Thomas and Friends: Edwards Fathers Day

Edward's Fathers Day

It was Father's Day on the Island of Sodor. Everyone was celebrating with their fathers, doing things like attending football games, concerts, you name it. Everyone that is, except for Edward.

Every year, Edward went through Father's Day with a sad look on his face. He was asked why he was down many times, but he couldn't bring himself to tell anyone about it, not even his own crew. The reason is that he misses his father, Ned.

When Edward worked on the Furness Railway, Ned took the young tender engine under his wing, and the pair became like father and son. When World War One started, Ned was killed in a horrible explosion. What made it worse was that fateful day was Father's Day. This took a toll on Edward, and that was the reason he doesn't have a liking for the unofficial holiday.

We join Edward on his way back to Tidmouth Sheds. It was nighttime, and Edward had a hard day's work. He had a relief crew because his regular driver and fireman had taken Father's Day off to celebrate with their families. His relief crew was pretty experienced, but that didn't matter to him. Edward had a very bad day. He biffed and bashed the trucks around, and whenever someone called him out on it, he would woosh steam at them. He was reprimanded by the  General Manager for this, and as punishment he sent Edward to shunt in the yards at Knapford. Edward was furious, and when he arrived he biffed and bashed the trucks even harder. The trucks were furious about this and decided to pay him out. When Edward tried to shunt a goods train for Henry, the trucks put on their breaks. Edward pulled with all his might, but to no avail. Then the trucks released their brakes and pushed Edward off the rails. When his brother Mickey rescued him, Edward was having a meltdown, and Micky had to shunt him into the goods shed until he calmed down.

After that, Edward was repaired and was forced to finish shunting. Thankfully, he didn't have much to do, and when night came the Fat Controller came to see him. He had heard about Edward's behavior and was not happy about it. He simply  told Edward, "I will talk to you tomorrow!" and then stormed off.

Anyways, when Edward was on his way to Tidmouth Sheds he saw an orb of light appear right in front of him. He was surprised and confused. After a minute, the orb drifted away. "Hey, where are you going?" Edward asked as he gave chase. The orb didn't answer and just kept drifting away.

Edward chased the orb to a forest he had never seen before. He didn't recognize it at all and didn't remember the route to it. He looked around, nervous. His crew went out of the cab and went for help. Edwards stay put, as he ran out of coal and water.

"Hello?" He asked nervously. "Anybody there? I shouldn't be here."

As a cool breeze swept over Edward, the orb appeared in front of Edward. Then a bright light appeared, and Edward was forced to close his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he saw an outline of an engine he recognized.

It was his father, Ned. The 0-6-0 G1 tank engine smiled at Edward as he looked at the blue engine with his old eyes. Edward's eyes widened, and tears started forming.

"N-Ned? Father?" He whispered. Ned moved towards the blue engine until he was a few inches from his buffers.

"Hello, Son," Ned spoke in a calm, ghostly voice. "Thou didn't think thou'd forget thy own dad?"

"N-N-No!" Edward stuttered. "I-I-I just-!"

Edward started crying. He was looking upon the ghost of his friend who had mentored and raised him ever since he was first built. Ned then spoke again.

Ned: Listen Kidda, there's nay need for tears.  I know thou has been thinking of me for all these decades. I'm so proud of thee for doing so.

Edward looked at Ned, shaking and tears pouring down his face. "Ned," He spoke softly, "I didn't think I would ever see you again. Ever since that horrible day, I've had nightmares about your death and I couldn't even celebrate Father's Day with you! Please Ned, please give me comfort.... Give me salvation.. Please, I-I need....." But then Edward began to cry even harder.

Ned moved and placed his buffers on Edwards. "There, there, son," Ned spoke gently. "It's OK. Thou has done so much ever since my death. I am so very proud of thee, for everything you've done. You've come such a long way. You're still my son Edward, and I'll never forget about thee, even in the afterlife."

Edward Sniffed and looked up. He couldn't even see Ned through his tear-streaked eyes. "And I haven't forgotten about you, Ned. You were the best father and friend an engine can ask for."

Ned smiled and slowly start to back away. Edward noticed this and called out, "Wait, Ned! Where are you going?"

Ned: Home. I cannae stay in the physical world for long.

Edward: Wait! You can't leave!

"Dinnae worry about me, kidda. I'll be fine, and so will thou." Ned replied as he slowly began to fade away. "I'll always be proud of thee. Thou's always gonna be my son. Edward the Blue Engine."

And with that, Ned completely disappeared. Edward stood there, tears flowing down his eyes.

"And I will never forget you, Ned," Edward whispered as he looked up at the moon. "Please stay with me for all eternity. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. I will never forget." And Edward quietly sobbed into the night, remembering his friend and father, Ned the Furness Engine.

Man, what a story. Anyways, I want to say a Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. And I would also like to give credit to TARDIS9 for creating Ned. Make sure to check out his Diamond Jubilee videos to learn more about Ned and his relationship with Edward. I put a link for the videos he's appeared in up above. Make sure to give them a try. Happy Father's Day, Everyone. Blazing Swordsman, out!!