Thomas was feeling happy today. He had a good run on the branchline, saw all his friends, and made good time. However, it all went down hill after that. On his second train down the branchline, there was a boy laughing at something.
"Hello," said Thomas, "Is something funny on your show?"
"Yes!!" said the boy, "It's you!"
"Oh," said Thomas, "My TV show? I imagine you like it."
"Say, why do you look different than the TV show?" asked the boy.
Thomas was confused, as the boy flipped his tablet over. When Thomas looked at the screen, his eyes shot open in surprise, and he gasped.
There, on the screen, was a cartoony version of himself, and Percy, making a high five with their steam!
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"Do you go on adventures like this?" asked the boy.
"NO!" snapped Thomas, "And you shouldn't be watching such rubbish!!"
However, Thomas' tone scared the boy, and he ran towards his mother. After that, Thomas was in a fowl mood, as his passengers left for the bus. He puffed crossly, as Clarabel said, "Thomas, that was just rude. The boy is allowed to watch what he likes."
"I just don't understand it," said Thomas, "Why did they change the TV show?"
"I'd be more worried about (Y/N) (L/N)," said Annie.
When Thomas arrived at the yards at Homestead, the Reverent Controller was waiting for him. She did not look happy.
"Thomas," she said sternly, "Why did you yell at that young boy? His mother spent so many minutes soothing the poor boy."
"It's just...." said Thomas, "That TV show. They changed it."
(Y/N)'s face slowly fell, as she said, "Oh, that's what you're upset about. Well, I suppose it was bound to happen."
"YOU KNEW MA'AM!?!" exclaimed Thomas.
"Yes," said (Y/N), "My son found it, and he likes it, but I really don't."
"But Ma'am," said Thomas, "Why did they change the show?"
"I don't know," said (Y/N), "I'm not in charge of Mattel. I had come to give you some important news, but with your recent outburst, this is my news for you: You Thomas, will be relegated to Station Pilot and goods trains until I can trust you to behave."
And so, Thomas was put onto shunting duties, and goods. Thomas thought to the way he behaved to that boy, and felt sorry.
He soon arrived at Connection Docks, and found Edward waiting with Annie and Clarabel.
"Hello Thomas," said Edward, "I must say, I'm disappointed in you. Annie and Clarabel have told me about your outburst towards that poor child."
Thomas looked away sheepishly.
"Thomas," said Edward kindly, "It's okay to not like something. I remember you giving some complaints about the movie of your adventure on the Magic Railway."
"Don't remind me," snorted Thomas.
"Besides," said Edward, "I know you were just surprised. Things change, just like the Other Railway. Media and other things change all the time. But you have helped give railway enthusiasts entertainment for more than 30 years."
Thomas let a small smile, as Edward said, "Thomas, just be more careful next time you're shown something that you don't agree with."
At the station, Thomas saw the boy from the other day. Some older kids were holding his tablet just out of his reach.
"Come on!" said the bullies, "Reach higher!/Jump for it!"
They then pushed the poor boy down, as Thomas said, "HEY!!!"
His voice echoed around the station. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks, as Thomas glared at the bullies.
"What's the big idea? Picking on someone smaller than you?!"
"What? He's just watching this stupid show about some train," said the head bully.
"That train," said Thomas, "Is actually an engine! And that engine, is me!!"
"Pfft," said the bully, "you look dumber than you do in the sho-"
"NATE!!" yelled a voice.
Nate stopped, and saw his parents walking up to him.
"We've told you to stop picking on younger people!" said his father.
Nate's mother then grabbed Nate by the ear, saying, "You are in big trouble young man! I'm so sorry little one. We'll take it from here."
Nate was then dragged off, as the boy was handed back his tablet.
"Thank you... Thomas," said the boy.
"Thomas," said a voice, "that was a very selfless thing you did there."
"Thank you Ma'am," said Thomas.
"Well, seeing how you stood up to that bully," said (Y/N), "I believe that I owe you some news: Thomas, for being a national icon and entertaining children for years, you are the first engine ever to get an N.B.E."
"AN N.B.E!?!" exclaimed Thomas.
"What's an N.B.E?" asked the boy.
"An N.B.E. is a special award given to the queen herself," said (Y/N), "As a contribution to things like art, science, charity, and public organizations. Or, in Thomas' case, for entertaining children all over, and helping heritage railways all across the world."
Thomas peeped his whistle happily. The next day, the engines gathered at the ceremony, and Thomas was given his N.B.E, for his hard work, and entertaining the children all over the world. And while he didn't quite like the show, he was shown a few things, he had to admit, it wasn't all that bad, but it wasn't that good either.
