- Present -
ON TITANIt has been a very long and hard, emotional week for everyone. While Julie takes her naps, Vinnie keeps himself busy by taking Marina to the garage and teaching her how to fix a bike. Marina has been waiting a long time for someone to teach her how to ride, so she hung on every word Vinnie was telling her.
Vinnie even stayed up really late every night in order to get his old bike fixed, and working up to par. He had forgotten how damaged it was when someone tampered with it before the Motorcross Race. At times like these, he wished Charley-girl were here to help fix this bike. She always has a knack for repairing Martian technology. Vinnie smiled as he thought about her and his bros. He misses being with them, and fighting Limburger's henchmen. The adrenalin rush he would get in doing hero work excited him. Not that growing up on Titan hasn't been fun he just needs something that is more intense in his life.
Once he heard about the war on Mars, Vinnie knew that was the kind of adventure he needed. Goodbyes were defiantly hard to say when he left Titan. He was a bit shocked, and yet, relieved when Mandy wanted to officially brake up with him. The two of them always seemed to have a boomerang relationship. It even made Vinnie fill dizzy to be going through with that. He figured that the reason why she wanted to stay on Earth when her, Kerry, and Janice came to get him was so she could not be around him.
'Who could blame her, really?' He thought to himself. 'Chances are, she would fall back in love with me just only to be crushed again when I would have to leave for Earth once more.'
It is true that apart of him still misses the times he had with his friends here on Titan, but on Mars he made new friends. Both Throttle and Modo became fast friends. In fact they were the first mice that greeted him and the other warriors from Titan. He is grateful to have friends like them. There were defiantly times that his life nearly bit the big one, and thanks to them he is still here. Vinnie wondered how they were now coping without him on Earth. He hopes that Mandy and Kerry would be able to help them if the chips were down. Vinnie realizes that they were tough ladies, but not really 'army' material. He was a little worried until Kerry called to let him know of the adventures they had. Vinnie had to chuckle when she told him that she and Mandy had to rescue the guys on their first day after he left.
Every night, as Vinnie toyed with the bike's engine he would constantly be reminded of the Last Chance garage and his friends. He knows he would be going back there again soon, but first he wants to make sure that everything would be ok here first.
Finally, Vinnie stood up from twisting a bolt tight with his wrench, and flicked the engine of the bike on. He let out a little cheer with pride before straddling on the seat of the old bike. Vinnie did a little test run just to make sure, and it sang as beautifully as the day he first got it. With a proud feeling, Vinnie headed for bed.
The next morning, Vinnie brings Marina out to the yard to begin her first lessons. Of course the very first lesson that Vinnie remembered being taught was to always keep your helmet on until you are officially off the bike. That lesson was properly told to Marina before she was even allowed to sit on the bike. At first Marina seemed to be a little wobbly, but with Vinnie's guidance she started riding like a pro in no time.
As a surprise, Valerie helped Julie out on the patio to watch her daughter ride for the first time. Valerie tried to get her to sit in the chair, but Julie wanted to stand so she can get a clear view of Marina. Vinnie's mom simply nodded.
"I need to go inside and finish making lunch." Valerie tells her. "You call me if you need anything, ok sweetie?"
"Ok…thanks Val." Julie responds in a soft weak tone.
Before Valerie walks back into the house she looks over her shoulder and smiles. The scene of her son teaching Julie's daughter brought back many memories of when Russell was teaching Vinnie how to ride for the first time.
"Mommy! Look at me…!" Marina cries out as she rides the bike past the patio.
"Very good, baby-doll." Applauded Julie. In order to hide her dizziness, she leans up against the railing.
"Your little girl is a fast learner, sweetheart." Vinnie explains to Julie.
"It helps when she has a great teacher." Julie replies, trying not to sound weak.
"Well, heh, heh. I'm not going to deny that." He begins to gloat. "I myself had an excellent teacher." Vinnie hints the fact it was her dad that taught him. Both he and Julie share a grin of 'knowing'. Vinnie then draws his attention back to Marina.
"Alright, sweetheart! Lets show your mom that special move I taught you." He calls out to the little rider.
Marina did a U-turn and headed straight for Vinnie. As soon as she got about five feet away, Marina threw on her breaks, skidding the back tire to the side. The bike was able to stop half a foot from where Vincent stood. Vinnie, himself, did not flinch as pebbles and dust flew up against his boots.
"Whoa-ho-ho, good one." Vincent chuckled in amusement. He gave her a proud grin to show that he had approved her little stunt.
Marina smiled back with pride.
"Hey, sweetheart! Did you see...?" Vinnie trailed off once he noticed that Julie no longer stood on the patio, but is now lying down on the spot. "No! JULIE!" He screamed as he ran up to his friend.
"Mommy?" Whispered Marina. She too hopped off her bike and ran up to her fallen mother.
--------------------------
- Flashback –
TITAN,
A YEAR LATER…"Mom! Julie!" Vinnie calls out as he runs into the house.
"Vincent, not so loud. We just put Marina down for her nap." Valerie snapped.
"Yeah, what's got you so excited?" Julie enquired.
"There's a war on Mars." Vinnie tells them with an almost giddy tone. "The whole planet is being invaded by a stinky alien race called Plutarkians."
"That's horrible." Valerie gasped.
"What's going to happen to the colonies on Mars?" Julie wondered.
"Well, they sent out a distress call to our general today. After he call in his best solders to leave in the morning to join in the Freedom Fighters on Mars. He also wants to send in Titan's secret weapon to go as well." Vinnie tells the girls with a grin.
"And what is this secret weapon?" Valerie asked, crossing her arms suspiciously.
"Me!" Vinnie chimed with his thumb proudly pointing onto his chest.
"YOU?" Both Val and Julie screeched.
"Vinnie, no…it's too dangerous. Your too young to be going to war." Valerie warned.
"Awe, mom… I'm not only the baddest, but also the fastest mamajammer in this entire Galaxy. I could ride circles around these Plutarkian stink-fishes." Vinnie said.
"Vinnie. I don't think you realize the seriousness of all of this." Julie calmly tries to explain.
"Look. This war IS serious. If these Plutarkians get away with running over Mars, then what's stopping them from coming here to Titan? I've been talking to the other solders that will also leave tomorrow, and we all agree that this is the only way to do this. Stop them now before they can spread to other worlds." Vinnie says firmly standing his ground.
"This is ridiculous…" Valerie growls as she stormed out of the room. She didn't want to show how much this whole thing was distressing her.
Julie stood shaking her head at Vinnie. Vinnie personally thought the news he shared was rather exciting, but now he is not so sure after seeing Julie and his mom's reaction.
"You know, Vinnie, I had a dream the other night. In that dream you went away, but when you came back…" Julie raised her left hand and covered the right side of his face with it. "H-Half your face wasn't there. It was covered in shadows."
Vinnie stood looking perplexed. He didn't know how to respond to what she was saying. Julie sniffled back some tears before continuing.
"You wanna know a secret?"
"What?" Vinnie asked.
"I'm afraid of death. It started when my mom died. But after losing my dad I fear it even more. I don't know what I will do if I lose you too." Julie admits as she stands trembling.
"Sweetheart, you are not going to lose me." He said, placing a firm grip on her shoulders. "I'm just going to Mars, our home world. I will be battling along side with some of the best Freedom Fighters. It will be just like in our stories. I will be a hero by getting rid of a couple of smelly old alien fish heads."
"Just promise me you won't get yourself killed."
Vinnie smiled calmly at her. He placed his hand underneath her chin and said, "I'm the best rider ever. My bike and I are the greatest team. No way can I get hurt."
Julie attempts to smile before reaching up to give him a hug.
"I love you, Vinnie."
"I love you too, Julie." Vinnie stood there holding his best friend for a bit before deciding to say something. "Julie, if there is anything you need of me don't be afraid to contact me. I'll come home immediately. Ok?"
"Thank you, Vinnie. Oh, I miss you already." She says not really wanting to let go.
"Hey, I'm going to miss you too." Vinnie said, feeling a bit emotional with all of this. "Perhaps after we defeat the Plutarkians, maybe you, mom, and Marina would like to come live on Mars? I was thinking of moving back there someday anyways." He asked.
Julie pulls back from their hug, and looks up at him. "Maybe…" She trailed off in thought. "Say… You want to go to the Tavern tonight? You know, for one last story before you go." Julie suggests.
Vinnie smiled, hoping that she would ask that. "That sounds great." He says.