We are diving into canon territory, folks! Enjoy!
Edit to mention, this episode is available on You-Tube, for those that would like a refresher. Just look up Biker Mice from Mars, and you'll find the whole playlist for the 1993 series (said playlist should have about 58 videos). You guys will want the last video in the playlist.
Planet: Mars
Location: City of Brimstone
Time: 6 months after the Trial of Orthos
The sound of gunfire and war cries permeated the air. Sergeant Scabbard flinched as yet another rocket launcher targeted his platoon. The City of Brimstone was one of the last major cities of Mars left standing, and he was not going to let it fall into enemy hands. However, the Plutarkians had teamed up with the Sand Raiders, and were using underhanded tactics to practically decimate his forces. They would need a miracle if they were to win this fight.
Another blast resounded behind him, taking out yet another platoon. He flinched and snarled, holding fire.
"Retreat! Retreat!" There was no way they could go on like this, unless they had reinforcements…
"AAWOOOOOOHOHOHOHO!" he heard the battle cry and the roar of the engine long before the mouse it belonged to launched itself over the hill, firing at the Sand Raider vehicles and taking them out in one go. Scabbard held back a groan.
By the Gods, what did I do to deserve this?
"Freedom Fighters! Attack!" Stoker ordered and his men followed, Modo, Throttle and Vincent being the first to follow him over the hill, before the rest arrived. The Plutarkians began firing on them in earnest. Modo whipped out his two pistols, taking them out double quick. Stoker noticed a Sand Raider buggy headed straight towards him, the driver and the gunmen focused on him. He used a small hill as a ramp and launched himself into the air, landing on the hood in such a way that Purpose knocked the gunmen and his weapon off while he took out the driver, before leaving the unmanned vehicle behind to crash into a hillside.
He slid to a stop and spotted Vinnie trying to pull the same maneuver, but he overshot by a few inches, landing Sweetheart on the hood and getting her stuck there. His punch was also overpowered, causing his entire weight to shift and launching him and Sweetheart off the hood of the buggy. Vinnie let out a yelp as Sweetheart desperately tried to overcorrect her rider's movements, skidding to a stop and sending Vinnie tumbling off. Knowing the mouse was truly uninjured, Stoker chuckled as he drove past him, calling out.
"Keep practicing, punk!" he paused just long enough to see Vinnie rise again before riding off to stop next to Throttle, the tan-furred mouse having just delivered a mean right hook to a Sand Raider.
"Wanna call the crash-play, Throttle?" he asked, curious about what the young mouse would suggest. He did not hesitate, or disappoint.
"Freedom Fighters! Tangle Spring 7!" He ordered, much to Stoker's delight.
"Hey, outstanding call, bro!" he gave the younger mouse a high five before they sped off. But just as they were about to join the rest of the Fighters in the maneuver, a Sand Raider buggy blocked their path, two guns trained on them. Before either mouse could react, two laser shots took out the Hyena's weapons, before a dark violet bike zoomed over their heads. A whip cracked and one of the Raiders was pulled from the buggy, flung off to the side while a shot from Comet took out the vehicle itself. Comet and her rider did a terrific spin before skidding to a stop next to them. Within the purple-hued visor, Stoker could see her sparkling eyes peering over at him.
"A little early for a victory high-five, isn't it? They almost had you that time." Her teasing voice was like music to his ears, and Stoker laughed.
"I know you're looking out for me, Angel." He replied with a smirk and a wink. Charley giggled.
"You're lucky I like you." She needled good-naturedly. Throttle mock-gagged.
"Can we keep the flirting till after the fight, please?" There was no true venom in his voice as he gave them both a smile before driving off. Charley rolled her eyes, but blew a kiss to Stoker as she followed him. Stoker chuckled as he watched her drive off.
I love that girl…
Charley fired her set of Tangle Springs at the Plutarkian tanks ahead of her, following Vinnie into the fray. As the springs did their job and began wrecking the tracks, stranding the tanks, the Plutarkians onboard fired their machine guns at them. Charley and Vinnie glanced at each other before drawing out their stick grenades. Vinnie used his teeth to remove the pins, while Charley gave control over to Comet for a moment while removing hers. They threw their explosives at the tanks as they passed, hearing the explosions behind them.
Entering the ruined streets of the city, they dodged and weaved as the turrets fired at them. Charley glanced behind her as she heard Vinnie chortle over the comm.
"What's the matter? Can't hit one little old stud-ly mouse, huh?" Charley rolled her eyes and was about to retort when the glint of a sniper rifle in the rooftops caught her eye. Her eyes widened and she sped up.
"Vinnie, look out!" She called as she shoved him, causing him to swerve. The shot went off unnoticed among the rest of the laser-fire, but it grazed Vinnie's thigh instead of penetrating it as intended.
"Ouch, oh that stings!" he grimaced, holding a hand to the wound. "Thanks Charley girl. Now, if you wouldn't mind?" he pointed ahead to the still firing turrets, and Charley nodded.
"You got it." She sped up, readying Comet's weapons, the turrets trained on her for one last attempt as she fired her rockets, taking them both out in a tremendous explosion. Vinnie cheered her on before wincing and reaching for his leg again. She slid to a stop next to some rubble and waved him down, removing her helmet as she got off Comet. Her hair had grown in the last six months, now reaching just below the middle of her back. Stoker seemed fascinated by it and would pout whenever she dared mentioning the thought of a haircut. It had become their nightly ritual to have him brush and braid her hair for her. And, if those nights more often than not ended with the two of them cuddling and sharing kisses? Well, that was no one's business but their own.
"Here, let me look at that." Vinnie limped to the rubble and used it as a seat while she grabbed the emergency bandages from her kit. Around them, the rest of the Freedom Fighters were arriving, having driven out the Plutarkians and Sand-Raiders from the city. Stoker removed his helmet as his men cheered.
"We got those fish swimming upstream now, bros!" He chuckled. Modo and Throttle left their bikes behind and approached their teammates, helmets in hand, just as she tied the last knot in her handiwork.
"How's it hanging, Vinnie?" Modo asked. Vinnie grumbled.
"Just a little battle tattoo, that's all. Charley's got me." He added with a smile, before the tell-tale whistle of a bomb followed by explosions startled them. It seemed the Plutarkians were not happy about their defeat, and were sending them a spiteful message. She grabbed her weapon as Stoker waved his hand, preparing to race back to Purpose.
"Bros! Let's net 'em!" he ordered, before Scabbard's outstretched hand stopped him.
"Army Command orders are 'No Pursuit'." He stated, holding up a radio with his other hand. He cowered a little as Stoker approached him, fists clenched.
"Lucky for Mars, we're not in your 'Army'." He replied, poking at Scabbard's chest. Scabbard batted his hand away.
"I advise you not to interfere, Stoker." He growled. Charley could see how Stoker's shoulders tensed at the comment, and quickly put her gun away as she approached the two commanding officers. She could see Throttle doing the same out of the corner of her eye.
"Interfere?" Stoker's soft snarl was filled with indignant fury, and he was about to unleash it all on the Sergeant. "Is that what we do, Scabbard? Interfere?!" his fists were poised for a strike when Throttle caught him by the shoulder.
"Hey, c'mon Stoke. We're all batting on the same team here." He stated, glancing at Scabbard's terrified face over Stoker's shoulder.
"Yeah, bro, we'll scale those stink-fish another time." Modo added hastily, glancing between them. Charley moved to Stoker's side as he still remained rigid, glaring at the Sergeant.
"Stoke…" she whispered, and he finally broke eye contact to look at her. She did not say anything, merely pleaded with her eyes that he stand down for now.
Finally, Stoker let out a groan, and stepped away, leaving Scabbard to wipe away the sweat from his brow.
"Return to headquarters." He ordered, returning to Purpose. Charley gave a final glance back towards Scabbard before heading to Comet, ignoring Scabbard's coughing when Purpose kicked dust into his face.
Later that night, the Fighters were all celebrating their victory in the mess hall. Charley had finished her dinner early, ready to help Harley with the wounded for the evening. She grabbed an extra first aid kit as the tan-furred mechanic approached her.
"So, who are we checking out first?" she asked her, before an exuberant cry, followed by a crash and a thud caught their attention. They turned to see Vinnie sprawled on the floor from a failed stunt that had launched him into the wall. Charley rolled her eyes and smirked at her friend, who giggled at her boyfriend's antics.
"Who else?" she replied and they made their way to him as he rubbed his head, sheepishly and in pain.
"So…earned some pain, Top-tail?" Harley inquired as she kneeled next to the white-furred mouse, who blushed.
"Oh, it's a badge of honor, sweetie." He responded. Charley took out some antiseptic and poked at Vinnie's wound, causing him to wince. "Ow, hey! I thought your girls' specialty was patching bikes?" he asked, holding his leg close.
"It is, hotshot." Charley retorted, handing the antiseptic to Harley who dabbed some on a clean cloth while she continued to prep the new bandages.
"But we can't have our Freedom Fighters riding around with…leaky fuel lines, now can we?" Harley added as she removed the old bandages.
"Oh relax, sweetheart. This is one mouse who'll never run outta gas." He claimed, smirking. Harley giggled and gave his cheek a kiss, making his face turn bright red.
"I sure hope not." Vinnie let out a weak chuckle before yelping as Harley dabbed at his wound. Charley suppressed a giggle at the two. They really were too sweet together.
"Hey, nice calls back at Brimstone, Rookie!" Charley suppressed a shudder at the rat's voice, side-eyeing him as he stepped between Throttle and Stoker while they were eating at the table. Throttle shook his head humbly.
"Appreciate it, Mace. Been coughing up a few from Stoke." Her brother added as he gestured to the General, who had his hands folded in front of his muzzle, elbows resting on the table as he watched the reveling around him. His face was devoid of a smile. Charley watched him closely as Modo stood, drink raised in a toast.
"Yeah, we're gonna pulverize those Plutarkian puff-fish. Right guys?" he called to the room, receiving cheers in return. That caused Stoker to snap.
"You wanna know the truth?" he posed as he pushed his half-eaten plate away. "Mars wasn't invaded; bros. it was sold." Confused mutterings broke out among the Fighters, and Charley held her breath as Stoker let out a sigh. "Yeah, thanks to a spineless Government that's lining its pockets with Plutarkian Gold Gills…" he slammed his fist on the table, snarling, "And then, there's the Army." He added spitefully. Throttle raised his hands in a placating manner.
"Hey, those guys are just following orders Stoke. C'mon, you gotta ease off their gears a little." Charley bit her lip as her brother's words did nothing to settle the General, instead having the opposite effect as Stoker turned to him.
"Yeah? Any idea where your girlfriend's at, Throttle?" Charley noticed with a start that his antennae had started sparking in his anger. "I'll tell ya. Following orders. Setting landmines on Elysium Rise. Where there's NOTHING left to fight for!" He slammed both fists on the table before storming off. Throttle and Modo flinched, turning to meet her eyes across the room. She turned to see Harley and Vinnie also watching her. She sighed.
"Harley, I need to…" she didn't get to finish.
"Go. He needs you." Harley whispered, taking the bandages from the human's hand. Charley smiled at her friend, leaving the two mice behind. Stoker had made his way to the corner of the room, watching a monitor with a scowl.
"Stoker?" she whispered, placing a hand on his arm. He was tense beneath her fingers. He groaned as he turned towards her, leaning his head against hers. She stood still, sensing that he was gathering needed strength.
"Sometimes I wonder if this war is even worth it." He admitted, and Charley pulled back, shocked. She cupped his face with her hand, but he avoided her gaze.
"Don't say that. You know it's worth it." She tilted her head to catch his gaze, smiling reassuringly. "Mars would've been lost long ago without you." She saw his eyes flicker across her face, and saw the question in them. "What is it?" Stoker glanced away again, before shaking his head.
"Charley, could you please just tell me…"
"Emergency!" The couple turned at the new voice echoing from one of the comms that Modo was currently occupying, his own call with Rimfire and Primer being interrupted by the transmission. "Carbine calling Throttle!" Charley watched as her brother raced to his bro's side at the sound of his girlfriend's voice, gasping at the screen, followed shortly by Vinnie. "Plutarkian Stingray has advanced!" They could hear the sounds of laser fire, as well as the ominous swell of wind. "Sand Storm approaching. Army Headquarters refuses reinforcements!" A final shot rang and the message turned to static then silence.
"Carbine!" Throttle did not waste a moment as he raced for his bike, followed by his bros. Charley let Stoker pass her as he made to cut them off, moving to the bag she had left on the table. She has been more than happy to help when Harley approached her with some ideas for new weapons for Throttle and Vinnie. She smiled to herself as she took out the familiar glove. She walked back over as the engines roared and lulled when Stoker held out his hand.
"You bros do know that the safe call is to wait out the storm here?" he asked them.
"Safe? As in no danger? Hah!" Vinnie scoffed.
"Blinding sand, enemy attack, a lady in distress?" Modo listed off, before revving his engine again. "We were born for this!" Harley raced up to Vinnie's side, holding out a packet of mini flares.
"Here Vinnie. You might wanna test out these expanding flares Charley and I cooked up for you." Vinnie grabbed the flares carefully, placing them in one of his bandolier pockets, before letting his visor down and giving Harley a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks, babe." He said softly, before roaring off, leaving Harley with a blush as she waved to him. Charley took the opportunity to approach her brother.
"Throttle, this one's for you. Harley and I call them 'Nuke-Knucks'." She tossed the brown glove to her brother, who slipped it on with a raised brow.
"'Nuke-Knucks'?" he asked, before inadvertently finding the switch that activated the glove. The glove glowed green and buzzed with energy. Charley chuckled at her brother's floored expression before he switched the glove off. "Whoa! Yeah I like the sound of that!" He was about to drive off when he suddenly noticed she wasn't racing for Comet. "You're not coming?"
Charley glanced back into the room, seeing Stoker stalk off into the hallways. She bit her lip and turned back to Throttle, who watched the General leave.
"I gotta keep an eye on Stoker. He seems off tonight." She whispered, before leaning over to give her brother a hug. "Go get your girl." Throttle gave her a squeeze back, letting her step back before racing off to catch up with his bros. Charley watched them leave before going after Stoker.
The hallways were pretty much empty, most of the other Fighters still in the mess hall, or having already retreated to their bunks. She made her way down to one of the last rooms in the hallway, pausing at the door before knocking. Hearing no response, she reached for the doorknob and found it unlocked. She opened the door softly and peeked inside.
Stoker had tossed his vest, belt and boots, and was currently at his desk, one arm outstretched while he pinched the bridge of his muzzle with the other hand, like he was fighting off a headache. Charley entered the room and closed the door behind her as softly as she could. After a moment's thought, she paused to remove her own boots, leaving them neatly by the door before approaching the mouse. She hesitated, before resting her hands on his shoulders. Stoker's head raised slightly, acknowledging her presence.
"I've been fighting for five years, Charlene. Five years…of battle after battle, skirmish after skirmish. And yet, nothing ever seems to change." He rose from his seat and Charley let her hands fall from his shoulders as he turned to face her. "Is this really all there is? That Mars future depends on her people fighting to stay alive another day?" Charley flinched and looked away. Stoker himself paused.
This had been happening more often between them. Stoker would hint at wanting to know about the future, and Charley would immediately shut it down. She had no idea why she was doing it anymore. She just did it automatically. She knew it was straining their relationship, but she just could not bring herself to tell him anything. Mace's threats were always at the back of her mind.
Stoker groaned and rubbed at his face, before reaching for her hands that had clasped together near her heart.
"I know you're scared, Charlene. I am too." He raised one hand to cup her cheek. "But if you could just trust me…"
"I do trust you." Charley vowed, raising her hand to squeeze his. "But…I just can't…" she paused when she saw his face fall, and took a breath. "When the time is right, I promise, I'll tell you everything."
Stoker studied her for a long moment. He let his hand brush down her neck to rest at the junction of her neck and clavicle, his eyes following the movement. His eyes held an intensity when they returned to her gaze.
"I'm holding you to that."
There was a charge in the air that she was extremely aware of. Neither of them dared to move for a long moment, fearing what would happen if they did. Only the sound of their breath filled the room.
Stoker broke the spell first, catching Charley's lips with his own. Charley responded in kind, wrapping her arms around him as he embraced her. They broke apart, only for Stoker unbutton her shirt and nuzzle at her neck, making her bite down a gasp. She was vaguely aware that they were moving, losing her shirt and both of their tank tops on the way to the bed. Stoker lifted her up in his arms before lowering her gently to the bed, looming over her.
Dressed only in her pants, bra and the necklace he had given her all those months ago, he paused, taking in her breathless form as her hair splayed out on his sheets. He leaned down on his elbow He felt her hands trace through the fur on his back, making him shudder.
"Should I stop?" he breathed. Her response was to pull out his hair tie, letting his hair fall like a curtain around them, before pulling him back down for a kiss.
"Don't you dare." She whispered against his lips. Stoker groaned and kissed her again, the moan she let loose starting a wild fire within him. He pulled back once more, before he lost himself completely.
"I love you." His confession made her eyes go wide, and Stoker began to panic that he'd made a mistake. Suddenly, he found himself on his back, Charley straddling him as she swooped down for another heated kiss.
"I love you too." She replied. Stoker grasped at her hips and kissed her again…
…that was probably the most heated piece of fiction I have ever written…. O_O'
I hope I did not disappoint.
Please review!