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Disclaimer: I don't own the BMFM or any characters from that show. I do, however, own The Rockers, Sabers, Firestars, Shimmers, Kat, Goldenmane, Taura, Pikestar, Turbo, Tactica, Sparky, Starfire, Starmantle, Kammie, Mandy, Mari, Phoenix, Blade, Blaze, Ice, Fire and Junior, but I don't own Marshall who Junior is based off of. Marshall is (C) to Brentwood Televison Funnies.
I make no money from this and do so only for the enjoyment of all.
This story follows Memories and finishes up the long struggle Mari has had to get back together with her mate Turbo and find the missing Rockers. But, by no means, is this the end. But a new beginning. I hope you enjoy.
Reunited
(C) 6-04-1999 All Rights Reserved
By Goldenmane
*********************
Mari checked every room she came to, discouraged when she could find no trace of life. Junior would have secured so important of prisoners where no one but he could get to them. Or so she felt.
She would not give up, knowing Kat was out there somewhere, and no doubt hurt. She had to find at least Kat, if not the others. To the time-travelling mouse, she owed her at least that much. Kat had been able to save Vinnie and Charlie's lives on New Years Eve when the Plutarkians had attacked. Mari could at least, in return, rescue Kat.
Mari turned a corner, ducking for cover when she saw two of Junior's warriors standing before a door. She reached for her laser, realizing it would not be there. Junior would have had it removed.
She dropped to a crouch, and began moaning. She waited, listening to their footsteps. She silently cursed as only one set of feet approached. She waited until he was in range, grabbing him with her tail and hauling him around the corner. She wrestled his rifle away, choking him with her tail.
She released his corpse, turning, letting off several shots. She dropped to a crouch in case she had missed, smiling to herself when the other guard dropped, dead.
Mari slowly went to the door, opening it. Beyond lay several cells, each in pairs, thick stone separating each set. She could hear faint voices coming from the other end. Hushed voices. Carefully she advanced, rifle ready in case Junior had set a trap for the rescuers.
She stopped, just out of sight. The voices had stopped. No doubt they had heard her approach. She had tried to be as silent as possible, but not even she could be as silent as a true mouse.
Mari whirled, rifle aimed at the cell's occupants. She dropped the rifle, staring in shock. The cell's occupants, likewise froze.
"Mari?" one of the prisoner's asked.
She quickly retrieved her fallen weapon, blasting the lock off the door. She flung it open and rushed inside. For there, older, weaker, and as lost for words as she was, were the Rockers.
The look in Mari's eyes told much. She had waited over ten years to see her mate, Turbo, and now there he sat, covered in muck and bleeding. Mari rushed to him, embracing him, crying. She felt his arms go around her waist, squeezing tight. Though his imprisonment had left him weak, he still had the need to hold her. Mari could sense that.
She broke the embrace, pulling back slightly to look into his red eyes. She could see the fire burn within his veins. She could see the old Turbo she knew so long ago on Mars.
"Never thought I'd see the day when you would rescued me," Turbo said, chuckling. He broke into a fit of coughing.
"Hush," Mari said. "Save your strength. We still need to get you and the others out of here.
Tactica reached out, recoiling her hand suddenly. "Am I dreaming? Is it really you?"
Mari nodded, her throat choked with tears. "I never gave up hope," she whispered.
"Neither did we. Nothing Junior could do would break our spirits," Sparky said softly. "But Kat needs serious medical attention."
Mari reached inside her vest pocket, scowling. She rose, searching her pants pocket, smiling when she found a small device. "A little something Mandy whipped up for me. I'm just glad Junior didn't find it." At their querulous looks she grinned. "I'll tell ya'll later."
She flipped the device open, punching a button. "Home in to my signal. I've...I've found Kat," Mari's voice began to break.
"Sweetheart," she heard Vinnie's concerned voice. "She's not-"
"-No," Mari cut him off. "I . . . I . . . found the Rockers,"
Silence on the other end then a breathless female voice. "Coming in for a pick up. I'm bringing Ice, Dragon and Vinnie's bike. Be ready to transport out."
"Gotcha, Taura. I'll let them know," Mari said, closing the device.
They froze at the sound of footsteps, breathing a sigh of relief when they remained undiscovered.
"We can't go fight," Turbo said. "If the guards find us.."
Mari shook her head. "You won't have to, trust me." At his questioning look, she simply smiled. "Think I'd come alone? I've got other mice kicking about, trying to get us all out.
"Who'd be crazy enough to come with you?" Turbo asked as Mari helped him to stand. "Besides Taura and Vinnie?"
"The Biker Mice from Mars, that's who," Mari said, smiling. "And don't forget the Shimmers and Firestars. They're our back-up."
Turbo looked to his mate when she paused. "What is it?"
"Nazira is the leader of the Shimmers of this time," Mari began.
"You mean the same Nazira, Blade's mom?" Starfire asked.
Mari nodded. "As of this time line, there were quite a few survivors from Monument. Nazira, Blade... our children."
Turbo's brows shot up, his mouth hung open. He could not find words.
Tactica went to Mari, hugging her. "You were right all along."
"I don't..." Turbo began, breaking into sobs. "Alive?"
Mari only nodded, her own voice, failing.
Suddenly a blinding flash broke their talking. There sat Taura astride her bike, Ice, Dragon and Vinnie's bike flanking her.
"Well? Let's get going. Shimmer's've retreated to regroup. We're all hanging at Marconia."
Mari nodded. "Just hang on," she said to the Rockers. "I'll take Kat with me. I owe it to her."
Mari positioned Ice, blasting the door off it's hinges. She went to Kat, gently picking the young mouse up. She eased Kat onto her bike, sliding in behind her. "I suppose you're gonna link us with your bike,"
"Nope," Taura said. "We've improved your bikes. All of these bikes have linking capabilities. Just remember to use them wisely."
Mari nodded, punching a button. "Co ordinates locked. Transporting now."
With a flash and crash of thunder, they transported from Junior's Fortress to the bike bay in Marconia. There the Shimmers had set up a makeshift hospital. Mari rose, carrying Kat to Nazira. Goldenmane sat nearby.
"She's barely alive," Mari said.
"She said something about hoping she did not have a broken rib," Tactica said, unsteadily dismounting Dragon with Sparky's help.
Starfire let Taura help her off her bike while Turbo remained seated on Vinnie's bike. Something bothered him, but he couldn't say what. He dismissed it almost immediately, rising to stand beside his mate. A mate he finally could see and touch, not just remember as a face. He so dearly wanted time alone with her.
#
"We can't back out now," Goldenmane said, cradling her arm. "We've dealt some serious damage to Junior."
"But what are we going to do?" Nazira asked. "He knows we'll come back. He'll be ready. Hell, he even probably's transported out of here now."
Mari leaned ahead. "Not if he's like his ol' man. He won't run. What we did'll only infuriate him more. The madder we can get him at us, the more mistakes he'll make."
"I agree. We need to remove any threat Junior could do," Throttle said.
"This isn't your fight," Goldenmane said. "As I've said before, you and the other Biker Mice have to be careful. You do exist in this time, as the Monarchs. I don't know what'd happen if you met each other."
"Goldenmane," Pikestar said. "The Fireblades AND the Monarchs are outside"
Goldenmane nodded. "Let them in. But warn the Monarchs that their past selves are here."
Pikestar nodded, trotting out the bay door.
"Do you want us to leave?" Throttle asked.
Goldenmane carefully shook her head. "Gallant though it may seem, you are probably better off here."
They waited as the Fireblades entered first, Sharpshooter and Roughrider in the lead, Hunter and Longbow with his bow strapped to his back flanked them. They parted to let six helmeted mice enter. One by one the Monarchs removed their helmets. Though they seemed older, battle worn, and weary, there was no mistaking the fact that they indeed were the Biker Mice, Carbine, Rimfire, and Stoker of the future.
"I see nothing happened," Goldenmane said. "At least we now know what happens when we meet our past or present selves."
"That was such an innocent time," the elder Throttle said, nodding towards Goldenmane. "Then came Junior."
Throttle, Modo, Vinnie, and Mandy were lost for words. Mari only half smiled. "I see some things never change. Still the fearless leader."
"Time can change a lot," the elder Throttle continued walking to his younger counterpart. "Many things have happened in the time that separates you from us. But never forget one thing. Always view the future as uncertain. Something that can change in an instant. Whatever happens here, may not be your future."
"Indeed, it could be something entirely different," Goldenmane continued.
Mari slowly nodded. "Nothing is ever written in concrete."
"But what we had for a past will, for us, remain. That can not be changed," Goldenmane said. "Any changes you make, will not affect us, only create another time-line, another dimension to account for that variable."
"I don't get it," Vinnie said from Mari's right.
"Oh, you will," the elder Vinnie said. "If your time goes like ours did."
"That doesn't sound encouraging," Throttle said.
The elder Throttle sighed. "No, it isn't. But you have yet to see if that is your future or not." He turned to Goldenmane. "What about Junior's Fortress?"
"Ransacked, defences down, or at least they were when we left," Goldenmane said. "All prisoners out, including the high-level ones." She indicated the Rockers who sat around Mari, Turbo firmly planted on her left.
"Could we finally defeat him?" the elder Throttle asked.
"If we have enough fighters, yes," Goldenmane said. "I can lend you Taura and Pikestar, but I can't fight with this shoulder, and Kat needs to heal."
Sharpshooter took one step ahead, removing her helmet. "The Monarchs...helped us to understand. We shouldn't've abandoned you like that." She paused, brushing a black lock of hair from her face. "The Fireblades, all of us, are at your service.
"The Shimmers are ready and willing," Nazira said. "Just give the word."
"Are we going to let them come?" the elder Throttle asked Goldenmane.
"If they want," she said. "What they decide affects their future, not us. We can't force them to help, and neither can we stop them from going."
Mari rose, grabbing her helmet. "I say we fight. Now. Junior hit us in our own time line. If we don't stop him now, we may never get another chance like this."
Goldenmane nodded in agreement. "Then go. And by the grace of the God of War himself, come back in victory."
The group cheered, all except for the Rockers, Turbo who stopped Mari. "You can't go. Now that we're all back together again, I don't want to loose you."
Mari glanced at the others, her gaze lingering on Vinnie for the briefest of moments. "I owe it to them. To Kat, to the Biker Mice, to the Earth AND Mars. To you all," she said, clasping each one of their hands in turn. "But this is something I got to do."
"We understand," Tactica said. "Just come back to us in one piece."
Mari nodded. "Of that, I promise."
She sprinted to Ice, revving her bike's engine. "Alright, fighters, let's rock 'em."
"Freedom fighters, let's roll out," the elder Carbine said. "To Junior's Fortress."
They sped out, gathering the rest of the Fireblades on the way. They rode hard and fast, weapons primed, adrenalin in full gear, thoughts of revenge and final freedom in their minds and hearts.
"System down," Roughrider called. "No power at the Fortress." He paused. "It's for real."
"No defenders on the ramparts," Longbow casually remarked.
"Don't let your guards down," Mari said. "Junior is too darn tricky for his own good."
They blasted a larger hole in the wall, splitting into smaller, mixed groups. Mari went with Pikestar, Throttle, Carbine, and Longbow. They remained on alert even though the Fortress seemed deserted. Though their search for Junior would not remain quiet for long.
"Break an' hit 'em," the elder Carbine called.
Mari fired several rounds into the small group of Junior's Warriors, smiling in satisfaction as they fell before her. "Junior must be near,"
"Scout ahead," elder Throttle said.
Mari nodded. "Longbow, come with me."
The white mouse only nodded.
They broke from the others, dealing swiftly with any remaining Warriors. They skidded to a halt when they entered a large room. Or rather, as Mari thought, the hangar bay for Junior's Stingrays.
"Blow this place and we're home free," Longbow said, removing his longbow. He primed an arrow and notched the bow.
"Wait. We might be able to use these," Mari said, blocking his shot.
Begrudgingly he lowered the longbow, though he did not release the arrow, instead he kept it notched. "How?"
Mari paused. "Well, first of all, we can use these ships, or parts thereof, to start rebuilding Mars. And with our own ships at hand, we can beat back anything the Plutarkians may try in the future."
A sharp whistle from the other side of the room startled Mari. She hastily sought the voice, waving when she saw the others. They met in the middle of the hangar bay, trying to figure out what to do next.
"Finally, we can defend Mars," elder Carbine said.
"That's what I tried to convince Longbow of," Mari said.
Elder Throttle nodded. "We can use these ships to seek out any remaining Plutarkians on Mars, then head to Earth and free them. Then peace shall finally and truly reign."
"No peace shall ever come to this dead world," Junior shouted.
They spotted him standing before one of the stingrays, several Warriors flanking him.
"Peace will come one way or another," Pikestar shouted back.
"The only way you rodents shall find peace is when you die," Junior retorted, signalling for his Warriors to open fire.
The small group scattered, watching in horror as a stray blast from one of Junior's Warriors struck an oil barrel, igniting it. The resultant explosion knocked everyone to the ground.
"No!" elder Throttle shouted. "Carbine!"
Mari groggily rose, righting Ice, using her bike as a shield. "Throttle, no,"
Mari watched as the elder Throttle went to Carbine, cradling her still form in his arms. She slowly made her way to them.
"She can't be," elder Throttle said weakly.
"Ice, cover fire. Longbow," Mari shouted. "Contact the others, we need back-up."
"I'm on it," Longbow said.
Mari turned back to Throttle. "We've got to retreat until the others can get here."
"No. I'm staying."
"Why?" Mari asked, cringing as another oil barrel exploded.
"Carbine and I were going to give it another try. We had vowed to renew our pledge to each other."
Mari sighed. "I'm sorry about that, but war is life and death. You should know. You fought in the initial invasion. So did I. We've lost some dear friends over the decades."
Elder Throttle laid Carbine down, drawing his laser. He turned, diving from cover and fired at Junior. Mari could only hope and pray he would be alright. She thanked any god of good she could think of when the rest of their forces arrived, cutting down Junior's last defences. Mari herself rose from behind Ice long enough to let off one shot. A shot that struck Junior neatly between the eyes.
When the fighting stopped, they rose from their respective covers and cheered. All except Mari who sadly walked a few feet from Ice and knelt. Pikestar, Roughrider, Nazira, Sharpshooter and Stonewall went to her side.
"War is cruel," Pikestar said solemnly. "Sometime we win, and sometimes we loose."
"Did anyone see who did this?" Mari said, her voice catching in her throat. She had to remind herself that this was not her Throttle who had so mercilessly been gunned down by Junior or one of his warriors.
They all shook their heads. "But at least they are together once more. In spirit this time," Roughrider said sadly, a tear falling. "I'd better let Sharpshooter know."
He rose, walking to his mate, head bowed. Mari looked to the others, but they remained oddly silent. Even Longbow seemed visibly shaken, his brash arrogance gone.
Mari rose, going to Ice. "Someone, please, douse those fires." She radioed Marconia Base, telling them of the situation.
"Finally," Goldenmane said. "We have peace at last. But at so high a cost."
"Not so quickly," Hunter said. "This wasn't Junior. Not unless he was a human in disguise."
"Cancel that," Mari said wearily. "Junior double crossed us. It wasn't him."
The cheers on the other end of the radio died quickly. "Then what are we going to do?" someone asked.
"He did leave behind a lot of equipment. I'm sure you all could put it to good use," Mari said. "And I think one of these Stingrays would be right handy to get us all back to our rightful time and place."
"You may take one," Goldenmane said. "And good luck getting home."
Mari nodded to the others. 'Home at last,' she thought. 'We're finally going home.'
#
Mari shook Goldenmane's hand, nodding to the remaining Fireblades, Firestars, Shimmers and Monarchs. "Keep us informed of Kat's condition."
"I will," she said. "But now it is time for you to return to your own time and space. To live your lives as it was meant to be. Though be sure to guard any piece of equipment that could be used by Junior. For as sure as the sun rises, he will be back."
Mari solemnly nodded. "No way he's gonna forget this humiliating defeat. He'll have a vendetta out on all of us, you can be sure of that."
Goldenmane chuckled. "Good speed to you all."
Mari nodded, turning to mount the ramp to the Stingray. The Rockers, Biker Mice, and Mandy had already strapped in, leaving the pilot's seat free for Mari. She grinned, punching a button. "Next stop Mars, then on to Earth,"
With a cheer, the Stingray rose, shuddering under the strain of the engines. They blasted off, past Mars' atmosphere, past the twin moons. With a last look, Mari activated the transporters on the Stingray, taking them back to their own time.
When they emerged from the transport, Mari checked the co ordinates, their location hadn't changed, but the signature of the time matched their own. She turned the Stingray around and headed back towards Mars.
"What are they gonna do when they find out a Stingray is heading for Mars?" Vinnie asked.
"Blow us out of the sky," Mari said casually. "That's why I'm sending a message."
Mari punched several buttons grimacing. "Of all the cheese,"
"Trouble?" Throttle asked.
"Well, the guidance just blew. Taking the radio out with it. Seems like the tampering I did to Junior's transport ability was quite a number. The systems start shutting down one by one. That means that if we don't get off soon, we'll be right back where we started."
"You did this, can you undo it?" Modo asked.
Mari chuckled. "I haven't done it yet. Junior never got a hold of Ice or got Dragon's AI. So how in the name of Mars am I supposed to undo what I haven't done?"
"Try something," Mandy said. "I would like to get back home."
Mari punched buttons furiously, cursing when the Stingray began to shudder. "Well, I've just blown the main engines, autopilot is gone, and we have no way to radio for help."
They watched helplessly as the red surface of Mars loomed ever closer, knowing that their return home may be their last.