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*BBBBRRRRIIIINNNNNNGGGGGGGG*

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*BBBBRRRRIIIINNNN(click)*

"Chassie, come on baby, it's time to get up."

"No."

"Chassie hon, you have to get Tyke up for school."

"No."

Oh come on, it's a beautiful day! Look."

"No."

The tan mouse slid out of the warm bed in just his black underwear and gazed out the window. The Martian sky glowed a pink hue as the sun slowly made its was to its zenith. The Martian male turned to the bundle covered with blankets that laid on the far side of the bed.

"Chassie, we have this problem every morning." He said.

"There's a solution." The female answered.

"What?"

"Leave me alone."

The male smiled as he crept slowly towards her side and grabbed the ends of the blankets.

"Do it and die Throttle." She voiced in a low and cold tone.

"But babe, you have three operations to do today."

"I know, that's why I want to stay here."

"Chassie, you're the best doctor in your field, you have to be there."

The female pulled the covers off her face, exposing her messed white hair and sleepy blue eyes.

"How about this," She began, "You go do my shift at the hospital and I'll work at the Base today? See how you like listening to old Crab Hag on how things are supposed to be done on his watch."

"Babe, Dr. Cyber can't be that bad?"

"I rather have Stoker as chief of staff than him."

The door of their bedroom slammed open as their brood pounced upon their bed. His tan fur was brushed and his blue eyes were washed.

"I woke up before you did Daddy!" The seven-year-old boasted.

"And I see you got yourself ready too. Your mother should take a lesson from you."

"I heard that!"

The boy moved towards his disgruntled mother, "Mommy, are you getting up soon? I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry Tyke, you take after your father."

"At least he doesn't take after Vinnie." Throttle chuckled.

Chassie turned to him, "That's not funny. I told my Dad that we should have gotten him fixed, and look at him now? Vinnie Jr. is only six months old, and he acts just like his father!"

Throttle laughed, "I don't think Coal would ever consider getting Vinnie fixed."

"Mommy, what's fixed?" Tyke couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing you have to worry about my little guy. Right now, mommy has to take a shower before Daddy decides to bring the shower to mommy."

Throttle rubbed his chin, "I never thought of that."

Chassie stared at him, "Get it out of your mind Redthorn!"

**************************************

Carbine stared at the sensors in disbelief, she turned to her commanding officer.

"Stoker, I think you should check this out." She said.

Stoker moved to the consort and frowned, "What on Mars could be causing such a power signal? It’s nothing from the Plutarkians. They don’t have that kind of power."

"And it's located near the Rat Dens, Stoker. What do you want me to do?

"When Throttle gets in here, send him out to check out those readings. I want a report by the end of the day Carbine."

"Yes sir."

******************************************

Chassie entered the hospital doors and made her way to the staff lounge. She gazed at the interns, curious of how they're handle the new boss around here. She took her blue leather jacket off and walked into the change room to find her colleague and best friend Hershey almost done getting dressed in her pink scrub suit.

"You look rough this morning Chassie." She said as she clipped her I.D. tag to her white lad coat.

"Tell me about it, Throttle decided that last night would be a good time to try for another kid." Said Chassie as she began to undress and get into her own scrubs.

"Wow, you've been trying for the last two years. Could there be something wrong with your tubes?"

"Nope, I'm in good shape! Throttle even took a sperm count last year, nothing's wrong."

"Hmm…maybe Dr. Cyber could help?"

Chassie stared at the light brown mouse, "I don't think so girlfriend! That guy hates me! I want nothing to do with him."

Hershey wrapped her stethoscope around her neck, "Well, he's on his way here, and he doesn't look too impressed."

"Why? I'm not late, I did all my rotations yesterday, checked on all my patients and even worked in the ER for six hours! Thank Ares that Throttle picks Tyke up after school everyday." Responded Chassie as she pulled her lad coat on and grabbed her stethoscope. "I'll see what he wants."

Chassie exited the change room with Hershey behind, Dr. Cyber marched up to them with a frown on his gray furred face.

"Dr. Kiss, I need you in the OR stat!" He turned to Chassie, "Dr. Redthorn, you are needed in the ER."

"But I spent six hours in the ER yesterday! It's Burdock's turn today. And I got two triple by passes to do today!"

"Tough! You can do them AND the ER. Have fun. Kiss, come with me."

Hershey tried to smile at her friend, "Try not to take is so hard."

"Yeah," Chassie whispered as the two left, "how hard can I take it if that butt head won't give me a break."

***********************************

Throttle strolled into the base dressed in his army combat uniform whistling away a Metallica tune. Carbine heard him and stepped out into the hallway.

"Throttle, Stoker's got a job for you." She said as she handed him a computer readout.

"What's up?" He asked.

"There's a high power source near the Rats Den. Nothing the sensors have ever picked up before. Stoker wants you to check it out and give him a full report by the end of the day. Do ya think you can handle it?"

Throttle smiled, "I'll get this done and still be early to pick up my boy."

Carbine frowned a little, Throttle didn't notice, "I heard he's getting big."

"Yeah, he wants to join the army, but Chassie won't let him."

"She's a mother, she doesn't want anything bad to happen to him."

Throttle laughed, "I've been here since I was sixteen and I'm still alive."

"Don't explain that to me, just go your job and…come back safely."

Always sweetheart." Throttle said as he turned around and walked towards the door.

Carbine sighed, "How could I ever get him back when there's a child involved? I was wrong about Chassie, she does fight dirty."

***************************************

Throttle drove up the steep mountain slope as he stared about trying to locate something out of the ordinary. He took out a sensor and scanned the surroundings. He checked the readout.

"Hmm…nothing here." He looked up at the sky, "Getting dark. I better get back before the school calls Chassie and she’ll worry. She’s got enough to deal with."

He turned his bike around and proceeded to descend, but a blast from an unknown source hit his back tire, causing the mouse to fly off his seat. As Throttle tried to get up from the ground, he felt a rock hard object hit him in the back of his head.

"Stay down mouse." The rough voice said as he hit the mouse again.

But Throttle would not go down, "How about we make this a fair fight!"

"I don’t think so." Throttle was hit again, but this time in his chest.

His ribs cracked as the second hit connected on the same spot. He tried to grab for his blaster, but found it missing.

"I’m going to have fun with you mouse." The voice said as he kicked Throttle in the stomach with steel-toed boots. The torture continued as the same foot stomped on Throttle’s head, blood poured over his eyes. The creature grabbed the injured mouse by his hair and bulled him up, Throttle stared at the gray furred rodent.

"A stinken rat, I should have known." Throttle concluded.

The rat smiled at him, "I’m going to enjoy this job very much!"

He punched Throttle in his face with a closed fist, breaking his nose in the process.

"The boss doesn’t want him dead yet." Another voice called out.

"I was just having fun." The first rat said.

"I want him tied and then we wait for the target. Then you can kill him."

Who the fuck would they be after? And what the hell does it have to do with me? Throttle thought to himself.

Chassie came out of the OR and ripped off her paper hat. She turned to her friend.

"I’m getting really sick of Cyber, Hershey. If he’s got a problem with me, he better get it off his chest."

Hershey laughed, "Don’t worry about it, he’s just jealous of your work. You’re a better doctor than he is. You know, the board handed him the position only after you refused it."

"Really? So that’s his problem." Chassie said as the two reached the clerk’s desk.

"Yeah, that’s what I heard from a board member."

The female leaned over to Chassie with the phone in her hand, "Doctor, Tyke’s school is on the phone. No one came to pick him up."

A feeling of dread filled Chassie’s heart, "Wh…What?"

"Your husband didn’t pick him up."

"He probably forgot Chassie. You know how Stoker is." Said Hershey.

"Tell them that I’m sending his aunt to get him. I got to call the base." Chassie said in a frantic voice.

"Chassie, cool it sweetheart! There’s probably nothing wrong." Hershey repeated.

Chassie stared at her with frightful eyes, "It doesn’t feel like nothing."

The frightened mouse grabbed the other phone and dialed.

"The Last Change Garage, Charley speaking." The voice said on the other end of the phone.

"Charley, it’s Chassie. I need you to pick up Tyke at school. Could you do it for me?"

"Yeah, no problem, but where’s Throttle?"

"I’m heading to the base right now to find out why." She said as she hung up the phone.

"Chassie, you can’t leave yet! You still have two hours in the ER!" Hershey exclaimed.

"I really don’t give a fuck what Cyber thinks right now!" Chassie shouted as she ran into the change room and grabbed her jacket.

She raced out the emergency doors and whistled for her bike. The black bike drove to her and she pounced on it without the bike stopping.

"To the base Black--top speed!" She shouted as she jammed her helmet on and slipped on her jacket.

Stoker paced around the front doors of the main gates. Carbine walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"The kid should’ve been back by now." He said to her.

"I know you’re worried, but Throttle’s always been able to get himself out of trouble." She tried to consult him.

The two heard from a distance the sound of a roaring bike. Carbine smiled but Stoker just frowned.

"That’s not his bike." He said, "It’s moving our way too fast."

"Then who would be coming here?" She said sarcastically.

"A worried wife."

The bike skidded towards them and stopped just a few feet. Sand and rocks flew towards them, they blocked it with their arms.

"Stoker!" Chassie yelled over the engine’s revving and pulled up her visor, "Where’s Throttle? He didn’t pick up Tyke after school! Where is he? There’s something wrong, isn’t there?"

"Listen here Van Wham…" Carbine began, but Stoker stopped her.

"He didn’t come back after I sent him on a routine surveillance. I’m going with Modo and Vinnie to try to find him." He said.

"I’m coming too!" Chassie declared.

"That’s not a good idea sweetheart. You better just stay here until we find him."

"Stoker…I AM GOING WITH YOU!" Chassie screamed as two bikes pulled up beside them.

Vinnie pulled up his visor, "Chassie? What are you doing here?"

"I’m coming with you to find Throttle!"

Modo turned to Stoker, "Are ya sure it’s a good idea?"

"He doesn’t have a choice." Chassie said as she pulled down her visor.

Stoker grabbed the helmet from Vinnie and hopped on his bike, "Vinnie, you have to co-ordinance. Let’s start there."

The three bikes roared as they pulled away from the gates, leaving Carbine behind.

"I hate this." She said.

The bikes stopped dead as they looked around the mountaintop and dismounted their vehicles.

"Ah’m not getting any readings here." Said Modo.

Chassie wrapped her arms around herself and began rub her arms as a clod chill ran up her spine, "I don’t like this."

Vinnie came up behind her and touched her shoulder, "What are you getting sis?"

"Death. Death is calling to me. I can hear her voice in my head. Death is here." She whispered.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Stoker asked.

"I can feel someone’s going to die." Chassie answered as tears fell from her eyes, "Death is here to claim a soul tonight!"

Vinnie wrapped his arms around his frightened sister, "No one’s going to die Chass. We’ll find Throttle safe and sound. I promise."

Just then, Vinnie’s bike beeped as it drove near a cliff. The four peered down to see a large dark object below.

"Modo, shine a light down there!" Stoker commanded.

Modo took a flashlight and shone it down. Chassie shrieked at the sight of the totaled bike.

"It’s Lady!" She cried out, "It’s Lady down there! Throttle must be down there with her! We have to get down there!"

"Hold up sis!" Vinnie said he held on to his sister, "It might not be Throttle’s bike." He hoped in his heart.

Stoker knelt down to the edge, "THROTTLE! ARE YOU DOWN THERE BOY?"

"He’s right here!" A gruff voice called from behind them.

The four turned around and saw a rat soldier on the cliff above them with a laser pistol in one hand and holding Throttle by his hair with the other.

Chassie screamed as the rat pushed Throttle down on his knees.

"If you don’t let my bro go I’ll…" Vinnie yelled as he pulled out his rifle, but the rat pulled up his gun to Throttle’s head.

Chassie stared at her love. He was bruised severely on his head, trickles of dried blood stood out on his face and his chest heaved to tell her he had trouble breathing.

"Please don’t hurt him!" Chassie cried out, "Please!"

"It depends." The rat began, "How fast can you four find a mouse named Malice?"

Vinnie and Modo stared at Chassie as she looked at her husband.

Throttle mouthed the words ‘no’ to her, but her heart could not bear the pain in his eyes.

"I’m Malice" she said to the rat, "Now please, let him go."

This somehow angered the rat, "Do you mice take me for a fool? You don’t have the mark on your face! If you don’t produce Malice here, This guy’s brains are going to be all over this mountain!"

I am Malice! Please! Take me instead of him!" She begged him.

Vinnie gabbed her, "Are you nuts? He’s going to kill you too!"

"I can’t let him kill Throttle! He’s after me!"

"THAT’S IT! LET THIS BE A WARNING TO YOU!" The rat yelled.

Throttle stared at Chassie and mouthed ‘I love you’.

The trigger was pulled, a beam of light exited from the other side of Throttle’s head. His limp body, pushed off, landed before the mice. Vinnie, Modo and Stoker pulled out their weapons and shot at the rat as Chassie dove to her love’s side. The lasers sliced through the rat’s body and he screamed out in pain. Chassie stared wide-eyed at Throttle and touched his chest. The rat fell from the cliff and landed on his head, but it didn’t stop the mice from shooting him. She cradled her love on her lap, and stroked his hair. Shock filled her soul as she cried, her heart breaking.

"THAT"S IT! HE"S DEAD!" Stoker yelled at the other two but Vinnie wouldn’t stop.

"VINCENT! HE"S DEAD, YOU’RE JUST WASTING AMO!" Stoker yelled again as Modo joined Chassie.

Vinnie stopped and looked at his sister and best friend. Throttle laid motionless, his eyes were vacant. The young mouse fell on his knees and cried out. Stoker knelt beside the tearful mouse as she touched her love’s lips.

"I’m…I’m sorry Chassie. I shouldn’t have let him come up here by himself."

"It’s not your fault Stoker, it’s mine. I could have prevented this." She replied.

"There was nothing you could have done sweetheart."

"Yes…there was." She whispered.

The rat walked down the long tunnel and opened the door at the end of it. His two metal teeth chattered as he entered the cold room.

"Has my order been carried out?" The voiced called from the shadows of the room.

"Yeah, but Limpy didn’t make it. The potion you gave him was supposed to protect him from the mice’s guns-it didn’t." The rat answered.

"I must have given him the wrong vial. Oops. But he was never the patent type was he?"

"I came out with my end of the bargain, now how about yours." The rat sneered.

"Foolish Razor! You did not bring me Malice’s head. You failed. But fear not my rodent friend. You will have your army to defeat the mice…just as soon as you get me Malice."

"I don’t think she’s here boss." Said Razor.

"Be patient, she will come. At the death of a loved one…The Executioner will rise once more."

Charley crept slowly inside the house and closed the door gently. She walked into the living room to see Vinnie sitting on the couch with Tyke in his arms and Modo sleeping on the love seat. She sat down beside her husband and stroked his long white hair, he turned to her and smiled.

"How is she taking it?" She asked.

"Not good. It’s like she’s a zombie, nothing’s there. She’s so weak." He replied.

"She must be going crazy."

"She blames herself. The rat was looking for Malice, how would a rat know Malice?"

"Ah’d like to know." Said Modo as he straightened himself up from his sleep.

"Malice never went to Mars, right?" Charley asked.

"As far as I know. Do you think that someone from Torra is here?" Vinnie questioned.

"Why would anyone get a rat to do a job?" inquired Modo.

"I’m going to ask Chassie." Vinnie said as he slip the sleeping child on Charley and ran up the stairs.

He walked into her room and staryed at his sister, who laid upon her bed with just her PJs on, her eyes wide open. He sat beside her and began to rub her back.

"Chass, it’s been a week after we…laid him to rest. You have a son downstairs that needs you."

"I destroyed countless of lives. I defeated gods and demons. I was the most feared predator once. The one time I needed the power and I couldn’t do anything to save him." She whispered.

"Chassie, quit blaming yourself! There’s something bigger than this! Someone from Torra is here trying to get back at you!"

She raised herself from the bed and looked at him, "Since when did you become the logical one of the group?"

"I have a brain! I can use it you know."

A knock was heard from the door below, followed by Charley racing upstairs and into Chassie’s room.

"Um…there’s some guy here for you Chassie. He’s got a travel bag with him. Do you want me to send him away?" She asked.

"No…I’ll go see what he wants." Chassie replied as she got up and wrapped her housecoat around her body and walked downstairs.

She walk to the door and opened it to see a gold furred Martian male dressed in old clothes and smiled at her with gold eyes.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Chassie, my, you have become a beautiful woman." The familiar voice spoke.

"Do I know you?"

"Do not tell me you have forgotten your old friend?" He said as a small red flame left his mouth.

"Hasta?" She cried out as she wrapped her arms around the stranger.

"I have come to aid you little one." He said.

Chassie let go of him, "What are you talking about? It’s too late Hasta. Throttle died over a week ago. There’s nothing for you to help me with."

"I must speak with you in privacy my child. The life of your people depends on it."

"Meet me out back Hasta, I got to get dressed."

Chassie closed the door behind her and ran back upstairs. Charley and Vinnie were still in her room.

"Out guys, I got to go out for a bit." She said as she opened her closet.

"Where are you going sis?" Vinnie asked.

"Never mind bro." She replied.

"Chassie, I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave the house with a stranger." Said Charley.

"I know him well, he won’t hurt me."

"Chassie, you’re acting weird again." Said Vinnie.

She turned to the mouse, "Vince, I don’t need this know. I’ll be back."

She pushed the two out of her room and slammed the door.

"I don’t like this Charley." Said Vinnie.

"Hmm…I wonder if it was a mistake to move to Mars." Said Charley.

The bike stopped in the middle of the Martian desert. Hasta and Chassie dismounted and looked around.

Chassie flipped her visor up, "Now Hasta, what’s with the Martian disguise?"

"I needed to see you child, there is great danger on Mars."

Chassie pulled her black gloves off, "And what danger would that be?"

"Evil has come to Mars."

Chassie stared at him, "Hun?"

"Evil has come here to seek revenge upon you and your loved ones. You must stop the Evil before it consumes your world."

"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" She yelled, "I’m not Malice anymore Hasta! I don’t have the power to even stop a raging Saber Squid!"

"I fear that you must make a soul journey my child. There is a cavern ten miles to the east from here. There, you will fast for three days and then, you will know what you must do."

Chassie starred at him again, "You want me to be Malice again?"

"You have no choice child. Mars must be defended, you are her protector."

"Great. Why didn’t I didn’t I get the power before Throttle was killed."

"That is not how prophecies work child. If there was another way…"

"But there isn’t any-right?"

"You are correct."

Chassie mounted her bike, "I should get this over and done with right away?"

"Speed is your gift child. It will take a while before the rat army is ready to do you battle."

"Can I drop you off anywhere?" She asked as the engine roared to life.

"No, I need not to travel with you. God speed child." Said the mouse as he disappeared.

"I hate my life." Chassie said as she turned her bike around and headed home.

"If you’re going camping where’s the fucken food?" Vinnie yelled as Chassie piled some warm clothes in her backpack.

"I won’t be gone long. I need some time to myself." She replied.

"You’re crazy Chassie."

"Just like you, brother." Chassie said as she pulled the backpack over her shoulders and grabbed her jacket.

"Chassie, you can’t leave me with three kids!" Vinnie yelled as Charley walked in with their two children and Tyke.

"Auntie Chassie," said Rave, the oldest at four, "Where’re you going?"

"I’m going camping for a few days Rave-girl. But I’ll be back." Answered Chassie as she stroked the bright red hair on the white furred child’s head.

Charley held their youngest Vincent Jr. in her arms.

"Don’t worry about Tyke, Chassie, we’ll take good care of him."

"Why can’t I go with you mom?" Tyke asked.

"I have to go alone."

"But mom…I don’t want to loose you too."

Chassie knelt down and hugged her boy, "Tyke, when I come back-everything’s going to be different. You’ll see."

She raised herself and hugged her brother, "Don’t worry about me, I’ll be back…improved somewhat."

"I don’t like this." Said Vinnie.

"You don’t have a choice." Chassie said as she walked out the door.

"I’m starting to get really pissed off at her." Vinnie mumbled.

"Vinnie, it might do her good to spend a couple of days by herself." Said Charley.

"Why is it I get the feeling that I’m not going to like what happens after?" Voiced the mouse.

Chassie leaned up against her bike and warmed her hands in front of the small fire she built in the dark cavern. The ground was hard, but sitting on her sleeping bag made it a little more comfortable.

"I’m on my third night Black. Hungry, pissed off, sore, cold, and nothing happened to me. This sucks! I’m spending one more night than we’re going home!"

The biker revved in response to her. She slid into her sleeping bag and grabbed her jacket. She sniffed the collar, drinking in deeply the sent.

"Still smells like Throttle’s cologne. I miss him so much. It hurts to think about him."

She scrunched up the jacket into a ball and laid her head on it. She starred at the fire, watching the flames dance about. He eyelids grew heavy, she slowly allowed them to fall.

A voice called to her from the depths of her mind.

Her eyes closed, she followed the sound of the voice and into the dark void of sleep.

"CHASSIE WAKE THE FUCK UP BITCH!"

Chassie opened to eyes and starred around. She sat in the middle of what appeared to be a settlement but it was rundown.

"Where am I?" She asked.

"You’re home babe!" Her voice called back from behind.

Chassie got up and turned. Malice walked up to her and smiled.

"B…but…you’re me?" Chassie exclaimed.

"Yep! I’m you. And you’re me. Big fucken surprise." She said.

"But…I thought I was going to meet a spirit guide or something." Said Chassie.

"What the fuck do ya think I am?" Malice yelled.

"What are we doing here?"

"Look around you Chassie-baby, What do ya see?"

Chassie glanced around, "A rundown farm."

"Anything looks familiar?"

Chassie looked at where the house was, a red petal bike was half buried in the sand.

"That's Tyke's bike! This must be my home."

"DING DING DING! Give the lady a prize!" Malice shouted.

"What happened here?" Chassie asked.

Malice appeared behind her, "Let’s have a look behind you."

She turned Chassie around to view the horror of her future. A long metal pole was erected and a skeleton hung from its tip by its neck. Chassie screamed.

"Wh…who is that?"

"That’s you babe." Malice giggled, "That’s what’s left of you if you don’t let me back into your life."

"NO! I can’t do this!" Chassie yelled as she tried to escape the dark creature.

Malice appeared in front of her, "You can’t flee pet. This is what the Evil did to you after the rat army cam and conquered. Sucks hun?"

"Why? Why didn’t the Martian army stopped them?"

"With Malice out of the way, the army couldn’t handle the power that the Evil shot to them. It destroyed the army with one swipe of its clawed hand. It was a pretty cool sight!"

She looked at Malice, "You’re sick."

"Yep. But you could make it better Chassie. Just think of it; you need my thirst for death. Only I can kill without remorse. You can’t do it, you don’t have the stomach for it! When you were me before, you could kill without a single thought. You need that way again to stop the Evil. Without it, you can’t do your job."

Chassie stared at her with anger in her eyes, "You’re the reason why Throttle’s dead!"

"No…it’s his fault. It was he that turned you from the dark side child. It is his responsibility for his death."

"IT WASN’T HIS FAULT!"

"Get fucken over it babe. What’s done is done. Do you want to see what happened to your kids?" Malice asked as she raised her arm and the two appeared inside a cavern.

The sounds of metal hitting stone rang through out the caves as Chassie peered down from the cliff and gazed over the Martians miners in chains. Malice bent over to her side.

"Not a pretty sight hun? This is what the Plutarkians have the mice doing now."

"This can’t be real!" Chassie exclaimed.

Malice smirked, "See that tan mouse over there with the hammer?"

Chassie stared at the direction her alter ego pointed to. As she had said a tan mouse, around the age of thirty, hammering away at an ore vain. The hair, the chest, the arms, a carbon copy of his father. She stared at his eyes, blue they were.

"Tyke?!" She yelled, "What’s happened to him?"

"Malice isn’t around, sweetheart, to protect him…and his sister." Said the Executioner.

Chassie turned to her, "I have a daughter?"

Malice pointed again to the white female mouse who carried a jug of water to the tan mouse. Her eyes were red, her father’s eyes.

"My daughter? I have a daughter? Who’s her father?" Asked Chassie.

"For someone who graduated the top of her class, you’re not too fucken smart are you? Her father is the same as her brother’s."

"But…Throttle’s dead! How could we have another child?"

Malice placed her hand over her frustrated head, "The night before he died, you two fucked all night. Well…surprise, surprise, surprise!"

Chassie couldn’t believe it, "I’m…"

"For fuck’s sake Chassie yes! You’re pregnant! Knocked up! Bun in the oven! Prego! Do I have to spell it out for you?" Malice yelled as the two returned to the farmhouse.

"Why are we here?" Asked Chassie.

"Because it’s time for us to join." Malice said as she drew out the Death Sword and stuck it in the ground with the hilt up.

"But this is just a dream."

"Holly lifting fuck! This is a fucken spirit journey you idiot! I am getting pretty sick of explaining everything to you! Now, take the fucken sword and let us combine."

"I can’t do it." Chassie whispered, "Lloth created that thing."

Malice laughed, "Not this one."

The Messenger of Death touched the blade and caused it to shine in a blinding light. Chassie had to cover her eyes because of the shear brilliance of the flash. The light died down and she stared at the sword with amazement. The Death Sword changed, instead of the black jewel on the hilt, there was just a black round stone. There was S shaped marking on each side of the blade and the pommel was shaped round instead of jagged.

She turned to the Dark One, "Who’s is this?"

"Don’t you recognize the sword of your god? The Sword of Power. Zeus created it for his son…"

"Ares." Chassie said in wonder, "but if I take the sword…won’t I become a blood thirsty creature of evil again?"

Malice smiled, "To a point. But you could stop yourself at anytime if you chose. You know those fairy tales of you need good to defeat evil?"

Chassie nodded.

"That’s all bullshit. To destroy evil, you must be evil. You have to sink a few levels lower than them to get the job done. You have to be as sneaky and underhanding as they are. It’s the only way to protect your love ones. You can’t be afraid to torture someone for information. You were so good at that."

"To free my people, I must slave myself to the dark again." Concluded Chassie.

"If you want see it like that than yes!"

Chassie moved to the sword, he placed her hand just above the pommel. Malice moved slowly around her and began to chant.

Chassie glared at the sword, "It’s now or never."

Chassie grabbed the handle and lifted the sword from the ground, pure power raced through her body. She began to chant with the other as she raised her arms and head to the sky.

Malice moved and fused herself with Chassie. Black light filled the area as she chanted alone.

Chassie opened her eyes and stared at the fire. It had reduced to embers as the night sky shone in the cave. She raised herself in a siting position and looked around her.

"It was just a dream." She said, "Just a dream. I wonder what it meant."

She moved her hand to her side and felt cold steel and leather. She looked down and saw the new blade in its scabbier laying on her sleeping bag.

"It wasn’t a dream."

She picked it up and drew the sword out.

She turned to her bike, "Should I try it out?"

The bike beeped at her.

"Here goes nothing."

She lifted the sword towards the heavens, "I AM MALICE!"

Her body flashed in a black light, power surged through her. Her senses were improved as her will was. She looked at her bike with a grin.

"I feel so bad." She smiled.

She examined her clothes, the same material, but a different style. She wore a black leather body suit with black stone like squares on the back of her forearms. A black trench coat covered her back and the sleeves came to her elbows. Her boots came up to her thighs and held together by thick cords and high heeled. She laughed.

"I love the new look!" She shrieked as she touched her short black hair and felt the black mark over her left eye.

A familiar growl cam from the entrance of the cave, Malice turned to see two glowing green eyes looking back at her.

"It can’t be? Shadow?" She asked.

The displacer beast walked toward her and purred with delight. She stroked her pet with glee.

"You’re here! I don’t know what just happened or why you’re here but I’m glad to see you again, old friend. It’ll be just like before, but this time we work for Mars."

The panther roared in agreement.

Malice looked out at the lights of the near by city, she held her sword towards it.

"I swear on my beloved’s grave that no one will ever be harmed by the Evil. No one will become a slave again, no one will loose a love one as long as I, Malice the Executioner, The Messenger of Death, the Creature of the Night, The Chosen Protector of Mars, has the power to avenge!"

The City of Blrearulla was quiet, the dark city streets were deserted, but for one lone figure. The rat slithered his way close to an arms supply store’s back door. He smiled at the lowly lock.

"This is no problem! I’ll rob this place and load up the truck! Razor will be so pleased with me! He might even give me a raise." The rat sneered.

"I don’t fucken think so vermin!" A voice called out from the shadows of the alley.

"Who’s there? Show yourself!" The rat yelled as he pulled his plasma riffle towards the direction the voice came from.

Two small globes of flames appeared in the darkness, the rat felt a little fear as the stranger walked out with confidence and pose.

She smiled at the parasite and showed her two fangs to him, "I am the Messenger of Death."

She drew out her black blade, "I am Malice the executioner, rat! Prepare to scream a lot!"

The rat fired his riffle but the shot seemed to bounce off the mouse. She laughed as she walked slowly and reached the rat. He stared at her with fear in his eyes. She grabbed him by his scrawny neck and lifted him from the ground against the brick wall. Gurgling noise came from his lips.

"You’re no match for me little worm, but I’m going to cause so much fucken trouble for your people that you're going to wish it was the Plutarkians going it!" Malice whispered.

"Now, to leave my warning!" She said as she began to crush his neck and moved her sword at his head. She stopped.

"Nah, I’m not going to kill you now." She said as she dropped the rat to the ground and turned away from him.

The rat touched his neck with one hand and pulled up his gun with the other. He pointed the barrel at the lone mouse, but faith wasn’t on his side.

"I changed my mind!" She yelled as her blade slide right through his neck.

The head rolled onto the streets as the body slumped to the ground. Malice stuck her hand into the neck’s opening of the body and smiled.

"I just have to leave a calling card." She giggled.

Vinnie stumbled downstairs of his sister’s house. Rock music blared in the kitchen as the mouse tried to sleep. He glanced at the clock and growled to himself and he entered the kitchen. The lyrics ran out of the stereo at high volume.

"Modo, what the fuck are you doing up this early?" He asked as he realized that it wasn’t Modo in the kitchen, but his sister cooking away and singing to the gruesome song.

"Chassie!" He yelled, "CHASSIE!"

She turned to him and smiled, "OH YOU’RE HERE! I THOUGHT YOU WERE STAYING AT YOUR HOUSE."

"I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE…" He shut the stereo off, "I thought it would be better if Modo and I stayed here and took care of the house. Who knows what’s going on right now."

I do. Chassie thought, "Everything’s fine Vince! I can handle it on my own."

"I’m going to go through this with you again Chassie. I think it’ll be a good idea if Modo moved in here with you and Tyke. I don’t like the feeling I get when I think of you and Tyke alone here on this farm-more than twenty miles away from the city."

Chassie grinned at her brother, "Thanks for the support but the three of us will be fine alone."

Vinnie gave her a quizzical look, "Three of us?"

"Yeah, I’m pregnant."

Vinnie stared at her, he was speechless.

She sat down at the table, "I’m going to have a baby."

He sat down also, but couldn’t find the words.

Vinnie breathed and then opened his mouth, "How can you be pregnant when Throttle’s dead. It’s not possible unless you were cheating on him."

"The night before he died, I conceived this child. It’s a sign Vince, it’s like Throttle is still here with me."

"I can’t deal with this." Vinnie said as the phone rang.

Chassie grabbed the receiver, "Hello?"

"Chassie?" The gruff voice answered, "What are you doing home so early?"

"Stoker? I got back this morning."

"How was your trip girl?"

"Inspiring, I guess you want to talk to Vince?"

"Yeah, I need that pin head."

Chassie passed the phone to her brother.

"Yeah Stoker?" He said.

"Vinnie, get your butt down to the alley beside Tackleberry’s Army supply store on the double. A rat was massacred there."

"WHAT?" Vinnie yelled, "What the fuck was a rat doing in town?"

"That’s why I want you to come here now."

Razor crept into the dark cold room, but the figure had heard him.

"You bring me news?"

"Yeah, one of my men was killed when he tried to break in an army supply store…"

"With his head detached?"

"Yeah! How’d you know?" Razor exclaimed.

"As I have said my furry friend, she will come, with fire in her eyes and the mark of death upon her face."

"What do ya want us to do now?"

"We wait. You are to gather up your army just as we have planed. When the time is right, we will attack."

"And when would that be?"

"You do not think much with your brain, do you Razor. Now the cat will play with the mouse. When she is no longer able to differ from fiction and reality, then we make our move."

Vinnie pulled his bike up to the curb and dismounted as Modo ran towards him.

"Ya won’t like it Vinnie." Said Modo.

"What is it?"

Modo! Vinnie! Get your butts in here!" Stoker yelled from the alley.

As they entered, Vinnie felt a familiar chill up his spine and the sent of death lingered about. At the sight of the decapitated rat, Vinnie couldn’t hold his breakfast. The rat’s blood was all over the walls and ground. Flies hovered about as the young mouse held his innards together. One soldier was taking pictures as another was examining the body.

Stoker turned to Vinnie, "How are ya holding up boy?"

"Just peachy." Vinnie replied as he wiped his mouth with the back of his glove.

"I want you to take a good look at the wall behind him." Said Stoker.

Modo and Vinnie stared at the direction. In crimson red letters was a phrase that made the two mice shiver were they stood.

"I don’t like this." Said Vinnie.

"And you think I do?" Stoker yelled, "We got a maniac running loose here. Mind you I don’t care how many rats he kills but who knows when he’ll start killing mice."

"What do ya want us to do Stoker?" Modo asked.

"Find this lunatic and throw him in the brig! He’s going to start a war between us and the rats if we don’t stop him."

Vinnie examined the area, "Stoker, why would a rat be doing here near an army supply store?"

Modo stared at the back door, "He might have tried to get in?"

"That’s what I think boys, but I want you to find out why."

"I don’t even know where to start." Vinnie said as he stared at the head lying on the ground.

Chassie stared into the crib and smiled at the hairless baby.

"Oh you’re so cute!" She said as Tyke walked into the nursery.

He peered over the railing and grinned at his little sister, "Wow Mom, is Tayla ever getting big."

She touched the sleeping child’s face gently with her finger, "Yeah. Now you have a little sister, I don’t want the two of you fighting."

"Come on mom, would I fight with a baby?" Tyke asked.

Chassie gave him a look, "Your Uncle Vince and I were young once too, I remember the beatings he gave me."

"Yeah but now you guys are really close."

"I wish we were closer." She mumbled to herself.

"Are ya sure we should be here Mutts?" The frightened rat asked his friend.

"Why? Are you chicken?" Mutts answered as he pulled out cutting torches from the large duffel bag.

"Don’t you remember what happened to Rizt over a year ago when he tried the same thing?"

Mutts grunted as he began to cut away the door hinges of the Bank of Blrearulla’s back entrance.

"Don’t worry about it. The Martian army caught the asshole that did it. No one’s been walking around without their heads for over a year. It was just a fluke."

"I got a bad feeling Mutts."

"Would you shut up, Clay? I’m trying to work here!"

Clay quieted down as his comrade cut one of the hinges off. The sound of footsteps echoed in the alley.

"Um Mutts, I think some one’s here." Said Clay with fright in his voice.

"Then take the blaster and kill him. We don’t need any witnesses."

The rat pulled out his gun and proceeded to the end of the alley, a sweet childlike voice was signing an old tune.

Clay stared at the figure, but the dark covered her face. The lamp light behind her made the figure completely black to the rat. He pointed the gun towards her, but his nerves jiggled the gun too much. The figure faced him and two amber orbs were seen where her eyes would be.

"Stay where you are!" Clay shouted at her.

"But why?" The figure asked in a child like voice as she approached him.

"I’ll kill you if you don’t!"

The woman laughed as she raised her arms to the night’s sky.

"Quit laughing!" Clay shouted again.

"But I want to play with you." She said as she pulled out her sword.

She walked into the light, her black hair moved in the wind. The mark on her face sent more chills down the rat’s spine.

She smiled at him, "Will you play with me?"

"What are you?" He asked in a whisper.

"I am the Evil that claims the light, I am the shadow that stalks in the night." She pushed him up against the brick wall and whispered into his ear, "I am the Messenger of Death, I am Malice the Executioner."

Clay felt the sharp blade pass through his body, his fearful eyes stared at the Executioner and she grinned at the sight. Not a sound came from him as she pulled the sword out and allowed the rat to fall on his knees. She raised her sword up and smiled, the blood lust took over once more.

"Meet your maker rat!" She said as the sword came down and decapitated the body.

She wiped the blood off with the rat’s shirt and began to stalk the other one. She peered from the corner and saw the rat hard at work on the door. She grinned as she moved slowly towards the unexpecting prey.

"Did you take care of that Clay?" Mutts asked as she approached him from behind.

"I know I did." She said making the rat jump up and face her.

"Who the hell are you?" He yelled as he pulled out his own blaster.

"Your worst nightmare!" Malice yelled as she grabbed hold of the rat by his neck with her hand.

Mutts tried to break her grip, but she was too strong for him. He tried to wiggle free, but her grip tightened.

"What the hell do ya want?" He asked as he tried to kick her.

"I want all you fucken lowlife, hole infesting, carrion eating vermin to die a slow and painful death!"

Her knee connected with his groin, the rat screamed in pain.

"That’s it fuck-face! Scream for me!" She taunted.

She raised her sword to his neck, her hears caught sirens heading her way.

"Fuck! The cops are on their way!" She looked at the rat, "I’ll catch you next time."

She let go of him and leaped onto the high roof. The rat slumped down and curled into a tight ball as the army jeeps pulled into the alley. Malice looked down at them as Stoker jumped out of his jeep and notion to two soldiers to carry the rat in one of the trucks. Stoker looked around, but saw nothing.

"Fuck! Stoker has him! I knew I should have killed him." She said as she pounced from rooftop to rooftop until she reached her bike.

The bike beeped at Malice as she mounted her steed, "Let’s get the fuck out of here Black, Stoker’s on the lookout for me. And besides, I don’t think that Shadow can baby-sit the kids for very long."

Chassie took the clothes out of the dryer and began to fold them. She smiled at the small biker shirt and placed it at the top of the pile. She heard the door slam shut and a familiar holler.

"Chassie? Ah’m home!"

She grabbed the clothes and made her way upstairs. She saw the gray furred mouse place his lunchbox on the kitchen counter and tear off his boots.

"How was your day, Modo?" She asked.

"Not too good babe. Stoker brought a rat in. Ah tried to get him to talk but he just kept his stinken mouth shut." He replied as he took off his coat.

"Maybe you should be more aggressive.’ She said as she handed him his part of the cloth pile.

"Aw Chassie, ya didn’t have to do mah laundry." Modo expressed.

She smiled, "It’s the least I could since you moved in here."

"Yeah but ya didn’t have to do this. Ya already make mah lunches and suppers."

"Come one now, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t cater to you? And besides, Tyke is thrilled that you live here. It’s nice to have a man around the house again."

Modo looked at her, "Ah don’t want to take Throttle’s place…"

She placed her hand on his shoulder, "Throttle would be happy if he knew that you’re here to take care of his family."

"Ya think so?"

"I know so."

Modo smiled as he walked up the stairs, "Ah got a date tonight with Hershey, so I’ll be getting in really late."

"No a problem!" Chassie said, That’s just perfect for what I have to do tonight.

Stoker entered his dark office and sat down in his chair in front of his desk. He leaned back and starred at the black screen of his computer. He shook his head and turned the machine on. The light shone towards him and lit the room a little. As he was about to lean closer to the screen, he felt cold steel at his bare neck. He didn’t move, but his eyes scanned the room. Two orbs of amber color looked back at him.

"Are ya just going to kill me from the shadows like a coward?" He said.

"I’ve killed men for less than that." The female voice responded.

"What the hell do ya want?"

"Information."

Stoker leaned back on his chair, the blade followed.

"I ain’t going to say a thing until you get that fucken knife off my neck." He snapped.

The blade left his throat and the figure moved closer, "I need information that only you can give me."

"I ain’t talking to no stinken rat!"

She moved into the light coming from the window. Her features were not that of a rat, but of a mouse. Stoker stared at the mark on her face.

"Do I look like a fucken rat, old man?" She responded.

"Who are you?" Stoker asked with eyes wide open.

"A friend. I want to meet the rat you have in the brig."

"Now hold on here missy…" The blade was back at his throat.

"Don’t call me missy. I don’t have any patience and I am tying really hard not to slice your head off and do the same to whoever stands between me and that rat."

Stoker stared at her, "So…you’re the one who killed those two rats."

"And I would have killed the third one if you hadn’t shown up."

"I’m not going to let you kill him." Stoker declared.

"You can’t stop me if I wanted to." She smiled.

"If you were my friend, then you wouldn’t want to hurt me."

"I won’t kill you, unless you don’t cooperate." She said as she removed the blade once more.

Stoker touched his neck, "What the hell do I call ya?"

"Malice."

Stoker stood up, "It was you that stinken rat wanted!"

"The one and only. It was unfortunate that a dear man was killed because of me. But I assure you that his death will be avenged."

"That rat left a good woman and her kids without a father! How would avenging his death make them feel better?"

Malice sat on the edge of the desk facing him, "You’ll never know how I feel about his death, but I swear to you-there is more here than Throttle’s death." She whispered.

"What do ya know?" Stoker replied as he moved closer to her.

"Only the rat will tell us if I can spend some time with him."

"We tried everything to get him to talk."

She smiled, "you haven’t tried me."

"And what does this have to do with you?" Stoker asked.

"I’m going to tell you something very important to the welfare of our people, but you have to swear to me that you won’t tell a soul about it."

Stoker sighed, "All right! I promise that I won’t tell anyone what you’re going to tell me."

"A great evil has been sent here from another world to destroy the Martian population. I was sent here to defend Mars from its attackers. If I wasn’t here, you would all die by its claws." She said with a malice tone.

Stoker thought for a moment before asking another question, "What are you talking about?"

"The gathering. The great war between the mice and the rats over Mars. The rats somehow have gotten a hold of an evil force that will help them claim this world unless we can stop them. That’s where I come in."

"And you want to find out what this evil is?" Stoker concluded.

She nodded, "I need to find out really badly. That’s why I’m here, I need to ask your prisoner who’s in charge and why Throttle was killed."

"It comes back to him, what’s your connection with Throttle?" Stoker asked.

"That’s none of your business, old man. I’m not here to play games. I want to talk to that rat and you’re going to let me or I’ll demolish this base and anyone who’s in it." She said as she hopped off the desk and faced him.

"For someone who’s here to protect us…I sure don’t feel protected." Said Stoker.

Malice slid the sword into its scabbier, "I don’t have time, I need to see him now."

Stoker stood up and straightened his uniform, "All right, I’ll let you see him but you can’t kill him."

Malice raised her right hand, "I promise I won’t kill him, happy?"

Stoker moved to the door and opened it, "I think you're crazy."

She smiled as she walked out, "You have no idea."

The two walked in silence as the entered the lift that would take them deep below the base.

"How’d ya get past security?" Stoker asked.

"I walked in." She replied.

The lift stopped and opening the doors to allow its passengers through. Stoker walked first as they approached two armed guards at the barred doors. The two saluted him with their hands to their heads.

"At ease soldiers. We want to see the rat." Said Stoker.

The two guards looked at each other and then at him.

"WE’ sir?" The first guard asked.

"They can’t see me, old man." Said Malice.

Stoker looked at her, "What…"

"You shouldn’t say anything to me while they are here. You may look crazy to them." She smiled.

"Sir? The second guard asked.

"I want to see the rat, got a problem with that boy?" Said Stoker.

"No sir!"

The first soldier opened the door and allowed Stoker and Malice to enter. He followed the pair down the long corridor until they came to the end of it. The steel door was opened to reveal the rat hanging on the far wall by chains. He seemed sleeping.

Malice looked around the room, "Is this room sound proof?"

Stoker stared at her, "Yeah, why?"

"Tell your boy to leave us alone with him." She replied.

Stoker turned to the soldier, "I’ll think I’ll be fine with him alone."

"Yes sir!" The soldier said as he left the room.

Stoker closed the door behind him, "How in the nine hells did you do that?"

"Telepathy. You would be impressed with what my mind can do." She said as she walked up to the rat.

"Wake up dip shit!" She yelled as she slapped the rat awake.

The rat stared at her, "You fucken bitch! I’m going to…"

Malice slammed her fist into his stomach, "Now behave. You don’t want to get me mad now do you?"

"You don’t have to hurt him!" Stoker shouted.

"Yes I do." She grabbed the rat by his hair and pulled his head up, "Now, you’re going to tell me who’s after me."

"I’m not going to tell you a thing. And you can’t do anything about it because that mouse won’t let you." Replied the rat.

Malice turned to Stoker, "What? Him? He has no choice."

She let go of his head and grabbed his left and gripped it tight, "Your friend called you Mutts, it fits. Now Mutts, Do you know how many bones you have in one hand?"

The rat said nothing.

She gripped the tip of one finger with her other hand and began to twist it. The rat yelled in pain as she ripped the tip off.

"That was just one bone Mutts, you have many more. Now, who is after me and why was Throttle Redthorn killed?"

The rat lifted his head and spat in her face. Malice’s gazed didn’t leave him as she wiped the slimy goo off her face.

"Fuck this shit!" She yelled as she clutched his other hand in her fist.

The rat hollered as black flames spurted from her hand and began to burn his flesh. Stoker stood back, the sickening smell made him sick but for some unknown reason he couldn’t turn away from the horrid sight. The rat wailed and the flames burned on.

"Are ya going to talk? Or do you want more?" Malice asked.

"I’LL TALK! I’LL TALK!" The rat yelled.

"Who ordered the mouse dead?"

"RAZOR DID!"

"Why?"

"HIS BOSS WANTED TO GET YOUR ATTENTION! I SWEAR IT WASN’T ME!"

"Who’s Razor’s boss?"

"I DON’T KNOW I SWEAR I DON’T KNOW!"

"Why were you guys trying to break into the bank?"

"RAZOR SAID WE NEED TO BUY SUPPLIES FROM THE SAND RAIDERS!"

"Are you trying to raise an army?"

"YES! PLEASE STOP THE PAIN! I TOLD YOU ALL I KNOW!"

" Where would I find this Razor?"

"AT THE DEAD MAN’S TAVERN IN THE RAT TUNNELS! PLEASE STOP THE PAIN!"

Malice let go of the rat’s hand, leaving nothing more than a burned stub. Stoker stared at her with fear as she approached him.

"I told you he would sing for me." She said.

"What are you?" Stoker whispered.

"I am the Messenger of Death, I am Malice the Executioner." She whispered back.

She touched Stoker’s shoulder, "You have nothing to fear from me. I will not hurt you, this I swear."

"I’m sure glad you’re on our side." Said Stoker as he banged on the door.

"I have to get in the rat tunnels and find this basterd." Said Malice.

"Not without me you are!" Stoker replied.

Malice laughed, "You’ll get yourself killed!"

Stoker gazed at her, "I can take care of myself thank-you very much."

Malice smiled, "I know you can."

Charley grabbed Tayla’s baby bag and hung it over her shoulder, "How long are you going for?"

Chassie grinned, "Just two nights. But it’ll a good change. I’ve never been to the coast before. I just hope that the hotel still has my reservation."

Vinnie stared at his sister as he grabbed Tyke’s over night bag, "Something smells funny sis."

Chassie laughed, "Will you give it a rest? I’ll be fine!"

Charley walked out the door, "Have fun!"

Vinnie turned to his sister, "You’re not telling me something."

"Don’t do this."

"What are you hiding?"

She looked at him, "Nothing!"

"Bull shit! You have the same look in your eyes when you broke dad’s torque wrench and hid it from him, but this is worst! I want to know what’s going on!"

"I’m not hiding anything! Will you just leave it at that?" She yelled.

Vinnie sighed, "Something’s up, I can taste it. Chassie, if there’s something going on, you should tell me before I find out."

Chassie crossed her arms over her chest, "If I was hiding something, I wouldn’t tell you."

Vinnie hugged her, "I don’t want to loose you. When Throttle died, a piece of me died too. I can’t handle loosing another person I love so much."

"You won’t loose me Vince, everything’s going to be OK from now on."

He smiled at her, "I love ya sis."

"I love you too…bro."

Stoker paced about as he waited for his dark ally. The sound of a biker drove near him, as he looked back at the base some distance away. The Night sky covered the rider as her bike stopped in front of him.

"Nice wheels." He commented as he stared at the bike.

You don’t recognize it, do you? Malice thought, It’s great to be a powerful telepath.

"Get your ass on it. I don’t have all night!" She shouted over the noise of the engine.

Stoker slid his helmet on and grabbed the large duffel bag, "I brought some supplies if we need them."

She looked at the bag, "You better hold on to it tight! I’m not stopping for anything."

He hopped behind her, "When do ya think we’ll get there."

"In a few hours if we leave now and quit fucken around!"

The bike revved its engine and roared away, leaving the base to fend for itself.

Vinnie stared aimlessly at the TV. Charley had just put all the kids to bed and joined her love at his side on the couch.

"Does Tyke ever look like Throttle." She said.

Vinnie just flicked the converter randomly, "Something’s not adding up."

Charley looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

"Chassie."

She slammed her hand on her forehead, "Will you leave her alone? She needs some space, and besides, I know what you’re thinking, your sister doesn’t have the power to turn into Malice!"

Vinnie jumped up and kissed his wife, "That’s it!"

"Hun?"

He stood in front of her, "The headless rats, the look in her eyes, the rat killing Throttle because he wanted Malice!"

"I still don’t get it."

He threw his hands into the air, "Malice is here! Chassie found a way to turn into Malice!"

"You’re nuts. Chassie wouldn’t become Malice again even if Throttle’s life did depend on it."

He knelt in front of her, "But it did sweetheart! She became Malice again because of Throttle! She wants revenge!"

"I don’t believe it. How would she get the power? There are no gods on Mars."

Vinnie grabbed his coat, "That’s what I’m going to find out."

"Whoa there studly!" Charley called to him before he opened the front door, "She’s gone, remember? How are you going to find her?"

Vinnie slumped back on the couch, "Did she tell us what hotel she’s going to be staying in?"

Charley shook her head, "Nope, but she did give me her cell phone number just in case the kids need her."

Vinnie jumped up for joy, "I can take trace her phone’s signal straight to her! What’s the number?"

Charley shook her head again, "There’s no way that I’m going to let you spoil her fun."

He smiled to her, "But babe, how can I prove you wrong when you won’t let me?"

She stared at his puppy dog eyes, "Fine! I’ll get it."

"Babe, I knew I married a smart woman!" Vinnie said as Charley handed him the piece of paper.

"I’ll see you when I get back!" He shouted as he ran out the door.

Charley slumped back on the couch, "I hate to say this, but I liked it better when we lived on earth. At least I was part of the action. Now I’m the babysitter plus work all day in my shop. I never get to have any fun."

"Nice blasters Stoker." Malice commented as she strapped a laser gun to her thigh.

"Yep, best of what the Martian military has to offer." Stoker replied as he strapped a plasma riffle to his back and placed two guns at his side.

Malice stood up and looked around the caves, "I’d say we ride up until we find it."

"And what do we do when we get there?"

Malice smiled, "We enter the bar, shoot anything that moves until someone tells us where Razor is."

"Got a better plan?"

"Nope!"

Vinnie ran to the radar room inside the base, almost knocking Carbine down in the process.

"Watch where you’re going Van Wham!" She shouted.

"Sorry Carbine, but have you seen Stoker?" Vinnie asked.

"Stoker’s gone for a few days. Said something about taking care of a nuisance or something."

Vinnie starred at her, "Did you notice anything unusual around here?"

Carbine thought for a moment, "Since you mentioned it, yeah. You know that rat we picked up a few days ago?"

Vinnie nodded.

"Well, someone burned his hand right off. No one saw who did it and the only one who was near him at the time was Stoker but he would never do a thing like that."

Vinnie felt like someone had punched in the gut, "Thanks Carbine, by the way-is Rimfire around here? I need him to find a signal for me."

"He should be back in the radar room in a few minutes."

"Thanks, I’ll wait inside."

Malice and Stoker drove in the middle of Rat City. The city itself seemed run down and nearly falling apart. Buildings loosing their side walls and the debry fell to the ground were it stayed. There where female rats walking around with little ratlings hanging on to them by their tails. The smell made Stoker gag as Malice just looked around for the tavern. Little and foul smelling substances cluttered the street as the two lone mice stopped in front of the underground building.

Malice and Stoker looked up at the doorway. It seemed that the door was built in front of a cave entrance.

"No back door hun?" Stoker asked.

"Nope" Said Malice as she entered the bar.

She slammed the double doors opened and looked around the room. At least fifteen rats sat at various tables looking menacingly towards her as she entered and made her way to the bar counter. Stoker felt a little fear as he followed the insane mouse.

"YO! Bartender!" Malice hollered at the top of her lungs.

The gray furred can came from the stock room door and stared at her with surprise.

"What the fuck are you staring at?" Malice yelled, "Get me a shot of Tequila and a…"

A little chuckle came from her lips, "a mug of root beer for my friend here."

The bartender moved in front of her and grinned, showing his yellow stained teeth.

"What the hell are you two stupid mice…" He began.

"Doing in a stench feast, parasite infested, pestilence festering bar with a few ugly, stupid, low life, idiotic rats?" Malice continued with a smile.

"Malice, what the hell are ya doing? Are you trying to get us killed?" Stoker asked her.

"You're really one stupid mouse." The two mice heard from behind them.

Malice turned around and leaned lazily against the bar with her elbows supported by it. She grinned at the large male rat that stood in front of her with his firsts clenched. His red shirt was stained to another color and his torn pants needed some patches.

"Oh and I take it that you’re going to teach me a lesson?" Malice laughed.

"I’m going make you sorry…" But the rat couldn’t finish.

Malice’s heel connected with his throat, causing the cartilage in his air tubes to smash under the impact. The rat fell down, unable to breathe.

"You better hide for cover, old man!" Malice said to Stoker.

Stoker knew when to get out a fight, he would have a chance if there was one, but there were ten who stood up and rushed at Malice. Stoker dived over the bar and hid as he pulled his blaster out.

"Just holler if ya need me, Malice." Stoker shouted.

"Like that’s ever going to happen." Malice said as the crowd lunged at her.

She leaped up and landed on the bar. She smashed one rat’s head with a kick and cracked the skull of another with her fist. Two grabbed her feet each and pulled, causing her to fall hard on her ass. Malice grabbed the two by their ears and smashed the heads together cracking like two ripped melons. She jumped out of the other’s way and landed near a barstool. She grabbed it and pulled the metal seat from its bolts and slammed it into the neck of a near by rat. With his neck broken, the rat fell silently to the floor. Another rat screeched as he ran towards the Executioner. Malice threw the seat at the bartender, who ducked and hid with Stoker. Malice moved a little to avoid the charging rat, but her fist slammed into his chest and ripped out his heart. The heartless rat stumbled into the tables and fell. She noticed one rat was fleeing through the doors, Malice threw the heart and it connected with the back of his head, causing him to fall out of the bar. She tail-spinned a table and hit another rat with it, the rat fell down due to the hole in his chest that one of the table legs made when it connected. Malice grabbed another rat by his shirt and pants, flinging him over the bar and into the many alcohol bottles that sat on the other side. The rat’s head slammed into the glass bottles and into the wall, causing him to fall unconscious. A rat charged her from behind but as the rat reached her, she pounded his chest with her elbow. She flipped her fist up and smashed the back of it into the rat’s nose. Bone and blood rammed into his brain, killing him instantly. She took hold of another rat and slammed his head into the rock wall. The head caved in from the impact and left a gruesome red mark. She smiled at her last victim. The rat yelled a war cry as lunged at her, but her hand reached and clenched his throat and ripped the muscle, fur, skin, and bone from his neck. She looked around the blood filed room and smiled at her handy work.

"You can come out now Stoker." Malice called.

Stoker slowly raised his head and stared at the bodies, "Holy shit girl! How the hell did you do that?"

Malice smiled as she reached the bar, "I’m a trained assassin, old man. I do this for a living."

She turned to the cowering rat behind the bar, "My shot of Tequila, now."

"Yes…yes ma’am." The rat said as he found an unbroken bottle of the toxic yellow drink and handed it to her.

Stoker jumped in front and smiled at her, "You’re not kidding when you said that you’re crazy. Not one of my men could have done what you did here."

Malice laughed, "I have the power of twenty men and the agility of a panther. I can do anything I want!"

"I think you like this job just a tittle too much."

Malice took a drink from the bottle, "I love my job and I do it so well."

"We all now how good you are Malice." A voice shouted from behind her.

Malice grabbed her gun and pointed to the figure at the door. Her eyes flamed up as she recognized the white mouse.

"For fuck’s sake! What the fuck are you doing here?" She shouted at him.

"I had a feeling you were here, so I followed your cell phone signal." Said Vinnie.

Stoker stared at the two of them, "You two know each other?"

Vinnie growled, "Yeah, she almost took my head off."

"Whoa! Hold on there, you know I wasn’t in my right mind at the time." Malice growled back.

"When are ya?" Vinnie shouted as a large hand grabbed him from behind and pointed a laser gun to the mouse’s head.

The rat smiled at then, "Put your hands up before I blow this mouse’s head off." He shouted.

"Vince don’t move!" Malice commanded.

Vinnie starred at her, "Why? You want the pleasure of killing me yourself?"

Malice and Stoker raised their hands, The rat smiled.

"I’m going to make Razor’s night. Handing him over the mouse he’s been looking for."

Malice and Stoker looked at each other.

"You remember that voice?" She asked him.

"I never forgot it." He answered.

Malice looked up at the ceiling and grinned. A taunt rope attached to a candle chandelier that hung right over Vinnie and the rat was over her gun’s barrel. She turned to Vinnie.

"Vince, maneuver number sixty-eight." She yelled at him.

Vinnie looked surprised at her, "Let’s do number seventy-two instead!"

"Vincent, sixty-eight."

"But I look so good in seventy-two."

Malice looked at the rat, "I’m going to warn you now-Mace!"

The rat looked in surprise at what the mouse just said, "How did you know it was me!"

Malice pulled the trigger and a blast cut through the rope. Vinnie lunged out of harm’s way as the chandelier fell on top of him. Vinnie got up and looked at him.

"Mace? That fucken bastered! I’m going to kill him…"

"Not now Vinnie!" Stoker shouted, "Harley might be here."

"The old man’s right Vince. He would know where she is and after…" She put her arm around him, "…we can bring him in and put him up for display in the city’s center."

Vinnie stared at her, "You’re crazy, but you have a point."

She smiled, "Trust me. I know how to make someone suffer."

Malice pulled the rat from under the wreckage and pinned him against the stone wall. Mace slowly woke up and stared at them.

"I’m going to…" Mace couldn’t move his limbs, "I can’t move!"

"That’s right! I telepathically cut off the sensors in your brain that lets you move your arms and legs. My friend here has a question for you." Said Malice as Vinnie moved closer to him.

"Where’s Harley?"

"I’m never going to tell you." Mace answered.

Malice grabbed his arm with her other hand and began to punch Mace in the face with it.

"Stop punching yourself, stop punching yourself, stop punching yourself!" She laughed, then stopped.

Vinnie moved closer to the rat, "See all your friends lying in a pool of their own blood? My girl here did that with her bare hands. You see, her and me are really close. If you don’t tell us where Harley is, I’m going to let her kill you slowly, and painfully."

Malice grinned, "I’m going to enjoy it!"

Mace looked around the room in fright, "Alright! She’s downstairs! I kept her as a slave in my bar!"

Malice punched him out cold, "Thanks."

His body fell to the ground.

Stoker ran towards the stock room door, Vinnie moved but Malice stopped him by taking a hold of his arm.

"Let him go Vince. You can’t be with her anymore."

Vinnie shook her hand off and starred at her with hate and anger, "How could you do this? How could you become Malice again?"

Malice looked down, her heart carried the burden of his anger, "I had to." Let’s just get out of here and I’ll explain everything to you at the house."

"Oh sure! Just like back on Torra?"

"Vinnie?" A sweet angelic voice called to him.

Vinnie and Malice turned around and saw Harley rushing towards him.

Still dressed in an old Freedom Fighter’s uniform that had seen better days, she never looked so beautiful to him.

"Harley? Are you OK?" Vinnie asked as she ran into his arms.

"I am now! How did you find me?" She asked.

Vinnie looked up at Malice, "Stoker and Malice found you. We’re going to take you home."

"Oh home, I missed home. Are the Plutarkians still invading Mars?" She innocently asked.

"Those stink fishes are gone, but we have a bigger problem now." Said Stoker.

"What problems?" Vinnie asked.

Stoker looked at Malice, "I’ll tell him later." She said.

"Right, let’s get our butts out of here before anymore rats decide to attack us." Voiced Stoker.

Malice smiled, "And that’s a bad thing?"

"Don’t start Malice!" Vinnie shouted.

****************************************8

Rimfire and Carbine waited outside the gates of the base, with a little worry on their faces.

"The way Vinnie ran out like that, I’m sure something’s really wrong." Said Rimfire.

"It’s about Stoker. I just know it." Replied Carbine.

The red sun slowly made its way into the Martian sky as two bikes raced towards the two soldiers.

Rimfire tried to identify them, "It’s Vinnie, but I can’t tell who the one is."

"I hope it’s Stoker." Said Carbine as the two bikes pulled up to them.

"Guess who’s back!" Stoker shouted with glee as he pointed to Harley.

"Harley?" Rimfire shouted as he ran towards her as she got off Vinnie’s bike.

"Yes it’s me! I’m back!" She shouted with joy.

"How did you find her?" Carbine asked.

Malice got off of her bike and grabbed the pull line from being. She dragged a bloody body in front of Carbine.

"We found Mace. He was nice enough to tell us where she was." She said.

Carbine looked at the dark mouse, "Who the hell are you?"

Malice leaned closer to her, "Someone you don’t want to fuck with."

"Carbine!" Stoker shouted before a battle could have taken place, "I want you and Rimfire to take him down below with the other rat."

"You’re lucky this time." Carbine said to Malice as she and Rimfire grabbed Mace and dragged him into the base.

"In your dreams." Malice laughed.

Stoker looked at her, "I don’t want you to fight anyone of my men, is that clear?"

"I don’t take orders from you old man." Malice replied.

Vinnie grabbed her by the arm, "Stoker, we’re going to leave you now, Malice and I have to work some things through."

Harley looked at Vinnie with her dark blue eyes, "But Vinnie, what about me?"

"You’re going to stay here at the base. I want my medics to look at you." Said Stoker.

"I have to go Harley, but I’ll be back…I got some things to tell you." Vinnie said with a little sadness in his voice as he mounted his bike.

Malice mounted on hers, "Back to my place?"

Vinnie nodded as his engine revved and he drove away.

Malice smiled at Stoker, "We didn’t find Razor, but I got a feeling that he’ll show up."

Stoker nodded, "And we’ll get that son of a bitch!"

Malice gave him a thumb up as her bike spun around and chased after the speeding bike ahead.

Harley looked at Stoker, "What does Vinnie have to tell me?"

Stoker shook his head, "It’s best that he tells you."

Malice walked into the farmhouse with Vinnie behind her. He slammed the door as she leaned against the wall. It took him a while to get his temper under control and speak to his…deranged sister.

"Why did you do this?" He asked.

"I had to. I had no choice in the matter." She replied.

"This isn’t Torra Chassie!" He yelled.

"When I’m like this, you call me Malice!" She yelled back.

"This is what you’ve been hiding from me, I should have known! Who was that stranger that came here over a year ago?"

"I need a drink." Malice concluded as she ran upstairs.

Vinnie paced about the living room, "Why the fuck would she do this?"

A low growl was heard, Vinnie looked at the door leading downstairs. Two glowing green eyes looked back at him. The growl grew louder. Vinnie took a few steps back as the animal came out of the darkness and into the light. It looked like a huge panther but with blue fur. Two sets of hind legs instead of one and two tentacles with barbed tips grew out of its shoulders. The beast roared and showed its massive teeth at the mouse.

"CHASS…MALICE! THERE"S A MONSTER DOWN HERE!" Vinnie shouted.

Malice ran down with a bottle of Tequila and her hand and a flat gold case in her other.

"What monster?" She asked.

Vinnie pointed to the beast. The cat crept slowly towards them.

"Shadow, he’s my brother. You don’t eat him." She said to the cat.

Shadow stopped his growling and began to purr as it rubbed its head against Malice’s waist. Vinnie looked at the creature.

"What the hell is that?"

Malice smiled, "He’s called a displacer beast. Native to Torra."

She patted the cat with her hand that held the gold case, "You have to go outside, right pet?"

The cat roared in agreement.

Malice walked to the back door with the cat in tow. Vinnie followed behind, but at a safe distance. The cat pounced out side as Malice walked down the steps of the porch and opened her bottle. Vinnie stood at the door.

"What the hell is happening?" Vinnie shouted.

Malice turned to him, "The Gathering, dear brother."

Vinnie looked puzzled, "The gathering? Where have I heard that before? What is the gathering?"

"The war between the rats and mice over possession of Mars." Malice said as she took a drink.

"What war? There is no war on Mars right now!" Vinnie said as he stepped off the porch.

Malice took a long cigarette from the gold case and placed one tip in her mouth and lit the other end with a flame from her finger. She inhaled the sweet smoke and waited for the buzz to take affect.

She looked at her brother with half opened eyes, "Look around Vince, what do ya see?"

Vinnie looked around the vast open space of sand hills and turned back at her, "What are you smoking?"

"A joint. It’s from a plant, another native to Torra. It’s like a drug on earth called weed. But this is much better." She replied before she inhaled another breath of smoke.

Vinnie shook his head, "You’ve changed. You’re not the same girl I knew when I was a kid."

Malice starred at him, "No fucken shit! We all changed Vince, you…me…Modo…Dad…Charley…everyone’s changed!"

"No way did I change!" Vinnie yelled.

Malice walked up to him and pointed her finger at him, "Fuck you! I’ve known you all my life and not once have I ever seen you use your fucken brain-until now! Ever since Throttle died, you’ve been using it because he’s not here to do your thinking for you!"

Vinnie felt the anger build inside of him, "If you weren’t my sister, I’d kill you for that!"

"Well, I am your sister, and I’m here to stay. You know I’m right." Malice took another drink and then a puff, "You’re getting ready for the Gathering, just like I am. I’m going to do just like you said Vince, I’m not going to let another person that I love die because I didn’t have the power to stop it! I have the power now and I’m going to use it!"

"But sis, the evil took your mind over! What stops it from trying again?" Vinnie pleaded.

Malice smiled, "I got this sword from Ares, not Lloth."

She placed her bottle down on the sand and drew out her blade. Vinnie starred at it, he new it wasn’t the old one that she tried to kill him with before.

"Where did you get that?" He asked.

She smiled, "A gift from our father up above to battle the evil that haunts Mars."

"You’re going to get yourself killed." Said Vinnie.

Malice laughed and picked her bottle back up after she replaced the sword. She took another drink and threw her hands high up in the air and shouted, "I AM IMORTAL, I HAVE INSIDE ME BLOOD OF KINGS, I HAVE NO RIVAL, NO MAN CAN BE MY EQUAL! FIGHTING TO SURVIVE ON A WORLD WITH THE DARKEST POWER!"

"Mal…you’re nuts!" Vinnie concluded.

She turned to him, "I am what is. I am the Messenger of Death, the Demon Protector of Mars, I am Malice the Executioner."

"You won’t give up the sword."

"Now as long as the rats are mounting an attack on us. As long as there is a single ounce of threat against us mice, I will be here to destroy it. I swear on my love’s grave."

Vinnie moved over to his sister and gave her a hug, she turned to him with a surprised look on her face.

"What was that for?" She asked.

"I know it now, I know you have to be what you are. It’s for the best. I don’t know why I feel the way I do now, I should try my best to get you away from the sword, but I feel safer…I don’t know why…but I do." He said in a whisper.

She hugged him back, "I’m sorry that I scared you back there. I’m sorry I tried to kill you back on Torra, but I’ve become the monster again to defend my family, my people, my home from the rats and any other evil that would try to harm us. I’m not crazy anymore Vince, I can use the power now, I can control it."

Vinnie looked up at her and smiled, "I can feel that you can. I just hope you can live with it."

She smiled, "With a good brother like you at my side, there’s no fucken way that those rats will take over!"

Vinnie laughed, "Somehow, sis, I believe you."

Vinnie laughed for a second, then looked at her, "I got to ask you sis, how did you know about our maneuvers back there? Only Me, Throttle, and Modo knew about them.

Malice grinned, "I used to watch you guys practicing them in the desert, well, I was watching Throttle mostly."

Vinnie threw his arms in the air, "You were in love with him back then? You were only twelve at the time!"

"Love at first sight." Malice giggled as she walked towards the house.

Malice drove her bike to the cemetery. The cold Martian winds blew past her as she brought her bike to a stop in front of an aged tombstone. She smiled as she dismounted and kneeled in front of the gray/black marker on top of the newly grown grass. She pulled a gold locket out of her pocket and placed it at the base of the large slab. She starred at the inscription on it.

She stroked the headstone and a tear fell from her eye. Her heart had broken before, but what she feels now, would tear a normal mouse in half. The emotions stirred up inside her as she tried to find words to speak. She couldn’t think of the words to say, but a song flew into her heart.

Malice raised herself up and kissed the rounded top of the headstone. She mounted her bike and drove off, a piece of her laying in the ground, under the cold Martian soil.

The old mouse bartended looked up to see who entered his bar on this cold autumn night. The young stranger walked in and laid his worn black biker jacket on the barstool next to his. He brushed the sand from his wild tan hair and straightened his leather vest over his tan furred chest. Old blue jeans with silver studs on the outside seems looked a little worn as black biker boots dressed his feet. A tattoo on his right shoulder seemed old to the bartender as he walked to the stranger.

"What can I get ya son?" The bartender asked.

The stranger lifted his coal black shades revealing his scarlet eyes and smiled at him, "A mug of your finest root beer sir, if you would please?"

The old bartender smiled as he grabbed a frozen mug from the fridge and filled it up to the top with the dark liquid.

"Where are you headed?" He asked as he handed the stranger the mug.

The young mouse licked the foam on top of his drink and smiled, "I’m headed to Blrearulla. I got some folks to see."

The end