Turned into what?! Chapter 3

Karbunkle creates a ray gun that turns our beloved bikers into ordinary Earth mice! How can they get out of this one?

Disclaimer: I don't own BMFM, sadly.

Chapter 3

Throttle gingerly rubbed his aching head, trying to recover from the caterwaul that had been unleashed right in his ear. Vinnie came over to him, limping slightly on one paw. You okay, bro?

I have a pounding in my head like a ticked off Froc jumper, the tan mouse said. Other than that, I'm fine.

The white mouse turned his attention back to the cat, where Modo was examining the slightly kinked tail. How's our boy?

Modo looked up from the furry tail. Well, first off, the poor thing's lucky the lid didn't break the bone, just bruised it pretty deep. And secondly, this cat isn't a boy. He blushed at his own words and the cat seemed to mimic the gesture, to their complete surprise.

And I'm beginning to think this cat isn't a cat, Throttle said thoughtfully. He stepped up to the feline, motioning it to duck its head. She complied, lowering it to the mouse's reach. She's way too smart to be just a cat.

You think she was changed too? Vinnie asked.

No doubt, the tan Martian said. He looked the cat over again. Brown fur with just the barest hint of red, deep green eyes, incredible intelligence. His eyes widened in sudden thought. Earlier that day, they hadn't been able to get a hold of--Charley? Oh gods, its Charley, he said in horror. It made too much sense. She had rescued them from the cage, had attacked Limburger, hadn't tried to eat them like a normal cat would.

Charley-girl?! Modo said in shock. He changed Charley into a cat?!

So she would eat us?! Vinnie said in horrified disgust. Oh that is just so Fish-lips style. One friend kills all the others.

The tan mouse moved so that he was in range to Mindwalk. Don't worry, Charley-girl, we'll understand you in a minute. His antennae glowed as it touched her head, and the familiar rush of memories, thoughts, and emotions ran through both minds. The link was made easily as she was already used to Martian mind abilities. Throttle?

Hey, Charley-girl, the tan mouse said softly.

I can understand you! Oh thank god! she said ecstatically. What in the hell is going on?! I was in the garage working on Manuelo's truck when all of a sudden I'm furry like this. I never even saw them coming.

We think Karbunkle invented a DNA scrambler thingy, Vinnie said, coming over to stand beside her. He twitched his whiskers at her, I always knew you were a little kinky.

She growled at him, If this is a comment about my tail--

Oh no, babe, but you got to admit, its a little suspicious just how eager you were to put your mouth on me.

Both mice and cat stared at him in shock before Charley recovered. The mechanic turned cat bared her white teeth at the mouse and hissed full out, making him instantly shrink back. And for your information, you taste terrible, she snarled.

A sudden noise had them all turn towards the door, freezing in place. We need to get out of here and find that ray gun, Throttle said. Charley, mind us hitchin' a ride?

She laid down so they coudl all climb on. No problem, but Vinnie, one more little comment like that and I'll go see if there are any real cats around. The white mouse gulped in fright, knowing he had gone just a hair too far, and wisely kept his mouth shut. The mice held on tight to her fur, bracing themselves for travel. She went slow so they could adjust to her pace as she crept towards the door.

The noise came again, the sound of voices ringing clear. "You miserable mutant, you moved the camera away from the box! Now we didn't get to watch them being eaten." Karbunkle growled as he came towards the door. "Well, lets see if we can't--What the--?! Catch that cat!!!"

As soon as the door had opened, the cat streaked out, running full out down the hall. The mice held onto the thick brown fur for dear life as she raced down the hallway. Karbunkle followed, Fred the Mutant chasing her with a cage in hand. She dove under couches and chairs as she ran, knocking over trash cans to slow down the pursuers.

Take the stairs! Throttle called. If we can get to the basement, we can get to the furnace.

Charley's head reared back in shock as she ran. The what?!

What the hell do we want with the furnace?! Vinnie asked incredulously.

This is no time for bar-be-que, bro! Modo exclaimed.

Not that! The ventilation systems, the tan mouse explained. They've probably figured out that we're just as smart in these forms as our real ones. After that little break out, they'll be watching the doors and windows to the lab. But chances are pretty good that they won't even think about the ventilation ducts.

Alright then, Charley said, hold on tight! She charged a large set of heavy double doors that one of the goons had opened to the stairwell. The man whirled, trying to slam the door shut, but just barely missed her. The tip of her tail was badly pinched, making her yowl in pain as she jumped halfway down the first flight of stairs. I swear to god, I'm never making fun of you three when your tails are hurt ever again, she whimpered.

The doors burst open, several goons coming out with laser pistols firing. Vinnie yanked his tail back before it could get singed from a close shot. Is it me, or is their aim getting better?

Its not you--whoa, Momma!! Modo shouted as he grabbed hold of Throttle's tail when the tan mouse lost his hold. Thanks.

No prob, the grey mouse replied. Charley bounced up from the stairs and off the side wall of the stairwell as another thug popped out from the 22nd floor. She dodged a close blast from his gun, several whiskers smoking. I'm really missing your bikes right about now!

This is taking too long, Vinnie said privately to his bros. At this rate, Charley's gonna get shot.

Well, is there any other way into the system? Throttle asked.

Maybe the filters, Modo said.

What filters?

For the smell. You know, Limburger's smell. When I was spying on him, last year, I met a maintenance guy who said that they had to replace the filters all over the building all the time because of the stink, the grey mouse explained. If any of those are opened, we can get in.

How often is all the time? Throttle asked, his grip tightening as Charley careened around another tight curve.

At least one gets replaced everyday, the grey mouse said, lifting his mech arm in reflex before he shouted in frustration. I wish I could shoot somebody!!

I wish had my bike! Vinnie snapped. Me and my girl would teach those lousy bog-dogs how to shoot.

I wish I was sure about this, Throttle muttered. Charley-girl, cut out through a door and look for one of the janitors!

I hope you know what you're doing, she panted, racing out from under a shooter's legs and down another hallway. She past several doors before they spotted a janitor and luck smiled on them. He had just opened up a vent to replace a filter. One of the thugs fired a few shots down the hall, blindly trying to hit the cat. The janitor ducked under a small table for protection and Charley ran into the vent. She made it around a corner, staggering as the adrenaline left her before she collapsed.

Charley!!

Charley-girl, you okay?!

She gasped for air, her limbs trembling with fatigue. You know.....I don't think....I'm cut out....to run on all fours.

Modo checked her over, clucking to himself as he saw that one side of her whiskers were half as long as the other side. She'll be okay, she just needs to rest.

Shh! Throttle motioned them to be quiet as they heard the janitor hammer in the new filter. The sound of screws being turned in to secure the vent cover made them all wince. And then came the sound of thundering footsteps. The duct shook with the force of them, and voices echoed as the thugs spoke. "You find 'em?"

"No, lost 'em as they came around the corner."

"The boss and turnip-head ain't gonna be happy about this," the first one muttered.

"Keep lookin', that mangy cat can't have gotten far."

The other one snorted in laughter. "You ain't ever owned a cat, have ya?"

Who's he calling 'mangy'? Charley growled.

Shh, Charley-girl, Modo soothed, scratching behind her ear. He don't know nothin' about mangy. The mouse's teeth gleamed in the dim light in a snarl. And he shouldn't talk about a lady like that.

The girl tried to smile at his words, but only ended up baring her teeth. Have I ever told you how sweet I think you are?

Once or twice, the grey mouse laughed.

Any idea where to head to now? Vinnie asked.

Up, Throttle said. As soon as Charley recovers, we need to head back up to the lab. We check it out, look for the right time to bust in, get the ray gun, and get back to normal.

And then we make--what'd that guy call him? Turnip-head? We make turnip-head pay for makin' us tiny, Vinnie said with gleeful satisfaction. He sniffed the air, making a face. You guys smell that?

We are in Limburger's tower, Modo pointed out.

No, not that. The other disgusting smell, the white mouse said. Like, wet fur and drool and-and--I wanna say bad fish but not so rotted.

Vinnie, I'm trying to keep my last mean down, okay? Charley growled, stretching out as she got back on her paws. She made a disgusted face as she caught the scent. Ugh, that's just gross. Like locker room B.O. gone rancid.

Yep, that's it, Modo nodded. Almost reminds me of someone, but I can't think of who.

How do you forget a smell like that? Throttle asked, climbing up onto Charley's shoulders.

Don't know, but I'm sure it'll come to me, the grey mouse said with a shrug. He and Vinnie climbed back on the cat, and she headed for the nearest duct joint.