(Okay, people! This is it! The battle between good and evil is right here. It's all of our heroes against Talpa and Wiseman. Will someone die? Who will it be? Well, give me your opinion, but I've already got someone in mind. Let's make this interesting: First one to guess who it is will get to beta all of my other fics and will have a say in what happens. I can't offer you anything else, but I'll be sure to include my thanks. Ami-chan, you ALREADY have that privilege, so you can't enter! Let's get started.)
Prologue
Benjamin peeked over the edge of the crib at his baby cousin, Sayotasho. He smiled at the gurgling baby. He was only five years older than him, so they'd basically grow up together. Sighing, he smiled indulgently and, taking a tissue, wiped the baby's mouth before tugging the small white jacket he was wearing into place. He then checked his own jacket and smiled.
"Benjamin!" His mother trotted up to him, wearing her best white dress and hat.
"You do remember your part, right?"
Benjamin grinned. "I'm the ring-bearer, mom. Of course I remember my part."
Bertie nodded then smiled widely. "You do your best. Make your father and me both proud."
"I will mom," he said, spotting Makoto ducking into a side room, her bridesmaids and flower girl following. This was going to be a great wedding.
Touma blinked and, smiling, handed Shin another Pepsi, which he quickly drank. The cans were beginning to miss the trash can and fall on the floor as Shin threw them over his shoulder. Seiji looked up at Touma.
"Are you sure he needs more caffeine? He's jittery as it is."
Touma shrugged. "It's either that or some of the beer I have here."
Seiji thought about it. "A jittery groom or a drunk groom…sounds just as bad to me."
Shin shot Seiji a murderous look and Mamoru smiled. "Don't be so nervous, Shin. You've been waiting for this for nearly six years."
"I know," Shin moaned. "But I can nae help it now."
Mamoru chuckled, then looked up as Benjamin poked his head into the room.
"Mako-chan's here."
Ryo raised a brow and looked at his watch. "You mean she's just getting here? That's kind of late."
Shou grinned. "Be glad she's here at all, bud." His stomach growled and he looked expectantly at Touma, who sighed and threw him a Pepsi.
He had to smile-or at least smirk. Shin looked nervous. Very nervous. He chuckled and leaned over to his fellow shogun, Sh'ten.
"I think if there weren't so many of us, Shin would just cut for it and run right now."
Sh'ten had to laugh at Naaza's words, because he was probably right. Shin and Makoto had indeed invited a lot of people.
Since the two of them had gone gallivanting about together for so long, there really was no Bride's side and Groom's side. Sh'ten could, however, pick out A-ko and C-ko, who had managed to show up for the wedding.
Somehow or another Miaka had made it out of her book-with Tamahome-and had shown up on his arm. Almost all of the superheroes had shown up, a noticeable exception being Superman. Word was that he had gotten caught up at the last second with some business with Mxyzptlk.
As Bertie joined them, with Sayotasho, Naaza looked at his watch. What was taking them so long?
Rei struggled with Makoto's veil. Makoto huffed a bit but sighed and smiled. This was her wedding day. Not even a veil that didn't want to stay on would spoil her incredible mood.
Rei finally got the last pin into place and smiled.
"You're all ready, Mako-chan."
Makoto sighed and smiled, looking around at her friends.
"This is it," she said. "I'm finally getting married."
"Hey," Minako said. "Don't make the rest of us feel bad."
Then she laughed and hugged Makoto. "I'm so happy for you."
Usagi nodded. "We all are."
"So you still won't tell me what my surprise is?" Makoto asked. All the girls shook their heads.
"It wouldn't be a surprise then," Ami said. "Now would it?"
Shin looked around nervously at the guests who at the moment were more preoccupied with talking amongst themselves than looking at him. He glanced up at the clock and saw that it was almost time. Well, at least when they'd decided on a July wedding, they'd had enough sense to book a church with air conditioning. He glanced at the special guests that he and the girls had invited at the last second. He was glad they'd arrived, though they did account for more than ¾ of the guests present. Makoto would be very happy to see them.
As music suddenly erupted over the speakers in the church, he paled. he watched as his Best Man, Seiji and the Maid of Honor, Minako came down the aisle first. Then cams Shou and Usagi. Then, of course, Rei and Ryo and then Touma and Ami. Benjamin and Chibiusa came down the aisle together, Chibiusa strewing the flower petals everywhere.
As the organ struck up and the assembled guests rose, and as Shin finally saw his bride, all of his nervousness fled. He was sure he was doing the right thing.
She walked up the aisle to him and, taking his arm, they walked up to the altar together.
"Dearly Beloved…"
"Ron…Ron wake up!"
Ron jolted awake, then frowned at Hermione's disapproving look.
"It's a long trip from England," he whispered. Hermione looked even more annoyed.
"We came by Floo Powder!" she hissed irritably.
"Let's just enjoy the wedding, hmm?"
"Excellent idea," Draco said, taking Hermione's hand. Hermione smiled and let her head fall onto his shoulder.
"…by the power vested in me…"
Hermione pulled out her wand. It was about time.
"You may now kiss the bride."
As Shin and Makoto kissed, the newly graduated houses of Hogwarts, as well as their teachers stood and began shooting sparks into the air, cheering. Makoto whirled and gasped, her eyes filling with tears as she recognised all of her former classmates.
She smiled at them, then at Shin as they marched down the aisle together amidst clapping and cheering friends.
Ron had had his fill of cake and sat with Harry and Dean as couples continued to dance.
"This wasn't so bad," Harry said, taking a sip of his soda. Ron muttered something and Harry frowned. Apparently Ron wasn't used to Draco and Hermione as a couple yet. He sighed and shrugged. It'd caught all of them off guard, but he suppose had he been trapped in a cave for several days with someone, he'd become friends with them too.
As the songs changed, Harry blinked. More Muggles were sitting down...more wizards were getting up to dance. And no wonder, somehow or another someone had gotten the D.J. a disc with the Weird Sisters on it. Harry hadn't really had a chance to listen to their music the last time they'd played in Hogwarts, so he sat back and enjoyed it now-or tried to until Cho pulled him to his feet and dragged him out onto the dance floor. Ron sighed and grinned.
"I guess it's just you and-" he cut himself off abruptly at the sight of Shadowcat marching off to the dance floor, Dean in hand. Dean mouthed an apology and began dancing with Kitty. Ron sulked. This was turning out to be absolutely horrid.
He looked up as a girl about a year or two younger than he stepped up to him shyly. She smiled, her short brown tresses offset by the strip or white that ran on either side.
"You want to dance?" She asked. Ron smiled. Definite Southern Belle.
"Sure," he said. He stood and took her gloved hand.
As they wandered out onto the dance floor, Professor McGonagall sighed and smiled.
"I'm glad they invited us, this is nice."
Professor Dumbledore nodded in agreement. "This is very nice. I wonder if they'll live as witches or as muggles…"
"Well," Professor McGonagall said, smiling a bit. "I haven't heard that Makoto has snapped her wand in half. So I think we can expect their child to be accepted to Hogwarts."
Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed…"
Rei felt like collapsing as soon as she walked in the door, but unfortunately, she had people behind her. She walked into the living room and unceremoniously collapsed on the couch, her bridesmaid gown flaring for a second. It was circa ten at night.
"I thought they'd never go on their honeymoon, it went so late!"
Ami nodded in agreement as she sat wearily on the other couch. "Well, at least everyone had fun."
Rajura carried in a sleeping Benjamin and laid him on the loveseat, smiling. "We're all tired. I, for one, am sleeping until noon."
Katzie held an also sleeping Sayotasho as she walked in and grinned.
"And how is that any different from your regular routine?"
Rajura smirked at her, then picked up Benjamin. He nodded his goodnights to everyone then headed upstairs.
Ryo sat as well and grinned a bit.
"I certainly hope they're having more fun than I am right now."
His eyes glowed with a fierce intensity. It was time.
Makoto sighed happily and pressed closer to her husband. Shin smiled and held her close, kissing her softly on the lips.
"How are you, Mrs. Shin of the Torrent?"
Makoto giggled. "Just incredibly happy that we finally got married..."
Shin nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Too true, I never thought it'd happen."
He looked around the room of their hotel suite-and out the window at the moonlit mountains. He held his new wife closer and leaned in close to her ear.
"We are going to have a great life...just you and me."
Makoto kissed him again. "I know we are..." she trailed off and frowned. Then she gasped, managing to grab a nightgown off of a chair before she whirled on the door in time to see a horde of Dynasty soldiers burst in. Shin yelled and reached for his armour orb, managing to get into his pre-armour before he and Makoto were both knocked unconscious.