Wilhelmina's Wicked Rescue

**Wilhelmina's Wicked Rescue** is a special that premiered in April 4th, 2021.

It's the first special to feature Wilhelmina Witch as the main protagonist.

## Synopsis

When Ian Sweeney goes missing, it's up to Wilhelmina, Berrina, Lemillia, Puffilia, Hilda and their friend, Stepney the Bluebell Engine to help rescue him. Will they find Ian and save him, or will it be too late?

## Plot

From his castle, a black-hearted wizard named Crazax was watching Ian and Wilhelmina happily spending time together. He had feelings for Wilhelmina, but due to his spell backfiring on Wilhelmina, the girl of his dreams rejected him, and chose Ian instead, leaving the little wizard heartbroken. He then went rogue on Ian, and he vows to get rid of him and reclaim his love for Wilhelmina.

Meanwhile on the Island of Sodor, Ian and Wilhelmina were on the Little Western talking to Duck and Oliver about how wonderful it was, much to the Great Western tank engines' delight.

Later, Ian and Wilhelmina stroll through the countryside beside Thomas' Branch Line. They were enjoying the scenery. But while their backs were turned, someone sneaks up behind Ian, and knocks him out cold! Wilhelmina turns around, but notices that Ian had mysteriously disappeared. Worried, she rushes off to find help.

She finds James, Toby, Berrina, Lemillia and Puffilia at Knapford and tells them the news. This worries them dreadfully. James and Wilhelmina race down the Main Line to find Sir Topham Hatt, while the old tram engine warns the others.

James and Wilhelmina find the Fat Controller at Elsbridge, and they tell him about Ian's mysterious disappearance. So, they decide to hold a meeting at Tidmouth Sheds.

At the sheds, Thomas, Henry, Gordon, Duck, Donald, Douglas, Lemillia, Puffilia and Berrina all start talking about where Ian is, and who the kidnapper was.

The Fat Controller tells them that he sent Rusty the Little Diesel to call on an old friend to come back to the North Western Railway to help solve the mystery of the missing Ian.

On the Bluebell Railway, Stepney the Bluebell Engine was with Twig, Hilda and Alfur when Rusty tells them the emergency on Sodor.

Worried and puzzled, Stepney, Hilda, Twig and Alfur head off to Sodor, where they are greeted warmly by the engines and Sir Topham Hatt. And once he tells them about Ian missing, a search party begins, and they all search all around the island, while the Fat Controller looks after Twig.

The four witches look on Thomas' Branch Line, the Loop Line, and in the air. They didn't find Ian, but they wouldn't give up.

Soon, day changes into night. Stepney, the four witches, Hilda and Alfur search on an old track which Stepney knew. It was the track that led to the Smelter's Yard.

Once they arrived, everything looked spookier than Stepney last remembered. And despite feeling scared, the gang split up to search for Ian.

Stepney, Hilda, Alfur and Wilhelmina arrive at the Smelting Shed. Stepney didn't dare go in, but Hilda, Wilhelmina and Alfur carry on inside, where they are scared by the clanking chains and the strange shadows dancing across the walls, and the whoosh of sparks.

They soon find Ian tied up next to a piece of twisted scrap that Thomas and Percy saw a few Halloweens ago.

Ian explains that some kid with blue hair and a wizard's costume did it to him. And Wilhelmina knew who Ian was talking about: Crazax!

And right on cue, the villain emerges from the shadows. He explains that he captured Ian, so that he could be Wilhelmina's new love interest instead of Ian. But Wilhelmina refuses, declaring that she'll never replace Ian for him. Ian agrees, only to be slapped in the face by Crazax.

This was the last straw for Wilhelmina. Enraged, she decides to teach him a lesson. The two have a magic duel, while Hilda and Alfur free Ian.

Wilhelmina easily manages to defeat Crazax, and she, along with Hilda, Alfur and Ian, run out of the shed and back to Stepney and the others.

Later, when a fogbank came down, Stepney, Ian, Hilda, Alfur and the witches head down the old line. But then, Crazax (still tied up from Wilhelmina's magic) starts hopping after them. Stepney and the others race away, and a chase ensues.

They race down the track towards the Old Stone Bridge, which was beginning to collapse.

Stepney and the others race towards and manage to make it before the bridge finally gave way. Crazax, however, runs into the remains of the bridge. He remains unhurt, but he vowed revenge on Ian, Wilhelmina and Stepney.

The heroes were happy to have made their getaway, and head off to Stepney's Shed, where they are praised by the Fat Controller next morning. He explains to them that he has sent Crazax away in disgrace, as he, his actions and attitude are not welcome on his railway.

At Crovan's Gate Yards, all the engines (standard gauge and narrow gauge) congratulate Stepney, Hilda, Alfur and the witches for saving Ian. And the celebration ends with Ian, Alfur, Hilda and the witches singing about their adventure, with Stepney joining in afterwards.

And Ian happily hugs the witches and Hilda, much to Stepney and the engines' happiness.

## Characters

* Ian Sweeney
* Wilhemina Witch
* Thomas
* Edward (cameo)
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy (cameo)
* Toby
* Duck
* Donald and Douglas
* Oliver
* Berrina
* Puffilia
* Lemillia
* 'Arry and Bert (mentioned)
* Diesel (mentioned)
* Hilda
* Stepney
* Rusty
* Skarloey (cameo)
* Sir Handel (cameo)
* Twig
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Alfur
* Cranky (cameo)
* Crazax
* Chemillia (mentioned)
* Harold (mentioned)

## Songs

* Where, oh Where is Ian?
* Together

## Trivia

* This is the first special to feature Wilhelmina as the main protagonist.
* This is also the first Sodor Adventures special to feature Stepney the Bluebell Engine.
* This also marks the third appearance of Hilda in the Sodor Adventures.
* Near the end of the special, references to the second series episodes "Dirty Work" and "A Close Shave" are made.
* At one point of the special, a remix of Edward and Toby's themes can be heard.
* This is the first Sodor Adventures special to feature Narrow Gauge Engines. (This being Rusty, Skarloey and Sir Handel).
* The title of the special was originally gonna be called "The Great Witch Quest" but it was changed to "Wilhemina's Wicked Rescue" much later.
* A reference to the fifth series episode, "Stepney Gets Lost", is made when Stepney tells the four witches, Hilda and Alfur about nearly being scrapped by 'Arry and Bert.
* During the chase along the old track, Crazax shouts "Now, I'll get you!", and Hilda shouts "No, you won't! Because the love and trust you refuse to believe in will get the better of you!" back to him, to which Berrina ponders "Where have I heard that before?" This is a reference to Thomas and the Magic Railroad when Burnett Stone blows of Diesel 10's threat. Crazax also shouts "You can run, but you can't hide!", which is another reference to said film.
	+ Also, an adapted version of "The Chase" by Hummie Mann, adapted by Norramby Branch is heard throughout.
* During the end credits, an orchestral version of "The Post Train" and a 'Thomas & Friends' style version of the ending theme from Hilda is heard.
	+ This is also the first time a picture is used during the end credits instead of just black. (In this case, it features Stepney, Ian, Wilhelmina, Puffilia, Lemillia, Berrina, Alfur and Hilda.