An E2 Reunion

Chapter 3

"Ok engines! Before Thomas comes back, I have a special assignment for all of you!" Sir Topham Hatt told the other engines.

"Wait, shouldn't we wait for Thomas to come back before you give us an assignment?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, I wouldn't want him to fall behind!" Edward added.

"Normally, I would agree, but that would defeat the purpose of the assignment!" Sir Topham Hatt responded, earning a confused look from the engines. "You all have noticed that he has been acting strange lately, correct?"

"Yeah. Like the other day during the 75th anniversary, he looked upset about something towards the end of it." Henry pointed out.

"And I've heard from Mavis that he was really deep in thought this morning as he came into the Quarry earlier today. He puffed right into a siding with some unsafe buffers!" Toby added.

"And of course, what happened just now." Gordon finished.

'So he was acting that way at the anniversary too huh?' Sir Topham Hatt thought to himself. "Yeah, I've heard from Toby that he was acting strangely this morning, too. As Thomas was leaving though, his driver gave me something from Toby's driver that may help us figure out what is causing this."

"Your driver did?" Percy asked Toby.

"He gave me this."

The other engines crowded around Sir Topham Hatt to get a good look. They saw what appeared to be four tank engines: an LMS Fowler class 3F, an LMS Kitson 0-4-0ST, and two LBSCR E2's. One of them was Thomas, and the other was painted grey, with no extended side tanks, and a number 100 on his coal bunker.

"Ok, so what does this have to do with why Thomas is acting so strangely?" Henry asked.

"Well, Toby's driver did make sure to point out this engine before he left." Sir Topham Hatt said as he pointed towards the grey E2.

"Ok... so does anyone here have any idea who this engine is?" Henry asked.

"Nope."

"No."

"Sorry."

"No... but."

The engines then looked to see who had said that: Edward.

"I recognize that grey E2, it's Timothy."

"Who?" Asked Percy.

"Timothy. He's Thomas' older brother.