We Are Magic (TTTE)

1 - Disappear

 It was the middle of a summer-fall day. Leaves gently scattered the ground as the lime grass caught them from escaping into the uplift of Thomas' wind as he raced steadfast against the rail.

Today was a special day. It was his anniversary of being on the island. This time, Sir Topham Hatt had a surprise for him. None of the other engines knew either, but rumors started to spread. Luckily, the Controller did not put up with that after what happened last time.

He was making his way past Gordon's hill. After he reached the bottom, something felt weird. A fuzziness came to the front of his forehead and slowly sank its way through his head.

"Driver, something is wrong," Thomas groaned, and squinted his eyes. "I don't feel good." His vision slowly got more bright and the contrast made his head hurt.

His drivers helped roll him to a stop and put his brakes on. The fireman jumped out of the cab and ran in front to talk to him face to face.

To the fireman's surprise, Thomas' eyes were closed. He looked like he was asleep. The fireman called Thomas' name a few times just to make sure. "In the middle of the day? How in the world-"

The driver ran up next to the fireman. "Is he really asleep? He looked well rested this morning!"

Eventually, the two phoned for help. Naturally, this situation called for Sir Topham Hatt to join the party of confused people.

They tried splashing water on Thomas' face. They tried yelling loudly. When Edward got there to help, they asked him to blow his whistle loudly. Yet it had been to no avail, as Thomas didn't even stir.

As they all stood there looking concerned, Edward just stared at the unresponsive engine. Worry etched into his conscience and a bad feeling overwhelmed him.

Suddenly, sparkles and flashes of gold and green appeared around Thomas' face, and quickly consumed it. The men watched from nearly twenty feet away out of fear. 

Then, the cab and smokebox lit up in its entirety with white light. The sparkle was gone.

As well as Thomas' face.

The fat controller was shocked. He attempted to rub his eyes and relook, but he was greeted with the same sight of the black opening to the smokebox. No Thomas was seen.

"One of you, get up there and open it up!" Sir Topham Hatt boomed. The fireman clambered up the footplate, and opened the smokebox to find nothing inside. Its creaky hinges echoing off the metal of Thomas' empty body.

Edward looked at the seemingly empty body in dread and horror. As long as he's been an engine, he hasn't seen anything of this magnitude. Pondering what could have happened, he watched the men walk around puzzled. Only until he heard a moan from the direction of the cab.

Sir Topham Hatt walked hastily over to it, and his unbelieving expression did not falter. He waved over the drivers and firemen to pull something out.