Author's notes: My goodness. Like a bunch of other stories, this hits all the emotional cords it needs to. Right, onto it.

The Master's Last Bow

(Crovens Gate, 1990)

William: Oh, goodness. Did Smudger ever get to carry the plan out?

Duke: (Sighs) Sadly, yes.

Rusty: My word. That's awful.

Duke: But thankfully, Master had a near save.

Skarloey: How so, Duke?

(Mid Sodor years, 1893)

Narrator: The next morning, the manager spoke severely to Smudger again.

Manager: I have seen you have become a very rude and rough engine! Your attitude is giving the Mid Sodor Railway a bad name. If you cannot behave yourself, I shall take away your red coat and have you painted dark green like Pioneer.

Narrator: Smudger was speechless. He couldn't believe what he had heard. First, another engine took Mistress number and now he was being threatened to be painted in the same colours as one of his enemies. He was furious and he puffed crossly away to the yards to collect his trucks to take to the quarry before beyond Ulfstead Road.

(Mid Sodor years, 1903)

Narrator: It was now 1903. The century had now turned, bringing many changes with it. Both Duchess and Master were given tenders to help increase they're fuel capacity on goods trains, passenger trains and holiday trains. The two engines were proud of their new tenders and so were the ponies and the drivers. But the ponies noticed Marie Ravens was working lesser and lesser and so was James Holden. They were very concerned.

Twilight Dusk: I don't understand girls. Mr. James Holden and Miss Marie Ravens haven't been around too much. I hope they're alright. I do hope so.

Zap Apple: I know. I hope their doing alright.

Jewel: What if something terrible is happening to them?

Narrator: The other ponies were very worried but there was nothing they could do. One day, the Manager came to see the engines and the ponies. An elderly man and an elderly woman came up to see them.

Manager: Everyone, James Holden and Marie Ravens are going to be away for awhile… and will let us know when they'll be back.

Narrator: The manager gave a knowing sly wink to the two elders. The ponies and engines felt worried.

Sunny: Oh my… Are they alright.

Manger: Don't worry Sunny, they're alright. But, because they're away, these two have kindly volunteered to help us out.

Angus Holden: Hullo there youngin's. It has been a long time since we last saw you on the S&M.

Elizabeth Ravens: And don't forget the Skarloey Railway and Wellsworth & Suddery Railway.

Narrator: The ponies smiled brightly!

Zap Apple: Well bless my apple fritters. Angus Sean Holden!

Buttercup: Oh and Elizabeth Emily Ravens! We haven't seen you in ages.

Elizabeth Ravens: It's good to see you all. We've really missed you all very much.

Twilight Dusk: So have we.

Narrator: Soon the manager cleared his throat.

Manager: Ahem! Now then Angus Holden, you will be working mostly work with Sky Dasher and Zap Apple on Smudger along with Jewel on master. Elizabeth Ravens, you'll work with Sunny on Shire Horse and Party Time on Duchess. The both of you will be sharing a duty with Twilight Dusk and Duke.

Angus Holden/Elizabeth Ravens: Yes Sir. Thank you sir.

Narrator: Everyone grinned.

Twilight Dusk: (Sigh happily) This will be just like the good old days.

Narrator: So in Marie Ravens and James Holden's absence, Angus Holden and Marie Ravens helped out to run the Mid Sodor Railway. Master, Jewel, Duchess, Party Time, Shire Horse and Sunny would work both passengers and goods trains and work at the mines, Duke and Twilight Dusk did goods and passengers and mine duties too. He also took one of the most famous passenger holiday trains called 'The Picnic'. The two elderly drivers enjoyed themselves greatly. Though I'm sorry to say that neither Zap Apple, Sky Dasher nor Angus Holden couldn't say the same about working with Smudger. Because of his rude reckless behaviour, the manager forced Smudger to work solely on shunting, goods trains and mine duties. Smudger complained and grumbled bitterly about it.

(Smudger bashes some trucks forcefully in the yards)

Smudger: Ugh! Goods work! Shunting! Mine duties! This is degrading! First those freaks Master and Duchess get tenders and now they get to pull passengers instead of me! I have to work with trucks day and night thanks to those idiots!

(Roughly bumps trucks)

Zap Apple: Hey, easy with those trucks. Your gonna damage them like that!

Sky Dasher: Ugh! And you wonder why you never get passenger workings anymore! You're too rough and reckless….

Angus Holden: Oh my goodness. You can say that again…

Smudger: Ah, shut and keep driving.

Narrator: And grumbling dreadfully, they went to get it ready for his next goods train. He grumbled he shunted about the yards. When the day's work was over, Smudger overheard Shire Horse, Duke, Master and Duchess talking to each other about their events.

Master: You know, we're running this railway like clockwork and I think the manager was right to give me and Duchess tenders.

Shire Horse: Indeed. You guys have made less water stops than me and Duke have.

Duke: You two have done wonders since you've came.

Narrator: Duchess giggled.

Duchess: I'm glad you think so. I feel like a brand new engine with this tender.

Master: Same here and giving the fact that we're also part tank engines, it really helps with fuel capacity.

Narrator: Soon after Master and Shire Horse went to sleep, Duchess spoke quietly to Duke. She didn't even notice that Smudger was still awake and glaring at them.

Duchess: Duke …

Duke: Yes Duchess my dear?

Duchess: I want to thank you for saving me all those years ago… and for teaching me the line. You really have shaped me very well and…. (Hesitates for a moment) well I just wouldn't want to live anywhere else, other than here on Sodor…

Narrator: Duke smiled happily.

Duke: Same here, my dear Duchess. Same here.

Narrator: They're eyes began to twinkle happily and brightly like the stars and the moon in the beautiful Sudrian night sky, and then for the first time on the MSR, Duke and Duchess bestowed they're first kiss on the island. The two engines slept soundly knew deep in their hearts that come what may they would always stay with each other in their hearts. Meanwhile, Smudger eyes bulged with quiet rage and fury. First he had been demoted from passengers, then another engine took Mistress number plate and now Duke was fraternising with the said engine who took her number plate.

Smudger: (In his mind) That back stabbing traitor! I'll pay that Duke out! I'll pay that Duchess out! I'll pay them all out…

Narrator: And Smudger plotted his revenge and grinned devilishly.

Smudger: (In his mind) Yes, it's a perfect plan. But Master won't even let me near her…. Unless… yes… if I can just find a way to send Master packing first, then it's open season on Duchess for me... heheheheh! Duke will then learn why no one deserves Mistress's number, hmph! And that weak Shire Horse can't do anything about it. And when the jobs over, I'll just say there was nothing I could do. Heheheh. It's the perfect crime.

Narrator: And Smudger fell a sleep with an evil grin. I'm sorry to say his chance came soon than he bargained for. It was the day before Easter of 1904, a heavy mist came down, to make matters worse, it had rained hard over the night the ground was soaked. The manager told everyone and everypony and the engines that they needed to be very careful. All the ponies and engines promised to be careful. Well, Smudger didn't, but he kept to himself. Near to where the line begins to climb the mountain road at the first tunnel there is a rock formation which is located a few clicks near the second tunnel. When it is wet or misty out, all engines had to be careful not to puff to hard, for there the rock can get eroded and weaken by the rain. It is the only safe thing to do in the sort of situation. At the station, Master was getting readied to take his 10 am passenger train up to Peel Godred and then back down later in the day after Smudger passed with a goods train.

Elizabeth Ravens: Alright. We'd better be careful not to push you too hard when starting the mountain road.

Jewel: That's right, cause what if a rock was to fall on to the tracks.

Master: Plus, we don't want anyone getting hurt.

Narrator: Soon the guards whistle blew and Master set off to Peel Godred. Unfortunately for them. Smudger had overheard this.

Smudger: (Quietly) Perfect… just the plan I need… heheheheheheh…

Narrator: Neither Angus Holden nor Sky dasher nor Zap Apple heard this. A few minutes, later after Master had cleared Arlesdale Works. Smudger was ready to depart with his trucks loaded with granite from the granite quarry down the line. At first, he went on very well, until they reached Arlesdale. Smudger normally leaves the works in good time but this time he deliberately dawdled as they neared the first tunnel.

Sky Dasher: Hey, what's going on? He's slowing down!

Zap Apple: If he keeps up with this pace, we won't make it up the hill.

Angus Holden: Hey, come on Smudger. Quit dawdling!

Narrator: And he gave him full steam. This was big mistake. This was just what Smudger wanted. He soon responded with a tremendous will. A large column of steam shot high into the air as he passed.

Smudger: All according to plan…

Narrator: They puffed onwards to Peel Godred, but none of them noticed that large rock had broken lose and landed dangerously near the rails. At Peel Godred, Master had arrived in record time and was being serviced before the journey down by Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens when Smudger bustled in.

Elizabeth Ravens: Hey guys. You look worried. What's wrong?

Angus Holden: We've had troubles coming up the mountain road.

Jewel: Oh dear. What happened?

Sky Dasher: Well, we were steaming good when we left the granite quarry, but once we reached Arlesdale, Smudger started to slow down.

Zapapple: We tried to use sand, but it didn't work. He kept slowing down near the first tunnel. Then we gave him full steam and he shot forward. We had no choice.

Jewel: But the manager said that you need to be careful not do that.

Angus Holden: We couldn't help it. He we were nearly at a crawling pace…

Narrator: Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel understood.

Angus Holden: But all the same, please be careful. Take the down journey slowly, okay?

Elizabeth Ravens: You got it. We'll be careful.

Jewel: Indeed. Thank you for informing us. We wouldn't want our passengers hurt.

Narrator: Soon the guard blew his whistle, Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel climbed back into Master and they set off slowly and carefully tender first back to Arlesdale. The mist was thicker than ever so they had to go very slowly. They went very carefully through the first Tunnel.

Jewel: I can't see a thing through this mist!

Narrator: Nor could Elizabeth Ravens. Suddenly, before they even cleared the first tunnel towards Arlesdale, Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens saw the rock.

Elizabeth Ravens/Jewel: Theres a rock near the track! BRAKE! BRAKE!

Narrator: It was lucky for them they weren't going fast and that they were at the bottom but they couldn't stop in time… Master's tender hit the rock. His tender tilted, the link pin snapped and the tender came off the rails with a crash!

Master: OUCH!

Narrator: Luckily, they were not going fast so nobody was hurt. The coaches stayed on the rails and so did Master. Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens inspected the damage.

Elizabeth Ravens: Oh dear. That's torn it. Your tender's been damaged. One of the wheel axels has broken off and the link pin is shattered. We'll have to drop your fire. Without the tender, you can't make steam properly.

Master: But the passengers need to get to Arlesburgh for Easter. I can still do this. Remember, I am part saddle tank engine too.

Jewel: Yes, that might work. But, are you sure you can move a heavy train like this?

Master: I'll do it or blow up trying!

Narrator: Soon Jewel cleared away the rock and put the tender somewhere safely out of the way. With her unicorn magic, she climbed back in and sanded the rails. Elizabeth Ravens eased open the regulator and the train began to move. Master did his best…. Slowly he struggled on his face was red with exhaustion, and his boiler was starting go purple, but he kept on going.

Jewel: Come on now, you can still do this. We've just passed Maithwaite. We can still make it.

Master: I can't breathe. I feel like I'm going to burst!

Elizabeth Ravens: We're almost there. Just keep on going…

Narrator: Master was feeling very poorly, but struggled on.

Master: We must make it, we must. The people must catch they're train home.

Narrator: Master made one final effort and at last, exhausted, tired, but triumphant, he reached the station. The passengers cheered and thanked him and Elizabeth Ravens and Jewel for their brave act before boarding their boat home. Elizabeth and Jewel tried to move him to the sheds but he couldn't, his tubes had collapsed and he was worn out in a depressing state. The manager came running up horrified.

Manager: My goodness Master! What happened.

Elizabeth Ravens: Well, when Angus Holden, Zap Apple and Sky Dasher left the Granite Quarry, they were going well. But strangely, they were running out of steam by the time they neared the first tunnel on the mountain road and had to go full steam…

Jewel: They warned us to go slowly because of it, and good thing they did because as we were going down with 'The Picnic', there was a rock on the rails. We put on the brakes, but Master's tender hit the rock, derailed and got badly damaged. Master told us that he was also part tank engine and asked us to continue on. We made it back but he got damaged pretty badly. He's overheated and his tubes have collapsed. Surely we could mend him, couldn't we.

Narrator: The manager sadly shook his head, much to the sadness of Jewel and Elizabeth Ravens.

Manager: I'm afraid that with the new trains and the tenders that we bought, I'm afraid we don't have the money to mend him.

Narrator: Master heart sank…

Manager: However, I'm not going to scrap him. After such a valiant effort, I'm going to sell him to a friend of mine on misty island whose is an owner of a narrow gauge railway himself to see if they can mend him and take care of him.

Master: Thank you sir. It's been an honour to serve with you on this railway.

Narrator: An hour later, Master was pushed back into the sheds by Duke, Twilight Dusk and Angus Holden. When the engines returned and heard the news, Duchess, Shire Horse and Duke were heartbroken.

Duchess: No! They can't sell you. Not after what you did!

Master: Duchess, they can't afford but that's why they're selling me off so that I can get mended. I'll be alright. You, Duke and Shire Horse keep the line running. I know you can do it. Please. For me. I asked the manager if he could keep my tender here so you can all remember me.

Narrator: The engines all understood. The next morning, the engines, ponies, Angus Holden, Elizabeth Ravens, Marie Ravens and James Holden all gave him one final fair well and telling him that it was an honour to work alongside him. Duchess, Party Time, Elizabeth Ravens and Marie Ravens pushed Master onto a flatbed which was attached to a traction engine and the traction engine pulled him down to the port to the tune of Danny boy. Everyone did not stop waving and whistling until Master was out of sight.

I guess we can do 2 lists now:

Couples of Sodor in chronological order (When they got together):

Duchess X Duke (Started developing 1893, got together 1903)
Rachel X Peter Sam (1958)
Mavis X Toby (1961)
James X Molly (Started developing 1956, got together 1963)
Edward X Emily (Started developing 1915, got together 1970)

Lifespan on the MSR:

Duke: (No. 1) 1880-
Bertram: (No. 2a) 1880-1888
Mistress: (No. 3a) 1880-1889
Pioneer: (No. 4a) 1880-1892
Shire Horse: (No. 5) 1880-
Smudger: (No. 2b) 1888-
Great Wonder: (No. 3b) 1892-1893
Duchess: (No. 3c) 1893-
Master: (No. 4b) 1893-1904

Ok. The next one is called 'Smudger's Revenge'. See you then.