Steam engines, Skullgirls, and Universes

NWR Diversions 3:Diesel Express

"One moment Percy was at the platform at the junction, then he started to glow a bright light, then he just vanished." Bear explained. He had returned to Tidmouth station after Percy's disappearance. Edward, Henry, the Scottish twins, and the fat controller listened to him carefully. 

"And Percy just vanished into thin air?" the fat controller asked. He was still baffled by what Bear had told them. 

"Yeah, that's right sir." Bear said. He was still a little shook by the events. The fat controller pondered what he had told him. 

"Excuse me sir, but that would make some sense to where the others have gone." Edward said. The fat controller's head was swarming with thoughts and concerns. He paced the platform as he muttered to himself. He was snapped out of his trance when he heard Daisy' horn. She pulled into Tidmouth with Annie and Clarabel.   

"Daisy. Why are you taking Duck's train?" the fat controller asked Daisy. Daisy took a moment to reply. 

"Well, because Duck... vanished sir." Daisy said. Everyone's attention was on her. 

"He was leaving Ffarquhar when he started to glow. The passengers panicked inside the coaches. Then without warning he vanished." The station fell silent. 

"Now that's two cases." Donald said worried. 

"Aye, what if the same happens to us!?" Douglas asked. The fat controller had a massive situation on his hands. The passengers were frightened, they didn't want to take trains that would disappear. 

"Now now people." The fat controller began. "I can say for now you are safe. The engines are the only ones disappearing, not the passengers." They were still a bit nervous of taking the trains, but the fat controller had a point. All the passengers of the engines who disappeared didn't go with them. 

"But what about us engines sir? What will we do about that?" Douglas asked. 

"I don't know Douglas. For now all we can do is resume work." he said. 

"What about the other engines. We are short 6 engines and can't do the work by ourselves." Daisy questioned. 

"I will write to various heritage railways in England and see if they can't loan us some of their engines. Just try to do the best you can for now." he said, he turned and walked back to his office to make the arrangements. The engines looked at each other, unsure of what was to come. 

"Well, at least we now know they weren't kidnap." Daisy said breaking the silence. 

"I don't think being teleported somewhere else is any better Daisy." Henry said. 

"What shall we do about it?" Bear asked. 

"Nothing old boy. We're just going to have to wait and see." Edward said.   

The fat controller entered his office and closed the door behind him. He sat at his desk where he took a deep breath and sighed. He thought about what Bear and Daisy had told him and the other engines. 

"Oh I do hope they are alright." the fat controller muttered to himself. But he had more present matters to worry about. He thought about what railways could lend their engines to help with his locomotive crisis. He reached for his rotary telephone and punched in the numbers. The line rang for a few seconds, then someone picked up. 

"Bluebell Railway, how can we help you?"

Next morning Henry woke up and got steamed. He was making his way to the big station to get the express. He puffed through the yards, not seeing Percy there was an odd thing for him, He'd usually shunt his trains back in the old days and would sometimes come down early to help arrange them. He made his way to the platform to find all of the coaches were already there.