**Karma on the Tracks: Rosie vs. Thomas**

Prompt: Thomas The Tank Engine had been bullying Rosie all month long. Deciding to finally give him karma she challenges Thomas to a race to Sodor, Thomas arrogantly agrees. (Both characters are very smug in this story)

For an entire month, Thomas the Tank Engine had been reveling in his self-appointed role as the bully of Sodor. With his cheerful-blue paint and cheeky smile, he would zoom past Rosie, the bright pink engine, chuckling as he belittled her. “What are you doing, Rosie? Chugging along at a snail’s pace?” or “Hey Rosie, don’t you think it’s time you got a real job?” became his daily taunts. Each insult was worse than the last, filled with smugness that only grew as he prided himself on being the “fastest engine on Sodor.” Rosie was tired of it. She was not only tired of being the punchline of his jokes; she was also fed up with Thomas’s inflated ego. Every whirr of her wheels and puff of steam came with a touch of dread as she anticipated his latest remark. The month had turned the usually cheerful Rosie into a simmering cauldron of frustration and determination. It was time to do something. It was time to give Thomas a lesson he wouldn’t forget. One day, while they were both at Tidmouth Sheds, Rosie decided enough was enough. Thomas was boasting to the other engines about how he could easily outrun any of them when Rosie, feeling an unexpected surge of bravery, spoke up. “Why don’t we put that speed of yours to the test, Thomas? I challenge you to a race to Knapford Station!” Silence fell upon the shed as the other engines looked back and forth between the two. Smugly, Thomas glanced at Rosie, then burst into laughter. “You? Race me? You must be joking! You can’t possibly think you can beat me!” His whistles of mirth echoed throughout the yard, stirring up the leaves on the trees outside. But Rosie’s confidence shone like the sun breaking through the clouds. “I may not be as fast as your imagination makes you believe, Thomas, but I have something you don’t: determination.” With her pink paint gleaming in the sunlight, she added, “And I’m tired of your bullying. This race isn’t just about speed, but spirit.” The other engines began to murmur among themselves, intrigued. With a flick of her shiny boiler, Rosie continued, “If you’re so confident, why not prove it?” This caught Thomas off guard. He had never been one to back down from a challenge. “Fine! Just watch how easily I leave you in the dust. I’ll be at Knapford before you can say ‘fully loaded freight.’” His snarky grin returned, masking the flicker of doubt that had momentarily crossed his mind. The other engines gathered around, eager to see the showdown. They placed small bets, chanting, “Thomas! Thomas! He’ll win, of course!” But Rosie felt their support and grew even more resolute. She didn't need to be the favorite; she just needed to believe in herself. The following morning was bright and sunny. A fresh breeze swept through the valley, and the tracks glimmered under the rays of the sun. The starting whistle was blown, and in a heartbeat, both engines were off, puffing clouds of steam behind them. At first, Thomas shot ahead, his wheels spinning with reckless abandon. “See you at Knapford, Rosie!” he called over his shoulder, full of overconfidence. Rosie, initially lagging behind, grinned to herself. She knew that this race wasn’t about speed alone; it was about strategy, perseverance, and not letting Thomas’s smugness disrupt her flow. As they approached the first bend, Thomas felt a surge of satisfaction as he looked back to see Rosie still far behind. But as he rounded the turn, he caught sight of a fallen tree branch blocking part of the track up ahead. “Oh no! What a hassle!” he yelled, coming to an abrupt stop. He tried to reverse, but the branch was wedged too tightly. At that moment, Rosie entered the bend, and her eyes widened as she saw Thomas stuck. She didn’t give it a second thought; she reduced her speed, slowing down but not stopping. “Need a hand, Thomas?” she teased, just as smug as he had been all month. “Forget it! I’ll sort it out! You’re not catching me!” he shouted defiantly, but there was a crack in his bravado. Rosie didn’t waste time. With a deep puff and a determined whistle, she approached Thomas, knowing she had a choice to make. Ignoring his ego, she pulled alongside him, her wheels ready to act. “I’ll help you move the branch. We can work together, but I’ll still win this race,” Rosie declared. Thomas’s face took on a mix of surprise and irritation. “You don’t have to do that! Just go ahead and leave me!” he barked, his every confidently arrogant attitude now faltering. “Running away doesn’t make you faster,” she retorted, and within moments, the two engines worked in tandem, shifting the heavy branch until it was clear. As soon as the track was open, Rosie shot forward, her steam bursting with renewed energy. “Thanks for playing, Thomas! Guess I’m off to Knapford!” “Wait!” he called, still trying to regain his composure and his speed. But as Rosie sped away, leaving him in her shimmering dust, he realized that the tide of arrogance had turned. For just a heartbeat, Thomas understood the weight of his actions, how bullying someone can mean losing friends and respect. Determined not to let her win, Thomas pushed himself harder than ever. The track curved and twisted, but as they neared Knapford, Rosie reminisced about their entire rivalry. Her heart swelled with hope, and she found that the steely determination she had built up in the face of Thomas’s taunts had carried her through. Just as she approached the station, she could see it in the distance: Knapford Station, glimmering like a beacon of victory. The cheers of the other engines echoed as she crossed the finish line ahead of Thomas. In that moment, everything fell quiet. The engines erupted in applause as Rosie came to a stop, catching her breath. “Looks like karma caught up with you, Thomas,” she said, her voice gleaming with newfound pride, a soft smile breaking through the satisfaction. As Thomas chugged in, panting and flustered, he couldn’t hold on to his arrogance any longer. He took in the sight of Rosie, triumphant and radiant—not because she merely had won the race, but because she had stood up for herself and had transformed the game that Thomas thought he had been winning. “Well done, Rosie,” he finally admitted with a hint of humility. And although it would take time, from that day onward, Thomas learned that true speed comes not just from being the fastest engine, but also from showing respect for others—something he could do, starting now.