RAT RACE: A TRILOGY OF TROUBLE

By Dawn G. Griffiths

Justin is free — but now, he and his band face all of Jenner’s guard. And even the air rescue they arranged with Jeremy and his mate is rendered nearly useless, when Jenner’s flying mount, the hawk Shadow-Wing, contibutes to the battle.

The out-come is uncertain, for tho’ they fight bravely enough, they are out-numbered — and out-gunned.

[Suddenly, MRS. BRISBY’s face lights up as if she has heard something they did not. She looks in the direction of the two rivals last fight, her eyes wide, mouth open, whispering]:

Lost. W-We’ve ... lost. A-All’s ... lost ...

No, it’s not, my Chief! And neither are we!

:{obliviously; delirious}:

We ... We’re all ... gonna die — now. He’ll ... kill us ... all, ... h — he’ll k-kill me now. I — I’ve ... lost the — the Stone. I ... I’ve lost for us. Now, ... I lose ... for ... for me, ... too. I — I’m done for. It … It’s over. All over.

[Still on his back, he is silently weeping, tears flowing down his cheeks.]

:{angry, almost viciously}:

No, Justin! Stop it — we are not going to die — and neither are you! And the Stone is not lost either!

[As AURORA, GREGORY, and MR. AGES watch and listen in astonishment, MRS. BRISBY stands up in that direction with her arms raised, her paws in fists, her eyes pressed shut — as she shouts suddenly loudly]:

Heaven, give me the strength! Stone, come to me — now!

[JENNER, still fighting with his men, hears this and stops short, astonished]:

Stone!? <Gasp> The Amulet! (The little mouse-wife — she’s trying to summon the Stone!)

[Finishing up with JUSTIN, AURORA stares at MRS. BRISBY in astonishment, with her mouth and eyes wide, brow furrowing increduously. She moves on to ARNOLD, as MR. AGES works on him and ARTHUR begins to come to, rubbing his head as MR. AGES checks him and ARTHUR letting him, then resumes the fight.]

[Suddenly, there is a bright, gold flash some distance away, in the direction of that last fight, a flash so great, it cuts thru’ the overcast, starting to break it up so that little by little, sunlight appears. The blue sky appears as if the Amulet were a knife — cutting thru the clouds, which part like white curtains to reveal the blue sky.]

(She has done it! It will soon be mine — mine at last!)

[He dashes towards MRS. BRISBY.]

[In the midst of the dying flash is what looks like a falling star, sprouting fire — heading right for them all ... or, more specifically, towards the gallows scaffold, since she and her friends are — ]

[ — where MRS. BRISBY — who is so close to it — has scrambled up to its top beam.]

[MRS. BRISBY raises her paws to catch the comet — and it is the Amulet, all glorious and glowing, fiery and sparkling in its power.]

[JENNER follows her, reaches the bottem of the scarfold ... and mounts the platform to climb it, but the bearer of his intended target is aware of him.]

[Alarmed, MRS. BRISBY, holding the Stone over her head, aims it down at JENNER ... and a blast of bright, lazer-like fire (like a force field) erupts violently from the Stone with such force, it nearly knocks MRS. BRISBY down — as the bolt slams against JENNER, sending him tumbling backwards to roll over and over.]

[He finally comes to a stop from his roll, lying there on his stomach, stunned; he just stares, astonished and transfixed.]

[A few of the fights have died down to watch all of this while a few still are raging on. Several guards on both sides lay dying or already dead. Or wounded (with minor and major wounds).]

[SHADOW-WING sees MRS. BRISBY and dives at her, with JEREMY and BEATRICE following, but MRS. BRISBY sees the hawk.]

[Alarmed, she fires a force-bolt at SHADOW-WING, driving the hawk away ... as the two crows reel from the force and brightness of the bolt.]

[MRS. BRISBY shouts out again]:

Stone — hear me ... now! I command your assistance — help us ... now! Rid us of these villians and rebels — please!

[JENNER and his men all seem transfixed, all except for BRUTUS, ... who bolts — and makes for cover.]

[MRS. BRISBY gasps as if in great discomfort, as a blaze of fire seems to consume her … and lightning bolts lash out of the Amulet ... and seem to consume JENNER and his henchrats — in a blaze of blinding white light.]

[All of them shriek — as if in pain of death.]

Get down, people — watch out!

[Everyone drops to the ground in the storm of the Amulet’s lightning — ]

[ — that fades away quickly enough, leaving in place of JENNER and his men ... nothing — except blackened and burned, smoldering spots on the ground.]

[The fire around MRS. BRISBY fades away and she is still alive, clinging in exhaustion to the scaffold, trembling and panting ... as the Amulet falls back down around her neck.]

[AURORA finishes with ARNOLD and moves on to help JUDITH with her arm.]

[Dazed, JUSTIN watches her tend his mother, then COLBERT as BRIAN and ARTHUR finally come to.]

[With slow relevance, JUSTIN approaches MRS. BRISBY on her high perch.]

My God, … you — you did it, Mrs. Brisby. You did it again. You — You s-saved me, ... you saved the colony, ... you’ve saved us ... all — again. Thank you.

[MRS. BRISBY is about to say something to JUSTIN — when suddenly out of nowhere appears BRUTUS on SHADOW-WING, attacking from the direction of the sun, so that his approach is unseen — until it is too late!]

[MRS. BRISBY sees that SHADOW-WING’s advance is right for JUSTIN ... and points at the approaching hawk with a cry of terror]:

Justin, … look out!

[JUSTIN is half-turned to face his attackers, making an attempt to lunge out of the way — ]

[ — but they swoop down — and SHADOW-WING catches JUSTIN, the momentum of the dive causing the vicious bird to temporarily pin JUSTIN to the ground with a ground-shaking thud, making JUSTIN grunt from the impact.]

[The hawk starts to fly off with JUSTIN in his talons, the down-draft from his wings blowing everyones’ hair and clothes and whipping up dust.]

[BRUTUS laughs in vicious and evil triumph, shaking his recovered electro-spear.]

[JUSTIN screams in terror, writhing in SHADOW-WING’s talons which tear into his already torn, dirty tunic and into his body, his screams of terror laced with his cries of pain as the bird’s talons draw blood]:

[Everyone cries out in shock and horror, many calling out to JUSTIN.]

Brutus — on that monster!

I thought she got ‘em all!

[But even as the Healer speaks, MRS. BRISBY is already taking aim.]

Stone — the hawk!

[BRUTUS sees her and is about to blast her with his spear, but his bolt goes wild, narrowly missing MRS. BRISBY, when a bolt from the Amulet hits SHADOW-WING.]

[The hawk vanishes, letting out a screech that echoes horribly as he vanishes ... completely — ]

[ — but the two rats plummet to the ground, with JUSTIN squealing in terror.]

[In addition to MRS. BRISBY, several cry out to JUSTIN, but her cry is most heard]:

[MRS. BRISBY uses the Stone to levitate them together.]

[In the air, BRUTUS swings his electro-spear at JUSTIN, several times, making bolts leap wildly about in the air as JUSTIN desperately dodges them, sheilding himself with his arms, darting about in the air like they were birds themselves.]

[Then BRUTUS twists about in the air, thrusting himself towards JUSTIN, snaring him around the middle with his own legs — ]

[ — and holds the head of his jagged pike at JUSTIN’s heaving chest.]

[JUSTIN cries out in terror, paws on BRUTUS’ thighs, trying to push out of the larger rat’s strange grasp, staring up at him in horror, pleadingly.]

Oh — Oh, no! N-No-oo, … please — d-don’t!

[BRUTUS shouts down at MRS. BRISBY]:

You! Release me — or I’ll blast out his heart!

[JUSTIN cries out again in horror, head back, eyes closed, still writhing]:

[JUSTIN breaks off in terror. Paralyzed now in terror, he looks down over his shoulder to stare down at his friends with pleading eyes.]

[MRS. BRISBY returns his stare, seeing that this must be put to a stop]:

[Concentrating so that persperation forms on her brow, MRS. BRISBY uses the Amulet’s force field to force the two apart, enclosing both in seperate spheres of energy force.]

[Snarling, BRUTUS fires at JUSTIN (who cringes in mid-air, curled in a ball, his arms up over his face), but the inside surface of his force field bubble absorbs the bolts — ]

[ — and so spectacularly that the force bubble around BRUTUS seems to be consumed by his spear’s own blasts in spectacular flashes of fiery gold light — before finally dwindling away to nothing into the bubble at the point where the spear is aimed.]

[MRS. BRISBY gently sets both on the ground.]

[BRUTUS is still trapped inside an imprisoning force field as his spear floats out of his reach.]

[JUSTIN, of course, is finally free — and alive!]

[MRS. BRISBY runs up to him and embraces him. AURORA, JACKSON, JUDITH, and ARNOLD join her, followed by COLBERT, BRIAN, ARTHUR, WILLIS, MR. AGES, and GREGORY close behind to contribute their embraces.]

[JUSTIN gratefully receives the attention with trembling relief, weeping with grateful joy.]

[As this relieved reunion occurs, BRUTUS screams and snarls at them in enraged anger — as he almost breaks free of the Amulet’s force field in the process.]

[MRS. BRISBY has to reinforce it at once, all her attention back on the large rat.]

[BRUTUS snarls at JUSTIN angrily]:

You will release me! Release me! Get that woman to stop this!

[Everyone stares in repulsed astonishment — and JUSTIN leans over to MRS. BRISBY]:

JUSTIN:{softly}:

Whatever you’re doing, ... keep it up, my friend.

[MRS. BRISBY nods in answer, concentrating hard, her brown damp with perspiration.]

[JUSTIN and everyone else gathers around the prisoner.]

:{angrily}:

Brutus, ... you bastard! How could you!? After all we’ve all been thru’ together! I’m very disappointed that you would do this, … something almost human! I thought we were better than those — those barbarian torturers — who claim to be civilized! How could you!?

:{distainfully}:

I ... do not have to answer ... to you! You ... are not my master! You never were, even if you were of a rank higher than me, which I do not count as anything — and I ... do not care ... what ... you think of me! You ... are ... nothing ... to me — nothing! You ... are nothing — nothing at all!

JUSTIN:{undaunted}:

Uh, ... well then, be that as it may, ... I suppose we’ll just have to figure out what to do with you, ... huh?

[He points at the scaffold, darkly angry now]:

By all rights, I should have that gallows repaired ... and have you —

[Her mouth slowly falling open with horror, AURORA cries out at this]:

[Startled, JUSTIN breaks off and looks at her as she pauses]:

We are better than that. Remember?

<Sigh> Yes, Healer, ... you’re right, of course. We ... are better ... than that. I must never let myself think like that again. Help me, Healer. Help us all, to remember: yes, we are better than that. Help us to remember, ... especially ... should we ever have another killer among us: we mustn’t stoop to that one’s level ... again, even in thought.

[He touches her shoulder as he speaks.]

:{smiling}:

Of course, my Chief. I shall do my best; count on me. I shall make sure we don’t forget — ever.

[JUSTIN turns back to BRUTUS]:

Now that Jenner and his other flunkies are gone, you’ve no master to give you orders now. I suppose we can just send you away, right out of the valley in fact — which is appropreate, since my friends here were the ones who were supposed to be banished.

<Laugh> You ... are a fool not to finish me here! Let me go and I will do all I can to make things very messy for you ... and your friends. I have no love lost for you — any more ... than Jenner did. And as I said, you are not my master — and you are no longer ... my superior. You never were, not even when I was only your lieutenant back in the rosebush. You are nothing to me! You ... are ... nothing!

I know. You’re right — on all counts. Well, ... at least, the part about making things messy — and how you feel towards me. The feeling, I’ll let you know, is mutual. However I won’t stoop to murder ... like you and your friends did. It’s ... really ... bad, ... bad enough what had to happen — to your friends. It — really is ... But you’re wrong about the last thing. You are the one who is nothing — nothing, ... but a killer. The superior difference between us is, I think, in basic morality. And as I said, I will not stoop to murder. Not then. And certainly not now. Now then, get the hell out of my camp! And you leave that spear, too. I won’t let you remain armed after this. You get on out of here now — and don’t you ever come back! You hear me!?

[He glances up at MRS. BRISBY and the Amulet.]

Mrs. Brisby, you can stop now.

[MRS. BRISBY looks haggard with the strain of her exhaustion from the continual effort to keep BRUTUS at bay — but still manages a coherant response ... of doubt]:

This ... is not over, ... "captain". This is not over, ... not by a long way, a very long way. Just remember: I am no more your friend ... than Jenner — in truth, like him, I never was, either! In fact, ... as you must have seen from my King’s many followers — in addition to me — there were plenty ... who were not! Oh, yes!

:{alarmed}:

So remember this, my ex-Captain of the Guard, ... remember this, even if you remember nothing else today — you have not heard the last of this — or of me! This ... is only but the beginning ... for us, you ... and me. You are not safe just because Jenner is gone, just because all the rest of our colleagues are gone. Be sure, Wilson, ... do not think that I cannot find ... my own followers. And ... when I do, ... your time ... will end ... in very short notice! Soon, you will wish you had died today, because I am going to make you ... very sorry, Wilson, ... that you were ever even born! If you thought My King was an enemy to you, ... you have seen nothing yet!

[For very a long moment, JUSTIN, who fails to surpress a gulp, (and everyone else present) stares at BRUTUS, intimidated — ]

[ — then towards JUSTIN, waiting for his response.]

[JUSTIN scowls in disgust — and (hidden) fear]:

Yeah, right. Shut up and get outta here. Mrs. Brisby.

[She glances at him with deep uncertainty.]

... Are you sure?

Yeah. What else can we do? What would we do with him? Go ahead.

[MRS. BRISBY sighs — and lets down the force feild.]

[For a moment, BRUTUS stands there without moving, glaring at JUSTIN.]

Well? What’re you waiting for? Go on. Get outta here!

:{growling}:

If we were alone — without that Stone or its wielder to protect you, I would kill you right here and now — and don’t think I would not! I would slash you open — right here, if there were no one here to help you, wretched one. Be sure of that, Wilson. And know ... that I will return! And when I do, ... believe me, boy, you shall not last long. There is a time of reckoning between us fast approaching, ... my little "friend".

Yeah, yeah — get outta here.

[Throwing down his spear in disgust, BRUTUS turns away slowly ... and starts off, growling.]

[Everyone near him backs away from him as he passes.]

And don’t try to come back again either. I hate to threaten this, but if you do, you’ll be the one that won’t last long!

[AURORA gasps at this.]

Oh, Justin — !

[JUSTIN briefly addresses AURORA]:

I’m sorry, Healer, ... but I may have to. If he does try to come back — and if he intends to do harm, ... I’ll have to fight him. And if it comes to that ... it’ll be either me ... or him, ... if it’s blood — my blood — he’s after.

[From up ahead, they hear BRUTUS make a scornful sound, glancing back at them.]

I won’t fail everyone again. Please, ... try to understand ... that —

[Suddenly, BRUTUS whirls back to him, catching up his spear, and lunges while at JUSTIN while everyone cries out in shock and horror — ]

[ — as BRUTUS tries to run JUSTIN thru’!]

[JUSTIN leaps to one side, then lunges against BRUTUS, seizing the spear — and he tries to wrestle it from BRUTUS.]

[JUSTIN looses his footing, falling backwards — and BRUTUS lets go of his spear so that JUSTIN has no way to recover his balance.]

[As JUSTIN falls down, he looses his grip on the spear, which flies out of his grip — far from him.]

[BRUTUS leaps on him as JUSTIN manages to partially get to his feet, baring JUSTIN violently back to the ground — ]

[ — and his paws going around JUSTIN’s throat, starting to throttle him!]

BRUTUS:{snarling}:

So, you shall have me killed, eh? And you think you shall do it yourself? Now, ... where is all your fancy talk of moral superiority now, Wilson!? Where is your talk that you’re so much "better", ... eh?

[JUSTIN struggles desperately, thrashing and kicking, his paws around BRUTUS’ wrists, choking painfully. He tries to speak, but cannot; he only manages to gasp and choke.]

Now, ... I am going to break your neck ... and rip off your rotten head!

[AURORA (her fisted paws pressed to her cheeks) cries out in alarm]:

[BRUTUS glares towards MRS. BRISBY before she can move make a move with the Amulet, let alone activate it]:

[BRUTUS loosens his grip on JUSTIN’s throat so that JUSTIN can gasp for air, but still holds on to him, threateningly, ready to resume choking him — at a second’s notice.]

[JUSTIN lays gasping and coughing painfully, ... laying prone in fear, grasping BRUTUS’s wrists.]

[MRS. BRISBY hesitates, fearfully uncertain.]

[JACKSON and some of the larger males start at BRUTUS.]

Everyone, stay back! Or I will wring his wretched neck! My paws are just as good at it as that noose was — and they don’t break! Now stay back ... or he shall get ... the equivolent of a hanging on his back — from me! Now, ... stay back! I swear, … I will kill him!

[At this, JACKSON advances forward menacingly, gripping a short sword.]

:{growling; eyes narrowed}:

And just how do you expect to get out of this alive, Gideons? If you do kill him, it’ll come down to your death, too. You won’t be allowed to just walk away and get away with it! Justin gave you the chance to just walk away — and for his sparing you, ... you thank him — like this! Here, he could’ve ordered you dead, you rotten traitor, and you know it! You dare to harm my boy, you traitor, ... and I’ll kill you myself!

:{growling}:

So much, then, ... for everyone’s moral superiority — in this place! Isn’t that right, ... eh, ... Healer? Answering one death with another death, eh? <Laugh> Not very sporting or merciful, ... is it?

:{distastefully}:

I — I agree with that point, ... but you use it as a mockery! Besides, Jack just reminded you ... that Justin could have had you killed — but he decided not to! Doesn’t that mean anything to you?

Yes, it does. It means that your "Chief" is a weak fool — with a very poor sense of judgement.

:{flaringly}:

You brutal ass! Justin chose ... not ... to have you killed! He is practicing the mercy that you now choose to ignore — and the superiority that you claim to have, ... but obviously don’t!

But, ... if it were not for your weakling attitude infecting his decision, your so-called "Chief" would do it in an instant, ... right?

:{shocked}:

<Gasp> Why, ... that is not what I’m saying at all! You know what I —

BRUTUS:{cutting her off}:

Then none of us are all that different, eh? We all still have the "animal" in us. Honor and morals mean nothing ... to the so-called animals. Animals know not of moral superiority, ... do they?

Moral superiority, Mr. Gideons — and honor?

[AURORA confronts BRUTUS]:

While you’re on the subject, ... where is yours!? He has more than you, I’d say — and you’re not being very much better right now. He gave you a chance to live ... and you threw it away! Justin is not an "animal", not in your sense of the term. And neither are most of us, I dare say. Now, let Justin go. If you harm him, then you are no better than an animal yourself.

So what? I know. But this up-start is not going to get away with any of this. Since Jenner and the others ... are not here now, you will make me your Chief immediately — or else ... he ... dies!

[There is a long pause — as he readies himself to resume choking JUSTIN.]

:{whisper}:

<Gasp> No! God — no!

[JUSTIN tenses, ready to struggle, panting, paws on BRUTUS’s wrists; then]:

:{grimly}:

… That’ll be the day!

[Before BRUTUS can respond, AURORA leaps, lunging at him — and her paws close over his brow, a bolt of bio-electricity knocks BRUTUS unconscious, ... but not before he resumes choking JUSTIN.]

[But then he collapses — right on JUSTIN, who is gagging helplessly.]

[With AURORA’s and JACKSON’s help, JUSTIN struggles free of the dead-weight that BRUTUS has become.]

[AURORA, once again, administers to him, helping him up.]

:{gagging}:

D-Damn! That — That b-blasted — bas — bastard! D-Damn — h-him! F-For ... th-this, I ... I should ... have him — ha-have h-him — put — put ... t-to — <Cough> <Cough> <Choke> I ... I’m ... gonna — D-Damn it, I ... I-I’m — I ... I — I’m ... g-gonna ... h-have h-him ... h-hanged! <Gag> <Gag> <Gasp>

[AURORA pauses, looking almost hard for an instant, but also pitying — then her expression softens again, still sympathetic]:

:{gently}:

No, my Chief, wait. There is a better way, Justin. He brought up a good point back there, ... about answering one death with another.

(?) My lady ... ?

JUSTIN, not only are we — you — better than stooping to something as barbaric as "captital punishment" to solve a problem, ... there is yet a better way. And unlike human society, we are lucky to possess such an option.

There is? But what about justice? If Brutus had —

Justice, my friend? I agree. However, the concept of justice I am contemplating, I believe, is quite different from whatever you are. You see, what you are thinking of is not justice, not at all.

:{puzzled}:

If what I’m thinking isn’t justice —

No, it isn’t; not in truth.

— then what is it?

What you are contemplating, my friend, ... is revenge!

[JUSTIN starts in shock at her words.]

(!) Re —

[He is ashamed as she continues — almost harshly]:

Cold-hearted, blood-thirsty revenge — no better than Jenner in his attempt ... to have ... you hanged ... for the imagined wrongs he seemed to believe that you committed against him.

:{ashamed}:

You know what, Healer? I — I think ... you’re right.

[He pauses, at a lose]:

… But then, ... what do we do about —

As I said, Justin, there is a better way to handle this. A way that is not only logical when you think about it, ... but merciful, of the heart. Remember, I am a Healer ... and this is a problem and a matter of the heart, ... whatever it is

that is the matter with him. And I, as a Healer, can heal that.

Then you —

I can ... "wash" ... his mind ... so that he does not remember — any of this ... and make him as he was before Jenner got to him. Incidently, if he had killed you, ... I would still heal him ... of whatever it was that drove him to it. Homicidal tendancies are usually due to a problem that needs help, ... not further hurt. And executions? <Brr> That’s like ... curing the disease ... by killing the patient. No. Such an individual needs help ... badly, ... not more pain. That also goes for those who have suffered loss ... as a result of such a person’s actions. The individual’s actions, ... of course, ... cannot be truly excused, ... but to be able to at least understand what the matter is ... is a step towards healing ... for all. Such is a situation that requires the aid of a Healer and all the way around. A complete cleansing ... Not only is that solution truly just, it is merciful.

[She pauses, letting her words sink in]:

Now then, not everyone in such a dilemma has access to a Healer. As I mentioned, Justin, you are fortunate to have my service here. I suggest that you consider what I am saying and my services carefully. You are now in a much better position to handle this — than stooping to murder ... and calling such an abominable act ... "justice". See, Chief, what is really needed in any such situation is not the vengeful attitude which leads to a bloody vendetta against such an individual, ... but forgiveness and understanding. Not a so-called "judgement". See, judgement — as most people know it — is a lack of understanding. When you break down the "walls" of judgement, then you will have reached true understanding — of any situation or anything. And then, a healing can take place — for everybody involved.

Yes. I ... I think I understand.

Normally, I would not justify manipulating another’s will or mind like this — for this — this mind-wiping — is, ... of course, brain-washing, what I must attempt, but I know ... something must be done, of course. It is for the greater good — and by far — that is, my friend, as opposed to the use of violence, you know?

Uh-huh, I ... I see.

So, ... do you want me to, ... my friend? I can render him totally harmless right now — mercifully. Without pain. Without death. In fact, while he is still unconscious.

I’d ... rather have him out of our group, ... but your way might be ... safer ... in the long run — for everyone — if — if you think you really can ... take the "killer" ... out of him, while we can see and monitor him. Okay. Make it so. And ... I — I’m sorry, I ... I almost lost it. It ... It’s hard and ...

I know. You have been thru’ a lot this morning. Say no more, my dear friend. When I’m done with him, my Chief, I shall minister to you —

[MRS. BRISBY shrieks in fright — ]

[ — as BRUTUS comes to, lunging again at JUSTIN.]

[JUSTIN is ready this time — with bared teeth, a furrowed brow and a fisted paw, whirls to face BRUTUS — and without missing a beat, punches BRUTUS in the snout, sending him backwards — ]

[ — just as MRS. BRISBY resumes the force feild from the Amulet.]

[AURORA flinches at the blow, then puts a paw over her eyes, shaking her head.]

[With a final burst of strength, BRUTUS manages to lunge at MRS. BRISBY, fighting the force-field, knocking the Amulet from her grasp, tho’ the chain catches on her wrist, so she does nor drop it completely.]

[With the force field momentarily down, BRUTUS lunges at ISABELLA as BRIAN is in the process of removing her bonds (which are giving him trouble, so it is taking a while). He has already removed her gag.]

[ISABELLA screams as BRIAN is knocked back and away.]

[BRUTUS draws a dagger, holding the blade at ISABELLA’s throat.]

Stay back, all of you — or the wench dies!

[ISABELLA screams again as BRUTUS backs off.]

Very well. I will go. But I will return. Count on that. And just so that none of you get any ideas, the girl comes with me! Be sure that if you give me any kind of inconvenience, she will suffer! And you know what I mean!

Oh, no — not that! No, no! Help me, please! Someone —

Be silent, wench!

:{whispering}:

P-Please! D-Don’t hurt me!

[MRS. BRISBY is about to resume the force field, but]:

If you do it, woman, ... I’ll kill this girl! Stay back — or she dies!

[ISABELLA starts to cry helplessly, as BRUTUS slowly drags her away.]

[Not seeing BRIAN behind him, BRUTUS almost trips over him — as BRIAN rises from the ground behind BRUTUS — and stuns him by striking him on the head with a rock.]

[BRUTUS looses his grip on ISABELLA — and BRIAN grabs her, carrying his weeping sister away from BRUTUS (and finishes untying her) — just as MRS. BRISBY resumes the force field.]

[MRS. BRISBY holds on the force feild, even tho’ everyone can see that it seems to be draining her, while AURORA goes to work on BRUTUS, her paws on his brow — as he snarls and struggles, trying to stand; but making it to no more than on his knees ... and then slowly collapses into a dormant sleep with AURORA sitting on his stomach.]

[BRUTUS rolls onto his left side.]

[AURORA slips off onto the ground as his right arm falls over her.]

[AURORA backs out from under his arm above her back, then shakes herself like a little cat.]

It’s done. He will sleep for hours in the meantime. It is safe, Mrs. Brisby, to let him go now — really safe.

[MRS. BRISBY terminates the force field, trembling from exhaustion.]

Good. Somebody, take him to his tent. I ... don’t even want to look at him right now.

[He slowly lifts a paw goes to his throat.]

... I — I’d rather ... that he was —<shudder> Well, everyone, ... you know. You know. Never mind.

Are you okay now, Chief?

Yes, my friend. Thank you ... for everything. All of you.

[JUSTIN turns to MRS. BRISBY, who is in a trance of exhaustion, the Amulet around her neck, still sparkling as it "powers down", getting slowly dimmer.]

Oh, ... Mrs. Brisby. You —

[Suddenly, MRS. BRISBY tumbles forward, falling off the scaffold.]

[JUSTIN and ARNOLD rush under her and catch her, bearing her gently to the ground.]

You alright, ma’am?

[Weakly, before answering, MRS. BRISBY looks towards the scaffold.]

Yes. One ... last thing ... tho’. Pull me away ... from that thing. And — everyone must ... get away ... from it, that awful thing and —...

Of course. We’ll just put you to bed —

No, ... wait. Not ready to rest ... yet. Just pull me away from that — that ... horrible thing.

[JUSTIN and ARNOLD do so.]

Now stand clear, everyone!

[She aims the Amulet at the scaffold and fires a bolt at it.]

[The gallows goes up in flames as everyone watches in astonishment.]

A symbol of peace ... and to never having to fight or threaten ... or be threatened — by our own kind — ever again. <Sigh>

[She smiles up at JUSTIN, touching his cheek.]

I’m so glad ... we saved you, ... Chief.

[JUSTIN has tears in his eyes.]

[He hugs her, his voice choked, but this time, with emotion]:

Thank you, ... my friend.

[He turns to the others who participated directly in his rescue.]

Thank you, ... all. I owe all of you ... my life. Thank you.

[MRS. BRISBY faints.]

She’s fainted. C’mon. Let’s get her to bed — to my quarters, that’s where she has the honor to sleep.

[He picks her up.]

That is, ... unless you think otherwise, Healer.

[AURORA looks over MRS. BRISBY.]

You do that, my Chief. She’ll be fine. Now, then, … there are others here who need my services. If you’ll excuse me now ...

Of course ...

And, Chief?

[He pauses, looking at her expectantly.]

My friend?

:{smiling}:

Go get some rest, dear friend. Healer’s orders.

:{smiling}:

Just like doctor’s orders?

I’m serious. Mr. Ages would tell you as much.

[MR. AGES approaches him.]

You heard her! Doctor’s — and Healer’s — orders, ... feather-head!

:{with a mock-salute}:

<Laugh> Yes, ma’am — yes, sir!

[AURORA laughs as MR. AGES responds with bogus annoyance]:

Oh, don’t be such a smart-aleck, … just go!

[AURORA moves off to help the wounded.]

And I’ll go back to the hideout and let everyone know, ... things went well. Oh, by the way, I had everyone move to a new hide-out before we came. I figured the current place was just too risky ...

Right. And Dad?

Eh? What?

I think we can take a hint from Mrs. Brisby — and apply it to that place. You can burn that place — while you’re at it — just make sure the fire doesn’t spread. And if it looks like you can’t, ... well, ... that’s okay, too. After all, we don’t want to burn up the woods — or the valley, y’know. Hm. Y’know, on second thought, maybe you’d better not.

Yes, son. We’ll at least look into it, but we’ll probably just seal the place up. After all, with those villainous scum gone, it’s safe enough now to leave it be, eh?

Yeah ...

[Smiling, JUSTIN carries MRS. BRISBY to his tent, with ARNOLD accompanying them.]

Oh. Hey, Arn. How’re ya feelin’?

Can’t complaint. I’ve been worse. I was just about to ask you the same thing. It’s you that counts this morning.

Then I guess I could say the same. But serious, not that I’m being ungrateful or anything, but don’t you guys understand that the whole purpose for this exercise, my near-sacrifice, was that you guys were suppose to keep out of it? Here, I was trying to save everyone else’s neck by sacrificing my own. I mean, here I tried to give you all a chance to get away from here alive ... and then, you guys just throw it away!

Well, we had to do something, ... y’know? Why, you were askin’ us to just sit back ... and just do nothing, y’know. We just couldn’t do — that. You should’ve known that we’d try to help.

<Hmph> Well, … I’m just glad that’s over.

I’ll bet you are.

And to think ... I came outta that alive, too! That we all did.

Surprising what you can live thru’, eh?

Yeah. Of course, if it weren’t for you guys, I ... I wouldn’t’ve. <Yawn> Oh boy, ... I need a nap, a good long sleep. I didn’t sleep hardly at all last night. I swear, ... I can honestly say that last night ... had to be ... the ... absolute worse night ... of my life! <Heh> And I can say that about this morning, too.

Oh, yeah? Well, ... how ‘bout now?

Well, y’know, I meant ... before we won.

I can believe that. Must’ve been hard to sleep at all, with what you knew you knew you were gonna be facing this morning, ... eh, brother?

Yeah, I didn’t get much sleep last night. I ... was awake most the night, sick with fear. And what sleep I did get, I had the most awful nightmares — about what was suppose ... to happen to me — this morning. Even if I hadn’t, I was in pain most of the night, you know, too. Last night, … they did ... some pretty terrible things — to me. I can’t tell you what they did; I wouldn’t want to scare you!

[His tone — and his expression — go grimly dark at the painful memory.]

[ARNOLD just stares at him for a moment — then nods slowly, sympathetically.]

It was really awful, … huh? I think I can tell that just by your looks. So would most of us, in fact. Even after Aurora healed you. So, … you had a real bad time, … right?

That’s an understatement, … but … yeah. I’m beat ... and starvin’. I need something to eat. Why, I haven’t eaten since lunch yesterday! Of course, as you can imagine, they didn’t bother feeding me — at all, ... tho’ I thought ... they were going to this morning, ... but they didn’t. <Brrrr> I’ll tell you all about that later. <Huh!> It’s surprising, tho’, that I’ve any appetite after all that’s happened. My stomach feels knotted from nerves. It’ll be good when it unknots — so I can eat without bein’ sick. I’m really famished, but I’m so wound up inside, I really don’t think I can eat just yet, not without getting sick all over the place.

Um-hmmm. Well, now that you’re alive ‘n’ free, you can eat all you want. I can imagine that it wouldn’t matter much if you had or not — if we hadn’t freed you, huh?

Yeah. Well, I can always eat later. Right now, I need to sleep ... more than anything else.

[ISABELLA runs up to him.]

Oh, Justin! Justin! Oh, … thank God!

[She embraces him — carefully, because of MRS. BRISBY in his arms; then, suddenly releasing him, she slowly backs off, looking at him strangely, her nose wrinkled.]

Oh, ... uh, ... uhm, ... if you’ll excuse me now, I — I, uh, ... have to, ... um, ... go do somethin’ ... or — or other —... Uh, s’ya later ... !

[She turns quickly and runs off, ... fanning her face.]

[The brothers watch her go; JUSTIN looks puzzled, but ARNOLD looks like he is trying to stifle a laugh with a forepaw, his nose wrinkling.]

Now I wonder ... what that was all about? You got any clues, Arn?

[ARNOLD grins wickedly, holding his nose]:

<Snarf> Haven’t the foggiest. But ... whew! I swear! Something is sure ... uh, ... well, ... "gamey" around here ... and I mean really "ripe"!

Yeah. I know. I smell it, too. Like someone is ...

[He pauses, looking as if something is slowly occuring to him]:

... is ... dirty ...

[Stopping, JUSTIN turns to ARNOLD suddenly, staring at him incredulously, his paws on his hips.]

[ARNOLD also stops, laughing in amusement, almost helpless with laughter.]

:{pointedly}:

And it’s a complete and total mystery how that — heh, heh — a certain someone ... didn’t seem to notice ... until now!

:{mock offended}:

Arnold, now ... that ... is really a low blow!

:{laughing}:

You could stand a bath, tho’ — eh, "Stinker"? You’re as fragrant, my dear brother — as something that’s already died. A meal and a nap isn’t the only things you need! I mean, you smell like you did die — like last week! You could really stand a bath.

[JUSTIN laughs — a laugh of joyous relief — and shakes his head with feigned indignation]:

:{good naturedly}:

Oh, brother — now that is cold. For your information, if you haven’t noticed, ... I almost ... did ... die! You’ve any idea what I’ve been thru’, ... where I’ve been since last night? You’d stink, too! But hey, I have a right to smell this morning — like, y’know?

Yeah, I guess you do at that, ... when you put it that way ...

:{indignantly}:

Well, I would rather stink like I was dead ... than actually be dead!

Y’know, some new duds wouldn’t hurt either — not at all, eh?

JUSTIN:{looking down at his dirt, torn clothes}:

<Ick> Y’know, y’got that right, Arn — surely. I’m just about as scruffy as a muddy hedgehog ... right after an all-night thunder-storm ... this morning — eh?

[Their voices slowly fade as they walk away from the (scene) area]:

Without a doubt.

Oh, well, thanks a lot, Arn.

Hey, there, don’t mention it.

[They laugh.]

[It is later in the afternoon.]

[In the middle of the Rats’ camp, have gathered JUSTIN and his family, the McBERINGERs, ARTHUR, WILLIS, GREGORY, AURORA, and MR. AGES to see the BRISBYs off on JEREMY.]

[Everyone is now cleaned up.]

[MR. AGES and AURORA talk between themselves briefly]:

Feelin’ alright now, my dear?

Fine, now; all those healings drained me, plus u sing my healing magic to try to drive off Brutus, then what I did for him. I ... was really exhausted, like Mrs. Brisby.

[They join the others.]

[Slightly apart from the group, ISABELLA and BEATRICE also talk]:

:{incredulously}:

That villian ... told ya ... that? Oh! <Laugh> Ya really think ... he did ... that ... t’me?

Well, … ‘e told me that he’d — uh — ...

Sis, he was lyin’ t’ya! ‘E never got th’ chance — not for lack a tryin’, tho’, I give ‘im that, … I tell ya — huh! But, oh, ‘e never laid a paw — or any other part o’ himself — on me, mind ya, — oh, no, he didn’t ‘n’ particularly not ... "there"! No, ... "there" never got to me! No, "there" got sumthin’ else! Oh, oh, oh! <Laugh>

But — But then, … what — ? What in th’ world — ?

<Laugh> You said, you woulda kicked him "there" if you coulda! Oh, believe me, little sister, I beat you to the punch — or the kick, I should say — in that respect! Oooo! And I sure could use some ice now.

[As she says this, she wiggles her foot, looking mischievious.]

Why d’ya think ‘e chained ya for? Didn’t wanna risk a repeat performance with ya, I reckon, ‘e didn’t!

[ISABELLA stares at her incredulously, then begins to laugh with her.]

:{fasinated}:

So then, ... ‘e didn’t do anythin’ to ya? Nothin’ at all?

Oh, like after I kicked him where it hurts right down to the birthday, you think he was inna condition to do somethin’ to me, eh? No — no, I got ‘im good, right where it hurts! Like I said, dear sister, the old liar never touched me!

Good! Good for ya!

I did end up spendin’ all th’ resta th’ night in that dungeon pit Father found me in, tho’. Jenner told me, he did, that I dinna get to have any privileges or anythin’ fer it, tho’, the nasty, ol’ tyrant. Dinna matter, tho’, after I got im. ‘E oulda gone ‘n’ locked me up fer a hundred years — ‘n’ I’d do it agin if I’d the chance! Oh, it was all worth it!

Glory be in th’ mornin’, sister — I’ll bet it was!

For ya, dear little sister, ... t’was all fer ya ...

[ISABELLA smiles and they hug.]

Y’know, when I gave that tyrant’s cronies a piece of my mind — or, I shoulda say, my foot — one o’ ‘em, he remarked "Look out, those McBeringer Sisters — they’re a couple o’ little ‘ellcats! And this one’s worse than the other!" <Giggle> Must’ve been after you gave that — that tyrant! Oh! <Laugh> Oh, well, now I know what that little grunt of that — that tyrant’s meant now, huh!

[They laugh, then turn to the gathering]:

[JUSTIN is speaking to his father.]

— so, all I can report is that, whatever Mrs. Brisby did with the Amulet ... took care of the spy we caught last night, too; isn’t a hide-nor-hard-of-him present anywhere ...

Uh-huh, I see. So, you couldn’t do anything about that place itself, eh?

No, not likely without risking setting the whole valley on fire. Just as we both figured.

Well, that would be a worthless trade-off, ... wouldn’t it ...

Sure would, son.

[JUSTIN turns to MRS. BRISBY]:

So, how’re you feeling now?

Fine now. That was really exhausting — just as much as the first time was ...

I had no idea the Amulet could do that. First they were there, then they were gone. But, Mrs. Brisby, what did the Amulet do anyway?

I — I don’t really know. That is, I ... I’m really not sure. I thought I just told it to just send them away, ... but ... I don’t know if that’s what actually happened. I mean, if that’s what it did — and … not something else. With the energy surge it makes, ... well, I really couldn’t tell. I — I’d hate to think ... that I caused, … even indirectly, all those —… <Shudder>

JUSTIN:{wryly}:

[He glances at AURORA — but she just sighs, shrugging at him, smiling.]

Well, ... I suppose ...

Too bad. Because if you were sure it was safe, ...

To get you — and all of us — out of there with the exposure to the danger we were in, yes. I knew we were safe. I knew it would not touch the rest of us.

You did? How?

I told it not to — in my mind, that is. Just to make sure. All that energy it started to produce! I — I ... didn’t know what it would do if I didn’t amend my instructions ...

I was rather concerned myself about that, friend, when that happened.

Yes ...

And now the Stone, Mrs. Brisby. What do you want to do about that?

Seriously, Chief. I — I just don’t feel right about it. I wish for you to keep it the Amulet — for a while longer ...

[She hands it to him.]

Are you sure?

[He looks ill-at-ease, taking it.]

:{soberly}:

Very. I just don’t feel I can handle the responsibility that comes with so much power. Truthfully, ... I think that was really why I turned it over to you that night in the garden, to begin with ...

Are you sure, then, that you won’t stay with us? We have enough room to spare, as we discussed earlier. I’m sure you’d love it.

Oh, wow! Can we, Mom — can we!?

[The other children take up his cry — and it becomes an unintelligible babble.]

Children! Children, please!

[They quiet down.]

Well, you children certainly seem excited about doing so.

[The children giggle.]

Really, Chief, ... home for us is on the Fitzgibbon Farm. You ... and your folk just went to so much trouble moving our house, so we could always have it, Moving Day — or no. Maybe someday. And please, ... keep the Amulet. I’m afraid to be in charged of so much power! And besides, you just might need it again some day ...

You sure, ma’am, you’ll all be okay?

Oh, of course. This isn’t a permanent farewell. We’ll always remain friends; I’m sure there’ll be more visits between us — here and on the farm.

:{taking her paw briefly}:

Of that, my dear friend, you can always be sure of. I would not miss it for the world!

Thank you; anyway, for now, this is good-bye. We must get home — and tell Auntie Curlew that we’re okay — she’ll be so relieved. But, we will meet again. And so; for now, farewell, dear Justin, ... and thank you ... for everything!

:{gratefully}:

I should be the one giving thanks ... to you. You helped to save my life. I will always be grateful. And you’ll always be welcomed here ...

It was the least I could do. Alright, Jeremy. Take us home.

[JEREMY leaps into the air]:

Tiffiny, … here I come!

["Good-byes" fill the air as both those on the ground and those in the air wave to each other.]

[From an overhead view, ISABELLA is seen edging closer to JUSTIN.]

[As JEREMY flies the mouse-family home, the scene freezes into that promotional shot "Jeremy Takes The Brisbys For A Flight", turning pastel colors (becoming a backdrop for the credits).]