Thomas and the Magic Railroad Remake

Chapter 7 "Shining Time"

Thomas puffed through the night. He had to get to Shining Time or Mr. Conductor's sparkle will disappear. "You okay, Ethan?"

Ethan rubbed his hands together, trying to keep himself warm. "Did we really have to leave, Thomas? We could've left the next day." He said.

"Sorry, Ethan, but we have to find Lady if we want to save Mr. Conductor's sparkle." Thomas said. His coupling swayed side to side as he puffed faster.

It was very dark, so dark that Thomas' lamp couldn't light the way. But, he had to keep going if he wanted to get to Shining Time.

Suddenly, Thomas heard a loud whistle. He gasped. "Oh no, it's Spencer. He must've known I left." He waited as a streamlined engine puffed up. Thomas blinked. "You're not Spencer."

The engine chuckled. "Nope. I'm Rainbow Sun. And who are you?"

Thomas smiled. "I'm Thomas. I've come from the Island of Sodor to find-"

"Woah, you're far from home, aren't you?" Rainbow Sun said. She chuckled. "Why are you here? You should be home, doing your jobs."

"Like I said before you interrupted me, I'm here looking for the Lost Engine. Do you know where Shining Time is?" Thomas asked. He was hoping that he was going the right way.

"Of course, I just went there to drop off some passengers." Rainbow Sun said. "Just go down this track and take the siding, it should take you to the town in no time."

Thomas blew whistle. "Thanks, Rainbow Sun. See you later."

"See you soon, Thomas." Rainbow Sun called, as Thomas puffed down the line.

Thomas followed Sun's instructions. He followed the tracks to a signal box. He blew his whistle and the signalman changed the points. Thomas then puffed down the track.

He yawned. He was tired, but he needed to get to Shining Time. "Ethan, are you awake?" He called. No answer. "Ethan?"

Ethan had fallen back asleep was now sleeping on the cab floor. He tossed to his side, only covered with his sweater. He muttered, "She-Ra."

Thomas thought it was just some dream Ethan was having and didn't want to disturb him. He continued through the darkness as his lamp only lit his way.

Finally, Thomas came to a sign. He stopped and read it. "Welcome to Shining Time, where everyone can be their best self." Thomas was pleased to find Shining Time and quietly went down the track, towards the station.

Thomas stopped at the platform and spoke loudly. "Hello? Is anyone here? I need help getting to Muffle Mountain." No one answered. Nothing but the sound an owl hooted in the distance. "Please, we need to find Lady before its too late. Mr. Conductor is counting on me to bring back the magic. So, please help."

Suddenly, as the sun began to rise, Thomas gasped. Next to him, was a patch of flowers, completely withered and drained of color.

Thomas' axels ached as he stared at the flowers. He couldn't bare to see them like this. Then, he thought about what could happen to his home. Could the same thing happen to Sodor? An island with no life and color? If so, what would happen to his friends?

Thomas was shaken by thought. Suddenly, a woman in red walked by. "Um, excuse me." The woman stopped and looked at Thomas. "Hi, sorry for stopping you, but do you know how to get to Muffle Mountain?"

The lady stared at Thomas. "I don't know. I've never been to Muffle Mountain before except Burnett." She said.

Thomas smiled. "Do you know where he is? Maybe he can help me find the Lost Engine." He said, letting out a weesh of steam.