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The Imposter - ThomasNATION Fanstory

October 31, 2021

 

(WARNING: This story may contain frightening imagery and scenarios not suitable for younger readers, as well as dark themes and a slight implication of gore. Viewer discretion is advised.)
 
It was a stormy autumn’s day on the island of Sodor, and Percy was hard at work pulling the mail train. On his travels, he encountered Thomas pulling Annie and Clarabel, and sped up to talk to him.
ā€œHey, Thomas!ā€ Percy chirped, eager to talk to his best friend.
ā€œPercy, hey, how’s it goin’?ā€ Thomas greeted.
ā€œNot too bad,ā€ replied Percy. ā€œjust pulling the mail as I usually do. Actually, once we’re done, ya want to go shunting down at the quarry?ā€
ā€œI’d normally love to, Percy,ā€ Thomas responded, ā€œbut I can’t. I have way too much to do today.ā€
Percy’s smile faded, but he still understood Thomas’ reasoning. ā€œWell, I guess that’s okay. I can probably manage myself.ā€
ā€œTell ya what,ā€ Thomas continued. ā€œI’ll be down to help with your shunting tomorrow, m’kay?ā€
ā€œYeah, sure.ā€
And with that, Thomas left, leaving Percy feeling almost abandoned as he rolled up to a junction. Toby pulled up beside him, noticing he was looking down.
ā€œHey, Percy, what’s wrong?ā€ Toby asked. ā€œYou look a little glum.ā€
ā€œI know, it’s justā€¦ā€ Percy responded. ā€œthis is the third time this week Thomas has denied my requests to have fun. I’m starting to wonder if he even wants to hang out with me anymore. It’s almost as if I…well, lost my best friend!ā€
ā€œDon’t be silly.ā€ said Toby as he comforted the green engine. ā€œI’m sure Thomas is just really busy. I’m sure once he’s finished, he’ll have all the time in the world to play with you.ā€
ā€œYeah, yeahā€¦ā€ Percy frowned as the signal changed.
ā€œWell, I best be off. Bye, Percy!ā€ Toby called as he disembarked.
ā€œBye.ā€ Percy sighed as he continued his journey.
 
The next morning, Percy was at Knapford picking up some mail for the Main Line, when suddenly…
ā€œHello, Percy.ā€ a familiar voice said.
Percy looked around, and right next to him was Thomas, grinning at the green engine.
Percy inspected Thomas, as there was something different about him. His cerulean shade of blue was more of an azure shade, and a few of his other details, such as his rivets and handrails were gone. ā€œHey, Thomas…you doing okay?ā€
ā€œQuite well.ā€ Thomas responded, eerily. ā€œI must apologize for denying your request to play yesterday. I would much love to shunt with you right now.ā€
ā€œI’m sorry, but I can’t,ā€ Percy said. ā€œI have to deliver the mail to-ā€
ā€œI would much love to shunt with you right now.ā€ Thomas repeated, in a slow, condescending tone, but not breaking his grin.
Percy, clearly confused, eventually obliged. ā€œWell…okay.ā€
He was uncoupled from his mail cars as a workman ran up to Sir Topham Hatt.
ā€œSir! Sir!ā€ the workman cried. ā€œDuck’s come off the rails at Maron, and I can’t find Rocky!ā€
ā€œCalm down, mate.ā€ Sir Topham Hatt responded. ā€œI’m sure he’s-ā€
ā€œRocky is fine.ā€ Thomas told the workman. ā€œI have sent him to his shed until he is needed next.ā€
ā€œBut I’ve just checked his shed! He’s not there!ā€ the workman cried again.
ā€œLook once again and you will find him eventually.ā€ Thomas said.
ā€œWell, uh…okay?ā€ the workman said as he walked off.
ā€œThomas, are you feeling okay?ā€ Sir Topham Hatt pondered.
ā€œQuite well.ā€ Thomas responded. ā€œCome along, Percy, those trucks are not going to shunt themselves, eh?ā€
Thomas left, and Percy followed, confused.
 
Afterwards, Percy was headed back to Knapford to collect his mail with Toby, still bewildered over Thomas’ behavior.
ā€œI’m telling you, Toby,ā€ Percy told the little tram, ā€œthere may be something off about Thomas.ā€
ā€œWhat do you mean?ā€
ā€œHe kept speaking in a slow, condescending manner, and when me and him were shunting, he kept shunting one truck back and forth for an hour!ā€
ā€œHmm…that is most peculiar,ā€ Toby thought. ā€œI don’t suppose he’s been-ā€
ā€œHello, Percy and Toby.ā€ Thomas said as he appeared in front of them as they approached some blocked off rails being inspected by the Sodor Construction Crew.
ā€œAH!ā€ Percy jumped. ā€œUh…hi, Thomas. What’s going on here?ā€
ā€œThere’s something wrong with this stretch of track,ā€ Alfie explained.
ā€œBut it looks perfectly fine.ā€ Toby protested.
ā€œWe know that,ā€ Darcy explained, ā€œbut what he means is there may be a sinkhole beneath the rails!ā€
ā€œYes.ā€ Thomas said as he crept towards Percy. ā€œAnd wouldn’t it just be a shame if an engine just accidentally…slipped into that sinkhole? Leaving him alone? Abandoned? No way of getting rescued or freed from his suffering?ā€
Percy gasped in terror, looking deep into Thomas’ grin.
ā€œSudlvh wkh fudqh orug...ā€ Thomas whispered.
ā€œWhat?ā€
But before Thomas could explain, he switched tracks and trundled off. ā€œFarewell, Percy and Toby.ā€
ā€œOkay, there is definitely something wrong with Thomas!ā€ Percy cried.
ā€œYeah, I’ve never seen him behave like that.ā€ Toby replied. ā€œYou need to get to the bottom of this!ā€
ā€œMe?!ā€ Percy shrieked in horror. ā€œWhy me?ā€
ā€œBecause you’re much braver than I am.ā€ Toby explained as he left.
Percy was still confused, but he knew he had to solve this problem, even if it meant on his own.
 
Soon, night had fallen onto Sodor and Percy was headed back to the sheds, when he noticed a shadowy figure trembling in the sidings.
ā€œHello?ā€ Percy cried. ā€œAnyone there?ā€
ā€œ...P…P…Percy?ā€ the voice cried.
Percy crept slowly towards the figure. It was Rocky, albeit looking completely traumatized.
ā€œRocky?ā€ Percy asked. ā€œWhat’s going on? What are you doing here?ā€
ā€œPercy! Oh, thank goodness!ā€ Rocky whimpered. ā€œI saw the most terrible thing!ā€
ā€œWhat happened?ā€
ā€œIt all started last nightā€¦ā€
Rocky explained his dilemma to Percy. The night before, Thomas and Rocky had been called to lift Diesel onto the rails after an accident, when they approached the stretch of track that the Pack had blocked off. But before they knew anything, they slipped right into the sinkhole. He stopped the story there, not wanting to go any further.
ā€œWhat was in the sinkhole?ā€
ā€œIt’s too terrifying to say,ā€ Rocky whimpered. ā€œbut heed my warning: if you see Thomas, with a darker shade of blue and always grinning…run.ā€
ā€œWhat?ā€
ā€œThere’s no time to explain, butā€¦ā€
Then, Rocky stopped. He started hearing a faint whisper, which mortified him even more. ā€œSUDLVH WKH FUDQH ORUG. SUDLVH WKH FUDQH ORUG.ā€ whispered the voice.
ā€œWe need to lift Thomas back onto the rails!ā€
ā€œWhat?!ā€ Percy cried. ā€œBut you just said-ā€
ā€œTHERE’S NO TIME TO EXPLAIN!ā€ Rocky snapped. ā€œJust go!ā€
ā€œWhat was in that sinkhole, Rocky?!ā€ Percy asked, growing impatient.
ā€œI assure you, you don’t want to know!ā€ Rocky cried. ā€œLet’s just go!ā€
 
Soon, Percy and Rocky were at the scene of the accident. Rocky, still hyperventilating, lifted Thomas back onto the rails. Through it all, Thomas kept grinning creepily.
ā€œSudlvh wkh fudqh orug, Rocky.ā€ Thomas said.
ā€œUh…and to you too, Thomas!ā€ Rocky chuckled in fear.
Percy noticed in the distance was the blocked off track that Thomas and Rocky fell into. He uncoupled from Rocky and went over to investigate, pushing through the barrier, until…
ā€œHello, Percy.ā€ Thomas said as he appeared in front of Percy.
ā€œThomas, let me through.ā€
ā€œOh, but why would I do that, Percy?ā€ Thomas asked, his tone growing more and more unnerving. ā€œDid you not hear the old saying ā€˜when you move close to a big discovery, pull back’?ā€
ā€œI’m not scared of you, Thomas! Just let me-ā€
ā€œSUDLVH WKH FUDQH ORUG!!!ā€ Thomas screeched as his facial appearance drastically changed before Percy’s eyes. His eyes were now black with red irises, his teeth were much more pointy and he was foaming at the mouth with a red liquid. You can probably guess what it is. Now this, Percy was scared of.
ā€œWhat are you?!ā€
ā€œMY NAME IS WKRPDV PN. 258329.ā€ the creature cried. ā€œI WAS SENT HERE TO CAPTURE YOU FOOLISH ENGINES. NO ONE WOULD EVER EXPECT THEIR NUMBER ONE ENGINE TO BE THEIR ULTIMATE DEMISE. BUT YOU GOT ONE STEP TOO CLOSE TO FIGURING OUT OUR PLAN. AND NOW, PERCY, WE MUST DESTROY YOU.ā€
ā€œWho’s we?!ā€ Percy cried.
But before anyone could answer, the creature pulled Percy into the sinkhole.
ā€œPERCY!ā€ Rocky screamed. ā€œNO!ā€
 
The creature pulled Percy into the sinkhole, through a red vortex and into an alternate dimension surrounded by fire and all sorts of demons.
ā€œWELCOME TO DIMENSION FUDQH.ā€ the creature groaned. ā€œTHE CRANE LORD WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY.ā€
ā€œThe Crane Lord?!ā€ Percy cried.
Spider arms then shot out of the creature’s boiler as it scuttled off.
ā€œHELP! HEEELP!ā€ a familiar voice screamed.
ā€œHello?!ā€ Percy called as he looked around.
ā€œPercy! Up here!ā€ the voice yelled. Percy looked up - it was the real Thomas, trapped in a cage!
ā€œThomas, don’t you worry!ā€ Percy cried. ā€œI’m going to get you out of there!ā€
ā€œNO YOU WON’Tā€¦ā€ a voice bellowed through the dimension.
Footsteps thundered through the realm, and before long, Percy was face-to-face with the Crane Lord, a terrifying monster with cranes for arms.
ā€œWHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY DOMAIN?!ā€ the Crane Lord screamed.
ā€œI’m getting my friend back!ā€ Percy yelled.
ā€œDOUBTFUL, PUNY ENGINE!ā€ the Crane Lord bellowed. ā€œFOR IT HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN!ā€
ā€œWhat has?ā€
ā€œSODOR’S DEMISE!ā€
Soon, the Crane Lord started unleashing his vengeance on Sodor. On several areas on the island, several fiery holes opened, dropping plenty of engines into the flaming vortex below to their doom. Percy could do nothing but watch in horror.
ā€œNo! No, please, stop! They didn’t do anything!ā€ Percy whimpered as he watched in horror.
ā€œOH, DON’T FEEL LEFT OUT, PERCY!ā€ the Crane Lord bellowed. Its crane arm grabbed Percy by the boiler and dangled him over the fiery vortex. ā€œI’VE BEEN MEANING TO HANDLE YOU PERSONALLY.ā€
ā€œNO!ā€ Thomas screamed.
ā€œSAY GOODBYE TO YOUR BEST FRIEND!!ā€ the Crane Lord screeched. ā€œANY LAST WORDS, PERCY?ā€
Tearfully, Percy looked to Thomas. ā€œā€¦goodbye, my friend.ā€
The Crane Lord dropped Percy into the vortex, and…
 
…Percy woke up screaming in his shed. It was nothing more than a nightmare.
ā€œPercy!ā€ Emily said, having been woken up by Percy’s screaming. ā€œCalm down, it was only a dream.ā€
ā€œWait…Emily?ā€ Percy whimpered.
ā€œ...yeah?ā€
ā€œYou’re okay!ā€
ā€œUh, yeah. I am.ā€ Emily was confused by Percy’s behavior. ā€œAre you okay, though?ā€
ā€œUgh, shush!ā€ Gordon bellowed. ā€œBoth of you, just go to sleep!ā€
Emily and Percy obliged and drifted off to sleep.
 
The next morning, Percy was at Knapford picking up some mail for the Main Line, when suddenly…
ā€œHey, Percy.ā€ a familiar voice said.
Percy looked around, and right next to him was Thomas, cheerfully smiling at the green engine. Percy closely inspected him. He was still a cerulean shade and his rivets and handrails were still intact, but looks have been known to deceive.
ā€œHey, Thomas…are you, uh…are you doing okay?ā€
ā€œUh…quite well.ā€ Thomas responded, cheerfully. ā€œI have to apologize for not shunting with you yesterday. If you want, we can shunt right now.ā€
ā€œI’m sorry, but I can’t,ā€ Percy said. ā€œI have to deliver the mail to-ā€
ā€œOh, that makes sense,ā€ Thomas chuckled. ā€œI’ll just wait until-ā€
ā€œWAIT!ā€ Percy cried. ā€œā€¦say that again.ā€
ā€œ...uh, I’ll just wait until you’re done?ā€
ā€œI see…and, uh, sudlvh wkh fudqh orug?ā€
ā€œHuh? What’s going on?ā€
ā€œTHOMAS!ā€ Percy screamed in delight. ā€œIT IS YOU!ā€
ā€œUh…right.ā€
ā€œCome on,ā€ Percy said gleefully as he uncoupled himself from his mail trucks. ā€œthose trucks aren’t gonna shunt themselves!ā€
As Percy left, Thomas can’t help but wonder what in the world just happened.
ā€œUh, Toby?ā€ Thomas asked. ā€œIs Percy doing okay? I know he had a nightmare last night, but I didn’t think it was that bad.ā€
ā€œOh, I’m sure he’s just happy to be seeing his best friend again, Thomas.ā€ Toby said as he disembarked.
Thomas kept thinking. ā€œā€¦what was his nightmare about, anyway?ā€

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