Hugo Flies a Kite

**Hugo Flies a Kite** is an adaptation of *Hugo and the Airship*, and a mashup of both it and *Percy and the Kite*. It was originally published on June 28th, 2023.

## Plot

Hugo rushes by James pulling the local train, and is surprised to see a child holding a kite. Hugo expresses interest in flying a kite, but Murdoch scoffs engines can't do that. Hugo pulls into Knapford to see Henry introducing Frieda to Gwendolyn and her son Jake. The group were chatting about the Great Railway Show and how Gordon got damaged while saving Scotsman from Vinnie. Upon the assurance that Gordon will be out soon, Jake is excited get to the kite flying competition.

When Hugo got the Alsubrugh harbour, there was no wind. This meant it would be difficult for the kites to fly and for Skiff to give boat tours. Suddenly, Hugo's propellers accidentally blow Skiff forward. Hugo apologises, but Skiff found it really fun. He tells Hugo about how he can run on dry land on the rails with his wheels, but also run in the sea without them. The wind Hugo caused from his propellers gave Skiff the idea for him to use it on the kites. Hugo agreed and so did Sir Topham Hatt.

Hugo rushed over to the kite flyers and used his propellers. The kids all grin with delight as the kites flew into the sky. Hugo becomes excited when he saw Jake's kite, for the kite looked exactly like him. It was as if Hugo was flying after all. When the real wind picked up, Hugo was able to continue his jobs around the island. Unfortunately, one of the children cries out on shock.

Hugo meets up with Emily, and she jokes that Hugo had a nice flight. Hugo thinks Emily is referencing the fact they are at the airport, but Gladys isn't so sure. At Crovan's Gate, Peter Sam says Hugo had a flying entrance. Curious, Franz gets out of Hugo's cab and is surprised to see a kite dangling out of one of his open windows. Hugo and Franz quickly return the kite back to a grateful Jake. He wins first prize, and Jake gives credit to Hugo for giving him the idea to make the kite. Hugo blushes modestly.

Frieda was giving apologises to Rusty and Peter Sam for her rudeness in the previous story, and they also wonder about how Gordon's doing. Suddenly, the express engine finally comes out of the Steamworks. They are glad to see him, but Thomas - who comes up with trucks for the Steamworks - is close to tears. He asks Gordon not to scare the engines like that again, and he vows not to. Gordon also remarks he would never get streamlined again, and he wonders how Connor, Caitlin and Spencer put up with it.

Hugo and Frieda finally were loaded on the ship back to Germany. The engines whistled and tooted farewell, with Frieda saying that Henry should visit them in Germany one day. Henry isn't sure how he can keep such a promise, but Percy assures him that he can ask his driver to send letters to them.

When Frieda and Hugo finally got home, Frieda was raving to Marklin about the adventures she had on Sodor and in the UK. She thinks a Sudrian was brought back by mistake, but Hugo assures her otherwise.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Henry
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Emily
* Murdoch
* Gladys
* Peter Sam
* Rusty
* Cora
* Skiff
* Frieda
* Hugo
* Marklin
* Alice Percival
* Charles Hatt II
* Emily Hatt
* Gwendolyn Starkey
* Jake Starkey
* Franz
* Sean, Mick, Harry and Randolph (do not speak)
* Martha and Julian (do not speak)
* Ada, Jane and Mabel (do not speak; not named)
* Duck (mentioned)
* Donald and Douglas (mentioned)
* Oliver (mentioned)
* Ryan (mentioned)
* Daisy (mentioned)
* Spencer (mentioned)
* Connor (mentioned)
* Caitlin (mentioned)
* Vinnie (mentioned)
* Harold (mentioned)
* Sir Charles Topham Hatt (mentioned)

## Voice Cast

### Official

* John Hasler as Thomas
* Keith Wickham as Henry, Gordon and Franz
* Rob Rackstraw as James and Hugo
* Nigel Pilkington as Percy
* Teresa Gallagher as Emily
* Steven Kynman as Peter Sam
* Matt Wilkinson as Rusty
* Jamie Campbell Bower as Skiff

### Fan chosen

* Phil LaMarr as Murdoch
* Su Douglas as Gladys
* Sophie Reynolds as Cora
* Diane Kruger as Frieda
* Tabitha St. Germain as Marklin
* Shannon Chan-Kent as Alice Percival
* Tegwen Tucker as Emily Hatt
* Tara Strong as Charles Hatt II and Gwendolyn Starkey
* Jessica DiCicco as Jake Starkey

## Trivia

* This is a rewrite of *Hugo and the Airship* and *Percy and the Kite*.
	+ The reason Hugo and the Airship was one of the Brenner episodes chosen to be rewritten was because Railfanbronymedia deemed it to be boring. TobyandMavisforever suggested to mash it up with *Percy and the Kite* to make the episode more interesting.
* The palimony scene is based on the ending scene from *Kenji on the Rails Again*, with Henry replacing Thomas, Hugo replacing Hiro and Frieda replacing Kenji.

## Continuity

* Gordon's boxing match with Vinnie saving Scotsman is mentioned, as is Percy winning the shunting challenge and Henry helping Frieda, all are references to *The Great Railway Show*.
* Hugo's stay on the island is a nod to *A Tale of Two Railcars*.
* Frieda's change in behaviour is a nod to *Frieda on the Rails Again*.

## Links

* DeviantArt
* Fanfiction,Net (Chapter 8)