Hither Green Marshalling Yard

0600 hours

Current Conditions: Drizzling

The main trio are currently lined up shoulder to shoulder in front of their engine. When they had returned from their rescue mission the night before, Rosie had been.....weirdly calm about it, applauding them for their quick action but warning them that while she didn't administer a punishment, they were still going to be punished. Now, they realised what she meant, News Helicopters roared overhead while News Vans gathered just outside the gate leading in.

Andy: "How did this all come in overnight?" he questioned.

Rosie: "I have no clue. News Reporters are just a very strange breed of people, Andy." she replied, "But you need to get them away."

Andy: "Um...yes ma'am." he nodded, "Doesn't matter how we do it?"

Rosie: "Doesn't matter. Just get it done, I don't want them hogging our security teams." she said.

Andy: "Roger dodger." he saluted, walking off to his crew.

Emerald and Peter were watching the chaos in front of the E2XX which had been readied for the day and was currently building up steam.

Peter: "Well, there goes our privacy." he groaned.

Emerald: "It was gonna happen soon enough Pete." she said, patting him on the back, "Nothing we could have done about it."

Peter: "Still though, you'd think the Queen and the Prime Minister were visiting with how much Press is outside." he said, shocked.

Andy: "Sorry to interrupt but we gotta go." he sighed, "We have to get them off our fence now before more fuckers show up."

Emerald: "Wilco." she said, "How're we gonna do that though?"

Andy: "We bring our E2XX, answer a few questions, and hopefully they'll be satisfied." he replied.

Emerald: "You're way too passive with these people man." she commented.

Andy: "It's my style." he shrugged.

Peter: "By the way Andy." he piped up, "Are we supposed to name our engines?"

Andy: "Well.....not really, it's usually just the Top Link Express Engines that get names. Most shunters just have their numbers." he replied, "But...we can, probably gonna have to ask Rosie about it later."

Emerald: "Say no more!" she shouted, running towards the cab, "I'm already thinking up names!"

Peter: "Esme! Those names better be manly!" he barked, following her.

Emerald: "NO PROMISES!" she shouted back.

Andy chuckles goodheartedly and follows his crew into their engine. As his crew continue bickering about the names they could use for their little blue tank engine, Andy put his hand on the controls, closing his eyes and sighing. He felt powerful at the controls of his engine, feeling the horsepower his little engine had under the hood, concealed by its deceivingly petite frame. Andy put his reverser to forward and took off the brakes before gently opening the regulator.

The engine came to life, steam exiting its cylinders as it slowly puffed forward, leaving the safety of the roundhouse where the other engines were still getting ready for the day. Andy would never ever be able to go back to driving diesel electrics, not after he began driving his little engine.

The E2XX, which Peter was calling Destroyer and Emerald was calling Bluey, soon pulled up to the gate, its brakes squeaking slightly as they brought the little engine to a halt. The cameras were blinding as the reporters snapped picture after picture of the peculiar little tank engine, the helicopters circling around the steam engine, getting every angle they could. The reporters were clambering over each other trying to get various questions answered, it was too loud and honestly, Andy couldn't even hear a thing so he grabbed the whistle chain and yanked it down, shutting the reporters up with his engine's shrill whistle.

Andy: "Now that I have your attention, I politely ask you all to go one at a time!" he shouted, "We have enough time for 3 questions before I need to politely ask that you all leave!"

Young Journalist: "But what about the rest of us? We've all been waiting in the rain for hours!" he complained.

Emerald: "There'll be a proper press conference tomorrow at the Pre-National Gala." she replied, "You'll still be able to ask Andy here all your questions."

Peter: "Yeah! Cool your jets!" he called, before muttering, "Be careful man, they're friggin' leeches. They'll jump on any opportunity to make anyone look bad."

Andy: "I've had to deal with them more times than I can count." he muttered, "I'm pretty well versed in their tricks by now."

Andy climbed down from the cab of his engine with his friends and they stood a few inches from the gate.

Andy: "Um....let's start with you in the front." he said, pointing at the first reporter he could see.

CNN Reporter: "CNN News, tell us Mr Yan, why did you end up in this random backwater school?" she asked, "You could've asked for a place in Greenfield or the Lincoln institute."

Andy: "Eastwood High was the only one that replied and said yes." he replied with a shrug, "Let's go with you in the back."

BBC Reporter: "BBC News. What do your family think about you competing against them in this year's Nationals?" he asked.

Andy: "I can't care less. They disowned me when Westside Charter expelled me." he replied, "No doubt they hate me though."

The reporters chittered to themselves about this comment, writing it down for later while the camera crews relayed the footage live to thousands of homes all over the globe and especially the nation. A hand shot up somewhere in the middle of the crowd, drawing Andy's attention over.

Andy: "Yes?" he said, pointing to the reporter.

The other reporters went silent as the reporter who had caught Andy's attention stood up and asked her question.

Channel 4 Reporter: "Channel 4 News. Tell us Mr Yan. What are your thoughts on the build up of Rail Wars equipment rushing into Westside Charter?" she asked, "Does it concern you in any way?"

Andy: "No comment." he replied.

Channel 4 Reporter: "What?! Surely you're at least worried." she protested, "Especially with such a pathetic engine."

Andy: "As I said, no comment." he growled, "Now, that's enough, get off our property."

The reporters however just banged against the gates, trying to get in while still demanding more answers.

Andy: "Oh god, they brought out the persistent types..." he groaned.

Emerald: "You've never dealt with their type?" she asked.

Andy: "My brother was always much more intimidating than I was so when the reporters became too pushy for my toned down diplomatic efforts my mom brought my brother out to get the crowd back in line." he replied.

Peter: "Sounds like she didn't want her weaker and softer son in the forefront of media attention." he said.

Andy: "Dude, I'm standing right here." he deadpanned.

Emerald: "Well, now what do we do?" she asked.

Peter: "We call the cavalry I guess." he shrugged.

Emerald: "And who would that be? Security?" she asked, incredulously.

Andy: "No." he replied, turning to see an engine approaching, "That would be my actual brother."

Alex's FP-45 came to a halt next to the E2XX and Alex hopped out with a shotgun in his hands. While the reporters were still trying to ask Andy their questions they didn't notice Alex come in and fire his gun into the air until the shockwave hit them, causing most in the back to run like hell thinking there was a terrorist but those in the front stayed, knowing what it was.

Alex: "Will you fuckers piss off?" he shouted.

The reporters take a second, confused on who the newcomer was before one shouted in the back.

Reporter 1: "Hey! I know you, you're Alex Orr from the American National Railway Central Academy." he called, "What are you doing here? You're the best of the best."

Alex: "I've joined Eastwood to support my little brother." he replied, humouring their question.

The reporters go into a frenzy, checking their notes and turning to their cameramen before another brave sod decides to ask another question while Andy looks at his watch.

Peter: "What are you doing?" he asked.

Andy: "Counting down the seconds before he threatens to shoot the reporters." he replied.

Emerald: "Yikes, that violent?" she winced.

Andy: "You have no idea." he said, continuing to fiddle with his watch.

Reporter 2: "And who is this little brother?" she asked, "From the records, your only blood sibling is a little sister, a Mrs Kylie Orr who is currently in High School back in Aurora, Missouri."

Alex: "Andy Yan. He's my little brother. In everything but blood." he replied.

Andy, out of camera shot, spit out his drink and began laughing, already knowing his mother and his blood brother were shocked by this part.

Reporter 1: "But-" he started, trying to dig deeper.

Alex: "But nothing." he said, cutting him off, "I am what a true brother should be. Caring, Loyal, Helpful, and Guiding. I don't care a dime about last names or family image like that cock sucking piece of shit that calls himself his biological brother."

His words hung in the air like fog, it was awe inspiring how he hadn't just moved to Eastwood for some selfish reason, he had moved to stand up for someone who had deserved way better than to be tossed aside and forgotten by everyone.

Alex: "Look." he growled, tightening the grip on his shotgun, "I've said my piece. Andy Yan is my brother in every way that matters and I'm here to support him. End of story. Now, are you lot gonna scram or do I have to give you a more persuasive argument?"

Reporter 3: "Mr Orr, please." she said, standing up bravely, "The public has a right to know about the inner workings of Rail Wars especially after the controversies over the last 2 years. Surely you can understand our position."

Alex: "Your position?" he laughed, "Lady, the only thing I understand is you wanna exploit Andy's pain for your own gain. You don't give a damn about the truth as long as you get that sensational headline."

Reporter 4: "But Mr Orr, your presence here is newsworthy in and of itself." he said, "You're a legend in the American Rail War scene. Why would someone of your calibre transfer to a random school in the UK. You're completely over qualified."

Alex: "I've already told you." he growled, "I'm here for Andy and nothing else. That's all you need to know."

Young Journalist: "But what about your sister? Surely she isn't the most pleased that her brother just up and abandoned her for someone who isn't even a relative." he piped up.

Andy: "Shit's hit the fan!" he said, running to his cab, "Get in you 2!"

Emerald and Peter, sensing the danger of the situation and the urgency in Andy's voice, dived after him into the cab as Alex fired another shot into the air, scaring the shit out of the remaining reporters and clipping one of the helicopters causing them to scramble away from the scene as fast as their rotors could take them.

Alex: "Alright you nosy bastards." he growled, "I've had enough of your bullshit. My family, my choices, and my reasons for being here are none of your business. You want a headline? Alex Orr, top graduate at American National Railway Central Academy tells reporters to shove their microphones where the sun don't shine!"

Alex opened the shotgun, expelling the recently used shell casings from the gun and popping in 2 new blank rounds.

Alex: "Now, on the count of 3, I want all of you to leave before I start pointing somewhere a little lower than the sky." he growled, slowly aiming downwards at the reporters, "One...."

The youngest reporters and journalist drop whatever they were holding and began running back to their vehicles, not even bothering with what was on the ground.

Alex: "Two..." he continued.

The older reporters were more relaxed but no less hurried in their efforts to run away, packing away their equipment before running to their vans.

Alex: "Thr-" he started.

As he was halfway through 'three' all the vans' engines roared to life as the News Reporters ran off into the sunset, shitting their pants. As Alex calmed down, he heard the hissing of steam and turned to see Andy, Emerald, and Peter driving their engine next to him, shellshocked but thankful for the assistance.

Andy: "Well, that's one way to deal with reporters." he chuckles.

Alex: "Yeah, sorry lil bro," he apologised, sheepishly, "I know you subscribe to being a little more......diplomatic with the Press."

Andy: "Nah, it's cool." he said, "You did what you had to do, besides, they were probably gonna hound us for days if you didn't step in."

Peter: "Remind us to never get on your bad side dude." he said, "You're scary when you're angry."

Alex: "Nah Pete, you guys are family to me." he said, gesturing to his shotgun, "This is for people who mess with my family."

Emerald: "Ok Mr Torretto." she giggled.

Alex just chuckles at that.

Westside Charter Workshops

0635 hours

Current Conditions: Drizzling

Things were going smoothly at Westside Charter. They were in the final stages of preparing their Class 22 for service and they had found a pair of crews to man their pair of Class 08's. Since the brakeman's position in the Shunting Competition is optional, Westside Charter usually only has 2 people in their shunters. The 2 Class 08's had 2 pairs of teenagers in them. The first class 08 had Harry and Herbert, a pair of gruff 19 year olds who were starting to grow stubble on their chins. The second class 08 was manned by a pair of 16 year olds named Sam and Dan but were affectionately known as Splatter and Dodge.

As Nathan was checking on his Class 22 while the mechanics did all the work a roar of rage suddenly echoed through the workshop as a TV remote flew out the window of the office. It then flew into the Class 22's diesel engine, which had been running with its top off so the engineers could see what was wrong with the engine if there was anything wrong. As a result, the engine shredded the remote before bursting into flames as it shred itself to bits. The mechanics rushed for the fire extinguishers and quickly put the fire out but the engine was completely destroyed.

Nathan: "Goddamnit!" he cursed, running up to the office.

Nathan burst in through the door and found his mother seething as she glared at the television set.

Nathan: "Mom! What the hell?! You just totalled our Class 22." he shouted.

Sara: "Andy just called us out on National Television and some little prick just claimed Andy as his little brother." she growled.

Nathan: "....and that's our problem why?" he asked.

Sara: "Do you know how fucking embarrassing it is for us? How damaging this can be to our family name?" she growled.

Nathan: "Not a clue." he shrugged.

Sara: "Well let me break it down for you." she groaned, "Andy directly called us out for disowning him. He hasn't called us out for anything damaging but he is bound to if he cursed us both out."

Nathan: "So? It's the little twerp's word against ours." he shrugged.

Sara: "He saved the Headmaster of Eastwood High that day, remember?" she questioned, "He will support Andy's side of the story and worse still, the little bastard who claims Andy as his little brother is Alex fucking Orr."

Nathan: "....well, that's unfortunate." he groaned, "But what's even more unfortunate is that I don't have an engine anymore. The Pre-National Exhibition and draw is tomorrow mom!"

Sara: "Oh put a sock in it." she said, rolling her eyes, "Just use one of the 08's tomorrow and claim that it's taking longer than expected to prepare the Class 22 for service."

Nathan: "Alright." he said, rolling his eyes.

With that, Nathan left to tend to his engine and try to help the workers find a replacement in the spares. As he left, Sara glared at the TV and froze it on the frame showing Alex's face.

Sara: "Hm...I suppose I can give American Central a call." she said, "Let's see if Mrs Kylie Orr has the same interests as her brother."

Sara picked up her phone and dialled a number.

Hither Green Marshalling Yard

1630 hours

Current Conditions: Cloudy

After a long day of dealing with the Press and a lot of practice, the students of Eastwood High were putting their engines away, dumping their fires and giving them one last clean before they shut the shed doors. Currently, Andy, Emerald, and Peter were cleaning their E2XX while bouncing names off each other trying to figure out what to call it.

Emerald: "Bluey's cute though!" she protested, cleaning the smokebox of ash.

Peter: "I still wanna do something more manly like....I dunno, dominator." he said, shovelling the fire out of the firebox and onto the ground.

Emerald: "We're still trying to be popular with the kids." she said, "Besides, that name sounds way too egotistical for a little tank engine."

Peter: "Fair enough, but still, we are not calling it Bluey." he said.

Emerald: "Fine!" she pouted, "What about Gumball then?"

Peter: "Are you just going to keep naming popular blue characters?" he asked.

Emerald: "Well, where else am I supposed to get the name from?" she retorted.

Peter: "Literally anywhere else!" he barked.

Andy: "Guys, we don't need to worry about names right now." he said, wiping the soot off the top of the boiler and cab, "What matters is that we're ready for tomorrow."

Emerald: "What is tomorrow?" she asked.

Andy: "The Pre National? It's an exhibition to start the season with a bang." he replied, "It always starts with all the engines lined up, polished to perfection at York. The public are able to view all the engines and even climb aboard a select few. Sometimes some of the engines are started up and shuttle small rakes of coaches around a circuit so the public can have a small ride. At the end of the day, we're all brought to the NRM where there's a lottery system, all schools will have their star driver walk up to the podium and draw a lot, from those lots, we'll determine what the bracket of the year will look like."

Peter: "They do a whole ass event for one thing?" he questioned.

Andy: "The organisers are eccentric that way I suppose." he shrugged, helping put out what remained of the fire, "Alright, you guys can go ahead and grab some grub, I'll join ya in a bit."

Emerald: "Ya sure? Alex is the only one still here and he's reassembling one of his engines." she pointed out.

Peter: "Yeah, it's pretty lonely and pretty cold with the rain." he added.

Andy: "I'll be fine you 2. Just tell the guys to save some pizza for me." he replied.

Peter: "If ya say so man." he said, walking off.

Emerald: "We'll save ya 2 wholes." she added, following Peter.

Andy chuckled and waved them goodbye before refocusing on his engine.

After a few minutes, he was finished and began walking to the cafeteria but just before he could make it halfway, someone stopped him.

???: "Oi! You there!" a voice barked.

Andy turned to see a woman striding up to him, she was about 19 had fiery orange hair with purple ends, her outfit was rebelliously revealing, her eyes were bright yellow, perched atop her head were a pair of rectangular goggles, but what struck him the most was the fluffy fox tail and the pair of fox ears on her head. So, trying not to stare at anything too inappropriate, Andy locked his gaze on her eyes before replying.

Andy: "Um...yes ma'am? How may I help you?" he asked.

???: "Where is Alex Orr?" she demanded.

Andy: "Um...beg pardon?" he questioned.

???: "You heard me." she growled, "Where is my mate?"

Andy: "M-mate?" he coughed, "Um...well, he should be working on Phenix back in the workshed over there but uh....what's your name, if you mind me asking?"

The woman scoffed, pushing past him and leaving for the sheds, her tail smacking him in the face.

Andy: "....well, that was the strangest thing that's ever happened to me so far." he said, running a hand through his hair.

With that, a very confused Andy walked into the mess hall. As he walked in he saw that Peter and Emerald were busy chatting up the various other students. He wasn't much of an extrovert like they were though so Andy didn't join them, he got some pizza and headed to an empty table where he saw Vicki eating alone.

Andy: "Not much of an extrovert, huh?" he said, sitting down with her.

Vicki: "Nah, I quite like being on my own." she said, watching the chaos happening behind her, "It's a lot quieter and I find that eating is much easier without having that much conversation all the time."

Andy: "I agree with ya there." he chuckles.

Vicki: "So, tomorrow's gonna be awkward for you, eh?" she said.

Andy: "Yeah, here's hoping our spot isn't next to Westside Charter's." he said, "Mostly so Alex doesn't get Scotland Yard chasing after him for assault."

Vicki: "I'm pretty sure we'll run into them anyway." she said.

Andy: "You think the public will love our fleet or do you think they'll hate it?" he asked.

Vicki: "I vote that they're gonna love the underdog." she replied, "And the paint makes us stand out."

Andy: "We essentially have the marketing appeal huh?" he joked.

Vicki: "Yeah, basically." she giggled.

Andy chuckles along as he begins eating. The pair would talk for a few minutes, exchanging various stories of their childhood before Alex and the woman from before walked in.

Andy: "Yo! Alex!" he called, beckoning him over.

Alex chuckles and walks over to join Andy and Vicki for dinner.

Alex: "Andy, just the person I wanted to see." he boomed, patting Andy on the back and sitting down with them.

Andy: "Huh?" he questioned.

Alex: "Andy, meet Shiro." he said, bringing the Fox Girl he had met a few moments ago forwards.

Andy: "We've...met." he said, "Though she didn't exactly give me her name the first time."

Alex burst out laughing at that.

Alex: "That sounds about right." he chuckles, wiping a tear from his eyes.

Shiro proceeds to punch Alex's shoulder and pouted.

Alex: "Anyway, Andy, this is Shiro Nyx, she's joining Eastwood High as my radio woman." he said, "She's also..."

Vicki: "She's also what?" she asked, curiously.

Alex: "She's also my fiance." he replied, his tone betraying how smitten he was with the woman.

Andy: "Fiance?!" he shouted, shocked.

The conversations in the mess hall were too loud so no one paid Andy any mind.

Alex: "Yup, we've been together for 3 amazing years." he said, wistfully, "I proposed the day before I caught my flight here in fact."

Vicki: "If I may, why does she have fox ears and a tail?" she asked.

The atmosphere shifted instantly, Shiro held Alex's arm tightly and Alex's fist tightened causing Andy to shuffle the other way.

Alex: "October 8, 2020. Shiro was working on a Science Project involving the DNA of a Sierra Nevada Red Fox and Human DNA trying to revive and rejuvenate dead cells." he explained, "She succeeded, but it came at a cost. When she announced her success, 2 of our classmates Harris and Samantha, were stupidly jealous and decided to rig her experiment to explode during the demonstration to the Judges. The explosion put her in a coma and made her what she is now, a kitsune."

Andy and Vicki were shocked at the story.

Alex: "She stayed in a coma for 2 years, when I confronted the bastards about this, they told me that she deserved it." he said, "Suffice it to say, I was expelled from that school with them."

Andy: "Is that why I couldn't reach you for 2 months last year?" he asked.

Alex: "Yeah." he nodded, "I was by Shiro's side the whole time, praying that she'd wake up. But in a way, I'm glad it happened. When she woke up and we had to find a new home we got sucked into Rail Wars and....well, I wouldn't have ended up here."

Shiro: "We wouldn't be us." she said, softly, "Everything we went through made us stronger together."

Alex: "Together." he nodded.

Andy and Vicki smile as the couple cuddle together lovingly.

National Railway Museum, North Yorkshire

0500 hours

Current Conditions: Cloudy

The Pre-National Exhibition was in full swing, it was a massive event with schools from all over the nation coming down to display their locos and show off their crews before getting down to business and locking in for their season of competition.

Westside Charter's engines were already powered down and being polished while other fleets slowly trickled in and parked. The fleets were diverse, there were American, French, Russian, Canadian, German, Italian, Japanese, and even a few Australian locomotives filling the various sidings outside the NRM. The main power of the various fleets was roughly the same though, mostly Diesels, Diesel-Electrics, and full Electric Engines, there were a few Steam Engines though mainly for the Best Looking Engine competition but some steam engines were still used for the Strongest Engine Competition such as the 4-6-6-4 'Challenger' that the American team had on hand. But, if you read this right, you'll be wondering...wait, international? I thought this is a National Championship. To which I reply no one wants to watch various unreliable diesels battle it out and wait for the first one to break so some schools import engines from other nations to properly pad out the competition.

Anyway, Westside Charter were currently setting up booths and shining their engines, making sure they looked good for the various cameras. They had a winning streak to get back after all.

Nathan: "Alright people! Let's move it!" he barked, "We need everything absolutely spotless when the Press arrive."

Workmen+Students: "YES SIR!!" they yelled.

The sounds of people scrambling around over their engines to ready them for display echoed around the yards as the various schools and organisers worked in tandem to get everything ready. This noise was suddenly interrupted however when a loud, high pitched whistle pierced through the air, announcing Eastwood High's Arrival, their mixed bag of brightly painted engines attracted everyone's immediate attention as they came to a halt next to a snobby official.

Rail Wars Official: "Eastwood High, correct?" he asked, scoffing at the tank engine, "Your fleet's more out of date than I thought."

H. Samson: "Yes, that is correct." he replied, ignoring the comment and hopping out of the E2XX's cab, "Where will you have us parked good sir?"

Rail Wars Official: "There's an empty slot next to Westside Charter, you can park your engines and set up camp there." he replied.

H. Samson: "Beg pardon, but I don't think-" he started.

Andy: "It's fine Headmaster." he said, leaning out of his cab, "Have to confront them sooner or later. Best be on our own terms."

H. Samson: "Very well." he nodded.

Andy blew his tank engine's whistle twice and guided Eastwood High's fleet to their spot, and began arranging them, by complete accident Andy had parked his E2XX and Alex's FP-45 next to Nathan's Class 22 and his mother's Class 42.

Nathan: "Well well well, if it isn't the little disappointment." he said, "I see you have new company these days."

Andy: "Hello Nathan. I see you haven't changed." he said, looking at the Class 22 and his brother, "You overcompensating for something with that massive engine of yours?"

Nathan: "Oh please, spare me the crass humour little brother." he said, rolling his eyes, "I see you still haven't graduated from being a shunter. How does it feel to have the smallest, most pathetic piece of scrap in the entire tournament?"

Andy: "Little engines can do big things." he replied, "Besides, all engines and all events are equally important to winni-"

Before Andy could finish his sentence, Nathan blew his diesel's horn, cutting him off.

Nathan: "Sorry? You were saying something? Probably nothing an important person like me should be hearing-" he started.

Before Nathan could finish, Andy blew his tank engine's whistle long and loud, the high pitched sound echoing all around causing early onlookers and a few members of the press to start filming. Nathan growled at Andy using tit-for-tat.

Nathan: "Why you little-" he started.

Andy cut him off with another blast of his whistle.

Andy: "Oi! Mind your mouth!" he called, masking his anger with cheekiness, "There are kids coming in."

Nathan growled and began blasting his horn to which Andy replied with his whistle, thus initiating a whistle match. Whistle Matches were short battles between 2 engines where they tried to outdo another engine by drowning out the competitor's whistle/horn. The public and the press watch in awe as the the pair of shunters blast their horn and their whistle, making a deafening sound which caused a few of the uninitiated to cover their ears. But Andy had definitely won that match. When they were finished blasting their horn and whistle at each other an official walked up to them laughing, not knowing the true context of the situation.

Rail Wars Official 2: "Wow!" she laughed, "You guys have some serious beef huh?"

Andy: "You can say that." he shrugged, leaning out the window.

Nathan: "Yeah." he growled.

Rail Wars Official 2: "Well, just so the uninitiated family members visiting don't go deaf, I'd like you 2 to take a passenger service together." he said.

Andy: "Where is it heading?" he asked.

Rail Wars Official 2: "You'll be heading to the Aberdeen Road, the local service there has been cancelled due to contaminated fuel and a malfunctioning circuit breaker, I need you 2 to take any passengers from Aberdeen back here." she instructed.

Emerald: "We can do it." she grinned.

Peter: "Yeah, I'd say so." he added.

Nathan: "Well, if those fools are going I may as well, have to catch them when they fall after all." he said.

Rail Wars Official 2: "Splendid," she said, "Now, you best get going. They won't be waiting for long, there are coaches at the platform."

Andy blew his engine's Whistle and began moving as Nathan started the Class 22, when he did it sputtered, backfired, and wheezed to life, its roar hopelessly drowned out by the sounds of a faulty motor.

Andy: "Is your engine alright?" he asked, coming to a stop.

Nathan: "It's fine." he replied, angrily opening the throttle and driving his failing engine forwards, "Just don't get in my way."

The Class 22 soon drove off towards the station, leaving a massive cloud of diesel smoke in its wake, blasting a bit of it into the E2XX's cab, causing the trio inside to cough.

Emerald: "Asshole!" she coughed.

Andy: "That engine is not supposed to be belching that much smoke." he said, "I have a feeling he'll get his comeuppance soon enough."

Peter: "Let's hope not on the mainline." he said, worriedly, "With how dark the clouds are, I think it's raining in Scotland."

Andy: "Hm....yeah.....better take on some extra sand." he said, driving off towards the station, "Esme, contact the station, tell them to meet us at the platform with a few buckets of sand."

Emerald: "How many buckets?" she asked.

Andy: "Let's go with 6 just to be safe." he replied.

Emerald: "Copy that." she nodded.

The pair of engines meet up at the platform with the Class 22 coupling up to the rake of empty coaches first and the E2XX coupling up in front of the diesel. Once everything was set and all the arrangements were in order the guard blew his whistle and raised the green flag, clearing the train to leave the station. With a sputter and a roar the Class 22 shoved the E2XX forward with a mighty bang!

Nathan: "Get moving! Get moving!" he barked.

Andy: "We're going! We're going!" he called back.

Peter: "What the heck was that?" he asked.

Andy: "What was what?" he asked.

Peter: "That 'We're going, we're going' thing, what in the world was that?" he replied.

Andy: "Oh, that....it was an old thing we used to do back when we were younger and closer. We watched a lot of Thomas and Friends back in the day so when me and him got our engines we usually quoted the characters when we wanted to get moving, when we were going along at high speed, or when we just wanted to have fun." he explained, "I guess it's just force of habit now."

Peter and Emerald give a hum of thought before going back to work.

Dundee Station, Scotland

0700 hours

Current Conditions: Heavy Rain

The trek up to Scotland and into Aberdeen wasn't all that hard, sure it was cloudy and very hilly but the engines managed it no problem, especially since they were pulling empty coaches. Of course, whenever Nathan found the chance he would test Andy's engine by cutting his throttle and letting the little tank engine take all the weight, only to realise it was quite strong and could shoulder the weight, this infuriated him so he would abruptly gun the throttle and rear end the E2XX in frustration.

However, as they were getting turned around for the trek back to York and the Passengers began to board the 15 coaches, the weather began to get worse, first it was a light drizzle as the E2XX filled up on water, then it was light rain as the tank engine was turned around on a turntable, and then, just as they were about to leave, the rain became ridiculously heavy, minimising visibility to about 100 feet...which is very very bad.

Nathan: "We shouldn't go!" he shouted, "There's too little visibility!"

Andy: "These people are counting on us to get through the storm and to York!" he shouted back, "We can do this!"

Nathan: "Oh, knock off the bullshit!" he yelled, "These people have other options! We can't leave now!"

Andy: "Look! Dispatch says there are no other trains going along the Aberdeen Road, we still have enough visibility to spot fallen trees on the line, and we have enough grip and horsepower to get this train moving!" he shouted.

Nathan: "What if we get stuck at some point in our journey?" he asked, "What happens then?"

Andy: "Then we ask for a banker!" he barked, "In any case, we can get through and we will, so man up and start your engine already!"

Nathan grumbled petulantly but decided to follow his little brother and started his engine, the guard blew his whistle and the train slowly departed the station, their wheels slipping on the rails but otherwise suffering no issues as they left Dundee.

It was a few miles later when issues began cropping up again, the wind was getting stronger, trying to push the engines back down the hill, the rain got even worse, and the Class 22's engine was giving up. Emerald abandoned the radio to pour sand on the rails when the sanders got jammed.

Andy: "Come on old girl....come on..." he said, gingerly controlling his engine.

Peter: "This rain is getting unbearable." he said, wiping the sweat from his brow, "You sure we can do this?"

Andy: "I'm sure." he replied, leaning out the cab, "How's it looking out there Esme?"

Emerald: "It's cold as fuck, I can't see shit, and it sucks out here!" she yelled.

Peter: "Hang in there Esme!" he called, "We're almost at the top!"

The top was in reach, the engines were going to make it...but then 'BANG!' the Class 22's engine gave up and completely died, its exhaust spewing fire and black smoke. The E2XX struggled to keep moving but the weight of the train and the severely inclement weather was against the little tank engine, causing it to slip violently, the rapid motion broke the side rods on the left side of the engine with a mighty 'CRACK!', seizing the engine's wheels, and causing the train to roll all the way down the hill they had just climbed. Once the train had come to stop Andy leaned out the cab and turned back as the rain put out the fire and Nathan opened the door, letting the smoke out and breathing in the fresh air. The worried passengers got out and gathered around the stricken engines as the crews met.

Peter: "You alright?" he asked.

Nathan: "I'm fine." he barked, "The stupid engine's given up on me. I told you we should have stayed at the station!"

Peter: "If you admitted you had mechanical trouble then we just might have!" he retorted.

Emerald: "Now what the hell do we do?" she asked, "We still have passengers and a massive hill in front of us!"

Nathan: "I say we turn back!" he replied.

Emerald: "How? Both our engines are damaged!" she shouted.

Peter: "But we need to get these people to York!" he protested.

Nathan: "There's no way that thing has enough horsepower even with all 6 wheels." he scoffed, "Let alone 2."

Andy stayed silent, he had hopped out of his engine and was assessing the situation, he knew his engine could theoretically take the weight but he didn't know how it performed on a hill with only 2 of its 6 driving wheels. He was also inspecting his engine's side, a hole had been punctured in the left side tank and the left side of the cab was mangled, the floor and running board were battered upwards and blocking the door going in. As he looked, he heard all the negative comments made about his engine, how it was pathetic, how it was small, how it was dinky, how it stood no chance; over and over again. He was sick of it.

Andy: "Right." he said, "Esme, contact control and tell them of the situation."

Emerald: "Yes sir!" she saluted.

Andy: "Pete, help me with the side rods." he continued, beginning to undo the side rods.

Peter: "Aye aye captain!" he said, running to join him.

Andy: "Nathan, loosen the couplings!" he ordered.

Nathan: "And why should I listen to you?" he asked.

Andy: "Well, I'm sure the passengers would love to find out that you're keeping them here because you forgot to report engine trouble." he growled.

Nathan looked around at the angry passengers, they had heard a bang before the crack and seeing as the diesel was showing signs of having engine trouble instead of something more minor which would have caused the 'crack' they were beginning to assume who had failed first.

Nathan: "....on second thought, good idea." he said, running back to his engine.

Soon enough, both side rods had been taken off and put into the cab, Emerald was ready with the bucket of sand and Nathan had successfully loosened all the couplings on the train. With the passengers inside the coaches, Andy put his hand on the regulator, feeling his engine get ready for the biggest test it's faced so far, hauling a dead diesel and a bunch of full coaches up a steep hill in the rain with the wind against them. The guard blew his whistle and with Emerald sanding in front, Andy gently opened the regulator.

Andy: "Come. On." he said, hearing his engine's single pair of driving wheels slip and slide on the wet rails.

Slowly the train inched forward, the coupling between the pair of engines tightening as the train started. The Class 22 moving helped to start the first coach, the first helped the second, and so on down the train. It slowly but surely puffs up the hill, moving the massive and heavy train alone.

Emerald: "We're moving!" she called, "We've done it!"

Andy: "Attagirl!" he yelled, patting his engine's cab, "We've got em! We've got em!"

The little tank engine gave no reply, but Andy listened happily to its steady beat as it surged up the hill slowly but surely. The passengers were thrilled, most had their heads out the windows, they waved and shouted at the crew in front, cheering them on. Emerald shimmied down the running board and back into the cab where Andy gave her a blanket and enough space to stand by the fire to warm up.

York Station

1100 hours

Current Conditions: Raining

The Headmaster, Sara, and multiple Officials paced the platform, waiting for the special train to arrive, the Challenger and Alex's FP-45 were waiting as well. All heard a 'PEEP PEEEEP!!' and battered, weary but unbeaten, the little tank engine appeared around the corner, steam blasting from its funnel as its single driving wheel spun wildly, dragging the train into the station and to a halt. The Class 22 was completely silent as the E2XX seemed to breath a sigh of relief with its cylinder cocks releasing a massive amount of steam. The Press arrived instantly and began documenting the sorry state of the 2 engines, noticing that the smaller engine was the one still working. The headmaster leaned into the cab.

H Samson: "Are you all alright?" he asked.

Andy: "We're fine." he replied.

Emerald: "Little cold, but we'll live." she added.

Peter: "Can we get some hot choco?" he joked.

The Headmaster chuckled before a swarm of passengers swept him aside, singing the crew's praises before running off to enjoy the Exhibition as the reporters swarmed in, already dubbing their tank engine 'The Little Engine That Could'.

Reporter 1: "How did all this happen?" one asked.

Reporter 2: "How did you get back here?" another added.

Reporter 3: "Does your engine have a name?" a third asked.

Reporter 4: "Will the Little Engine That Could still be able to compete in Rail Wars?" a last one asked.

Peter: "Y'know, I think we just found a name we can use." he said.

Emerald: "Little Engine?" she asked.

Peter: "Oh, don't be daft, I was thinking.....Tillie." he replied.

Emerald: "Hm....well, that doesn't sound half bad, what do you think?" she asked.

Andy: "Tillie sounds like a great name." he replied with a smile, patting his little engine, now named Tillie, "And as for your earlier question? Yes, I believe Tillie will be ready in time to fight in Rail Wars." 

The reporters continued to swarm, asking their questions until security ushered them aside so the FP-45 could drag Tillie and the Class 22 to the NRM's workshops to be inspected while the train was shunted away by the Challenger.

Sara: "How the hell did you end up in this situation?!" she demanded.

Nathan: "Maybe if you hadn't thrown the remote into the engine, this wouldn't have happened!" he retorted.

Sara: "Oh please! You insisted on bringing the Class 22 instead of staying with one of the Class 08's." she said.

Nathan: "As if you would've let me do that in the first place!" he shouted.

Sara and Nathan continued arguing with each other while Andy, Emerald, and Peter watched from the sidelines.

Andy: "I am so glad I'm not part of that family anymore." he said.

Emerald+Peter: "Uh-huh." they nodded.

The trio walk off to help set their engine up for display.

NRM, Great Hall

1800 hours

Current Conditions: Cloudy

After the insanity of the morning Andy was on a stage, under a spotlight, as the sun began to set. It was relatively cold and he was mentally biting his fingers. The draw, as it's been nicknamed, is an event to mark the end of the Pre-National Exhibition. The lead drivers of every school took turns walking onto the stage and collecting a piece of paper with a number on it. That number determined where they were on the bracket and showed which schools would go up against each other for the first round.

Andy breathed in deeply and looked up at the bracket, so far, the school with American Engines 'Lincoln Institute' and the school with French Engines 'Northridge School for Girls' had drawn their ballots and had places on the bracket, the other schools had still yet to step up and draw their numbers so the bracket was still mostly empty.

Andy: "Ok....may the luck be with me." he said, closing his eyes and reaching into the box.

He grabbed the first piece of paper he could find and raised it into the air before opening his eyes. The number was a 2, which meant Eastwood High would battle Northridge School for Girls in the first match.

Andy: "Ok....not bad." he said, examining the bracket.

Andy began to walk away and back to his classmates and his allies, as he does the Northridge girls whistle and catch his attention, he stops and looks at them. They were all blondes with blue eyes and pale skin, their uniforms were relatively short and skin tight while resembling what you'd stereotypically expect a French Woman to look like, they had white shirts with black stripes and red barrettes on their heads, with short skirts instead of pants. They giggled as they noticed they'd actually grabbed his attention, winking and blowing kisses at him. Andy blushed slightly before walking away.

Alex: "Looks like the Northridge Girls are taking an interest to you." he grinned.

Andy: "Oh don't start." he deadpanned.

Alex: "Too late, already am." he grinned.

Peter: "So, which one strikes your fancy bud?" he asked, leaning over cheekily with a notebook.

Emerald: "Ooh~ You got it good, they're all sexy as hell." she grinned, also leaning over cheekily, "Unless you like em petite."

Vicki: "Pretty sure he said something about liking girls more on personality than looks." she said.

Peter: "Alright, I've got some research to do then." he grinned, cracking his knuckles.

Andy: "Guys." he blushed.

The group laughed together as the draws continued in the background. Whatever trials they would face, they would face it together and nothing in the world could change that fact. 

A/N:

Andy: Seven Thousand Words! HOLY SHIT!! Thank you to anyone who reads this, this took way too long to make and it was only possible because of various storms postponing classes completely. Even the friggin online classes! 

Thomas: Congrats sir...but, why'd you name your engine Tillie? 

Andy: Well, in the 1991 retelling of 'the Little Engine That Could', the blue engine was named 'Tillie' and it was more appropriate in-universe than Thomas because of what happened before I gave it the name. dieHero, DrFrostwire0; what'd ya think? Lemme know in the comments. I'll see you all next week, ta-ta.

Bonus: 

https://youtu.be/tLcVtVld8_E

This is where I got the inspiration for the trial that the E2XX...er....Tillie faced in the chapter.