Just so everyone knows, I'm not an expert on Thomas and friends lore or details. So it may get tricky for me when I write chapters concerning where which character is going where. I'll look up a Sodor railway map, and go from there when I need to.

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Under the cover of darkness, a black tank engine can be seen rapidly speeding down the rails as we get a good look at the wheels spinning in a near blur. Their lamp flickered in the darkness ahead of him as his face sported a look of terror.

Catching up behind them is another engine, but this one has a pair of big wheels colored red, and they appear to be chasing after the black engine. They had no lamp on, and they gradually began to close in on the engine they're pursuing.

...

The island of Sodor...

The rails were bustling with steam engines, and the occasional diesel on island of Sodor. The engines were out, and about, going along with their business as they either pulled goods, or carried passengers. Whether it's the harbor, a mountain quarry, or even the sheds, you'll always find an engine somewhere around the island.

Speaking of which, a small blue tank engine with the number one painted on the sides can be seen rolling along the rails while pulling a pair of orange coaches. This is Thomas the tank engine. A well known, and really useful engine.

Thomas pulls into a station with his pair of personal coaches named Annie and Clarabel, their names written in white paint on the sides. Thomas slowly comes to a stop to let passengers off. It is here at the station where we see a man in a black tailored suit, and black top hat, waiting for him.

"Good morning, Thomas." He greeted kindly.

"Good morning, Sir Topham Hatt." Thomas greeted back. "Lovely day, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is, Thomas." Sir Topham Hatt agreed.

"How was your vacation, sir?" Thomas asked.

"Quite splendid. Though I could do without the high temperature, and pesky bugs flying around at the time, but I did enjoy it. As a matter of fact, I've been meaning to speak with you, and the other engines on some good news." Sir Topham Hatt said, the kind smile not leaving his face.

"Really? About what?" Thomas asked, feeling curious.

"While I was visiting the train museum, I asked the station master of one of railways if there's any engines he'd be willing to sell, and wouldn't you know it, there was one. So now the island of Sodor is expecting a new steam engine to arrive soon." Sir Topham Hatt explained.

"A new engine? That is good news!" Thomas said happily.

"Indeed. However, I should tell you that this engine in particular has, shall we say... been through something terrible to put it lightly." The fat controller explained with a neutral expression, but his voice held sympathy for the engine he speaks of.

"Really? How so?" Thomas asked out of curiosity.

"It would be better to explain with the others present. I'll meet you all at your sheds once today's work is done." Said the fat controller.

"Very well then, sir." Said Thomas.

With new passengers loaded, and the blow of a whistle from the station master, Thomas puffed along down the rails.

...

Later that evening, a bunch of engines can be seen in the sheds as Thomas had just finished telling them that Sir Topham Hatt will be here to tell them some exciting news. But he won't say what he told him.

"Why can't you tell us?" A green saddle engine named Percy questioned.

"Because I'll have Sir Topham Hatt do the honors. It'll be more of a surprise that way." Thomas said with a cheeky grin.

"Can you at least give us a hint?" A tram engine named Toby asked.

"I guess I can give you a hint. Let's just say... there's something coming to the island." Said Thomas, trying to sound vague, and mysterious with a sly smirk.

"It's a new engine, isn't it?" James, a red tender engine guessed almost immediately.

Thomas, while surprised for a moment that he was able to guess it correctly so quickly, didn't admit it right away.

"Uhhhh, I'm not telling you." Thomas said, trying to deny it.

"It is, isn't it?" James smirked, seeing how he guessed correctly.

"Uhhhhhhhh— look! It's Edward!" Thomas said, seeing an old blue tender engine arriving.

"Evening everyone. Did I miss anything?" Edward asked with a kind smile.

"Oh nothing. But apparently little Thomas has been told some exciting news, and won't tell us until the fat controller arrives." A big blue tender engine, known as Gordon, answered.

"James suspects it's a new engine." A big green tender engine known as Henry chimed in.

Edward then got turned around on the turn table, and backed into his part of the shed with the others.

"Oh really?" He said.

"That's what I'm guessing. I mean, what else could it be?" James added.

"Well if Thomas won't confirm anything, then I guess we'll know for certain when Sir Topham Hatt arrives." Said Edward.

Later that evening, Sir Topham Hatt arrives to deliver the good news.

"Good evening everyone. I'm sure Thomas has informed you that I'd be delivering some splendid news tonight." Said the fat controller.

"Yes, but he hasn't told us exactly what it is." Said Percy.

"Oh? Why's that?" Sir Topham Hatt asks.

"He claims it would be more of a surprise if you said it yourself." James answered with an eye roll.

"Ah, I see. Well, in that case it is indeed a surprise for everyone. You see— wait. Where's Emily?" Sir Topham Hatt paused when he noticed an engine missing from the sheds.

Before any of the engines could answer, his answer arrived with whistle calling out, and the arrival of an emerald green stirling single engine puffing up to the sheds.

"Ah, there she is. Glad you could join us, Emily." Sir Topham Hatt greeted with a smile.

"Am I late for something, sir? Sorry, I've been busy with dropping off some passengers tonight." Emily said with her Scottish accent.

"It's quite alright, Emily. You're not late for anything. As a matter of fact, you're just in time to hear the good news." Said Sir Topham Hatt.

"What good news?" Emily asked.

"Everyone, we will soon be expecting the arrival of an engine!" Sir Topham Hatt announced joyfully.

"I knew it!" James called out with a smile.

"Oh shut up, James." Thomas rolled his eyes.

"Are they a steam engine, or a diesel, sir?" Toby the tram engine asked.

"They're a steam engine. A New South Wales C30 Class steam locomotive. Also known as a NSWGR C30 Class 4-6-4T to be exact. Right from Australia." Sir Topham Hatt explained.

"Australia? You mean the... oh what was that saying they described it as?" Gordon questioned.

"The land down under." Edward said.

"Yes, that." Said Gordon.

"You are correct. It'll take some time for him to arrive to Sodor due to the sheer distance from here to Australia." Sir Topham Hatt explained.

His tone then went serious as he began to explain some details of the engine.

"However, I should let you all know that this engine in particular. I did tell Thomas the short version earlier, but I believe it's important to treat this engine kindly upon arrival. I'm afraid the poor engine has experienced something rather traumatic. So much so that he absolutely refused to leave his shed at night." He explained.

"Well that's rather peculiar." Said Emily.

"What could cause an engine to act like that?" Thomas questioned.

"Maybe they had a similar situation with Henry refusing to leave a tunnel because of the rain." James joked.

"Oh shut up, James, it was one time!" Henry spat in annoyance.

"I'm afraid it's not the same, James. Whatever happened to the engine, it left him rather scared of the dark, or as what I've been told, scared of what hides in the dark outside his shed." Sir Topham Hatt explained with seriousness in his tone.

"What's he so scared of?" Percy asked.

"I don't know. The engine wouldn't say, due to the fact, and I quote, wouldn't believe him if even if he told me. He clammed up after that. His old fireman said that he lost some friends overtime, and even he didn't elaborate further. Whatever had happened on their railway had left a permanent mark in their minds. I respectfully didn't press further, and wished to leave a good impression on everyone present." The fat controller continued.

"Oh the poor engine. Whatever happened must've been terrible." Said Emily, feeling bad for the poor engine.

"Indeed, Emily. Which is why I chose to purchase him, and give him a new life here on the island of Sodor. Hopefully it'll put his troubles behind him. Whatever they may be." Said Sir Topham Hatt.

"That's very generous of you, sir. I'm sure they'll love it here." Edward said, brightening the mood.

"I hope so too, Edward. I hope so too. Well now, I'll let you all get some much needed rest. We have a busy schedule ahead of us, and I must make preparations for the new engine." Sir Topham Hatt said before leaving.