Blood Ties
What if Charley became a werewolf instead? Or she discovered she was born one? This idea also came from the movie Blood and Chocolate. Vivica, Aunt Agatha, and Daniel are all creations of mine and are not part of any movie or cartoon.
"Here we are, guys. Budapest." Charley said.
Budapest was a large city made up of light colored old world buildings. Many of them were centuries old. There were water fountains, several shops, and roadways. It was a mixture of old world charm meets modern day life.
They had come there thanks to the auburn haired mechanic's technical skills in turning their bikes into flying machines. The mice had learned Limburger was rearing his ugly face in another country. So of course they weren't going to let him get away with it.
"Who's a pest?" Vinnie asked.
"Budapest." Charley repeated.
"If this Budda guy is such a pest, why are we bothering him?" Modo asked.
Everyone gave Modo a surprised look which caused the large mouse to chuckle sheepishly.
"It's a place, genius." Throttle said.
"Right. A city in Romania, the land of mystery." Charley explained.
"So, why are we here, sweetheart?" Vinnie asked.
"Simple. I'm here to sell my prototype motorcycle I built for Washington. There's a buyer here in Romania that want to buy the plans for my motorcycle." Charley explained, "My cousin Vivica asked me to meet her here at this chocolate shop."
The mice saw a name CHOCOLATERIE on the front of the shop.
"What's she like?" Throttle asked.
"I don't know. I haven't seen her in years."
A young woman with strawberry blond hair on a red motorscooter had just rode up to them. She was dressed in black jeans, black shirt, and black jacket. She just got off the scooter and began walking towards them.
"Charlene? Charlene Davidson?" She asked, faltering.
"Vivica?" Charley asked.
"Girl, you look great!" Vivica grinned.
The two women hugged each other. The mice looked on with interest as Vivica was quite attractive.
"Oh, I want you to meet my friends." Charley said, pulling away and introducing the mice,"Guys, meet Vivica."
"Hiya doing, Vivica? I'm Throttle. The big guy there is Modo and the small guy is-." Throttle began as he shook hands with the strawberry blonde.
"Vinnie Van Wham, pretty lady." The white mouse exclaimed, eager to make this new beauty's acquaintance.
"Pleased to meet you." She said, shaking hands with him.
The girl had a firm handshake. Something he liked in a woman.
The tan furred mouse thought so, too. The girl reminded him of Carbine. He noticed the girl blushed when they shook hands. And she had a cute smile. A lot like Carbine.
"And I'm not that small. I'm buffed and grade-A material. Know what I'm saying?" Vinnie said, flexing his muscles.
"Is he always like that?" Vivica asked, giggling.
"Afraid so." Charley replied, chuckling, "And he's just getting started."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Vivica Ma'am." Modo said, politely taking her hand and shaking.
"A true gentleman. We don't see many of those in Romania." She smiled at Modo's noble gesture.
"Modo's a true knight in shining armor." Charley said, warmly smiling at the larger mouse who blushed.
"Oh, Mom's here." Vivica said, leading them into the chocolate shop, "She's probably upstairs asleep."
They went past tables beautifully decorated with a tiers of chocolates. Then they went past the bar where you could order a steaming cup of hot chocolate. They went up the stairs which led to a small apartment area. The walls were covered in acid washed decor.
"Aunt Agatha lives in the chocolate shop?" Charley asked.
"Well, yeah. Mom owns it. It's been in our family for hundreds of years." Vivica explained, "Mom! Mom! I'm back!"
"Not so loud. Can't a woman get any shuteye around here?"
An older woman just walked in from one of the bedrooms. She was in her late fifties. She was also dressed in black clothing similiar to Vivica's clothing. She came towards them. Her blonde hair was done up in a messy bun. She looked to see Charley and the mice.
"Aunt Agatha?" Charley asked.
"Charlene!" She squealed, joyously, arms outstretched,"It's so good to see you!"
She hugged her niece.
"Call me Aggie. So what brings you to Romania?" She asked.
"I'm here to sell the motorcycle that I've been experimenting with. You know the one I told you about. The black motorcycle I call the Road Hawk." She replied.
"Ah, yes. You did tell me about it. And I have just the person who wants it. I've already contacted him. He wants to see it as soon as possible." Aunt Aggie said.
"Great. When can I see him?"
"Tomorrow night. At eight o'clock. I'll take you to meet him myself." She replied, "But for now rest up. You're probably tired after your long trip. Vivica, show our guests to their rooms."
"Yes, Mom."
...
Later that night, Charley woke up in the middle of the night. Something made her sit up in bed. It was an eerie feeling in the pit of her stomach that something was getting ready to take place. She saw the window opened and went to shut it close. Suddenly, she heard a sound behind her. She turned around to see a large gray wolf standing a few feet in front of her. She got up slowly. The wolf was advancing towards her slowly.
"Keep away, you-you-!" She began, holding up a folded newspaper.
"Charley-girl, what's going on?" Throttle asked, outside the door.
The gray wolf, hearing them, jumped out the still open window.
He, Vinnie, and Modo just entered the room followed by Agatha and Vivica.
"There was a wolf in my room!" She exclaimed.
"Sweetheart, you been drinking?" Vinnie asked.
"I'm not drunk! I'm telling you I saw a large wolf standing next to the bed! It went out the window."She replied, pointing at the window.
"Don't see anything out there. It's pitch dark." Modo said, looking out the window.
"Now, now. I'm sure you were probably just dreaming, Charlene dear." Aunt Aggie said.
"But I know I saw something!"
"Sometimes, we imagine things that aren't there. Try to get some sleep. You'll feel better in the morning." Aunt Agatha reassured her.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I saw a ghost." She said, as she was led back to bed by her aunt.
"We better get back to sleep ourselves." Throttle said.
"Don't you worry none, Miss Charley Ma'am. We'll be across the hall from you." Modo reassured her.
"Thanks, Modo."
The mice left.
"They're so brave. You're so lucky to have three daring guys protecting you, Charley." Vivica said, then dreamily, "And so handsome..."
"Vivica!" Her mother cried out.
"Sorry. I don't know what came over me." She apologized.
"Good night, dear." Aunt Agatha said, ushering Vivica out the door.
...
Aunt Agatha and Vivica stood at the window in the living room looking out to see a full moon.
"The moon is full tonight." Vivica remarked.
"A hunter's moon." Her aunt commented.
"You're both correct. A hunter's moon is also a harvest moon."
They both looked up to see the gray wolf that had been in Charley's room now transforming into a young man with a dark beard and a mustache sitting on a side table. He was dressed in black clothing and had shoulder length dark hair. His golden eyes watched the two women.
"Ah, Daniel." Aunt Agatha smiled, then bowed to him.
Vivica looked annoyed.
"Vivica, bow."
She did as her mother commanded but with a frown.
"And what reason would the leader of the werewolf pack be paying us a visit?" Vivica asked, sarcastically.
"Ladies. Why to escort you to tonight's hunt. But also, I see we have a visitor. My wayward brother's long lost daughter. But she didn't bow to me. She looked afraid." Daniel said.
"She's unaware of her heritage. You must remember her memory was erased at the time she became human."
"Then make her aware. She must learn to show the leader of the werewolf pack honor and respect."
"She's not a member of the pack." Aunt Aggie explained.
"I expect her to be. She must once again become one of us."
"Why?" Vivica asked.
"You know every seven years, the leader of the pack takes a new wife." He replied.
"Don't you mean a mate?" Vivica asked.
"It's all the same thing. I expect her to be turned back into one of us then I intend to take her as my new bride." Daniel replied.
"She's here in Romania to sell her motorcycle then she's going back to the states. Besides, you have lots of other girls in the pack to choose from." Vivica told him.
"I don't want any other girl but her. Besides, I'm the one she's selling her bike to."
"Mom! You didn't-!"
"I had no choice. Daniel had already seen her picture in the newspaper." She replied, "He asked me to set up a meeting with her."
"But you're his mistress!"
"Were. That's not my duty anymore. According to werewolf law, I have to comply with Daniel's choice." Aunt Agatha replied, with a sad look in her eyes.
"You have other girls. Why her?" Vivica asked, glancing over at Daniel.
"Do I detect some jealously, Vivica?" He smirked.
"You wish."
"If you must know, Charlene Davidson comes from a long line of leaders. Most of them female. Such a wife would be a huge asset to me. And once she becomes a werewolf, it will add even more value to her. She must become one of the pack before midnight of tomorrow night." He said.
"It won't be easy. I can't remember the spell my sister and I used on her many years ago." Aunt Agatha said.
"You have till midnight of the next night. Now come, it's time." He replied, opening the window.
He transformed into a wolf. Aunt Agatha and Vivica transformed into grayish wolves. They all three jumped out the window and into the woods.
...
Deep in the woods far away from the chocolate shop, a huge crowd of people arrayed in black clothing were gathered around a large stage-like podium. Some of the people were dancing while others were just making small talk. Suddenly, a silver plated car showed up. It was opened up and out stepped Daniel. He led Aunt Agatha and Vivica up to the podium. Then he himself began walking across the stage. All of the people knelt before him, heads bowed. Aunt Agatha bowed and so did Vivica. She did it reluctantly though.
"My lords and ladies, welcome to tonight's hunt." Daniel said, "For the longest time, the human menace has hunted our kind down for centuries. Now is the time to make an example of them."
Daniel motioned with his hand. Two guys dressed in black leather clothing brought out a man dressed like a biker. He was bound with rope and blindfolded.
"This one you see here hunted down one of our brood. My cousin's son who was an honorable wolf was captured and gunned down by this menace. And now we shall avenge him by dealing with his murderer."
Daniel removed the man's blindfold. The man looked around fearfully. His eyes darted around for a way to escape his fate. Daniel picked up a small sharp knife.
"You have to make it across the river to the dry land. No one has ever made it across." He warned.
He cut the rope that bound the man's wrists. Then he cut him on his leg. Blood trickled from the man's cut.
He then ordered Vivica to kneel before the man.
"Wish him well." He ordered her.
She kissed him on the mouth then Daniel pulled her away from him. Then the guy ran off into the woods towards the river. The crowd then dispersed to hunt the man down. Many of them leaped over large rocks and streams. Several of them did somersalts in mid-air and when they landed on the ground they were wolves. Their golden eyes sparked with excitement with the scent of the doomed man's blood in the air. They took off.
Vivica stood next to the podium in her human form. Her aunt stood next to her. The two women watched the last of the wolves disappear. Daniel stood near them along with another person.
"This is the only way to have a success hunt." Daniel said.
"By murdering people?" Vivica asked, arms folded and head down.
"You dare to question our leader? You're out of line, Vivica." The other person, a young man dressed in black as well, said.
"I'm sure she isn't, Ray." Agatha replied, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulders.
"See it doesn't happen again."
"We am enacting werewolf justice. This has always been our way for centuries." Ray said.
"Bring me the Davidson woman tomorrow night completely turned into one of us." He told them.
...
The man meanwhile looked around in a frenzy. The place was pitch dark and the river was far away. Within minutes, he was surrounded by the wolves.
"Help me! Somebody help me!" He cried out.
Back at the house, the Biker Mice heard the faint cries for help. The mice got dressed, hopped on their sweet rides, and rode off.
The man backed up against a tree as a snarling wolf came towards him intending to sink his teeth into his flesh.
Suddenly, the headlights from three motorcycles shone on the wolves. They were so bright it terrified the wolves scaring them off.
"They sure have a lot of dogs here." Vinnie commented.
"Mean ones, too. " Modo said.
"Bros, those aren't dogs. They're wolves. Looks like one of the same ones Charley-girl saw in her room." Throttle commented, then to the man, "You okay, citizen?"
The guy simply nodded. Then he looked behind the mice to see a pair of gleaming yellow eyes. He stiffened up. He got up and took off running.
"What's eating him?" Throttle asked, glancing over at his two bros who also gave him puzzled looks.
Suddenly, a noice like bushes being pushed to the side got their attention. The mice braced themselves for a fight. Throttle aimed his blasters. Vinnie lit a flare. Modo brandished the laser cannon on his metal arm.
"Chill, guys, it's me."
Charley Davidson stepped out from behind a large oak tree. She was dressed in a blue denim shirt, black pants, and brown boots.
"C'mon, we've got to get out of here. Those wolves will be back." She told them.
"Sweetheart, how'd you know we were here?" Vinnie asked.
"I heard someone screaming and I came here. I saw the wolves and hid behind one of the trees." She replied.
" 'Wonder what wolves would be doing in a forest near people." Throttle began.
"What if they're not just wolves?" Charley asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I read a story once in a book about a Romanian legend. It had stories about a pack of werewolves. Loup Garoux."
"Didn't know you sneezed, Sweetheart. Hope you're not coming down with a cold."
"No. Vinnie. Loup Garoux is Romanian for werewolf. These werewolves were a type of thing called a skinwalker. They wore the skins of wolves by night and looked human by day. They existed for over a hundred years ago here in Hungary. Guys, watch out!"
The three mice turned around quickly to see wolves snarl and then attack them. Vinnie shielded Charley. The mice fought them off while Charley shone her flashlight on them. The wolves drew back in fear of the light. One of the wolves was about to jump on Vinnie when Charley shoved him away. The wolf bit her on the hand. Vinnie grabbed the wolf's mouth and pulled his jaws apart. It released his hold on her.
"Uhhh..."She groaned and grasped her injured hand.
"Hold on, Miss Charley Ma'am." Modo said, opening up a first-aid kit on his bike and taking out a clean white bandange.
He wrapped her hand up in it.
"Thanks, Modo." The auburn haired mechanic smiled at larger mouse.
"We're not out of the woods yet, bros and sister." Throttle said.
The wolf who bit Charley now snarled.
"Oh, I'm gonna turn him into a fur coat!" Vinnie said, aiming his blaster at it.
It was about to pounce on them when another wolf jumped in front of them and began fighting with the other wolf. This wolf was white as snow. It pounced on the large gray wolf bitting into his side and scaring it off. It tracked a trickle of blood as it went.
The white wolf stared at Charley for a minute. Then it took off.
"It saved our lives. Why?" Charley wondered outloud.
"You guess is as good as mine, Charley-girl." Throttle said.
"Uh...I...don't feel so good." She murmured.
She felt herself falling. Vinnie caught her before she hit the ground. She now lay limp in his arms.
"Sweetheart..." Vinnie said.
"So...tired..." She murmured.
...
The large gray wolf had run deep into the wooded area. He was now confronted by the white wolf. The two wolves transformed to reveal themselves as Vivica and Rayford.
"Just what did you think you were doing, Rayford?" Vivica demanded.
"Making the Davidson woman one of us so Daniel can wed her. What else?" He replied, holding his side, "Did you have to bite me that hard?"
"Charley is my cousin. I don't want her harmed."
"And neither do I. I simply turned her. The transformation should take place soon."
...
"Charlene? What happened?" Aunt Agatha asked, on seeing Charley being carried into the house by Vinnie.
He then laid her on the sofa that was there in the small living room.
"I'm just tired, Aunt Aggie. I had a long night." She replied.
"I've told you about going out at night by yourself. It's very dangerous." She told her, "More than you know."
"I'll be fine once I've had some sleep." She replied.
"Well, I hope so."
"I'm...aaaaaahhhhh!" She suddenly screamed.
"Charley-girl, what...your hand!" Throttle cried out.
Everyone turned to look to see animal fur growing out of the back of her hand! Charley leaped onto the floor as more animal fur grew out her skin. Her eyes took on a beige, gold like hue and huge, long pointed teeth grew out of her jaw.
"What's going on? What did that thing do to me?!" She screamed.
Her clothes tore and her hair took on a reddish brown hue. Within minutes, a large brownish red wolf stood before them all!