48. The Wrong Track

Ariel's branch is very important, and so is Ray-Ray's. But their ground and viaducts are not as strong as the ones on the main. King Triton does not allow seagulls like Scuttle to go on the branch. But one day, how Scuttle was speaking, he thought King Triton gave this order for some other reason. It isn't fair! complained Scuttle. What's not fair? asked Ray-Ray. Letting hedgehogs pull main loads! ''Don't worry, Scuttle. One day, Sonic could let you take his carts. Scuttle gasped. ''I won't take Sonic's smelly carts! I will not go on the branch! Why not? That would be nice. King Triton doesn't allow it!'' shouted Scuttle. Branches are stupid! Scuttle walked off. Ray-Ray laughed, and followed him to the junction. Every night, seagull and stingray would pull 2 fast loads from the junction. Scuttle goes first with some wagons from the main. Ray-Ray goes 5 seconds later with his load from the branch. Usually, everything is on time, but tonight was going to be trouble. A woman wearing a big red hat was saying goodbye to her friend. It was almost time for Scuttle to leave. The driver looked out the back, and saw that something red was waving. Right away! He thought a man was waving a flag. Scuttle began, leaving luggage, people, and the man all on the flatform. Everyone was shocked. To make matters even worse, when Scuttle came back, Ray-Ray was late with his load. So he went first. But the lightman didn't know about the change. He accidentally put Ray-Ray on the main. Scuttle went on the branch. He came cold and upset, in one of the sidings, at the dockside. Next day, Cloak and Dagger arrived at the yard. They had no carts to take, but weren't worried. Teasing Scuttle would be lots of fun. What is that? Cloak asked. Quiet. whispered Dagger. It's Scuttle. ''It's Scuttle's shape, but it's not Scuttle. Scuttle never goes on the branch. He thinks they're stupid.'' Scuttle wasn't listening. If it's not Scuttle, thought Dagger, it's a pile of metal. Which we have to take to the junkyard. ''No, fool. This is no good for junk. Let's take it to the dockside, and put it in the water.'' Scuttle was surprised. ''I AM Scuttle! OK? Stop!'' When Sonic finally arrived, Scuttle thought he looked handsome. Sonic, my dear hedgehog, help! Sonic looked at the situation, and wanted to take away the carts he brought for Cloak and Dagger. This got the black stingrays to behave. Scuttle thought it was great. ''Those silly stingrays! How did you do it? Aw, Sonic said, it's a secret.'' Scuttle still thinks that Sonic rescued him. But the stingrays were just being silly, isn't that right?''

by Julian Ayele Cumberbatch