//------------------------------// // Chapter 24: Thomas & The Genie // Story: Thomas & Equestria Girls: Welcome to Canterlot High // by LPFanFic //------------------------------// Thomas & Equestria Girls: Welcome To Canterlot High Chapter 24: Thomas & The Genie Outside the west end of the school building, Diesel 10 impatiently paced back and worth, waiting for Splatter & Dodge to arrive with Lady. The engines he ran into on the Magic Railroad were now somewhere in Canterlot High and he had no idea where. How did he lose a whole pack of steam engines who had little time to make bare of their surroundings and escape? Even more curious, what kept preventing him from using Gold Dust on them? Every time he tried using the Sparkles on one of the engines, something intervenes and stops him from doing so. This made Diesel 10 extremely cross. The girls he met didn't provide much information on their whereabouts either. He thought about them more after the information he received from Splodge popped into his head regarding Thomas and the new friends he's with some of the locals of this world. Those girls couldn't be the ones they're talking about, can they? One instance, the steamies were right in front of him for the taking. When he shows up at Canterlot High again, they were suddenly all gone. If Thomas managed to somehow save his friends, he couldn't have done so by himself. And nobody but those strange looking girls were present once he arrived through the portal. Diesel 10 was startled when a flashing light suddenly appears out of nowhere. Standing in the darkness was a man whom he couldn't see fully, but grew even more cross knowing who it was. "What do you want?" he growled. "Oh, nothing much. Just checking in. I couldn't help but notice there are more engines in this world then there where previously." "So what? I'll get rid of them as soon as Splodge finds me that lost engine!" "If I were able to, I could just bring you to her right now. You've still got some of those Sparkles left, do you not?" "I told you already; not until I have All her magic." "Which is taking you longer than it should. What's the matter?" He asked, tauntingly. "Can't trust little old me to do a simple task?" Diesel 10 growled at him. "Those engines know about Lady's condition and our plan for Sodor. They're close to finding a solution and if I'm being honest, that has me a tinsy bit concerned. Not just all of them getting together now, but your methods for catching a magical engine with amnesia of all hindrances." "Then why don't you do something about the Puffballs?" "Oh, marvelous idea! Why didn't I think of that? Oh yes, because they're still connected to the Gold Dust you buffoon!" Diesel 10 glared at him. "She's slowly losing her magic and connection to the Railroad. I'm sure you can just poof Puffball or the others somewhere they can't come back from." "Maybe you've also forgotten that my presence here can't be exposed." "Too late." "You know what I mean. I can't let them know what I'm capable of, especially those Pony knock offs. And they're constantly around Thomas twenty-four seven, which is makes it implausible for me to get anywhere near him without blowing my cover." Diesel 10 raised his eyebrow, confused by who he was revering to. He slapped his forehead. "The girls you were just talking to." "What?" "Oh, for goodness sake! Those girls are the mirrored reflections I told you about. They're the ones helping Thomas locate the Magic Engine." Realizing what just happened moments ago, Diesel 10 gritted his teeth and slowly turned his head to gaze back with narrowed eyes in the direction he came. So, they were the locals Splatter & Dodge told him about; the group of people Thomas made friends with. It was those girls all along. "They've figured out how to counteract your Gold Dust as well I see. Your method for stealing her magic one scare at a time is proving impractical." "Perfect!" Diesel 10 said growing annoyed. "What do you suppose we do now, mister genie?" "I told you to stop calling me that! I'm not your Genie and I never was." "You're in no position to say otherwise! So, do you have a plan, or am I gonna have Pinchy go up and ask them where the lost engine is next?" Pinchy chomps the air excitedly. "No, no. That won't be necessary," He sighed. He didn't want to get too involved in order to avoid being seen by anyone in this world, but circumstances keep forcing him to input his own meddling. Just when he thought he put the acquisition of magic in good hands, the 'genie' now had to get himself involved and initiate a back up plan he'd been saving in case of any unforeseen changes. Since he can't use his magic on anyone from Sodor yet, there was only one other method he could fallback to, one he hadn't used in a while. "I'll just take care of that small blue engine the old-fashioned way. But first, I feel it's more appropriate that I get to know the little tank engine before driving him to the point of total insecurity." "How so?" "I can't use magic on him, but I can still use it around him. Once Thomas is alone, I'll just razzle dazzle him with a few of my tricks, and him spiraling out of control to the point where he's left with no other choice but to give in to any demand I request. He won't know who to trust after I'm finished with him. Not even his closest 'friends' can be relied upon," he said with a sinister grin. "If you ask me I'd say just crush him, easy does it," Diesel 10 suggested, off handed. "Absolutely not. Just get that engine's magic and make sure neither of them find a solution to her memory. Oh, and don't hurt any of them! Lay off the creepy crawly shadow nonsense and just focus on obtaining her magic, capeesh?" "What-ever," Diesel 10 shrugged. "You draw too many lines sometimes you know that? Eventually, you'll have to cross one of them to get what you want." "I've already done so by forming this silly alliance." The genie then snidely rubbed his hands together. "Oh yes, I do believe I'm going to enjoy my time with that little tank engine!" He chuckled to himself and disappeared in a flashing light, leaving Diesel 10 alone with his thoughts and the new discovery of Thomas' alliance with human counterparts of the pony's from Equestria. Peaking behind the wall, he saw with wide glaring eyes that his suspicions were true. There on school campus was Thomas, the other engines, and the Girls all talking to each other. Fuming with rage, Diesel 10 hid back behind the corner and growls while Pinchy begins punching the wall, tearing out the bricks and throwing them across the field. Splatter & Dodge show up to update him on Lady and the new friends she's made, only to see their boss throwing a fit and dangerously tossing bricks all over the place. Instead of approaching him, Splatter & Dodge gingerly back away from their boss, leaving him be to his little tantrum. That night, Thomas was back at Sunset Shimmer's house getting ready for bed. It had been a long and eventful day. Him and his friends from Sodor went their separate ways for the day to hang out with their new friends from Canterlot High. Each of them did their own thing and some even had plans made for tomorrow. He wished to catch up with everyone and hear how they spent their day, but knew he'd get a chance to tomorrow. Applejack offered all of Thomas' friends to sleep at her place in her garage, much to some of their dismay, but none the less very grateful to have somewhere to sleep. Thomas knew her garage space would fit them comfortably. They were safe and sound over at Sweet Apple Acres. Sunset Shimmer, already in her pajamas, went down stairs to check on Thomas. Instead of finding him in his Pajamas and laying on the couch, he stood by the TV set examining her gaming system. She leaned against the threshold and watched him trying to figure it out. Alarmed, Thomas turned around and faced her after she spoke up. "As much as I'd also like to get my A game on, we still have school in morning so Tirek will have to rise another day." "Actually, I'm still more or less trying to figure out how it works," He smiled, sheepishly. Sunset smirked. "Really, that's all." "I know." Thomas went over and sat on the couch. Sunset went and sat beside him. "You sure you don't wanna spend the night with your friends?" Sunset asked. "I wouldn't be offended at all if you did." "I'm sure. They're in a good place and I know their safe. Besides, I like sleeping over here. It's like my new home away from home, kinda like how it is for you." "If you say so. And thanks, I'm glad you can call this place your home too." "You're welcome, Sunset." Thomas leaned back against the couch and exhaled a relaxing sigh. "Hey so, i've been wondering, why did you want them to stay?" Sunset asked. "Aren't you worried about your railway controller getting upset? More of his engines have disappeared now when you think about it. I mean, you did tell Emily where you are, but she only knows you went into the Magic Railroad. They don't know you're all in our world." Thomas thought about what she said. "If my friends and I found our way here, I'm sure Sir Topham Hatt will too. As for why I asked my friends to stay?" He paused to contemplate his reasoning. Sunset still listened attentively as he continued. "Maybe I just need them by my side; to keep them safe from the Gold Dust. Hearing what's been happening to everyone on Sodor, I couldn't bare the thought of all my friends ending up like Duck. I wouldn't be there to help out or stop the magic from destroying them. Or, maybe it's all the other way around. I don't know." "Do you usually get things done together?" "Sometimes, yeah." "Well, I guess you have your reasons. I'm just making sure you know what you're doing. I wouldn't want you geting in any trouble. From what I've heard, your railway controller sounds pretty strict." "Only when we're causing confusion and delay." "Which is how often?" Thomas hesitated. "Um, regularly." "Yikes." "Yeah." Sunset rubbed her neck. "Well, I'm sure once he knows what's actually going, on he won't be too mad, right? The whole world is on the line after all. I can't imagine why'd he'd be upset if you're just trying to fix it." "Oh, I can think of many reasons for him to get angry. Even when it's not our fault for most accidents, he still finds a way to pin it on us. He even got mad at James just for blowing steam near him and ruining his new top hat." "Probably just a bad day?" Sunset shrugged while smiling. Thomas slouched. "Okay," She continued. "But, even if he does get mad, you're doing everything you can to save your home. If all that ends up happening once we fix that is a scolding or two, then it's a price you'll just have to pay." "Yeah, I guess." Sunset yawned and got up while stretching her arms. "We better get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning." "Good night, Sunset," Thomas said. "Good night," She smiled. "And Thomas." He looks to her. "Thanks, again." Thomas beamed. "No problem!" Sunset then headed up stairs to her room, leaving Thomas by himself in the living room. Thomas just sat there for a good minute and reflected on his day. All his friends were now staying in Canterlot with him. They were also involved in saving Lady now. He was worried for his friends. Seeing Henry almost consumed by the darkness started putting him a bit on edge. He couldn't get the picture out of his head of Henry laying motionless as the shadow slowly gobbled him whole, a position he himself has been in. At the very least, he's able to keep them safe now that they're in this world, and Sunset and her friends are looking after them too. With this much aid on his side, Thomas still felt a sense of danger looming over him and his friends. He kept on reminding himself he made the right call in asking his friends to stay. The more engines he can keep an eye on and out of harms way the better. There was no need to worry about their safety. Just then, a haunting laugh reverberated all around the room. Thomas jumped out of his seat. Silence followed suite, then another chuckle reverberating off the walls sneaks up on him still and pierced his ears. Thomas listened in as close as he could, trying to make out where it came from. No one else was in the room but him. He thought he saw a shadow race pass the TV set. Gingerly, he went over to the TV shaking in his feet. 'It couldn't be a ghost, could it?' He thought. 'Do they exist in this world?' Thomas froze after seeing his own shadow reflected off the wall by a light flashing milliseconds behind him. Anxiously, he shifted around to see what caused it, not knowing what to expect. Looking behind him, he saw something across the living room. What he saw was definitely something he didn't expect. Sitting on a Victorian high back cushioned chair was a man with his right leg rested on top of his left knee and his finger tips interlocking. He stared at Thomas with a remarkably friendly smile. "Greetings, Thomas. I am positively thrilled to finally meet you in person." Thomas nearly jumped out his shoes. 'Who is this man?' Thomas thought. What's he doing here? How did he get inside Sunset's house? So many questions race through his head while also falling on the verge of panicking as he really thought this might actually be a real ghost. 'How does he know my name?' Thomas soon realized. He was utterly speechless. Just then, another chair similar to his appeared out of nowhere. "Why don't you have a seat across from me? Go on, I insist." 'Does this person has magic too?' Thomas thought. He didn't want to go any closer to this strange man. The man knew this and without giving him much time to consider the offer, he snapped his fingers and within a blink of an eye, Thomas found himself sitting on the chair across the stranger. Thomas fidgeted in his seat, befuddled and afraid by his sudden re-positioning. He was just standing across the living room seconds ago, and now he's sitting in a chair facing the stranger smiling a cunning smirk. "So, how's it going?" he asked, casually. "You probably have one or two questions to ask I presume?" Thomas still couldn't talk. All he could do was frantically look around the room and back at the man. He did have many questions, and a highly urgent desire to run out of the room as fast and far away as he can. He eyed the front door, really considering the thought of escaping. The man looks behind him then back at Thomas. "Hmm, that won't do you any good," He remarked. "You can run all you want, little Thomas. But now that you're alone, I have you all to myself." He began frantically panicking more. "That's right. I know who you are. I know everything about you, your friends, and your precious little Island. I've been watching you ever since you stepped foot through that portal." "Who-who are you?" Thomas asked, clutching the handle bars of his chair. "Isn't it obvious?" Thomas gazed at him narrow eyed trying to see if he did recognized the man to no avail. He appeared as any ordinary looking person in this world to Thomas' surprise, being around middle to a much older age. He had a black fohawk hairstyle, red eyes, and grey skin. He wore a mustard yellow button up shirt, a brown sweater vest with white, grey, and black diamond pattering, brown trousers, and deep blue loafers. He also wore a green fedora hat and a light blue tie. Nothing distinguishable about him that Thomas could make out though. Then, he remembered something. Thomas thought back to a couple days ago when he first came through the portal from the Wondercolt statue. As he was clutching onto the base, a man and his dog stared at him trying to stand up straight. He then remembered the Mailman at Canterlot Mall when he and his friends were there eating. And finally, while unbeknownst to Thomas, a man sitting on the bleachers behind everyone watching Gordon and Rainbow Dash's first race. Suddenly they all had one thing in common, they were the same guy. "I'm sure those two imbeciles who follow Diesel 10 everywhere might have let my involvement slip." Thomas gasped as his eyes shot wide open. "It's you!" He smirked. "You're, the Genie!" He scowled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I've told those idiots over and over that I'm not a Genie. Just because they've never seen a higher being use magic before, doesn't mean they should classify them as some aberrational urban legend, who by the way pales in comparison to my magnitude of power." "Wait, so you're not actually a Genie?" "Of course, I'm not!" He yelled. Thomas jumped in his seat and remained quiet, not wanting to say anything else that might make him yell again. So, this is the 'Genie', Thomas thought to himself. This is the man behind everything. Diesel 10's return, Lady's disappearance, and the Magic Railroad on the brink of falling apart, which will see the destruction of both his and Canterlot's world. The Genie cleared his throat. "Apologies. It's been troubling cleaning up the mess these diesels keep leaving. I give Diesel 10 one simple task, and he goes and lazily lets his two henchmen do all the work. On top of that, he has you and your friends to deal with now." The man muddled to himself, "If only he didn't have all that Gold Dust on him," "Why are you making Diesel 10 steal Lady's magic," Thomas finally confronted. This was his chance to find out if the Genie really is making him act evil again. The Genie leaned in his chair. "I'm not making him do anything. He wanted to destroy your Island so I just offered him a chance to. And he accepted." Thomas was disappointed. He slouched in his seat, thinking to himself. Should he believe him? Is he telling the truth? Or is he just saying this to toy with Thomas? The Genie smirked. "I can assure you; I am telling nothing but the truth here. Diesel 10 is simply a necessity, a temporary companion that'll acquire all of Lady's Gold Dust and allow me the use my magic on Sodor." Thomas glared at him. "Why do you wanna destroy Sodor?" "Destroy?!" The Genie let out a laugh that lasted for a good few seconds until he composed himself. Thomas didn't know why he was laughing so. The Genie wiped away a small tear. "I-I don't want to destroy Sodor. Where did you get that such a ludicrous Idea from? I'm sure those two diesels must have also told you the reason I'm helping him, didn't they?" "They did. Diesel 10 is destroying Sodor, and your letting him do so!" "That's what he thinks," He said, slipping a sinister chuckled. Thomas was confused again. "No, Thomas, I don't want to destroy Sodor. I want to rule it." "Rule it?" "You heard correct." Startled, Thomas looked to his left and saw the Genie standing over him, even though he was also still siting in his chair. There were two of him. How could there be two of him?! "I can't rule over an Island if it's all been destroyed, now can I?" Said another copy, floating over him on his right. "Which is why," Said yet another copy, floating above him. "I only need Diesel 10 to grant me absolute usage of my magic by using ALL of Lady's Gold Dust to turn off any hindrance that's perpetrated my prowess." Another copy slithers out from underneath Thomas' chair and gazes up at him. Thomas couldn't handle seeing such bizarre magic at work. Unlike the Girl's magic, the Genie could very well use his magic for harm. The more he saw his powers at work, the more frightened Thomas became. "Once I'm able to use my magic on Sodor, I will turn it into my very own kingdom. A safe haven I can escape to now and then. Sort of like my own personal getaway vacation spot or resort." "A place I can use my magic to my hearts content," said a copy, rummaging through the refrigerator. "With no one to say otherwise," said another copy. "And with nothing that can stop me," and another through the TV screen. The copy standing to his left leans in on Thomas. "By the way that's just between the two of us. Diesel 10 doesn't have to know about the whole me using him to grant free range until I find a way to steal all the magic back from him. Okay? Thanks, I knew you'd understand. You are such a good friend." Thomas was having trouble comprehending all the Genie clones that began flooding the living room, only to soon disappear in a flashing light. "On the other hand, it's a win win for both of us, really. He get's all the Gold Dust and a chance to tussle about a few engines, and I get to have Sodor all to myself. Win, win." "You can't do that to Diesel 10," Thomas said. "He shouldn't be running the Magic Railroad. Only Lady can or else our worlds will fall apart." "In deed," The real Genie said, with a sinister grin. "You are very, very, right." Thomas glared at him again, but was puzzled by what he was alluding to. "You seem stressed. Would you care for some tea? It does wonders to settle your stress nerves." "What?" With the snap of his finger, two sets of tea cups, plates, and teapots appear out of thin air. One floated next to the Genie's left and the other next to Thomas's right. The teapots pour out fresh, smoking hot tea into their cups. The tea cups and plates hover over into their hands. A baffled Thomas stared at an unfazed Genie; sniffing his drink and looking back at him while smiling. "Go ahead, try it," He said, eagerly. He looked at his cup and back at the Genie. He still couldn't wrap his head around it. How did they go from talking about the Genie's intentions to drinking tea out of nowhere? He wasn't even sure if he would like tea or not. He's never tired any. Not wanting to be rude, however, he hesitantly raised the tea cup further to his mouth. The Genie interrupts before he took a sip. "Ah, ah, careful. It's still hot." Thomas froze with the cup nearly pressed against his lips. The Genie blew on his tea then took a gentle sip, raising his pinkie finger in the air. Thomas does the same, blowing into the tea then taking a small sip. Thomas didn't know what to make of it. It was definitely hot though. His tongue and mouth were on fire and he could feel the burning liquid streaming down his throat. He didn't want to emote a sense of pain in his mouth to the Genie, however. So, he takes another sip of his tea. It was still a bit too hot for his liking, but after a few more sips he began to actually like tea. It tasted sweet and milky, with a well rounded malty flavor at it's core. The aroma even evoked a warm calming sensation. "Hey, this is pretty good," He said, smacking his lips. The Genie raised his cup proudly to acknowledge his compliments. As Thomas goes to take another sip, he looks down at his drink and see's the Genie's face reflected on the tea's surface and staring up at him. "Only the finest tea in all of-" Thomas screamed and drops the tea cup and plate onto the ground, shattering them into pieces. He clutches his chair, trying to make sense of what he just saw. Was that really his face, his voice, coming from within the drink? The Genie rolled his eyes in annoyance and snapped his fingers. In a flashing light, the cup and plate appear fully repaired and refilled, floating mid-air and hovering back towards Thomas. He didn't want to take back the tea set though, so the Genie simply snapped his fingers again and both their tea sets vanished. "Why do you wanna take over Sodor?" Thomas finally asked. "Why? Because I love Sodor!" He laughed, "You engines are a laugh riot. Always crashing into one another, falling off the rails, and destroying public property. What better place to rule than one that's already doing half the work for me?" "You've, been to Sodor before?" "Plenty. Why do you think there are so many accidents on your railway? Of course, half of those wouldn't have occured if I didn't ever so subtlety influence the chain of events that ultimately led to your," He clears his throat, "'accidents'." The Genie teleported over to Thomas, floating close to his face. "You're welcome for the Troublesome Trucks by the way. I hear they've caused a good heap of trouble in my absence. What? You thought trucks could just push engines on their own? Why you'd almost say that wouldn't make any sense at all." That didn't sound right to Thomas. Was he really the one causing accidents on the railway? Thomas remembers a good portion of them that couldn't have been from the Genie's influence. Then again, if he personified the Troublesome Trucks, perhaps he did create other such incidents and watched as they played out on its own, resulting in the many years of crashes, derailments, and all sorts of confusion and delay Sodor has endured. One things for sure, the Genie's smirk didn't entail any lies, but pride in his work. "But, I though you couldn't use magic on Sodor?" "Quite the contrary. For a while I actually could. Back in the day there weren't any Magic Railroads active during my frequent visits. Even after her magic returned and ruined all the fun, I could still spread a smidge of chaos from time to time. Setting fuel tankers on fire, sliding big engines off the tracks and crashing through a barn. Just your usual, run of the mill accidental occurrences." The Genie floated over to Thomas' left side. "Most of which was brought upon themselves, sure. But once I returned, I found my Magic wouldn't work anymore. That's when I was learned about Gold Dust and made a pack with Diesel 10 to steal them. Luckily, her magic doesn't limit my ability to teleport myself or others across dimensions. Otherwise, I don't think Diesel 10 would've been able to accompany me on my mission." Knowing that was meant to upset him, Thomas went back to glaring at the Genie. Why was he even telling him all this? Why is he laying out his plans to him? The Genie teleports back in his chair "Ah yes, you're probably wondering why I'm even telling you all of this." He remarked. "I know perfectly well why. You're just trying to stop me from saving Lady." The Genie smirked. "And that's were you're wrong, again. I'm not here to stop you from doing anything. I came here because I, want to be your new best friend." Bemused, Thomas raised his brow. "You, you want to be my friend?" "No, no, no, best friend." "Why do you want to be my best friend?" "Because, you are a very special engine, Thomas. You have a certain spark in you that no other I've met has ever possessed," He lied. "But um, I already have a best friend." "Hmm, last time I checked you had two. What's wrong, don't have room for three? What about Gordon or Henry? Toby, James, Edward? Aren't you all best buddies too?" Thomas was taken a back. "And what about Twilight Sparkle and her friends? They even posses all sorts of magic gifts. I guess it sounds as though you don't care to have any of them as your best friend either." "That's not," "Why is Sunset Shimmer your only best friend and everyone else is just your 'friends'? Are they not as important as someone you've just met?" Thomas' head felt like it was about to blow a whopping cloud of steam. What could he say in response to that? He couldn't be right. It just seemed normal to have two best friends. But now, he's questioning his decision after the Genie brought up the others. He was still angry at the him though and continued interrogating him instead. "Why are you saying all this? Percy's my best friend too I'll have you know. Everyone is important to me!" "But, not enough to be your best friend. Tell me, how does one get into this exclusive club of yours?" Vanishing and appearing beside him again, the Genie sits himself on top of the chair handle. "You've got too many friends to categories at this point. First it was just one and now there's two. If the door's open for many, why not have everyone as your best friend?" He teleports and sits on the chair's handle. "Leave all that silliness behind and stick with me from here on out; someone who can do all sorts of magic tricks, and much more!" "I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who's trying to take over my home," Thomas said, sternly. "Why, Thomas. I don't believe you quite understand the proposition that's being presented here," The Genie said floating up in the air. "Why be friends with a couple of lame dames and pain trains when you can be friends with someone who can practically do, well, anything!" With the snap his fingers, appearing in front of him was a round dinning table with a fancy cloth draped over it. Rows and rows of gourmet, fine dining, and other expensive looking meals and deserts pop up on the table. The Genie flashes next to him, dressed in a butler's tuxedo. Four left arms carried silver plated oval trays and displayed them in font of Thomas. His four right arms open the cover domes and reveal fresh dinner meals and desserts. "Sink your appetite into anything. Lobster, quiche, turkey? A golden opulence sundae?" A copy standing next to Thomas' right took his top hat off and began dumping out a never-ending shower of gold and shiny treasure. "Have as much treasure as you desire. From gold to silver to just about anything! The world is your treasure chest." Before Thomas knew where he was, the real Genie snaps his fingers again and teleports them to a wild wooded area with gloomy looking forestry trees standing on a dirt walkway. This was all very hard for Thomas to process. How did they end up in this scary looking forest? "If treasure isn't your thing, then I can still take you anywhere in the known universe." Snapping his fingers again, "Outer space, the deep blue, the chilly north, the sandy deserts." The Genie teleports Thomas to various locations, thankfully equipping him with clothing appropriate for the environments such as a space suit, scuba gear, and heavy winter attire. "Even back home to your little Island." As he snapped his fingers, The Genie teleports them both to a sunny railway line with blossoming trees on both sides of the tracks. Thomas looked over himself and noticed he was now back to being a tank engine again. Examining his surroundings, Thomas saw that he was also on his branchline back on Sodor. The Genie had teleported them back to his home. This made him jump out of his pistons. "Fizzling fireboxes, I'm back on Sodor!" "Yes you are, my friend." Thomas looked to his left and saw the Genie parked next to him. To Thomas' surprise, the Genie was now a locomotive himself; appearing as a USMRR 4-4-0 Locomotive of a J.H. Devereux class type, with the same color pattern he wore in his human appearance. "Now you're starting to understand the kind of power I possess. Whatever it is you think I cannot do, you name it, I can make it true. I can take any form, change the fabric of reality, manipulate anything to my desire, and grant anyone anything they desire." A light flash goes off again. Thomas was now back in his human appearance at Sunset's house, sitting in the Genies chair while he floated right in front of his face. "So, what do you say, friend?" Before Thomas could answer the Genie interrupted by placing his finger on Thomas' lips. "Atutut. Tell you what, I understand this is all a bit of a shock. You're not quite sure if you can handle having someone like me as your new bestie. Someone with so much power he could just as easily teleport you and your 'friends' back to Sodor where you'll be scolded by Sir Topham Hatt for running off and playing hero. And poor Lady will be left all alone with no one to rescue her while Diesel 10 takes away her magic. Sure, you could just return to CHS through the portal, but you'd still be unable to save her as I'll just keep sending you all back to your minuscule railway until you've excepted me as your new ruler!" Thomas could hear his heart racing. Could the Genie really teleport them all back to Sodor? He was just back on his branchline a few seconds ago. If anything was established during there encounter, this stranger had more than enough power to send them back, and his sudden sternness scared Thomas into believing he could more than do so at any given time if he didn't play his cards right. Thomas thought about saying yes so that he doesn't do so, but he didn't want to. Was becoming his friend the only option he had? The Genie takes his finger off Thomas' lips. "But, thankfully, that's what the old me would've done," He said, now back to being calm. "I've changed since then. The old me would have done all that, but not now. So, I'd consider myself lucky if I were you." The Genie flashed further up and hovered close to the ceiling. "I'll give you a couple days to think on it and let me know when you'd like to be my best friend." The Genies hands detach from his arms and teleport near Thomas, hovering around him while snapping and clapping. "Just give me a snap, clap, scream or shout, or just say the magic words and I'll zap to your side, just like that." His hands reattach to his arms. Thomas called out to him before the Genie cloud leave. "Wait. Who are you?" "Oh, unfortunately I can't tell you that." "Why not?" "Can't tell you that either," He said in a sing song tone. "The others will be trying to figure out who I am once I leave. Can't keep giving you more hints than l already have." "Then, what are you suppose to be if you're not a Genie?" "One day I'll tell you, but not today. Maybe when we're much closer friends, hmm?" "Well, that doesn't help," Thomas said, crossing his arms. "I know!" He grinned. "It's almost like my identity is purposefully being circumvented." "W-what? So, what do I call you then?" "Just consider my offer in the meantime. You'd be very lucky to have a friend like me, you know? The possibilities are endless. Thoughm I don't suppose you need reminding of that now do you? Food for thought. Until we meet again, little tank engine; Adieu!" Within a flashing light, the Genie disappears, along with the two chairs, leaving Thomas sitting suddenly on the living room couch alone once again. "What's all that noise?" A weary Sunset said, entering the living room. Too stunned at first to make sense of the last couple of minutes, Thomas finally spoke up after gathering his thoughts. "He was here." Sunset was suddenly alerted. "Who was?" He turned and faced her. "The Genie." To Be Continued.