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Escape From Reality - ThomasNATION Fanstory [Part 2]

September 18, 2021

 

Thomas and Percy stared at the genie in awe and disbelief. It took him a moment, but Thomas recognized him.
ā€œIt’s…it’s you!ā€ he cried. ā€œYou’re the guy who sent me to this place! You’re…Gene, was it?ā€
ā€œOh, that’s where I recognize you from!ā€ Gene bellowed. ā€œYou’re that little engine who wanted to become human!ā€
ā€œWait, hang on, now, this isn’t what I meant,ā€ Thomas continued. ā€œI said I wanted to know what it was like, not actually become one!ā€
ā€œI told you, kid, ya gotta be careful what you wish for.ā€
ā€œYeah, but I-ā€
ā€œWait, hold on,ā€ Percy butted in. ā€œIf you said he made a wish and you granted it, does that mean we only have two wishes left?ā€
ā€œā€™Fraid so.ā€ Gene explained. ā€œBut I didn’t go over the main rules. See, here’s the thing: I can’t make anyone fall in love, I can’t resurrect anybody, I can’t kill anyone, yada yada yada. Now, don’t hold back, what’ll it be?ā€
ā€œWell, I know one thing I want: to go-ā€
ā€œWait, Thomas,ā€ Percy interrupted. ā€œWhat about James?ā€
ā€œOh yeah. Sorry, I got distracted. I’d like to change my first wish!ā€
Gene scowled. ā€œWell, this hasn’t happened before. Okay, let’s hear it.ā€
ā€œWell, I wish I could locate my friend James. He disappeared last night and all he left was this card.ā€
Percy handed Gene the card he found on James’ bed. He looked at it closely. ā€œAha…here’s the problem. You didn’t solve the anagram. If you rearrange the letters, you can see that it spells…preboiling swankies?ā€
ā€œNow, that can’t be right. What could that even mean?ā€ Percy asked.
ā€œNo, no, there has to be another meaning.ā€ Thomas said as he took back the card. He analyzed the letters carefully and noticed something off. ā€œOdd, they’ve all got a little number under them.ā€
ā€œI noticed that,ā€ Percy added on. ā€œbut I just assumed it was translating the numbers to letters and even that didn’t work.ā€
ā€œIt’s not letters, it’s an order.ā€ Thomas thought as he put the letters in order. ā€œThat’s it! The letters, they read ā€œPRAISE BE KING WILSONā€!ā€
ā€œWilson? You mean that prince guy?ā€ Gene asked.
ā€œYes!ā€ Percy cried. ā€œYou know him?ā€
ā€œI’m an all knowing being, Percy,ā€ Gene responded. ā€œas well as all powerful. Wanna make good on that wish, kid?ā€
With a flash of light, Thomas and Percy were shown a vision of James’ whereabouts.
 
In a nearby castle, Prince Wilson stood before the Mayor of Knapford and his daughter, Nia.
ā€œI’m sorry,ā€ the mayor said, puzzled. ā€œyou want to what?ā€
ā€œI wish to take your daughter’s hand in marriage.ā€ Wilson said with a smile. ā€œThis was a custom in my old country.ā€
ā€œI’m sorry, but here in this day and age, that custom isn’t very much accepted.ā€ the mayor explained as Nia stood forward.
ā€œBesides,ā€ Nia continued, ā€œI feel like you’re only intending to use me to gain power to make up for your failing excuse for a kingdom. Am I correct?ā€
ā€œWhaaaaaaaaaat?ā€ Wilson laughed. ā€œMe? No, no, you got me all wrong.ā€
ā€œHmm. The length of your ā€˜what’ tells me otherwise.ā€ the mayor said, suspiciously. ā€œKindly escort him out, please.ā€
As two guards tried to take him away, Wilson forced himself out of their grasp. ā€œOh, buzz off! I can show myself out.ā€
But as Wilson left, he walked into his parade float under the decor. Inside? A bunch of captured people in cages - James included. ā€œHello, subjects. What do we have today?ā€
ā€œLet me go!ā€ cried James. ā€œWhat do you want from us?ā€
ā€œGlad you asked, buddy!ā€ taunted Wilson. ā€œSee, in my old country, the Colosseum matches were the biggest tourist attractions in the world. And your little town just so happens to house one of the biggest colosseums in the world!ā€
ā€œBut you’ll never be king!ā€ cried Henry, from another cage.
ā€œBut that’s the thingā€¦ā€ Wilson continued. ā€œSee, this town is also known for genie sightings. More than any town in the world. So all I gotta do is find that genie, use my wishes to become king, bada-bing, bada-boom!ā€
ā€œWhere do we fall into this?ā€ asked James.
ā€œWell…the matches need a fighter, right?ā€ Wilson grinned evilly. ā€œNow…let’s find us a lamp!ā€
 
Thomas and Percy broke out of their vision back in the cave.
ā€œCinders and ashes!ā€ Thomas yelled. ā€œHe could kill James!ā€
ā€œI don’t want him to die!ā€ said Percy in a panic. ā€œWhat do we do?!ā€
ā€œWhat can we do?ā€ Thomas asked before looking at the Genie. ā€œWait…we still have two wishes left, right?ā€
ā€œActually, kid, ya got one.ā€ Gene explained.
ā€œOkay, one…wait, one?!ā€ Thomas cried. ā€œBut if I use that one wish to free James, thenā€¦ā€
ā€œYou’re not going home?ā€
ā€œ...yeah.ā€
Percy came up with a solution. ā€œThen no problem; we just free James without wasting that wish!ā€
ā€œWait, can’t you just rub that lamp?ā€ Thomas asked. ā€œThen, wouldn’t you get three wishes?ā€
ā€œNo!ā€ Gene bellowed as he pulled out a book. ā€œAccording to Section C, paragraph 45, sentence 32 of the Genie Codeā€¦ā€
ā€œThere’s a Genie Code?ā€
ā€œ...’the story needs to happen, so don’t mention convenient plot holes’. It’s the oldest trick in the book, ergo, you need a new plan.ā€
Thomas and Percy thought long and hard on this. They needed to think of something. Anything. Until…
ā€œI got it!ā€ Thomas exclaimed. ā€œThe prisoners were being held inside the parade float, right?ā€
ā€œRight!ā€
ā€œSo, we just find the next parade, sneak into the float, and free everyone!ā€
Percy liked this idea, except for one thing. ā€œWhat about big blue over there?ā€
ā€œJust hide the lamp in your pocket,ā€ Gene suggested. ā€œwho’s gonna notice? That’s the thing with the genie life: infinite power, but a tiny home.ā€
ā€œBrilliant!ā€ Thomas cried. ā€œNow, I believe we have a friend to free?ā€
 
Another parade strolled through town, with Wilson greeting his subjects. ā€œMake way for Prince Wilson, peasants!ā€
Unbeknownst to him, Thomas and Percy were hiding behind a dumpster, waiting for a moment to strike.
ā€œNow?ā€ asked Percy.
ā€œNo, no, just a little more timeā€¦ā€ Thomas whispered.
Soon, Wilson wasn’t facing the back of his float.
ā€œNow!ā€
Thomas and Percy snuck up to the back of the float and climbed under the decorations. ā€œWhoo!ā€
ā€œAh! Shhh!ā€
ā€œOops…whoo.ā€
ā€œPercy? Other guy?ā€ Henry asked. ā€œWhat are you doing?ā€
ā€œHenry?ā€ asked Percy. ā€œHe got you too?ā€
Henry nodded, but Thomas looked around closely. ā€œDoes anyone see James?ā€
ā€œJames?ā€ Henry asked. ā€œHe was taken to the Colosseum. He’s the first fighter against the beast.ā€
ā€œWhat’s the beast?ā€
ā€œSearch me, he hasn’t found a good enough one yet.ā€
Thomas gasped, but it didn’t take him long to come up with another idea.
ā€œNew plan! All we gotta do is-ā€
ā€œHEY!ā€ a voice called out. ā€œWho’s down there?!ā€
The float stopped, but Thomas and Percy weren’t out of the woods yet.
ā€œWe gotta go!ā€ Percy cried. The two ran out, but little did Thomas know the lamp fell out of his pocket in the kerfuffle. Wilson climbed into the float. Neither of the kids were there, but the lamp was.
ā€œBingoā€¦ā€ Wilson snickered.
 
Thomas and Percy ran through an alleyway until they ran out of breath and stopped.
ā€œOkay, what was this new plan you brought up?ā€ Percy asked.
ā€œSimple. We break James out from the arena, expose Wilson’s plot to the public, then I use my last wish toā€¦ā€
Thomas searched his pockets vigorously. ā€œNo. Oh, no. Oh, please, don’t tell meā€¦ā€
ā€œWhat? What is it?ā€
ā€œPercy, I lost the lamp!ā€
ā€œWHAT?!ā€
ā€œI don’t know where I lost it, but one minute I had it, the next it was-ā€
ā€œGone?ā€ a familiar voice sneered. Thomas and Percy turned around and there stood Wilson.
ā€œYou!ā€ Thomas cried. ā€œWhat are you doing here? Where’s Gene?ā€
ā€œWho, the genie?ā€ Wilson taunted. ā€œI’ve got some plans for him…and you.ā€
Before Thomas could react, Wilson swung a bat at him and knocked him out.
 
Soon, Thomas woke up in a cage in the Colosseum. Everything was dark and bleak.
ā€œThomas!ā€ cried James from another cell. ā€œWhat are you doing here?!ā€
ā€œI dunno,ā€ Thomas responded, ā€œbut I’m gonna get you outta here.ā€
ā€œPRESENTING THE ONE AND ONLY,ā€ an announcer bellowed. ā€œKING WILSON!!ā€
ā€œKing Wilson?!ā€ Thomas cried.
ā€œI declare this gameā€¦ā€ Wilson cried, ā€œā€¦open! Unleash the first fighter!ā€
Thomas was shoved out onto the arena.
ā€œIsn’t he puny, folks?ā€ Wilson declared. ā€œHe doesn’t stand a chance against…THE BEAST! But enough stalling, let’s meet him, shall we?ā€
A gate opened and out crawled a giant red demonic figure. The beast wasted no time charging at Thomas, who quickly ducked and avoided its attacks.
ā€œAugh, cinders and ashesā€¦ā€ Thomas sighed. ā€œI wish I never made that wish in the first place.ā€
Then, it hit him. He didn’t need to fight the beast. He just needed Gene. Sure, he’d be using his final wish and wouldn’t be going home, but in the end, what else can he do? Either he stays human forever and never go back to Sodor, or die at the hands of the beast. Thomas quickly noticed the lamp sitting next to Wilson and ran back inside.
ā€œEh?ā€ Wilson asked. ā€œWhat’s he doing? Get him!ā€
The beast attacked the colosseum walls, but none of his blows hit Thomas, and inevitably, he found the lamp and rubbed like mad.
But then the most peculiar thing occurred: instead of Gene emerging from the lamp, the beast turned into Gene! ā€œWhoa! What happened to me?ā€
ā€œGene!ā€ Thomas cried. ā€œWhat was that all about?ā€
ā€œI’ll tell ya what: that man turned me into a demon!ā€ Gene bellowed, pointing at Wilson.
ā€œWhaaaaaaat?!ā€ Wilson laughed. ā€œThat’s crazy talk, don’t listen to him, subjects!ā€
ā€œYes he did,ā€ Gene continued, ā€œand he used the first of his wishes to make himself king!ā€
The crowd gasped in shock, infuriating Wilson. ā€œENOUGH!!! I am the most powerful ruler in this country, and I will not be treated this way!ā€
This gave Thomas one last idea. ā€œYou may be the most powerful ruler in the country, but are you the most powerful thing?ā€
ā€œWhat are you on about?ā€
ā€œYou may have all the power of a king, but compared to Gene, you’re nothing. Genies are all powerful, buddy. You’re all nothing.ā€
ā€œAugh! Genie!ā€ Wilson cried. ā€œI wish to be the most powerful genie in history, more powerful than you, in fact!ā€
ā€œKid, what are you doing?!ā€ Gene whispered.
ā€œInfinite power, but tiny homeā€¦ā€ Thomas whispered back.
ā€œ...oh! One all-powerful genie, comin’ up!ā€ Gene cried as Wilson was turned into a genie!
ā€œHAHA! YES! I AM NOW THE-ā€ Wilson bellowed, but before he could finish, he was promptly sucked into a lamp.
ā€œBye bye, Wilson!ā€ Thomas taunted.
The freed prisoners and the crowd all cheered for Thomas’ victory. ā€œOh, uh, thank you.ā€ he chuckled.
ā€œNicely done, Thomas!ā€ called Percy.
ā€œYeah, nice one, kiddo.ā€ Gene chuckled. ā€œBut don’t forget - you still have one last wish. What’ll it be?ā€
ā€œSimple. I gotta go home.ā€ Thomas chuckled.
Percy gasped in shock. ā€œThomas, are you sure about this?ā€
ā€œYeah,ā€ James added on. ā€œCan’t you stay a little?ā€
ā€œI know, but I gotta go home,ā€ Thomas explained. ā€œdon’t get me wrong, being a human is impressive, it’s a lot more freeing being off the rails, but Sodor’s still my home. But I’ll try not to forget you, okay?ā€
Percy tearfully hugged Thomas goodbye. ā€œI’ll never forget you, Thomas.ā€
ā€œDon’t worry about me, Percy,ā€ Thomas said. ā€œI’ll see you on the other side, eh?ā€
Percy nodded and Thomas stepped forward. ā€œGene, I wish to go back to my home.ā€
ā€œOkay, get ready, kid.ā€ Gene said as his magic swirled around Thomas. In his final moment, Thomas waved goodbye to Percy.
 
ā€œThomas? Thomas, wake up.ā€ a voice called as Thomas woke up in the Steamworks.
ā€œVictor?ā€ Thomas asked as he woke up.
ā€œMorning, sleepyhead! You were out for a little while, eh?ā€ said Victor.
ā€œWait! Victor! You’re an engine!ā€ Thomas cried as he was lifted onto the rails. Seeing his wheels again, he gasped in glee. ā€œI’m an engine!ā€
ā€œYeah, why…wouldn’t you be?ā€
Thomas swiftly left the Steamworks and raced down his branch line, gasping in awe at the sights. ā€œThere’s Gordon’s Hill! And there’s the watermill! And there’s Tidmouth Sheds over the horizon! I’m home!ā€
ā€œThomas?ā€ asked Percy as he approached him. ā€œThere you are! I thought you were never going to get repaired.ā€
ā€œPercy, you won’t believe what just happened!ā€ Thomas said as he explained his experience to Percy.
 
ā€œ...so, wait, a genie turned every engine on Sodor into humans?ā€ Percy asked as they pulled into  Knapford.
ā€œNo, no, he sent me to an alternate realm.ā€ Thomas explained. James, on another platform, laughed at Thomas’ story.
ā€œReally, Thomas? Genies? Alternate dimensions? That’ll be the dayā€¦ā€ James laughed.
ā€œWait, all this was a dream?ā€ Percy asked.
ā€œHuh. Maybe it was.ā€ Thomas responded.
ā€œMaybe what was?ā€ said Gene as he pulled into the platform.
ā€œOh, it was crazy!ā€ Thomas laughed. ā€œI dreamt you were a genie, and Percy had a square telephone with a lamp, and Wilson was a king!ā€
Gene chuckled. ā€œYou got some imagination, kid. But you should know magic and genies don’t exist.ā€
Thomas agreed, but mostly, he was just content to be home where he belonged. Maybe being a human is just as complicated as being an engine.

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