Angelique

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Disclaimer: I don't own the BMFM or any character from that show. I do, however, own Mari, Snowfall, Mandy, Ice, Sister Angelique, Rico, and Ishiryo. I make no money from this and do so only for the enjoyment of myself and others.

This takes place a little over a year after A Painful Decision.

Angelique

By Goldenmane

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

"Sometimes, no matter what you did, things would never go right. Yeah, there may be those times that something actually goes right in your life, but those are the far and few between times. The times you can be yourself. The times you can actually look back on with a fond remembrance, a sort of wistful hindsight.

"And then there are those memories that should be buried, far from sight. Far from any living being. Tucked so deep that they can never resurface. Never see the light of day.

"But what do you do when those feelings do rise? When you think you can feel again . . . Love again? When it seems that there is one little part to life that can make a difference? Do you go for it, or deny it? Would you grab onto any hope that seemed to be the ticket out? Could you make a decision that part of you says no, but the other half says yes?

"What if that decision cost you a friendship? Would you still go for it? What if you knew that relationships would crumble, and tensions would flare? Would you still do it? Would you let those primeval desires resurface after they had been so carefully denied all those years when you still had hope your mate would return? Would you turn to another, knowing full well they already had a near and dear friend, not quite a lover?

"The answer, many times over, would be yes. Yes to feeling alive again. Yes to breathing a new life into one that had been to Hell and back several times, 'scuse my Terran. One that, if treated right, could be the ticket to a better future."

"And you did. And you have the power and grace to admit that what you did was wrong. That takes courage."

Mari paused, looking up at Sister Angelique. "Both of us, in some way, regret what we did. But not fully. He never had children, and me . . . well . . . "

"You lost yours, I know," Sister Angelique said softly. "Temptations can be hard to conquer, but you are sincere in your regret. You are forgiven."

"By a higher power, yes," Mari said. "But by me, no. I promised once, that no matter what happened, neither Turbo nor I would take another mate."

Sister Angelique nodded. "And you didn't, so you have not broken your vow."

"But I came pretty da . . . darn close," Mari said, catching herself. "But there is something about Vinnie . . . I don't know. He reminds me of Turbo . . . and myself. Hel . . . he could even be my brother we're so matched."

"And that is what attracted you to him in the first place," Sister Angelique said almost matter-of-factly.

Mari nodded. "Part of me tried to ignore it, but that part of me I never let feel anything after the Battle of Monument didn't want to be put on hold forever."

"Did this destroy what he had with his friend?"

"Almost. But she accepted him back. Though she isn't too crazy when he comes here to visit," Mari said. "No matter what, I won't deny him access to his child. I don't encourage his visits, but I don't discourage them either." Mari paused. "It's almost like somewhere in the back of his mind he wants to find some way to be with me still. Something I can't get him to forget."

Sister Angelique remained silent.

"I told him that I would never forget Turbo. And that if he ever came back, I would go to him, no matter what. Though there are way too many signs that he is dead. That they all are dead. That the Rockers will never be again."

"As long as you are alive, you hold the memories of the departed in your soul. They are not gone, nor forgotten, though you cannot see them," Sister Angelique said. "One day, you all will be reunited in Heaven, whatever version Martians have."

Mari sighed, rising. "As always, it does me good to talk to you. Especially after Snowfall's birth."

"You should come to Church," Sister Angelique said.

"Man, I could just see the congregation clearing out at the sight of a Martian mouse," Mari half chuckled. "Maybe one day."

Sister Angelique nodded as Mari donned her helmet, leaving the small church's sanctuary. Mari headed for Ice, slowly seating herself. She sighed once, kicking Ice into gear. Ice began to protest, sensing her rider's unease.

"It's nothing," she said, patting Ice on the side. "Let's just head back."

Mari punched up her station, letting the music take her mind off of things. She hesitated, cranking the volume when a news report broke into her song. She listened intently, cursing mildly. Brie was up to something, something on the other side of town. It would take quite a few minutes to get there. Mandy would have gone in an instant, but she couldn't leave. Someone had to stay with Snowfall. And Mandy was the only other person to care for Snowfall.

Mari kicked Ice into overdrive, her radar on, searching for cops. She hoped whatever Brie planned, she could make it in time.

"Why is it, every time we come here, Brie has to attack?" Vinnie nearly cried.

"Because of your magnetism?" Modo quipped back.

"Very funny," Vinnie said. "Let's waste these turkeys."

"Too many Dune Rangers," Throttle said. "Split and Hit 17."

They broke, going in different directions, the Dune Rangers following them.

Something exploded to Throttle's left. He spun his bike around, scanning for his attackers. He curiously found nothing. The Dune Rangers, who had been hot on his tail, seemed to have disappeared mysteriously. Though when he saw the pinpoint's of light breaking the evening dusk both in front and from behind, he chuckled to himself.

"Well, well, looks like they're bringing out the ol' Detroit welcome," Throttle said. He kicked his bike into gear, speeding off after the Dune Rangers in front of him, blasting goons left and right.

He cursed himself when a shot caught him off guard. He threw his bike sideways, fighting to regain control. He swerved in front of a Dune Buggy, scraping his bike's fender. Unbalanced, he felt his bike flip, sending him flying against a wall.

Shaken, he tried to stand. Tried to right his bike. Then he noticed the Dune Buggies firing in his direction. He ducked for cover, hearing the massive explosions as they rocked the building, deafening him, destroying the wall next to him.

He hoped someone would find him when the building began to collapse, burying him. His world slipped quietly into a black oblivion.

Mari blasted any Dune Ranger she came to with wild abandon. She had to wonder, though, why they seemed so scattered and disorganized. Then, when she heard the wild whoops in the near distance, she half smiled to herself.

"Company has arrived," she chuckled. She punched a button on Ice. "I see Brie sent out the welcoming committee."

"What took you so long?" she heard Vinnie ask over her helmet's radio.

"I was preoccupied on the other side of town," Mari said. "Only clean up left?"

A pause followed by an explosion. "Looks like it," Modo said.

Mari lobbed a grenade at a small cluster of Dune Buggies, laying low to Ice as they exploded. She swerved, wheeling Ice around to match speed with a bright red bike.

"Come to visit Snowfall?" Mari asked as she watched Vinnie destroy the last Dune Ranger in sight.

"That was the plan," he said. "Hey, Modo," Vinnie called when the large grey mouse came into view. "Have you seen Throttle?"

"No, thought you had," Modo said.

Mari shook her head. "I didn't see him on the way over."

"Not good," Vinnie said.

"Let's scout for him," Mari said, adding at the worried look from Vinnie. "He's gonna be ok. No way one of these Dune Rangers could get the drop on him. You know that."

They set off, scouring the streets of Detroit for the missing member of the Biker Mice.

When the world returned, Throttle could hear strange music. Smooth, melodious tones, not the thumping of hard rock. He could also hear muffled voices that appeared to be singing. He waited, not daring to move, his body ached so.

The music stopped as the voices died down. He could hear one voice and others in some form of response, or so he guessed. He couldn't quite make out the words, though the voices seemed in good spirits.

He cracked one eye open, cursing. The room he lay in was bathed in a dull light, of that he could tell. His field specks were missing and not enough work had been done on his eyes to allow him to see clearly. He could just make out some form of table just to his left, several interlocking chairs to his right. He lay flat on his back on soft carpeting.

Throttle craned his neck, trying to get his bearings. He could see the shadows of recessed windows, floor length he guessed, two on each side of a wall that appeared blank. He could see the soft glow of two candles and a box to one side of the room. Other than that, he couldn't make out anything else.

"So, finally awake, are we?" a soft voice asked from somewhere behind him.

He tried to leap to his feet on the defensive, only managing a groan of pain when his body rebelled. He laid his head back down.

"Don't worry, you're safe here," she said. "Just be glad I found you when I did."

"And you didn't freak when you saw I wasn't human?" Another silent curse when he couldn't feel his helmet nearby.

He heard her stand, scuffing the chair. She walked toward him. He could see her shadow kneel beside him. "You were hurt and needed help. What was I supposed to do?"

"Thanks . . . "

"Ishiryo," she said with what appeared to be a smile.

"Throttle."

Ishiryo helped him to sit, bracing his back. "We can't stay here forever. People do use the chapel at times. And besides, once service is over the Cross bearer'll return the Cross to its rightful post and they'll bring the rest of the host to put it in the Tabernacle," she said, pausing. "I take it you're not Christian."

He shook his head.

"Didn't think so. Do you believe in a higher power?" Ishiryo asked.

"After goin' through war, who wouldn't?" Throttle said, a hiss of pain marked his words.

Ishiryo tried to drag him to his feet. "Rico. Help me, will ya?"

Throttle grunted as a second pair of arms hauled him to his feet. He tried to stand under his own power but couldn't. 'The damage is worse that I though,' he mused.

"Don't worry. We'll take care of you back at my place. Less attention there," Rico said.

"No," Throttle said weakly. "Take me to the Changing Times."

Ishiryo paused, opening the door. "Why would you want to go to a garage? You need medical attention."

Throttle started to protest, tell them that he could get all the help he needed there. That other Martian mice waited for him. His voice failed as the world before him swam before him.

"Ishiryo," he heard Rico say. "Get his bike once we get him settled."

"Yeah, right? What do I look like, a bodybuilder?"

The world around Throttle slipped quietly into a dark silence.

" 'Dis here ain't good," Mari said with an accent. "No sign of Throttle, his bike, and we've combed the entire city!" she finished, her voice returning to normal.

Vinnie gave her a funny look before shrugging. "We haven't checked the rubble yet. What if . . . "

Mari shook her head. "We don't need those kinds of thoughts. What we need to do is find Throttle."

"But how?" Modo asked.

"We need to recheck everything. Especially the battle site. Mandy'll keep an eye and ear out for him." Mari fired Ice's engines. "This time we go in different directions. I'll scout Vinnie's section, Modo takes mine, and Vinnie, Modo's, that way we get a second look with a new approach."

They agreed, splitting.

Mari set off down the road, slowing when she arrived at the first bombed out building. She wondered for a brief moment just who had caused the damage, sighing. She dismounted Ice, setting her bike on guard and scrambled over the rubble. She parted her helmet, sniffing. She thought she could detect the faint odor of fuel and oil. She followed it until she could see a dark stain on the rocks around a dingy scrap of metal.

Mari began to dig frantically uncovering part of the front of Throttle's bike. She slammed the com button on her helmet. "Guys, home in on Ice, I've found Throttle's bike."

She continued to dig, uncovering most of his bike. She did not stop when she heard Vinnie and Modo pull in.

They lent their strength, heaving his bike out of the rubble. They continued to dig pausing only when Modo found Throttle's field specks, smashed.

"Oh, man," Vinnie said, his voice a bare whisper.

"But where's Throttle?" Modo asked. "I mean. We should . . . "

Time seemed to drag on as they combed the remains of the building, not once finding Throttle.

"Let's not panic," Mari said. "He's obviously not here and he couldn't've gotten too far without these." She held up the remains of his specks.

"What are we gonna do?" Modo asked.

"Take his bike back to the Changing Times, see what Mandy can do with it. She can keep an ear out for any news reports of a giant mouse terrorizing the city," Mari said, climbing out of the rubble.

Modo carried Throttle's bike to his, hitching it up. Mari mounted Ice and led them back to the Changing Times. When they arrived back, Mari parked Ice in the far corner of the garage, motioning Vinnie to do the same. Modo she had set Throttle's bike near the center of the garage before moving Little Hoss over by their bikes.

"Trashed Brie?" Mandy asked. "Oh God," she added when she saw Throttle's bike.

"Right now we're not assuming the worst," Mari said. "Snowfall asleep?"

"Napping."

Mari nodded. "See what you can do with his bike. We're going out to scout. Keep an ear to the CB and the radio. Just in case."

Mandy nodded as they left and sighed, setting herself to repairing Throttle's bike.

When he awoke, Throttle could hear strange music. He tried to sit, groaning in pain. His ribs ached, no doubt broken. He opened his eyes, trying hard to focus. The light was muted and he could see slightly better than before. He could faintly make out he was in a bedroom and judging by the smell of perfume, a lady's room.

He could hear a rustle of activity and a knock on the door. He listened, eyes now closed.

"I thought I told you to clean this place up," a deep male voice bellowed.

"I did" Rico said. "It's just - "

"- No excuses. If I find you're harboring another homeless person here, I'm cutting your lease."

It was Ishiryo's turn to speak. "Don't you have a heart?"

"Having a heart and running an apartment house are two different things. If you can't follow the rules, then you're out of here. Plain and simple."

Throttle winced when the door slammed shut. He listened to footsteps, soft and gentle, as they approached the room.

"I'm awake," he said.

"After a visit from the landlord, It's a wonder anyone can get some peace," Ishiryo said.

"What was that about you taking in homeless people? Isn't that dangerous?" Throttle asked.

"You're just as bad as he is," she said with a huff. "Money nor status nor circumstances should matter. When someone needs help, it's our duty to help."

Throttle opened his eyes, trying to get her fuzzy form into focus. "Sorry."

"It's ok," she said softly.

"How long have you been helping people?" Throttle asked.

Ishiryo paused. "For more than ten years now. Rico and I couldn't stand to see the growing homeless problem so we decided to lend a hand. I know it's not much, but at least one meal and maybe a bed to sleep in is something, at least."

"Are you two . . . married?"

"Not yet. We'll be going for the Sacrament of Marriage in a few months. Then we'll finally tie the knot."

Throttle paused. "Why not just get married?"

"We believe that marriage is a sacred thing and shouldn't be rushed. God will let us know when the time is right." Ishiryo hesitated for a moment. "So? What about you? Any lady mice waiting for you back home?"

"Carbine."

He could just make out her nod. "Long distance relationships can be the hardest," she said. "Can I ask what separated you two?"

"It's a long story. Long and complicated."

He heard a scrape as her form moved, pulling a chair over he surmised when she appeared to sit. "I've got the time if you want to talk."

Throttle sighed. "It starts a long time ago. What seems a lifetime. A race called the Plutarkians landed on Mars and started stripping the surface. What they couldn't take they bought, and vice versa. They ended up buying out the government to turn a blind eye to their dealings. And that included the Army. Sent on false trouble spots only to keep them away from the real threat."

"Kinda sounds like Earth wars," Ishiryo said sadly.

Pausing for a moment, he continued. "They had spies everywhere, as we found out the hard way. They had infiltrated the heart of the resistance, leading us just as astray as the government did the Army. We did have loyal fighters in the Army, Carbine for one. And eventually she was able to convince the Army to join our fight. To fight the real battle, not against an enemy that was not there."

"That can put a definite strain on anyone's relationship," she said.

Throttle sighed. "That's not the half of it. Some time later, a few years in fact, Vinnie, Modo and I found an old and still functional Cyclodrone Thunderfighter that somehow had been missed by the Plutarkians when they destroyed our ships. We thought, maybe, we could do something. Turn the tide of war.

"We repaired the ship and took off. We were going to surprise the fur right off of Stoker when we encountered one of their Stingrays. We headed for space, dodging more ships they had sent to Mars. We tried to warn Stoker, but our communications were being jammed. We had to decide whether to take them all on and try to get home, or hide in deep space, not risking the one chance we had to win.

"We ended up running. Something none of us are proud of. We had to stop for refueling and, as it happened, a motocross rally was scheduled. Not able to resist a challenge or the opportunity to show off, Vinnie entered himself in the race, his bike as payment seein's how we were kinda broke. He won and we ended up following the circuit. Back to Mars as it happened. But we encountered a Stench Carrier around Earth orbit and they shot us down over Chicago."

Ishiryo laid a hand on his arm. "She must have been worried sick about you. Could you call her after the crash?"

Throttle shook his head. "We had no communications that could reach back to Mars. Our ship was mostly in one piece, but not space worthy. Communications had been destroyed beyond repair. We were, essentially, cut off from any help. We did what we could here, finding the Plutarkians had already set their sights on Earth. Detroit one of them. The Plutarkian here goes by the name Napoleon Brie."

"I knew he was up to no good," Ishiryo said. "But what about Carbine?"

"We did get back to Mars once. Kinda renewed our feelings for each other. But she still had a job to do on Mars and us here. I guess you could call it a 'strained relationship'," he said.

"You're always saying 'we', not 'I'," Ishiryo said. "Don't you ever think on terms of yourself? As an individual?"

"I'm a leader. A fighter. I do what I have to do."

Ishiryo rose, replacing the chair. "I may not have the abilities of Sister Angelique, but what I feel you need to do is sit down with Carbine and talk with her. Have a serious talk. Both of you need to fully understand how the other feels. If you don't, you may find yourself alone."

He closed his eyes and listened to her leave. Maybe she did make some sense, he thought as he probed his side, grimacing at the pain in his side. Definitely he had cracked, if not broken the lower portion of his ribs.

He contented himself to rest. To heal. Next time he would ask either of them to contact Mari and the guys. Let them know he was all right. But for now, he would rest.

Mari had scoured every inch of Detroit. Twice. Still she could find no sign of Throttle. She had eventually ended up back at Church, slowly going to the Chapel. She bowed her head toward the Tabernacle before sitting in the back row. She pulled the kneeler down, got down on her knees, crossed herself, then closed her eyes. The end of her tail twitched nervously.

'I may never have ascribed myself as religious,' she thought to no one in particular, though her general feeling was toward the heavens. 'But after seeing good mice die, it's not hard to believe in something. Kinda funny when you find out our base was hidden below a Monastery.

'An old friend of mine in New Orleans, please keep him safe from Gruyere, taught me that faith comes in many forms. Anything from his particular style of magick to what I've heard Mandy say about God. He said that the true faith comes from within, not from what others tell you.'

She paused, curling her tail about her. 'When I did believe in a higher power, a guiding hand, I wondered what name to give it. Do I give it a Martian name? Do I give it an Earth name? Could I really call it by the Terran Gods of War who ruled Mars? There are so many faiths on Earth, it's hard to find the right one. God, the Lord and Lady, Buddha, Allah, Bast, Cernunnos, Amaterasu, and many others I haven't even begun to check on.

'Sorry 'bout that, I'm rambling again. What I wanted to ask was for Throttle's safe return. We're all worried sick here, and after finding his bike banged up and his field specks smashed . . . I just hope he's all right.'

She turned witha start as someone plopped down beside her. She glanced over noting the slender Asian girl as she crossed herself before kneeling. Mari half shrugged to herself.

'I never asked for much. You know that. And after what I did . . . I'd fully understand if you never helped out again. But I don't ask it for me. But for the guys. For Carbine. Just please, let Throttle be all right, wherever he is. That's all I really ask. Thanks.'

She rose, crossing herself. She glanced around. The new girl blocked her on one side and an elderly couple on the other. She hated to disturb either one of them, but she needed to get back to searching.

"Um . . . ," Mari whispered. "Could I get through please?"

The girl looked up. "Oh, sure," she whispered, sitting in the seat, gently pushing the kneeler back up. "Wait!" she nearly cried. "Are you a mouse?" she asked, her voice once more a whisper.

Mari's tail instinctively wound around her leg. "Why'd you ask?"

"Would you know a mouse by the name of Throttle?"

Mari's eyes went wide. "You know where he is?"

"Recouping back at Rico and my's place," she said. "I was just praying we'd be able to help him."

Mari half chuckled. "And I was praying we'd find him. If you don't mind . . . "

"Not at all. Name's Ishiryo."

"Mari," she said. "Got your own set of wheels?" she asked, nodding once more toward the Tabernacle.

"Nah, don't drive," she paused. "You got some?"

Mari nodded as they exited the Church and headed for Ice. Mari patted her bike. "Best Martian AI bike around," she said punching a button. "Guys, head to this address. I've found Throttle. He's with someone who's helping him. I'm on my way there now."

She motioned for Ishiryo to tell them where to go, waiting as she heard two bike engines spring to life.

"We're on it, sweetheart," Vinnie said.

"Copy that," Mandy said. "Thank God he's alive."

"As far as we can tell, all he's got is a few broken ribs and eye damage," Ishiryo said.

Mari nodded. "Mandy, get a place ready, we'll be bringing him in shortly."

"All set," Mandy replied.

Mari mounted Ice, firing her bike's engines. Ishiryo got on behind her and they sped off.

When they arrived outside of Rico and Ishiryo's apartment, Mari filled her in on Throttle's eyes. The battle, how he needed the field specks to correct what Karbuncle had never finished.

"Can he get another pair?" Ishiryo asked.

Mari half smiled as Vinnie and Modo pulled in. "Who knows? We'll have to get word to Mars and see if they can find a way to ship some here. Other than that. No."

"Just pray," Ishiryo said, leading them inside. "God can work any miracle."

"That I know," Mari said softly.

They ran into the livingroom, following Ishiryo as she took them to her room where they had been tending to Throttle. Mari half sighed. He looked so peaceful laying there, no signs of stress she had seen in him the past few months. He lay there, a sheet covering him from just below the midriff down, his ribs and chest bandaged. His vest and bandanna had been laid over a chair back and his helmet lay on a stand near the bed, near his glove, wrist band and tie.

Mari walked over, gently touching him on the shoulder. "Throttle?"

"Wha?" he woke with a start. "Mari?"

"Don't ask," she said, Modo and Vinnie flanked her. "Just be glad some small miracles do happen."

"Now how are we gonna get you back?" Vinnie asked.

Rico stepped into the room. "You lead, I'll follow in my van."

Mari nodded. "Let's get going then."

Mari and Ishiryo helped Throttle to shrug into his vest. Rico and Modo helped Throttle to stand, and guided him to Rico's van. They took off for the Changing Times.

Time had gone by rather quickly, Throttle thought as he entered the city limits of Detroit. This was one of the few times - the only time he reminded himself - that he had gone to Detroit alone.

Ishiryo had called, asking how he had healed, wondering if he'd come to Easter Vigil with her. He had tried to tell her that a mouse wouldn't fit in a Church, but she had twisted his arm enough he agreed at least to be there. When she started to grill him about Carbine, he had to chuckle. Yes, he told her, he had called, they had talked. Yes, Stoker had gotten another pair of field specks for him in record time, it seemed, and Carbine had hand delivered it. Carbine and he had talked while she was on Earth. Spent some real quality time together. Enjoyed themselves as they hadn't since the start of the War.

Carbine had returned to Mars only a few days ago and he couldn't help but think of her. What Ishiryo had said. Prayer could be a powerful thing, he had found out. But part of him wanted to disbelieve it. Think of it only as sheer coincidence. But he had to agree with Mari that during the heart of the war, he had 'prayed' they would be all right. Even if he hadn't thought of it as that.

He pulled his bike into the already crowded parking lot, parking on the furthest end of the lot. It was dusky inside with no lights on. Silence was all he could hear, broken by the occasional rustling of papers, cough, or whispered talk.

As darkness grew and the people still came, he pulled into the shadows, hoping no one would see his tail. The last thing he needed was an angry mob and him all alone.

Soon he could hear a few voices from up front begin to sing. Softly. Almost sadly. Eventually everyone present began to sing just as softly. "Stay with me. Come pray with me. Watch and pray. Watch and pray," they sang over and over, almost a litany.

Then they sang even softer until they stopped all together. Someone had lit a fire on a pillar beside him and he hadn't even noticed. Not until in the soft glow he could see a female in robes, a tall candle in her hand walk up to the flame. She turned her head and winked at him.

"I haven't seen you here before," she whispered.

"I'm here for a friend," he whispered back.

She nodded in understanding, returning her gaze to the fire. She hefted the candle, calling out, the congregation responding to her. He watched her light the candle, moving down the aisle, stopping, chanting with the crowds response and lit the end candles as she went. In turn those whose candle she lit would light the candles of the other's in their row, bathing the church in a soft light.

He watched in fascination, jumping when someone laid a hand on his shoulder. He tried to hide in the shadows, his tail automatically going still.

"What brings you here?" a female voice whispered.

He turned with a start. "Mari?"

She nodded. "Sister Angelique kinda twisted my arm to come. She said tonight's service starts in darkness, about half way through they'll turn the lights on, blinding everyone. I figured then I'd make my escape." She paused. "No pun intended."

"None taken."

They watched the mass, Mari sighing in fascination. Sister Angelique was right. It might do her some good to come now and then.

When the lights came on without warning Mari squinted, jumping at hands on her shoulders, guiding her out the door. She adjusted her helmet until she could see. When she glanced behind her she could see Throttle, apparently not affected by the sudden change in light no doubt due to the polar whiteout of his field specks.

"Faith can do a lot," he said suddenly as they went to their bikes. Ice parked next to his purred to life when they approached.

"I've found that out over the past few decades," Mari said. "All too well."

They said their goodbyes, parting company. Throttle headed back to Chicago, his thoughts on Carbine. Mari returned to the Changing Times and Snowfall who occupied her thoughts. Though somewhere, both of them thought about Sister Angelique and each other. They had found something they hadn't realized in one very special and solemn place.

A new hope for the future in a little Church in Detroit.