The morning came and as Cole got up he found Timmy was still asleep and couldn't help but chuckle. It had been a several months since they had come to Thorn Valley, but Cole knew Timmy had a ways to go.
"Another day of training and already he's sleeping in.", he said rolling his eyes comically, "Kids, what can you do?"
Luckily, Cole was able to get breakfast started and that was enough to get Timmy motivated.
"Good morning.", Cole said pleasantly as Timmy showed up to see Cole making some eggs and bread.
"Cole, I was wondering something.", Timmy said to him as he seated himself at the table.
"What's that?", Cole asked as he had finished cooking and brought breakfast over to the table before setting Timmy's plate before him.
"Mom once told me that you used a magic sword against Jenner.", Timmy said when Cole took his own seat, "Could you show it to me?"
Cole chuckled merrily.
"Timmy, I only did that to protect your mother and it hasn't appeared since.", Cole answered, "I can't just wave my hand and make it appear out of thin air any time I choose."
Timmy looked a bit disappointed, but Cole knew what would help.
"You know, if all goes well, we might get a chance to see Nicodemus out in the morning sunshine."
That got Timmy to brighten up and quickly finish eating.
"Uh, uh, uh.", Cole stated making the young mouse pause as Timmy was about to head to the door, "Dishes."
Timmy sighed as he collected his dishes while Cole finished up and both brought them to the sink and Cole started filling it with water.
"Cole, do we have to?", Timmy asked.
Cole looked his way with a raised eyebrow.
"You want to raise a stink and have Mr. Ages give us a lecture on hygiene?"
That made Timmy change his mind and after a short while, the dishes were washed, dried, and put away before they washed their faces, washed and hung their laundry out on the line and had Mr. Ages' floor swept and mopped before heading out into the sunshine though Timmy looked winded.
"Nothing like a set of morning work to help get you ready to take on the day.", Cole said cheerfully, "Okay, now to training."
Timmy groaned as he wanted to get to bed, but then he remembered what Cole had said about having a chance to see Nicodemus and he brightened up just in time to see Justin walking down the street towards them though he looked a bit surprised.
"Cole, what is Timmy doing up so early?", he asked.
Cole thought fast.
"I was just thinking that maybe he and me could get in some fencing lessons.", he answered, "I think my skill is getting rusty and could use some sharpening."
Justin looked to Timmy who looked like he agreed with what Cole had said and gave a warm smile.
"I'd be honored.", he answered, "Meet me in the fields."
A short while later, Cole and Timmy did just in time to see Justin pick up a couple of sticks and toss them their way. Cole caught his and Timmy almost dropped his before Cole caught it with his other hand and handed it over.
/
Once they had their staffs, Justin leaned against a nearby rock as if to observe while Cole saw Timmy was looking uneasy.
"Scared?", Cole asked.
Timmy looked his way and nodded. Cole just took his place in front of Timmy and gave a bow of respect.
"It's usually polite to bow to your opponent before a bout.", Cole explained.
Timmy did the same and the moment they were ready with the staffs, Timmy tried to attack, but Cole stepped aside making Timmy miss and Cole used his own staff to smack Timmy in the side lightly.
"Whew, not bad Cole.", Justin said clearly impressed.
"Thanks.", Cole answered as Timmy got his staff ready again.
Justin observed as Timmy tried again and again to hit Cole, but Cole was clearly more mobile and was avoiding with ease while smacking Timmy lightly as if to point out what Timmy did wrong.
"Move your feet.", Justin stated.
Timmy lost his footing enough for Cole to smack the staff out of his hands and catch it in his free hand.
"Lesson number one: keep a level head at all times.", Cole stated as he handed Timmy his staff back.
Timmy looked unsure and Cole saw he had to add something extra.
"I don't think of fencing as just a fight.", he said before giving what looked like a twirl, "Think of it as…a dance."
Timmy looked confused and Cole then gave a set of movements as if he was dancing with an invisible partner. Justin and Timmy observed Cole's fancy footwork though Timmy was looking more interested. Once Cole paused, he braced his staff as if preparing for another round.
"Again."
Timmy tried again, and tried to keep up, but clearly he was a ways off while he tried blocking Cole's attacks with the staff.
"When will I finally get to fight something?", Timmy asked as he tried attacking again only for Cole to block it.
"Patience.", Cole assured him before he disarmed Timmy once again, "Never rush a flower to bloom."
After a couple more bouts, Cole and Timmy took a break and Justin clapped a few times.
"You're a great teacher Cole."
Cole then looked to Justin and smiled.
"A knight has sworn valor, his heart knows only virtue, his blade defends the defenseless, his strength supports the weak, his word speaks only the truth, his wrath destroys the wicked."
Timmy looked inspired.
"Where did you hear that?", he asked.
Cole looked his way with the same smile he gave Justin.
"I read it in a book about knights a long time ago.", he answered, "Maybe Justin and I should give you a demonstration."
As Cole helped Timmy back towards the tree a while later, Timmy was in awe.
"You were great.", Timmy said, "Justin really was able to keep up with you."
"The way I see it, I was trying to keep up with him.", Cole answered, "I just do my best and hope for the best."
As they walked on, Aiden and Mr. Ages were walking by though Aiden had what looked like a balloon and supplies and Mr. Ages was taking notes.
"Aiden, did you remember to double check that weather balloon?", Mr. Ages asked.
"I checked it three times.", Aiden answered before he noticed Cole and Timmy, "Oh, good morning, Timmy."
Timmy gave a wave as Mr. Ages looked to Cole a bit interested.
"Cole, did you and Timmy clean up before you left?", he asked.
"Yeah, we did.", Cole answered, "I figured some work would help get us up for the day."
Mr. Ages then looked amused.
"Well, I thank you for the help.", he stated, "Made my morning a lot easier."
He then turned to Aiden who knew what it ment and they headed off leaving Cole and Timmy alone.
"Timmy, I know you really want to help make the valley safe, but you don't go off looking for trouble where there isn't any.", Cole told him gently, "It might catch the eye of humans and they might alert NIMH."
"What's NIMH?", Timmy asked.
Cole looked his way calmly.
"All in good time.", he answered, "But for now you have to remember what Mr. Ages, Justin and I have been trying to teach you since you came here."
"That's it's okay to wear the same underwear three days in a row?", Timmy guessed.
Cole gave a chuckle of amusement.
"That was more like something between you and Mr. Ages.", he answered.
Timmy then sighed as he knew what Cole ment.
"I know, I know, I have to think things all the way through."
Cole nodded as he saw they were near Jonathan's statue and paused there with Timmy beside him.
"Timmy, you can be just as remarkable as your father was if you only take a moment to think things through.", Cole stated, "Always see the big picture."
Timmy looked to the statue and sighed as if defeated.
"But I'll never be him."
Cole took a breath and before he knew it, he was singing again.
"You will live up to the deeds that he did."
"Why don't I have you?", Timmy sang next though it was more to the statue than to Cole, "To show me the way? You're everyone's hero, I'm only a kid."
Cole then felt a breeze and a leaf came out of nowhere as if it were autumn and covered Timmy before Timmy came out looking older. Still, Cole kept singing as he guessed the magic of his pendant was moving it along.
/
"I never knew you.", Timmy sang next as Cole found himself and Timmy in a hall before a portrait of Jonathan's deeds, "All I know is the fame that you've won. I never had you to show me the way. You're everyone's hero, I'm only your son."
Cole soon found himself seeing what looked like visions of him training Timmy with staffs again among others like adapting to different environments, and teamwork as Cole sang on.
"One day, they'll know you. They'll hear what you've done. You will show the world you're Jonathan's son."
"I'll face any foe, undertake any quest.", Timmy sang next.
"Any challenge, any task, you'll prove you're the best.", Cole put in.
Cole then found himself in a spring day in front of Jonathan's statue with Timmy now an adult washing the cobblestones while looking to his father's statue now more at ease.
"I'll always have you. I am a part of the tale you've begun. You will be with me each step of the way, I'll make everyone's hero."
Once they were done with scrubbing the stones, Cole helped Timmy carry the water though they still were in song as Cole found himself walking across the edge of the monument before Timmy almost fell into the water if Cole hadn't caught him.
"Be proud you're his son.", Cole sang to accompany him.
"One day, you'll see I will equal your fame.", Timmy sang proudly as he climbed his father's monument with Cole right behind him, "I will show the world I deserve your name."
"And they'll tell your story. They'll know what you've done.", Cole sang as he got to Timmy's side, "One day, you will show the world you're Jonathan's son."
"One day I will show the world, I'm my father's son.", Timmy sang as the music wrapped up.
After they got down, Cole couldn't really keep track of everything he had gone through, but he was happy that Timmy was looking pretty nice in his dark blue vest.
"You have a beautiful voice.", Timmy commented.
Cole couldn't help but blush before Justin's voice caught their ears.
"Tim."
Tim sighed as he looked to see Justin heading their way.
"What did I do now?", he asked.
"Know where I can find a volunteer for tonight's collection detail?", Justin asked.
Timmy then looked interested.
"Me?", he asked.
Cole looked to Justin a little funny as Timmy hurried off.
"Justin, are you sure he's going to be okay?", he asked, "You know how he can be when you give him the…you know."
Justin looked firm.
"Nicodemus asked us to get supplies and Timmy still needs to learn teamwork.", he insisted, "Besides, I can't have Timmy come with us without someone else. Someone who can help Timmy stay in line."
Cole then knew what Justin was asking of him.
"Very well.", he answered, "I'll come along as well."
Justin looked more at ease and headed off, but Cole didn't look so sure.
"Timmy, for once, listen to what Justin tells you.", he silently prayed.
/
At dusk, Cole met up with Justin, and Timmy before another rat came up wearing what looked like a black vest with a red trim.
"Hey Cole.", the rat said with a chuckle, "Still keeping Timmy out of trouble?"
Justin looked the rat's way firmly.
"Brutus, be nice."
"Oh, it's quite alright.", Cole assured him before turning to Brutus, "Are you making sure the patrols are up to date?"
Brutus suddenly looked a bit nervous, but he quickly regained his posture.
"I'll be sure to look into that.", he answered.
"I'm sure you will.", Cole stated before turning to Justin, "Is it him and us?"
Justin shook his head and pointed to a couple others who were behind Brutus before the group headed out.
"So, where are we going?", Timmy asked.
Cole remembered going out on missions with Timmy before and usually Timmy had gotten watch duty which only made Timmy resentful to the point that Cole had to stay with him to keep him focused. Even though it had now turned to night and the shadows helped them blend in, Cole was still on edge.
"Where the humans live.", Justin told Timmy, "To collect things they throw away. We're almost there."
Cole was brought out of his thoughts and saw Timmy holding a whistle though looking a bit down.
"Why do I have to use the whistle?", he asked.
"To warn us in case Killer shows up.", Brutus told him.
Timmy looked tense as Brutus kept talking.
"The meanest and baddest watchdog around these parts."
"Yeah, he could be anywhere.", another member of the group added.
"So keep your eyes open.", the other said.
Cole then saw what looked like an ancient cottage with lights illuminating the back door and a sign over the front, but that was it. They had reached the fence where they had paused and filed in, but Justin held Timmy back.
"Hold it.", he said plainly, "You stay with Cole and keep watch."
"But I want to be in on the action.", Timmy protested.
"You will.", Cole answered, "When you learn to follow orders."
"Don't blow it, kid.", Brutus said as he went past, "I mean… you know what I mean."
Timmy started looking tense as Cole and him watched the others head toward the house.
"Tagalong Timmy.", he grumbled, "That's all I'll ever be. I'm never gonna see any real action."
Timmy flung the whistle to the ground before sitting down firmly while Cole retrieved it.
"Tim, I know you're upset, but Justin is just watching out for you.", Cole said trying to calm Timmy down, "I didn't go either, but we're part of a team and there's no "I" in "team"."
Either Timmy didn't hear him or he pretended not to and continued to sulk as Cole returned.
"Don't leave my post.", he muttered still sore about what he was assigned.
(A/N: I'd like to thank Ashoriotrey and LORfan2187 for the suggestions used here.)