Chapter Text
During the trip of arriving at Tidmouth Sheds, Sir Topham Hatt’s bodyguards were… driving him to head over to Tidmouth, though it was a little rock with him having to figure out which is which. The journey to Tidmouth Sheds was a little bumpy for him to get used to his new form, as he would either slow down or speed up and bump into someone’s buffers.
He was acting like he was learning to walk again, just like how Sir Robert Norramby went through it after he was transformed into a steam locomotive by Wendell. It could be like driving Winston, but this was so different from driving and letting someone else drive you!
Despite his lack of self-driving skills, Sir Topham Hatt followed the Steam Team to Tidmouth, passing by confused locomotives hiding when the Aries Black Zodiac suddenly appeared. He knows that keeping this a secret among humans would not last long, so he asks other engines to help gather his faithful Steam Team to tell them everything between him, Avril, and the Dream Team.
If he remembers, the current members of the Dream Team were Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Henry Elba (Linus’ engineer to not mix him up with the Steam Team’s Henry), Jenny Jackard, Mr. Fergus Duncan, Mr. Percival, Postman Pat, Sir Robert Norramby, and Wendy.
He can see the rest of the Steam Team, from Thomas to Toby, including Spencer and the Flying Scotsman, and Darius, Romeo, Cleo, and Holly are with them. But he must find out if Avril, Azazel, Kathleen, Mr. Conductor, C. Junior, or his twin brother, Sir Lowham Hatt, are right.
Sir Topham Hatt made a mental note to visit his brother and possibly other family members to check if they were okay and not statues since he traveled almost around Sodor to help people restore normal with the help of the Dust Whistle. Luckily, the current members of the Dream Team arrived at Tidmouth Sheds after receiving the news about what happened.
It was a little strange because Sir Topham Hatt had his trusty assistants to help move him since he was so used to moving himself around, but since he did not have that ability in this steam locomotive form, he allowed them to help him go to Tidmouth Sheds.
Once finally arriving at Tidmouth Sheds after a rocky and bumpy journey, Sir Topham Hatt waited for each engine to enter their respective sheds while some took the sidelines. He also added a mental note about making more sheds for the other members of the Steam Team, knowing that would be important.
It was Sir Topham Hatt’s turn on the turntable after the last member of the Steam Team entered the sheds, and he faced both the Dream Team and the Steam Team, so he told the Steam Team and the current members of the Dream Team what Stephanie had encountered, what had happened to Sodor, and how many years had passed.
They were surprised after hearing the news, but they listened to Sir Topham Hatt as he continued, telling them everything and what he had learned from Avril before disappearing with his wife, Kathleen. Sir Topham Hatt’s explanation soon ended with a note that he and the rest of the Dream Team, including the Steam Team, need to keep an eye out in case they see either Avril or Kathleen.
“So,” Thomas slowly spoke, trying to summarize what he learned in his own words. “That thing Stephanie defeated was a Black Zodiac?”
“Yes, Thomas.” Sir Topham Hatt nodded, answering Thomas’ question. “They were monsters locked away many centuries ago, created from Dark Wishes, as Lucy explained.” He glanced away as he looked down at his buffers, mumbling, “But how did they escape?”
The Steam and Dream Teams looked at each other after Sir Topham Hatt mumbled before Gordon asked, “What about the child? How many of those things should she fight against?”
“I don’t know, Gordon.” Sir Topham Hatt sighed, looking away from his buffers. “It could be eleven or twelve of them. That and there is so much to catch up on and juggle since eleven years have passed.”
“What?!” Romeo exclaimed. “Are you saying that it’s not 2012 anymore?!”
“Yes.” Sir Topham Hatt nodded, feeling somewhat ashamed of telling Romeo and his siblings the truth, but he could not contain it anymore since everything had been released.
“This is terrible!” Emily exclaimed. “Even you are stuck in this form too!”
“Well, yes, that too,” Sir Topham Hatt said, looking down at his buffers thoughtfully. He was used to moving his hands around whenever he talked to his engines, but this differed from ‘standing still.’
“But she has Avril’s pocket watch, right?” Sam, the fireman, asked. “We could teach her how to use it and help defeat them.”
“That’s right!” nodded Bob the Builder. “We just collect the gemstones and help Stephanie defeat them.”
Sir Topham Hatt softly smiled after Bob nodded in agreement before they noticed something large was flying towards them.
“I appreciate it, everyone,” Sir Topham Hatt thanked. “Now, to catch up on everything for tomorrow.”
“Uh, Sir?” Thomas worriedly spoke as it grew, wobbling a little through the air as if struggling to fly.
“Thomas,” Sir Topham Hatt gently glared. “Don’t interrupt.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie was trying to slow down as she moved her body downward while holding both Lucy and Notches, flapping frantically while muttering, “Brakes, brakes, brakes, brakes, brakes!”
Sir Topham Hatt perked up after hearing Stephanie’s voice and was about to turn around to see her, but his mind reminded him that he was stuck in his locomotive form. Thankfully, Stephanie landed on the roof of Sir Topham Hatt’s cab but slipped and skidded as everyone winced at the faint scratching noise of her talons.
As Stephanie’s body fell from the roof of his cab and landed on his boiler bottom first, Sir Topham Hatt was startled and shifted a little forward to avoid the impact. Luckily, no one was hurt except for some feathers plucked from the impact as the feathers were scattered around like a feathered pillow was thrown and exploded.
“Sorry, sir.” Stephanie apologized with a sheepish grin as she carefully sat up from where she was. “I really need to practice on that landing.”
“It’s quite alright,” Sir Topham Hatt assured, but he was still a little shaken from the scraping noise from her talons as they went against his boiler as she tried to get up. “Try turning back to normal.”
Stephanie perked up after Sir Topham Hatt told her and placed Lucy and Notches down, reaching up to her necklace and grabbing the pendant. She snapped the necklace off and returned to normal, gently sliding off Sir Topham Hatt’s boiler onto the turntable flat on her feet as feathers scattered around her feet.
“Are you alright?” Stephanie asked, walking up to his front.
“It’s fine.” Sir Topham Hatt assured her before asking, “How did it go with the first four?”
“It went great!” Stephanie smiled. “I met Amelia, the Aries Guardian. Shu, the Rat Guardian. Moina, the Deer Guardian. And Chayton, the Falcon Guardian.”
“‘Guardians?’” Percy asked.
“People who protect,” Postman Pat responded. “They are also like warriors, too, in other words.”
“Yes,” Stephanie nodded, turning to the group before perking up after seeing how big the crowd was. She started to feel shy as her ears drooped, but she did not shut down or hide away from the crowd. “Uh, they help stabilize the diamond, so I can use it without a problem.”
Sir Topham Hatt noticed something wrapped around Stephanie’s right wrist while talking to everyone, although she was slightly nervous.
“So, these Guardians are the good guys you want to search for?” Thomas asked.
Stephanie nodded and explained, “The Black Zodiacs are trying to hunt them down, and…” She paused, not wanting to describe what would happen. “Well, take their stars to become stronger. The one that came to me was a star from that constellation.”
She paused to push her glasses into place, continuing to explain, “There are the Chinese Zodiacs, the Native American Zodiacs, the Celtic Zodiacs, and the Western Zodiacs. Each has twelve Zodiacs and extras, which counts as thirteen.”
“Is this bad?” Edward asked, having a tone of worry in his voice.
“No, it’s a little easy because the Black Zodiacs are infused into one jumbled mess of a being,” Stephanie paused as she thought. “Though it depends on their strength, if I practice with my powers and learn different techniques, I could help defeat them. However, it will take everyone a while, which I am willing to do.”
“Really?” Gordon perked up as the engines shared a look of worry. “Even at this young of an age?”
“I’m only ten,” Stephanie responded. “But I can’t leave this place without getting rid of these Nightmares. More damage will come if nothing happens.”
“As much as you are determined,” Henry, Linus’ driver, said. “But what about your folks? Won’t they be worried?”
Stephanie’s expression slightly changed to a grimacing look that perked Gordon’s attention, and he recognized that face whenever he did it.
Stephanie paused uncomfortably. “They don’t mind,” she said, shrugging a little. “They’re too busy to notice I’m gone, even if I verbally told them.”
She reached into the pocket of her blue jeans and took out her phone, showing it to them as she said, “But I did leave a text to them that I was going to be gone and will be back soon.”
The adults and the engines looked at each other after Stephanie explained, as Sir Topham Hatt said, “That’s good. But-” “How will Sir Topham Hatt work on the railway?” James asked, interrupting as Stephanie glanced at him. “There’s no room in Tidmouth Sheds for him.”
“Yes,” nodded Henry, the number three engine. “Not many engines know what happened to him.”
“Oh, right, right, right,” Stephanie nodded as Sir Topham Hatt gave a silent glare to James. “Ah, Lucy, can you help?”
Stephanie turned to the doll riding in her arms as it stood up from Sir Topham Hatt’s boiler, and Stephanie held out a hand for it.
“Yes.” Lucy nodded. “Use Gold Dust. It’ll bring him back to normal.”
Stephanie placed Lucy on her shoulder as Notches hopped out of Sir Topham Hatt’s cab, and James groaned, “Great. More talking dolls.”
“Shh,” Edward gently shushed. “Be nice, James. She’s Stephanie’s friend.”
“Are you certain she is?” Gordon asked. “What if she is lying to her?”
“Then I would’ve seen it,” Stephanie responded, looking over at them as Sir Topham Hatt’s assistants stepped out. “Besides, Avril trusted the Gateway of the Zodiacs.”
Everyone perked up after Stephanie explained and checked the whistle from accidentally using Silver Dust, seeing it was on the gold symbol. After she checked, Stephanie took a breath and gave it a whistle, watching as Gold Dust shot out and swirled around Sir Topham Hatt for a minute before disappearing, revealing him to be normal with his hat on his chest and sitting on the ground.
“It worked!” Stephanie smiled. She walked up to Sir Topham Hatt and held out her hand for him, and he gladly took it, a little surprised when she effortlessly lifted him from the ground. His assistants instantly came forward after he stumbled a little, grabbing his arms before he toppled over his feet.
“Sorry,” Stephanie blushed as her ears flicked, and the group perked up after seeing something flick as she released Sir Topham Hatt’s hand. “Keep forgetting I’m that strong.”
Sir Topham Hatt placed his hat back on his head after Stephanie apologized and said, placing his hands on his jacket’s collar, “It’s quite fine. And thank you for turning me back to normal.”
“No problem!” Stephanie beamed. “Though, do you mind if I could stay somewhere for the night?”
“You can stay at my house,” Sir Topham Hatt told her. “There is plenty of room for you to stay and practice with your gifted powers.”
Stephanie thought about the word ‘gifted’ as Sir Topham Hatt turned to the engines, asking, “Can someone take Stephanie to my house?”
The engines glanced at each other after Sir Topham Hatt asked before Gordon was the first to confidently move forward, saying, “I’ll take her to your house. It won’t take long.”
Stephanie was curious as she picked Notches up from the ground. Lucy was on her shoulder, carrying him in her arms. She walked up to his cab, seeing how big this locomotive was compared to the others. Gordon watched Stephanie’s ears move up with curiosity, almost acting like cat ears, but he did nothing else to spook Stephanie.
When Stephanie first arrived at Sodor, everything was dull and faceless. But, now that color had returned, Stephanie could not help but become more curious, seeing that there were more than sentient vehicles to them.
Gordon noticed she was curious about him and observed how much curiosity was in Stephanie’s eyes. Half of him felt proud that she was curious about him but was unsure if she would stay still in his cab when they started heading to Sir Topham Hatt’s manor. Stephanie pushed her glasses into place, allowing Notches to climb into her hood as Romeo stepped out slightly to help her into Gordon’s cab.
“Hello,” Stephanie greeted him as she took his hand. Once Stephanie was inside, she watched as the driver and fireman started Gordon up as Romeo helped, and she watched with curiosity, hearing Gordon’s whistle before he started to move. As Stephanie peered through his window, he started to puff down the line, her long blue braided hair waving in the wind.
She watched Romeo, the driver, and the fireman work on the controls and scoop coal into the firebox to continue the journey, piquing her curiosity more. The ride to Sir Topham Hatt’s home was five minutes long, but it was not too slow or fast, though Stephanie was curious about how fast Gordon could go. A female maid waited outside as Gordon slowed down before stopping and allowing Stephanie to step off.
“Thank you, mister!” Stephanie thanked Gordon, catching him off guard. He expected her to walk to the maid without saying a word, like the ride, but this was certainly a surprise for him. No one had thanked him for the rides.
“Erm, you’re welcome,” Gordon said, still slightly surprised by her thanks. “And my name is Gordon the Big Engine.”
“Oh!” Stephanie perked up and gave him a bright smile. “Then thank you, Mr. Big Engine!”
Gordon felt his firebox squeeze a little from the kindness this blue-haired ten-year-old girl gave him as she turned to the maid, walking to her. Ugh, it was too cute for him! Gordon smiled and whistled his whistle, heading down the line to head back to Tidmouth Sheds. He could someday see this young child at another time.