Overwhelming Memories

Summary: When Mars discovers Bomba's research on the Leafmen, memories of a certain terrible event flood her mind.


Life was fabulous for Mars Woods. It had been since she decided to live in the Stomper world. Long ago, Mars was in a depression from her twin sister Venus' death 2 years before that time, and sat on a branch alone. And she just so happened to sit in front of a surveillance camera.

That was when her life changed greatly; Mars remembered it like it was only yesterday. In reality, it was about a month ago.

Mars snapped out of her thoughts as she felt something sniff at her feet. She turned around and looked down from the window she was gazing out of, and giggled when she saw Ozzy sniffing at her flat shoes and striped socks. She adjusted her eyeglasses and sequined bow headband as she bent down, her long black petticoat skirt reaching the floor, and petted the pug's head, using her hand that didn't have a black round crystal ring, which was on her right hand.

Yes, she got glasses a few weeks ago after discovering that she needed to wear them to help with her vision, and the idea of contacts made her kind of squeamish. She had the kind of lens that turned dark in sunlight put in her glasses, so she wouldn't get blinded from the sun. Plus she thought they were cool; She was fascinated by how they dimmed when exposed in sunlight.

And a couple weeks ago, she discovered that she had a hidden talent in the culinary arts, and just yesterday, she made an entire meal by herself.

But the best part of her new life was, she met someone who loved her for who she was (even though they hadn't confessed yet), and not just for her looks, like all the others.

And that someone was Professor Bomba. Yep, that's right; the same guy who obsesses over tiny people living in the forest (which are real!) Mars was positive that the love part of her life would remain the same: Guys falling for her merely because of her appearance, and some abandoning her sister Venus.

She never thought that she would meet someone who would like her for her, not just for her looks; And she did. They became an official couple two weeks ago, but they haven't kissed yet.

'Where is Bomba, anyway?' Mars thought as she stood up straight, and Ozzy ran into the kitchen, breaking a few things in there. 'Oh wait! Isn't he in something Stompers call the uh, shower was it? That's it! Yeah, he is.' Mars nodded to herself, hearing the water running in the bathroom as she wandered around the house, waiting for him to get done. But when she wandered into a certain room, what she saw stopped her in her tracks.

It was his research room. For his research on the Leafmen; the twits who had killed Mars' whole family, and nearly wiped them all out. The only one left was Mars herself. At first, it was her and Venus, until the Leafman General killed her on the night of the Summer Solstice.

She put her hands to her head, her eyes clenched shut as memories of the war from years earlier flooded her mind. The attack roars, the blood, the dust from perished Solar People flying around everywhere.

When the memories began to get overwhelming, Mars clenched her small hands into fists, and ran upstairs to M.K.'s room (where she always slept since the said girl was in college), not looking up once, as tears fell from her eyes down her cheeks. And she was oblivious to the fact that she ran past a puzzled, wet-haired Bomba. Plus she didn't hear him say her name in a concerned tone.

"Mars?" He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion as he saw his girlfriend of two weeks run up the stairs, facing her feet. After she disappeared in M.K.'s room, he walked up the stairs, and peeked in the doorway.

Bomba widened his eyes a bit, as his heart broke a bit when he saw the redhead crying, with her polished hands on her face. She was sitting on the bed, with her elbows on her knees. Her glasses were in her lap, and her shoes were on the floor.

"Mars!" He exclaimed as he ran to the bed and sat in front of Mars, who lowered her hands a bit, so her fingertips were right under her now puffy, tear-filled eyes. She then laid her hands on her lap, revealing her tear-stained cheeks and quivering lips, as some more tears fell from her red eyes, and she sniffled as a small whimper escaped her mouth. She sat on her feet, so he had more room on the small-ish bed. "What's wrong?" Bomba asked her as he wiped her tears away.

"N-nothing," Mars shook her head, "It's nothing."

"C'mon, you can tell me," Bomba smiled comfortingly as he brushed the white tear-stained skin on her cheek.

"Well, okay," Mars gave in. Then she explained everything; the war, her sister getting killed on the night of the Summer Solstice, her seeing his research in the Leafmen, everything. She even showed him the scars on the right side of her face; the reason she hid it with her long bangs.

"And the memories just got kind of overwhelming," She finished, as the tears started to go away, but she was still sniffling.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Bomba pulled her into a hug, with one hand on her shoulders, and the other on the back of her head.

"It's okay, it's not your fault," Mars leaned her hand and the side of her head on his shoulder.

"Hey, how about we take Ozzy to the park?" He suggested, as Mars looked up at him.

"Okay, we can do that," She shrugged as she put her glasses back on her face.

"Now, can you show me that pretty smile?" Bomba asked her sweetly. Mars let a smile grow on her small lips, and she let out a few giggles. "There it is," Bomba smiled, "Now let's go," He jumped down on the floor, and ran down the stairs, with Mars following close behind.

"C'mon, Ozzy!" The pale redhead called out, and the pug came out of the kitchen, happy as can be. "We're going for a walk!" Mars said cheerfully as she held up his leash.


On their way to the park, they encountered a cart selling "dippin' dots" ice cream, so Bomba decided to get a small bowl of it for Mars, which she was delighted about. She had chosen the colorful bubble gum flavor. Then at the park, they let Ozzy, who initially wanted Mars' ice cream, run around by himself, since the park was surrounded by a tall fence, and they sat together on a bench.

"Thanks for the ice cream," Mars smiled, "It's great!" She happily put a spoonful in her mouth, before holding the bowl and spoon up. "You want a bite?"

"No thanks," Bomba shook her head, smiling. Mars shrugged before taking another bite of the frozen treat. She finished it a couple minutes later, and she threw the bowl and spoon in the nearest trash can, then sat back on the bench.

"Um, thanks for making me feel better," Mars smiled shyly as she pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her short nose, "It means a lot."

"I'm glad you liked it," Bomba wrapped his arm around her, and she laid her head and hand on his shoulder. He looked down and smiled as he gazed in Mars' large, ruby red eyes. Or eye, since she kept the right side of her face covered when out of the house, because of the scars.

Suddenly, he saw her eyes slowly close, her tiny lips were puckered, and she was leaning her head up. His heart pounded as he did the same, except he leaned his head down, until their lips touched in their very first kiss. Mars laid her hands on his shoulders, as Bomba laid his hand on her neck and cheek.

They separated after a few seconds, as a shy smile grew on Mars' blushing face. After a couple seconds of silence, Ozzy came running back over, snapping them back to reality. Bomba hooked his leash back on his collar, and the trio headed for home.

The End


(A/N: Sorry I took so long to update; blame writer's block. XD Anyhoo, this is the 1st Marmba oneshot for An Epic Life. Hope it was cute enough. Bomba, Ozzy, Epic, and dippin' dots don't belong to me, but Mars and Venus do.)