Tragedy Strikes: The Sad Story of Henry

Tragedy Strikes: The Sad Story of Henry is the first chapter of Thomas and Sailor Moon: The Dark Times.

Transcript
Narrator: Sodor is and never was always so happy. The writers of the Railway Series, and the TV series only explored the optimistic and upbeat plots. Very rarely did they steer otherwise. This story you're about to read explores these uncharted territories, without any restraints. You may be saddened, offended, angered, or a mix of the three - please, read with discretion.

Tragedy Strikes: The Sad Story of Henry

Narrator: It was a rainy day on the Island of Sodor. All the engines were working happily, except Henry. He was feeling ill, and found it hard to build up steam.

{Henry slowly pulls into Knapford Station with the coal trucks, next to James.}

Henry: Oh, James, I don't feel well today. My boiler's grumbling. Would you please take my trucks for me? I implore you, my pain is significant.

James: No, you old salt! We're expected to do our own jobs. So stop complaining and get to work!

Narrator: The signal changed to green, and Henry puffed slowly away.

{Far away on a neighborhood in Tokyo, called Azabu-Juuban, Usagi and her friends are at Hikawa Shrine discussing their plans.}

Ami: {sighs} I'm sure gonna miss school until next week.

Rei: What? You? Miss school? You totally deserve a break from studying and such!

Ami: Yeah well, I thought we could go somewhere different.

Usagi: Um, where do you think we're gonna go?

Ami: I was thinking that I'll book seven tickets for our trip to an island called Sodor.

Minako: Sodor?

Usagi: Wait, isn't that a place where Thomas and his friends live?

Ami: Yes, it is.

Makoto: But there's only five of us, and you're thinking of getting seven flight tickets? Who else could come?

Ami: I'm thinking Mamoru and Chibiusa could come.

Usagi: Well, I'm not sure about Chibiusa, but Mamo I'll be happy with!

Makoto: I think it's best to have Chibiusa come with us. She deserves a good vacation.

Usagi: Oh, okay.

Rei: Great!

Ami: Let's get home and tell our parents. Our flight is tomorrow.

Minako: Right!

{The girls all leave the shrine. Back on Sodor, Henry was still having trouble picking up speed.}

Henry's Driver: Come on, Henry. A few more miles and we'll have a good rest.

 Henry: Oh, I don't think I can do it, driver.

Henry's Driver: You've got to try. We cannot be late!

Henry: I'll do my best.

{Henry's wheels kept spinning until... BANG!!! Henry's wheels slow to a complete stop. Fade to pitch black.}

Henry's Driver: {voice over} HENRY!!! Are you alright?!

Henry's Fireman: {voice over} He's unconscious! Something must've been wrong! Call the yards immediately, and send some engines to help!

Narrator: Soon enough, Molly, Rosie and Percy were sent to help, and came as quickly as they could. Molly and Rosie could see smoke billowing from Henry's smokebox.

 Molly: Oh, Henry!

Rosie: How could this happen?

 Percy: What? What's happened?

 Molly: {sighs} Nothing, Percy. You and Rosie must take the trucks back to Tidmouth.

 Percy: But Molly, Please! I-

Rosie: {as she backs} Come on, Percy, let's go.

 Percy: {as he backs} I, uh...

Narrator: Percy and Rosie took the coal trucks back to Tidmouth Station. The stationmaster was waiting for them.

Stationmaster: Hello, you two. I received a call from up the line of Henry's structure being brought back. He's in pretty bad shape.

Percy: What?

Rosie: What's wrong?

Stationmaster: He's been brought to Vicarstown. They have the closest sheds around here. I don't think they'll have time to get to Knapford.

Percy: Don't have time? {puffs away} Oh, no!

Rosie: Percy, wait! {puffs away}

Narrator: At Vicarstown Sheds, Thomas and Emily were there. Rosie pulled up.

 Emily: Go ahead, Rosie. You're older than Percy.

Rosie: Okay, Emily. {puffs off to the shed}

{Percy puffs up to the sheds.}

Thomas: Don't go any further, Percy. You'll only experience more heartbreak.

Percy: No, I want to see him!

Thomas: No, Percy, it's too late.

Percy: No, it's never too la-

 Emily: {blows whistle loudly} PERCY!!! Don't you realize why it's so quiet around here? The burst was too large! It caused a crack in his smokebox!

Percy: {tearing up} Thomas... Emily....

 Emily: Percy, I- We're sorry.

{Edward puffs slowly alongside Thomas.}

Thomas: Edward, take Percy back to the station. He doesn't need to be here.

Edward: Right, Thomas. Come on, Percy, let's just go home.

{Edward and Percy leave Thomas and Emily by themselves.}

Thomas: He's gone....

Emily: He's really gone... {A tear streams down her face.}

{Gordon puffs alongside Emily.}

Gordon: Come on you two, let's go and let him rest in peace.

Thomas: Alright, Gordon.

Emily: Okay, Gordon.

Henry did not survive his accident.

The burst caused a crack in his smokebox.

They say it killed him almost instantly.

The railway was left...

Without a number 3.