Thomas the Tank Engine

Thomas yawned, puffing the tiniest plumes of steam. He could hardly rest all night, he was so excited for what the morning would bring. He rolled into the station, hurrying his usual morning routines and check-ins with the station workers. Thomas had been told that construction, more than a year in the making, was finally complete on miles of new railway. Business and travel ready to open with whole new countries, off in distant hills that Thomas never seen beyond. [[Today was the day.]]

Thomas the Tank Engine was proudly selected as the first train to travel on the new lines. On his first day, he would retrieve passengers and materials he had never laid eyes on. He would pick up loads of workers and travelers and bring them to wherever they needed to go (and on time, with luck!) When preparations were complete, Thomas couldn't help but blow a celebratory burst of steam. Ordinarily, he would try not to be such a braggart, but he was very happy to be the first engine on the new line. Thomas was given the signal. It was time to go. These new railways wouldn't test themselves. [[Time to meet some new friends!]] [[Thomas began to have second thoughts.]]

With a hum and whistle, Thomas pushed forward. The clanks and clatters of his wheels played a jaunty tune, echoing through the clear skies. "I can't wait to ride these new lines," Thomas said, beaming from cheek to cheek. "It's such an honor, and no wonder that I was chosen. When it comes to making new friends, look no further than Thomas the Tank Engine!" The railroad stretched onwards, curving around streams and grassy fields. The new lines ran southbound, but any other details were a mystery to Thomas. In the distance, he could see a small set of mountains. [["Right past those mountains, we'll be heading up on the first station," Thomas heard the Conductor say to another.]]

Thomas waited in silence. In the distance, a few birds sang. Trees rustled. "Actually..." he began, speaking to any engine on the neighboring platforms who would listen. "This sounds like a lot of........effort. I don't know. It just sounds like a lot." [[Thomas began rolling in reverse.]]

"Our first day...I wonder if anyone will be waiting at all! Will anyone ride with us today?" Thomas dearly hoped there would be passengers! A train full of lumber and coal was no fun on its own. Thomas rolled along, staying diligent and on his best behavior, past hills and mountains. "Coming up on our first stop... Starfell Lake! Starfell Lake Station!" [[The conductor called with a cheeriness in his voice, ringing the bells upon arrival.]]

Thomas pulled up to the first station. He paid mind to not puff too much steam, or clatter unnecessarily, and slotted himself between the platforms with a professional grace. Before he could be impressed with his own performance, he noticed something. The platform was empty! "Oh no," Thomas whispered. "Our first day, and nobody wants to come ride our new line! How embarrassing..." His face grew red. All that finesse was for nothing. What if nobody wanted to travel with him through this place he had never seen? [[Suddenly, Thomas heard a voice.]]

"Paimon's never been on a train before," the small voice squeaked. "Do they all have big faces on them???" Thomas looked below. Lo and behold, there were two passengers stepping up on the platform. One was tiny, flitting about like a little white bird. The other was golden, with a stoic look on their face. They both wore fashions that Thomas had never seen before. (Oh, the joys of discovering new places and peoples!) "Wow, two passengers! This trip won't be so lonely after all!" Thomas said under his breath. "Umm...did it just talk?" the little girl asked. [[Thomas nearly shrieked. "Did you just hear me?"]] [[Thomas scoffed.]]

"You can hear me speaking?" Thomas asked in wonder. "Of course we can hear you! We've got ears y'know!" The little girl folded her arms, looking Thomas up and down. She turned to her companion. "Ningguang says this new railroad will be an incredible luxury that will transform all of Teyvat, but Paimon doesn't know...he kinda looks like a big, goofy man face." [[Thomas furrowed his brow.]]

"Yeah, I talked. What of it?" The little girl folded her arms, looking Thomas up and down. She turned to her companion. "Ningguang says this new railroad will be an incredible luxury that will transform all of Teyvat, but Paimon doesn't know...he kinda looks like a big, weird jerk?" [[Thomas furrowed his brow.]]

"If this is the very first railroad to be constructed around here," Thomas huffed, "you better believe it's going to be great! I'll prove it to you!" "All aboard!" the conductor called. The small fairy girl and her companion boarded the train, curious to see what a train ride was all about. Thomas puffed a grumpy puff, determined to show them the splendor of train travel. [[After a short moment, Thomas was off to the next station.]]

"The name's Paimon, by the way! Who are you?" Paimon flew out her window, in flagrant disregard for train car etiquette and safety regulations, and sat up near Thomas's funnel. She coughed, plumes of steam flying past her face. "My name is Thomas. Nice to meet you, Paimon." "What's it like being a train? Paimon doesn't know anything about trains." "Well," Thomas chuckled, softening up. "I'm not sure I have much experience being anything else! But I wouldn't have it any other way. I get to travel the world, meet new people, collect lots of new things, and help those who need me!" "Wow..." Paimon said, introspective as the fields whipped by. "Just like us, huh...?" [[Before long, Thomas pulled into the next station.]]

"Mondstadt Station! All aboard!" "Wow, that was pretty quick!" Paimon remarked, perhaps just being polite. "Beats walking, that's for sure." The golden-haired traveler peered out the window. A very familiar city, bustling with carefree townspeople and various trader stalls, stretched in the distance. A few new passengers, familiar faces, approached. "Ooh, ooh, look, it's Jean! Hi Jean!" Paimon called from atop Thomas's head. A tall, blonde woman wearing a highly decorated uniform and bearing a sword boarded one of the passenger cars. "So, what's the report?" Jean asked the Traveler. "Safe? No Slimes? Not a Ruin Sentinel in disguise, I hope?" [["Hey, what's going on?" Thomas asked.]]

"Oh, duh, Paimon shoulda said," Paimon began. "The two of us are kinda like...the guinea pigs, you know? We had to board first to make sure this whole railroad thing wasn't a trap! The Knights of Favonius enlisted us for help, like always!" "What do you mean a trap?!" Thomas asked, clearly offended. "Passage on our railroad is completely safe, that's a guarantee!" Thomas eyed Jean and her sword. "Um, and I don't think we allow WEAPONRY onboard the cars, miss!" "That's non-negotiable, Mister Tank Engine," Jean replied coolly. "Ningguang assured me that we could all travel with our equipment." [[Thomas huffed and rolled his eyes.]]

A few more passengers boarded from Mondstadt Station. Paimon's eyes lit up with recognition. "Amber! Kaeya! Lisa! Wow! You're all coming too?" Paimon asked, evoking the excitement of a slumber party. The new passengers filed in politely, taking their seats. "Last call, all aboard!" [[Just before departure, one more passenger ran up to the platform hastily.]]

A small boy in poofy green pants seemed to be running late, scrambling up the steps with a lyre waving in hand. The boy hopped clumsily into the passenger car, and the doors were shut firmly behind him. This train was not going to be late to its next stop on the very first day! "Off we go!" said Thomas. The conductor greeted the new passengers. [["Next stop, Dragonspine Station!"]]

Thomas rolled onward towards their next destination. Fields of grass swept past him gently as he made his way. The various passengers made themselves comfortable, taking in the sights and marveling at the miracle of automotive travel. Paimon flitted about the train, eavesdropping on various conversations and finding her way back outside to Thomas. She sat down again, finding the whole thing quaint and fun. "Ahhh...Paimon could get used to this!" she said, letting the breeze flow through her hair. The train was moving at a steady pace. Thomas wouldn't dare sprint forward so recklessly, given that the next station wasn't too far from here. The voice of the poofy-panted boy could be heard from inside the passenger car. "Wouldn't gliding be faster?" he asked with a sigh, to no one in particular. [[Thomas rolled his eyes.]] [[Thomas let him have it.]]

He tried not to get too cross, and decided that ignoring the comments of these ignorant new passengers would make for the most peaceful trip. Paimon chuckled. "Oh yeah that guy, like...he like LOVES gliding...Paimon doesn't really get it..." [[Before long, a cold chill blew through the air.]]

"Um...gliding? As in, like paragliding?" Thomas asked. The puffy-pants boy was not expecting the train to respond. "O-oh...uhhh...yeah, I guess? It's a means of travel for us, we use these wings to ride on the wind." "Hmmm..." Thomas couldn't help himself from being smarmy. "Well, then, no, I would say that gliding WOULDN'T be faster than a locomotive. Plus, an engine like me can transport more than one hundred tons of cargo across miles of land. AND nearly a hundred passengers, looking to go to various places. You couldn't do anything like that with gliding, huh?" The boy was at a loss for words. "Um...I guess not?" "Yeah, that's what I thought." The tone became tense. It wasn't clear what Thomas tried to accomplish, but all it did was create a very weird atmosphere. Nobody on the train seemed impressed with his little debate victory. Everyone chose to ignore it, while the poofy-pants bard awkwardly plucked a few strings. [[Before long, a cold chill blew through the air.]]

In the distance, snowy mountains poked up from the horizon. The tracks led straight to them, so Thomas was certain this was the next stop. "Well, that's fun," Thomas noted. "What a great place for a station. Vacationers have a quick trip away from their ski resort getaway!" "Mm...Paimon doesn't think it's all that great a vacation spot, if Paimon's being honest..." [[Thomas pulled up to Dragonspine Station.]]

The conductor leaned out the window, shivering in the cold. "All aboard!" Two passengers waited on the platform. They seemed excited to ride. The taller of the two motioned for some workers to help load cargo towards the back of the train. The shorter of the two, a little girl clad in red, bounced up and down in her boots. [[The two approached Thomas.]]

The taller one looked directly at Thomas, a friendly smile on his face. "My name's Albedo. What's yours?" "Oh, me?" Thomas asked, flattered that Albedo wanted to greet him before boarding. "My name's Thomas! Nice to meet you." "Pleasure to meet you, Thomas. This is Klee. We're excited to take this first trip on a locomotive. There's a lot we don't know about...'public transit.' " The little girl jumped and waved. "Albedo told me that if I'm really good and I sit nice and still then tomorrow I can start a new job as the railroad DEMOLITION EXPERT and I don't need to be a Knights-o-Favonius ANYMORE! That means no more Jean and no more getting in trouble and I promise I'll be really really good at blowing up mountains that are in your way Mister Thomas so the big men can build lots and lots of train for you!" [["Nice to meet you, Klee. Um, I'm not sure that-"]]

"Albedo told me that you need people who are good at bombs and can make lots of explosions to clear way for the train to go really far and I think I would be the perfect girl for that because making bombs is my FAVORITE thing and I'm really really good at it. The end." Thomas hesitated for a second. "Ah, right, I'm just not really-" "If you don't believe me I can show you my bombs, they're really good at blowing up bad guys and also they're cute and I bet they can blow up tunnels really good too. You can meet Jumpty Dumpty too, but only because I really like you and it's cool that you're blue and I wanna be friends with YOU!" [[Albedo takes Klee's hand, boarding the passenger car.]]

"Final stop, Liyue Station! All aboard!" Eager to get out of the cold, Thomas promptly left the platform, jealous of the warm passengers in the cars. Thomas was fairly pleased with how his first day on the new route was going. All the locals were quite unusual, but they were fairly friendly and interesting. He was excited to tell all the other trains about this trip to a foreign land. [[The passengers' voices could be heard within the cars, making light conversation.]]

Thomas's trip continued smoothly. With the snow disappearing behind him, Thomas gave a celebratory toot-toot and continued on his way. The tracks bent and curved between forests and the coastlines. Thomas crossed safely on freshly-constructed bridges, crossing the borders into Liyue country. The foliage changed before his eyes. The sun beat down warmly on waves of amber. Inside the train, sounds of muffled merriment could be heard. Passengers regaled each other with stories of their latest adventures and missions. Refreshments were passed out from the humble dinner car. They laughed and smiled in each others' company, ciders in hand, while the countryside whipped past them. To his surprise, Thomas heard a voice. [[It wasn't Paimon's.]]

"Do you wanna go fish blasting together?!" Klee was seated atop Thomas's head, next to Paimon. "UMMM, MISS, THAT IS REALLY DANGEROUS, PLEASE STAY INSIDE THE CARS AT ALL TIMES UNTIL WE'RE SAFETLY STOPPED AT A-" Thomas panicked, hoping that this fun first day wouldn't be ruined by the loss of an innocent (elf's???) life. Paimon shrugged. "Paimon tried to get her to stay in her seat, but she wanted to crawl out the window and ask you something." [["WH-...WHAT IS FISH BLASTING, THEN...?"]]

Klee grinned, "It's when you sneak up real quiet by the fishes and then you BLAST EM with bombs and then you get to eat yummy roasted fish for lunch AND for dinner! It's SO much fun!" Thomas didn't have time to marvel in Teyvat's interesting cultural difference regarding fishing methods. "I think you should return to your seat, Miss!" he tried to reason with her. "But LOOK! The train tracks are splitting in two over there! If we take the left one, we can go to the beach and we can go fish blasting and get lots of fish and I'll share mine with you, okay???" Klee was right about one thing; there was a fork in the track ahead. The Conductor clearly wants to take the right path, which leads to Liyue Station. [[Thomas, ever diligent and loyal to running on time, headed for Liyue Station.]] [["FISH. BLASTING."]]

"Awww...you're no fun Mister Thomas..." Paimon waved Klee away, and she returned to the car and took her seat. The train continued onward. Ornate buildings rose up in the horizon, and Thomas soon found himself pulling into the final station on the schedule. "All aboard, Liyue Station! Headed Northbound to Starfell Lake Station!" the conductor called. [[Four more passengers boarded.]]

Feeling spontaneous, Thomas veered his weight to the left and rattled down the tracks. The tracks lead down to the beaches. They seemed to just end, among signs indicating that further construction is planned. Thomas pulled to a stop and the doors were opened. Klee jumped out excitedly. Klee proceeded to spend the next hour throwing homemade bombs into the ocean, killing dozens of fish. At first, Thomas was horrified. After a while, he told himself that this is simply the different culture of a different people. It was only right to respect their traditions. He began encouraging Klee, who continued fish blasting with joyous abandon even as Jean shouted and scolded at her. Thomas took her side, finding a new companion in the strange little (elf?????) girl. Unfortunately for him, this diversion caused a major delay in the schedule, which is strictly against the rules. When Thomas returned home, he received a very stern talking to, and was no longer permitted to return to Teyvat. [[The End.]]

The quickly and formally introduced themselves. Ningguang. Zhongli. Xinyan. Qiqi. They boarded and took their seats without fuss. "Phew...normal people..." Thomas muttered under his breath. "Wow...we're running a little early, huh? But time to head back on the Northbound line," the Conductor said. [["No," Ningguang replied.]]

"There is still one more station on this line," she explained. She leaned out the window addressing Thomas. "Full steam ahead. I need you to go forward." "Forward?" Thomas was confused. There didn't seem to be that much ahead other than ocean. "Ohh, ok, right...of course! There must be a trainyard up ahead, for maintanence and changing cars." [[The doors closed and Thomas cautiously began rolling ahead.]]

"Please travel at the proper speed," Ningguang requested. "It's important that we're punctual, and stick to the schedule that is posted at Inazuma Station." "Inazuma Station?" Thomas asked. "What's that?" "That's the final major station, it's located in a major hub for the people of Inazuma. We need to go across the water. Then, and only then, will our cities finally be connected. Thomas felt nervous, but was trying to understand. "Oh, okay...sure! So I travel down to the docks and drop passengers and freight off at the ferry, and then a ferry ships off to Inazuma Station. That's fun!" [["Oh, haha, I'm sorry...there's no ferry," Albedo butts in.]]

Without warning, three passengers climb out from the doors and stand up on the roof of the train car. It's Ningguang, Zhongli, and Albedo. "Wowwww...party on the roof!" Paimon hollers. It seemed to have been for no real reason other than to feel involved. "UMMM, I'm sorry, you need to stay in your seats, that's really dangerous-" Thomas beguns, panicking. "I need you to listen to me now, and listen closely," Ningguang interrupts, with an air of seriousness. "I need you to keep moving at top speed. It will appear soon that the tracks end, but it's not what it seems. We're here to help you." [["UMM...WHAT."]]

The three travelers begin to glow with a mysterious golden aura. Suddenly, the earth behind the train begins to crumble and dissolve just behind Thomas's caboose. The tracks ripped up from the ground, shredding into golden energy. Thomas was distracted by the sight in front of him. The railroad quite literally ended at a steep cliff facing the ocean. [[Before he can scream, something inexplicable happens.]]

A golden bridge of earth begins to form off the ledge, and metal tracks begin to lock together out of thin air. Thomas tried to stop, his brakes screeching against the steel, but he was too late. Thomas is vaulted forward onto the magical bridge, suspended in mid-air, and continues barreling forward. The bridge continues forming in front of his eyes, constantly catching him before he can fall. Behind the train, the bridge vanished instantly back into emptiness. With each passing second and blink of the eye, Thomas the Tank Engine was suspended in the sky on a dissolving golden bridge. "What's going on?!" Thomas yelled, closing his eyes in fear. "I have long planned for a means of connecting the industries of Liyue, Mondstadt, and Inazuma in perfect efficiency," Ningguang explains calmly. "A way to conduct business much quicker than sailing. With you, we can finally solve the puzzle." [[Thomas tried to listen, but noticed something.]]

He noted that iron, stone, and lumber from his freight cargo was being hoisted into the air by some means of magic. Albedo chimed in, "My studies showed me...with the proper materials...alchemy can be used to create new steel train tracks with ease. All you need the power of three Geo specialists. And together, we can create a bridge for you to cross even the widest seas." "I don't mean to be rude, but this is crazy!!! I'm teetering above the ocean right now!" Thomas couldn't help but lose all sense of professional decorum. The stranger named Zhongli spoke: "With the design of the new rail network connecting the nations of Teyvat, a contract has been written. A contract that promises to bring us together with our neighbors in Inazuma at last. You must steel thyself, and move forward with bravery. If you abandon hope now, you will break that contract your masters have made with our people. We cannot break this promise." [["WHAT???"]]

"In other words," Paimon tried to help, "Believe in yourself and keep chugging forward! Full speed ahead, or the whole train will fall into the water with a big sploosh, y'know?" The three Geo specialists held their focus, using every ounce of their power to construct floating blocks and fresh steel tracks ahead of the train to connect it. The bridge crumbled behind them, with the dust being instantly recycled back into the alchemy. With no choice of stopping or slowing down, Thomas barreled ahead, keeping his eyes shut tight. To anyone sailing below, it would have been quite a sight. A steam engine barreling through the sky, piercing through the clouds. Nearly half an exhausting hour later, land could be spotted in the distance. [[When Thomas next opened his eyes, he was safely on solid ground.]]

"W-welcome to...Inazuma...Station..." the Conductor panted, suffering what he believed to be some sort of panic attack. "Yay!!!" Paimon cheered. "Good job, Thomas! That was a pretty impressive trip, huh?" Thomas rolled slowly up to the platform, his face worn with exhaustion. The doors opened, but only one passenger seemed to be waiting for them. The passenger, clad in a black and red outfit, smiled and boarded the train. [[Paimon patted the steel funnel excitedly.]]

"Oh, look! Look! It's him! Oh, Thoma's gonna love this whole thing!" Thomas the Tank Enigne squinted. "Huh? I'm gonna love what?" "No, no, not YOU! THOMA'S gonna love it, he's gonna have a blast!" "Oh, there's someone else here named Thomas?" Thomas asked, puffing steam with excited curiosity. " 'Thomas?' " the blonde Inazuman passenger asked, staring into the middle-distance. "Heh. That's a name I haven't heard in years......" [[...]]

"A-anyway...all aboard...heading Northbound for Starfell Station..." the Conductor panted. "Alright, are you ready? Time to do it all again, back the other way!" Paimon said. Thomas groaned. Paimon clapped her hands. "Wow, Ningguang was right, trains really are fun, huh?" [[The End.]]

Thanks for playing. Hope you enjoyed...whatever this was.

With no explanation or excuses, Thomas rolled backwards. He retreated, in the opposite direction of his new job, and found himself huddled up cozy in whatever home Thomas the Tank Engine lives in. "I think I'm just gonna sleep in today. That's it, that's what I'm gonna do." [[And Thomas did just that.]]

Thomas slept the day away. The next morning he woke up, feeling recharged. He rolled into the station, excited for the new adventures that awaited him in these distant, foreign lands. Unfortunately for Thomas, blatant negligence is not something his Conductor or his bosses approved of. Thomas was promptly taken off of the assignment and replaced with James the Red Engine. Thomas would not be given the opportunity to do anything interesting today. He sighed. But after a moment of thought, he had no regrets. "It was worth getting rest. It's always important to take care of your body, mind, and spirit..." he muttered to no one in particular. "Maybe I'll do something exciting another day..." [[The End.]]