The Dark Side of Nimh

The Dark Side of Nimh is an installment from The 100 Acre Wood series. It follows a story of the relationship between Woody the Cowboy and an old friend of his (Jonathan Brisby).


 * Plot

The story began on a beautiful bright morning at Andy's House. Woody is sleeping in his place up on the windowsill. As He woke up - the sun shines and the birds sang - Untill He heard a loud noise next to the table. The grumpy cowboy walked off the table and there was his best friend Buzz Lightyear building his first invention with a hammer. Woody asked him what he is doing. Buzz told him that he had built that invention to make it fly into the blue. He called it The Lightyear Flyer. Woody soon got back to the windowsill and begins to wonder about having new adventures out in The 100 Acre Wood. He even remembered he and Hamm the Piggy Bank used to have their very first adventure with a mouse named Jonathan.

The next day - Jeremy the Crow was flying over Spoonerville and He found himself crashing into Andy's backyard. Buzz and Woody heard that noise and saw what happend outside. They ran out to help the crow. After a few seconds of fixing things in the yard - Jeremy told Woody that He was sent by the rats of Thorn Valley to find him and bring him to visit the rats. They are Jonathan's friends. Woody believed that moving to Thorn Valley is a good idea. He wondered if Jonathan lived there. Woody and Jeremy bid Buzz and the toys goodbye and they both flew to Thorn Valley (a beautiful place where there are waterfalls rivers and trees).

At Thorn Valley - Jeremy introduced Woody to Justin and Mr. Ages who are here to teach him how to swing on vines and draw anything different on a chalkboard. Six weeks passed - and Justin taught Woody everything about being talented and strong and swimming lessons.

One day - Woody gets tired of living in Thorn Valley. He decided to go back to Andy's House. But Justin and Mr. Ages told him that if he leaves Thorn Valley - They will be in danger from Nimh. Woody just did not understand. That night - Jeremy flew by and met Woody. Woody told him he wants to go home and he thinks the rodents are keeping him as a prisoner. Jeremy had an idea. He had brought an umbrella for Woody - so he can float back home (Not just any umbrella. A Magical Flying Umbrella). At dawn - Jeremy took Woody and the umbrella to a tree and send him flying all the way up and out of the valley with the umbrella still held tight in his fist. The Umbrella popped open and it carried Woody through the sky as it flies. But the force of a strong wind send Woody and the umbrella tumbling down to the forest below. The Umbrella crashed into the trees and Woody landed into the river with a splash.

Meanwhile - Jeremy flew to Andy's and told Buzz that Woody is lost in the forest. Buzz Hamm and Rex set off to find him. Back in the forest - Woody tried to find his way back to town. But he gave up. Little did he know that Justin and the other rats are looking for him and thinking he was in danger. Woody asked Auntie Shrew to help him. Then She told him that her neighbors can help him find his way home.

Later that night - Woody befriended Jennifer Brisby and her children who invited him to spend the night with them. The next day - Woody remembered the day - Jonathan rescued Jenny. In the meantime - Woody walked out and met Winnie the Pooh who sang a friendship song to him.

Somewhere under the town of Spoonerville - Professor Ratigan (the real leader of N.I.M.H.) is plotting to invade Thorn Valley and become the supreme ruler of the forest. He is the person that Jonathan saved Jennifer from untill they were married. This time - Ratigan took his gang (a group of rodent gangsters created by the scientists of Nimh) to the forest and began their mission.

Meanwhile - Buzz Hamm and Rex encountered a grizzly black bear who thinks they are hunters and attacked them. The three friends helped each other escaped - leaving the bear behind. By the time They reached the brisby home - Woody was thrilled to see his pals again. But when the rats came - They told the cowboy that they need him. Because Ratigan is invading the forest. When Jennifer heard the name Ratigan - She remembered the day she was kidnapped by him. Jenny snapped and is very upset. She was afraid Ratigan will find her again. As she broke down and wept - Justin calm her down and told Woody that he was the 100 Acre Wood's only hope.

That evening - Woody visited his mentor Jedi Master Yoda in the swamp. There - He asked him where Jonathan is. Yoda told Woody that Jonathan had been killed by Dragon the Cat (much to the cowboy's horror). Then - Yoda fell ill and his body disappeared. Yoda is 9000 years old. The next morning - a desperate Woody ran all the way to Friar Tuck's church and asked him where Nicodemus is and he needs him to help him stop Ratigan. Friar Tuck showed Woody to a gravestone writtin Nicodemus. Nicodemus is also dead. Thinking that leaving Thorn Valley was his fault - a crying Woody ran out of the church. He got to a bridge in the 100 Acre Wood and is about to suicide by drowning into the moat. But Friar Tuck ran to the bridge and grabbed him back. He and Jiminy Cricket told the little cowboy that leaving Thorn Valley is Not his fault after all. Jiminy said that Ratigan and his men just went to the Stone Aged Castle where he is crowned Supreme Ruler. Hearing this - Woody smiled to the two and ran to joined up with the rats of Thorn Valley.

That rainy evening - Justin and the rats charged into the Castle and found Ratigan's Gang. But the rats get caught and were thrown into cages. Ratigan came with a knife and was about to strike Justin down. Suddenly - Woody Jennifer Brisby her children Buzz Hamm and Buster the Dog came charging in and fought off the gangsters. The heroes freed the rats. When Rex entered the battle - the gangsters grew terrified and ran for their lives. But Ratigan tried to shot Woody down with a gun. Woody ran upstairs and out of a window where Ratigan trapped him onto the rooftops. Jennifer jumped up behind Ratigan and fought. In the struggle - Jennifer was knocked unconscious. But Woody carried her back inside. Enraged - Ratigan lunged at Woody and they both tumble outside and onto the edge of the roof. Swinging his paws wildly and violently - Ratigan gave Woody a few blows. But in his blind rage - a giant bell inside the roof is ringing - causing both Woody and Ratigan to lose their balance. Woody landed onto another edge and saw Ratigan in danger. With a bloodcurdling scream - Ratigan falls down from the castle and his body disappeared into a ravine below.

Justin found Jennifer's body and cradled her in his arms as he carries her out of the castle and into the forest. After walking all the way - Justin sobbed and hugged the unconscious Jenny. But then - Justin realized he was still wearing The Red Stone Amulet. So - He kissed Jennifer and with a bright glow - Jennifer woke up. She smiled at Justin and gave him a big hug.

Months later - Timmy Martin Teresa and Cynthia send a letter to Woody. So - He Buzz Pooh Bear and Piglet came and are playing together at a lake.

As for Jennifer - She and Justin found a peaceful spot under a blossom tree. Justin told Jenny that he loved her so much. Then Timmy showed up and joined in with the two. Woody and Buzz watched that peaceful moment on a rock. Woody told Buzz that when their pal Andy grew up - This cowboy will have this space toy to keep him company for infintiy and beyond.


 * Triva


 * This story takes place before Pooh's Adventures of Toy Story 2