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 Three and concludes 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. I will warn you that the ending is 'all mushy' so you'd better have a large hanky or a box of tissues handy.
Read and Enjoy :)
Homecoming
Part Four
(C)6-06-1999 All Rights Reserved
By Goldenmane
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"We need a plan. A good one," Kammie said.
"Did anyone find anything about these Plutarkians?" Mari asked.
Blaze nodded. He sat with Kammie, on the other side of the room from his parents, though they sat well apart. "Goldenmane went and talked with their leader before they attacked."
"He said his name was Havarti and he came asking for resources," Goldenmane said.
"Havarti?" came the querulous response from the Rockers. "But..." Starmantle finished.
"He's the one who ordered the attack on Monument," Mari said coldly. "He's the one who had me captured."
Blaze rose suddenly. "Then let's deal with him now. Swiftly."
Mari shook her head. "He's not that easy to beat. He did win the battle at Monument. He did manage to capture me. He last was known to work with Junior."
"I'd say he's the one from the future," Throttle said. "When we had him and Junior on the ropes, they transported out."
"And with them transporting in new troops, I'd say Junior, or Havarti want's to get rid of us before we're born."
The other's nodded except for Goldenmane, Taura and Pikestar who seemed confused. "What do you mean transport? And how does the future play a part in it?"
Mari looked up. "It's a long story. A very long story. But suffice it to say the Plutarkians got their fins hold of time travel abilities. They already could transport from place to place so when they combined it with the time travel, they could become invincible. They have a lot of time to plan and a lot of room to manoeuver."
"We need to plan this one out, carefully," Throttle said, looking towards Mari. "The Firestars know what to do better than us."
"But we can't contact them," Mari looked uneasily towards Goldenmane. "Remember what she said about the past and not wanting to change it? Whatever we do could destroy our future, their future. We have to, as you say, plan it out perfectly. We need to know how time went so we can fix it."
"There were no Plutarkians on Mars until they landed around 1981," Kammie said. "No reports official or unofficial. This is completely wrong if we are in the past. Before they stuck their snouts into our business."
Mari nodded. "Then if no one knew about it, and the Firestars didn't remember me or this had happened, then it means that we should be free to get rid of the Plutarkians so long as it doesn't spill over to others."
"They were in contact with a band of Sand Raiders," Goldenmane said. "Would that have any bearing?"
Mari shrugged. "I'm not the one who's fluent in time travel, but I guess we have no other choice. I don't want Havarti killing anyone, no matter who they may be, and altering our time."
"Then we attack," Blaze said going to thunder. He still could not forgive what happened to his parents, but the thought that the one responsible for destroying his home was there made him mad. He wanted revenge. He wanted to see Havarti suffer.
He wanted to get back home.
"Freedom fighters," Mari said rising, heading to Ice. "It's time we rocked these Plutarkians right back home."
"We're with ya, sweetheart," Vinnie said, laughing. He leapt to his bike.
"I'll transport all of the Sand Raiders to a far away local, then I'll join ya," Mari said. "Linking all of the bikes, Goldenmane, you guys gonna sit this one out?"
Goldenmane stood by her black Harley. "Our bikes may not be as powerful as yours, but we still have our lasers and our duty to Mars. Count us in."
"All bikes linked," Mari said. "Hold on and whatever you do, don't get off your bikes." She punched a button. "Transporting now."
With a flash they were in the midst of the Plutarkians, firing and turning to attack other targets. Mari linked all Sand Raider genetics together, hoping she could recreate what Kat had done with the Plutarkians on Earth. She punched the transport sequence and waited, bursting out of the transport with a good number of confused Sand Raiders and their equipment. She laughed, transporting herself back to the battle. She fired several missiles at one of the diggers, laughing again when it exploded. She chanced a glance to see how the others were doing before continuing her attack.
Goldenmane fired at the Plutarkians themselves, leaving the equipment for the others. She knew her simple laser would never penetrate the shells of the diggers. Not like the advanced technology of the others. She banked left, pulling in beside Throttle. "Like your bike."
"A real beauty, ain't she," he said.
"Why did you take such an . . . older model than the others?"
Throttle shrugged, firing several missiles towards the last digger. "Just like the style. Reminded me of one of my great grand parents distant cousin's bike." He pause, turning to Goldenmane. "Kinda like yours."
She seemed shocked, then recovered her composure. "I guess you never know what the future. . .or the past . . . can hold."
"I've found their transporter and it is gone," Starfire cried, blasting a small box connected to a good-sized computer terminal.
Mari checked the temporal fields. "They're cut off from reinforcements, but that don't mean they didn't transport in more troops and vehicles elsewhere. Keep on yer toes, just in case."
They made quick work of the Plutarkian soldiers, not once finding Havarti.
"Could he have transported out during the battle? Before Starfire destroyed their device?" Tactica asked.
Mari shrugged. "You know what he did at Monument, and you boys remember what he did in Detroit. I don't think he'd run. Not from this. I've got a bad feeling about this."
"Wonder why," Turbo muttered. He stopped mid thought, gunning his bike's engine. "Incoming. One large force of Plutarkians with Havarti in the lead."
"We're low on firepower," Modo commented.
"And we can't hold off a force that large," Kammie said. "Not without help."
Mari sighed. "Only one way I can think of to get rid of them without risking us. Do what Kat did."
"But she burned out Dragon and nearly got killed," Sparky said, priming his bike's weapons.
"But not if two bikes do it. She did it alone, we have two bikes now. We can tandem link and ship them back to their time. Or better yet, to a deserted asteroid," Mari said. "Vinnie, you with me?"
"As always, sweetheart," he said, pulling in beside him. "You take the left an' I got the right."
"Locked and linked," Mari said. "Co ordinates set and ready to go. Transporting now."
She punched a button, crying out when she saw three bikers enter her transport field. She had to wait until they emerged from the transport, veering sharply away as they came face to face with another Plutarkian force.
"We've got to go after them," Vinnie said.
"Wait," Mari said, firing aft missiles. "Somehow they had to get into the future. Somehow they had to form the Firestars. I guess it was us that got them their unit. Now all they got to do is get the time travel abilities."
"Sweetheart, ya just lost me."
Mari rode low to Ice. "Goldenmane said she didn't recognize me in the future, but we just met in her past. So either she concealed the truth so not to influence the past too much, or this isn't the Goldenmane we met."
"We have to help her. She helped us," Vinnie began as a shell pounded close to his bike, throwing his bike into Ice.
They came to a complete and abrupt landing, tangled amongst their bikes. Mari looked up, watching shell after shell slam into the Martian soil around the future Firestars. She gasped as a small flash appeared, a red and blue clad rider on a black bike, and another flash and Goldenmane, Taura, Pikestar, and the mystery biker disappeared.
"Time for our exit," Mari said, straining to reach the transport button on Ice. She muttered something about Plutarkians and obscene gestures before laying her head back. "Ice, transport us to the Chryse Plains, last time visited."
She smiled as the transport began and when they emerged, she tried to pull herself out from under Ice. She groaned, trapped. She noticed how still Vinnie laid and became worried. With his adrenaline, he should be commenting, not so quiet. "Ice, distress call. Freedom Fighter frequency only."
Ice beeped once.
Mari closed her eyes and waited. The only pressure she could feel was on her leg, pinned under Ice whose flank was trapped under the front tire of Vinnie's bike. She could see his tail and one arm and prayed he was alright, just out cold.
She did not have to wait long, judging by the engines that they had made it back to the past.
"Get them out of there," she heard Throttle yell.
"I'm ok, but Vinnie might be hurt," Mari called. She extended her hand, surprised to see Blaze. She watched as Modo pulled Vinnie's bike off of him, and Turbo and Starmantle heaved on Ice, aided by Sparky.
Once free, she crawled to her knees then to Vinnie. She turned him over, half smiling. "He's out cold. But he may have broken an arm along the way. But he's gonna be cheeses when he finds out he bit his lip on the landing."
She let someone help her to stand, trying out her leg. Relieved nothing serious was wrong with it, she turned to thank whoever helped her, reaching out a hand when she saw Turbo walking away. She retracted her arm, a tear falling down her cheek. She jumped when a hand rested on her arm.
Mari turned, looking up at Blaze. He seemed different, calmer. Not so angry. She smiled as only a mother could.
"I. . think I need to apologize," Blaze began. "I'm sorry I was so rude."
Mari threw her arms around her son, hugging him tight. "At least I have you back."
Blaze embraced his mother, squeezing her tight. Kammie had talked some sense into him. Made him realize that it would have been next to impossible for his mother to have gotten in contact with him. If old Stoker had been right, then anyone who heard about her pleas to find her children would have disregarded the message. And his father had been in prison the past few years.
"How could I have been so dumb," he whispered at last.
"Not dumb. I understand how you feel," She pulled away, looking at him. She sniffled, parting her helmet. "Now we can rebuild what the Plutarkians took from us."
Blaze smiled though it quickly turned into a frown. "But what about... father?"
Mari sighed. "It's a long story. I'll tell it to you when we get back Both you and Phoenix should hear this at once." Mari paused. "Just remember to try and keep an open mind."
Blaze seemed confused, but smiled nonetheless. "I won't let anything else come between us. That I promise."
Mari hugged him again, pulling back to check on Ice. She dried her tears and limped to her bike. "Transporter's ok. I can take us back as soon as we're mounted."
"But what about Goldenmane?" Kammie asked. "You didn't just leave them with the Plutarkians, did you?"
Mari shook her head, mounting Ice. "What I couldn't say around them is that they are the future Firestars. The ones who helped spring the Rockers. I saw a biker transport in and them out who looked a lot like Kat and Dragon."
"Then you think history, the future, is set?" Throttle asked pensively.
"I'd never say it's set," Mari said. "Junior and Havarti are out there. But for the Firestars, it should."
Throttle only nodded, remembering what happened to his future self and Carbine. He shook himself out of his thoughts, going to his bike. He could not help but think of Goldenmane's bike, so like his. Even down to the detailing.
Sighing he mounted his bike. "Time to go home,"
Mari nodded. "Co ordinates set, Vinnie ok?" she asked Modo.
"Bike set an' I got him," Modo said.
"Transporting now."
The world went black then grey, white, black, and finally to a warm Martian night. They cheered when they saw the lights of Luna Base. Mari ran a quick diagnostic, smiling at the temporal variables. They were home. She then made a quick head count, relieved when she saw no one missing.
They returned to Luna Base in silence.
#
Mari leaned against a table in a small room Stoker had let her have. She looked between Phoenix and Blaze with a mix of relief and fear. She hoped they would not turn on her as Turbo did.
"What's so important that you wanted me to keep an open mind?" Blaze asked, though his voice lacked the conviction of before.
"Something happened a couple of years ago. Something I'm not proud of, but something that I can't change, neither," Mari began, looking up suddenly to see Blade standing behind Phoenix, his hands on her shoulders.
Mari paused. She had planned on telling her children only, not the base in general.
"It's ok, mom. What you tell me, you can tell Blade," Phoenix said, craning her neck to look at her mate. She smiled tenderly at him before returning her gaze to her mom.
Mari sighed. "When I found Plutarkian reports from Junior that he had 'taken care of' the Rockers, I felt like the world had ended. When Carbine and Rimfire confirmed the news, I couldn't stand it. I had to get away from it all. The pain was too great.
"After we routed Junior and Havarti from Chicago and Detroit, I went back with the guys to help them clean up. Detroit had been mercifully spared, but Chicago needed serious clean-up.
"The destruction reminded me too much of Monument. . . and the battle," Mari paused, choking back a tear. "I went off, telling the guys that I was going to check on things elsewhere when I wanted to go someplace and cry. My heart had broken more times than you could imagine. Then someone showed up. He came to comfort me. To ease my pain..."
Mari paused, casting her gaze to the floor. "We...we spent the night together. And Snowfall was the result of it."
"We've got a little sister?" Phoenix cried.
Mari's heart leapt. Has she just lost her children as well?
"That's about 16 years difference for me and 18 for you," Blaze said to Phoenix. "That makes her young enough to be our child."
Phoenix nodded. "And you've lived with the guilt for two years," Phoenix said rising. "What about him?"
Mari stifled a sob. "He had a lover, and I had the memory of your father. I forced him to go back to her. To make her see that what we did was wrong, and that it would never happen again. She did take him back. But . . "
"Father didn't understand," Blaze said softly. "That's why he avoided you all during the battle."
Mari only nodded, looking down again.
"Mistakes can happen," Blade said suddenly, his deep bass voice echoing down the corridor. "But you were mouse enough to admit they were mistakes."
Mari looked up. They had closed the door when they began talking. But the echo could only mean that someone had opened the door. That someone had heard.
"You never told me who it was," Turbo said in a low voice.
Mari paused. "It was. . . Vinnie."
Phoenix went to her mother, laying an arm around her shoulder. "She's white, right? That's why you named her Snowfall!"
"Actually, it was snowing when she was born," Mari said softly.
"Was he there?" Blaze asked.
Mari nodded. "He almost killed himself getting there, but he was there for the 'big event'."
She watched Turbo turn and leave, Blade following him out the door. She began to cry, letting all of her emotions go. She cried harder, more tears of joy when Blaze joined them in a group hug and consolation.
"I can't wait to meet our new sister," Phoenix said to Blaze, tears trickling down her own cheeks.
"It'll be a big adjustment," Blaze said. "But we'll handle it. Like a real family."
"A real family," Mari said again, here voice a bare whisper.
#
"I can see why you're so upset," Blade said, stopping Turbo. "I'd be royally cheesed myself if Phoenix ever did that to me."
Turbo said nothing, staring at Blade.
"But I can also understand her point of view. She was hurt and needed comfort. And she got it in more ways than one," Blade continued.
"What's your point?"
"That if you keep pushing her away, she'll go to Vinnie and forget you entirely. If you lover her even one shred, you'll go to her. Give her a second chance. Talk it out instead of sulking."
Turbo took one step towards Blade. "How in the hell would you really know how I feel?"
Blade did not move. "I've seen you around her. Uncomfortable. Thoughtful. At mess you kept looking her way. When anyone looked up, you pretend to be glaring at someone or something. But you really were looking at her like some love sick schoolboy."
"Keep yer tail out of someone else's business," Turbo growled.
"It is my business. She's the mother of my mate, and yer her father. So I guess it kinda makes me a part of it whether I like it or not," Blade said turning. He walked back to the room. "Just remember what I said," he said over his shoulder.
Turbo turned, slamming a fist into the wall. He walked to the makeshift quarters Stoker had given him and sat on the bed. He laid back and closed his eyes. Could he ever forgive her for what she did? Could he forgive Vinnie? Could he love Snowfall as his own flesh and blood? Phoenix and Blaze seemed to accept her infidelity. And Blade sided with them as well.
Soon he drifted off to sleep. A restless sleep plagued with nightmare.
#
"I hate to go so soon," Vinnie said to Mari as she packed.
"I need to get back to Snowfall. And you need to get back to Charlie. But don't worry. Both of us can transport to Mars anytime we need, thanks to Goldenmane," Mari said, closing the dufflebag. "How's your arm healing?"
"Better than expected. Healers say it wasn't a clean break."
Mari turned, smiling when Phoenix and Blaze entered. Her smile turned to concern quickly. "What's wrong?"
"Charlie just called. She said Brie is back in town. She checked Chicago out and Limburger is back as well. She figures the other Bosses are back in their old haunts," Phoenix said.
"Throttle said he and Modo are going back to Chicago to defend it. Tactica tells me that the Rockers are going with you to help defend Detroit," Blaze finished.
"And we're going with you to see their new sister," Blade said from behind Phoenix and Blaze.
Mari smiled. "I guess we'll need to get going then. Charlie'll be glad to get back home."
"And you'll be glad to see your daughter... your child," Blaze said, nodding towards Vinnie.
Vinnie looked to Mari. "I had to tell them the whole truth. Turbo knows it was you," Mari said.
"Will that change anything?" Vinnie asked. "I mean, you said he wanted to kill whoever you..."
Blade shook his head. "I don't think he will. Not after the talk we had."
Mari only nodded, gathering her belongings. "Meet me in the bike bay. Once we're all there, we'll transport out."
They agreed, parting soon. Mari walked slowly to the bike bay, and once there went directly to Ice. She secured her pack and waited, sitting on Ice's seat. She nodded to each as they entered and went to their bikes. Tactica and Sparky had refitted a couple of bikes and redone their paint jobs to match what their old bikes had. Starfire had done the same and Starmantle's bike sat nearby. She sighed when she did not see any red bikes besides Vinnie's. Apparently Turbo was not going to have another Fire built.
Mari did chuckle to herself when she looked over to Thunder, Blaze's bike. He had painted the bike a pale blue and put red lightning bolts along the sides, like the fire pattern on Fire.
The bay began to fill with mice, all readying their bikes for the transport. Some waited astride their bikes, others stood beside, and still some talked. She noticed that only one person remained. She would wait a few minutes more before transporting. Everyone would understand if she waited for Turbo.
When five minutes passed and he did not show, she rose, mounting Ice. "We've waited long enough," she said, her voice cracking. "Transport field activated, co ordinates set, commencing transport."
She pushed a button, looking up just as the world turned black. She could have sworn to see a streak of red flash within the transport radius. Had Vinnie backed out suddenly?
When they materialized is was next to the Changing Times. Mari glanced around, her heart leaping when she saw the familiar flame-streaked red bike affectionately called Fire. Turbo sat there, his face a mask.
Mari said nothing, leading them into the garage. They found spots to park their bikes and Mari called out to Charlie. When Charlie emerged with Snowfall, Mari went to her daughter, relieving a very startled Charlie of her charge.
"Charlie, I'd like to introduce you to some very dear and close friends of mine," Mari said, snuggling Snowfall. "I'd like to introduce the Rockers as well as Blaze, Phoenix and her mate Blade."
Charlie stood, mouth agape. "You mean... they were alive?"
Mari nodded as the Rockers and Phoenix, Blade and Blaze went to see Snowfall. All that is except Turbo who turned to Fire and left in a screech of tires. They all looked to his retreat then sadly back to Mari. She would not let it bother her. She steeled herself, cradling her daughter, answering questions and noting the quiet exit by Vinnie and Charlie.
Tonight they would have some extra guests. The Changing Times would indeed be quite crowded.
Epilogue
Mari finished tucking Snowfall in, kissing her daughter on the cheek. She left, passing the main garage bay and half smiled to herself. Sparky, Tactica, and Starfire tried to make themselves comfortable on the fold-out cots Mandy had found. Starmantle had decided to sleep with his old unit.
She continued on, passing the room Phoenix and Blade had been given, the next door led to Blaze's room. Beyond lay Mandy's room and still further on hers.
Mari entered her room and turned the lights down low. She went to the centre of the room, hugging herself. She began to softly cry. She could not get the fight Turbo and she had had when he found out about Snowfall. She tried to patch things up. Tried to make things right. But now she felt as if he would never come back to her. That she had lost him once again. Forever this time.
She half turned at a click, her eyes growing wide when she saw Turbo put a CD into her player. She turned back, not wanting to fight. She had had enough of fighting for a long time.
When Mari felt his hands on her shoulders, she turned, right into his arms. He felt so good against her, she wanted to cry some more. She barely acknowledged that he closed the door with his tail as the music began.
I swear, by the moon and the stars in the sky.
And I swear, like the shadow that's by your side.
"May I have this dance?" Turbo asked soft and tenderly.
Mari gave a quiet sob, nodding, enfolding him in her arms. She eased her grip when she felt his ribs, gaunt from captivity. She laid her head on his broad chest as they began to dance.
I see the questions in your eyes.
I know what's weighing on your mind.
You can be sure I know my heart.
'Cuz I'll, stand beside you through the years.
You'll only cry those happy tears.
And though I make mistakes,
I'll never break your heart.
And I swear. By the moon and the stars in the sky. I'll be there.
I swear, like the shadow that's by your side. I'll be there.
For better or worse, till death do us part,
I'll love you with every beat of my heart.
And I swear.
Mari chanced a glance, not wanting to break this moment in case it turned out to be a dream. She could see in the half light Turbo's eyes were closed. She lowered her head, closing her own eyes.
I'll give you everything I can.
I'll build your dreams with these two hands.
You'll have some memories all of us.
And when, just the two of us are there,
You won't have to ask if I still care,
'Cuz as the times, as the pledge, my love won't age at all.
And I swear. By the moon and the stars in the sky. I'll be there.
I swear, like the shadow that's by your side. I'll be there.
For better or worse, till death do us part,
I'll love you with every beat of my heart.
And I swear.
Mari could sense something was wrong with Turbo. She wanted to ask, yet she didn't dare to. She wanted to probe him with her empathic abilities, but she would not invade his privacy. His, and the other's captivity no doubt left emotional scarring that may never heal. She did not want to push him away from her any more than Snowfall had. Mari wanted nothing to put a wedge between Turbo and her.
I swear. By the moon and the stars in the sky. I'll be there.
I swear. like the shadow that's by your side. I'll be there.
For better or worse, till death do us part,
I'll love you with every single beat of my heart.
And I swear.
"I'm sorry," Turbo said softly into her ear. "I will always love you."
And I swear.
"I understand," Mari said with a soft sob. "I will always love you, too."
And I swear.
They did not stop dancing though the music had ended. Instead they swayed to a beat all their own, a music only their two hearts could hear.
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I Swear - (C) All For One