Harvey's Holiday Wish - ThomasNATION Fanstory
December 25, 2024
“There you go, Henry!” smiled Harvey. “Back on track once again!”
“Aw, thanks for that,” Henry chuckled, “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Just then, a loud whistle blared through the tunnel as Emily and Rocky raced through.
“Gangway!” she cried. “We have a 4-12 at Wellsworth!”
Harvey gasped in awe watching them fly by. “Look at them go!”
“I had no idea you were so interested in the Search and Rescue team," said Henry.
"Oh, absolutely!" Harvey gushed. "The Search and Rescue team are like Sodor's superheroes! I've always dreamed of being among them in the field."
"Well, why not ask them? They're always looking for more rescue engines."
"You think I should?"
"Absolutely. You've got a really strong crane arm, you're really fast, I don't see why they shouldn't let you in."
Harvey considered Henry's words. "Alright, it's worth a shot! Maybe I can meet up with them at Wellsworth. Thanks for the advice!"
And with that, Harvey left to find the Search and Rescue team.
Harvey found Emily and Rocky at Wellsworth putting Gordon back onto the rails. He was having a bit of trouble, since the cold was doing a number on his gears.
"Let me help you there, Rocky!" said Harvey as he attached his hook to Gordon.
"Ah, thanks, Harvey." sighed Rocky with relief. "You're being a really great help."
"I do try," chuckled Harvey. "Anyway, can I talk with you for a bit? I want to ask you something."
"Sure thing, Harvey. Go ahead."
"Right. See, I was wondering, is there room for any extra on the Search and Rescue team?"
"Of course there is. We're always looking for new tow trucks or fire engines. We're currently on the lookout for someone with hydraulic tools for whenever there's a car accident."
"Ah. So...does this include cranes?"
"Oh." Rocky gasped. "Agh, this bit's always tricky. Emily?"
"Alright, look." Emily sighed. "We need more road cranes, but as for rail cranes, we already have Rocky. It's the same reason why we haven't included Judy and Jerome."
"Oh." Harvey sighed in disappointment.
"It's nothing personal, Harvey," Rocky continued, "it's just that we can't accommodate you right now."
"...okay." frowned Harvey as he puffed away. "I understand."
As Harvey left, Rocky and Emily couldn't help but feel a little empathetic.
"I feel bad for the guy, Rock." sighed Emily. "I've known Harvey for a while, and it's been his dream to be part of the Search and Rescue team ever since it was established."
"I know, I didn't want to turn him away," said Rocky, "but that's just how it is. Maybe someday he'll be part of the team."
Harvey was still upset pulling into Knapford that night. His dreams completely in the gutter.
“Hey, Harvey,” said Henry. “Did it not go well with the rescue team?”
“No, they said they have no room.” sighed Harvey. “That was a really big dream of mine, now it’s just down the drain.”
“Ah, you’ll get there eventually,” smiled Thomas. “They just need to see how useful you can really be.”
“Are you sure I’m that useful?” thought Harvey. “I haven’t rescued that many engines this year, it was mostly just Rocky or Judy and Jerome.”
“Oh, stuff and nonsense,” chuckled Percy, “you’re one of the most useful engines I know!”
“Exactly! Just keep holding on and maybe they’ll see you for what you’re worth.”
“Okay…I’ll try. I guess.” muttered Harvey.
Soon enough, the other engines had adjourned at Knapford, leaving Harvey on his own. Before he headed back to his shed, he looked up at the sky. The Star of Knapford gandered down at him. Harvey began remembering an old saying about the Star of Knapford that Salty once told him.
“If an engine passes by it, they can make a wish. Then maybe, just maybe, their wish will come true.”
Harvey shut his eyes and began making his big holiday wish. “I wish I was part of the Sodor Search and Rescue team.”
Harvey opened his eyes. Nothing happened. He sighed and decided to just give up and head back to his shed.
The next day was Christmas Eve, Harvey was called on to help on the Ffarquhar branchline. He was helping Thomas with the extra passengers. But he was still woebegone about the day before, and that wasn’t helped when he saw Rocky helping James onto the rails again.
“Thanks for that, Rocky!” smiled James. “I swear, no one does it like you.”
“Oh, please.” Rocky laughed, modestly. “I’m just doing the best I can.”
Harvey scowled a little. If he told you he wasn’t a little jealous, he’d be lying.
“You okay, Harvey?” asked Thomas.
“I suppose.” sighed Harvey. “I’m still a bit sad about yesterday.”
“Come on, chin up.” smiled Thomas. “It’s Christmas. Besides, if it helps, I think you’re a very useful engine.”
“Clearly I’m not useful enough.” declared Harvey. “That’s my problem. I need to work harder!”
Harvey raced off, determined to prove his worth.
“Wait, Harvey!” cried Thomas. “That’s not what I’m trying to say!”
Harvey wasted no time in doing more jobs around the branchline. He worked faster, harder, and just a little bit clumsier. But if he ever shunted a truck too hard, he could always just pick it back up. He was determined to get on that rescue team, and nothing could slow him down or stop him.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the branchline, the snow was starting to pick up. It was getting harder for Emily and Rocky to keep going.
“I think we should turn back!” cried Rocky.
“We’re almost there, Rocky!” shouted Emily over the wind. “Just hold on!”
But that’s when the problems struck. A rock on the line bumped Emily’s snowplough right off!
“Wow.” Emily thought. “That’s not a good snowplough.”
“We should go back and get it.”
“Absolutely. I can’t be out here in this weather without a snowplough.”
But Emily’s problems were only just beginning. They bumped right into that same rock and tipped right into a snowbank!
“Are you okay, Rock?” called Emily.
“Er…not really.”
“Well, now what? I can’t get help and you can’t lift us back onto the tracks. I think we’re stranded!”
Soon, Harvey was headed back to his shed. It was a long day of working hard and…working harder. He was exhausted, but at the very least, he got the whole rescue team thing out of his mind.
“Help! HELP!” cried a voice from within the snow.
“Hello?” asked Harvey.
“Harvey! Can you see us?” another voice wailed.
“Uh, no!” shouted Harvey. “Where are you?”
“We’re in the snowbank!” A small chunk of snow fell down to reveal Emily.
“Emily?” gasped Harvey. “What’s happened?”
“My snowplough fell off, and when I went back to get it…well, you can guess.”
“Is Rocky in there too?”
“Yeah!” cried Rocky. “Harvey, we need you to go get help! It’s an emergency!”
Harvey started to run off, but then he remembered. He had a crane too. He was the help. This was his chance!
“No need!” Harvey cried heroically. “I’ve got this!”
Harvey attached his crane to Emily and Rocky. He pulled with all his might, and it was hard to get a grip on the wet and icy rails.
“I can’t hold you for longer!” wailed Harvey.
“Keep on going, Harvey!” shouted Rocky. “You can do it!”
Harvey kept pulling and pulling, it was getting harder and harder. It was going on for so long, soon enough he had gathered a crowd. But eventually, he had successfully pulled Emily and Rocky back onto the rails.
“I…did it.” Harvey gasped.
The crowd cheered, clapped and chanted Harvey’s name. “HARVEY! HARVEY! HARVEY!”
The next day, Harvey had been called to the Search and Rescue Centre. The entire rescue team was there, as were Sir Topham Hatt and the mayor.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” announced Sir Topham Hatt, “we are here today to celebrate the bravery of Harvey the crane engine! When Emily and Rocky were in danger of being frozen over, Harvey pulled through and brought them back to safety.”
“And as suck, we will be appointing Harvey as an honorary member of the Search and Rescue team! Let's hear it for Harvey the Rescue Engine!”
The crowd cheered for the newest honorary member of the team. Thomas and Henry approached Harvey.
“And you said you weren’t useful enough.” Thomas chuckled.
“See? I told you they’d see your potential.” Henry smiled.
"I know," Harvey laughed. "I should've listened to you. Thank you both. Oh, and Merry Christmas."
As the crowd left, Harvey remembered back to that night under the Star of Knapford. He didn't think it was possible, but it's like Salty said. If an engine passes by it, they can make a wish. Then maybe...just maybe...their wish will come true. And Harvey couldn't have been happier to have had his wish come true in the end.
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