It was a bright day on the Southern Isle Railway, and all the engines were working hard. Steven was feeling very excited!
He arrived at the washdown, where he said grandly, "Good morning Belle! Lovely day isn't it?"
"Well," said Belle, "Someone is in a good mood today."
"Why wouldn't I be?" asked Steven, "The Prince and Princess of Wales are coming! The American Controller has chosen me to be their special engine!"
"Really?" asked Belle, as she steamed off, "Have fun with that?
Soon, Steven was polished and cleaned. He smiled as he went to go meet the visitors. But a signal diverted Steven into a sighting.
"I'm going to be late!!" he muttered to himself.
As he grumbled, a huge green engine rocketed past.
"STEAMING PISTONS!! WHO'S THAT!?"
Steven soon found out. There at the sheds, the engine was humming to himself. It was a large Tender engine, with a similar shape to Steven, only he had 8 driving wheels instead of 6.
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"Who are you?" asked Steven.
"This is Perseus!" cried Annie, "He's the fastest engine in the world!!"
"Indeed," said Perseus.
"I don't recall my brother's record being broken," said Steven, even if he was secretly impressed.
"I'm the Prince and Princess' private engine," said Perseus, "I take them, everywhere."
"Quite," said the American Controller, "There will be a party at Forts celebrating the 70th anniversary of the railway, and the Prince and Princess are the guests of honor."
"That's far away over the Island Incline," said Annie.
"You'll have to take on plenty of water," said Steven.
"I have plenty of water," snapped Perseus, and he sweeshed away.
"I was only trying to be useful," said Steven.
Perseus arrived at Homestead to collect the Prince and Princess. Perseus was proud of his position, but it often got to his smokebox. The guard's whistle blew, and Perseus set off.
He showed the Prince and Princess many beautiful sights. But he never stopped once to take on more water. Belle and Steven were stopped to collect passengers, when Perseus rocketed by!
"Don't forget the water!!"
"WHO CARES?!"
"He'll be in trouble soon," said Belle.
And Perseus was. He ran out of water on the Island Incline.
"Why didn't I listen?" sighed Perseus.
The American Controller soon heard the news.
"I'll send Steven," he said on the phone.
Steven pulled into the station, and was flagged down to stop. The station master soon explained.
"You must rescue Perseus! He's stuck on the incline!"
"What about the express?" asked Steven's driver.
"John will be coming to take over for you," said the station master, "Now hurry please!"
Steven smirked to himself, as he was uncoupled from his train.
"Hurry Steven!" said his driver.
Steven was looking forward to seeing Perseus. There he stood on the center track, barely even up the slope.
"Run out of water?" teased Steven.
"YES!!" snapped Perseus, "I must have a leaky tank!!"
"Perhaps," said Steven, "But we'd better hurry, everyone is waiting!"
Steven was switched onto Perseus' line, and was coupled up. Then, they set off. Steven struggled up the hill a bit. Perseus was a big engine. But soon, he made it to the top, and continued down the line!
They arrived at Forts Station.
"See?" said Steven, "We're right on time!!"
Perseus was embarrased.
"What do you think of Perseus now?" whispered Belle.
"TOO MUCH PUFF AND NOT ENOUGH STEAM!!" laughed Annie.
"Well done Steven," said the American Controller, "You are the fastest engine on the island."
