Our computer is showing the "blue screen of death", as mom calls it, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to post this chapter. But I have it, and I hope you like twists of fate!

Justin was training when the note arrived, his blade locked with that of Austin, the only one who rivaled his skill. He'd been the leader for all of two weeks, before witnessing yet another of the Stone's many miracles. He remembered watching in awe as Nicodemus rose from the rubble, the age having been sucked from his body. At first, Justin was convinced he'd been dreaming, but then Nicodemus had punched him in the shoulder, assuring the rat he was awake. He'd then asked for his old position back. Justin had refused but, after much persuasion, had decided to return as captain of the guard, but had promised he would take charge of the colony if anything happened.

"Justin!" Kyle all but leapt through the doors, a piece of paper crumpled in his tight fist. The two rats stopped grappling, both staring at him as though he'd gone mad. Kyle stopped to catch his breath, bent over with his hands on his knees. He then pulled an inhaler from his pocket, breathing deeply when he put it to his lips. After that he caught his breath quickly. "A note, from the Brisbys!"

"What?" Justin's blade fell from his grasp, but he ignored the clatter as he snatched the page; his eyes widened as they scanned the even words, jaw dropping in shock. "Martin's been kidnapped."

"What?" Austin looked over his friend's shoulder. "By who?" he stared at Kyle.

"The bird that brought it didn't say," he explained. "But it did tell me there've been strange things prowling the farm at night, almost like they're looking for something."

Justin couldn't believe it. Why would anyone want to harm the Brisbys, unless…"Oh, God…"

"Justin?" Austin grasped his arm, seeing the color drain from his face. "You feeling alright?"

"I have to find Nicodemus," he replied, almost to himself. He re-crumbled the page in his fist, dashing in the hall.

"Nic!" his leader's office was on the other side of the colony, and Justin had gone the entire distance in a full sprint. Normally, such a thing would have exhausted him, but adrenaline was pounding through his veins, his mind racing with fear and confusion. He pounded fiercely on the door. "Nicodemus!"

"My God, what the hell is it?" the grey creature looked like he'd just woken up, his hair disheveled, his clothes hastily thrown on. But his attitude changed when he saw the captain, the terror screaming in his dark eyes. "Justin? What's wrong?"

Justin took a minute to calm himself, fighting to keep his voice steady. "The Brisbys are in danger," he said, and held out the note. "They're being kidnapped, one by one!"

The older rat scanned it, pulling his companion inside. "I thought this would happen," he said.

"Wha…what do you mean?" Justin's legs collapsed from under him, and he fell to the floor. "You…you knew?"

"In a way I did," Nicodemus spoke gravely, eyes taking on a strange light. He knelt on the floor, grasping his friend's shaking shoulders. "You know what happened at the farm, correct?"

"How could I forget…" the guard knew forgetting was the one thing he wouldn't do. That night he'd lost his home, his brother, found and lost his heart. "But what does…"

"Elizabeth used the Stone," Nic pulled away, but stayed kneeling. "And when she did, she unleashed incredible power." He paused to let it sink in. "The blast was enough to bring people back from the dead, namely her children and me, but I'm afraid that Jenner was also revived."

"But what about Sullivan?" the guard was suddenly angry. "If the power brought you back, then why not my brother?"

Nic could only shake his head. "Your brother had a fatal heart condition," he said, gently as he could. "And he would have died within weeks."

"But…how could it…"

"When Jonathan perished, I used my magic to imbue the gem with his soul. I then gave it to Mrs. Brisby, knowing that she alone would be able to wield such power."

"But, why?"

"You knew of Jonathan's fears, didn't you?"

Justin nodded.

"He created the Stone in the hope that it would give his bride the abilities and genes that we do, to allow her to stay with him. The only problem…was that the process to do so could only take place after he was dead."

"So…Jon committed suicide?"

Nic shook his head. "No, but he did know when his death would be coming, and asked that I take care of it, of her."

"And now that she's used it," Justin's heart grew hopeful. "She'll live as long as we do?"

His leader smiled. "You seem excited with the idea."

The guard's smile instantly faded. He coughed, looking to the side. He looked back when Nic laughed, staring angrily at him. "I don't see what's so funny."

"Your feelings for her were obvious from the start," Nic was still smiling, but it was kinder now. "You're in love with her, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes, but…how is that even possible? How could I…"

"Her heart is pure," said his friend. "And it shows. She has a bravery she's not aware of, but she can still tap into it, whenever she needs to." He stopped, knowing there was more, using his powers to make the young man utter the truth.

"She's unable to hate anyone," Justin told him, completely unaware of the spell. "She's the sweetest person I've ever known, and…"

"Yes?"

"And…she's beautiful, lovelier than anything in this world!" he heard what he said, and a hand flew to his lips. He then glared hatefully at Nicodemus. "Keep your enchantments to yourself," he ordered, rising to his feet. He was a head taller, and strongly built. His leader backed away, knowing how his temper was.

"I'm sorry…" the creature said nervously. "My curiosity got the better of me."

Justin scoffed, bringing their attention back to the note. "Elizabeth's going to come here," he said. "I recommend we start searching for the children now, so we'll have at least some news for her when she arrives."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode back into the hall.

He was still worrying about it later that night, lying in his bed and staring out the window. Those dreams he'd had as a child were suddenly making sense, and he didn't like much of the future they painted. He knew it was Jenner taking the children, also that there was nothing he could do to stop it, as of now. He knew what would happen down to the last detail, and his heart raced when he reached thoughts of Elizabeth. Justin could almost feel her warmth, her small body wrapped tightly in his arms; her soft kisses greeting him whenever he came home.

I'll stop this, he promised her. I promise I'll stop this, or die trying.