Sodor: Dark Times (Thomas' Big Adventures)

'''This story is fictional. It is not canon to Thomas in any way. Please read with an open mind.'''

The North Western Railway is and never was always so happy. The writers of the Railway Series, and the TV series only explored the optimistic happy plots. Very rarely did they stay 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.

'''Sodor: The Dark Times Tragedy Strikes the North Western Railway'''

{Thomas backs into Tidmouth Sheds, between James and Henry.}

James: Oh, look here's here - Thomas, Mr. Number One, everybody's favorite.

Thomas: I'm not everyone's favorite. There's some that don't trust steam engines.

Henry: He has a point there, James.

{Sir Topham Hatt drives up in his car. He walks over to Thomas.}

Sir Topham Hatt: Thomas, I need you to take coal trucks around the Island. Stanley will look after Annie and Clarabel.

Thomas: Yes, sir.

Homestar Jr.: All right, then.

So, Thomas and his crew - Homestar Jr. and Palm-Palm - set off to collect the coal trucks. When they arrived, the yard manager was waiting for him.

Yard Manager: Thomas, you are to deliver the coal around the Island.

Thomas: Yes, sir.

Soon, Thomas had delivered most of his coal trucks around the Island.

Homestar Jr.: C'mon, Thomas, just two more loads to deliver and we'll have a nice rest.

Thomas: All right, let's do it!

{Thomas' wheels spin faster and faster until... BANG!!! Thomas' wheels slow to a complete stop. Pitch black.}

Homestar Jr.: {voice over} Thomas! Are you all right?

Palm-Palm: He's unconscious. His smokebox has broke. Call the yards immediately!

Homestar Jr. called the yards about Thomas, and soon, Edward and Emily came to Thomas. Smoke billowed from Thomas' smokebox.

Edward: Oh, Thomas. Tell me it isn't so!

Emily: What? What's happened?

Edward: {sighs} Nothing, Emily. Please take the trucks back to Tidmouth.

Emily: But, Edward I-

Edward: Please! Emily, go.

Emily: {as she backs} I, uh...

Emily took the coal trucks back to Tidmouth Station. The stationmaster was waiting for her.

Stationmaster: Hello, Emily. I received a call - Thomas' structure is being brought back. He's in pretty bad shape, Emily.

Emily: What's wrong?

Stationmaster: He's been brought to Tidmouth Sheds, Emily. I don't think they'll have time to get to Knapford.

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

Emily arrived at Tidmouth Sheds. Molly was there, and Thomas was in a shed.

Molly: Don't go any further, Emily. You'll only experience more heartbreak.

Emily: No, I want to see him!

Molly: No, Emily, it's too late.

Emily: No, it's never too late-

Molly: EMILY! Don't you realize why it's so quiet around here? The burst was too large. It caused a crack in his smokebox...

Emily: Molly....

Molly: Emily, I'm... sorry. {Henry and Toby puff slowly alongside Molly.} Henry, take Emily back to the station. She doesn't need to be here.

Henry: Right, Molly. Come on, Emily....

{Henry and Emily leave Toby and Molly by themselves.}

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

{Gordon puffs alongside Toby, Percy and Stanley arrive.}

Stanley: He was a true member of Sodor.

Percy: He was my best friend ever.

Toby: And now, we will never see him again.

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

Molly: Okay, Gordon.

Next day, a funeral was held for Thomas.

Sir Topham Hatt: Thomas was killed from a crack in his smokebox Tuesday afternoon. A most likely cause of the explosion was gunpowder. Thomas will be remembered for his work on the railway. A credit to the North Western Railway, or any other railway for that matter. He was a truly remarkable engine.

The engine said their goodbyes to Thomas, still facing away from them. Molly went last.

Molly: ...he wasn't the perfect boyfriend, but I still loved him a lot. He would always find a way to make me laugh if I was down... I wish I could have given him one last kiss before... {voice trails off} I'll miss him. {cries quietly}

The engines soon left for their work. Except Molly. She wanted to be with Thomas.

Molly: {smiling sadly} Don't worry, Thomas. I promise I will avenge your death. I will destroy whoever killed you, and will make sure you are still engine number one on Sodor!

Molly had made her vow to her late boyfriend, but that's another story.

Thomas did not survive his accident.

The burst caused a crack in his smokebox.

They say it killed him almost instantly.

The North Western Railway was left...

...without a Number 1.