Category: Stories

  3. The Brisby Beginning

    This story is set in the early days of the Rats' original Rosebush colony, when Johnathan Brisby was roommate to Mr. Ages and was very much at loose ends. An unabashed love story, as Johnathan meets the one who would come to be at the center of the entire "NIMH" saga.

  8. Crossed Paths, Crossed Lives

    Martin Brisby makes an impulsive decision to leave Thorn Valley, accompanied by his best friend Lambert, to see the NIMH laboratory for himself. Unfortunately his absence causes further complications after a harbinger of doom arrives, in the form of a strange but familiar mouse. This story is set two years after “The Last Moving Day.” The original version was written between March and December 1989.

  9. Cyril and Alma

    Everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, Mr. Ages, thinks he’s performing a simple act of kindness after he receives an unexpected night visitor, but it signals the beginning of a major life change for him. This story is set four months after “The Last Moving Day.”

  16. Freethorn

    This story is based on three short stories written in 1990 and 1991 and takes place in the days following “Crossed Paths, Crossed Lives,” beginning the day after. I decided to consolidate them into one story, expanding upon events I’d previously touched upon that happened during that period or were detailed in later stories. The Rats and Mice formerly of Thorn Valley welcome new arrivals that swell the latter’s ranks—some with surprising origins—and otherwise adjust to life in the colony’s new location.

  18. George

    Dr. George Yardley is often haunted by his past work with Dr. Schultz--a past no one but the Rats of NIMH new about. Now that his 'nephew,' Dante, has joined the rats of NIMH and his friends have deserted him, he feels he must face his past by creating a new future for himself--by joining Dante. A short sequel to "The Children of NIMH."

  23. The Last Moving Day

    Following the events of "Mrs. Brisby and the Search for Johnathan," the title says it all, as the Brisby family makes its final decision on whether or not to make their home in Thorn Valley alongside the Rats of NIMH. The original version of this story was written in 1991.

  32. Mrs. Brisby and the Search for Johnathan

    Courage of the heart… it served Mrs. Brisby well in her quest to save her children and gained her valuable allies and friends. Now, she must rely upon it again in a new quest to find the one who will once again make her family complete: Johnathan Brisby, the father of her children, the one she thought they’d lost forever. Guided by the ever-mysterious red amulet, she leads her new friends into parts unknown to any of them, with no way of knowing that they’d meet opposition to their quest…or that they may not survive to be reunited with the object of their search.

  41. Out of the Mist

    This story opens a few days after “Freethorn.” The Rats and Mice of Freethorn receive some unexpected company and learn some truths—not all of them pleasant—both about the world that has taken them in, and about themselves. This was my longest “NIMH” fan-fiction. The original version was written over a course of 13(!) years, from 1993 to 2006.

  48. The Rats of Thorn Valley

    A beautifully told story which keeps the characters true to their form in the film. It takes place four months after the rats' departure from the farm. Mrs. Brisby and her children eagerly accept an opportunity to visit Thorn Valley; but unknown to them, the Rats of NIMH are once again facing a deadly peril--one which could destroy their self-sufficient paradise forever.

  49. Return to NIMH

    A strange new rat arrives at the colony in Thorn Valley ... but he is not what he appears. (A revised and expanded version of perhaps the earliest surviving Secret of NIMH fanfiction, first written in December 1983/January 1984.)

  50. Second Chance: A NIMHmuck Roleplay

    Taken directly from the on-line, real time logs of NIMHmuck, then cleaned up a bit, 'Second Chance' holds together quite well as a parallel storyline in which Mrs. Brisby confronts her husband about his secret. Excerpts from different days involve both their domestic fight and a show stopping conflict with Jenner. Both a great introduction to the world of NIMHmuck and surprisingly reminiscent of some of the other fan-fic works, especially given that it was entirely impromptu.

  51. Second In Command

    A followup to "The Rats of Thorn Valley", as told by Jonathan. The Rats of NIMH and the Brisby family anxiously prepare for their first winter in Thorn Valley. Meanwhile Jonathan learns the meaning of "long-suffering" as he battles trouble with work, family, weather--and, most perilous of all, the fallout from Justin's tortured love-life.

  55. Such Devoted Sisters

    Taking place somewhere between “Rats of Thorn Valley” and “Second in Command,” this tale is told by Eileen, one of Paul’s original rat characters. Unfortunately, there are only two chapters to this story, which was unreleased at the time that the archive went down in 2001.

  60. Untitled

    This short is part of another larger work that was never completed nor released. This story takes place in the far future of Thorn Valley. Told by Cynthia, it is an interesting little read, and one of the pieces Paul sent me when he originally contacted me about getting his fanfiction up on the web.