Steam engines, Skullgirls, and Universes

Detour: Invasive Competition

The Maplecrest Branchline is where you'll commonly find Thomas the Tank Engine puffing up and down the line with his passenger trains, see Percy handle an assortment of goods, and Toby near the farms. The colorful trio of little engines became associated with the branchline by default, mascots for it many would tell you. Their reliable services have really boosted the business for the line; The quarry was digging up more lead, and with Percy's strength was able to deliver more of it, Toby's expertise on livestock lead to more cattle trains, and of course Thomas and his reliable passenger services. Everyone was quite happy with it, well... not all.

Thomas puffed up the branchline on his way to the end station. His three coaches rattling behind him full of people on their ways. As he came closer to the end station he saw something peculiar. Men were working, they added points and switches, extended the rails on the Medici's side to run along not to far from the Maplecrest line, and added odd points that connected the two railways. Thomas and his crew were very confused by this, seemed a little too fishy. Once they stopped and pulled into the station they asked the station master. 

"Excuse me" asked the driver. "What's with the Medici's new project?" 

The station master hung his head and sighed. 

"They're planning on extending their services to the next station up. Part of their new plan to extend their services to include more stops and industries." he explained rubbing his neck. Thomas and his crew were shocked to hear this. 

"B-But that's my station, on MY branchline!" he said anger boiling inside. 

"Not much we can do, trust me I don't want them here anymore than you all do, but it is what it is. We just need to push through all this." he explained. The advice wasn't all that comforting, but it was sadly the only answer he had at the moment. 

Their conversation was interrupted by a sharp, loud whistle. The horrid twins pull into the platform with a long train of supplies. Their cocky smirks visible for miles. 

"How do you like that bluey? We're taking over your branchline! HAHAHA!" Arry laughed sinisterly. Bert just smirked and looked on. 

"Pooh!" snorted Thomas. "I've run the branch just fine, better than you two had, or ever will!"

"We'll see... With this new expansion of ours It'll be the thing to crush you all out for good!"

"Oh keep talking." the station master intervened. "I'm sure you're expansion has time to wait while you bozos keep jawing about it." he finished with a sly smirk. 

The twins growled and hurried off to deliver the supplies just up the line. 

"Man I hate that nosey station master." one murmured to the other.

"I know... hopefully he gets replaced soon."

Thomas scoffed seeing the twins go. 

"I swear the nerve of those two." the fireman groaned. "Thinking they can just waltz on in like they own the place."

"Tell me about it." agreed the station master. "Do me a massive favor, and show them up."

"Will do." chuckled the driver. 

Thomas ran round to the back of the train and started his journey back. He gave dirty looks to the twins as he passed by, and they did likewise. The rest of the day was soured with this news; He had told it to Percy, and Toby when he could, both were deeply worried with this. They told the others that night in the sheds. 

"Are they even allowed to do that?" asked James. 

"As far as I know yes." Thomas said frowning. "I heard that railways had built or even shared stations before the big four, made it very chaotic. It wasn't too good to have competitors share the same space."