The harvest took place that very afternoon. Every rat in Thorn Valley was
required to help. Isabella and her friend Michaela were filling their baskets
with blueberries and talking. "I heard you and Justin had it out again
this morning," Michaela said, smiling. Isabella rolled her
eyes."Honestly, Isabella. He's only the hottest guy in Thorn Valley."

Isabella groaned."I know he's hot. He knows it, too!" Michaela
laughed."So the truth comes out! You do like him!"

Isabella was horrified."What?!!"

Michaela looked at her."Lord, Iz, don't have a coronary. I'm joking!
But seriously," she added,"The way you get around him
sometimes....."

Isabella went back to her work, furious.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over her eyes and someone grabbed her from
behind."Reveal thy name!" a raspy voice hissed in her ear.

Isabella nearly had a heart attack. That voice! She knew it all to
well."Justin, you punk!" she yelled, and jabbed him with her elbow in
the ribs - hard! "OW!" Justin's voice cried. He released her and
doubled over in pain."Ohhhh..." he moaned.Isabella glared at
him."Well, you shouldn't have snuck up on me like that!" she
exclaimed. Justin groaned."I think you broke my ribs," he complained.
Then he picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off. He flashed his
winning smile at her."Guess we're even." Isabella had to
smile."Guess so." Justin looked at her for a minute. She was pretty
good-looking-beautiful, even-but there was just something about her that bugged
him. Maybe it was the fact that he couldn't use his usual tricks to win her
over. Isabella was staring at him."Justin.....are you ok?'", she
inquired. Justin managed a nod. Then he got an idea. He picked up a blueberry
and threw it at Isabella while her back was to him. She responded with
lightning reflexes, and soon Justin found himself covered in blue gook.
"Oooh, you'll get it for that!" he exploded, and tackled her to the
ground. Both of them were laughing hysterically. Suddenly they realized that
there faces were awfully close. Their lips had almost touched when a shadow
fell over them.

Justin leaped to his feet and helped Isabella up as well. "This is not
good." was all he could say, watching the shape in the sky.

A screeching noise came from above. Before anyone could take cover, a great
white hawk swooped down over the field. "Hit the deck!" screamed
Xander. Lita sprang into action, ordering Xander and Brutus to help the other
rats take cover. Brutus had just shoved Serena's daughter Jenny under a rock
when the hawk swept over him, lifting him off the ground. He had never been so
scared in his life. He shut his eyes and prepared to be eaten.

But he wasn't.

To Brutus' amazement, the hawk released him a few seconds later.A small
slash wound was the worst of his injuries.

Isabella ran to him."Brutus! Brutus! Are you all right?" she
asked, fearing that there would be no answer. He groaned. "Fine, I think.
I'm just a bit scratched up." She checked his arm. A minor slash wound was
the worst she saw. She wrapped it with a corn husk bandage, and then shoved him
to the ground as the hawk made its second swoop. This time it caught
Justin."Oh, my God!" she screamed. The look on Justin's face one of
fear. "Oh, man!" he groaned, as the hawk took him higher and
higher."Oh, man do I hate heights!"

The hawk flew around in a circle."What, no in-flight movie?"
Justin muttered. The hawk screeched back. Justin struggled. "Hey, just
making conversation!" He grunted, and suddenly the hawk released him and
he plummeted toward the ground.

When he landed, all he could think of was the pain. It felt like every bone
in his body was broken. Slowly, he lifted his head. Both legs were still
there......yep, all fingers accounted for.....then Justin noticed that the sleeve
of his tunic had been slashed through, and a small cut was bleeding all over
it.

When the hawk had left for good, Isabella discovered that there were
thirteen other hawk victims besides Justin and Brutus. She was too busy
disinfecting the wounds to notice anything else. But when she finally got a
chance to look over the records for the day, she noticed something strange. Not
only were all the victims male, but they all had the same type of wound-a slash
on the arm. And, she wondered, why didn't the hawk eat any of them? Not that
she wished for anyone to be hurt or worse, but it was definitely unusual for a
hawk to pick up fifteen rats and not eat one of them. She sighed, too tired to
think about it. What is going on here? She pressed her hands against her
temples and groaned. Soon she had fallen asleep on the open record book.

Meanwhile, Justin was making his usual rounds before he went to bed. His
last stop was at the Infirmary, where Isabella cared for the sick. He knocked
on the door. Twice. Nothing. He pushed the door open cautiously and still heard
nothing. He stepped into the room, and discovered Isabella asleep on top of an
open book. He watched her for a minute. Her hair had come out of its usual bun
at the nape of her neck, and was now loose and flowing. Funny, Justin thought
as he watched her. She looks almost peaceful this way. He didn't really want to
disturb her, but he had to know how the rest of the hawk victims were doing. He
tapped her shoulder gently. She sat up in a flash."Aaauugghhhh!" she
cried.

Justin backed up in a hurry."Whoa, sorry."

Isabella relaxed a little."Oh, it's you." she said, sounding
relieved."Can I help you?"

"Yes," Justin answered."How are the other hawk victims
doing?"

"Oh, they're all fine." She yawned."No complications. All
have the same type of wound." Isabella showed him the record
book."See? This thing picked up fifteen male rats and didn't eat or do
serious damage to any of them! I don't know about you, but that is definitely a
ten on the Weirdometer."

Justin agreed."Beyond a shadow of a doubt. Who are the victims?"
Isabella consulted the book."Let's see. There's you, Brutus, Terrence,
Isaac, Kevin, Stephen, Jake, Arthur, Joseph, Cal, Will, Eric, Cory, Matt, and
Dylan." She drew in a deep breath. "That's it." Justin
sighed."This has been one weird day. I hope things go back to normal by
tomorrow."

"This is only the beginning," Isabella said suddenly. She wasn't
sure where the thought had come from, it had just popped into her head.

Justin gave her a weird look."What?"

Isabella shook her head suddenly."Oh...nothing. I don't know why I said
that."

The next day was a hectic one. In addition to all of his usual duties,
Justin also had to help prepare for the mice's arrival. Luckily he had help,
but things got hairy while Paul, Serena's son, and another rat named Isaac (who
was Sullivan's brother) were putting grain in crates. Justin wasn't sure what
happened, but while his back was turned, a fight started. Now, Isaac wasn't the
most stable guy to begin with. He had been angry as anything when his brother
died, but he had never said a word about it...until now. Almost out of nowhere,
Isaac grabbed Paul by the shoulders suddenly, causing him to drop a load of
grain."Son of Jenner, you must die!" he shouted. Paul looked confused
and, although he did his best to conceal it, afraid.

Isaac pushed Paul into a stack of crates, which nearly fell on
him."What are you doing, man?!" Paul shouted.

Isaac wasn't listening."You've got a lot of your father in you, don't
you?" he said, a malicious smile crossing his face.

Paul's face hardened."Maybe."

The rat looked furious."Your father," he said slowly,"Was a
murderer. He murdered my brother. And then, being the true coward her was, died
himself. And for the deaths of Nicodemus and Sullivan," Isaac
continued,"No one was punished, because there was no one left. But there
is someone! YOU!" Isaac drew his sword and ran at Paul."Isaac! No!
Stop!" Paul cried. He ducked as the sword nearly took his head off.
"Isaac, I'm not my father!" he shouted."Don't you think I've
suffered too? I lost my father!" Isaac glared at him. "You should be
ashamed to look like Jenner," he sneered.
This pushed Paul over the edge.

"I AM NOT ASHAMED TO LOOK LIKE MY FATHER!" shouted Paul."I'm
not ashamed to be like him! Okay? Happy now? But I AM NOT MY FATHER!"
Isaac's eyes glowed a bright aqua. He charged at Paul again. This time, Isaac
struck Paul with such force that he went flying and hit the ground,
unconscious, as a small trickle of blood ran down his neck. Isaac stood over
him, ready to bring the sword down on Paul's head. The sword was just making
its descent to kill the son of Jenner when Justin stepped in the way.
"Isaac! Stop this at once!" he ordered. Isaac growled and
said,"Get out of my way! The boy deserves to die! The murders of Nicodemus
and my brother have gone unpunished!" He brought the sword down a final
time."An eye for an eye!" he screamed, cold hatred burning in his
eyes.

Justin was frozen with fear, but not for long. Not when he saw the figure
that was slowly creeping up on Isaac. WHACK! went a sound behind the deranged
rat. Then he dropped the sword. His eyes rolled up in his head, and he crumpled
to the ground. Isabella stood behind him, holding a shovel."Is
he....?" Justin couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence. He hoped
Isaac wasn't dead.

"He'll be fine." Isabella told him."What about you?"

"I'm okay." Justin told her. But I'm not sure about him," he
said, pointing to Paul. Isabella rushed to his side, and checked his pulse and
made sure he was breathing. "Well?" Justin inquired tentatively.

"He's fine too, thank God. Although I think he's got a slight
concussion. No permanent damage." Isabella looked at Justin."Help me
get these two down to the Infirmary." Justin nodded. He was about to help
Isabella when another rat rushed in."Justin! The Brisbys and Mr. Ages have
arrived!" Justin smacked his forehead. Oh, great! He quickly sprang into
action."Fine. I'll go out to greet them. You," he said, pointing to
the rat,"Help her get these two to the Infirmary. Well, why are you
standing there? Move it!"

The rat moved it. Between them, he and Isabella managed to support both Paul
and Isaac, and they left in a hurry. Justin raced outside to meet the mice.

Jeremy the crow was just landing in the field when Justin arrived outside.
Also waiting were all of the other rats, except for Isabella and her patients,
of course. Martin Brisby leaped off first, and was followed by Timothy and
Cynthia. Justin offered his hand to help Teresa off the crow, and she went join
her siblings. Then came Mrs. Brisby. She looked exactly as Justin remembered
her. Blue eyes, grey-brown fur, and same tattered red cape. He smiled at her.
"Welcome to Thorn Valley," was all he could say. Then he had to
introduce the other rats. Serena and Mrs. Brisby hit it off right away. They
had a lot in common, namely, both widows and with children. Mrs. Brisby was
very surprised to hear that Jenner had been married."Unfortunately,"
Justin broke into the conversation,"Not all of Serena's family is here
now." He gave Serena a significant look."Paul's in the Infirmary.
Isabella is with him."

Mr. Ages, who had slid off the crow unnoticed, spoke up now."I suppose
I'd better go with you, my dear," he said, referring to Serena."I
want to make sure that girl is doing her job properly." Serena nodded her
approval, and the two of them set off.

After they had gone, Justin introduced Lita, who was standing beside
him."This is our Captain of the Guard, Lita." Lita shook Mrs.
Brisby's hand."Pleased to meet ya."

Mrs. Brisby smiled."Likewise." Justin turned to Terrence."And
this is Terrence," he told her. He introduced a few other rats and asked
Lita to show the Brisbys to their rooms.

Once the Brisbys had been settled, Justin made a trip back to the Infirmary.
He found Paul lying on a cot, his head bandaged and Isabella pressing a cold
compress to his face. Serena held her son's hand, and Mr. Ages and Jenevieve
looked on. All of them looked up when Justin entered."How's Paul
doing?" he asked. Isabella looked down at him."Still unconscious, but
he'll come out of it soon. As for Isaac, well, I think I did more of a number
on him than I thought. He's in a coma. His friend Arthur is taking care of him."
Justin nodded. Just then Paul stirred, and opened his eyes. He sat up right
away. Serena pushed him back down gently."Rest, my son." Paul
groaned."Mom, do you know.........?" Serena nodded."Yes, my
son," Her eyes took on a sad look."I know."

"I don't know why he did that," Paul said, as Isabella crossed the
room to get something."He just came at me, ranting and raving." He
sighed."And the worst part is, everything he said was true."

Serena looked surprised. Paul scowled."Come on, Mom. Isaac was right.
Dad was a murderer. He was a bad person. And to think this is the same guy who
gave me life! The same guy who saw me and Jenny take our first steps. The same
guy that raised us. The same guy that you married." he finished, his voice
breaking."Mom, the same guy."

Serena patted his hand."No, my son." she said softly."Not the
same person at all. The Jenner that killed Nicodemus and Sullivan was not the
same Jenner that raised you and your sister. That Jenner was not the Jenner
that I married. That," she told her son,"Was someone who had been
overcome with hate and anger. I am not saying that what Jenner did was right,
because it wasn't. But," she said, looking her son and daughter both in
the eye,"I am saying that you should never be ashamed to look like your
father or be related to him. What he did isn't your fault, and don't ever let
anyone blame you for it." Both Paul and Jenny looked at their
mother."I'm sorry, Mom. I guess...well, remember how Dad and I got into
that stupid argument the day he....died?" Serena nodded."I've always
been so angry at myself for that." he finished.. Serena nodded,and hugged
her son. She held him for a long time. Jenny looked at her mother, her piercing
green eyes full of admiration."He's still with us, Mom. You just have to
know where to look." Jenner's widow smiled tearfully at both of her
children, and Jenny joined the mother and son in their embrace. Isabella came
back with an extra gauze bandage just then. She came to stand beside Justin.
The two of them just watched as the family laughed and joked with each other.

Later that day, Justin and Mrs. Brisby took a walk together. Justin really
wasn't sure what to say to her now. Mrs. Brisby solved the problem for him by
chatting pleasantly about the weather and every other imaginable topic. Finally
Justin said,"You know, Mrs. Brisby, we're both avoiding the real
topic." Mrs. Brisby looked taken aback, then sighed."You're
right,"she said."The real topic is us." Justin nodded."I
know I felt....something for you when I met you. But," he said, holding up
a hand to silence Mrs. Brisby,"I.....I think it was, you know,
infatuation. I don't know how else to describe it." He looked at Mrs.
Brisby, to see her reaction. She looked shocked."That's exactly what I was
thinking," she said finally."Whatever it was, it wasn't love."
They looked at each other.

"Friends?" Justin offered, putting out his hand.

"Friends," Mrs. Brisby said firmly, putting her hand into his.

They shook.

Then they looked at each other and laughed. "Come on, let's get
back," Justin said to Mrs. Brisby,"Or they'll think we really are
more than friends!" The thought was too much for either of them and they
nearly collapsed with laughter.

"But before we do," Justin said,"I, for one, would like to do
some catching up. What's going with you, Mrs. Brisby?"

Mrs. Brisby smiled now."Call me Sheila. And not much, to answer your
question.Now, what's going on with you?" Sheila. The name was lovely,
Justin thought. Sheila.

Justin sighed."A lot. Being a leader is harder than I thought it would
be. I always knew that Nicodemus had it hard when people didn't like what he
was doing, but....." he sighed."A few of the rats don't really like
the way I run things. They're all great people, but they're really
narrow-minded."

Sheila looked at Justin."Narrow-minded how?"

Justin rolled his eyes."Where to start? Well, not so much narrow-minded
as sexist. A lot of people had a problem when I appointed Lita as the new
Captain of the Guard. But she was more qualified for the job than all the other
male guards put together. They got over that, though. Then we elected a whole
new council, since the old one was basically doing a lousy job." He smiled
now."I appointed Serena as the new Head of the Council. She's a fair
person. I knew she'd let everyone have their say. In fact, she was on the old
council. If Jenner hadn't decided to help you that day, she would have.
And," he added,"She's also my unofficial chief advisor. I even asked
her to lead instead of me, but she wouldn't hear of it. A lot of rats didn't
like the fact that I think females can do these jobs."

Sheila raised her eyebrows."Serena must have been a fair person if she
was married to Jenner," she remarked. Instantly she felt terrible."I
didn't mean it like that."

But Justin only laughed."I know what you meant, Sheila. I often thought
that myself."

Sheila was curious now."Did they fight often?"

Justin stopped laughing."He never hit her, if that's what you mean. He
wouldn't have dared."

The mouse looked embarrassed."I'm sorry. He just struck me as that kind
of person."

Justin sighed."I know. Me, too. But whatever else he was, Jenner was a
good father and a good husband. He loved Serena. It was a blow to her when
he...did what he did."

Sheila sighed, too."I know what that's like. You think you know
someone, then they turn around and give you the shock of your life." Now
her blue eyes took on a mischievous look."What about you? Any wedding
plans for you?"

Justin sputter-laughed."No. I don't even have a girlfriend right
now."

Mrs. Brisby grinned at him."I'm sure that'll change."

When they got back, it was nearly sunset. Mrs. Brisby went to check on her
kids, so Justin decided to spend maybe the only free time he'd had in awhile by
the pond, one of his favorite places. The pond was surrounded by beautiful
flowers, and a few tree saplings. The pond itself was clear and unpolluted, and
some frogs and a few fish lived there, but none were present that day. Justin
leaned over one of the rocks jutting over the pond and stared into the water.
Then he saw another reflection in the water. He looked up. Isabella! She smiled
at him."Back from your walk?" she inquired. Justin looked at her for
a second."I'm here, aren't I?"

"Well, I could see that," Isabella snapped."What I meant was,
how was your walk? Did you and Mrs. Brisby have a good time?"

Justin looked at her strangely."Yes, we did." he said carefully,
not sure where this was headed.

"You know," Isabella told him,"There's a rumor going around
that you two are.....more than friends. That you've, you know, kissed."

Justin was shocked."What? Of course not! Where did you hear that?"

Isabella waved her hand in the air."It's only a rumor."

Justin glared at her."Well, I think that some people have no
lives," he growled,"And that anyone would be pretty stupid to make up
something like that! Kiss the widow of one of my best friends? And you,"
he said,"would have to be pretty stupid to believe it!"

Isabella looked taken aback, but she recovered quickly."Who says I
believe it? And anyway, Justin, it isn't so impossible. You do hit on every
female you see! Every girl in Thorn Valley is in love with you!"

Now a slow smile creeped across Justin's mouth."Except you, right
Izzy?"

She glared at him."Oooh.....I could hit-"she started to yell, but
she never finished her sentence.

That was because she realized just then that their faces were within inches
of each other. She and Justin found themselves lost in each other's eyes.
Before either of them knew it, their lips had touched.

When the kiss ended, they could only stare at each
other."Wow," Justin said at last."Yeah,"Isabella
agreed."Wow." Isabella looked at him now."I don't know about
you, but...this is too weird. I need to think about this."

Justin agreed."Me, too. But," he said, grinning at her,"I did
enjoy it."

Isabella had to grin back."Me,too," she said, and was surprised to
realize that she truly meant it.

"Well, I'd better go check on Isaac and Paul." she said
quickly."I'd better go." And off she went. Justin stared after her,
then looked back into the water. The stars were just beginning to appear in the
sky, but Justin didn't feel like going in just yet. He knew he'd have to talk
about what happened eventually. But right now he wasn't sure what he felt. He
was incredibly confused. He stared up into the sky."Nicodemus, what am I
going to do?" he yelled. "What?" He sighed and touched the
Stone, which hung around his neck.It started to flicker, on and off like a
light bulb He sighed again and stared at his reflection. Then he noticed
another reflection in the water."Isabella,I-"

But he didn't finish his sentence.

Because it wasn't Isabella.

Standing before him, on the other side of the small pond, was the most
beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had white fur, and aqua-blue eyes. Her
hair was loose and flowed down her back like a white waterfall. She wore an
aqua robe that matched her eyes, and a small crystal hung about her neck. She
was looking right at him. He slowly rose to his feet, still staring back at
her. She was positively ethereal. "Hello," Justin said, already
smitten. The girl looked frightened and backed up a few steps."No, no, I
won't hurt you." Justin assured her. For some reason, he didn't want her
to leave."Please, tell me your name."

The girl-rat smiled at him. "My name," she said in a soft,
whispery voice that matched her looks,"Is Rhiannon."

"Rhiannon." Justin repeated."That is the most beautiful name
I've ever heard......maybe because you're the most beautiful girl I've ever
seen."

Rhiannon looked to the ground."And now," she said,"You must
tell me your name."

Justin told her, then inquired where she had come from. Rhiannon told him
that she,too, had come from Nimh, and that she had only recently escaped.
Justin, of course, invited her back with him. She accepted the offer. Justin
seemed hypnotized by the beautiful rat's aqua eyes and ethereal nature. She had
an aura of magic around her, and Justin found that very appealing.

When he arrived back at the colony with Rhiannon, Brutus and Xander had just
taken their posts. Justin greeted his friends and introduced Rhiannon. Brutus,
too, fell under Rhiannon's spell. "So....." Xander said, trying to
make conversation,"You're from Nimh, too?" Justin and Brutus glared
at him."Of course she is." Justin said indignantly."Are you
accusing her of lying?" Brutus said sharply. Xander took a few steps
back."Whoa, sorry. Just tryin' to make conversation." Justin led the
girl past the guards and to a room of her own."We are pleased to have you here,"
Justin told Rhiannon."And I," Rhiannon said, fluttering her eyelashes
at him,"Am pleased to be here." She smiled charmingly and closed the
door.

After the door had closed, Rhiannon burst into hysterical laughter. Tears of
laughter rolled down her cheeks as she collapsed on the bed. This is too easy,
she thought. NIMH didn't know what they had created when they gave those
injections! But they'll pay! Rhiannon's group of rats had been seperate from
Nicodemus' group, and they had been given stronger injections. Those injections
had left Rhiannon's group with superior mental abitlities, and even strong
magical abilites.Unfortunatley, it also made them evil. The group had planned
to escape using their powers, then kill Dr. Shultz, who was in charge of the experiment.
Jenner had overheard them making these plans. When the day came, Rhiannon and
her group almost carried out their plan. But then a strange thing happened.
Jenner, with the help of Nicodemus, Jonathan Brisby and Sullivan, had stopped
them using a red Stone that they had together created, thus keeping Rhiannon's
group from escaping. When they finally did escape, (without killing the doctor,
and without using their powers) Rhiannon had cursed the heroes all with a
violent death. But for Jenner, she had a worse punishment for him. She cursed
him with madness and a violent death. And we all know how that turned out. Now,
though, she wanted to kill Jenner's family, as well as get the Stone back. She
wanted it to use it to give her comrades back their powers. She had the bulk of
her magic taken away, and she wanted it back. Nicodemus, however, had known
that Rhiannon might one day escape, so he fixed the Stone so that only one with
a courageous heart could use it. And that meant that she had to find someone
who could. Like Justin. If he gave up the Stone willingly, then she could get
her comrades' powers back. Of course, she had turned herself into a hawk and
cut all those rats. It won't be long now before they are completely under my
control, she thought, smiling evilly to herself. So Justin, you thought Jenner
was bad? You ain't seen nothin' yet!

Isabella, of course, was in the Infirmary. Isaac hadn't come out of his coma
yet, but Ages was sure he would soon. Paul was recovering in his own room now.
Isaac groaned in his bed, then sat up rather suddenly. Isabella gently pushed
him back down. His eyes popped open, and they glowed -literally glowed- a
bright aqua. He closed them a few minutes later. Isabella was shaking. This
isn't normal, she thought. I know Nimh did some weird things to us, but I've
never seen anything like this! She wondered what on Earth had brought all this
on. The door opened, and Michaela strolled in."Hey, Iz," she greeted
her friend. "You aren't going to believe this!" Michaela filled Isabella
in about the mysterious girl that had come back with Justin."You should
have been there, Isabella." Michaela finished."Anyone could see he
was totally smitten over her." That hit Isabella like a
hammer."What?"

Michaela stared at her."Isabella, are you all right? You look
sick!"

Isabella looked up."Huh? Oh, no, I'm fine...I've just been working too
hard, that's all."

Michaela shook her head."No, you aren't. Isabella, you are my best
friend. I know you. You can tell me anything. Now what is it?"

Isabella groaned."Why do you have to be so annoyingly logical,
Mike?"

Michaela shrugged. "That's what friends are for."

Isabella told Michaela all about what had happened between her and Justin.
Michaela's mouth hung wide open."Oh, God, Isabella! He kissed you? Oh,
wow! And to have him come back with another girl!" Isabella nodded
miserably."Well, it's time to get some sleep," Mike told her
friend."I'm sure we'll find out about this mystery girl tomorrow."
The doctor-in-training buried her face in her hands."I know all I need to
know," she muttered.

Mike watched her friend carefully."No," she told Isabella,"I
don't think you do."

The next morning at breakfast, Justin introduced Rhiannon to the other rats.
They seemed to like her, at least most of the males did. But when she was
introduced to Serena, Jenner's widow didn't seem to trust Rhiannon at all. She
only nodded politely to the girl, never losing control of her queenly dignity.
This was strange because Serena was generally inclined to think the best of
everyone, but she regarded Rhiannon with an air of suspicion. Rhiannon returned
the courtesy, but she obviously didn't think too highly of Serena, either.
Justin didn't notice any of this. He only had eyes for Rhiannon, it seemed.
Isabella felt like she'd been run through with a sword. But she managed to keep
herself composed when she was introduced to Rhiannon. Rhiannon didn't seem to
like her very much at all. Mrs. Brisby muttered a polite hello, while Mr. Ages
managed to choke out his usual curt greeting.

"You have many that follow you," Rhiannon said, smiling at
Justin."You are the leader?"

Justin nodded."Sure am." Then they kissed passionately. In front
of everyone. In front of Isabella.

A gasp went up from the crowd as Isabella pushed her way back, fighting
tears. Rhiannon watched her, a cruel smile forming on her lips. Causing trouble
is so much fun, she thought.

When she got into her private quarters,. she threw herself on her bed, but
didn't cry. She was too angry. How could he do this to me? she thought. It was
as if Justin had been under a spell or something. It was like he'd totally
forgotten about the kiss. It probably meant nothing to him, she thought
bitterly. I hate him! A knock sounded on the door just then. "Go away!"
shouted Isabella. She really didn't want to see anyone right now.

"Isabella, are you okay?" It was Xander.

"Oh, it's you," Isabella sighed."Come in if you must."

Xander entered."I wanted to see if you were okay. You looked pretty
upset a minute ago."

Isabella assumed a sitting position on her bed."I was. Did anyone
see?"

The guard shifted."I could tell. Justin didn't notice, or if he did,
didn't give a flying bail of hay. But that Rhiannon girl saw you. She had this
weird smile on her face, like she enjoyed causing trouble."

The doctor-in-training laughed bitterly."She probably did." She
burst into tears." Well, I guess it doesn't matter now anyway. I can't go
back out there. No way."

Xander drew himself up tall."You sound like Mrs. Brisby. And she found
her courage too, eventually. Besides," he added,"Serena made me
promise to see if you were okay. I don't think she likes Rhiannon too much
either. And if Serena doesn't like someone, they've got to be evil."

Isabella laughed again, this time genuinely."All right, Xander. I'm
okay." She brushed her tears away." I just need to be alone for
awhile."

Xander nodded and backed out of the room."All right. You just call if
you need anything. A shoulder to cry on. An ear to listen. A neck to strangle.
Just call me."

Now Isabella was laughing through her tears."Bring me Rhiannon's or
Justin's. On the double."

That made Xander laugh, too."Right away, sir." he said, saluting
Isabella as he left.

Serena and Mrs. Brisby were sitting in Serena's private quarters, conversing
about their late husbands. "I remember Jonathan," Serena remarked, a
faint smile crossing her face."When he would come to the council meetings,
he would tell us all about his children. You couldn't get him to stop!" She
laughed, Mrs. Brisby with her. "Jenner was like that too, in his
way." Serena continued."He really wasn't very affectionate with the
children, but he was always proud of them. I don't think they ever knew that.
Jenny was very close to him, but Paul..." She sighed. Mrs. Brisby spoke up
just now,"I met Paul a little while ago. He looks just like his
father."

Serena grinned."He does, doesn't he?" She paused, trying to
remember something."My son never got along well with Jenner. Paul was just
too independent and incapable of taking anything seriously. I remember their
screaming fights. They'd had one just before the move."

Mrs. Brisby rolled her eyes."I've got one like that myself. His name is
Martin. And he's always there to remind me of Jonathan."

Serena raised her eyebrows."And how does he remind you of
Jonathan?"

Mrs. Brisby winked conspiratorially."Well, he's got Jonathan's ears,
and he thinks he's never wrong!"

The two women laughed.

"How did you find out about Jonathan's death?" Serena asked.

Mrs. Brisby looked sad all of a sudden."I didn't know until Nicodemus
told me. But I knew, deep inside, that he wasn't coming home."

Serena patted the mouse's shoulder."I know how you feel. When the
others came back from the move to tell us about NIMH coming, I didn't see
Jenner and I asked Justin where he was.....poor Justin! He had to break the
news to me. I'd had a headache all day, but right then it got so bad I
collapsed. I'd never done anything like that before."

Mrs. Brisby nodded."When I found out, I put everything that reminded me
of Jonathan in a little box. He hadn't left much," she said, smiling at
the memory,"But I still can't look at it."

Now Serena crossed the room and went over to a shelf where a small trunk
sat, along with several books. She carried it to where she and Mrs. Brisby were
sitting. "This is where I shoved everything that reminded me of Jenner. I
think," she said, taking a deep breath."It's time to open it."

Mrs. Brisby put her hand on Serena's shoulder. "Go on, then."

Serena took another shuddery breath. Then she slowly opened the trunk lid.
She reached inside, and carefully lifted out A large rectangular piece of
black-and-red cloth."Jenner's cape." she explained to Mrs.
Brisby."I made that for him." The cape was dusty now, and Serena folded
it back up and placed it next to the trunk. She reached inside again and pulled
out a few other little keepsakes, like Jenny's sketch of her father that she'd
made him for his birthday, that kind of thing. Finally she pulled out something
wrapped in a handkerchief. She gasped, then slowly unfolded the handkerchief.
Serena lifted out a small silver pendant set with a blue stone. "Jenner
gave this to me the day we were married...sort of like a wedding ring."
She studied the inscription on the back"When this you see remember
me," she read. Her eyes clouded."I always will, Jenner," she
whispered."I always will." She slipped the pendant around her
neck.Then she shook her head, trying to snap out of it. Abruptly, she began
putting the things back into the trunk, Mrs. Brisby looking on.

"It just goes to show," Mrs. Brisby told Serena,"Real love
never dies."

Later that day, Justin and Rhiannon were walking through the fields,
talking. Justin found that he couldn't get enough of her. They stopped next to
the pond. Justin kept feeling like there was something he should remember about
this place, but he couldn't remember what. It would have bothered him except
that Rhiannon kept him distracted from remembering much of anything.
"Where did you get that?" she asked, pointing to the Stone.

Justin's hand flew to the amulet around his neck."Oh....a friend gave
it to me."

Rhiannon's eyebrows went up."It looks like it would have magical
powers."
Justin was startled. How did she know that?

"I could sense it right away," Rhiannon informed him, blinking
innocently."I have a few magical abilities."

"Oh?" Justin smiled."Like what?"

The girl paused."Oh....little things like making objects float around
and lightening shooting from my hands....that sort of thing."

Justin nodded."I see," he said, but all he saw was Rhiannon's
beautiful eyes. She looked up at him through her lashes and asked,"Justin,
do you think they liked me? The other rats, I mean?"

"Of course they do," Justin responded soothingly."They'd be
crazy not to."

Rhiannon's face took on a pouty look."I don't think that Serena woman
liked me very much."

Justin tipped her chin up."Don't worry about it. I'll talk to her for
you."

They kissed.

"Now, about that stone," Rhiannon purred."I don't suppose
you'd consider giving it to me?"

Justin was about to say yes, but something inside him told him not to. All
he said was,"Maybe."

Serena, while walking through the fields after her talk with Mrs. Brisby,
heard everything. She knelt down next to the herb garden and began filling her
basket with the plants. She heard Justin tell Rhiannon that he had some
business to attend to, and Rhiannon responded that that was fine, she'd just
continue their walk. With that, Justin left. Serena's back was to the
mysterious girl, and she didn't see the figure creeping up on her until it was
too late.

The dark shadow had picked up an axe lying nearby and was slowly coming
toward the widow of Jenner. She raised the axe in a battle position, and
prepared to swing.

Jenner's voice screamed in Serena's ears, Watch out!

Suddenly, a huge gust of wind blew the axe out of the figure's hands and
into the trunk of a nearby tree sapling - directly in front of Serena.

Serena looked up, startled."Rhiannon!"

Rhiannon looked startled, too."Yes....hello, ah, Sarah, was it?"

"Serena," the blue-eyed rat corrected her. "Hello to you,
too." She continued picking herbs.

Justin jogged up to them a minute later."Hi, Rhi," he greeted
Rhiannon."Hello, Serena."

Serena looked up again."Greetings, Justin. Strange things are happening
here."

Justin and Rhiannon, who had just hopped into each other's arms, looked at
her. "Strange things?" Justin inquired, gazing at Rhiannon."Yes.
Unless you consider axes flying through midair all by themselves normal,"
was Serena's quick reply.

Justin looked irked all of a sudden."I don't like what you're implying,
Serena," he snapped.

"Ah, yes, my Justin, but it does not matter what you like or do not
like. Things are not always what they seem." was Serena's response.

Justin's face muscles tightened."I see. Good day, Serena."

With that, he and Rhiannon left.

Isabella had now given up crying and was pacing around the Infirmary. She
was mostly watching over Isaac, who still hadn't come out of his coma, and she
was also thinking. Serena glided in just then with Xander in tow."Hello,
Izzy girl." Serena greeted the doctor-in-training.

Isabella grinned. From anyone else that nickname would sound like an insult,
but not from Serena."Hi, Serena. Hi Xander. What's up?"

Xander rolled his eyes."What isn't? I think Rhiannon tried to kill
Serena!"

Isabella dropped the stack of neatly folded bandages on the floor in
shock."What?! Serena, are you okay?"

She began picking up the bandages and throwing them back in their box.
Serena nodded."I am fine, Izzy girl. But if Jenner had not been there, I
would not have been so lucky."

Now Xander and Isabella just stared at the wise rat."Excuse me?"
Xander asked.

"Jenner was there. Or at least his spirit was," Serena explained,
as though that were something everyone should know."He called to me, so I
was prepared. But then he blew the axe out of her hands and past me."

"I'll bet lover boy Justin thinks his sweet little angel could never do
anything like that," Isabella said with a scowl.

Xander nodded in agreement."He's not the only one. Do you know I had to
break up a fight today between Cal and Brutus?" He groaned."I don't
think I need to tell you what it was about. And when I tried to tell Justin
that I didn't quite trust her, he came this close-" Xander placed his
thumb and index finger an eighth of an inch from one another,"-to punching
me out." He shook his head."Cupid sure is claiming his own
today."
Serena nodded."That is so. But somehow I do not think that this is Cupid
that we are dealing with."

"Definitely not," Isabella agreed."I just hate to see
Rhiannon playing him like a fiddle!"

"Fiddle, nothing," cracked Xander."She's playing the whole
orchestra! But," he added mischievously,"I thought you hated
him."

That made Isabella angry."I don't hate him! I never did! In
fact....." she trailed off, the realization in her mind becoming all too
clear."I....I love him. I love him!" She turned to face the calm face
of Serena and the shell-shocked face of Xander. "Do you hear me?
I...love...Justin!" Then she groaned."But then he'll come back from
his walk with Rhiannon and probably announce his engagement to her or something
and totally break my heart and I hate Justin!" she exploded.

Serena put her arm around the young rat."Tell me, Serena,"
Isabella said, looking the older rat in the eyes,"Is it possible to love
someone even if they hurt you?"

Serena nodded sagely, with complete understanding."Yes, my dear. It is
very possible."

Xander cleared his throat."Ah, well, that's great and all, but we have
a slight matter of murder attempt to look into, as much as I hate breaking up
this touching mood and all...."

Isabella seemed to snap out of it then."He's right. Hey, has anyone
noticed something?" She jumped up and crossed the room and got the record
book. Xander raised his eyebrows."I've noticed a lot of somethings,"
he said dryly."You'll have to be more specific."

"Well, in case you haven't noticed," Isabella continued, ignoring
Xander,"Most of the hawk attack victims are the ones going crazy right
now. Justin, Isaac, Brutus and Cal are the only ones so far." She
sighed."But that could be a coincidence."

A look of realization crossed the faces of Xander and Serena."It could
be," Serena said,"But it isn't likely."

"I think," Xander said,"That this is a pretty heavy
accusation we're making. And anyway," he continued,"We don't have any
proof that Rhiannon's behind all this." He paused for breath."And we
don't even know if Rhiannon has magical abilities."

"Oh, she does," Serena told the guard."I overheard her say
so."

Xander nodded."Okay, so she has magical abilities. That doesn't
necessarily mean that she transformed herself into a hawk and...." he
trailed off."Or does it?"

Isabella spoke up now."It might. If we caught her in the act, we'd know
for sure. But this whole thing is pretty weird. Maybe that's why Isaac went
psycho! After all, that was the day Rhiannon arrived!" she exclaimed
suddenly."And that's probably why all the victims are trying to 'protect'
her now. Either that," she said wryly,"Or they're just being typical
males."

Serena frowned."That could be what Jenner was warning me about in my
dream." She filled Isabella and Xander in on her dream."It's a
thought."

Isabella shook her head."It certainly is. All this makes so much sense
now....and that is strange because all of this is so crazy!"
That cracked Xander up."Think about it, Isabella. Has anything that's
happened in the last forty-eight hours been normal?"

"No," Serena said,"And it will get worse." These words
came just as Isaac sat up in bed again, and slowly pulled back the blanket and
got out of bed. Isabella went to him and tried to make him lay down again. He
growled and literally picked her up and threw her into a cart full of medical
supplies. Bandages, syringes, and other stuff rolled everywhere. Xander picked
up a broomstick and held it up as a weapon in front of Isaac."Stop, or we
shall do battle!" he cried. Isaac growled again and raised his fist, and
knocked the broom out of Xander's hands. He punched the guard squarely in the
face, push past him, and ran out the door, leaving the Infirmary a shambles.

Michaela stood outside, watching the twilight creeping in. It's beautiful
out here, she thought happily. Her thoughts were interrupted by a procession of
rats. Michaela quickly ducked behind a blackberry bush to watch. She saw
fifteen rats marching in the direction of the forest. Mike was surprised to see
that the group included Justin, Brutus, Isaac, and a whole bunch of others she
recognized as the hawk victims. And they all have glowing eyes! She began
shaking all over. Who can I tell? Who will believe me? she thought desperately.
She stood up suddenly, a look of determination crossing her face. She only
hoped Isabella was still in the Infirmary.

Back in the Infirmary, Serena and Isabella were helping Xander to his feet.
His nose was bleeding, and medical supplies were everywhere. The place was
trashed. "Are you okay?" Isabella asked him."Fine," he
responded with a weak smile."But what about you? You were the one who was
airborne for awhile, Iz." Isabella sighed."I know. And they say rats
weren't meant to fly. Come on, we've got to follow him!" They were just
heading out the door when Michaela burst in."Guys!" she exclaimed,
and filled them in on what she'd seen."Listen," Xander told her,
taking Mike by the shoulders,"Calm down, Mike. Now. I am putting you in
charge while Isabella, Serena and I go to see what the heck is going on here,
okay?" Michaela nodded."Good. Just tell us which way they went and
don't worry about a thing." Mike nodded again, somewhat convinced by
Xander's speech. She pointed out the direction and the group set off.