Characters (C) Respective Owners
Ch. 1: Wedding Bell Blues pt. 1
"Vector, slow down!" Espio screamed from the backseat with me as we held onto each other for dear life.
Vector couldn't drive. At all. Apparantly, the crocodile only had a learner's permit and never bothered to try to get a license. When I asked him about it when he started the ignition, he just stared at me like I was a complete moron.
"Vector, you're gonna hit that old lady!" I shrieked as Vector swerved the car around.
The old lady screamed and ran off as fast as she could in her walker, which was pretty slow by my standards. Vector suddenly slammed on the brakes when sirens lit up behind him and cursed under his breathe. Espio and I glanced over to each other as the policeman approached us with a cigar in his mouth. An angry mob followed as Espio turned invisable with me in tow, and we escaped, leaving out poor leader to deal with all the mishaps he caused.
Two years had past since I fought Rodrigo. Two long, crime-fighting, case-solving years with my newly revived comrades Vector and Espio. Sure, there were a few Eggman assualts with the Nocturnus Tribe, some Dark Gaia thingy, and Sonic turning into a Werehog which reminded me of that Link dude I played as on Super Smash Brothers. Of course, the hardest part was departing from the Babylon Rogues, but mostly Storm. Storm had been like an older brother to me, something I never really had. Well, there was Espio and Jet, but Storm was different somehow. He cared about me, and, yeah, so did Espio and Jet, but he was different. He took the time to understand me. We visited each other frequently, but this next meeting was going to be huge.
"So, where's this chapel, Espio?" I asked once we had ran away. Vector's horrid screams filled the air, amusing us.
He glanced down at the invitation in his hand. "Sixty Wellsworth Street is what this says," he read off.
We began to search around for the streets around us. Of course, Vector was way off course since he didn't even bother to get directions from the internet like Espio suggested. But nooo, Vector claimed he knew the way and threw us in his crummy van. Funny thing is, for the first time ever we weren't even late. Espio sighed, rubbing his temple in aggrivation.
"What's up, Espio?" I asked inquiringly, cocking my head at him. "You seem kinda glum lately."
"I've had a strange feeling around for a while," he explained, pointing to Wellsworth Street. "I'm not sure, but it's getting stronger."
"How?"
Espio paused, staring up at the chapel. The chapel was a gorgeous white with ceramic and steel glass windows. Pictures of angels and heavenly creatures resided on them, and Espio sighed. He was sent to Hell because his actions in corresponding with Rodrigo, but he, Vector and Sonic were able to come back to life by a deal that happened if I killed Rodrigo, they come back. Which obviously suceeded since I'm the greatest.
Keeping unusually quiet, Espio simply ordered me to fasten up my tuxedo. I whined openly, fixing the bowtie on tuxedo. We were invited to the marriage between my former boss Jet and his girlfriend/smartest-girl-ever Wave. I recieved the invitation a while ago, maybe two weeks since it got lost in the mail. Thankfully, the marriage was in Station Square, the city I lived in with the Chaotix.
"Hey, Espy, Charmy!" a voice called out. Our attention was directed over to a smaller building next to the chapel. There was a grey albatross that donned a form-fitting tuxedo, and thankfully, no poncho.
"Storm!" I cried eagerly, flying ahead of Espio.
Surprisingly, Storm had gotten somewhat thinner with longer legs. Dude, I know right? He was taller, too, almost as tall as Vector, but he still had the same crooked grin that I remembered. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, rubbing my unhelmeted head, revealing black fur in a small ponytail. Copied directly from Storm whom placed his dredlocks in a cropped ponytail.
"Boss is in a state of mental panic," Storm stated, shaking Espio's hand. "He's been muttering to himself for the past hour now. The wedding is getting closer with each murmur of distress."
"Really?" Espio asked, eyes widening in surprise.
"Yeah, he's utterly terrified," Storm sighed. "but I'm sure everything will pull through. Eventually."
I zoomed on ahead with Storm's hand in mine, flying through the halls to see Jet. It was rather eccentric for Jet to be marrying at eighteen, but he loves Wave. That evens everything out, right? Well, four-year-age difference. Whatever, so long as love is blooming, it's okay.
Before I even got to greet Jet, he snatched my shoulders with paranoia vivid in his eyes. "Where have you been?! Why are you so late?! Do you have the rings?!"
"At least say hi," I grumbled, trudging through my tuxedo pocket. There were two gold rings inside for the soon-to-be-happy couple.
Sighing with relief, Jet rubbed my head. The emerald hawk's headfeathers were, too, in a long ponytail, but his feathers struck upwards. He wore a ravishing, glimmering tuxedo with a white corsage on the breast pocket with patching slacks and boots. He didn't wear gloves, showing off his flames.
"Sorry about that," Storm said, coming in with Espio. "Boss is going to be married soon, heh. How cute."
"Shut up, Storm," Jet growled, eyeing his friend with a playful smirk.
"Jet, this really is a large ordeal," Espio stated sullenly, arms folded. "Do you want to go through with this?"
"Espio, you've lost it!" I accused, jabbing a thumb at him. "Just because you haven't aged two years, doesn't mean you can go accusing Jet of anything! You're the same age!"
Truth be told that since he, Vector and Sonic were dead, the remained the same age during their deaths since it was the happiest time of their lives. So, since they came back two years ago and died, their respective ages are: eighteen for Espio, twenty-two for Vector, and nineteen for Sonic since he died once at seventeen. Of course, Jet now has the right to call Sonic "shorty".
Espio glared daggers at me. "Still, so what? I'm more mature."
"You're also more full of yourself," I countered.
"At least I'm not an obnoxious pipsqueak," Espio sniggered amusedly.
"Wanna fight?!"
Storm muffled both of our faces with his large, bone-crashing hands. Clutching us both by our attenaes and horn, he glowered at us, sending shivers down our spines. He calmly requested that if we try to fight, he'll snap our necks. We agreed to his terms rapidly, and he released us.
Jet was staring out the window. I hovered over to him, pondering on what he was gazing at so longingly. People were starting to crowd around inside the chapel, and I recognized some people: the Sonic Heroes, the entire Wolf Pack with Carnage, Psycho, and Rojok in front, Aikara with Mighty and Ray, and Team Screw-Ups with matching tuxedos that said "Screw-Ups" on the back.
Then I saw Raine. My crush/soon-to-be-love...hopefully was donning an enticing sky blue strapless dress that made me go ga-ga. The other members, Armand, Rector, and Howl were wearing vest tuxedos, but Rector was...well...
"Hey, everybody! Life treatin' you good? Need a team of mercenaries to take care of any villain or some such! Give Team Virtex a ring and-" Before Rector could finish, Howl punched him across the face while Armand wrapped him up in a rope from his watch. The dark rose hedgehog glared at Psycho, but the wolf refused to stop laughing until he found Tomo and started to hit on her.
Which resulted in him nearly getting kunaied to death if he hadn't used Rojok as a shield. Wow, what a jerk, but it was still pretty hilarious to watch! He gets kudos!
Someone's cell phone began to ring, and it turned out to be Storm's. Storm raised his finger, signifying silence as he answered it. "Hello?...No, don't even say that...W-what? Now?" His voice turned frantic, erratic. Instantly, I was concerned. "W-why? Then just...Ugh, fine! Goodbye!" Switching his phone off, his shoulders heaved a few times. Chucking his phone against the wall, the albatross covered his face with his hand.
"Storm, are you okay?" Jet asked concern wracking his voice. "Was it Knuckles? If it was just kick his butt, I'll allow it! Wave might not, but-"
"She broke up with me," Storm muttered.
"What?" Jet and I asked simultaneously.
Espio, covering his ears, cocked his head to the side. "You had a girlfriend, Storm? I didn't know."
"Kiba broke up with me," he mumbled again, facing the wall sadly. His muscles tightened, hands clenched into fists. "Aw, man! W-what did I do to deserve this today!?"
"Sorry, Storm, I dunno what to say," I said, unsure of what comforting words to add. Yeah, I dunno what to say is really comforting, I thought, mentally strangling myself.
Storm glanced back over to Jet, and some unshed tears were still in his eyes. A small grin came onto his face. "Hey, don't-don't worry about me. I'm still the best man for you, Boss."
Slightly agape, Jet blinked over to his best friend. "Thanks, but more importantly, are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah, there are better women in this world than Kiba," Storm replied, emphasizing the panda's name like a poison.
"If you say so. You wanna punch something, feel free to," Jet suggested, cocking his head. "Anyway, man, now Wave doesn't have a bridesmaid."
"Oh, yes, she does boys." Suddenly, a gust of wind blasted through and in came Rouge the Bat. Instead of the formal purple bridesmaid outfit Kiba was supposed to wear, she donned a cleavage-showing grey dress with black high heels with the usual makeup.
"Rouge, you're already married to Knuckles," Espio stated monotoniously as his eyes engaged themselves on Rouge's voluptious chest.
"Doesn't matter in this church," Rouge drawled like she already explained it. "In this church, it's free, and I overheard the little converstation on Wave's little gizmo called the Red Orb between you and Kiba, Storm, my apologies."
"'S'okay," Storm said.
"She chose me to be her new bridesmaid and let me wear my regular clothing. Plus, it gives my wings room to breathe." Rouge spun around, revealing the tan skin on her back. I blushed, glancing away. Rouge took interest to this and flew over to me, leaning over. "You like?"
My nose started to bleed, and everyone started guffawing. Wiping the blood with a tissue Espio handed to me, I glared over at the batgirl. Rouge winked at us before flying off down the hallway and the stairs.
"Where's she going?" Espio asked, hearing giggling from upstairs. "Ah, I see. Wave and the girls are above us, aren't they?"
Jet nodded eagerly with a grin. "Yeah, the wedding will occur in just half an hour, and I'm actually pretty nervous. Freaked out by all of this."
"Why, Jet?" I asked. "You're marrying the girl you love. There's nothing more you could ask for, is there?"
"I'm gonna faint, I swear to God, I'm gonna faint," Jet mumbled, rolling his eyes.
"Keep saying that, and you will," Espio pointed out, cuffing Jet over the head with the backside of his hand.
Knuckles popped his head through the door, asking us if we had seen Rouge anywhere. Before he knew it, Storm smashed his fist across his face. The guardian flew across the hallway and onto the stairs. We all stared at Storm like he was on something really, really bad.
"Boss said I could punch something, so I did," Storm said with a lackadaisical shrug. "Relieves the stress."
Jet pointed at him and smirked. "Good, do it now, and you won't regret it later."
"Except Knuckles is going to kill you when he comes out of this concussion," Espio stated, feeling Knuckles' jugular vein. "Which may be a while so plan your will accordingly."
Storm winced, biting his lower beak. He glanced over to Jet and I, but we just looked away. Instantly, I knew Storm was going to be screwed any day now. I glanced over to the clock, realizing that we had to leave.
The four entered the chapel, seeing that nearly all of the seats were filled. Espio rubbed his temples, glancing over to Wave's side. He shivered, taking his seat next to a PO'ed Vector. Espio just shook his head while Vector continued to glare at him for leaving behind to deal with the mob. Storm, Jet and I went to our respective places. The preist handed me a small pillow where the rings went, and I was forced to hold them. Glancing over to Wave's side, I blushed at Cream. She was the flower girl apparantly, but I just grinned at her. Tails threw some wine glass at my head and missed. Raine eyed me suspiciously.
The priest was actually a women. A blonde crow with blue eyes that changed to grey at times in a regular red gown with a white dress underneath with a necklace with a cross on it. Jet kept glancing over to her with interest, but kept trying his best to avoid her rapturing gaze. She placed a hand on his shoulder, startling him.
"You're very lucky," she coyfully said, eyes narrowing down onto him. "To be marrying the one you cherish the most, that is."
"Oh, right," Jet chuckled, looking away. "I'm lucky alright."
Suddenly, a piano started to play, and everyone rose. Jet froze until Storm, and I both pinched him on his arms. The hawk glared at us, but was instantly drawn back to the chapel doors. Wave began to ascend the halls in an elegant wedding dress that flourished outwards with one ruffled part around her waist. It accentuated her curves, tightening around her chest. Instead of her usual doorag, she wore a veil that didn't cover her face. In her hands was a round of flowers in a rather cruddly prepared cloth. I chose the flowers to help out. Most of them were roses to symbolize enternal love. Corny, I know.
Jet's beak flew open, and he began to stutter like Storm until the albatross in mention slapped him over the head. Thanking Storm, he added that his raise was gone. Storm raised his hand over Jet's head, and the raise was still on.
"We are gathered here today to bring hawk and swallow together as husband and bride," the priestess began, arms raised into the air. She smirked, glancing over to Wave's side. "and may I add that this is a most joyous event for all."
And so, the monologue of marriage and matrimony and love ensued, and I probably fell asleep fluttering through half of it. I looked through the crowd, noticing that Stream and Bean stumbled in late to Jet's side, but went unnoticed by most. On Wave's side were two strange black birds, not the spieces, that remained standing behind the rows of chairs near the entrance with a shadowy bird with orange feathers. All three were wearing white robes with hoods that covered their faces, but their beaks were visible.
Is this what Espio was sensing? I thought, returning my gaze to Jet's gawking expression at Wave. Feels like certain doom to me, and not the good kind of doom where the good guy always wins like in superhero comics.
"And now, the vows!" the priestess proclaimed. She faced Wave. "You, my dear? What do you pledge to him?"
Wave faced Jet with love in her eyes. She pulled out a small piece of notebook paper and read aloud. "Jet, ever since I known you, I felt connected to you. Sure, you were my leader and Storm's. Even Charmy's at one point, but I always felt something towards you. A reason to protect, and it wasn't the oath I took during our Babylon Rogue's initation. Of course, that feeling turned in a mutual respect to each other before...blossoming, you could say, into love." She started to blush, shifting uncomfortably. "Jet, I will always love you. No matter what."
The priestess sighed, patting Wave's shoulder. "And you, Mr. Hawk?"
Jet froze and paled. "...What vows?" he asked meekly.
"Wow, Jet!" Nack called from his seat. "Even I'm not that stupid to forget mine!"
Oh, yeah, Nack and Tomo married and there was beer. Lots of beer. I'll leave this to your imagination with the images of Tomo's drunken ex-boyfriend Dirnt, and drunken Nack and pistols. Not to mention more beer.
"Shut up, Nack!" Jet shouted, glaring at the weasel. Facing Wave, he winced at the anger on her face. "Uh, um, vows, well, I-I never knew about vows, so..."
"Jet, I specifically explained what the vows were beforehand," Wave retorted harshly, arms twitching. "and you forget about them?"
"Well, too much was on my mind, Wave! I'm eighteen, and you're twenty...what? Twenty-two?," Jet snorted.
The swallow scoffed at him. "You irresponsible birdbrain!"
"At least I don't have freaking-!"
"C-come on you guys, this is your wedding!" he coaxed, feebly attempting a smile. He placed a warning hand on Jet's shoulder. "Y-you two are supposed to happy, ya know?"
The two avians glared at him which instantly shut the albatross up. Nervously, Storm glanced over to me, but I wasn't sure of what to say. Last time I tried to fix a couple with Rector and that orange echidna girl Shade, he tried to snap my neck in half if Raine and Howl hadn't interferred. That, any Sonic was kissing Amy a few paces away from my near-death situation. Bunch of assholes.
"Well, this isn't very forthcoming is it?" The priestess began to chuckle, covering her beak. "Perhaps you two would wish to dissolve the engagement now?"
"Know what?" Jet snarled, fists tightly clenched. "I've had enough. I've had enough of this day, this fighting, this damn tuxedo!"
"So sorry, Jetto, but enough just hasn't been filled yet!" a malicious voice shrieked.
My heart stopped. Cowardly, I glanced back over to the white-robbed birds. One was the person I believed to have killed, again: Rodrigo was back. The other one looked rather familar, but he refused to take his hood off, while the other crow appeared to be like Rodrigo. However, his eyes were yellow and he donned some sort of armor on his red robes. I noticed Espio shudder again once his eyes met the younger crow's.
Rodrigo suddenly bolted up towards us, snatching Wave's throat. "Time for us to be re-introduced, descendant!" he cried, lifting her off her feet. Under his feet was an early version of Extreme Gear like the modern version except his was very bulky and uncoordinated.
The younger crow with the orange bird dived up at them. The stream of darkness suddenly blocked them from our vision with the priestess, and in a thick black smog, they were gone from sight.
---
Wave's been kidnapped by Rodrigo and his entourge! Can Charmy and the other heroes save her in time? What's Espio feeling deep down? Will Jet and Wave reconcile? Will Rector ever get work for his team without getting beaten up? And will people stop asking these stupid questions? Most of these answers are probably no! XD