jockeys life, and the rest his history.” Zorran concluded.

“Now enough about us, how did you get from last we saw you to raising my nephew?” Hercules asked sounding very interested in Thomas. “Well after I left I was on the run for a bit from other angels that would have sensed an over powered demon on earth, after I learned how to go to hell I ran straight to my brother Lucifer to see if he could help me since I’ve actually talked to him before.” Titan said. “I remember that, before we joined Magister Star a man in a suit came and talked to you.” Hercules recalled. “Yep, that was him giving me some support should I ever need it. Anyway, I talked to him and he got me started on some more demonic magic that he would teach me if I ran errands for him, I agreed at the time because my angel magic wasn’t working that well anymore and I needed a new method of defence. After I was good enough in some crafts I went back out onto earth to see about getting a meeting with my family, to my surprise almost the same day I was out of hell, who would greet me but some of my most powerful brothers Michael and Amenadiel! …” Titan gave a bit of a pause as he recounted the even with hurt in his eyes.

“They had been sensing me since I first turned but had no idea it was me, so when my demonic signature disappeared and then came back stronger they decided they needed stronger angels. They were, believe me when I tell you, surprised to heaven and back when they saw it was me… both of them instantly grew concerned and wanted to bring me straight back to heaven to get this mess sorted out but then we quickly realised I would burn up before I got close enough. So for a few years I was bouncing back and forth between training on earth and hell to get stronger, once I was deemed fit enough they saddled a lot of magic buffers on me and we began praying that I wouldn’t burn to ash on the way up. So after all that we got to the silver city and surprise, surprise! Dad wasn’t home. So with that hope dashed, we then started to look into how an angel can get their position back in the old scripts, and we found that raising another god-like being could win your favour back… And so I believe you can guess the rest from there.”

“They pointed you in the direction of Thomas from there and I’m betting the rest is history.” Zorran stated and Titan nodded. “I’m surprised that alicorns are even still around, I thought they went extinct ages ago.” Zip commented. “Thomas was a divine intervention, so I’m not sure he counts as a natural. The truth is heaven hasn’t seen another alicorn in centuries, so for all we know is that their ether hiding really well, or they are just gone.” Titan said while rubbing the back of his neck. “So he doesn’t have any potential mentors?” Magister Star asked.

“He does, for the basics at least. After that though I have no clue.” Titan said. “We were actually discussing at one point that maybe you could teach him sir.” Zak said. “I was actually thinking for maybe the more advanced stuff, he’s going to be the demi-god of the night sky so that’s a lot of astrology magic he’s going to be packing.” Titan cleared up since he knew his old magisters art of magic was a lot more advanced than what Thomas was ready for.

Magister Star stamped his staff on the ground and a stack of books appeared in front of him. “Astrology magic is one of those types that you’d better start studying sooner rather than later, the beginner stuff isn’t even all that complicated, it’s firstly reading the stars and finding out the constellations, you can do that with any book.” He said levitating the books over to Titan who caught them in his arms.

“Okay, what’s after that then?” Titan asked. “Next would be water manipulation since the easiest subject of that type of magic is lunar currents, but I imagine learning to read the stars will take up most of his time while also learning the basics.” Star said. “Oof, learning to manipulate water can be pretty difficult. I’d be happy to help once he gets to that level.” Zebedee offered. “I actually already know how to use astronomy slips, I used them when I had to go out at sea back in the day, so maybe I could help in that department.” Hercules said. Titan smiled, “It would also be a good moment to introduce his uncles, I don’t see any reason why not.” “It’d be really good for him I imagen, since he’s only known you for his whole life.” Zak said.

“So, what’s Thomas doing now at least? He starting with the basic’s on trucks? Has he got shunting down? Magic so far?” Zip asked. “He’s running a goods train for the first time today, he’s gotten okay with bucking or shunting, and so far he’s gotten a start on levitation and figured out how to glide.” Titan answered proudly.

On the other side of the island, Thomas was souring above the tracks with his train being levitated behind him as he screamed to get himself under control while going down a hill. “AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!” “ON! ON! ON!” The haunted trucks chanted and laughed maniacally.

“Impressive, sounds like he’s flourishing already.” Magister Star praised. “Oh Zorran? How is Edward doing?” Orchid asked. “He’s alright, he’s been teaching Thomas how to shunt and the beginner steps to pulling trains. It’s honestly rather adorable watching those two work together.” Zorran chuckled. Orchid couldn’t help but share the sentiment, she always found it adorable when her love was with kids, it made her fantasise what could be someday for the two of them if they were careful and played their cards right.

Something then came to Titan’s realisation like a lightning bolt after he heard Orchid, he realised an old acquaintance of theirs from back in Bigg City wasn’t with them, and he was sure that under no circumstances would his brother leave them behind. “Huh… Oi Herc, I just realised, how come Lillie isn’t here with you?” Everyone seemed to grow quiet with a look of distain on their faces as they all looked to Hercules to see what he would do, Zebedee actually held onto the dragon’s arm in an act of trying to comfort him. “Lillie and I had a huge falling out before we left for Sodor Ty, she hit some rather raw nerves and we said some things we shouldn’t have. Since then after arriving here, me and Zebedee had actually grown rather close, now we’ve been dating for two years.” Hercules said with a kind smiled at the end and pulled Zebedee in for a hug and kiss on top of his head.

Titan was surprised, he honestly didn’t know what Hercules’s tastes were but now he could see that he liked them kind but strong. He was now finding some humour in how Hercules and Zebedee didn’t get together in secret sooner. “Daw! Well I’m glad you’ve found it in each other, you two could do brilliant together.” Titan praised. “Wait, really? I thought Christianity didn’t allow same sex relationships.” Harper said sounding confused along with a few others also looking puzzled. “Guys I was in my thirteen-thousands when ancient Greece was coming to an end, I’ve grown up watching humans and mythic doing all sorts of things they probably shouldn’t have done or were testing the waters. So in my opinion, you guys are alright and I support it. My other family members though tend to be divided, some like it, some don’t, but like I’ve said before Christianity mythos aren’t all that present anymore on earth, so there’s nobody really stopping you. Except the law here of course, I imagen Magister Star wouldn’t want a complaint that someone saw you two kissing in public.” Titan chuckled that last part with the others finding it a little funny to. “I’ve already had letters about that actually, and I tell them to ether talk to me in person about it, or to mind their own business. You know those paper balls I’ve been having you burn Hercules?” “Yes?” “Those have been them.” Hercules grinned maliciously at his magisters petty revenge who returned the gesture.

“If we’re on the topic of relationships, I’ve actually been dating a girl since we got here.” Sunshine commented with a smile. “Oh yeah! How’s that been going for ya?” Mac asked while giving the shorter man’s hair a small ruffle. “Heh-heh! Well, we’ve actually been talking about kids lately, I’m okay for it but she want some more security before we bring a new life into the world.” “Oh that’s nice Sunshine, congrats!” Titan cheered for his old bestie. “Anyone else been seeing somebody?” Titan asked.

Zip gently poked Zug’s head to get him to shoosh when he lamented his own woes about his love experience so far. “I’m honestly not too interested at the moment, but it seems girls can never get the hint, even some men have been staring at me. It feels weird, yeck!” Zip shivered that last part out. “Maybe you should go around with a sign on your chest and back saying- ‘Not interested in you or anyone else’.” Harper chuckled a little. “You know what, next valentines day I’m doing that.” Zip said with new confidence making the others chuckle at his enthusiasm. “How do the three fairy-teers find your troubles?” Zug asked.

“Yeah, I wanna know more about you’re little railway.” Titan said having all eyes on Zip. “Well as Zug said, there’s three of them. Rex, Mike, and Bert. Rex is the leader of the trio, although Mike likes to think he’s the leader. Rex is a green hairstreak butterfly with a bit of a wing deformation, his top wing tips are a little too small, so he sometimes has issues stopping or taking off. Mike is sort of a hot head but means well, and oddly enough he prefers goods to passengers any day of the week. He’s a red admiral and I swear when he gets mad, his red glows brighter. Bert is the eldest and a adonis blue, the best way to put him I guess would be shy, he’s a bit of a shy flyer to but I’ve been looking into why that could be.” “You do know one out of three working flyers isn’t a good thing right?” Zorran asked looking sceptical at Zip.

“And three out of five swimmers with one unable to touch water wasn’t ideal for Zero yet he kept you on.” Zip retorted back rendering Zorran’s argue mute and having the others give a laugh. “Haha! He’s got you there Zorran.” Zebedee laughed. “Zip go back to being an idiot.” Zorran teased. “No. Anyhow, I actually want to hear more about the Skarloey from Big Mac, how have the fauns been?” Zip asked causing Big Mac to be put in the light.

“They’ve been alright, Skarloey and Rheneas are the same-old-same-old. But recently we’ve gotten some new commers, their names are Duke, Falcon, Stuart, Duncan, Proteus and Andreas. All of them are rescues from around the area, Duke, Falcon and Stuart were all from the Mid-Sodor Railway near Arlesdale, but that railway obviously closed down to make your railway Zip.” Big Mac said making a sigh breath out of Zip. “Phew, I’m glad. I was wondering what happened to the mythos that used to run the line before us, I’m glad they didn’t leave Sodor.” “Yeah, they’re disappointed that they had to leave their home, but they’re managing to move on okay I think.” Mac said with a sombre tone. “But anyway, Duncan, Proteus and Andreas were all different cases. Andreas was found near the hills close to Cros-ny-Cuirn, he’s a faun ghost who haunts a locomotive that was built in world war 1, he talks odd, speaks about machines with faces that aren’t mythic, ghosts are a fantasy as well as mythos.” “How..?” Sunshine directed to Mac confused.

“We have no idea. But he’s floating around like a new death, and also like if he’s figuring out life for the first time as well. For him it’s like- forget he phases through things when he tries to grab them, it’s like it’s his first time having hands at all. And it’s not like he has amnesia, he told us his name and he even said he knew who Skarloey, Rheneas, Duke, Falcon, Stuart and Duncan were, although all of them claim to have never met him. He also remembers his death, saying he was in a gorge that passed through the hills he was found on, and a landslide of rocks crushed him.” “That’s… really bizarre.” Zak said with his mind rolling over in theory’s to Andreas’s condition. “I was actually hoping you could shed some light on him Zak, maybe give a reading or some therapy?” Mac asked. “I’m not a professional Mac, but I’ll do my best to lend an ear or an explanation, mythic ghosts are already rare enough as is, I’d be excited to get the chance to see one.” Zak nodded smiling.

“You said Duncan and Proteus were also rescues?” Titan reminded. “Ah! Right, okay so Proteus was cursed when he was young to only see through flames, so he carries a lantern around with him wherever he goes. But as an extra downside, the flame often burns his fat instead of burning the candle or wood it’s on, so he’s also very thin to the point he’s a walking skeleton practically. He’s selectively mute though, and often talks in sign or uses his hair or tail to spell out letters or make little puppet shows.” “Ooh, poor guy. Best to not let me near him anytime soon.” Sunshine said rubbing his arm.

“And Duncan?” Hercules asked. “Duncan came from a horrible railway in Scotland, it had a reputation for being a garbage working environment for the humans but it was outright cruelty for the fauns that worked there. Instead of maintaining their hooves or horns, they would have them removed and have their fur and hair shaved down to the skin, then have the area burned so it wouldn’t grow back. They didn’t get given clothes even if they were girls, and the most common cause of death there was being overworked until they dropped. Duncan was very lucky in a sense because he only got a branding scar and his hooves removed, otherwise he’s in great physical condition, but his head is definitely not in the right place. He’s rude, aggressive in some cases, stubborn, and complains a lot.” “To be fair, I’d be that way if I was from a place like that.” Rouge said. “Yeah, I hope he gets the help he needs.” Zebedee said. “I hope all of them do, fauns aren’t known from coming of the best origins.” Titan said causing everyone to agree, they liked the fauns on this island.

As they all chattered on throughout the day and into the evening, Zorran then noticed the position the sun was in and then noticed the time. “Oh crap, we’d better get going back home soon guys. I imagen a few of our steeds will be missing us.” Titan then noticed the time to and jumped. “Oh yeah, let’s get going. Sorry to cut this here guys, but we’ve got places to be.” “It’s alright m’dears we get it.” Hercules said giving Titan a hug goodbye. “Aye you lads go back to your colleagues and kids.” Mac said giving a smile and waving them off. “Ay make sure you bring Thomas around here sometime Titan, I’m pretty sure we’d all like to meet him soon.” Star said giving his send offs as well. “Done, you’ll get to meet him soon. We’ll being seeing you lot!” Titan said as he got up and started walking off with the other jockeys following him. “Goodnight everyone!” Harper called, “See ya bozos later!” Zak hollered. The other sailors said their own farewells as they watched the jockeys take off into the pink and orang skies on their way back towards Tidmouth stables.

When the four landed back down close to Tidmouth they saw a really bizarre sight. Thomas was actually flying around in the field! He was being chased by Gordon who was running and would try to leap and swat Thomas’s hooves, and James was platforming across pillars of onyx he had erupted from the ground after the alicorn as well. Edward and Henry were resting at the top of the small hill watching this all play out until they spotted the jockeys return and Edward waved them hello and to beckon them over.

Once they had gotten to the two they had some questions. “What’s going on here?” Harper asked as he was confused by Gordon’s odd behaviour. “Don’t get they’re attentions yet, you’ll ruin their fun.” Edward chuckled as he watched the three. “Are you saying their actually playing?” Zorran asked surprised as he knew his partners choice of words quite well. “Yes they are, Thomas made another huge milestone today and when he got back to the station he was flying in loops around the support beams of the canopy. It apparently caught Gordon’s attention so the two have been playing all the way back here with James joining in at some point after a little teasing.”

Titan was excited by Edward’s words. “Really? What did he do?” “Apparently when he was taking his first train the haunted troublesome trucks started to get away from him and made him become a runaway down Gordon’s hill, but in a panic he got back the control by levitating the whole train off the rails and then flying ahead of it like what pegasi do on the mainland. He was so proud of himself and managed to do it again on purpose with his next trains, and by the time he was finished he was so excited he hasn’t touched the ground again since.” Edward gleamed as he watched Thomas soar around.

Titan was horrified that Thomas had become a runaway but then felt his chest swell up with pride when he heard of his boys accomplishment, he beamed a broad sharp teethed grin then made a small skip off the hill with his own wings suddenly revealing out from behind his back and flying towards his son.

He swerved around the alicorn laughing with absolute glee, “Thomas! I just heard! I am so proud of you! Well done!” Titan cheered as he circled his child. Thomas smiled big and wide as well with his tail wagging behind him as he then began to give chase to his old man.

The rest of the afternoon was of the flyers playing a game of air tag with some of the runners trying to catch them from the ground, it wasn’t until the fat controllers came did the fun stop and the professionalism return as everyone landed and stood at attention.

“Well done Thomas! The station master’s along your route told us about your save and then progress for the remainder of your trains, great job!” Sir Bertrum said with the other Hatt’s having smiles of their own. “Thank you sir,” Thomas smiled with his tail and ears flicking with excitement. “Unfortunately though Thomas, we want to give you another job but tomorrows trains are already taken. You and Edward will have to shunt in the yard since there’s been a bit of a backlog.” Sir Charles said. Thomas then frowned, he didn’t like this news but didn’t have much of a choice. “Okay sirs, I’ll be in the yard tomorrow with Edward.” “It won’t be all that bad Tommy, on the plus side, Edward can teach you all there is to know on haunted trucks so they don’t cause you trouble again.” Zorran pointed out causing Titan to smile and give his nod to Thomas who gave it some thought then shrugged with a smile.

Once the fat controllers were satisfied that everyone understood their jobs they left for the night causing the others to also retire to the stables. Gordon immediately pulled Thomas to the side and began to preen his wings while the young colt stripped to get into his pyjamas, but he found it difficult to do so since anytime he pulled away Gordon pulled right back to finish the job properly. Eventually Thomas gave in and let Gordon preen him until he was done. Dinner was another Edward special with Titan at the cook pot as well to help read out the cookbook James had gotten Edward, by the end everyone was ready for bed say for Henry who was growing a headache and kept gripping his antlers, whimpering most of the night in pain.

The next morning everyone had gotten up bright and early, Thomas had a piece of toast still in his mouth as he was about to run out the door to meet the others in the yard but was quickly greeted to a slap in the face of rain and cold. “Gah!” Thomas jumped and skidded back indoors, the toast now soggy. “Um… it’s raining.” The others chuckled at the colt. “Hnn….” Henry groaned, doing his best to hide under the table while looking terrified up at the ceiling. “Come on Hen, you’ve gotta train to pull today.” Zak soothed. But the lighting strike did little encouragement for the deer centaur.

“Why is Henry so afraid of the rain anyway?” Thomas asked as Titan gave him a raincoat to fit his body. “A storm happened after Henry escaped his old home, he apparently got very lost in the rain. So most rainy days bring back those bad memories.” Zak explained. Thomas hummed, he wanted to help Henry, but didn’t know how… he looked down at his wings and started drying them off when he felt the underside of his wing, it was still dry, the water hadn’t gone through his wings and soaked them. That gave Thomas an idea then, he gently wrapped his wing around Henry’s back and held his hand. “It’ll be alright Henry, I’ll walk with you. If you stay under my wings, you won’t get wet.” “It’s not the wetness of it Thomas, it’s-” Henry was cut off by another thunder struck, but before it could even finish Thomas had held his hands up to Henry’s ears and instead of a thunderclap, all Henry heard was a twinkling sound, like small windchimes, but Henry was honestly just reminded of the stars when he heard it.

“What…?” Henry questioned. Thomas went to remove his hands but Henry was quick to grab them and hold them back up to his ears, he heard the same twinkling sound again when he did so, confusing him. “Can anybody else hear that?” Henry asked. “Hear what?” Gordon asked. “Thomas’s hands sound like stars.” Henry stated earning a few confused looks from the others. “Oh that? It’s just something Thomas is able to do, he himself can’t hear it but others can. If you were to let his wing wrap around your head you’d hear something akin to a night sky ambiance, and depending on the season you’ll hear more wintery night sounds.” Titan cleared up. “Really?” James questioned and sat down beside Thomas to have his wing wrap around him, and sure enough when James listened he could hear crickets chirping and winds blowing like he was near a beachside at night. “Oooh! That’s neat!” James grinned.

Zak then smiled. “Think you could do this until the station Thomas?” “Sure! You ready Henry?” Thomas asked removing one hand. “Umm… we can definitely try.” Henry hushed out, not having much faith in this plan. “Let’s rattle and roll then!” Thomas chirped, helping Henry get his large body out from under the table.

With wings over their bodies, and hands over Henry’s hunched down head, Thomas walked with the giant forest spirit to the big station, the others trotting in tow. Every time a thunder strike would sound off, all Henry heard was a shooting star pass by. And Henry wouldn’t be able to promise, but he could swear that when looking through Thomas’s wings, he’d see the night sky instead of cloudy grey day.

Eventually they made it to the station canopy where Henry was left to his own devices, the rain had started to let up and the thunder became a distant drum in the back of the band. He even became brave enough to stick his hand out into the lasting drops and let them fall on his antlers, flowers growing in places where the water landed. Thomas was pleased and left to go to the yard for the days shunting, watching Edward join him with Gordon and James heading to wait at their platforms for their trains.

After the two smaller blue steeds had gotten the trains ready and to their respective haulers, Edward shook his body to rid it of the water, with oddly enough a little steam seeming to flow off of him. Thomas used his magic to get the water off himself, finding he’d just drench Titan and Edward again if he shook it off. “Well, that was refreshing.” Titan mentioned as he steamed the water off his body. “I could have done without…” Zorran said as his normally translucent body was looking a little more transparent than usual. “Zak’s waterproofing seemed to have worked on you though.” Titan commented. “Yeah he perfected that not long before he left, and thank god to, being a ghost working on the water is not a smart thing, let alone in a county where 70% of its weather is rain!” Zorran shouted getting his opacity back to normal.

“Do ghosts not do well with water?” Thomas asked. “No they don’t, for most types of ghosts water is basically like acid to us, we can’t touch it.” Zorran stated while he played with his transparency a bit. “Which is weird since you say you remember being brought back in a sailors outfit.” Titan commented with a smirk. Zorran however groaned, “I don’t know! Maybe I just liked playing pretend in a past life, or maybe I died coming home from sailing! Grr!” “Easy, Zak says he’s working every day to help with your amnesia, something like that has just gotta take time.” Edward did his best to soothe. “Thanks for telling me how my own treatment works Eddie.” Zorran snipped making Edward raise his hands and back away.

“Amnesia?” Thomas asked. “It’s when you lose your memories, so basically you forget who you are or who your family are. In Zorran’s case he was human at some point then passed away, he doesn’t remember how that happened, or who he was in his past life. To him he just woke up on a beach in the middle of the night one day, no clue of who he was or how he got there.” Titan explained. “No clue what I even was ether, so admittedly I screamed when I saw a human for the first time, thinking they were wrong somehow instead of the other way around, hehe… that was a funny time.” Zorran chuckled. “Oh… and the sailor outfit?” Thomas asked.

“Depending on how humans die can be the way how their brought back as a spirit, for example if a sailor drowned out at sea they would have an immunity to water as a ghost. Or if they died to hypothermia they’d make a room cold if they walked into it. Y’know, thematic stuff. So the others find it weird that if I was potentially a sailor I would’ve drowned out at sea, and have an immunity to water, but as you can see that is not the case.” Zorran explained. “So at least you can rule out a watery grave, maybe you could’ve died to a heart attack or something?” Thomas suggested. “That’s not an option, humans dying to a “natural death” doesn’t give them a pass to become a ghost. So if a human dies of old age they won’t be brought back, same with other things like cancer.” Zorran clears up. “Maybe you were murdered then? Poisoning? Gun shot?” Thomas asked. “I’d have a strong sense of smell or “vision” to poisons then, and if it was a gunshot I’d more than likely be a vengeful spirit instead of a wandering one like what Zak classified me as.” Zorran cleared, looking disinterested from the conversation as he’d heard all the theory’s a thousand times. “What would magic do?”

That threw Zorran’s head for a loop. “Huh?” “Magic, like if a strike of magic lightning hit you, what would that do?” Thomas asked. “I…. don’t know, you’d have to ask Zak about that, he’s more knowledgeable in the dead than I am.” Zorran said. “Not something you’ve taken into consideration is it Zorran?” Titan asked. “No… I honestly didn’t even think of if I previously dealt with mythos in my past, maybe I was cruel towards them and an uprising happened.” Zorran pondered in thought. “Weird to think that for you… you’re rough around the edges but hurting other mythos is not really something I would pin you with.” Edward commented. “Thanks Eddie.” “AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!”

All the mythos suddenly looked to the entrance of the yard to see James coming in hot with a row of haunted trucks behind him, sliding him along the rails, and the sound of breaking gemstone grinding against the ballast and rails. “HELP! THEIR PUSHING ME! THEIR PUSHING ME!” James yelled as he was spat back out of the yard and down one of the branch lines. “James!” Thomas and Edward shouted, bolting after the runaway stallion with their jockey’s quickly running into the station to tell the fat controllers.

As the two gained speed Thomas tried to get a running start to fly and started flapping his wings to get him air born. “Thomas! Be careful!” Edward shouted after the young colt as he watched him get above the ground and fly after James. Thomas flew as hard as he could manage to get to the head of the train, the smell of cutting geo being awful, but that meant that James could be in a lot of pain. “James!” Thomas shouted as he flew overhead of James. “Thomas! You’re flying?!” “Not the time! Use your magic! Try and slow the train down!” “What do you think I’ve been doing?!! Their repelling my magic! My body is breaking apart! If I don’t stop soon I’ll shatter!” “Hold on! I have an idea!”

Thomas’s horn started to brightly glow, layers of magical aura stacking on top of each other as it became obvious Thomas was planning something big. Then, with little warning, Thomas started to levitate the entire train! “GAAAHHHH!!” Thomas screamed as he raised his head like a wand, picking up the runaway! “Woah! Go Thomas!” James cheered. “No! On, on, on!” The troublesome trucks chanted as they realised they were being slowed down, but what nobody realised that with the train being picked up off the ground, James suddenly had not ground to stand on. With a slip of his hooves, James suddenly found himself succumbing to gravity.

“Huh? Oh no! Thomas! AAAAAHHHH!” James shrieked as he plummeted to the earth. Thomas gasped! “James!” He bolted down to hopefully catch the black steed but it was too late, James landed on the ballast with a crash! Onyx chunks flying everywhere! “GAAHHH!” James screamed as he lay broken on the dirt. “James!” Thomas cried as he came in for the rough landing, setting the trucks beside the track so they wouldn’t be going anywhere. “James! Are you okay?” Thomas panicked as he fell to the unicorns side. James groaned, “Ow…” “Oh no, oh no, no-no-no-no, I-I need to find Henry! He should be able to fix you!” “Thomas! James!” Edward shouted from the distance as he came toward the crash site. “James!” Edward gasped as he quickly came to his work colleagues aid. “Come on, we have to get him back to Knapford. Thomas, think you could carry him back and fly at the same time?” Edward asked with urgency. “I’ll give it my dammed best shot.” Thomas assured then took James in his arms, swinging him onto his back then getting another running start to fly.

When Thomas got back to Knapford he could see the jockeys already out in the platform with the Hatt’s, he brayed as hard as he could as he came in for the landing, it was wonky but it was successful none the less. “James shattered!” Thomas cried running up to the adults. “What?!” The fat controllers gasped as Thomas trotted up to show them who was on his back. James’s entire equine body was gone, shattered and broken at his hips, his arms hardly staying together with chunks falling off and crumbling the more he held onto Thomas for dear life, his horn even cleaved away at the base.

“Zorran, go get Henry here, now!” Sir Bertrum ordered. “Yes sir!” Zorran saluted before he was gone with the wind in the direction of the mainline. “Hold on James, you’re going to feel a little odd, just try not to grab as much as you can.” Sir Stephen warned before his eyes started to glow and he rested his hands on James’s chest and shoulder. “Grab…? Gya!” James was taken aback by the sudden flood of magic that rushed through his veins, considering he went from weak and exhausted to suddenly feeling energised in a second. He could see what Sir Stephen suddenly meant by grabbing, the immortal man giving his magic to James willingly so he could recover. But now he was vulnerable, if James so desired he could drain his bosses magic for himself quite easily and get a huge magic boost out of it, the magic was incredibly tempting as well, almost like a drug. But James just sat there on his back, keeping his body together as much as possible until Henry arrived.

Which thankfully wasn’t long. An elk cry could be heard sprinting into the station and skipping across the platforms to get to them. “What happened?” Henry demanded, nudging Stephen out of the way. “The trucks pushed him into becoming a runaway and he started to break.” Thomas explained. “Told him he should’ve gotten that cracking checked.” Titan crossed his arms only to be smacked at the side of the head. “Not the time Ten Cents.” Zorran scolded. “Okay, James do you need anything specifically for you to regenerate?” Henry asked, setting his hands on his friend to begin healing his bleeding wounds. “Minerals… a metal and gemstone, and a safe place.” James croaked out.

Sir Stephen removed his tie to reveal a ring on a necklace, it had a gold band with a ruby center stone and two smaller onyx’s to the side. “Wait Stephen, that’s-” “I’m well aware what it is.” Sir Stephen cut his father off then gave his ring to the broken centaur. James brought it up to his mouth and quickly swallowed it, what happened next made everyone go into shock. Ruby started to form over James’s body like a rash that slowly grew larger and denser, it had quickly encased him in a chrysalis like he was frozen in ice.

Once the growing had stopped Henry double checked to see if James was alive. “Phew… He’s alright, I think he’s just gone into a stasis.” Henry said much to everyone’s relief. “What even is James? Theres no way he’s 100% centaurian.” Zorran said looking down to the Hatt’s hoping they might have an answer. “We don’t know, it just said that he was a unicorn when we saw the advertisement, so we purchased him.” Sir Charles said. “Well ether way, when James does recover from this he’ll have some serious questions to answer. For now though, I’m going to bring him back to Tidmouth for him to rest, at least that way he’ll wake up in a familiar space. …When he wakes up…” Henry said that last part to himself. He hoisted James’s encased body into his arms and began to start trotting towards the sheds, Thomas was about to start walking with him when Sir Bertrum stopped him.

“Hold on now Thomas, I’m confident Henry has it from here. You’re still needed however and now more than ever since we’re down a unicorn. I want you to gather the breakdown train and bring it to recover the troublesome trucks, after that you’ll be taking James’s trains while he’s out of commission.” Thomas wanted to argue but knew better than to make the eldest Hatt cross, so he solemnly nodded and quickly skipped over the tracks to get hitched up to the breakdown cranes. A crew consisting of two twin ghosts floated out of the cranes and over to Thomas, greeting him with a sense of urgency.

“Is there an emergency?” “Has anyone been hurt?” “Are medical assistance on the scene?” They bombed Thomas with questions. “Easy Judy and Jerome, it’s just gonna be a salvage. Don’t hound the young man.” Zorran eased as he floated over to Thomas and sat at the lead of the carriage attached to the hitch, picking up the reins and giving them a flick for Thomas to get moving. “I’m gonna be your jockey for this Thomas, Titan volunteered to take Henry’s train on.” “Oh thank you Zorran. Alright, let’s go!” Thomas pulled out of the siding and down the line to the crash site, arriving to see the various trucks groaning with some of them even unpossessing their hauntings to help the others righting their rolling stock back onto the track. “I hope you trucks learned something from all of this…” Thomas frowned at them, using his own magic to start helping to re-right them with Judy and Jerome summoning chains from themselves and using them to lift up the trucks as well.

Later in the day after Thomas had finished packing away the trucks and taking the cargo to its intended destination, then taking the trucks to the works to be repaired, he flew back to Tidmouth stables very late and exhausted. But to his surprise, there was a small party waiting for him! The steeds and jockeys as well as some workmen were there to welcome him home, clapping and cheering as a small banquet was being prepared.

“Well done Thomas, today you really proved to be the best of us.” Edward congratulated as he set down a few appetizers. “Congrats kiddo, you really pulled a power move today.” Zak applauded. “Incredibly well done young Crescent, you’ve grown so far in such a short amount of time.” Harper smiled. “We couldn’t agree more!” Sir Bertrum said as he walked up with his family in tow along with a few familiar faces to the jockeys.

“Magister? What are you doing here?” Harper asked when he saw Magister Star behind the controllers. “It was the Hatt’s idea, might as well make it a proper party to celebrate such an achievement. And a reward if what I’ve been told is correct,” The wizard chuckled. “Indeed, now everyone gather round, this is big news!” Sir Charles said beckoning all the steeds in. Once everyone was standing at attention Sir Stephen stood up on a small crate to address everyone. “I’d first like to say to everyone thank you for coming, tonight is a splendid night indeed. We are here to congratulate Thomas Crescent’s achievements for today, saving the life of a fellow work colleague, and making milestones in his achievements of learning how to use magic and to fly, this we believe is worthy of celebrations as well as a handsome reward! Thomas, won’t you step out to the front?”

The young colt did so with his head held high at attention. “Thomas, due to your unselfish bravery and heroism, it is my honour to reward you with your very own branch line!” Sir Charles beamed as another wave of applause sounded out. Thomas smiled and bounced from hoof to hoof in happiness, hugging the stout gentlemen for good measure. “Oh thank you sirs! I promise I won’t let you down!” The men all chuckled, and when Thomas let go Sir Stephen presented him with a metal name board. “Ffarquhar?” Thomas questioned when he read it. “That’s a breast board, you wear it as a belt so it lays flat on your second chest, it helps passengers read what service your pulling.” Harper clarified. “And that’s the name of the branch line you’ll be running, from Knapford to Ffarquhar.” Sir Bertrum answered. “Oh!” Using his magic Thomas made the plate float over where it would sit on his body. “How does it look?” “Ya wear it like a pro kiddo.” Zorran smiled ruffling the alicorns hair.

“Alright enough of this, let’s get this party started!” Magister Star smiled forming a spell with his staff before casting it into the air creating a makeshift disco ball. Everyone “Ooh’d” and “Ah’d” at the pretty ball before some music began to play, Harper, Mac and Zak having summoned some instruments and begun an upbeat tune. Once the music was on everyone started to mingle and party, Titan showed up a little late but walked up to his son with some people in tow behind him.

“Thomas, I’d like you to meet some extended family members. This is my brother Hercules, and… sorry Zeb what pronouns do you feel like today?” “He, him.” “And his long term boyfriend Zebedee, their your uncles.” “Uncles?” Thomas questioned giving the pair a look over and wagging his tail in happiness once he looks into their eyes. “Oh wow! It’s so nice to meet you both! C-Can I give you both a hug?” The couple chuckled and opened their arms out. “Of course kiddo, come ‘ere!” Zeb smiled letting Thomas pull him into a tight squeeze with Hercules joining in.

“Oi, what about the rest of us ey?” a voice from behind them said. When they all turned it was Sunshine was standing at the head of the rest of the stars tapping his foot smiling with anticipation. “Heh-heh, of course, of course. Thomas, this is your god father Sunshine and his fiancé Rain. Behind him are the rest of the gathering I was a part of when I was your age, the wizard who made the light in the sky is Magister Star, behind him is uncle Mac, to the right is your grandpa O.J, next to him is uncle Warrior…”

The next day after the party, the Tidmouth team heard a cracking sound coming from James’s stall, they were all very surprised to see James break out of his stone cocoon made entirely of a new gem, bright red ruby with a golden glitter starting to mist from his tail and hooves. He fell to the floor in a heap but Edward and Harper were fast to help pick him back up. “James! You’re alright!” Thomas shouted in glee. “Ugh, yeah, j-just give me a minuet… oof.” James breathed, slowly righting himself up onto his hooves and letting his body assemble together, it still floating disconnected at his joints. But somethings were a little different, his horn was more of a cork screw fashion now than the spiral he had before, and the ruby attached to his flesh was more jagged and less smooth unlike the clean cut the others had seen prior with the onyx.

“Ooh! You look amazing James, we couldn’t really see much after the stone you were in grew rock over it.” Henry smiled admiring the new look. “Yeah that was me, I didn’t exactly want you guys seeing my intestines through the rock.” James managed to walk forward and sit at the kitchen table, still pulling his energy back if the gold flow was anything to judge by. “I like the new horn, very stylish from the norm.” Gordon complimented handing James some water and a small bowl of cereal. “Well I figured its officially out now that I’m not your average unicorn, so I wanted to try something different. The new gold tail and frills should kick in soon I just need to regain some strength.” James said taking a spoon to the cereal.

“So does that mean you’ll tell us how you were made?” Henry questioned looking hopeful. “No. I’ll tell you later Henry in private about my healing process but that’s about it. So, apart from me, has there been anything I’ve missed?” James asked. “Well you were out for 12 hours…” Edward cited. “Huh, only that long? Not the worst I’ve ever had. Please continue.” James commented gesturing for the others to go on. “Well Thomas is now considered a hero for helping save your life, he was even rewarded the Ffarquhar branch line to call his own.” Titan mentioned nearly making James spit out his food. “What?! Now hold on a damn second, I was in no danger of death, that is a huge stretch. Also, the branch line I’ve been working on since before Thomas arrived? Whatever happened to seniority?!” Well James’s energy 100% seemed to be back now as his tail and frills flared with gold like a stoking flame.

“Well what did you honestly expect when you didn’t tell us anything about your anatomy before? We thought you breaking and shattering your body would have been a death sentence for you!” Harper scolded. “Well, I’m better now! So shouldn’t that hero title be revoked?” James questioned looking at Thomas. “From what we’ve been told James the decision is finale, and regardless of your accident, Thomas has done a very good job over the past week, he deserves a reward for all that he’s managed to do.” Edward contested.

James looked like he was about to blow his lid off, his face was as red as his body and it almost looked like something dark had flickered through his eyes before he quickly shot it down and to the back of the mind as quickly as it happened. The crystal steed huffed out harshly and almost looked to pucker his lips in, was he trying to hide something in his mouth? “Nope! No! I won’t get mad over this, I won’t get mad over this, I won't get mad over this.” James chanted as he turned around and walked back to his stall, slamming the door shut.

The others were confused but they didn’t have much time to think on it when Titan beckoned Thomas over. “C’mon champ, time for your first day!” “Yes! See you guys later tonight!” Thomas waved his friends goodbye before he galloped out the door and headed straight for the carriage shed at Knapford. “See you later Thomas! Have fun!” Edward called out watching the colt run off.

Thomas hitched up to Annie and Clarabell and was excited to be leaving out of the station, Gordon eventually joined him on the opposite platform wishing the young steed well. The guards whistle blew and Thomas cantered happily down the line to crowds of people, human and mythos alike, congratulating him. When he finally got down to Ffarquhar he was surprised to see a mythos with sheep legs and a human body greet him, he had red wool on his thighs and black ram horns atop his head, but most striking to Thomas was the number 1 sown in on a loincloth around his waist.

The mythic was using his horns to cut away shrubbery from a locomotive with a vertical boiler when he heard the crowd and Thomas trotting in. “Oh! you must be the new number 1, welcome to the line!” He said with a thick Welsh accent. “Thank you, I’m Thomas.” the young colt greeted. “My name is Glynn, lovely to meet you Thom- Good heavens!” Glynn suddenly gasped when he noticed Thomas’s wings. “Y-You’re an alicorn!” “I am, and uh… I’m sorry, I don’t know what you are.” Thomas admitted sheepishly. “Oh, I’m a faun, nothing to special compared to you. Wow… I can’t believe they managed to get an alicorn to run this old line, do they have big plans for it? Or is it only practice since I can see your rather young still.” “Nope, I-” Thomas was cut off by the guards whistle. “Oh! Sorry Glynn, maybe we can chat some other time? I got to keep to time on my first day!” Thomas brayed before trotting out of the station, waving a goodbye to Glynn who smiled and waved back watching Thomas go onto the loop.

Thomas happily galloped along the track, watching birds fly overhead and grass go whizzing by! He let out another enchanted mighty bray with his wings opening up to take flight, this being the best day of his life! “Haha!” He cheered into the open blue sky.

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