"So, Kiddo, how you doing?", Jeremy asked Timmy.
Timmy didn't answer, but Ellie joined in the chat as she flew closer to Jeremy so Cole could feel closer to Timmy.
"Kiddo?", she asked.
Timmy seemed to come out of his daze for a moment.
"Oh, I'm okay.", he answered plainly.
Cole raised an eyebrow.
"Timmy, I know that something's on your mind.", he answered gently, "Still feeling unsure?"
Timmy sighed as he figured Cole wasn't going to let up.
"Well, I guess I'm just wondering why Thorn Valley is so great."
"Oh, that's what's bothering you.", Ellie said with a chuckle.
"Thorn Valley's great because-", Jeremey started before seemingly getting lost in thought, "Well, because…"
Then he looked inspired.
"Because there's nowhere else like it."
"Nowhere else comes close.", Eliie put in.
"It's the past.", Jeremy added, "It's the future. It's a blast."
Now Cole was looking impressed as Timmy seemed to come out of his daze again.
"Wow, it sure sounds like quite a place.", he stated.
"Oh, it's the most sophisticated city in a sleepy village green, from the Ice Age to the Mice Age and everything in between."", Jeremy laughed.
That was when Ellie and Jeremy dived through the clouds while Timmy and Cole held on. They came to what looked like a canyon and as they flew past the rocky sides and occasional waterfalls, they soon came upon a valley in a wide open area bathed in sunshine. Cole's eyes widened at the wonderous sight. In the center of it all there was a great tree with what Cole deduced were farmlands with a water flowing through the grid as if naturally watering it. Sure there were some forests along the sides of the valley, but the tree grabbed Cole's attention most as when they flew closer, he felt as if he was heading back to the city life he had once knew before he moved to Alaska. When they were close enough to the ground, Cole and Timmy could see what looked like rats working the fields harvesting crops while also seeing buildings that looked made of pieces of household appliances and utensils which Cole quietly reminded himself that they probably were as some of the rats looked up.
"That's Tim Brisby."
"There he is."
"Hey, Timmy!"
Cole could see the timidness on Timmy's face fall away to leave wonder and awe as they flew over a river and a rat operating a boat carrying crops looked up and waved merrily.
"Hello, down there.", Timmy called as he waved back.
"Welcome.", the rat answered.
The closer they flew to the tree, the more Cole could see the little houses, bridges, and rats that had all come out to welcome them even with a "Welcome Timothy" banner raised though Ellie looked a bit worried.
"Jeremy, don't forget to be careful.", she warned.
"Don't worry Ellie.", Jeremy said giving a smile, "I'm perfectly-"
/
Jeremy was cut off cause he wasn't paying attention and almost flew over the banner to get his leg caught and almost brought it down if Ellie hadn't flown closer and held him steady. Cole got off and landed safely on the ground, but then the banner sprang back like a trip wire and sent both crows flying while Timmy slipped and fell towards a cart of strawberries. Cole quickly used a nearby fork to launch himself upward and caught Timmy in time before they both came ot the ground with Timmy in Cole's arms and Cole landing on his feet.
"Wow, that's what a hero should be like.", a voice in the crowd.
Cole ignored it and helped Timmy to his feet.
"Thanks Cole.", Timmy said.
Cole nodded before he found himself bursting into song.
"You want to relax? Then take what you please."
Another young rat showed up and joined in.
"There's candy galore and it's all made of cheese."
She then took a wedge of cheese and held it to Timmy as if offering it while other rats joined in.
"Wherever you look, another surprise. Just stick around, you won't believe your eyes."
Cole then saw Timmy see a large wheel of cheese and eagerly go toward it while he followed as the rats kept singing.
"Come make the most of your life."
Timmy gripped a piece of the large cheese wheel and took a piece off only to have the cart the cheese was on wobble, but Cole paused it before it fell apart. Timmy then ran off as if eager to explore with Cole right behind him.
"The finest way, the spicest life, you'll ever spend the nicest life. Come on, find out what it's like."
Timmy was in such awe of looking around that he didn't see the open hot air balloon made from matchsticks, paper and grass until he was in it and it was taking off. Luckily, Cole was able to get in and accompany him before he started singing again.
"You'll want to play ball and hit a home run. You'll want to play loud, you could be number one. So lie on your back and float down the stream or hold your breath and shut your eyes and scream."
Cole then flipped what was the emergency release and the balloon suddenly dropped as the air was let out. Timmy screamed before the basket he and Cole were on landed on a ramp on a tree root and slid down safely to the ground where the rats sang again.
"Come make the most of your life. Wildest acrobatest life. The nicest and the rattest life. Come on, find out what it's like."
Cole soon found himself being led by the now huge crowd of rats and mice through the city where Cole saw what he guessed were stores and abodes that helped remind him of Fievel's world as the song went on.
"You want to invent, you want to explore. To come up with things no one thought of before. So aim for the stars you set your sights high. You won't know if it works until you try."
Cole then looked Timmy's way and smiled warmly.
"Come make the most of your life."
Cole then led Timmy to what looked like some kind of university and he felt a memory of arriving at his own back in his world.
/
"The sorcerer's apprentice, scientificest rodentest.", the rats continued singing as the unrolled a red carpet down the stairs that ended at Cole and Timmy's feet, "Come on, find out what it's like."
As Cole and Timmy walked up, they saw Mr. Ages and another mouse that Cole remembered as Aiden as they got the doors open.
"Come on in to the greatest kind of life.", Aiden sang merrily.
"To the best and the latest kind of life.", Mr. Ages added.
Once beyond the doors, Cole and Timmy were greeted by a huge crowd of what looked like graduates who parted to the front of the room making a path that Cole and Timmy walked down as they sang on.
"The tried and the true, the newer, the new, the way that the world should be."
At the front of the room, Cole saw Justin near a podium with a small box on it before he joined in the song.
"Help yourself to the greatest things in life.", he sang as he opened the box, reached in and took out a gold key on a red lanyard, "To the best and the latest kind of life."
Timmy looked hesitant, but one look from Cole gave him the courage to step forward and let Justin slip the key around his neck.
"The safe and the sound, what's yet to be found as far as your mind can see.", the rats sang in turn.
Timmy looked to the key around his neck looking more confused and anxious.
"Why me? Why now?" What is it I'm ment to do?"
Cole came up to him and sang a part.
"The best that you can."
"The answer is up to you.", Mr. Ages added.
As Cole and Justin led Timmy back outside with Mr. Ages and Aiden following, the rats sang out again while the crowd outside joined as well.
"So come on in to the greatest kind of life. To the best and the latest kind of life. The tried and the true, the newer the new, the way that the world should be."
Cole and Timmy then saw what Cole guessed was a monument with a statue of a mouse at the top looking heroic and true with a plaque under it reading "Jonathan Brisby". Timmy stared in awe while Cole joined in the song.
"The safe and the sound, what's left to be found. The way…that the whole wide world…should be."
With the song concluded, the other rats left to get back to what they had been either doing or working on leaving Timmy alone with Cole, Justin, Mr. Ages, and Aiden.
"Hey Cole, it's been a while.", Aiden said grabbing Cole's attention.
Cole couldn't help but chuckle as he looked Aiden's way and the two shook hands.
"Nice to see you too Aiden.", he said before looking around, "Uh, where's Nicodemus?"
Aiden shrugged.
"I don't know. He's probably around somewhere. I'm sure he'll be here to welcome Timmy soon enough."
"I am here."
/
Cole, Timmy, Justin, Mr. Ages, and Aiden turned to see Nicodemus make his way around a corner of the monument of Jonathan Brisby though Timmy was more in awe as the old rat made his way to them.
"Welcome young Master Brisby.", Nicodemus said to Timmy.
Timmy suddenly felt more anxious than he had ever felt. He had often wondered what it would be like to stand before the great Nicodemus of the rats of NIHM if he had the chance. But now that it was actually happening, he felt like he just didn't know what to say. Nicodemus chuckled as he turned to Cole.
"I'm glad you came as well Cole.", he said sagely.
Cole nodded and gave a bow of respect which Nicodemus accepted. Finally, Timmy seemed to have found his voice.
"Nicodemus, what am I supposed to do?", he asked, "Why am I the one you chose and not Martin?"
Nicodemus looked to Timmy and gave a friendly smile that made Cole think of a loving grandfather to his favorite grandson.
"All will be revealed in time.", he assured, "Right now, Cole alongside Justin and Mr. Ages will help you learn what you need to learn."
"What's that?", Timmy asked growing more curious, "What will I learn?"
Nicodemus looked to Mr. Ages and Mr. Ages seemed to get the message.
"Aiden, could you help Nicodemus home?"
Aiden nodded and went with Nicodemus though the old rat paused a moment to look Cole's way.
"You're welcome to stay as long as you please Cole.", he said, "Welcome to Thorn Valley."
Cole nodded as Timmy looked like he still wanted to talk with Nicodemus, but Mr. Ages brought him out of his thoughts.
"You'll learn about anything and everything to help you become the best you can be."
"But I still have so much to ask Nicodemus.", Timmy protested.
"Now, now, now, there will be time for that another time.", Cole assured him, "For now, we should probably get settled in."
Justin and Mr. Ages seemed to accept that though Cole remembered something.
"Justin, aren't you supposed to be the leader of the rats since Nicodemus passed the torch to you?"
"Nicodemus and I actually lead together.", Justin admitted, "Kind of share the responsibility."
Cole shrugged and decided that if Nicodemus decreed that they would share the torch, than who was he to disagree? Mr. Ages led Cole and Timmy to a nearby house that looked like the place Mr. Ages lived.
"I only have a spare room for Timmy.", Mr. Ages told Cole, "I'm sorry that there might not be a bed for you, Cole."
"That's okay.", Cole answered, "As long as I have a pillow and a blanket, I can sleep anywhere."
Mr. Ages nodded as Timmy looked Cole's way a bit unsure for a moment, but then dropped it as he had a feeling Cole ment what he said.
/
After a while, Timmy and Cole met up with Justin near a river where Justin had prepared a few vines across a part of the river where the bridge wasn't.
"Timmy, you have to be ready both mentally and physically.", Justin said as he swung across and landed feet first on the other side.
He then turned and gave a nod which Cole took as a signal and he then swung across on his own and then landed on the other side as well.
"Ready for what?", Timmy asked as he tried to swing across.
Needless to say, Timmy didn't make it, but Cole grabbed his foot before he slipped and fell in the river.
"To fulfill your destiny.", Justin told him.
"Everyone keeps saying that, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do.", Timmy answered unsure.
"Nobody does.", Cole told him, "Each of us is chosen for a reason, but it's up to us to find out what it is."
"You've got to adapt and improvise.", Justin put in before looking Cole's way, "You can give Nicodemus a run for his money with that wisdom you have."
Cole couldn't help but chuckle and look a bit embarrassed.
"Well, I do my best."
As Justin, Cole, and Timmy walked around Thron Valley, they came to a dock where some harvesters were unloading some crops. Timmy saw some fresh corn and hurried over to pick a kernel though Cole saw a swinging pin coming in and grabbed a nearby strawberry and flung it in time to stopper it and prevent any further danger.
"Good reflex.", Justin commented as he had observed what Cole did.
"Hey, I learn from the best.", Cole answered.
Once Timmy was done eating the kernel he had picked, Cole looked interested.
"Timmy, why not come with us."
Timmy was unsure as he followed Justin and Cole outside Thorn Valley and was traveling to a side of the canyon and then scaling up.
"The trick is not to look down.", Cole told Timmy.
Timmy tried not to look down, and though he was tempted a few times, the touch of Cole's hand helped him focus on the climb. Soon, they were on a ledge overlooking the whole community.
"You know Timmy, when your father saved the rats of NIHM, he didn't know that was his destiny.", Justin said to Timmy once the trio got settled into sitting positions.
"But I'm not my father.", Timmy protested.
"Well, let's let history be the judge of that.", Justin answered.
Cole said nothing, but after a while, it was starting to get dark which told the trio that it was time to head back which they did.
"Well Justin, see you tomorrow?", Cole asked.
"Bright and early.", Justin answered as he headed off.
Cole saw Timmy was getting sleepy and helped him home as dusk was starting to settle in.