The sky was dimming, and Justin paced the grass, growing more temperamental with each minute that passed. He gazed at the clouds, looking for answers.
"Where the hell is he, damn it?"
Brenda knelt by Dietrich, wrapping a fresh bandage over the wound in his leg.
"So, what are we going to do?" she asked.
"I don't know," Justin sighed, then turned to Dietrich. "If you say you don't know what Jenner was planning, then I don't know."
"He never told us anything," Dietrich explained. "That was his thing. If nobody knew what was going on, then nobody could fuck it up."
"Yes, this was defiantly a fuck up," Justin snapped. "One big fuck up; it's too bad you didn't grow a conscience a little sooner."
"Look, I said I'm sorry," said Dietrich, then he sighed. "You know what Jenner's like; he just sucks you right in, and you forget about anything else."
"If any of my friends are dead," Justin spat. "'Sorry' isn't going to cut it."
"Well, I'm not the one slowing us down right now," scoffed Dietrich. "We would've been back by now if that stupid bird would get here."
Justin growled. "Don't you even try to pass the blame—"
"Knock it off, both of you!" Brenda was getting tired of their childish fighting. "This isn't helping, and it won't change the past; we need to work together now. We're all on the same page now," she continued. "And that's what matters, and your bickering isn't going to do anything, except give the rest of us a headache!"
They all became silent, knowing she was right. However, they were helpless to do anything, having to wait until Jeremy and his mate returned.
(****)
Orion slowed as he neared the devastation caused by the explosion. The rear tunnel had caved in, and the floor was littered with debris. The wooden crates had been reduced to splinters, and huge chunks of dirt and brick had been blown from the walls. Several crossbows, as well as loose arrows, were strewn about, and an electrical wire hung from an open wound in the ceiling. Miraculously, the solitary bulb at the end still glowed with life.
He climbed a pile of loose soil near the exit, and began throwing aside handfuls of dirt. He dug rapidly, at the same time choking on dust. If his plan worked, then his men could surprise Jenner from behind, as he focused on the front entrance. He just hoped he could get out without attracting attention. The walls and ceiling fell away, and there was a patch of black as he punched through. The cool breeze of night welcomed him, and he worked on getting it wider, when his claws scraped against something hard. His blood ran cold when he unearthed an arm, and he realized it was one of his dead guards. It only drove him harder to find an advantage, and once the hole was big enough, he grabbed a working crossbow and shoved it through, then started crawling out himself. The night air was a refreshing change from the stuffy interior of the lair.
He was half out when someone gripped his arms. Violently, his body lurched forward, and he was thrown to the ground. His eyes flew open, and he found himself staring at the gleaming tip on an arrow, the bolt trained right between his eyes.
"Jenner said he thought you would try something, Captain," the rat holding it said.
Orion started to rise, but another rat slammed their foot on his chest.
"Don't even think about it," this one hissed, then he scoffed. "You're lucky Jenner wants you alive."
He gripped Orion's collar, yanking him to his feet while the other rat kept his crossbow trained on their prisoner's back. They motioned toward the main entrance, and Orion went accordingly.
Most of Jenner's men had gone inside, but there were still a few left in the field, the area lit by a small fire. Jenner was sitting on a tree limb with his sword in front of him. The tip was buried in the ground, and he had his arms crossed over the hilt. A flash of glee crossed his features when he saw the captured Captain coming near.
"Orion, so good of you to join us," he said with false cordiality. "I've been expecting you. Figured you'd try some bold stunt. Shame you're so predictable," he added. "Otherwise, this might have been a surprise."
"Sorry to disappoint you," spat Orion. "Maybe in the future, I can learn to be as conniving and destructive as you."
The tone vanished, but the triumphant smile stayed. "Don't count on it."
Orion looked around the camp. The small number of rats sitting around the fire were probably those Jenner trusted most, Castor and Sasha sitting closest to him. Mrs. Brisby was there as well, her hands bound with rope, the other end held firmly by Jenner.
"Where's your buddy, Cameron?" he asked. "Is he off taking a leak?"
"Oh, he's leaking," said Jenner. "But he won't be joining us tonight…or ever again."
Orion looked for reaction in Sasha's face, seeing nothing, then sent a quick wink to Mrs. Brisby, to send her a ray of hope. "So, I assume you want me for something."
Jenner stood, walking to the man.
"I see you have a little cut," he said, eyeing the bandaged arm.
Orion shrugged. "I've had worse."
"Oh, I see," Jenner noticed the missing ear. "I'll be that hurt."
"A little."
Jenner paused, sizing Orion up before he spoke.
"I'm going to get right to the point, Captain," he said. "I'm growing very weary of seeing your face pop up uninvited. The only reason I'm letting you live is to deliver a message for me."
"Why not deliver it yourself?"
Jenner sneered. "Because it's not my decision to make," he chuckled. "It is up to you and Nicodemus to decide. You can forget about ever seeing Justin, and the others, alive, and like Justin," he continued. "You are far too trusting. You made a mistake by letting Castor load half the team with my men. Now, I think you and I both know that Justin will surely accomplish his objective, but he won't be ready when my men butcher him and the others, all due to this fatal trusting flaw. This leaves only you and Nicodemus to lead the rats, so here is what you two have to decide.
"If you don't surrender within five minutes," Jenner stated. "I'll set fire to the farm and burn all your crops, and those gone, most of you will starve through the winter, those of you that don't die by the end of the night, that is. Make no mistake, Orion," he added. "You and your men are cornered, and we have the advantage. Surrender now, or die and leave your fellow rats to starve a slow death."
Orion acted unaffected by the words. "So, when do the five minutes begin?" he asked. "Now or when I get back?"
Jenner squeezed the rat's bandaged arm. "They begin now."
Orion winced, still keeping his composure. "Is there anything else you want me to tell them?"
"Yes," Jenner laughed. "Be sure to inform Sarah that she will not die immediately with the rest of you, should you choose to continue your pitiful fight…I have something special planned for her. Now go," he shoved Orion toward the entrance nodding at his men to let the rat pass. When he was gone, Castor walked to his leader.
"You do realize it's going to rain soon?" he asked.
"And?" said Jenner, slightly irritated.
"Water puts out fire," said Castor, almost condescending.
Jenner looked up at the darkening clouds, scrunching his eyebrows.
"We've got plenty of time," he said. "And besides, I'm sure that Nicodemus wouldn't want any of his precious farm land burnt up."
(****)
"Hey, you guys are back already?" Jeremy landed as thunder clapped, surprised to see the group assembled.
"Where have you been?" Justin demanded.
"I was just, uh…" Jeremy was lost for words, having detected the rat's foul temper. "I-I just didn't expect you back so soon," he said. "I'm sorry."
"Well, we need to head back now," Justin said, and began shoving supplies back into a basket.
"Okay, we can do that," the bird said hesitantly. "But there's just one problem…"
"What?"
"I…I can't carry all of you."
"What the—"
Brenda held out a calming hand.
"Your mate," she said to Jeremy. "Where is she?"
"Oh, I don't know," Jeremy said, embarrassed. "She's, uh…"
"That's fine," Brenda ignored Justin's glare. "You can take at least half of us back, can't you?"
"Yeah, sure," the bird said happily. "Whenever you're ready."
Justin turned to the others. "So, who's going," he asked. "And who's staying?"
"Leave me here," said Dietrich. "I'm no good anyway. Why don't you, Brenda, and Ages go?" he asked. "Me and Archer can carry Max back. You guys are more important right now; they need you."
Archer just nodded in agreement, and Justin didn't give it a second thought.
"Okay, that settles it," he said impatiently. "C'mon, you two, get your stuff together."
The three of them loaded their basket, taking off beneath a darkened sky.
(****)
Jenner had ordered his men to take Orion safely through their strongholds. They'd gotten in far through the main entrance. They'd even set up the reverse of Orion's plan, only Jenner had made a very large tactical error, and Orion was going to exploit it. Once he'd gotten past the final rat, he bolted to the library, a plan quickly taking shape in his mind.
Jenner's mistake had been allowing Orion to see where his men were stationed, and how many of them there were. He'd had complete visual access to Jenner's point of entry, had memorized every location, and how many men occupied it. He knew what supplies they had, their weapons, and what their backup looked like. It had all been exposed to him, and Jenner didn't even realize it, or, if he did, he didn't think Orion was smart enough to utilize it. Once he was inside, the heavy doors were slammed shut, and he wasted no time in outlining his plan.
"So, what are we gonna do?" asked Arthur.
"We don't have much time," said Orion. "We're gonna surprise them. We have to hit them hard, with everything we've got," he continued. "And we've got to keep giving it to them."
"They expect a cease-fire," he said after a minute. "But they'll never see it. But we have to strike now. We only have two minutes, at the most."
"Then this is it," said Nicodemus, nodding. "It has come down to this. Orion, be careful. There is much at stake, but I trust you will be victorious, just do not make it a Pyrrhic victory."
Orion nodded, then turned to his men.
"Everyone, lock and load," he began. "Drop what you don't need, grab all the arrows you can carry. It's our turn to take this fight to him, so let's do this, and let it be the end of it all."
(****)
Elizabeth tried easing the burn of the rope around her wrists, but it was no use. Jenner saw her shifting, smiling at her discomfort.
"It'll all be over soon, Mrs. Brisby," he said, and tightened his fingers around the rope in his palm.
"And just what do you have planned for me afterwards?" she said, more than asked, her voice unwavering. "Are you going to kill me?"
"I don't know," Jenner said distractedly. "I haven't really thought of it. I could just kill you," he continued. "But if I wanted to do that, I could have a long time ago. You're no use as a bargaining chip, since I have nothing to bargain for…" he trailed off, watching his men douse the fields with kerosene, but then he brought his face closer to hers, the playfulness gone from his voice.
"Maybe," he said quietly. "Maybe I'll just fuck you…that's what I'll do, I'll fuck you, in front of your children."
He grabbed her collar, shaking the mouse with every word.
"Maybe I'll do that—while they watch me tear you open and spill your blood on the ground, while they cry and scream!" he shoved her to the ground, pressing his body on top of hers, teeth bared in anger and twisted glee. "And after I've fucked you in one end," he continued. "I'll fuck the other, 'til it's bleeding too!" he spun her on her stomach, shoving his pelvis into her back. Then he paused, his smile widening, and a strand of saliva fell from his lip.
"But, maybe I'll do something else first," he hissed, rolling her on her back. "Maybe I'll fool around a little. After all, I've never tasted mouse flesh before…it might be pretty good…" he grazed her nose with his tongue, and Elizabeth's eyes were wider than ever in fear. He continued crushing her body with his, shaking her viciously.
"Do not even try to get cocky with me, Brisby," he growled. "Because I will do it, I will tear open your cunt. I will fuck you so far up your ass that you'll be choking on me. I will fuck you until you die, and I'll keep fucking you until your flesh is cold, then I'll fuck your daughters even worse than I fucked you!" he clenched his teeth, forcing himself between her legs. "How does that make you feel, Brisby," he demanded. "How does that make you feel?"
Suddenly, the sounds of screaming echoed from the entrance, and Jenner's head whipped up at the clamor of battle cries from the caverns. The few left meandering outside quickly rushed in, having realized the same thing the same thing their leader did.
"Orion," he seethed. He'd been close to choking Elizabeth, but this new issue captured his attention. He whirled to a passing rat. "Burn it!" he screamed.
The confused minion stopped in his tracks. "What?" he asked.
"The fields!" Jenner's voice was hoarse from shouting. "Burn them now!"
The other rat still looked confused, but quickly complied, throwing a lit match onto the fuel-soaked land. The fire started small, roaring to life and becoming an orange tsunami, an impenetrable wall of flame beneath a black, starless sky. While the young crops continued to blaze, Jenner turned his attention back to Elizabeth.
"I'll deal with you later," he said, voice low and threatening, then he stood, dragging her with him, ordering hiss men to go on the defensive.
"Castor!"
His second in command stopped in his tracks.
"Yes, sir?" he asked.
"Tell those men to fight back," Jenner ordered. "Tell them to kill anything that moves, anyone found not fighting will be slaughtered immediately. And if you don't stop those stupid rats from advancing, I will personally have your head!"
Castor nodded blankly, knowing full well the man would live up to his threat. For a brief second, Jenner glanced around.
"Where's Sasha?" he demanded.
Castor gulped. "She's already inside," he said sheepishly.
"Shouldn't you be joining her?" Jenner sounded irritated.
Castor vanished without another word, along with the rest of his men. Jenner was the last to enter, still dragging a terrified Elizabeth. He was ready to finish this war, and he had the taste of blood on his lips.
(****)
At the first of Jenner's blockades, the rats were still under the impression of a cease-fire, and they fell before they knew what hit them. No one saw it coming. With Orion in the lead, he and his men charged fast, hard, firing in all directions, taking out everyone before the cry for help could be raised. Orion fired on two rats, taking them down before there was a chance to react. Soon, others came, Brutus, Arthur, Sullivan, and within seconds the first group had fallen. The traitors hadn't gotten off a single shot, but Orion knew he wouldn't be that lucky every time.
They didn't pause for breath. Orion led them at once to the next group, and in an instant, five more of the enemy fell, and only then did they stop to reload. Orion's clip was half in when one of Jenner's men stumbled across them, with a message from the outside. His eyes bulged from his head, gaze locked on the pile of his dead comrades. He turned to flee, and Orion let his crossbow fall to the ground. Just as quickly, he yanked a small knife from his belt, tossing it with all his strength. The blade embedded itself to the hilt between the rat's shoulder blades, and he fell to the ground in a twisted heap.
"He was a messenger," said Arthur, after kneeling to examine the corpse. "He wasn't armed." He stood motioning to the back entrance. "I'll bet anything he was suppose to report back."
"They're gonna notice him missing before long," said Orion. He retrieved his crossbow and finished reloading it.
"Let's move. The next room has five more, but after that is the atrium."
The atrium was a large juncture of hallways that intersected in one area. It was an open space, and would be a difficult assault.
The next group must have heard something, because they were on their guard. Orion and his men were hit with a blast of arrows, the one in front of him shot through his chest. The others quickly fired back, overpowering Jenner's group with sheer numbers. Quite soon, four more of them were dead, though two of Orion's had been killed, four wounded.
"Shit, there should've been five of them here," said Orion. "They sent a runner back to warn the others."
He turned, seeing the horde of guards that waited behind him. There were ten in the room, dozens more waiting in the halls behind.
"This is it, men," he said loudly. "They're gonna be ready. Move fast, close the gap. If we can force them into close quarters fighting, we can definitely overpower them. Have your swords ready," he chambered his crossbow, baring his teeth. "Kill 'em all."
He ran headlong into the hall, his men a step behind. A few seconds later, and the hallway gaped into the atrium. He fired blindly as they flooded the room, charging the rats who'd been ready. Jenner's men fired back, unable to keep up with the moving targets, several arrows flying wildly. Arthur took a bolt to the shoulder, but it didn't slow him down. He simply tore it out as rats on both sides continued to fall. Orion charged a small group, firing his last rounds, tossing his crossbow aside as he drew his sword. He screamed, bringing the blade down on a rat frantically trying to aim at him. He spun, hitting another with his blade before the rat could draw his own weapon.
The space between the sides closed fast, rendering crossbows useless, and the space became a frenzy of blades, each crash of steel echoing off the walls. Brutus was especially merciless, using his gleaming poleax to rip through anything in his path. As Orion's comrades flooded the room, they quickly began to outnumber Jenner's. Each of the fifteen traitors often had to fight off more than one attacker at a time. In all the chaos, one of Jenner's men escaped, going off to send word for help.
Just when it seemed the Atrium was theirs, a new wave of Jenner's men crashed upon them, but they were undaunted. They were driven by adrenaline, will power, and the sheer desire to defend their home, to fight to the death if need be. But these fighters were stronger than the rest, and they soon discovered that Jenner had been holding back his most skilled warriors.
Orion tripped on a body, and a would-be attacker fell as he chopped across the rat's ankles. He then spun to his back, bringing up his foot to strike the rat's groin. At last he leapt to his feet, slashing the man's throat. He fended off another without a second's rest, noticing the guards were getting higher in rank. His last attacker fell, and he gasped at yet another a familiar face.
"Sasha!"
Sasha smiled.
"Good to see you, Captain," she said sarcastically, before unleashing a lightening attack. Orion parried each of her blows, impressed by her skill.
"You're pretty good for a schoolteacher," he said.
"I've picked up a few things these past years," she replied. He blocked another of her jabs, but the blade left a gash in his shoulder, and he punched her hard in the nose. Her eyes flooded with tears, and, using his blade, he struck her sword below the hilt, smashing her fingers. She dropped her sword, and Orion instantly slashed her across the stomach. She fell to her knees, clutching her belly with tattered hands, and he kicked her square in the jaw. The blow forced her upright, and he shoved his blade through her throat, right between her collarbones. He stared her down, and right before dying, Sasha spit a mouthful of blood in his face.
A rat charged him from behind, ready to strike when Brutus' electric poleax crushed him. Blood splashed Orion's neck, sparking stinging his skin. He glanced back, nodding to the big rat, then kicked Sasha's corpse from his blade. He then surveyed the carnage, seeing that the fighting had stopped. Jenner's remaining soldiers had either retreated or surrendered, and the atrium was littered with bodies. Though some belonged to Orion's men, most of them belonged to Jenner. Orion paid no attention as Arthur came near, ripping his shirt open to bandage the Captain's newest wound. He gritted his teeth in pain, but he didn't complain. He'd been through too much to care, though he had to admit, he was impressed with Sullivan's efforts. The large rat, surprisingly, was quite nimble, having used a busted crossbow as a club. The former weapon had been reduced to bloody splinters. They all knew they had turned the tide, but none of them dared celebrate, because the grisly battle was still far from over.
(****)
Thunder rumbled over Justin's head, and he couldn't even begin to imagine what Jenner had planned. Jeremy flew over the mountains, and Justin's worst nightmares couldn't prepare him for what he saw: the night glowing crimson as trails of flame spread across the valley floor, and plumes of black smoke rose to join the dark clouds above.
Jeremy looked as though he'd seen a demon. "Oh, my God…"
"Hurry," Justin urged him. "Go, go!"
Jeremy's wings beat harder than ever and, after nearly crashing, Justin, Brenda, and Ages piled out, confronted with a growing wall of fire consuming the farmland. Justin stared at the blaze, frantically trying to form a plan.
"Jeremy, take that basket to the lake," he ordered. "Fill it with water and dump it on the flames."
Jeremy nodded, and had just wrapped his talons around the handle when Ages ran up.
"Wait!" he shouted. He retrieved his bag that contained the NIMH serum, setting it carefully at his feet, waving at the bird to go. Justin turned to Brenda.
"Go get help," he said to her. "And be careful."
She nodded, "Right," running to the entrance as Justin and Ages started throwing dirt on the flames. She slowed, however, at seeing the twisted wreck that had once been the front gate. The first drops of rain hit her, and she drew her sword before proceeding through the gaping doorway. She jogged through the dim hall, searching for signs of life, and she never heard the snap of a crossbow from behind.
A bolt slammed into her left shoulder, the force knocking her to the ground. She pushed herself up with her right arm, only to have another arrow slam into that shoulder as well, only this time, from the front. The woman fell to her back, and she was finally able to see her attacker.
Jenner and Castor had hidden in a crevice, covered by shadow. Castor chambered his crossbow, and Jenner held onto Elizabeth, covering her mouth with his hand. But then he started laughing, and his grip loosened.
The young mouse struggled to free herself.
"No, leave her alone!"
"What now?" there was a hint of apprehension in Castor's voice. "The others will be finished soon, Jenner, and we're running out of options."
Jenner motioned toward Elizabeth.
"We still have our bargaining chip," he said confidently. "We'll strangle the amulet out of them, even if we have to skin her alive. They'll give it to us."
"But you said you have nothing to bargain for with me," the mouse said fiercely.
"Let's just say you've suddenly become very valuable," Jenner told her.
They looked up at the sound of rain, the drops pounding from above. Brenda writhed on the ground, trying in vain to suppress the pain of her wounds. Castor glanced at her.
"What about her?" he asked.
"Finish her off," said Jenner. "And this time, don't miss."
"No, let her go!" cried Elizabeth. "You've made your point…leave her alone!"
Jenner snatched her up, pinning her to the wall at eye level.
"I've already warned you once, Brisby," he snarled. "If you open your mouth again, I'll break your jaw, so stop tempting me, Mrs. Brisby," he said quietly. "Because you are becoming very tempting to me…"
Castor walked away as this went on, readying another shot.
"I never miss," he muttered, and threw Jenner's back a dirty look. He glared down at Brenda, watching her lay with broken arrows in both shoulders. He lifted his crossbow, aiming right for her head. "Say 'goodbye', bitch."
His ears pricked up a second too late. Brutus ran at full speed, poleax held high, and before Castor could raise his crossbow, the blade slashed sideways across his waist, tearing his body in half. His torso flew to the wall, hitting with a thud, landing crumpled like a rag doll. His legs stood a moment longer, then finally collapsed under their own weight, and Jenner turned just as Castor's bloody innards spilled into the dirt. Brutus' strike had also hit the crossbow, blowing it to pieces. A large bit of shrapnel smashed Jenner's hand, forcing him to drop Elizabeth, as well as the rope that held her. Immediately, she began running, getting to a safe spot as Brutus bore down on Jenner.
Jenner recovered quickly, yanking his blade free to fight off the rat's attacks. Sparks flew each time their blades connected, but Jenner was ready for Brutus this time, and he unleashed a powerful counter attack. Brutus was unfazed however, and his eyes glowed with rage as he parried the swipes. He caught Jenner's blade in a groove of his ax, twisting it to the ground. His sword pinned, Jenner backhanded the rat in the face, distracting Brutus long enough to free his blade. The two sized each other up, Brutus advancing on Jenner, pushing him back toward the entrance.
Jenner backed slowly, seeing Brutus' eyes burn, the heated cinders cascading from the ax's blade, and he knew this wasn't his fight. He swung his sword for a glancing blow on the ax.
"Another time, my big friend," he said, then turned and retreated. Brutus started to follow, stopping at a voice.
"Brutus, don't!"
It was Elizabeth. He turned to see the mouse tending to Brenda. "She needs help."
Without argument, he sliced the rope from her wrists, then took Brenda in his arms to carry her to the infirmary.
"Take her back to the others," Elizabeth told him. "And send help. Jenner's burning the farm."
He nodded, heading back as the mouse rushed for the entrance. A large clap of thunder shook the ground, and Elizabeth emerged in a steady downpour. The fire was still burning, and she could hear the crackling of the flames, saw Jenner running towards it, towards two forms silhouetted by the shifting glow. It was difficult to tell through the haze, but she was sure one was much taller than the other. She chased after Jenner, realizing suddenly who it was.
"Justin!" she screamed. Justin, look out!"
Justin nearly slipped on the wet grass, whirling around to clash his blade with Jenner's.
"So, you made it after all," the black creature sneered. They lashed out in a quick series of strikes, as though warming up for the main event.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Justin replied, then advanced with his own set of attacks. They circled each other in the mud, sizing each other up.
"Where's the rest of your cronies, Jenner?" he asked, nearly smirking. "There's no one else to help you, and it looks like whatever plan you had has fallen apart." He lashed out with his blade again. "Why don't you make it easy on yourself and give up?"
"I've seen enough heroics for one day," Jenner replied. "It's time your luck ran out."
He unleashed a barrage of monumental blows. Justin's hands burned from the impact, the bones in his wrists crying out in anguish, but he pushed on, blocking everything Jenner threw at him. The fire was receding, flames hissing with each drop that fell. Justin shook the water from his face.
"Looks like you picked the wrong night to play with fire," he said, and tightened his grip on his blade.
"The night's still young," Jenner replied, and metal struck metal once more. Both rats were trained warriors, with knowledge of every attack and defense. It would be up to strength and concentration to decide who emerged victorious.
Elizabeth watched in terror, seeing that Justin had no effect on Jenner's apparently invincible force. He was able to defend himself, as well as unleash his own powerful attacks, but she couldn't help the sinking in her stomach, telling her something bad was about to happen. She could barely watch, fighting to keep her eyes uncovered, but she was also too afraid to look away.
The two locked hilts, pushing against each other in a grudging match. Justin's foothold began slipping beneath Jenner's weight, but he countered by punching the rat in the jaw. His vision blurred, Jenner staggered back, giving Justin room to leap forward, kicking him in the chest. Jenner fell in the mud, lashing out with his feet as Justin advanced on him, knocking the rat to the ground. He then scrambled to his knees, trying to bring his sword down. Justin dodged the careless attack, lunging out with his own desperate blow. Jenner ducked, and both rats clamored back to their feet.
They were both covered in mud, and managed to catch each other's wrists. Once again, each tried to over power the other, Jenner pushing, squeezing Justin's sword arm as Justin did the same to him. They were locked in a power struggle and, with their weapons halted, they stabbed at each other with their eyes. Their arms and bodies twisted, Jenner's sharp teeth gleaming behind his haunting grin. He was slowly gaining strength over Justin, pushing more than pulling on his side. Justin's eyes blazed as he tried to outmaneuver Jenner's brute force, but he was unable to break free of its grip.
Justin's feet were slipping beneath him, mud and rain not helping his cause. Jenner's strength was wearing him down, forcing him lower and lower, and he suddenly threw himself backwards, using Jenner's momentum to his advantage. Jenner fell on top of him, Justin's knee ramming into his gut, his grip loosening as he struggled to breathe. Justin kicked with both legs, sending Jenner flying over his head, landing on his back in the mud. Lightening flashed, lighting the field as Justin and Jenner struggled once more to their feet. Their muscles were aching, fur soaked with ran and mud. Neither had gotten much sleep, neither of them willing to give up. Jenner wrapped both hands around his sword, bringing the blade down with even more crushing force. Justin's sword grew more battered with each hit, and he could barely bring it up to defend himself, let alone try to launch his own attack.
Jenner was striking harder than ever, knowing every inch of his future depended on each hit he made. He pushed Justin steadily backwards, bringing down blow after crushing blow. Finally, as he raised his sword to block another devastating hit, Justin's blade shattered, metal exploding in a silver cloud of dust. Shocked by the power of the hit, he couldn't react as Jenner followed through with lunging stab. Justin used his ruined sword handle, deflecting the blow from his chest, the blade running straight through his left kidney. Jenner then grabbed his shirt, ramming the blade through to the hilt.
Justin screamed in pain, blade tearing through him like fire. He felt as though every inch of his body were burning. His legs collapsed from under him. Jenner slipped to his knees as well, holding his sword in place. Elizabeth shrieked, seeing Jenner's wavy sword run its entire length through Justin's back, covered in glistening ooze and gore, silver tone violently turned dark red. Jenner saw her horrified face, and threw her a wink.
"You're next," he said casually.
"Justin mustered all the strength he could, grabbing Jenner's throat.
"You'll never touch her," he growled through gritted teeth.
Jenner twisted the blade in Justin's guts, Justin releasing his throat and grabbing his sword arm. The pain was earth shattering, making him scream as every nerve, every cell, felt as though it tried to rip itself in two.
"It hurts, doesn't it?" Jenner asked. "Trust me, I know."
He twisted his blade the other way, sending a new set of shockwaves through Justin's body, smiling at the torment he caused.
"You failed, Justin," he said. "You failed to protect her, to save the others, and do you know why you failed?"
He stopped, grinning at his foe's pain. Because you care too much, because you're weak…you will always be weaker than I."
Justin's eyes were clamped shut, teeth crushing themselves as he tried to handle the pain.
"You can't beat me, Justin!" Jenner continued. "You never had a chance. You never had a single chance!" he laughed. "There's no stopping what can't be stopped, no killing what can't be killed! You can't stop me!"
Justin found the energy to open his eyes, glaring at Jenner as he felt the hands of death close around him.
"But don't worry about it, Justin," Jenner said. "You won't be alone for too long. Your girlfriend over there will be joining you shortly, that is, as soon as I've had my way with her."
Thunder crashing, lightening flashing as Justin's world stopped in time. His vision cleared, eyes burning like the flames of hell as his strength returned.
"Never."
His right hand left the sword, darting to Jenner's belt. He wretched a knife free, ramming it to the hilt in Jenner's shoulder. Jenner was thrown back, screaming in pain. He slipped, falling forward in the mud, landing on the wound. Quickly, he rose to his knees, grabbing the knife's handle and tearing it from his shoulder.
As Jenner fell back, Justin fell on his hands and knees, but he gave himself no time to rest. He clasped the handle of Jenner's blade, screaming in pain as he tore it out, metal ripping across his burning insides. He could taste the copper of his blood, and pushed himself to his feet, circling around just as Jenner tore the knife from his shoulder. He looked up to see his blade flashing like a lightening bolt, screaming as the metal ripped across his throat.
Jenner's head severed at the neck, the force of Justin's strike sending it into the blaze, and blood erupted from his shoulders like a crimson volcano. After a moment, the body crumpled, blood still flooding heavily from the jugular. Jenner's black heart was still beating, not yet realizing its owner was dead. Justin fell on his back, unable to bear the pain, wounds bleeding freely, and Elizabeth rushed to his side. She was crying frantically.
"Justin, hold on, please!" she sobbed. "Hold on, you'll be okay…please, just stay with me!"
She leaned forward, protecting his head from the rain, taking her hand in his, as he choked, coughed, hacked blood on his chest. His face was contorted in pain, and he tried to look at her, but his vision was dimming. He squeezed her hand tightly, as though doing so would keep him from falling off the earth. He coughed again, gripping his side in agony.
"I-It's pretty bad," he wheezed, barely above a whisper. "I did what I could…I wasn't going to let him trust you…" his voice trailed off.
"And you did," she cried desperately. "You stopped him. You stopped Jenner, you stopped Schultz. You saved everyone, Justin, now you have to stay! You have to see it!" tears streamed down her face, becoming one with the rain. "We need you, I need you…Justin, please, stay with me! Help is coming, please, just hold on; they can fix you. You'll be okay, I swear—"
"No." his voice was faint, so Elizabeth had to her ear to his lips. "No…they can't…only one thing can…"
His voice trailed off again, body curling up in pain. Elizabeth began crying uncontrollably, putting her head on his chest to make sure he still breathed. She saw something through her tears, something dark and blurry, and she had to wipe her face to make it out. She was suddenly aware of Ages resting at her side, but he wasn't the only one.
Orion and Sarah were there, as well as Sullivan, her children, and many others. Several rats tended to the fire, just as many converging on Justin and Elizabeth. In disgust, Sullivan heaved Jenner's body aside, at the same time making room for Brutus, who had Nicodemus clasped in his arms. In the old rat's hands was the amulet, and Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"Nicodemus, the amulet," she pleaded. "It can save Justin, I know it can!" she started crying again. "Please use it…it can save him! I know it can, it can save him!"
"I cannot," Nicodemus said weakly.
Elizabeth was taken aback, as though he'd just struck her. "B-But you have to," she begged. "It's the only thing. He said there was only one thing that could save him," she cried harder. "That has to be it…you must use it!"
"My body is too weak, Mrs. Brisby," Nicodemus told her. "I do not have enough life force to save him; the effort would kill both of us. You must do it, Mrs. Brisby, only you can save him." He continued, before she could speak. He handed her the amulet, and it instantly glowed brighter. "You have done if before, Mrs. Brisby. You have the gift, the courage, and the strength. Justin's wounds are very deep. He can be saved, but you must concentrate; do not think of anything else, except him. Clear your mind of everything, think only thoughts of him, and how much he means to you. Put away all of your other fears and worries." He stopped, gazing into her shaking eyes. "Concentrate, Mrs. Brisby."
Elizabeth looked down at her trembling hands, feeling the amulet pulsate in her grasp, as though it were a living heart. She wrapped the chain around her wrist, feeling its warmth surround her. The sensation was burning, yet soothing, her skin tingling as every strand of fur danced on end, but there was also something else. It was another heartbeat, only not as strong, a fading heartbeat. She gazed at Justin, realizing it was his heart she felt. She could feel his life in her hands, every blood cell in his veins. She felt every electrical pulse, every neuron firing, every inch of his body, down to the very atoms it was composed of.
She closed her eyes, then opened them again, seeing the world through a red haze that blurred her vision. The glow of the amulet had engulfed her, was feeding her the power she'd always possessed, was tapping into her courage. She looked. Justin's body was in front of her, and it was dying. He was dying.
No, she thought desperately. Justin can't die! Justin…can't…die!
A surge of power beyond her comprehension burst within her, a gleaming shockwave spreading in all directions. Light was everywhere, blinding to the eye. The power manifested itself in her body, producing a glow so brilliant it lit the night sky. Waves of energy flowed through her, waves of energy, time, space, matter, light, love, and, most of all, life. It was all there, all her, the two worlds becoming one. The physical world became something else, far more than she understood. Reality had broken into its most basic components and silently, effortlessly, she controlled it all, could see the very life force of every being around her. She saw the lives of the other rats surrounding her, could see Justin's life fading, and her own in front of her, in its simplest, most visible form; that of pure energy.
She put her hands on his chest, bringing him into her world. His was a world of life and death, hers one without end, beyond the boundaries of life and death, of space and time. In her world, time stood still, because she was in control. In her world, life was a tangible entity, and entity she commanded, and she directed her life, her spirit, the very essence of her being itself, straight into Justin. Everything burned. She forced a world without laws into one based on rules, forced life into emptiness. The two worlds collided, but hers was stronger, and the light and fire cascaded into an upward spiral, growing hotter, brighter. Blinding, searing heat forced the realms together, until at last, they could merge no more, and the two became one.
Then it was gone, in a blinding flash of scarlet light. Elizabeth collapsed on top of him, the rain subsiding, her mind and body drained. Only seconds had passed, but to her, it had been centuries, and her body could take no more. It demanded rest, but she forced herself to stay away. She had to know, had to see.
She scraped every ounce of strength from her withered soul, lifted her head to see his face. Her body, her muscles, her bones begged her to stop, told her to rest, to sleep, but she wouldn't listen. She had to know. She fought off her drifting conscious as it began wandering into sleep, with or without her, struggled with every cell of her body, just to see. He laid still, the pain gone from his face, his eyelids closed as he settled into a peace that was far beyond what he'd ever known. Finally, ever so slightly, his eyes opened, and he felt himself in the presence of some otherworldly warmth. He realized it was Elizabeth, the heart at his side, causing that warmth. Everything before had become nonexistent for that moment, their moment.
He saw her, hovering quietly over his head. There was nothing else; no sound, no pain, no fear, only her. Their eyes met, for what felt like the first time in a thousand years, yet it seemed so familiar nothing else would be right. He blinked, wondering, for a moment, if he looked at an angel, then something deep inside told him he was, only she was a different kind of angel. He smiled. Elizabeth knew she had saved him, smiling as well. Her body was drained beyond anything she'd ever known, pleading for rest, but she wasn't quite ready, not just yet. In the moments after the storm, they lay there, holding each other's lives in their arms.
"Justin," she whispered. "I…I love you."
He reached up, slowly, caressing her cheek. "And I love you," he whispered. He felt her warmth as his eyes closed, and a second later, they kissed.