Planet: Mars

Location: Stilton's Castle

Time: 17 Hours since the Battle of Tharsis Rise

Lawrence Limburger was not having the best day. His multiple plans to knock Stilton off his proverbial high horse had gone awry. First the so-called supervillain Karbunkle transported from Blackrock turned out to be a doleful dimwit leaking grease from every orifice. His plan to take credit for the (in his opinion) quite successful trap was thwarted by Stilton himself. And finally the 'mutant' Karbunkle created was quite useless when it came to actually destroying anything. Not only that, the creature seemed to be a bit of a masochist, something that made him rather uncomfortable.

And now, it seemed some hissy had stolen the spot of his best spy out from under him, working directly with Stilton to track down the remaining members of the resistance. He needed to come up with a plan fast. The ringing of an incoming call on Stilton's line made him pause.

"Aaaah, someone appears to be summoning that sovereign soufflé Stilton. Deception demands I eavesdrop." He reached for a remote and pressed a button, revealing the multiple screens of the hidden cameras he had scattered throughout the castle. He focused on the screen that monitored Stilton's office. Stilton turned to his own screen and answered the call. His screen lit up and showed the helmeted face of his new agent, some female mouse, as she appeared to be driving through the desert.

"Your report?" Stilton asked.

"Prisoners are in custody. Stoker fell for it hook line and sinker. I'm on my way." Stilton smiled at her response.

"Commendable job, mouse." He ended the call as he laughed, several of his handkerchiefs flying out of his sleeves as he celebrated this victory. One of them landed on the camera and obscured the view of the office. But it didn't matter. He had what he needed. He chuckled as he turned to Greasepit and Frederick.

"I'll simply inform Lord Camembert that those prisoners have captured Stilton."

"But uh, gee Mista Limburga…" Greasepit stuttered, "That's a fib."

"As it should be." He fought to roll his eyes. "For you see, I shall be the one to seize Stilton, only to place the blame on those marauding mice." He chuckled to himself. "Oh, I'm good!"

Stoker twisted his wrists in the shackles. Charley had felt guilty about the fact that there was no way to fake restraining them, but they had reassured her it would be fine. The Freedom Fighters were concealed outside, ready to help them with the escape route as soon as their task was done. Harley and the twins had gone ahead to Tharsis Rise, with instructions from Charley to start planting explosives around the area, but to stay out of sight. Once the Tug-Transporter was taken care off, they would all regroup at Fair Grove. He, the bros and Carbine were shackled together, with Charley escorting them up to the castle. They kept their heads bowed as several Plutarkians surrounded them. Charley broke away and moved to the front of the group. Stilton was waiting for them at the door, a pleased sneer on his face.

"Excellent work, my darling vixen." Stoker grit his teeth, and he was sure the bros were tensing behind him. He could only imagine how Charley felt about that title.

"It was almost too easy." Stoker shuddered at Charley's callous tone. He knew she was acting, but it certainly felt real enough, especially when she cackled. "You should have seen their faces when I slapped those shackles on them." Stoker took a breath and raised his head, glaring at her.

Time to sell the act.

"How could you do this to me? I loved you. I thought…I thought you loved me." He made sure to sound as heartbroken as he could.

"Oh, please. You really thought I could love you?" Charley scoffed as she approached him, tipping his chin up with two fingers. He could barely see her eyes through the visor, but he knew they were apologising for her words. "A so-called General who lead his men to ruin for a lay? You're just fooling yourself right now." She flicked his chin up and turned around, walking back to Stilton's side.

"Delightful display. But now it's time for them to submit to Plutark's rule. Come along Cyclone." He spun on his heel and led the way through the castle to Karbunkle's lad, Charley close behind. The Plutarkian soldiers escorted them through the castle, leaving them in the doorway of the lab as Stilton and Charley entered. Karbunkle was fiddling with his Mind Bender Beam, but turned as Stilton called out to him. "Dr Karbunkle, the time has come for these filthy ferrets to forge fealty to my forces. Don't you agree Cyclone?" Charley tipped her head demurely and slowly stalked along the room.

"I would say yes, but there is just one tiny problem, Master…" She trilled, and Stoker smirked as she reached for her laser weapon. "I don't serve no blue bellies!" She spun and fired her weapon at the Mind Bender Beam, making it explode and Karbunkle shout as he jumped back. He, the bros and Carbine raised their shackled arms in the air as Charley turned to them and fired again, breaking the restraints. She tossed their weapons to them as she and Modo fired on the soldiers surrounding them. Several Rats and Raiders entered the room, and the gun fight began. Stoker ducked behind one of the exam tables as he reloaded, and Charley slid in next to him, firing all the way.

"Did you really have to go that hard on the act?" He asked, brow raised. Charley ducked down as a shot ricocheted above their heads. She paused as she lifted her helmet up and pulled him into a kiss. The shock of it nearly had him dropping his weapon. Almost as soon as it began, she pulled away and pulled the helmet back into place.

"That good enough of an apology?" she replied, before firing on the rats again. Stoker shook himself and smiled at her, before twisting and taking out another Plutarkian. A blast from Modo's arm took out the ceiling above the remaining rats as they collapsed under the rocks.

"I'm starting to feel kinda attached to this pop-gun puncher." The grey-furred mouse said as he stood. They all left their cover behind as they stood, weapons aimed at the trembling doctor and a sweating Stilton as they stood near a monitor.

"It's time to face your fate, you foolhardy Freedom Fighters!" He spun and typed in something on the computer, before flipping a switch.

"Tug-Transporter lock-on switch initiated. Planetary extraction in 10 minutes." An automated voice rang out. Stilton smirked at them all.

"I am thrilled to announce the impending and, now unavoidable, birth of the newest Plutarkian moon. A moon once known as the planet Mars!" he yelled, waving a handkerchief in the air in triumph. He was cut off when a whip twisted around his arm. Karbunkle squeaked at that and hid behind a monitor. Stilton was pulled forward straight into Charley's fist, and he fell back, knocked out. Charley shook her hand out and rolled up her whip.

"That's for calling me a vixen." She stated, before turning to the mice, who were watching her wide-eyed. She turned off her visor and smiled at them. "Well, now that that's outta the way, shall we carry on with the plan?" she strode past them nonchalantly. Vinnie let out a whistle.

"Remind me never to make her mad." He whispered, and they all raced after Charley. Letting out whistles, their bikes burst through the doors of the laboratory and they all mounted up. They launched themselves to the ground below just as the automated voice stated 9 minutes remained, and rode off, the rest of the Fighters falling in behind them. Stoker and Charley were in the lead, along with the bros. He looked up ahead to see Sergeant Scabbard and several Army soldiers standing in their way. He raised a hand and the Fighters all came to a halt. Carbine dismounted from behind Throttle and approached her commanding officer.

"Sergeant?"

"Soldier. Report at once for a bombing mission at the Argyre Basin." Stoker rolled his eyes as his men all groaned behind him.

"Hey, Sergeant Scuttlebutt, get with the program!" Vinnie jeered.

"There aren't any enemy tropes at the Argyre Basin." Throttle explained, after face palming his helmet.

"The Plutarkians strip-mined it to dust months ago." Scabbard and his men seemed shocked by Modo's revelation, but the Sergeant quickly caught himself.

"Well, uh, orders are orders! Such as taking Carbine into custody if she resists." Carbine gasped and Stoker was about to make a move, when Charley's hand on his arm stopped him. He turned incredulous eyes to her, and she merely shook her head with a smile, gesturing for him to wait.

"Oh really?" the bros asked in unison, arms crossed. Scabbard and his men responded by pulling out their weapons.

"Really." the Sergeant responded. Stoker winced, this was not going well, but Charley as still relaxed next to him, clearly not worried about the situation. He understood why when Carbine cried out.

"Enough's enough!" she marched up to the Sergeant, poking him in the chest and making him drop his arm in shook. "Scabbard, why don't you wake up and smell the k-rations? The Army is being deliberately ordered away from the Plutarkian Tug-Transporter." She turned back and walked towards Throttle, who smiled and held out a hand to her, which she took as she tucked herself in next to him. "Like it or not, I'm joining the real fight, with the real fighters." There was a tense few moments as Scabbard held his ground, before his shoulders dropped and he sighed.

"Argh, it's been way too long since we felt like real fighters." He turned to his men. "What do you say, soldiers?" They all began cheering, and Stoker brows raised in surprise as he turned to Charley as she giggled. The soldiers all raced to their own bikes, and soon they were back on the road again. As Tharsis Rise appeared on the horizon, Stoker raised a fist.

"Say it like you mean it, Fighters!" And as one, they let out a battle cry.

"It's Tail Whipping Time!"

Several Sand Raider buggy bore down on them, and the Fighters all split up to take them on. Stoker glanced to see Vinnie standing upright on Sweetheart as he fired upon the buggy, laughing like a maniac. The kid was an adrenaline junkie, through and through. He flinched as a shot knocked him off of his perch, and he landed face-first in the dirt as five buggies bore down on him. Stoker spotted a rocky outcrop and revved Purpose's engine.

"Hey Punk!" He called out as he fired off a few rounds, taking out the enemies. He came to a stop next to Vinnie, who gave him a thumbs up. Stoker nodded and raced off again, content knowing his bro was ok. He spotted Scabbard and his men, still using their damned Army formations, and paying the price for it when a rat launched a missile at them. They barely had time to dive out of the way. Modo took out the rat's vehicle while Carbine stopped next to Scabbard and said something to him before speeding off. To Stoker's great surprise, Scabbard caught a Rat by the shoulder's and head-butted him, hard. He drove past close enough to hear the Sergeant call out surprising orders.

"Army! Break ranks and freeform it! Biker Mice style!" and the soldiers did just that. Stoker laughed outright at the change. He spotted Charley coming to a stop next to Throttle as he held a hand to his arm, and she began to administer first aid. Happy to see his men both having fun and gaining the upper hand, he moved on to his own devices. Taking out several buggies as he went, he let out a cheer.

"I love my job!" he howled. He was caught off guard when flames suddenly engulfed Purpose. His bike, sensing the danger, braked and swung. He yelped as he was flung from the seat, hitting the ground hard and rolling, coming to rest on his back. He groaned and looked up to see Mace standing on a rocky outcrop above him, flamethrower in hand. His mask was missing, so Stoker had a clear view of his yellowing teeth as he snarled.

"This time, that bitch is gonna get it. How about we redefine those overused words: Well done, Stoker?" Stoker grit his teeth and glared up at the Rat, before a roaring engine made him look up. Comet came careening into view.

"No one touches my man!" Charley fired at the outcrop, making it crumble under Mace's feet, before she leaned down and held out an arm to Stoker, scooping him up and away from the collapsing rocks. They came to a stop just outside of the field of battle, and they spotted the bros racing into Tharsis Rise volcano. Stoker got off of Comet and removed his helmet.

"Ha! This day is turning out to be glorious!" he turned to grin at Charley, but his grin fell as he noticed the look on her face. She had removed her helmet and dismounted, holding the helmet in her hands. "Hey, is everything ok?" Charley kept her gaze on the ground, squeezing her eyes shut before looking up at him, tears in her eyes.

"Stoker, listen to me. I need you to promise me something. Promise me, that you'll look after the bros. Especially Throttle. He's going to need you." Stoker felt a sick feeling forming in his gut at her words. But she carried on. "Promise me that you will keep them safe, and guide them, no matter what comes." He shook his head and she dropped her helmet on Comet's seat, taking his face in her hands. "I need you to promise me."

"Why do I need to promise that? You'll be here, won't you?" he asked her, heart sinking as she stayed silent. "Charley, why are you…?" She cut him off with a desperate kiss. Stoker could do nothing but reciprocate, the feeling in his stomach growing as she pulled back, tears streaming down her face.

"I love you…and I'm so sorry." She whispered brokenly, pulling away. She turned away and got back onto Comet, helmet hiding her face again and racing away. Stoker was left in the dust, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

Throttle cheered as he and the bros watched the Tug-Transporter zoom off, without Mars in tow. They had done it. They had saved Mars. And now, he was ready to relax and enjoy the victory with his family. He activated the comms on his helmet.

"Mission complete! Regroup at Fair Grove!" He heard several cheers over the comms as they zoomed off. He didn't hear Charley's voice, but he wasn't worried. He figured she was with Stoker. He had spotted them together before he and the guys had headed off for the Tug-Transporter. He couldn't wait to see her and talk to her properly about everything that had happened. He was curious about what her plans were now. Obviously, she would be staying on Mars. He had no doubt that was what she intended. The question was would she be staying with him, or was she planning on moving in with Stoker? Honestly, he wouldn't mind either way. They were good for each other, and honestly, he couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law. Though it might be too early to think about that.

They all pulled to a halt at the base of the hill and dismounted. Rimfire and Primer got off the backs of Echo and Thrill and raced over to Modo, hugging their uncle tight. Vinnie shared a hug and a kiss with Harley. Carbine jumped into Throttle's arms and he laughed as he held her tight. They pulled back and shared a quick kiss before the other Freedom Fighters cheered loudly. Throttle scanned the crowd, but his smile fell as he noticed that two of them were missing.

"Hey! Has anyone seen Stoker and Charley?" he called out over the cheers. The crowd fell silent, before murmurs picked up. Throttle shared a glance with his bros, who both shrugged. It became apparent that his sister and their General were missing. The sound of a struggling engine hit their ears and they turned to see Stoker and Purpose approaching them. Purpose looking quite beat up and scorched from the battle, but still determined to get his rider where he needed to be. They pulled to a stop and Stoker leap off, helmet dropping to the ground. Throttle's heart dropped at Stoker's tear-stained and worried face.

"Throttle! Have you seen Charley?" Stoker raced over to him, and Throttle caught the General as he stumbled, breathing hard.

"No, I-I thought she was with you?" He bent down a little to look the General in the eye. "What happened?" Stoker shook his head as he scanned the crowd, futilely searching for Charley.

"Something's wrong… We need to find her."

"I've had just about enough of you Mice!" The Freedom Fighters turned to see Mace standing at the top of the hill. His eyes had a mad glint to them as he snarled down at them. "Everything just seems to go your way, all the time! I am sick of it!" He cackled as he pulled out a gun. "So here's a little nightmare to remember me by!" He cried as he aimed the gun straight at Harley's chest. Vinnie rushed over and shoved his girl down, trying to shield her from the incoming shot. A red blur suddenly hit Mace's side and the shot went wide. Throttle stared dazed as Charley wrestled with a rat nearly twice her size, when the sound of crumbling rocks hit his ears.

From the bottom of the hill, too far away, he watched as his sister tumbled over the edge of the cliff for a second time, taking Mace with her.

"Charley!" He raced up the hill, tripping and stumbling in his desperation. He reached the edge of the cliff, trying desperately to spot them. Maybe they had caught onto the edge, and they were dangling within reach. He heard the other fighters do the same behind him, calls of do you see her and where is she floating around him. He turned and rushed back down the hill, ignoring the calls of his bros and whistling for Lady. She sped up to him and he leaped on, not even bothering with his helmet. He drove faster than he should have as they raced down to the bottom of the gorge. The terrain became too rocky for Lady to continue, and Throttle continued on foot. "Charley! Charley, answer me please!"

His foot caught on something, and he fell to the ground, groaning. He got up on his hands and knees and looked back to see what he tripped on. He cried out in terror and crawled backwards, nearly hyperventilating. It was Mace, or at least what remained of him. There was no chance he had survived the fall. Throttle stumbled to his feet and stepped back, unable to take his eyes off the horrendous sight, before a glint near his shoe caught his eye. He glanced down to see Charley's necklace. The one she had worn constantly for the last 6 months, ever since Stoker gave it to her. His breath caught and he collapsed onto his knees. His hands were shaking as he picked up the chain, cradling it to his chest as he looked around. There was nothing else. No shock of auburn hair, not a glimpse of her pale skin. Charley was just…gone. Tears rolled off his cheeks and onto his curled hands as he sobbed.

His sister… his family… was gone.

He leant his head back and let out an anguished scream.

Eighteen-year-old Charlene 'Charley' Davidson shuddered as she sat at her desk, working on her math homework. Her brow furrowed as she pushed herself back, rubbing at her arms. That was weird. She glanced at her window, which was slightly ajar. The chill must have come from a breeze. She stood up from her desk and moved to close the window, before opening her window wider and simply gazing up at the night sky. One particularly bright star caught her eye. Mars, if she wasn't mistaken. A weird feeling crept up her spine as she watched the start, but she couldn't quite place it.

"Cyclone! Dinner's ready!" She turned her head at Uncle Jake's call from downstairs and smiled.

"I'll be right there!" she called back, feeling forgotten as she shut the window and headed downstairs for dinner. She couldn't wait to tell her Uncle about her boyfriend Jack's latest code.

...to be continued

As you can see, THIS IS NOT THE END!

I always intended for this story to be a series. However, I realize that trying to find sequels to stories on FanFiction is pretty tricky. So I will be continuing to post the sequels on this story.

Chapter 1 of Start Again, Bros should be up in a few days.

So... please review!