On The Empty Tracks Of Sodor (GOTP AU)

20. Finding Your True Self While Looking For Someone Else

"You ready?"

Blades sat down on the floor, legs crossed. "As ready as I can be... Let's just hope none of those dark hands try to grab me again."

"D-Dark hands?" Henry quivered.

"Don't worry about it." Heatwave informed, "It won't be happening again."

The trio of brothers sat on the floor of the hangar, preparing to try and contact Chase, wherever he may be. In truth, it was Blades doing all of the heavy-lifting, Boulder and Heatwave were just there for emotional support.

"You sure you don't need our help with anything?" Thomas asked.

Boulder smiled at the little engine, "Don't worry, Thomas. We'll be fine."

"It'll just be easier to concentrate with some peace and quiet..." Blades hummed as he exhaled, "I've called Chase before, it'll be fine."

Edward nodded, nudging his curious fellow engines towards the doors. "Come on, let them have some privacy..."

Blades took in a deep breath through his vents as the doors closed, and then they were left with quiet. The faint hum of machinery elsewhere in the bunker, the low creaking of their frames on the floor, and the slow movement of air in and out of their vents. He then closed his optics, his frame relaxed. "Okay..."

The quiet continued, Heatwave and Boulder sitting on opposite sides of the copter as he rested in his meditative pose. His EM field pulsed in and out with his breaths, brushing against their own like little roots reaching for something to grip onto.

"Do you think he's doing it...?" Heatwave whispered, "We were only there to see the receiving end..."

"Hard to tell..." Boulder mumbled.

Blades' brows furrowed as his field then began to flare a bit and he whined, his frame tensing a bit as he tried to focus. His teeth clenched, his vents blowing a little harder as concentration turned into pain.

"Blades?" Heatwave worried, putting a hand on Blades' shoulder as the copter brought his hands to his temples.

"Nnn...! S-So many... Noise... Noise...!" He hissed, his orange aura igniting around him as he shifted into his elemental form. "Y-Yelling...Rushing...! I-It's all too much...! Too much...!"

"Blades, stop. You're going to hurt yourself."

"Ergh... C-Can't...! C-Can't find it! I don't know where-"
His aura flared outward, the soft tendrils lashing at their fields like whips and writhing in pain.

"Blades. Blades!"
Boulder bent down and put his hands on either side of the copter's helm, using his thumbs to pry Blades' optics open gently. "Blades, snap out of it!"

The copter gave a sharp gasp, the white glow in his optics fading back as he collapsed into Boulder's lap.

"Easy, easy...!" Heatwave whispered as he rubbed the copter's back. "Easy... You okay?"

"I-I..." Blades swallowed, "...I lost my bearings... I didn't find him, but then... I couldn't find the way I came in either..." He lifted his optics wearily, "...I'm sorry..."

"Don't sweat it." Heatwave stroked Blades' wings as they twitched, feeling his EM field and energy aura stabilizing once more. "... You did your best."

"Yes... But I'm not enough..." Blades lifted a shaky hand towards the firetruck, "...I might have better chances if we work together..."

"All three of us?" Boulder looked to Heatwave, who shrugged. "Maybe... But if you're already worn out-"

"I-I'm fine."
Blades sat up straight again, holding out his hands. "Please... Let's try, all three of us... Together..."