Thomas and Friends Fanfiction Series 8

Norman vs Dennis

Norman and Dennis are twin diesel engines. They had been separated for a long time when Dennis was sent to work on the Mainland. But one Christmas, Norman had been surprised to see his twin back on Sodor again. 

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The two diesels had been inseparable since. And it always warmed the engines' boilers and motors to see them together again. 

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(Thomas, Den and Dart are among those engines.)

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One day, Norman and Dennis were delivering some heavy girders from the Smelters for Big Mickey to load onto a ship at Brendam Docks. 

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"Thank you, Norman. And you, Dennis," said Big Mickey politely. 

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"No problem, Big Mickey," said Norman. 

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"We like to be Really Useful," added Dennis. 

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"Haha," giggled Thomas, "not always in your case, eh, Dennis?" 

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Dennis blushed. 

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"What do you mean, Thomas?" asked Porter with interest. 

"Well, when I first met Dennis, he was very lazy and refused to work. He came up with so many excuses to make me do his work for him. The result was him crashing into a ditch and leaking oil. I still helped him, but he learned his lesson after that." 

Thomas and Porter chuckled. 

"Is that why you left Sodor, Dennis?" asked Norman. 

"No, I was just needed elsewhere," mumbled Dennis. 

"But if you are ever lazy again, what if the Fat Controller really does send you away again? Is that why you chose to be my back engine? So you didn't have to do as much as me?! You're being lazy again, Dennis!" 

"No, I wasn't being lazy," argued Dennis. 

But it was no good. Norman had the idea in his head and Dennis couldn't convince him otherwise. 

"I'm sure Dennis doesn't do things out of laziness anymore, Norman," said Thomas. 

But Norman was already rushing away, feeling worried. 

Later, Norman was at a farm delivering some timber to build chicken coops. Then he saw Dennis coming along with some Troublesome Trucks full of coal. 

"What are you doing, Dennis?" asked Norman. 

"I volunteered to deliver coal to bunkers around this side of the Island," explained Dennis. 

"That's very kind, considering you do not use coal, Dennis," said Terence the Tractor, who was ploughing nearby. 

But Norman was worrying again. 

"Are you doing extra work to make yourself seem more useful than me?" he asked. 

"No, I'm doing it to prove to you I'm not a lazy engine anymore," said Dennis. 

"Or...maybe you're trying to show the Fat Controller that you're much more useful than I am!" cried Norman. 

"I wouldn't do that!" cried Dennis. 

But Norman was too worried to think clearly and he raced away, leaving his trucks behind. 

"Oh dear," said Terence. 

Dennis decided to return Norman's trucks himself, but he was now worried about Norman. He wanted his twin to believe that he was Really Useful and didn't want them separated again. 

Norman was determined to prove he was just as useful as Dennis. And so he decided to find a job to volunteer with. 

It was at Knapford that he saw Gordon's Express coaches. 

"I know," he said, "I'll take Gordon's Express for him!" 

So Norman buffered up to the back of the coaches, but Norman didn't know that Gordon was buffering up to the front of the train. 

(Bertie can be seen letting off passengers outside the station.)

The whistle sounded, but Gordon and Norman set off at the same time, so neither of them realized that there was another engine at the other end of the train. 

The Fat Controller noticed and rushed out. 

"Norman, uncouple! Uncouple!" 

But it was no use. 

Norman and Gordon were out of sight. 

Meanwhile, the Troublesome Trucks were giving Dennis a difficult time. 

"Hold back, hold back!" 

"Get a move on, will you?" grumbled Dennis. 

Dennis soon found that he needed a rest, so he pulled into a siding. It was on the Main Line and Dennis thought that he was clear of the Express in the siding, but he forgot about Norman's trucks also being coupled to the back of his own trucks, and some of them were still in the way. And because Dennis was not even scheduled to be in the siding, the Signalman didn't know there was danger ahead. 

Gordon was heading for trouble, and Norman was already in trouble. He quickly realized that he was being pulled along and the speed was too much for his wheels and motor. 

"GORDON! STOOOOP!" 

But Gordon was going too fast to hear properly. 

"EXPRESS COMING THROUGH!" 

Then there was trouble. As Gordon rounded the corner, he saw the trucks in his way. 

"NOT AGAIN!" he cried. 

Dennis gasped, remembering the trucks he was carrying for Norman. 

"NOOO!" 

Gordon applied his brakes as hard as he could! 

Gordon stopped just in time. He, Norman and Dennis were very relieved. 

"Phew, he's...stopped....at last!" gasped Norman. 

"Norman? Dennis? What have you been up to? You've delayed my Express!" fumed Gordon. 

Dennis and Norman felt very silly. 

Dennis had to push Norman as well as pull his heavy trucks to the Knapford platform, and by the time the muddle had been sorted out, Gordon and the Express were very late. 

The Fat Controller was very cross. 

"I hear you two have caused severe confusion and delay with the Express, and Norman now needs to have his motor repaired! I demand a good explanation!" 

Dennis and Norman explained everything. 

"I see," said the Fat Controller, "well, while you two, trying to be Really Useful, have caused serious delays and a near catastrophe, I want to make it clear that I am not sending either of you away! You are both my engines, and I don't ever want you to feel I will separate you again. I promise you two will always be together on my Railway!" 

Norman and Dennis were very happy. 

And after that day, they did everything they could to be Really Useful and not Really Silly!

(The End!!)