Disclaimer: Self explanatory, dammit~!
Throttle, Modo, Vincent, Charlene Davidson, Rimfire, Chef Andy Steinhaur, One-Eyed Jack Monterrey are all characters from the original show. Everyone else are my characters, along with any others that pop up. Thanks!
Some grammar things: Tabian=Martian clan elder, or head of the clan
Tharga=Martian creature most closely resembling a horse of Earth, but carnivorous with three horns and pack mentality. Commonly used in cavalry units in battle.
Okay, I wanted to do all three clans, but it looked confusing even to me, the author. So this is the joining and memories of Modo's clan, each paragraph is another person's memories and ends with this--. Hope you like it!
Chapter 14
The next morning dawned far too soon for some people. Chloe Hong had had a short night of sleep with all the commotion that had gone on. She knew that only a cup of very strong black tea would get her going this morning as she pulled on a simple green shirt and a pair of jeans. But her thoughts kept drifting to what had gone on earlier. The Martian Mice had been shocked at what Charley had said, and it looked like things were only going to get more intense as the day went on. It had affected everyone present, herself and Mr. Williams and Mr. Stienhaur included. They had all been worried about their alien friends, but didn't know what to do to help, if they even could help.
Rimfire had been so worried about things last night that she couldn't help sharing some of that worry. He looked like he was about to completely freak out when he thought Throttle and his Uncle were fighting. They must mean so much to him. It almost felt strange for him to act like that, to be so concerned what his family did and thought.
But she knew she felt that way because she'd by no means had a normal family. Her mother had divorced her father when she was barely five years old; walking out of their lives like it was nothing. And though she had no doubt that her father loved her, she could honestly say that they weren't as close as a family should be. She hadn't even seen the man in five months, hadn't been able to talk to him for three weeks due to 'scheduling conflicts'.
Good lord, felt more like family than her father did.
She found herself envying the strong bond she could see around Rimfire and his family, even the friendships between Rimmy and his bros. Chloe had good friends in her band mates, but they couldn't be together anywhere near the amount of time she wished for. It was hard just meeting up for practice, let alone actually spending time together--
Stop it. You're whining about the best thing that ever happened to you. Since when do you wallow in self-pity like this? The girl pushed back her black locks from her face, not really surprised to find herself wiping away a stray tear as she walked into the kitchen. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't even see the stripe-haired Mouse sitting at the kitchen island. I just wish--
Warm hands suddenly cupped her face, a calloused thumb stroking across her cheekbone. "Chloe-love? Baby, what's wrong?"
Her hands instantly took his wrists in surprise. "Rimmy?" She suddenly flushed in embarrassment, "Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention, its nothing." He doesn't need to hear about my pathetic problems. I mean, look what he's got to worry about, a freaking war! Like my baggage compares. "Don't worry about it--
The handsome mouse tilted her face so that her black eyes met his brown ones. "Baby, what's wrong?" he repeated softly.
She felt her resolve crumble into dust and she gratefully leaned into his hand. "Just missing my dad, I guess. I haven't seen him in months."
Rimfire startled at that. "Really? Has he been so busy running the casino?"
"Casinos, five of them," she corrected. "Yeah, I guess so. I haven't even got to talk to him for a few weeks now. Which is a blessing, I suppose."
"A blessing?"
She smiled crookedly, "What he doesn't know about, he can't blow his stack over."
Rimfire moved his hands down her face and jaw, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her waist as he rubbed his cheek against hers. "It still hurts you though."
Chloe pulled herself tighter against him, for one moment wishing she could disappear in the warmth he offered. "Yeah, but this helps."
He smiled into her hair. "It helps me too."
She pulled back to look him in the eyes. "With what?"
His smile became tinged with sorrow and his ears tilted down. "I miss my dad too. And Mom and my sister Primer. So many are missing or gone from my clan because of this fragging war." His tail coiled around her hips. "But this, this helps. I don't feel so.....lost, when I'm with you."
Chloe Hong, in that moment, hated Monterrey and all his Plutarkian people with a white-hot intensity. Damn those fish to Hell. He should never feel like that. I wish I could take it from him. He deserves so much more than what he gets. "You know what, Rimmy, I think I love you."
Rimfire went completely still for a half second. No girl had ever told him they loved him before. She suddenly flushed at her confession, a hint of glowing pink in her cheeks that he found adorable. Kusha have mercy, but she was so beautiful. Within, without, Martian or Terran, it didn't matter how he looked at her. She was beautiful. He couldn't resist the urge and kissed her, a slow, soft meeting of mouths and tongues that began to build a slow burn in both of them. "I think I love you too."
He nearly drowned in soft black eyes as he saw her expression change to one of joy, a smile forming that shone bright as the sun. "Oh, Rimfire," she said softly.
I'll never get enough of how she sounds saying my name, he thought possessively. "Do you know what the word 'klo-iy' means in High Common Martian?" He pushed her back against the kitchen island as he kissed her again, breath coming faster as the burning grew hotter. His hands slid down her back, unconsciously fitting her against his hard body. Chloe gasped at the sudden boldness, her head falling back as he moved his wicked mouth from hers and lightly bit the sensitized skin on her neck. She cried out as he sucked the skin there, knowing it would leave a mark she couldn't hide. "It means 'passion.' Klo-iy, Chloe. I should have known the moment I heard your name this would happen."
Rimfire kissed her again, wringing pleasured sounds so easily from her that it almost frightened her. With more willpower than she ever suspected she had, she brought her hands up and pushed on his chest, breaking their kiss. The girl had to take several deep breaths to focus. "You know, I think we best change the subject, or things might get a little warm around here."
"I thought they were already," he said in a low, liquid voice.
She shivered at the sound, a tingling growing in all the right places. God save me from Martian charm! "Warmer, then."
"Alright," he said, his tail playfully teasing her as it slid up and around her waist. "What would the lady like to discuss?"
She found herself growing warm again and had to push herself further away from him to clear her thoughts. "W-we could talk about--about-"-
"Are we interrupting?" Link's voice drawled from the kitchen doorway. The couple whirled to face the black mouse who's green eyes were dancing in mischief, blushes forming on both faces as they sprang apart like they'd been burned.
Thrash just shook his head as he pushed past the taller mouse. "Can't you ever just leave them alone?" He reached into the fridge and pulled out a carton of milk, rummaging through the cabinets to find a glass.
"Aw, what's the fun in that?" Link asked as he pulled up a stool to the kitchen island. "Besides, it looked like things were about to get interesting. So spill, love-birds."
"I'm really beginning to not like you," Rimfire muttered as he went over beside Thrash and drank straight from the milk carton. He took the time behind the carton to try and get rid of his very un-macho expression.
"Hey, now, don't get mad at the chaperones," Link said cheerfully. "We're the ones that make sure there's at least one surprise left on your wedding night."
Rimfire's jaw dropped at the innuendo and he made to pull his fist back to defend his lady's honor when a glance behind the black mouse made him pause. The sudden grin on his leader's face made Link scoot back on his chair. "What's that for?" he asked nervously.
"Because I'm dating a diabolical woman, that's what that's for," the leader replied with an evil chuckle. Right as Chloe dropped a cast iron skillet on Link's tail, while wearing an angelic smile.
CLANG. "YOWWWWW!!!!"
Thrash laughed so hard he shot milk out his nose.
"So," Chloe asked over the sounds of Link whimpering as he tried to straighten his tail back out, "do you know if your uncle managed to contact Stoker last night?"
"He did," Rimfire said, still smirking at Link. "He said he should be in Chicago in three or four days, but Uncle Modo told him to make it four. It might take us a while to get there, and the Flyer Tournament could give us some problems."
"Yeah right," Link said, now keeping a respectful distance from Chloe. "Bro, they don't even have lasers on this planet. Do you really think this'll even be a challenge?"
"Just because something's low-tech doesn't mean it can't pack a punch," a female voice said form the doorway. Charley walked in beside Throttle, who looked half-asleep as they made for the kitchen table. "A shot-gun is just as effective as a laser cannon at the right range. Besides, a lot more Plutarkian tech has made it to the black market than you think. Don't be surprised if you see stuff that compares to your average invasion brigade."
The three younger Mice paused at that. "But wouldn't the Plutarkians try to keep their technology to themselves?" Thrash asked. "Secrecy is their main weapon for an invasion. Lasers are much more noticeable on a planet that doesn't carry that level of technology yet."
"Lets just say that Limburger is a lot more strapped for cash than he'd like to admit," Throttle explained, cracking a huge yawn before he continued. "He's been selling off a lot of the cheaper laser pistols and rifles for cash to try and take over Chi-town to any thug or crime-lord he can get them to."
"He's that desperate?" Thrash asked in amazement.
"Its been almost four years of constantly rebuilding the Tower, reorganizing and re-arming all his goons, and still trying to buy up land from people that are refusing to sell to him," the tan mouse replied. "I'm amazed he's still got two gills to rub together."
"Same here, bro," Vinnie said as he came into the room, Rev, Foale, and Voxanne not far behind. "We've done enough slammin' on him to be worth Phobos' weight in platinum, and somehow he still keeps coming back."
"Frustrating?" Foale asked.
"Very," the half-masked Mouse said cheerfully. "But hey, it just means more fun for us, right, bro?"
Throttle chuckled, "Too true, Vin-man, too true." Charley just shook her head in exasperation.
Classic Freedom Fighter mentality, Thrash thought to himself. They just keep running in, never giving up even when the odds are stacked so badly, a blind man would call out. The red mouse had to hide his small smile. But isn't that why I like them so much?
Thrash had a very different background compared to his bros. He'd been brought up in a very military household when he was younger. He had a rich family that was, in his humble opinion, the original definition of snobbish. Most of his clan went into the service or even worse, he privately shuddered, politics. An advantage of that was that he already had a lot of training with weapons and fighting at an early age. Hell, he even knew how to fence. With more than one sword at a time.
One hell of a disadvantage was that his family wanted nothing more than for him to serve in the Army, the traditional, (obeying the Plutarkian-paid government at the cost of thousands of lives), Army. Or maybe follow in his father's footsteps and have a political career. Not even finding out that the Martian government had been corrupted and bribed by the Plutarkians, changed his parents' minds about his future.
When Thrash had run away from his clan at 13 and met up with the Freedom Fighters, Stoker had later made the joke that he'd never seen a boy so desperate to join the only working army on Mars. He'd met up with Rimfire and Link a few years later, and was beyond grateful to have such good friends. Becoming part of their squad was one of the best things to ever happen to him. So Thrash's prayer was sincere that today would go well for his best bro. He knew how much clan and family meant to Rimfire.
Silva and Auri came in next, the two supporting a very groggy Modo. Zodia followed behind them with a still-sleepy Bend in her arms. The dark-furred girl smiled shyly at them as Chloe helped get out some food from the fridge for a quick breakfast. Everyone seemed nervous as they ate, most just picking at the food from sheer nerves.
"Is there anything that you need for today?" Chloe asked the room at large, breaking the tension. "Anything special? I don't know if I could get something too specific, but I'll try my best."
Throttle glanced around the room at the other two tabians. "Nah, this shouldn't be any trouble. We just need a couple of rooms for some privacy."
"And maybe some painkillers," Silva said with a discreet look at Charley. "Sometimes a joining can cause headaches in people that are sensitive."
"Sure thing," Chloe said. "Most of the third floor bedrooms aren't being used, so they'd be perfect."
"We can go check out Tsu's garage," Link said as he and Thrash got up to leave. "Make sure the insurance guys aren't trying to give the poor joe the run-around. Besides, that lil' booger of his owes me another game."
Thrash couldn't help his smile. "I still can't believe you got your tail handed to you in a game of checkers by a three year old."
"He cheats!"
"How?!" the red mouse asked incredulously as the other mice laughed.
"As soon as I catch him at it, I'll let you know," Link said matter-of-factly.
&*&*&*&*&*&
Mice gathered around the room, clearing away furniture for a wide space on the floor. One by one, they stood in a tight circle, arms linking around each other. Modo smiled at his nephew and gave a look of reassurance over to Charley. "You know everything will be alright."
She couldn't help her nervous smile. "God, I hope so."
"Have faith, Miss Charley," Rimfire said. "Even if the bonding doesn't work for you, you're still part of this clan."
"Thank you," Charley said.
"Will--" Zodia's voice broke as she tried to gather her thoughts to speak, "Will it--"
"Will what, sis?" Modo asked.
"Will--I mean, are you sure it will work for me?" Zodia asked softly, worry clear in her voice. "I'm just something grown, not born"--
"That's not true," Modo said strongly as Auri's hands flew saying the same thing.
"Of course its not, dear-heart," Silva said. "You may not have been born from me, but you are made from the best of me, and the best of my mate Wheeler. You have every right to be here, and don't you let anyone ever tell you differently."
"Yeah. We want you here, Zodia, you and Miss Charley both," Rimfire said firmly.
Zodia blinked in surprise at how forcefully they spoke, tears falling down her face. "Thank you," she whispered.
Charley's smile was sincere as she came over and hugged her soon-to-be sister. "I'm as new to this as you. We can do this."
"Just relax your barriers. We'll walk you through everything, so don't worry," Rimfire said.
The girl nodded as Auri squeezed her hand. "I know." She took a deep breath, forcing her pounding heart to slow its rhythm. "I know we'll get through this just fine. And you know, hon, you can call me plain old Charley now."
Silva laughed as Rimfire nodded ruefully, sending a reassuring squeeze to Zodia's hand as they came forward in the circle. "Indeed."
The next room over....
Throttle described the joining in detail to Voxanne and Bend, telling them about what would happen and what they might expect. The other tan mice glanced at each other, nodding firmly when he asked if they were sure this was what they wanted. He gave a small smile to his brother and sister as his antennae began to glow, theirs responding to his call.
"Solare toth arum, et ceare pasca letci....."
'Let the light call us, that we may welcome....'
Across the hallway...
No one would have ever recognized the serene look on Vincent Van Wham's face as the joining began to form between the white mice. The hum of memories stirring in his mind, the harmonizing of his sister and brother's thoughts to his own, settled something in his heart. He smiled as he realized what it was. He would finally have what he had wished for since that horrible day when he'd lost nearly all his clan.
A second chance at a family.
He swore to himself that he would not waste it, not this time
&*&*&*&**&*&**&
The glow of antennae was almost blinding, and warmth that seemed to come for within began to pulse out a rhythm. A gentle pressure grew against their temples, relaxing as the barriers of minds and memories began to fall. Thoughts faded away and visions began to fill their mind's eye, the scents and sounds perfectly clear.
Scenes of battle drifted up from the depths of memory. The war cries of fierce soldiers and screams of thargas rang out as they charged into terrible battlefields. Alliances forged in blood and by love as clans came together to celebrate, to fight, to avenge, to honor the dead. Songs and laughter sounded as Mice of every color danced at weddings, births, festivals long remembered for their joy.
The names, the secrets, the loves and hates, all laid bare for them to see. Shame and honor were side by side, the reasons behind them as clear as if they had known them all along.
{Modo's family. The Dirkrange Clan.}
Hands from a loving parent, a smile of pride, words that shaped her thinking and ideals for all of her life came to Silva's mind. Bits and pieces were brilliantly clear as they were shared out among her remade family. As all their memories began to be shared.
The largest grey mouse Silva had ever seen shook his head ruefully as he dusted off all the flour she'd spilled on him in home ec class. "Well," a deep base voice said kindly, "that's one way to get my attention. The name's Wheeler, pretty miss. What's yours?" A handsome smile, a sweet kiss, a treasured memory of passion on the night of their wedding---
Pain? She couldn't remember any pain as she heard the cry of their first born, a beautiful blonde girl with her father's eyes. "Nitra," Wheeler said in soft wonder as he held her in his huge hands. "Nitra's the perfect name for her."--
"I love you, Auri-darlin'," he said in his thrumming voice. "I've loved you for the longest time." Auri couldn't remember ever being so happy before, a wordless cry of joy all that she could get out as she leapt into Modo's arms--
"Momma, Momma, look at what I can do!" So many precious moments of her daughter's life flashed before her eyes, oh, how could she grow up so fast?--
He pushed himself back to his feet as his sister punched out another one of those rotten bullies that dared to call her a weak little girl. "See, I told you she hits hard," Rimfire said proudly.--
Okay, she remembered a little bit of pain when they welcomed what had to be the largest baby born on Mars, a solid grey boy with a loud cry. Wheeler nearly glowed with pride as Nitra sat in his lap, carefully holding her new baby brother, Modo.---
"Get out, you filthy little rat! It's your fault she died! Get out of my house!! The sharp pain exploded on her face as her mother's sister slapped her hard enough to shove her out the door. Auri pushed herself to her feet as fast as she could, running from that house and the sadness it would always bring her. She had no idea where to go, but anywhere had to be better than here--
Oh gods, it hurt, it hurt when they brought her the news. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but Wheeler is dead. Died trying to get some of the last workers out when the mine shaft collapsed." It hurt like a physical blow, her children's eyes filled with tears, how lonely that bed felt without his warmth beside her. How lonely it would always feel--
Nitra's eyes were filled with tears as she held him on her lap. Her voice shook as she tried to tell him why Momma was crying, and then she was crying, and then he knew he would be crying for a long, long time. "But why?" a seven year old Modo wept. "Why is Daddy gone?"---
Nitra smiled like she did on her wedding day as Ratchet, that dear boy, held her children in his arms for the first time. "Rimfire," he said softly as his antennae touched the face of his son. They glowed again as he held his little girl, that instant protective look making Silva smile as he named his daughter Primer--
The day they took Auri in, and the wonder in Modo's eyes as he looked at her. Mild surprise, followed by the thought, 'They'll be together in four years, five tops. Good.'--
She was so beautiful, delicate and small like the first wind would knock her over. But she was standing up to those girls that called her a 'filthy rat' like a soldier. He couldn't just let her stand all alone, what kind of man would he be if he did? "Hey, you leave her alone! She didn't' do anything to you!" Modo shouted angrily--
News of the fighting, of war beginning, the fire growing in her son's eyes as he went out to join Stoker's group, the Freedom Fighters. Destruction began to rain across Mars, betrayal ringing out on a scale unseen since the days before the White King. Millions of people died, or disappeared. The government was doing nothing, or worse, doing something very badly--
Two bikers pulled her from the wreckage, their voices muted from the ringing in her ears. One held her so gently as the other pressed his fingers against her mommy's neck, sadly shaking his head as he moved away from the broken vehicle. Why wasn't Mommy getting up? Where was Dad? "You're Ian Davidson's little girl? Don't worry, kiddo, your uncle ain't far from here. We'll get you to a hospital and the garage in no time--Aw, honey no, don't cry, don't cry, shhh"--
The day Modo married Auri, how happy his Uncle and Aunt looked despite all the news of war around them--
He was so tall and big in the shoulders, even bigger than Dad and she didn't' think that was possible of anyone. She couldn't help it and shied away when he reached out to take her hand. He looked hurt, and she felt tears come, finally pushing through her sad wish to not cry. "I'm sorry," she said, beginning to sob. "I didn't mean--(hiccup)--to be--(hiccup)--mean--I just--(gasp)--want my Mommy. (Sob) I want my Mommy!"
Ryan Davidson blinked back tears as he pulled her up on his hip. "I know, baby, I know. But you have to be strong now, alright? I'm gonna take care of you from now on. Don't you worry, sweetheart, I've got you and I'm not leaving you. I'm not gonna let anything happen to my little girl."--
The night of their wedding, so many nervous jokes and laughter, and even tears as they made love for the first time--
Lily and Julia smiled at her as they played out their latest prank on an unsuspecting principal. "C'mon, Charley, live a little! Its just a harmless little joke-" The outraged shout as the firecrackers went off had them running down the halls, and by god that man could shout as he lectured them on proper behavior. The two girls smiled at her, and she smiled back, so very glad that she had made her first new friends--
The fall of the capitol city of Brimstone, and how so many had begun to truly despair that Mars would be lost--
The day Nitra and Ratchet disappeared, their fate unknown. The sad tears of her grandchildren, how they had cried as they slept by her side that long night--
"I'm Throttle, and the short guy here"-
"Hey!"
-"is Vincent. Welcome to the team, Modo."--
The day Carn's people betrayed them, stealing thousands of children, including Primer. She thought Rimfire would go mad, crying out over and over for his sister. Oh, those bastards had made it even worse, killing Auri. The terrible anger and greif of her son, how his two friends stayed by his side as he mourned his beloved wife--
Primer, where, where was she? She couldn't be gone, he'd know if she was gone, she was his twin, always with him, she could not be gone!--
Jack McCyber, a short courtship and what she hoped would be a beautiful wedding. Lily and Julia were so excited, helping her pick out a dress and flowers, and did she want chocolate or lemon wedding cake?--
Racing over the desert sands, and then sharp hot, blinding pain, and darkness. His eye, (why only one?) blinked open, trying to clear away the headache pounding in his skull. The grey mouse was horrified to see his bros strapped down on tables, and oh gods no, not Karbunkle, he was standing over Throttle with a scalpel, Kusha have mercy, no! Vinnie, where was Vinnie?! A dull clank sounded when he tried to move his right arm, and he tried so hard to not scream as he saw a robotic arm where flesh had once been---
The cell was cold, and she shivered in the frigid air. Suddenly the door opened, a tan mouse girl and a small white mouse girl thrown through the door by rough hands. The icy voice that she had learned to fear spoke, "Here now, some playmates for you. And once you've all grown, you'll be my little playthings." Zodia trembled as Julian Karbunkle looked right at her, his dead gaze feeling like slime on her body. The other mice reached out for her, shaking in fear and cold and they clung to each other for warmth.--
"You dare defy your master, you little bitch?! I'll give you a punishment you'll never forget," the Plutarkian growled. Clawed hands reached out, the forcewhip wrapped so tight around her throat she thought she would be choked to death, and then the power was turned on and her fur literally burned. Auri couldn't scream, no matter how much she wanted to, her voice forever destroyed by the electricity frying the nerves and muscles of her throat.--
Charley burned with fever as she coughed and hacked with pneumonia. Lily and Julia were supposed to be back hours ago with her prescription from the pharmacy, what was taking them so long? Her uncle came into the room, sitting beside her on the bed, dear god was he crying? "Oh, Charley-girl, I'm so sorry. I just heard, from the police, Lily and Julia....baby, they were hit by a semi-truck. They're dead."--
He's alive! Goddess Kusha be praised, Uncle Modo was alive!! Living in a stadium on Earth, with this pretty human female, and Throttle and Vincent were alive with him. Good gods, someone up there must really love those three to keep them alive through all this, Rimfire thought. He blushed as he realized that they could now say that they'd even survived having a spaceship slammed into their house-er, scoreboard?--
A Sand Raider attack had her captured, taken on the slave ships to Sturgeon. Cold nights, terrible work, bitter tastes of what they called food. Suddenly there on Earth, the harsh winter wind still sweeter than the awful stink of the Plutarkian moon. Oh gods, her chest felt like it was on fire! A kind girl's voice, "Don't worry, I've got you now."--
She had just finished sweeping the sidewalk when a clatter from inside made her pause. "Uncle Ryan, you okay?" No answer. She called louder, "Uncle Ryan?" Silence. Charley raced inside the bay, crying out in horror as she saw the last relative she had collapsed on the ground. Please, please god, no, don't do this, don't take him too! She tried to find a pulse and there was nothing, nothing, she immediately began CPR and praying as hard as she could. She was still praying when the paramedics pulled her away from him to try and revive him, still praying when they called his time of death at the hospital, praying it was a dream, a horrible dream she would wake up from--
The prison was dark and smelled like more death than he'd thought possible. Gods, they were holding Stoker here? His heart pounded like a jackhammer as he made it past the guards, through the cells, finding his hero and getting back to the ship. But something seemed off, what was wrong with Stoker? What had they done to him? Rimfire couldn't' escape the fighter ships and headed out to deeper space. His uncle, he could help. Uncle Modo would know what to do. The young mouse made for Earth as fast as the ship could go--
He was beautiful. Fur like pure snow, and eyes as red as blood. He had just been brought to the cell across from theirs, and he stared at them like he was seeing something wonderful. Voxanne and Foale couldn't' help but stare right back, never having seen a male Mouse before. Where all males so handsome? The first time she saw Rev smile, Zodia thought her heart would stop. Oh my god, I think I'm in love--
An order had come down from the guards for her to report to her master's office. Auri hurried in to see what was needed when suddenly the world went dark. When she could open her eyes again, she was surrounded by smoke and confusion, a strange alien girl was shaking her shoulder and telling her to get on her bike. Didn't she know that bike? It looked just like Lil' Hoss. The world blurred and cleared again, and she was looking up into the face of her beloved mate. Oh, she must be dreaming, she was having that wonderful dream again. But then he pulled her into his arms, the dream never lasted that long, and she wept in happiness as she felt the warmth surround her--
Her son, her little boy, back by her side. His friends still with him, still fighting the good fight. A Terran woman, she looked positively fragile standing by those boys. They didn't let her go out and fight, did they, oh she'd have their tails. And Throttle was looking at her like the sun rose and set with her. Oh, the dear boy thought he was hiding it, how cute--
"I'm sorry, Charley," Jack said, his voice straining. "I can't-I just can't do this anymore. I'm sorry." And he got up and walked out the door like it was nothing, a bag with his few things over his shoulder. There was no one, now. There was no one left in the world that gave a damn if she lived or died--
The adrenaline was pumping hard in his veins as he lifted the trophy up high. They'd won! They'd jumped from an exploding transporter into some kind of arena and won whatever race this was! Oh life was sweet! He suddenly realized exactly what was going on. They had their helmets off. They were on Earth. They were being filmed. They were gonna be dead little Mice if Throttle ever got a hold of them. Oh life just really sucked. Suddenly a girl, more beautiful than any human Rimfire had ever seen before, came to his side and spoke into the microphone, then pulling him and his bros away from the crowd--
They were staring, their yellow eyes leering as she and her sisters were displayed on the auction block. The awful stench of the Plutarkians threatened to choke her as she was forced to keep her arms down, not a stitch of clothing allowed so that they all could see her body. Voxanne was near tears and Foale had already been whipped once for fighting back against their jailers--
'Holy shit, the Martians have landed,' a little voice that sounded suspiciously like Lily's said in the back of her mind. Her hands shook around the odd pistol as she stared at three of the biggest, furriest-(oh god, they have fur!!)-she blinked as what they'd said earlier registered....mice? Mice from....Mars. Biker Mice from Mars? Alright, its official, my life cannot possibly get any weirder from this point on. And merciful mother of god, was that white Mouse (Vinnie, that was it), was he actually flirting with her?!--
Auri, by the goddess, a miracle that she was alive! She was thinner, her voice gone, but oh gods, his golden girl was back in his arms. He couldn't' stop his tears as he held her. A miracle, a true miracle. He looked over to the girl Throttle held in his arms, Charley-girl did this. I have no idea how, but I swear I'll repay her. For everything she's done for me and my bros, for Momma, and now this. Even if it takes a lifetime--
Rimfire couldn't help his incredulous look, his smile growing brilliant as he went to his grandmother's arms. And Aunt Auri was standing beside his Uncle, how was it possible?! He didn't care that his bros could see him cry, feeling more joy than he thought he ever could--
A new child, Zodia. Rev had said she was Modo's clone, so she was as his twin. So clearly Wheeler's daughter. A shame she could never meet her father, but the girl would have memories of him, Silva would make sure of it--
He didn't love her. That was okay, she brushed tears away from her cheeks, really it was. Love tended to go badly for her, so she should probably avoid it. Charley found a smile as she walked out the scoreboard's catwalk, staring up at the stars. At least he was honest. And at least we can still be okay after this. A glance to her left made the breath leave her body. Throttle was standing farther down the way, just gazing up at the shooting stars. Starlight shone on his golden fur, an almost dreamy look on his face. He's probably seen so many of those stars up close and been to more worlds than I can even dream of. My god, he's beautiful. I wish I had been with him tonight-she gasped as she realized what that thought really meant. Oh, hell. No wonder it doesn't hurt so bad about Vinnie. I've been in love with Throttle this whole time. Way to pick'em, girl, he's already taken, remember? Oh no, he's seen her, she tried to clear her face of tears. "Charley? Hey, Charley-girl, why're you crying? Need me to pound Vincent for ya?"---
Rev and another Mouse, grey like her, crashed through the roof just as the mutants had lunged to attack. Talk about in the 'nick of time'! Charley called something out to-Modo? Oh god, the Mouse she was made from, oh what should she say?! 'Hello' seemed almost tacky. She looked to Rev to ask, but froze in her tracks. He wouldn't love her; she knew it the moment she saw him look at Voxanne. Like he was seeing something wonderful, 'The way he's always looked at her,' and she felt her heart break--
Throttle kissed her, his mouth gentle against hers like he was afraid that he'd scare her off. But it grew more passionate, her toes curling in her boots as it grew hotter. She'd had no idea that anyone could make her feel like this. And he asked. Oh god, he asked what she needed, if he was allowed. He's the one, this is the one, she knew it to the bottom of her heart. When she heard him say those three words, words she knew he would never take lightly, she thought her heart might break with joy. So she gave to him what no other had ever, or would ever, have. As they lay on the couch, both their hearts still pounding from the rush, she silently spoke the Words that her mother, her father, her uncle had taught her to only speak to the one she would love for the rest of her life. Not even Jack had ever earned those words.....
Memories returned to their proper order. Thoughts shifted, no longer crossing over to another. The barriers were rebuilt piece by piece, their minds becoming their own again. Exhaustion suddenly swept over them. Most simply slept where they fell, others falling into waiting arms. A sense of true peace settled over them all.
Three clans were renewed, forged in memory and love.
In the other room, Vincent Van Wham smiled as his brother and sister slept, both of them matching his look of serenity. They would never truly walk alone ever again. Their memories would always walk with them, a thousand clan members walking beside them.
"Sola teth aride, et platea lath," Throttle Swordknight murmured from across the hall, his eyes closing as his arms tightened around his little brother. Voxanne yawn as she curled up against his side.
'The light called to us, and we are now one.'
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