DISCLAIMER: As much as I wish I did, I do not own Biker Mice From Mars or any names, concepts, or merchandise affiliated with said title.

Throttle – So…How's it hanging Jon?

Hera Ledro – Not bad, just writing another chapter.

Throttle – Well, I'm on my way to Canada…Why there?

Hera Ledro – You know others have asked me the same question. Mainly, it's because Modo and Vinnie wouldn't think of looking for you there, and it's a place the Catatonians have less interest in. Oh, and also because I live there.

Throttle – But Rump will have set something up there, and the Catatonians that I took out on the way here will have sent out a message to Cataclysm and the other high-ups. Come on, bro, think this through.

Hera Ledro – glare I have thought it through. You're not just going anywhere, you're going to be crossing the country to Nova Scotia. Yes, Rump has set up a bunch of stuff in the larger cities like Toronto, Montreal, and the like, but he's relatively unheard of in the Maritimes. A few Rump Burgers here, a couple Rump Fish 'n' Chips there, and that's about it. Oh, and they may have sent out the message, but they hate water, and you're going to a place right on the beach.

Throttle – I stand corrected.

Hera Ledro – Yep.

Throttle leaned against a railing, looking over Lake Michigan. The air was crisp, yet warm, under the sun's rays, unimpeded by clouds or mist. A slight breeze blew through the air, and tiny little waves beat against the shores of the great lake. It was a beautiful day, and he wasn't far from the border.

Then why did he feel so empty?

Throttle's helmet was on his bike, letting nothing prevent him from looking straight into the water. He took his glasses off and stared. A handsome, caring face stared back, coupled by stunning crimson eyes.

He hadn't taken his glasses off since the old days, when they were fighting Plutarkians in Chicago. That was back before the turn of the millennia on Earth.

Ah, the old day, Throttle thought. When you could always count on your brains, your bros, and your bikes. His face hardened and he shoved his glasses back on, walking back to the bike. He mounted it and drove off, his green bike little more than a blur within a few minutes. He was near the border now, and he couldn't let old memories distract him.

But Carbine.

Oh, she was the one he wanted. No matter how many times he'd openly denied it, he knew he loved her. General Carbine, leader of the Freedom Fighters on Mars.

It hadn't been long into the force that Throttle had realized he felt different around Carbine. For the longest time, he was more serious and dedicated while she was around, long before she ever became a general. Eventually, he loosened up around her, and she became like one of the bros. Even up to now, Throttle had difficulty accepting that she was a higher rank than him in the force, and often spoke to her out of line.

They had been friends since childhood, something not even Modo or Vinnie could claim. They had always enjoyed playing with each other, and Carbine was never too girly to do a lot of guy things that Throttle had liked to do.

She'd even had the same affinity for bikes that Throttle did. They even had pretend races, sitting on Stoker's bikes and laughing as they built a race track in their minds. Back then, Throttle's eyes hadn't been damaged, and his imagination was so powerful that he could literally see the tracks, and Carbine passing him as he went along.

Throttle shook his head. This was the way it had been going since Stoker's death. Whenever the mice weren't fighting Catatonians, they were caught up in their old memories, going over them in their heads.

Throttle's memories of Carbine and Mars brought back even more scenes from his past. He remembered when he was captured by the Plutarkians, just after his eyes were damaged.

Nothing had been the same for them since then. It took a long time for Throttle to get used to his new eyes, and for Vinnie to accept that his face was maimed forever. But both Vinnie and Modo were able to get over their damage a lot easier than Throttle. Throttle still had shadows in his mind, shadows that would bring up how blind he truly was.

Without his glasses, Throttle could see very little. In fact, without aid, he could only see a couple of feet in front of him, and even that was bright and blurry. Modo and Vinnie had been damaged in areas that really didn't affect the way they worked, except for Modo's arm making battles easier.

Throttle's was a true maim. It never really made a big deal, but he'd always felt a little jealous of Modo and Vinnie. His deadened eyesight prevented him from going anywhere without his glasses, prevented him from allowing Carbine to look him in the eyes and say that he could look back.

He slammed his fist on the handle of his bike. Why were all these memories coming to him? Was Stoker really that important?

He stopped the bike on the side of the road, took off his helmet and stomped onto the grass. It couldn't wait; he had to solve this dilemma now.

"Alright Throttle, let's think this through," he muttered, speaking only to himself and the empty air. "Stoker's dead, the one man who took you in as an orphan. You're probably never going to see Carbine again; there are too many warships barricading the way. You just left your best bros, the guys you've known your whole life, who you would lay your life down for."

"No, that's why you left. The regenerator is in your hands now, and keeping it there would only put them in more danger. And, with all the warships around Earth, it's taking slack off of Carbine's fight on Mars. By keeping the regenerator with you, and protecting it with your life, you're keeping them safe, and living up to Stoker's last wishes."

"So, now I'm back to where I started when I left. Where am I gonna go? A mouse can't just dig a hole and hide. I know I've got to go to Canada; the bros would never look for me there. But where do I go?" Throttle scratched his chin. "I don't know much about the place, but I do know that Catatonians hate water. It's a farther drive to the west, so I'll go east, and see where that takes me."

With that, Throttle mounted his bike, strapped on his helmet, and sped off. The dilemma wasn't completely solved, but now he had a better idea of where he could go to settle down and solve it permanently.

But, what if it was already solved?

"Man, where could he go?" Vinnie called across to Modo. "How could he leave us like that?"

"Throttle's always been more withdrawn than us," Modo said thoughtfully. "And just think of Stoker's death." It was the first time the incident had been mentioned since the mountain.

"So what," Vinnie grumbled. "We lost Stoker too, there was no difference."

"But Vinnie, Stoker was like Throttle's father," Charlie said, pulling up beside Vinnie. "Not only that, but Throttle was your leader. You have to expect him to act a lot more independent than you guys do."

"Exactly," Modo affirmed.

"He's still being a selfish idiot," Vinnie said.

Charlie shook her head. "I don't think so, Vinnie. Think about it; Stoker set him to guard the regenerator. Add on the fact that he's probably feeling responsible for Stoker's death, and he's probably worried he'll put us in danger, too."

"But we can take care of ourselves."

"Which would only help to justify it. He thinks you don't need him, so he left."

"I don't care if he's right or not, I'm still going to pound him for high-tailing it and leaving us a note." The three bikers sped on, two mice and a woman, desperately searching for their best friend…

Throttle – Hey! I thought this was my story? What are you doing bringing those three into the second chapter, and with their own section no less!

Hera Ledro – I need them to progress the story. This fan-fiction may be focused on you, Throttle, but you're not the only moving factor. A little tidbit to all you writers out there: don't focus only on the main character, as it makes for a dull and stationary story!

Vinnie – Speak for yourself. Any story that focuses on this bod is always going to be exciting.

Hera/Throttle/Modo/Charlie – VINCENT!

Vinnie – What?

Hera Ledro – Alright readers, as a little wrap up, I just want to say a few things.

Hera Ledro – Firstly, I want reviews. They are the life's blood of us writers, and if you want good stories, you've gotta give reviews. I don't care if you hate the story, as long as you give me constructive criticism and tell me what you think should be improved. Saying the story is great is an awesome way to review too!

Hera Ledro – And, I want to point out that this chapter is shorter than I intended. The only reason you're getting it today is because I worked on the storyline for three hours, and the actual writing for about an hour. I decided to cut it off with Vinnie and the rest because their role will be particularly important, and they will be a key factor in what Throttle is doing.

Vinnie – I'm a key factor in everything, man.

Hera Ledro – VINCENT!

Vinnie – Jeez, you don't need to get snappy.

Hera Ledro – sigh Lastly, I want to address the rating of this story. It is rated T for Teen because, in future chapters, there will be a fair deal of blood and gore, as well as the occasional curse. So, don't be lulled into a false sense of security with the (unnaturally) short chapters, because the real stuff has yet to come.

Hera Ledro/Throttle – Ride free, citizens!