Some Try, Brisbys Do

The Way It Should Be

Elizabeth gasped as Justin pulled her out of the mud. She couldn't stop struggling against him as she watched her house sink with her children and Kristy inside it. The rats looked down in despair knowing they had failed to save Jonathan Brisby's family. Elizabeth looked away holding back the tears in her eyes. Justin felt his own heart breaking. Kristy was in that house, now she was gone along with it.

Everyone looked up as they saw Elizabeth's amulet rise from the mud. The red stone was glowing as it floated toward her. In the center, they could see Nicodemus' face and hear his voice.

"Courage of the heart is very rare... the stone has a power when it's there."

"The stone..." Elizabeth murmured.

She kept her eyes on the stone as she reached out for it. The minute she touched it, it burst into flame. Elizabeth gasped in pain, letting go and sending it into the mud. She grasped the amulet again, this time she held it in her hands, letting the power of the stone fill her. Elizabeth looked at the rope that led to the block beneath the mud. The minute she touched it, the power of the stone surged from her hands, through the rope, going to the house.

The rats watched in disbelief as the Brisby home rose out from the mud intact. The mud that filled the house leaked out of it as the power of the stone guided the house to the safe spot beneath the large stone. The house gently fell into place as the power left the rope and left Elizabeth. Justin watched as she collapsed to the ground, completely drained of power.

"Mrs. Brisby?" Justin said stepping closer to her.

Mr. Ages looked at her, noticing her hands looked terribly burnt. Other than that, she was still breathing, still alive.

"She'll be alright, my boy", he said. "Right now, she needs to go home."

Justin picked her up and carried her to the house. He looked inside to see what a complete wreck it was. The children laid across the room sleeping peacefully. Justin looked at the amulet surprised. The stone brought them all back safe and alive. He looked up and went into the room to see Kristy sleeping on the floor by the bed that belonged to the sick child who lay asleep.

"Kristy?"

Kristy's ear twitched as her eyes opened.

"Justin?"

She looked up to see Justin holding Elizabeth in his arms. Kristy gasped and got up.

"Elizabeth!" she said. "Is she alright?"

"She's fine", Justin said. "She's just tired."

He carried Elizabeth to her bed, laying her down on it. Elizabeth yawned as she opened her eyes.

"Justin...?"

"Don't speak", he said. "You need to get some rest."

"Where am I?" Elizabeth asked.

"You're home now. The house is saved. Everything's going to be alright. The rats and I need to go. It's almost morning and Thorn Valley's a long way off."

"Justin..."

Elizabeth and Justin looked at Kristy who was looking at him with tears in her eyes.

"I... I want to go with you!" she said.

Kristy wrapped her arms around him as she nuzzled him, their whiskers touching. Justin held her and nuzzled her back.

"I love you, Justin", Kristy said. "I want to be with you. I want to go with you to Thorn Valley, but... it's going to be hard to say goodbye to my family."

"Kristy, it's alright", Elizabeth said. "I know you want to go and it's alright."

She smiled and looked at the amulet around her neck.

"I want you to have this. Something to remember me by."

Kristy watched Elizabeth surprised as she pulled the amulet off. She looked at it not sure if she could accept it.

"But... Jonathan left it for you", she said.

"I know", Elizabeth said. "And now I leave it to you. I hope you and Justin will be happy."

She closed her eyes as she went back to sleep. Tears came to Kristy's eyes as she smiled.

"Thank you, Elizabeth", she said. "I promise to keep in touch."

-------------------------

Elizabeth smiled as she watched her children play in peace. Timmy had finally woken up and was finally starting to get better. Jeremy finally found Miss Right and flew into the sky to start a new life with her. All was the way it should be.

Elizabeth wondered how Justin and Kristy were doing since them and the rats left for Thorn Valley.

"Look, mother!" Theresa said pointing up to the sky.

A dragonfly came bearing a note. Elizabeth took it, wondering who it was from.

"Dear Elizabeth,

The rats and I have made it to Thorn Valley. It's such a beautiful place. There's room for us all to live here in peace, away from the humans. I do miss you and the children. I wish you were here. Justin has been named the new leader of the rats. Even better, he and I are due to be married. I miss you guys. I hope someday we can meet again. Give my love to the children.

Love, Kristy"