Hey you guys..

Thank you so much for the reviews. Means a lot.

Especially now, since I'm back at the hospital again.
Back at the psychiatric ward after a major relapse in my fight against severe depression.
I'm not telling this so you can feel sorry for me, because that's the last thing I want, but just to let ya guys know it means the world to me that you like my story, and that you're still with me.
Now more than ever.

Writing is all I have at this point. So yeah…
I'm just very grateful.

THANK YOU!
A huge hug for all of you.

And now, enough with the mushy talk and on with the story.
Enjoy! ^^

Chapter 8

"Throttle… Throttle, wake up…"
The tan furred mouse moaned and turned on his other side.
"Bro…"
Why didn't Modo just leave him alone? He was lying so…

...not comfortable...

His eyes flew open. He was lying on the floor and it was cold… too cold.
It slowly became clear to him that he wasn't on the base in his own bed.
If only...
The smell was somehow familiar and it triggered some memories which he'd carefully locked away.
Not because he was running away from them, it just didn't feel necessary to keep them within arm's reach.
I mean, it weren't exactly happy memories.
"Throttle…", Modo hissed again and Throttle held up his hand, which felt unusually heavy.
"Yeah, yeah, on the way... Just give me a minute…"
He slowly got upright and a pounding headache made its way all up to his temples.
The right side of his lower jaw felt weird, as if it was… numb.
He gently touched it and squeezed his eyes when he felt the sharp pain.
Okay, not so numb after all.
"Why does my jaw feel like…", he started, but then his eyes flew open again.
It all came back now.
The mission.
Harley.
The explosion, the army, the rats… one of them who knocked him off his bike.
"Oh."

Carbine.
Where was Carbine?
"Carbine? Carbine, where…."
"I'm here, Throttle and I'm fine."
Throttle blinked a few times and his vision, that was blurry till now, became sharp.
He was leaning against one of the walls of a cold and dark cell.
He looked at his right and saw Carbine sitting a few feet away from him.
She smiled at him, but it wasn't one of joy.
More like a soothing one.
Modo and Stoker were sitting on the floor, also leaning against the wall, at the other side of the cell.
"Ah man…", he sighed, now fully understanding the gravity of the situation.
"You said it, bro…", Modo agreed.
"You guys okay?", the tan furred mouse asked.
Stoker and Modo nodded.

Throttle raised his hand again to adjust his spec's, when he heard the sound of clanking metal.
His gaze lowered and landed on the shackles around his wrists.
His eyes followed the thick chain and saw that it was attached to a ring which was anchored in the ground.
That was made from Martian cement.
Meaning; almost unbreakable.
Well, only unbreakable, actually.
If he had to guess, the chains were made of Plutarkian steel.
"We're in trouble, guys…", he said, knowing he was stating the obvious, and tried to stand up.
But his chains were too short, and to make things even worse, his feet were shackled too.
"You guys have seen Harley or any other of the prisoners yet?", he asked, already giving up his attempt to stand up, knowing it was a no go and a complete waste of his energy.
"Nope… Just woke up, completely clueless, just like you", Modo answered, looking around him.
"Same…", Stoker sighed.
"Here too…", Carbine nodded.
Throttle now saw they were shackled just like him.
The cell was just big enough to hold the four of them and it didn't even had bars, only a big, metal door.
Great… Just…
Wait a minute.
Four of them?
Come to think of it, it's also way too quiet over here.
"Where's Vinnie?"

Earlier this day, right after the mice are being captured...
"You coming back to the base?", Kiwi asked through the radio.
"No time", Vinnie answered while popping a wheelie and speeding away.
"What are you gonna do then?"
"Gonna find us some help. Even the entire group of Freedom Fighters ain't big enough to stand up against a army of this size. Besides, half of them is way too inexperienced. That would be a suicide mission", the white furred mouse explained while pushing his bike to the limits.
"Which I usually don't have a problem with, but I can't risk the lives of my bro's."
"You don't mean…"
"Bingo, sweetheart. I'm going on a little rat hunt. In the meantime, I need you to summon the best and most experienced Fighters and make sure they're ready to go the moment I give the signal."
"Copy that, macho mouse."
"I love it when you talk like that…", he moaned playfully.
"I know. Stay safe, love. Kiwi out for now."
Vinnie smiled, but it soon faded again.
He hit the accelerator, knowing he needed to be fast as possible.
I mean, time wasn't really on their side right now.
Luckily for his bro's, coach and Carbine, he wasn't only the master of disaster, but also the king of speed.

Since driving through the deserts of Mars wasn't that much of a challenge, his thoughts soon wandered off.
No surprise there.
He was one of the lucky ones who was doomed with a easily distracted mind.
He couldn't help it, just as much as he wanted it, but it was Harley who immediately popped up.
There were so many mixed feelings about her being alive.
He was happy, but concerned at the same time.
It also came with insecurity.
And fear.
He wasn't doubting his love for Kiwi.
He wasn't in love with Harley, not anymore.
She had a place in his heart, of course she had, giving the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
He was devastated when he lost her. It was still haunting him in his dreams.
Even if Throttle told him it wasn't his fault, he still blamed himself.
He wasn't able to forgive himself.
How could he?
So yeah, he was happy that she's still alive.
Because that meant he could get some closure.
Selfish, maybe…
But the unadulterated truth, yes.
And he was known as a selfish mouse.
One of his less charming qualities...

But he couldn't ignore the fact that he was also worried.
Worried about what was gonna happen if she was standing right in front of him.
She was, after all, his first real love.
And it wasn't that they broke up because they both came to the conclusion they just… mismatched.
Ya know, with the whole awkward and cliché 'It's not you, it's me' thingy.
No, she was literally ripped away from him.
Brutally.
He never mentioned his time with Harley.
All the moments they'd shared.
That it was so much more.
So much more than Modo and Throttle ever knew.
And even more than Stoker ever knew.
And will ever know.
The guy would probably rip off his head, based on his attitude at this moment.
Vinnie shook his head, turning up the volume of his radio, an attempt to stop this train of thoughts.
He didn't wanna go there. What was the point?
It would bring him nothing, nothing but pain and misery.
Everything was different now.
Right?

RIGHT!

He needed to focus on his job, namely; getting his friends out.
No time to swoon melodramatically, thinking back about the better days of his youth.
I mean, it weren't only better days.
It was the same time that he got injured, the same time that Jester fucked him up for good.
Man.
Hearing that Harley was still alive brought back too many memories, it opened too many doors in his mind which he had locked for good.
What in the world was gonna happen if he sees her again?
His bike beeped, a welcome distraction. Boobytrap at eleven o'clock.
Great.
Just the ticket to distract his mind.
Exactly what he needed.
He pushed a button on his bike and the cannon's popped out.
His bike beeped happily, as if she was just as excited as her rider.
She probably was, though.
That's why he loved her so much.
Him and his bike, two peas in a pod.
A missile left his bike and the explosion was deafening.
Vinnie fired his jets and jumped over the flames.
"AAAOOWWW, Vinnie van Victory triumphs again!", he howled while landing.
"Come on, sweetheart, let's see if we can find more of them."
And he hit the accelerator.
Time to stay focussed and find help to get his friends out.

At the old Plutarkian base...
Throttle let out his breath. They were sitting here for hours now.
Luckily, Vinnie had made it out.
But the tan furred mouse was worried about his, a little bit too eager, young bro.
The army that was guarding this base was no kitten up in the tree.
He was almost praying that Vinnie realized that he couldn't do this by himself.
Not even him. Not this time.
But, given the fact that it was still quiet around here, gave him hope that the white furred mouse had used his brain for once.
Probably because Kiwi told him to.

Suddenly, the door opened and everybody jerked upright, ready to defend themselves against whoever was gonna walk through that door.
And when they saw who it was… well, that was a surprise to say at least.
And that was an understatement.
There wasn't one word that could cover the load.
"My dear Biker Mice…"
Stoker's jaw almost dropped on the floor.
"Limburger! How is this even possible?"
Lawrence Limburger walked inside the cell with two guards behind him.
"Oh, don't look so surprised, you miserable rodent. You should've killed me when you had the chance… But oh! I almost forgot… You're the good guys… And therefore, you don't kill. Good for me… A little less convenient for you...", Limburger gloated.
"I didn't need to kill ya, you were already dead! Well, your brain was…", Stoker said confused. "It's the same…"
"But that's where you're wrong! You see, you forgot about my dear doctor Karbunkle, who not only managed to get me out, again by the way, but also to restore my damaged brain. A true genius, this man… Or whatever he is…"
Stoker bit his lower lip.
After he'd found out about Harley, he never went back to the cell's to check on Limburger.
Stupid…
He'd made the classic mistake… He'd let himself be distracted by love.
Rule number one in the Freedom Fighter hand book…
And he, the leader of the resistance for fuck sake, completely ignored this first and golden rule.
Man...

"You knew we were coming…", he breathed.
It all made sense now.
"Yes! Yes, and now I finally have you imprisoned… The leader of the Freedom Fighters with his best soldiers… A true gift for the High Chairman, one that will definitely change his mind about me. He might even give me a promotion!"
The mice shared a look.
"Listen up, stinkface…", Throttle started, but Limburger held up his hand while smiling with his eyes closed.
"Not now, my dear boy, I'm gloating…"
Throttle blinked a few times.
By the looks of things, Limburger was back to his usual, arrogant self.
He was even wearing his purple suit and mask again.
He had no idea what Karbunkle had done to him, but it definitely worked.
Well, not in their advantage, though…
There was only one thing that Limburger apparently forgot...
Or he couldn't count, but Throttle seriously doubted that.
He knew for sure how to count his money.
For whatever reason, there was one thing were Limburger was unaware of… and that was that there was still one of them out there.
Come on, Vinnie… We need you here… Hurry up….

Somewhere in the Martian desert, present...
Vinnie had finally reached the place where he'd met the female rat for the first time.
His foot hit the brake pedal and his bike came to a halt. While opening his visor, he looked around him.
"Dammit, I knew I should've asked for her number…", he mumbled, seeing nothing but an empty desert.
How on Mars was he gonna find her?
He needed to lure them out. But he and his bro's kinda destroyed all the boobytraps in this area… hehe.
Wait.
What do ya know...
He just had a idea!
A rare thing.
But very welcome at this point.
Atta boy.

"Kiwi, come in."
"Yeah, Vinnie?"
"I need you to tell me where the Outsiders are hiding. We put a tracker on them, right?"
"Yeah… But I'm not sure if it's exactly sane to go to enemy territory all by yourself... ", his girl answered hesitantly.
"Wait, what? What happened to ya that you think I'm sane? Besides, we've got no choice, sweetheart. We need them."
"Well, yeah, but…"
"Just give the me coordinates. Now."
His voice was low and the message was loud and clear.
No discussion.
Kiwi must have realized this too, because shortly after, his bike beeped.
"Got it. Thanks, babe, you're one in a million. Love ya, gotta go, bye!"
"Be careful, you crazy mouse. Kiwi out."
Vinnie smiled while grabbing his handlebars.
Careful. As if.

He followed the coordinates which brought him to a canyon.
Only one way in, as far as he could tell, and that was a small road right through the huge walls which were made of the characteristic red Martian rocks.
Not exactly your most ideal situation to enter enemy territory...
Great, ain't it?
Predictable could be so boring.
And where's the fun in that?
Adrenaline started to rush through his veins while he was following the narrow road.
After a while, the road narrowed even further, and there was just enough room for him and his bike.
Just when Vinnie thought he couldn't get through, the road widened and all of a sudden, he was standing on a open space.
But before he could take a good look around, a arrow landed right in front of his bike.
Vinnie's lips curled into a smile.

Bingo.

He pulled off his helmet and raised his hands in the air.
He glanced around him out of the corner of his eyes and counted at least ten rats who were aiming there crossbow at him.
"What is your purpose of coming here? All alone…?", a voice asked from behind him.
"Chill, sweetheart. I ain't here to fight, I'm here to… bargain…"
Okay, that's it.
He now officially needed to remove Limburger from his life.
From the moment you started to talk like someone else, you just knew you were getting too close.
That you were spending too much time together.
And close was the last thing he wanted to be with that stinkfish, let alone spending time with him.
Before you knew it, they wanted you to wear a friendship ring and share juicy stories over a cocktail…

Okay, enough.

"And why should we believe you? You come here, to our place, armed to the teeth and you expect us to believe that you only came here to… talk?"
"Not my usual style, I agree, but yeah… Guess that sums it up nicely."
"Weapons down! Now!"
Ah.
He was hoping he would hear that husky voice. And right on time.
The female rat was walking towards him, accompanied by two guards.
Vinnie flashed her his most charming smile, but her face remained blank.
"What are you doing here?", she asked while stopping in front of him.
"Well, just so you know, this is a rare thing, but… I came here to ask for your help…"
The female rat studied his face. Vinnie saw how the guards tightened their grip around their crossbows and he flexed his muscles…
But the female held up her hand, a sign to her guards that they needed to stand down.
Vinnie looked into her eyes, which were almost purple, strangely enough.
"And why should we help you?", she eventually asked.
"For same reason you've helped us before…", Vinnie winked at her.
"Which is?"
"I dunno... You tell me, sweetheart."
She looked him in the eye, and man, she took her time.
But Vinnie didn't burdge, didn't even blink.
He needed her, after all.
But dammit, this was awkward.
But then, finally, a smile appeared on her face.
"I must say, you're either very brave or very desperate to come here, all alone, to ask for help. My name is Talli", and she offered him her hand.
"A little bit of both, actually. But mostly brave. The name's Vinnie", he answered arrogant and shook her hand.
"So tell me, what is it that you need?"
Vinnie gave her his trademark smile.
"Your army."

At the old Plutarkian base...
"So, now what? You're just gonna hand us over to Plutark?", Throttle asked.
"Something like that…", Limburger smiled smugly.
A smile that was bad news, alright.
"Okay, okay, I'll bite. What's your genius plan this time, cheese face?", Carbine snapped at Limburger.
"I'm sure you remember this place. You know what we do here, hehehe…"

The mindbender.

Shit.
Stoker shook his head.
"You got me once, but you sure as hell ain't gonna get me twice. No way."
"Excuse me for asking, but what exactly is it that gave you the impression that you actual have a choice?", the big Plutarkian asked, but without waiting for an answer, he pointed at Stoker.
"Start with him", he ordered the guards.
"No, leave him alone!", Throttle yelled while pulling on his shackles, but it was no use.
"You keep your slimy fins off of him!", Modo roared in anger, his eye glowing red.
He was also pulling desperately on his chains, an attempt to free his armcannon, but with the same unsatisfactory result as with his tan furred bro.
The guards ignored them, and both bend over to grab Stoker.
Who, of course, wasn't planning on coming with them without a fight.
His tail lashed through the air, but one of the guards was prepared for that and ducked.
Without giving any warning, he poked a stick in Stoker's ribs.
The brown furred mouse screamed in pain when the electricity jolted through his body and soon after, his whole body became limp.
Modo was still trying to free his arm, but before he could blink, the guards had already dragged the unconscious Stoker outta the cell.
Limburger followed them.
"Just sit back and relax. As you can imagine, the doc is a little... preoccupied at the moment, but he will come get you as soon as he's ready… Muahahaha!", he laughed and slammed the door behind him, leaving the rest completely helpless behind.
"Shit, there's no way that Vinnie is gonna be here on time to stop this", Carbine pointed out.
"Don't say that. It's Vinnie, after all. He has the tendency to surprise ya every once in a while", Throttle answered shortly, still pulling on his shackles.
"Well, then he better hurry, otherwise Stoker's brains are fried", Modo growled.

Outside the old Plutarkian base...
"Quiet night", one of the guards said to his colleague, who nodded and yawned.
They were standing on the roof on the lookout.
"You've got that right. Fine by me, it's my last shift for this week. Tomorrow, I'll fly back to Plutark for some family time."
"That's nice. I wonder when the chief is gonna let Mars be, so we can all go home. This goddamn place is done anyway…"
"I know, right…"
They both yawned again.
"Yep. Definitely a quiet night", they said in unison.
But then...
"AAAAOOOWWW!"
Vinnie's characteristic battle cry echoed over the, for now, deserted plains.
Both guards jumped up, goosebumps all over their slimy bodies.
"What on Plutark was that?"
They both grabbed their binoculars and one of them breathed in sharply.
"What the... "
"It's an invasion! Sound the alarm!"
"So far quiet…", and the guard slammed on a red button.

Meanwhile, Vinnie landed on his tires after a flawless backflip with his bike.
The engine roared, and he pumped his fist in the air.
"It's tail whippin' time! So, my dear fellow soldiers... ATTACK!"
A massive group with Freedom Fighters and Outsiders followed him over the hill and Vinnie cheered happily.
"I always wanted to say that, bwahahaha!"
He looked over his shoulder with a big grin.
"Ready, partner?"
Talli rolled her eyes.
"I am not your partner", she said sharply, but a smile curled her lips.
Vinnie adjusted his mouse shaped mirror and gave himself a quick but appreciative look.
"You wish you are... "
"Honestly, it's hard to imagine there's a girl out there who actual endures you."
"You're just jealous, doll."
"I am not. Now, let's focus on the mission", Talli quickly said with red cheeks.
"Anything you say, sweetheart, anything you say!" and Vinnie opened fire on the army that came out the base.
And with that, the battle begun.

Vinnie was taking the lead, making his way through the huge army.
While standing on his bike, which drove full speed through the mass of Plutarkians and rats while firing her laser, Vinnie was shooting around him with a laser gun in both hands.
"AAAAOOWW, you're messing with Vinnie van Wham, baddest mamma jammer from this side of the asteroid belt!"
"Are you crazy?", Talli yelled at him while driving next to him.
Vinnie shot her a quick look and even he had to admit, he was impressed by how she handled her crossbow.
She fired her arrows almost as fast as his bike fired her laser or as his fingers squeezed the triggers of the guns in his hands.
And she never missed.
"What makes ya think that?", he grinned, while his bike fired a missile big enough to wipe away one square feet of Plutarkians in front of him.
"Oh, I dunno, maybe because you're standing on your… You know what? Never mind. I've already answered my own question."
She shot a arrow straight into the head of a rat that tried to fire his bazooka, which was aimed at Vinnie.
"You're welcome", Talli giggled when she saw the look on his face.
"Great. Now I owe her one…", he mumbled.

But soon, he already got the opportunity to pay his debt by kicking a Plutarkian off his weird looking bike when he rushed by.
Therefore, the fish wasn't able to pull the trigger of the weapon that was aimed at Tallie.
"Now we're even again, sweetheart", he snickered.
"Thanks", the female rat answered shortly, also not amused that she needed someone to help her out.
"No biggie… partner..."
"Aargghh! Let's just try to get inside at that side, okay?", Tallie suggested as she pointed at the building. "We can use these doors to…"

*BAM*

A huge explosion made a hole in the wall, just inches away from the doors.
Tallie looked at Vinnie, who winked at her.
"What? We're the Biker Mice! And we don't use doors."
"Geez, imagine that. Why use a door when you can blast your way in?", Tallie replied sarcastic.
"I'm glad to hear we're on the same page."
Vinnie dropped back on his seat and grabbed his handlebars.
Tallie gave him a glare, but the white furred mouse activated his radio.
"Kiwi, sweetheart, we're almost ready to go in. Can you scout the place for us?"
"If you ask politely, I might do that, yeah…", Kiwi answered teasingly.
"Puuuhhleaaase?", Vinnie howled, while firing another missile.
"Sure thing, love. I'm going in."
The drone flew over his shoulder towards the building and went inside.
"My girl can search for my friends while we're having the fun, Tallie girl!"
"You call this fun?"
"Well, yeah?! Come on, nothing better than blowing up stuff, the smell of war… No?", Vinnie added when he saw the look on Tallie's face.
Her mouth was narrowed and she had this look in her eyes…
But soon, that changed and for the first time that he met her, she actual smiled.
It made her twice as beautiful, mainly because it was such a sincere smile. And her eyes were twinkling.
"Never thought I would say this, but you're right. It is fun!"
"AAAOOOWW, I can dance to that!" and Vinnie popped a wheelie, let go of his handlebars and after grabbing his laser guns again, he stretched both arms and he opened fire while spinning on his rear tire.
Talli stared at him for a moment.
"Yep. He's crazy. He's definitely crazy", she mumbled, but with a smile on her face.
It was somehow refreshing, fighting alongside this crazy ass white furred mouse.
Her people were always so serious.
She was happy she was finally able to have a little fun for once in her goddamn life.

They fought their way closer to the building, when Kiwi's voice filled Vinnie's ears.
"I've found Stoker, he's in the lab…"
The moment she said these words, Vinnie's heart skipped a beat.
Fuck. FUCK!
He couldn't go in there. The lab was next to that awful room where Jester…
No. No, no, no, no…
"Wow, Vinnie, calm down!", Kiwi called out, probably feeling his distress. "Try to keep your head in the game!"
The white furred mouse took a few deep breaths.
"Kiwi, I can't… I just… Is he okay?", he stuttered, sweat already streaming down his back.
Even if Talli noticed his sudden change in behaviour, she remained silent.
"He's not okay, Vinnie. He needs you. Karbunkle is in there, he's attaching electrodes to Stoker's head, who is tied up and can't move a muscle."
"Where are my bro's? If I can get them out first, then…"
"No time! I don't even know where they are yet. You need to do this by yourself, I'm sorry, I know how hard this is, but you've got no choice."
Vinnie jumped with his bike through the hole in the wall inside the building and he stopped with shrieking brakes.
His whole body was shaking, his heart almost exploded in his chest…

Suddenly, a hand on his arm.
He looked up, straight into the friendly eyes of Talli.
"Come on, I've got your back... ", she smiled.
Vinnie turned away his gaze, somehow ashamed…
"...partner."
He looked at her again and after seeing nothing but kindness and trust in her eyes, he nodded.
"You're not alone, Vinnie. I'm with ya, and so is Tallie. You can do this. I believe in ya."
After taking a few deep breaths, the white furred mouse revved his bike.
"Okay, okay, let's do this."
He looked over his shoulder, and seeing the Fighters and Outsiders fighting side by side somehow gave him the strength to continue his path.
Maybe Mars wasn't that lost yet.
Maybe, he wasn't either.
"You go find the rest, sweetheart… I'll go get Stoker", he said determined into the radio.
"Copy that, macho mouse. I'm so proud of you…", she whispered the last part.
Vinnie shivered when he heard her low and soft voice and it made his heartbeat slow down a little.
He looked back at Tallie.
"Alright, partner, follow me."
And he sped into the building, knowing where to find the lab.
Oh, he knew, alright.
Everybody thought he was under a sedative when they found him and there was no way in hell he was gonna help them outta that dream.
Because truth to be told, he had been paralyzed by fear and hadn't been able to snap out of it, not until he was back in the cave.
God dammit.
The shame.

Tallie followed him.
Guards came outta every room and hallway they passed, but they didn't gave them too much trouble.
Sometimes, Vinnie caught himself wondering where the Plutarkians got their training.
I mean, come on… Look at them. That they were able to walk was a miracle to say at least, let alone fight...
And yet, they'd managed to take over the whole planet.
Maybe it was because they had the numbers.
Maybe it was because the government had sold Mars out.
Maybe it was because they had the advantage of surprise back then.
Vinnie remembered the day that the war had started as if it was yesterday.
He was just living his life, his normal life, as a normal, but at the same time probably more stubborn than usual, teenager.
But then the bomb landed on his house and he already knew back then that his life was never gonna be the same again.
And that all happened in like… two minutes.
He was forced to grow up within two minutes.
The pain and anger he'd felt shortly after he realized he just lost everything, changed him into another person.
It took away a piece of his, then, pure soul.
Just like that.
Everybody kept telling him that he needed to grow up.
But he did. In his own way, he did.
Maybe not how you were supposed to grow up, but come on.
He was only sixteen back then. What did people expect?
Deep inside, he was still that stubborn and rebellious, but not that normal anymore, teenager.
Focus, van Wham.
Stoker needs ya.

They arrived at the lab without too much trouble.
Most of the Plutarkians and rats were outside, trying to stop the large group of Freedom Fighters and Outsiders.
That made things a lot easier for Vinnie and Tallie.
Not that Vinnie liked easy.
But going into that lab, with all the memories and trauma that came along with it, was a challenge in itself.
He almost pulled a muscle in his back because his whole body was so tensed, sitting on his bike like he'd swallowed a broomstick.
Which must be a ridiculous sight.
But dammit, this was hard, even for him.
Especially for him.
While driving through the hallway that led to the lab, Tallie drove up next to him.
She didn't ask if he was okay, a thing he was grateful for.
She just gave him this look, as if she was trying to tell him that she knew and didn't judge him.
Ugh.
She meant well, and sure, it helped, but it was a massive blow to his ego at the same time.
He hated it to be treated as one who was vulnerable, and even if he knew deep down he was, he was still in denial.
So stubborn.

When they almost reached the lab, she gestured at the door while slowing down.
"After you. I mean, I don't wanna interfere with whatever it is that you have with doors", she smiled.
Vinnie took a deep breath and fired a missile, blowing up the doors and he drove inside, before he could change his mind.
He immediately saw that the place hadn't changed a bit.
The door to Jester's lab immediately appeared in his field of vision and he felt another shiver running down his spine, but this time it was one of fear.
Could you believe that?
Ugh.
"Cavalry!", he yelled, trying to sound happy as always, but his voice had this sharp edge that usually wasn't there.
Karbunkle stood up bend over Stoker who was lying on the table, but jumped up as if he got stung by a bee by the violent entrance.
You would think that by now he was used to that.
It wasn't the first time that this happened.
Far from.
Vinnie shot the leather belts which were holding the brown furred mouse on his place.
"You owe me one now, oldtimer!", he snickered while following Karbunkle who was running away in fear.
"If it means I'm able to control my own brains, I don't mind owing you more than one, punk", Stoker replied happily, jumping off the table.
Tallie stopped next to him and offered him a place on her bike.
"You know where to find the rest?", she asked, while Stoker climbed behind her.
"Yeah, just go through that door and follow the stairs down."
"I've recently learned that you guys don't use doors", Tallie replied dryly and Stoker chuckled.
"You've got that right."

He saw how Vinnie fired a rope, which whirled around Karbunkle, making him fall on the floor.
"What do ya wanna do with him, Stoke?", the white furred mouse asked, his gaze focussed on his bike.
He was standing close, too close, to the door that led to the small, dirty lab where Jester had forced him to grow up a little more.
Where he took away another piece of his, by then, already damaged soul.
He couldn't look at it.
He just couldn't.
"Leave him, we've gotta go and get out the rest."
Stoker pointed Talli in the right direction and Vinnie quickly followed, letting out his breath.
"I've gotta warn ya, punk, but it's Limburger who's behind all this", Stoker yelled over his shoulder to the white furred mouse, who almost fell off his bike when he heard that.
"Say what? But you said…"
"I know what I said", Stoker snapped at him, hoping that would shut the young mouse up.
But of course, Vinnie wasn't one who gave up easily.
"Then why... "
"Because I made a mistake, okay?! I was… distracted... "
Vinnie knew enough.
He'd already noticed that the coach was in to this way too deep, blinded by his need to save Harley.
He couldn't actually blame him.
Heck, he would've done the same.
Look at what happened when he heard about his sister…

"Okay. But I think we all agree now that if we run into that cheese breath, we'll end him once and for all, right?"
"By all means. With pleasure."
"Well, stand in line. You ain't the only one who still has unfinished business with that cheesy moron", Vinnie growled.
"I know. Take the stairs", Stoker then said to Tallie, who did what he said.
"Stop here", and Stoker jumped off Talli's bike and walked to a metal door.
Which was locked, of course.
The brown furred mouse rubbed his chin, looking at the door while thinking how to open it without too much force, to protect the ones inside.
But Vinnie pushed him away impatiently, lit a flair and burned the lock.
After that, he kicked the door open.
Three surprised faces looked up at him.
"Ya know, I bet you guys are getting awfully tired of me saving your sorry tails all the time", the white furred mouse grinned arrogant.
"I'm just glad you're here. Stoker okay?", Throttle asked, also smiling.
"Still riding free, rookie", Stoker answered relieved while walking inside the cell.

Vinnie kneeled down next to the chains that were holding his friends.
He lit another flair and for once, luck was on their side.
It wasn't Plutarkian steel and the flair cut through the chains like a knife through butter.
"Vincent, give me a few of your flairs, I'll handle things here. You and Stoker can search for other prisoners", Throttle ordered.
Vinnie saluted.
"Sir yes sir!", and he threw a handful of flairs towards his tan furred leader.
Suddenly, Tallie showed up on the doorstep and Modo's eye immediately started to glow red.
"Wow, wow, easy, big fella. She's with us", Vinnie said hastily when he saw it. "Without her, we weren't talking here right now. Guys, meet Tallie. Tallie, meet Throttle, Modo and Carbine. Don't mind Modo, he's got a little… soft spot for rats."
"Soft spot? You probably mean allergy…", Modo mumbled, but then he relaxed. "But everyone who's willing to fight side by side with us is a friend of mine", and he nodded friendly at Tallie.
"Lucky me", she winked at him. Then, she grabbed Vinnie by the arm.
"Come on, let's search the building and after that, get the hell out of here. This place gives me the creeps."
"You said it, babe", Vinnie agreed shivering. But then, he realized what he said and swung an arm around her shoulders.
"But don't worry, doll, I'll protect ya."
"Hmm, really, huh? And what are you gonna do? Slap them in the face with that massive ego of yours? Hoping they're gonna faint when you flex your muscles and smile your most charming smile?", she teased him and playfully pushed him away.
"Autsj, harsh, sweetheart", Vinnie moaned while grabbing his chest theatherically. "But about that smile…"
"Okay, enough you two. Focus", Stoker interfered and after winking at Tallie one more time, Vinnie grew serious again.

Him, Stoker and Tallie walked into the long hallway, opening every cell, but so far, they were all empty.
"Where the hell is everybody…", Stoker mumbled while walking further, when all of a sudden, a loud click was heard.
"Don't move."
The voice was cold. Distant.
But definitely female.
Stoker stopped death in his tracks, causing Vinnie and Tallie to bump into him.
They all stared at the person in front of them, but she was standing in the shadows.
The only thing they saw was a gun which was aimed at them.
"Why don't you show yourself? If you're gonna kill me, then at least look me in the eye while you're at it", Stoker said, his voice low.
A silence.
The gun lowered.
The person who was holding it, did a step forward.
"St… Stoker?"
It was as if the brown furred mouse got struck by lighting.
"Harley?"
He looked at the light brown furred female mouse who was now standing in front of him.
Her blue eyes were wide open, staring at Stoker with disbelief written on her face.
She hadn't changed, not at all.
Well, now he looked closer, he saw she was a little skinnier than he remembered.
Her hair, that used to be long and soft, was now shorter and looked greasy and dirty.
She was wearing a uniform with the colours of Plutark.

Vinnie, who was standing behind Tallie and Stoker, could only stare at first.
God dammit, she really was alive.
Jesus, those eyes… Blue like the ocean.
It caused a wave of emotions that almost washed him away by only looking into those eyes.
Happyness.
Shock.
Relieve.
Guilt.
Love.
Embarrassment.
Insecurity...

He did a few steps back, suddenly wishing he could disappear, right here, right now.
He didn't want her to see him.
Because he knew, he just knew, he could only stare at her.
Speechless.
Yeah, speechless.
It would be too awkward.
What in the world was he gonna say to her?

"Hiya, it's great to see you're not dead after all, but I already moved on with my life. Sorry?"

Nope.
That was definitely a no go.

Luckily, the hallway was dark and he was now standing in the shadows.
Even if his fur was white, after the fight earlier this day, it was grey of dirt and dust.
So, not even if his fur could betray him at this moment.
Stoker, who finally found back his voice, looked at the gun in her hand.
She had lowered it, but still…
"Why do you have a gun?", he asked, a little suspiciously and very confused.
Harley sighed and put it back in her leg holster.
"It's a long story…", she mumbled.
Stoker was about to answer, when Tallie suddenly pushed him aside.
"Meadow?"
Harley looked up surprised and one hand covered her mouth.
"Tallie? What… why… how…", she stuttered, clearly at loss here.
So were Stoker and Vinnie, who shared a quick look.
These two knew each other?
Say what?
And why did Tallie call her Meadow?
Harley, who was still standing in the dark about Vinnie's presence, gave up her attempt to say something that made sense and pulled Tallie in her arms.
"I'm so happy to see you again, are you okay?"
"I am. And you? I thought I lost you…"
"I'm fine now…"

Stoker was staring at the two hugging females and Vinnie had to admit, the look on his face was priceless and would've been funny under other circumstances.
"Okay, I'm officially confused now. What the hell is going on here?", the brown furred mouse eventually asked.
Harley made herself loose from Tallie.
"Look, it's a long story, but Tallie here is the best friend I ever had. I'll explain everything later, we need to go…"
"No, not without at least a few answers, Harley. Why are you walking around waving a gun, wearing their clothes…? We thought you were a prisoner?"
The light brown furred mouse looked at him with fuming eyes, almost burning a hole in his skull and Stoker flinched, he just couldn't help it.
"I am their prisoner. But I also work for them. There are more ways of being a prisoner next to sitting chained up in a cell, Stoker."
"You're working for them?"
"Not by choice, I'm not! They have something from me and if I don't do as they say…"
"And what is it that they have?", Stoker demanded.
He couldn't believe himself, but he was actual suspicious.
This woman was the love of his life and here he was, doubting her intentions.
But this was the last thing he'd expected.
There were so many ways he'd pictured himself saving her, but this definitely ain't one of them.
"Well?", he insisted, hating himself for the tone he was using, but he needed to know if she was telling the truth.
If she wasn't…

So help me God…

Harley looked him straight in the eye, there was a fire burning in her blue eyes that he'd never seen before.
"My son. They have my son."

A son? A SON?
Oh my…

What will happen if Harley sees Vinnie?
What's the story with Tallie and Harley?
And what about Limburger? Is gonna get away… again…?
Or will they catch him?

Enough stuff to think about, huh?
Feel free to leave a review.

Till the next update, my loyal readers.

Ciao!