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 Homecoming Part One and is the next section of a multi-parter that will wrap up the entire Mari storyline. But by no means is this the end, but a beginning. A new life, some surprises or two, and maybe even the start of a whole new adventure.
Read and Enjoy :)
Homecoming
Part Two
(C) 2/1999 (revised 6-06-1999) All Rights Reserved
By Goldenmane
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"Honour goes to he who strikes first," Blaze growled. The mere wooded shaft before him splintered with a force that could crush a mouse's skull. He advanced on his dazed opponent.
He turned suddenly, growling, grabbing at the medium brown lithe tail which grabbed him from behind.
"Not if it's his last," the tail's owner said. Blaze slapped the offending tail from his waist, his mood considerably darker.
"Starmantle, stay out of this."
What? And let you kill him?" he gently, but with an air of force pushed himself off the wall, uncrossing his legs. "You are good, Blaze, but too rash with youth. Wait a few years then you'll be able to channel that energy to use."
Blaze's red-orange eyes seemed to dance with fire. "Look. You may have raised me, but that don't mean you're my father."
Starmantle cast his chocolate eyes to the floor, shaking his head. "No. But I've loved you like a son. You've never been this angry before. Why?"
Blaze batted his hand away, stalking off. Starmantle only shrugged, helping the young mouse to his feet. "Next time you spar with Blaze," he offered for advice. "Wear yer helmet."
The young mouse only nodded.
Starmantle sighed, watching the room clear. Only a few mice remained in the corner. He looked at them. Something familiar about them tugged at the edge of his mind.
"I thought you were dead," the white female said. Her ice blue eyes seemed sad, confused. "Other'n that, you coulda had this." He grabbed for a piece of round metal she tossed to him.
Starmantle looked at the object, his eyes going wide. He looked up. "Mari?"
"In the flesh and blood. Been a long time, Starmantle," Mari said, walking to him. "Reflexes just as good as I remember
them."
The two mice embraced, not daring to let the other go in case this be only a dream. Yet Starmantle broke contact first to
look at Mari, then past her to the others. "You've changed. You've all changed. Where did you go?"
"Nah, really?" she feigned surprise. "Time will do that to ya. I have been on Earth all this time, and the rest of the Rockers were Plutarkian prisoners. But we're back together, all of us."
"You've met Blaze, then." When Mari shook her head he continued. "That's explain the hostility. He never forgave you or Turbo for abandoning him. He'll only listen to his sister."
Mari paused. "You raised him? With Nazira's help?" At his questioning look of how she knew, she added, "I'll tell you the whole story later."
Starmantle nodded slowly. "When Turbo left, he told me to care for your children. That he'd be back one day with you and you all'd be a family again. That was over 10 years ago. I'm supervised he didn't tell you."
"A lot has happened," Turbo said, going to his mate.
"Tell me what happened? How you survived all these years," Starmantle asked.
"Later," Mari said. "I want to find out how you got back to base. I was kidnapped several days after the battle. How could anyone survive all that time?"
Starmantle led them to a bench against a wall. "I made it into Monument. There were a group of refugees trying to survive. They patched me up and when the army collected them, there I was."
"He left hours after he saw me," Starmantle continued, nodding towards Turbo. "Said I would be the only Rocker left on Mars until he returned. I guess that's a moot point now," Starmantle said, clasping her hands in his. "If only Blaze could be so happy. How did Phoenix take the news?"
Mari half smiled. "She couldn't believe it, but when Stoker told her the truth, she was overcome. At least one of my kids is glad I'm back."
Starmantle rose. "With the Rocker's back together, it'll be just like old times, eh?"
"Just like old times," Mari said quietly, her thoughts turning towards Snowfall. "Just like old times."
#
"Cool yer jet's hotshot, before they overheat and blow," a female voice said from behind.
"Kammie, leave me alone. Don't you have better things to do than bug me?" Blaze snapped.
Blaze pulled up short. Kammie kicked up dust as she slid past, blocking any further movement from Blaze.
"You know, you're the last person I wanted to see out here alone," Kammie said vehemently. "I thought you had more brains than to leave yourself defenceless."
"I'm not defenceless," Blaze roared. "Thunder and I can handle anything."
Kammie slid her visor back. "Then why did you run when you found your parents were alive?"
Blaze did not respond, nor did he look Kammie's way.
"Ok, look, there's nothing we can do now. But they're here on Mars, live and in person. And you're out here tearing up the landscape in anger," Kammie said evenly. "I thought you were one of the best of the Sabers."
That struck a faint chord in Blaze, yet he shoved it aside at the thunder of engines.
"Why now," Kammie groaned. "Told ya."
"Of all the times those cheddar brains pick for target practice," Blaze growled, re firing Thunder's engines. He drew his laser.
Kammie pulled in beside him. "Let's hit 'em where it hurts. Saberstrike!"
A bright yellow beam struck the pair without warning.
"Then again, maybe not," Kammie said. She tried to punch a distress call. "No communications."
The world seemed to swim for a few moments going black before materializing into solidity once more. This strange world seemed hauntingly familiar.
Kammie punched several buttons. "At least the air is breathable." She parted her helmet. "Where ever that Plutarkian heavy cruiser put us down, there's got to be someone who could help us."
Blaze surveyed the crumbling buildings and bombed out shells of structures. He shivered inside. Plutarkians had been here. He could feel it. A series of explosions set them both on guard.
"Natives may not be all that friendly, after all," Blaze growled, kicking Thunder into gear to face Kammie's direction. "Well...what are we waiting for?" he added sarcastically when she did not move.
"Didn't your sister teach you better. Survey before action." Kammie paused when she noticed a gleam in Blaze's red-orange eyes. "Oh no you don't." Her words fell on deaf ears as Blaze pulled away.
"Dammit," Kammie swore. "He'll be the death of us yet."
Kammie kicked her own bike into gear and headed after Blaze, hoping his actions would not endanger their stay on this strange world.
#
"What do you mean, 'Blaze is gone'?" Turbo nearly shouted. "He has to be here somewhere. He couldn't just disappear."
Stoker shook his head. "Kammie is gone too. I know she went to look for Blaze when he left base. But now no one can locate them or their bikes. They can't be on Mars anymore."
"Then where could they be?" Mari said, pausing. "Earth. That's the only other place they could be. Unless...."
"I'll have them contact Earth. Anywhere in particular?" Stoker asked.
Mari hesitated only a moment. "Charlie's in Detroit right now...." Mari's voice trailed off. "She's the only one who know about us."
Stoker nodded. "I'll have our radio's a callin' in no time."
"Do you think they've been sent back in time. That Junior is back for revenge?" Turbo asked.
Mari only half nodded, returning to the papers she had sorted through. Old reports and newspaper clippings about the fall of Monument. First reports had sited no survivors, just as she last remembered.
Then came the first headlines of individuals who had been found alive. Phoenix and Blaze both had been listed. She laid the copy down, picking up the only record she could find of the Rockers.
Stoker had retrieved it for her, with a warning. The Rockers, it seems, had become classified information. She read the words aloud, trying to comprehend what she read.
"Turbo, upon finding the loss of his mate, ordered the Rockers out of Marconia Base. When army tried to stop him, he refused, instead forcing his way out of the base. The order to pursue had been given, promptly to be overridden by the Leaders, who felt it in Mars' best interests to forget the entire Monument incident.
"Subsequently, all members of the Rockers were listed as missing in action or killed at Monument, the name 'Rockers' removed from any records. Any mention of the Medal of Honour received for surviving Monument had been erased. Only those who had been granted access to Monument records will know of the Rockers and Monument.
"This matter shall be closed this day and remain classified indefinitely." The message, Mari noted with a tear, had been dated a week after her capture.
"So close and yet so far," she whispered.
Turbo hugged her tight. "It may have taken many years and lonely nights, but we are here, now, and our children alive."
Mari hesitated, laying the papers aside. "I have something I have to tell you and please, keep an open mind."
"What? What could be so bad?" Turbo asked worried. "Did someone hurt you while I was gone."
"Only me," she whispered. She looked up into his ruby eyes, weary eyes from captivity. She hated to break this to him now, but knew she had better do it now than later. She paused remembering what happened the last time she forced an issue on someone at the wrong time. It had almost cost Vinnie and Charlie their relationship. Not to mention her friendship with the Biker Mice.
Turbo put his arms around her. "Whatever it is, you can tell me. Nothing could be that bad."
Mari sighed. "No one hurt me but myself. It happened right after we battled Junior. The first time, I mean. When he tried to destroy Chicago and Havarti went for Detroit."
"That stinkfish is still around," Turbo almost growled. "Did ya get him?"
Mari shook her head. "They both got away. But that's not the point. I found some of Junior's notes and his record of shooting you guys down. When we went to clean up Chicago, the destruction and devastation reminded me all too much of Monument. I felt as if the whole world had ended for me. That I could never feel happiness again."
Turbo took a half step backwards.
Mari sighed again. "I went to clear my thoughts. Far away from anyone or anything. It so happened that I was followed. That someone came to comfort me. One thing led to another and . . . "
Turbo released her, stepping backwards. "That's why everyone seemed so damned uncomfortable when Mandy mentioned Snowfall."
Mari nodded. "I . . . I . . . lost myself in the hope that someone could . . . that I could feel again . . . that there was a hope or the future."
Turbo turned his back to her. "Who was it. I want to know so I can kill the bastard."
"I know what we did was wrong. Gods only know that every day when I look at Snowfall I think of what I did and what it could cost."
"And you still did it."
Mari took one step, stopped, then leaned against the table. "I had given up all hope," she said softly. "With so many confirmations that you were dead..."
"That you decided to pack it up an move on," Turbo said. "Turn me in for a better model."
"It wasn't like that. Dammit. We're back together. We have our kids back-"
"-No, we don't. You have another family now, why don't you go to him. Or have you traded him in for another."
Mari gasped. "How can you be so cruel."
"No. How could you ever have given up on me. I thought we had decided at the battle that we would never give up on each other. No matter if something happened to the other." Turbo paused. "I guess promises don't mean much to you after all. I guess you never really cared for our love. Only used it. Like you did his."
"Let me explain-"
"-What? So you can lie to me more?" Turbo turned on her, hate consuming his soul. "I won't listen to your lies. Consider us finished."
Mari watched helplessly as he stormed out of the room. She sank to the floor and cried. She had gotten a mate back and now she had lost him.
"Not quite the comeback you had intended, eh sweetheart?" she heard Vinnie ask.
Mari shook her head, looking up. "Of all the things to do."
"Just like last time," Vinnie said kneeling, laying a hand on her shoulder. "But things worked out in the end."
"But Charlie understood. She accepted what we did," Mari said, turning to look at him. "What if Turbo never forgives me? Forgives us? Right now he wants to kill you."
Vinnie could only shrug. "Who knows?" He paused, looking into her eyes. "Ya need sleep. Head off to bed, I'll let ya know if anything happens."
"I can't sleep. Not with Blaze missing. Not with Turbo..." Mari began to protest, silenced with a hand to her cheek as Vinnie wiped away a stray tear. He let his finger linger a moment, a half smile on his face.
"Get some sleep," Vinnie said at last.
Mari only sighed. "No sleep. But I wouldn't mind a bite to eat. Care to join me?" She looked back, noting the huge grin on Vinnie's face. Smiling herself she let him lead her to her quarters without a complaint.
#
Blaze stopped Thunder so quick, Kammie almost ran into him. He held up a hand to silence her. "Something's wrong," he hissed. "I can feel it."
"But we're still on Mars," Kammie said in a whisper. "Whatever the Plutarkians did, It couldn't've been much. How can anything be wrong? All we gotta do is stay away from Plutarkian camps, and get to the nearest base."
Blaze shook his head. "It's not our Mars. I mean, look, there are no signs the Plutarkians had ever been here. There's no major scarring on the surface, only one bombed out city, nothing but minor scrub grass."
Kammie had to agree. Not when Blaze made her stop and think. This could be a Plutarkian trap. Or maybe not.
Blaze stood on his tip toes, shaking his head. "Well I'll be a Plutarkian's posterior. I see a trio of Bikes ahead."
Blaze and Kammie magnified the view on their helmets visors. "Three Martians, all right, but their bikes and clothes are old," Blaze said at last.
They waited, watching as the lead biker motioned for a halt. She dismounted her bike, removing her helmet. She had to have stood near about his height, Blaze absently thought. She worked out, whoever she was, judging by the slight muscles on her arms. Her fur colour reminded him of Throttle's and her hair, thought straight and slightly lighter, was almost like his as well.
Her companions consisted of another female and a male. Neither of whom dismounted. They remained as they were, apparently waiting for their leader to act.
"Follow me," Blaze finally said, lowering himself back onto his bike. "Might as well see what's going on."
"Are you crazy?" Kammie asked, kicking her bike into gear, trying to keep up with Thunder.
"Citizens," Blaze called over his helmet's radio. "We need some assistance."
Kammie kept low to her bike. In the open plains, they could become very large moving targets if any Plutarkians appeared.
"This may sound weird," Blaze said once they neared the trio. "But where are we? I don't recognize this area." Blaze pulled Thunder in beside the leader's bike, Kammie just to his far side.
"Chryse Plains, where do you think we are?" the leader asked in a deep, smoky voice. "And what kind of rides are those? Never seen anything like 'em."
"The latest AI bikes. Where'd you find such antiques that run?" Blaze asked. The leader quirked a tan brow.
"Antique? You callin' my bike an antique? She just rolled off the assembly line last year."
The male of the group motioned towards Kammie. "What about you, doll? One of those silent types?"
The lead biker grimaced. "Don't mind Pikestar. He has only one thing on his mind, besides his bike. By the way, I'm Goldenmane and she's Taura."
"Blaze," he said, "And my companion is Kammie. We're members of the Sabers out of Marconia Base in Chryse Plains and Luna Base in the Luna Plains."
Pikestar chuckled. "Chryse has no base. What've'ye been smokin' boy? Sure you're old enough to ride?" He turned to his group "I think we've just found us a couple of birds."
"Yeah," Taura added. "They're all wet."
Blaze half growled. "Is that a challenge?"
"Nah. Not with a squirt like you."
Kammie had to restrain Blaze. "He's not worth it."
Blaze calmed some. "What in the name of the Moons is going on here. One minute we're riding along and then the Plutarkians zap us with a ray, and now you say there is no base? And what is it with your language? 'Bird'? 'All wet'?"
"Plutarkians?" Goldenmane asked. "Never heard of them." She chuckled. "It's the latest thing going round. Too many radio's tuned to Earth. All the 'cats' are pickin' up on the new lingo."
"Never heard of a Plutarkian?" Blaze asked shocked. "But they nearly destroyed Mars. How can you not know?"
"Taura," Pikestar said. "Told ya something's wrong here. I knew my hunch was correct. If this kid's right, then we may be in danger."
Taura turned to Pikestar. "Army's been training in Chryse for months. If any off worlder's had arrived, then we'd know."
"I still say something's wrong. I'll prove it to ya," Pikestar said, kicking his bike into gear.
"Army will call you awol," Goldenmane shouted. "Too hot headed for his own good."
Kammie chuckled. "Sounds like someone I know." She stifled a laugh at the icy look from Blaze.
Goldenmane punched a button on her bike. "Goldenmane contacting Tharsis. Possible trouble on our hands. Will report when more info becomes available, over?"
"We read you, Goldenmane, over," a voice said.
"Don't wait up for us. We'll be covering the whole of Chryse tonight. Will return when mission accomplished, over."
"Acknowledged, Goldenmane. Good hunting. Over and out," the voice said.
Goldenmane mounted her bike, firing her bike's engines. "Alright, time to head out and ride."
Blaze shook his head, turning to Kammie. He set his radio to her helmet's frequency. "Get a load of that. They must've been out in the desert too long. Whoever would use that kind of talk? That's not what I've heard from Earth stations."
Kammie pulled in beside Blaze. "I research old history. That kind of talk goes with the bikes. I'd say about mid forties Terra time."
Blaze had to agree when he tried to pull in a radio station from Earth. "You don't suppose those fishheads transported us back in time?"
Kammie shrugged. "Could be. Only way to find out is to follow them."