Thail VII…. the truth revealed

All morning the base was busying with activity. The day had finally arrived. Charley and Carbine wanting a double ceremony so much had to be done. The Great Hall was check and recheck to make sure all was safe for the festivities. The ladies had shopped and fussed to make sure every one would be properly attired for the historical occasion. The guys had been fitting and polished to make sure they were as sharp as the swords they would carry.

In all the mad wonderful confusion a tall figure passed in and out of the area unnoticed. The maintenance uniform and special clearance he'd procured gave him access to all parts of the base. But his focus was on the Great Hall and the long tunnels that existed beneath it. He smiled as he effortlessly worked right in the mist of those he hated. As he put into motion a particular gift he would give the loving couples and those they held dear.

Angelica made her way toward the hall she being responsible for the floral decoration that lined the aisle the bridal party would walk down. As she worked checking on the last minute details she caught some one in the corner of her eye that made her pause. Her heart stopped thinking how much he looked like, but no. Still she felt like she just had to follow to see whom this tall blond male was. Once she'd gotten to where he'd been working he seem to disappear. Her hand instinctively went to the silver charm around her neck. She shook her head and dismissed the thought returning to what see was doing still looking around to see if he were really gone.

The wedding:

Thail watch concealed in the dark shadows knowing that requital was close at hand. They were all there, his so called bros. and all those they held dear. The way he had timed it the first explosion would be a small one just enough to shake them up, let them know that death was about to claim them. It would trigger the security program he'd installed locking all doors and windows. He would relish in the look of panic on their faces as they desperately tired to save those they loved so dear. His escape would be just seconds before the final explosion and he would finally be at peace. He would final have taken revenge for their destroying his life.

 

Vinnie and Throttle stood nervously looking at Stoker who was going to officiate the marriage ceremony. Martian custom normally would have the father of the groom join the couples but in this case Stoker was the closest either had and they couldn't have loved him more if he were. Both mice uncomfortably pulled slightly at the black dress uniforms and adjusted the ceremonial swords waiting like two schoolboys at their first dance.

The music started and every one stood, all attention focused at the lager brass doors at the beginning of the Great Hall which opened slowly. Tela was the first to walk down the aisle she walked dropping mulia flower petals from a small wicker basket she held on her arm. Her beautiful snowy white gown making a slight swishing sound as she walked.

Then Primer entered her blond hair piled high on her head and the ivory gown she wore making her seem to float as she walked holding securely to her brothers arm. Rimfire's black gloved hands placed a top his sister's. He looked very dashing in his dress uniform of black and gold with the ancient gold sword hung on his side. She was still a little weak from her ordeal but wasn't about to be left out of this long awaited occasion.

Next Angelica and Magel followed both adored in soft very light beige gowns. Their full skirts waving as they walked and both had their hair sweeping down their backs

sprinkled with miniature gems that captured the light and filled their hair with tiny rainbows. In their gloved hands they each carried one long stem white crystal flower that resembled the white Easter lily of Earth.

As everyone assembled in their places the music stop and all attention was again directed to the large brass doors where the two brides stood. Modo having the honor of walking them down the aisle stood between them.

Charley was arrayed in a white silken gown the fell off her shoulders. The long a-line skirt delicately trimmed with shimmering white jewels the back ending in a long train that followed behind her. Carbine equally as beautiful adorned in a white high-buttoned chiffon gown with no sleeves. The full skirt and multiple slips float around her like soft white clouds.

Each carried a bouquet of multicolored crystal flowers of different shapes and sizes. Carbine having chosen to wear a long gossamer vail and Charley with crystal flowers woven in her up swept hair.

Then the assassin eyes grew large in total shock as he watched the wedding procession. As the women he'd caused all the sorrow and torment walked by him. Her ebony hair and crystal blue eyes as beautiful as he remembered. No it couldn't be….No….what had he done. Everything that his mind knew had been a lie. A vicious lie to bring the Martian hero's to their knees. Those filthy Fish had manipulated his mind adjusted his memories to use him as a killing machine fueled by hate. A fiery hate ignited because he thought they'd killed the one person in life that had ever meant anything to him, his Angie. Now he'd sealed her death along with the others. The destruction he had set into motion was all but impossible to stop.

The two Biker mice were in awe by the vision of their exquisitely beautiful brides. So much so that Stoker had to nudge Vinnie to get him to nudge Throttle to take their places besides their wives to be.

As they four loving couples stood ready to start their journey's together a low rumbling was heard that made every one stop and the Hall got deadly quiet. Suddenly an explosion rocked the very foundation sending everyone flying in all directions. Screams of terror were heard, as every one grasped to protect loved ones.

Angelica immediately got up from the floor to see who might need her attention she only slightly shaken. As she turned her head she notice the tall figure she thought she'd seen earlier running from the shadows. Something made her need to follow him, something that was more important then any thing or any one. She raced behind him to see him disappear through a small hidden door. She barely squeezed through before it closed tightly behind her. She didn't care she had to follow him see who his was.

Stoker watched as she ran after some one. He got to his feet to run after her seeing her go through the door but not able to follow before it closed in front of him.

Everyone seemed to be unharmed. Throttle after checking to see Carbines condition looked around to make sure every one else was okay. "Vinnie, Modo get everyone outta here." He commanded

Vinnie the first to his feet ran to the big doors only to find them sealed shut. He pulled on them and pounded trying to get them opened. Modo tried the other exits only to find them just as tightly sealed as with every window.

In the tunnels:

Angelica followed the tall figure deep in the tunnel under the great hall. He was so much faster it was hard to keep up especially being hampered by the long gown.

Turning the corner he stopped in front of a lethal looking device. He attempted to get closer only to get caught in the force field that surrounded it. Fighting against the beams of energy that were piercing his body he still struggled to get to it.

Angelica screamed as he was finally repelled slamming against the far wall. She ran to him fearing that the shock had killed him. She touched his back and could feel him still breathing. With a great deal of effort she pulled him over. As he lay on his back she gasped beyond shocked.

Thail began to come around only to see the shocked face of his wife moving away from him.

"How? …It can't be…How?" She mumbled crawling away clutching to the silver charm around her neck, stopping at the opposite wall shaking her head back and forth slowly at first.

Thail was lost as he looked at the hysterical women cowering against the wall.

"Angie.. Ang …" He quietly called as he moved closer to her.

As he got closer she shook her head more violently she starting to laugh softly at first then getting louder and louder.

He grabbed her arms and shook her trying to break her out of the shock she was falling into. She only laughed harder then started to scream uncontrollably.

"ANGIE…. ANGELICA," he called finally having to slap her.

She looked at him startled back to reality. Then clasping into his arms she cried.

He stroked her thick ebony hair and for that brief blink of time they were together as if no years that had past. No endless bodies without faces, nothing but the love they shared.

"I'm sorry Angie…I'm so sorry…" Was all he could offer.

"Why? Why?" She questioned her head never lifting from his chest

"The fish made me believe I'd lost you. They made me think that Throttle, Modo and Vincent had tortured and killed you. With out you nothing else matters. I did what they told me became what they wanted me to be. When they told me that all three were still alive I had only one purpose to pay them back."

Angelica slowly lifted her head to look into his tormented eyes. She saw the truth in all he'd said. She saw the years of pain and the remorse that now filling them. Her hand touched his face. "It wasn't your fault beloved. I know what those creatures can make you into. You aren't to blame" She said her love for him as strong as the moment they'd first bonded.

 

"But that doesn't clean all the blood on my hands." He said as he lifted her head to once more look into the eyes he'd adored. "I'm not who I was. When they convinced me that the bros. had tortured and killed you destroying them was all I could think of. Make them feel the lose I had suffered. Make everyone feel it. If there is any forgiveness due me it will have to be in the saving of the lives of those topside. I have to stop this thing I have to find some way to shut it down."

Angelica could feel in his voice what he meant. His life for those he was to save. She smiled in her heart knowing that her loving husband was still there. She also knew she would not ever leave him again. Tenderly she held his face and knew her place was there with him no matter what.

As he saw the decision she had made clear in her eyes he kissed her with all the love he'd kept all those long lonely years he grieved for her. But she had to live to make his sacrifice complete.

Back in the Great Hall :

We have to get through here. I'm sure it will lead us to him. There's a reason he didn't blow the place up right away. Why he locked us in here. He's going to destroy the Hall and all of us with it but he wanted us to squirm first. Know that we can't stop him that we can't save our families." Throttle said as he looked over toward Carbine.

"We aren't about to give up. If we can get this door open one of us could get through and a least try to stop him." Stoker said not ready to give up with out a fight.

"Can't we just blow a hole in the wall. Get everyone out that way?" Vinnie asked as his attention focused on Charley

"Can't. When the fish left we use their glass steel to re-enforce the walls of all the important buildings. With all the historical information here this was the first place to get secured. Stoker said knowing the panic that was beginning to take hold of his sons.

One of us has got to try and get through here. Try and see if we can stop him. You three get a hold on the edge of the door."

The three desperate mice took a hold of the door at first pushing it. Then as a small opening creaked they grabbed the edge of the door. Each began to pull with all their might straining to pull against the force field holding the door. As the opening slowly got larger Stoker pushed himself through. Once he was in the strain was too much for them and the door slammed shut once more.

Stoker followed the tunnel until he spotted a light coming from around the corner. He cautiously moved close to the wall. He didn’t know what to except. He didn't know how Angelica would react when she found out that this was once her husband how he would react when he saw her still alive. He condemned himself for not telling her.

As he made the final turned he saw the two embracing knowing the truth was finally revealed for them both. He stood quietly sadden by the situation and not wanting to break in on the brief time they had.

Thail looked up and smiled at his long time friend and teacher. "Hey Stok long time."

"Yeah Bro too long." The older mouse answered not sure of what else to say.

Thail looked at his wife and once again kissed her this time it was good bye. His hand moved behind her neck and he pressed gently at the base of it and she went limp.

"Stoker I've been wrong when she comes around she'll explain. Tell my bros. that I hope they can one day forgive me. I got to try and stop what I've done here. I think I know how. Take her back the way you came. When that door opens you'll have about sixty seconds to get everybody out." Thail cradles Angelica one last time and hands her into Stokers arms.

"What about you Thail?"

"It's too late for me. Just get outta here and make sure you save my lady. And Stok it's Thaila" He smiled.

"You got it. Ride free Thaila." Stoker turned and ran out with Angelica held securely in his arm.

As Stoker got to the small door he waited anxiously for it to open than after about a minute the door slid open on it's own. Stoker flew out ordering every one to head out no questions asked as all other exists were freed.

No sooner than the last person made it to safety another loud rumbling shook the ground. Then suddenly a large blue doom surrounds the building imploding it in a bright green light.

Angelica coming around just in time to see the explosion. In time to realize she had lost her beloved husband once more.

"No let me go. I want to be with him." She struggled against Stoker trying to free herself to run toward the mass destruction. But the older mouse held her secure as she cursed and fought him.

"He's gone sweet heart. He gave his life for you don't make his sacrifice be for nothing." Stoker said as he held her by the shoulders,

She looked at him and then at the remains of the once Great Hall. In a shaken voice she whispered. "Our past is gone and so is my future." Then clasped into his arms.

Sometime Later:

Things having calmed down Angelica sat in the larger observation lounge staring at the ruins of the place where she left her life.

"Can I join you Ang?" A concern voice came quietly from behind her.

She looked up to see Stoker. " If you want." She said her attention drawn back to the window.

"You know I don't have any magic speeches that will make it stop hurting. But remember he found you. He found himself and he found peace. He loved you a lot and he made me promise to take care of you." Stoker took her hand offering his support.

"I know Stok it's just going to take time and good friends." She was able to smile just a little as she held tightly to his hand.

After a while the weddings of Charlene and Vincent along with Carbine and Throttle took place. They decided to hold it in one of the newly regenerated garden. They had lost much of the past but they all looked positively towards the future. After vows were exchanged the moment everyone waited for had come. Charley had experienced it on a small scale what was about to be the crowning glory to a ceremony that she would remember all her life.

Stoker stood back and the couples faced each other. The fact that Charley had no antenna made little difference. As Vinnie touched his antenna to her forehead and Throttle touched his to Carbine's a bright glow surrounded each couple. The sharing of all they were was done at this moment. They would from that moment on be of one flesh, one mind.

The glow dimmed and Stoker turned the couples to the assembly and introduce the newly bonded couples. Ladies and Gentlemen My I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Van Wham

And Mr. and Mrs. Throttle Xavior Darkstar. Oh and you guys can go ahead and kiss your brides. With joyful laughter in the background each hero took his bride and tenderly kissed her.

Modo stood happily holding Tela, his arm around Magel happy for his bros and thinking of how good his own life had become. It was a whole bright new world one they would give as much as they could to make and keep.

 

 

On Plutark:

The unnaturally sanitary Plutarkian sat gloating at his apparent victory over the mice. And the best part was that fool would never know what he had done. As his hands fondled the white handkerchief, slowly from behind him a large tan fur hand engulfed his and began crushing it slowly. He turned in horror to face the tall tan blond Martian warrior and his wrath…….

 

The End