On The Empty Tracks Of Sodor (GOTP AU)

5. From One Island to Another

The entire way to the Docks, the engines wondered who else might be there with them. If at the Docks, then perhaps they were typically seen by the docks. Perhaps Salty? Or how about Porter?

"Wow... It's even sadder being here now..." Henry whispered, giving a shiver. "I've never heard the Docks so quiet..."

"Other than those waves." James looked to the edge of the docks as a large wake crashed over the top, spilling foaming water across the rusting metal. "That storm's only getting worse."

"Don't worry, we'll be looking for shelter once everyone's accounted for." Boulder assured as he examined the glowing map again, "Hmm... The signal's still coming from here somewhere..."

"Hello!?" Emily called out, "Anyone here!?"

Thomas then jumped, as did the others, as they felt something pulse through them. Like a little electrical shock, it wasn't painful, but seemed to give them some sort of emotion with it... Surprise? Hope?

"Did anyone else feel that?" Edward whispered.

"A ping," Boulder informed, "It's like a response without words. But that means-"

"They heard us...!" Emily hissed, looking around more intently now. "Hello!? Where are you!?"

Another pulse came, and Boulder then pointed ahead of them, towards where the waves were crashing over the edge. "There!"
Boulder got to the edge first, and then dropped to his stomach and reached down. "Sweet Solus Prime... Hold on, I'll get you up here."

After a moment, Boulder pulled up, hands grasping tightly to a long, spindly arm. "Gordon, grab his other arm and help me pull him up!"

Gordon hesitated a moment, "Oh...! Can't someone else get down there in the dirt and-"

"NOW, GORDON!" Edward and Emily both shouted at the big blue engine.

"Oh...The indignity...!" Gordon grumbled under his breath, and then got down beside Boulder, reaching down.

After a few moments of straining and pulling, they were able to pull the wet, shaking form up and onto solid ground. Gray in color, with long, spindly legs as well, they sprawled out on the metal as they coughed and trembled, but then lifted their head from the ground and tried to sit up. "T-Thanks...!"

"Cranky!" Thomas exclaimed as he recognized the voice, hurrying over. "Are you okay?"

"Well gee, Thomas, do I look okay!?" Cranky snapped, but then sighed, lying down again. "S-Sorry... I was down there for a long time..."

"Just take it easy," Boulder murmured, "Hmm... Tower crane?"

Cranky huffed, "Nothing gets past you, huh...? Yeah, I was, and then I was like this and fell backwards into the harbor. Took me a while just to stand on that slippery sand down there and get as far as I did..."

"But that surf knocked the wind out of your sails." Boulder looked to the others, "That's nine... Seven steam, one diesel, and one tower crane... But why...?"

They all jumped as a loud clap of thunder shook the empty metal structures of the docks, and Boulder looked up to the looming clouds as droplets of rain began to splash down from the heavens. The clouds darkened the sky to almost the darkness of dusk, and the wind was getting colder by the minute. Few structures on the island would be in good enough condition to keep them safe from this storm... they needed to evacuate.

"What do we do?" James asked, "Rain and wind aren't exactly good for my paintwork."

The others rolled their eyes, and Cranky tried to sit up again, but the loud, creaking sound made them all wince.