DR: Well, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. Hope you've got your best clothes on!

(Van walks in with suit and bow tie)

Van: How's this?

Fiona: (in long dress) Perfect

(O'Neill and Carter step through in full dress uniform)

O'Neill: We're ready. (fiddles with collar)

DR: Now, where is Zeke?

Irvine: Last I saw, he was messing around with polish and a long handled scrubber. (DR grabs shades)

Van: What are those for? (Zeke steps in, and everyone but DR is blinded by his highly polished finish)

Everyone except DR: Ahh!

DR: That.

Chapter 60: Till Death Do Us Apart

Several days later, Bit stood at the window fiddling with his bowtie. He just couldn't get the damn thing to sit right!

"Having trouble there, Bit?"

Bit turned to face Leon, who stood near the door to the room he had been given in the hotel. Like Bit, Leon was dressed out in a brand new tuxedo, immaculately dressed and turned out. The long tails hung down behind his knees, while just beneath the jacket Bit could see a red sash around his waist.

"Can't seem to get this bowtie to sit right." Bit complained his voice strained. Laughing, Leon stepped forwards.

"Here, let me…"

As Leon sorted out his tie, Bit thought back over the last few days. After a long sleep, everyone was feeling more human than before, and they were all stunned at the work already done to repair the damage caused by the siege. Most of the buildings hit were not as bad off as had been first thought; the solid reinforced stonewalls remaining standing in nearly all cases. The interiors were gutted by fire, but the wooden floors and internal walls could be replaced easily enough.

Repairs to the outer wall were progressing fast, and the gateway was cleared of rubble. Already plans were being drawn up to replace the destroyed gatehouse, and the underground factories were gearing up to produce new gates.

The crews from the ZBC, Republic and Empire had worked through the night on the damaged zoids, joined by the people who had been in shelters on the upper levels. Already people were going back to their normal lives, working around the damage.

Amazingly, most of the wounded would make a full recovery, despite the severity of some of their wounds. The powerful City Guard zoids were returned to their vaults, where they could sleep and recover. The Rev Raptors set to work with helping in the rebuilding.

The thousands of Cybrid units, and the wreckage of the destroyed ones, were piled up just outside the walls, forming a mountain of blue-grey metal. Slowly that mountain was reduced, as they were fed into a vast underground furnace. Each one was melted down and each element separated from the rest. Already a large number of ingots of various metals were racked up, awaiting a use. The amount of iron there would last for years.

Guysacks fitted with bulldozer blades ploughed over the plains, filling in craters and smoothing the fields again. Forester zoids were already hard at work replanting the ruined plantations, while a set of zoids were hard at work grading the passage carved through the mountain chain. An ironic twist was that the stony remains of the Death Saurer were being ground up to form the gravel used in creating the road itself. When completed, the road would link the plain with the outside world, and travellers would drive across the remains of the Death Saurer itself. The monsters head itself, still mostly intact, would however be put on display, as a reminder of the past. As a last note of humour, the passage was named the 'Helios passage'.

The mists that had isolated the region had thinned and retreated into the valleys between the remaining mountains, and the thick clouds that hung above the high peaks had all but dispersed. Now that the Death Sauer was gone, there was no need to hide anymore.

The Blitz and Raider teams were put up in the Grand Hotel, and the teams had accepted at the insistence of Christian himself. The main hanger bay tended to their zoids, and when Bit had visited them, he had been amazed at the progress made. Within a few days, nearly all the damage done to them had been repaired. Even Jamie's Raynos had not been left out, as Councillor Racknor himself fused with the ruined husk to resurrect the valiant zoid. It was his talent, bringing the dead back to life. He planed to do so for as many of the fallen zoids as he could.

The same could not be said for the dead pilots and crews though. Two days after the siege, a mass funeral was held. Slowly each fallen warrior was laid to rest in the great catacombs beneath the city as per their wishes. It was a sombre day for all, but the feeling was that those who had fallen had died in the name of freedom and life, and were honoured as heroes.

"There, that does it." Leon stepped back from Bit, looking him up and down. Just like him, Bit was dressed in a new suit, especially purchased for today. He had combed his hair out several times, to get it to lie flat rather than stick up like it usually did. He had only partly succeeded.

"I guess you'll do…" Leon teased. Bit grinned with him.

"Thanks. You looking pretty sharp yourself."

Together the two of them stepped out into the corridor where their rooms were located. There they met Brad, who like them both was dressed up smartly. Like Bit he had combed his hair back.

The three of them made their way to the lifts at the end of the corridor. Once inside Brad hit the button for the ground floor. As the lift descended, Bit looked across at the slightly taller man.

"Nervous?"

"Yea…" Leon nodded with Brad, confirming that he too felt the same way.

Once they reached the ground floor, Derek, who smiled warmly as the three Blitz Team pilots stepped forth, greeted them. He too was dressed in a smart tuxedo "Ready to take the plunge?"

"As ready as we will every be…"

X-X-X-X-X-X

Leena stood on the small stool; looking at her self in the triple mirrors that half surrounded her. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she followed the lines of the white dress, with its deep neckline and off the shoulder design. The long skirt almost covered her feet, and the tail of the dress rested on the floor. Her vibrant red hair had been washed and brushed out until it shone in the light, without single clump anywhere in that smooth flowing form. Leena had to admit she preferred it that way. Her magnetic head tails were a pale cream colour, embroidered with white ribbons. Her arms were encased in almost shear tight sleeves, ending just after her wrist.

As she stepped down from the stool, Leena flicked the veil down across her face. 'I can't believe that I'm actually doing this…'

Off to one side Sarah twisted herself around to check that her dress fitted correctly, even though it had been tailored for her. Her dress had a simpler cut than Leena's, but it was the same colour, white. Her shimmering blue hair hanging down her back seemed almost alive with electricity, just like her heart was. She made sure the elbow length silk gloves were properly on…

Naomi gingerly stepped down from her stool, unable to stand there any longer. The weight of her and Brad's child grew each day. She slowly stroked her belly underneath the silk gown…

The door to the chamber opened, causing all three women to look up. Susan slowly stepped through, looking each one of them up and down in turn. A smile slowly lit up her face. Her shimmering deep reddish brown dress glowed in the sun, almost matching her soft hair.

"It's almost time. You all ready?"

Leena nodded, glad that the veil hid most of her anxiety. Sarah and Naomi both nodded slowly, before bringing theirs down to hide their faces.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Christian looked out across the plateau, taking the gathered crowds. He stood with his back to the central fountain, the towering statue of the colony ship that had brought him and humanity to Zi reaching for the heavens unmarked by battle. A raised platform had been assembled to allow all those gathered to see what was about to happen.

He looked to his left, where Bit, Brad and Leon stood, waiting. All three tried not to show it, but it was clear that they were all nervous as hell. Bit kept shifting his weight subtly, while Brad was struggling to keep his arms down. Leon was the calmest of them on the outside, but his eyes revealed his true state.

Stretched out before him were rows of seats, each one completely packed with people. The rows went all the way to the wall that edged this level. Leading from the ramp that came up from the fifth level was a red carpet that ended under his feet.

Behind the three waiting men in the front row were Jamie, Pierce and Vega. All three were impeccably turned out, Jamie sitting alongside Pierce, holding her hand. In the same row was Naomi's aging mother, her face filled with joy. Stoller's two brothers and his one-time understudy Sanders, who had returned from his team to be here, were also there. Oscar Hemeros and his sister, along with Bit's father filled out that row.

Behind them were the friends of the Blitz Team. The Raiders took up a lot of the space, but there was also Jack Cisco and the Tasker sisters, along with Dr Layon, all dressed for the occasion. At the very end Mary and Harry Champ sat. Harry had been released from the mental health hospital a week before, his madness having been cured. Getting his name on the list of invitations had been at first difficult, but in the end Leena had relented. Christian had had a word with him when he arrived, and Harry knew his place.

Behind them the rows were filled out with nearly every zoid team on the planet, stretching out across the plateau. Nearly every team the Blitz had fought was there to pay their respects.

On the other side of the aisle from the reduced Blitz sat Van, Fiona, Raven, Resse and Cassandra, along with Emperor Nicholas, his wife, the Helic President, General Herman and the Chairman of the ZBC. Samantha and Susan filled the last slots, while the City Council took up the next row.

After that the seats were filled with the populous of the city, along with the soldiers of the City Guard, the Helic forces, the Imperial Army, and the ZBC's own forces. They had all seen the valiant efforts the Blitz had done; the courage they had displayed and the will to not surrender. The entire team was hailed as those who had saved the city.

Outside the rows of seat the plateau was filled with zoids. The Blitz Teams own zoids were closest to the platform, with the exception of Mnementh. Fully recovered after a long bath in a zoid birthing pool, he sat back on his haunches just over Christians shoulder. The sun shinning down from a clear sky made his blue hide almost glow, with each golden point seeming afire.

Arrayed just beyond the Blitz Teams zoids were Zeke, Shadow, and the other Ancient zoids, all fully recovered from their near death experiences. The Iguanosaur sat opposite Mnementh, the Liger Zero standing at her shoulder. The Shadow Fox and the Snipe Master stood together, as did the now gleaming silver Storm Sworder and the resurrected Raynos. Councillor Racknor had brought the zoid back to life within a couple of days of fusing with it. The only changes were that the black sections beneath the two-toned green armour were now bronze coloured. The Councillor himself stood at the end of the row containing the Council.

Christian looked up, out across the plains. The last signs of the terrible battle were almost gone, and the rebuilding was well underway. But everything had been put on hold for today. And what a day it was! The sky was unmarked by any clouds, the sun strong and warming everyone. A gentle breeze barely ruffled the women's skirts, and the sounds of water and birds filled the air. It was if nature itself wanted this day to be one of the best ever.

Bit looked up at Christian, who stood resplendent in his old Earth Defence Uniform. The deep green, almost black suit somehow fitted both him and his zoid. It had leather cuffs, lapels and collar, with a broad panel that ran down his front. Gleaming gold buttons, embroidery and shoulder stars shone in the sunlight along with at least a dozen medals, and he now looked like the man he was: a leader of men, a great and noble warrior.

Christian reached up to his ear, and listened to his earpiece for a second. "Good." He half whispered. "Let us begin."

At once a deep, slow music began to be piped through the speaker stands stood about, filling the air with sound. Quickly people stood up, as Christian motioned the three waiting men to stand before him. As they spaced themselves out, they looked up the aisle towards the ramp.

Slowly, one after the other, Leena, Naomi and Sarah walked up, each on the arm of a man. Leena was first, her father by her side. Bit's breath left his body as he took in her appearance, the way the sunlight caused her hair to cast a red light on those around her, and turned her veil almost transparent. Hanging from her neck was the ancient stone necklace she had been given, the rich dark colour standing out from her pale skin and white dress.

Naomi was second, leaning heavily on her fathers arm. When she had at last talked to her parents about her condition, at first they had been a little annoyed about the fact that she was not married. They thought they had brought their child up better than that! But when she had told them about today, it had sent them both over the moons in joy. Now her father was at her side, determined to do his fatherly duty despite his advanced years.

Brad for his part was stunned at the way she moved, how her dress seemed to fall about her naturally. The last of his doubts and fears fell away as she slowly made her way towards him.

Sarah was last, with Stoller standing in for her parents who refused to have anything more to do with her. That hurt her badly, but the presence of many of her old friends from before the Backdraft helped ease the pain. Like Leena, her hair glowed blue in the light, and the thin material of her dress flowed around her like liquid. Leon had to fight to keep his jaw in place.

Slowly all three walked up to stand besides their men that waited for them at the end. As each one took the arm of their beloved, they mounted the steps up to Christian's level together, where everyone could see them. Steve, Stoller and Naomi's father stood to one side, their task done.

The music ceased, and for a moment everything was still. Then Christian began to speak.

"We are all gathered here today to witness the union of these men and women." Although he spoke softly, the small mike attached to his collar picked up his voice, and his words were broadcast via the speakers to everyone who was there. "Any person who can give a reason why any of these couples should not be wed, please speak now or forever hold your peace." Christian waited for several seconds, his eyes on Harry Champ. He was the most likely one to say something. But Harry remained silent. After a couple more seconds without a single voice, he turned to Bit.

"Bit Cloud, do you take this woman, Leena Toros, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, honour and protect, and will you forsake all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

Bit had to take a second to find his voice. "I do." Christian turned to Brad.

"Brad Hunter, do you take this woman, Naomi Fluegel, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, honour and protect, and will you forsake all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Brad's voice had a tremor beneath it.

"And do you, Leon Toros, do you take this woman, Sarah Obscura, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, honour and protect, and will you forsake all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Leon managed to keep his trepidation out his voice. Christian turned back to Leena.

"Leena Toros, do you take this man, Bit Cloud, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you care for him, honour him, stay with him during the best of times and the worst of times, forsaking all others, as long you both shall live?"

Leena had to swallow the lump that formed in her throat before she could speak. "Yes… I mean I do." Christian smiled warmly as he turned to Naomi.

"Naomi Fluegel, do you take this man, Brad Hunter, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you care for him, honour him, stay with him during the best of times and the worst of times, forsaking all others, as long you both shall live?"

"I do…" Naomi almost whispered, her words only just picked up by Christian's mike. He turned to face Sarah.

"And do you, Sarah Obscura, do you take this man, Leon Toros, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you care for him, honour him, stay with him during the best of times and the worst of times, forsaking all others, as long you both shall live?"

Sarah stood silent for second, terrified. Knowing that thousands of eyes were watching her right that second caused her to freeze up. Leon gave her hand a slight squeeze, and Christian nodded slightly, just enough that only the pair of them could see.

"I do." She at last managed to say. The relief in the air was almost palatable.

Christian smiled warmly as he began the last phase of the ceremony. "Then, as ranking officer and military governor of this city, it gives me great pleasure…" As he spoke, Bit, Leon and Brad brought the rings from out of their pockets and slid them back onto their new wives fingers. Naomi's new ring was bronze with a central ruby red gem, with smaller black gems bracketing it. On the inside Brad had had the runes that were carved into his pendent engraved into the ring.

"…To now declare you Mr and Mrs Cloud, Mr and Mrs Hunter, and Mr and Mrs Toros!" As the gathered crowds broke into applause, the newly wedded couple embraced and kissed for the first time as husbands and wives. The zoids of the Blitz team, along with Mnementh and his fellow ancient zoids, all lifted their heads and added their voices to the fanfare of organoid roars and human cheers and whistles that filled everyone's ears. Mnementh's bellow in fact drowned out almost everything else, including the other zoids.

The newly wedded couples though were deaf to the world about them; their only concern was the person in their arms. Tears of joy flowed down their cheeks, and many others were also wet in the eyes. Steve looked on at his children, overjoyed that they had found happiness. Naomi's parents were just as thrilled that their lovely daughter had finally settled down with someone. Vega could only smile with joy that his mother had at last found a man she could be happy with.

Van smiled as he leaned towards Raven. "Our legacy will go on."

"Of course." Raven smirked in reply.

Fiona: That was just...

Carter: Beautiful...

Moonbay: Ah...

Resse: Their so lucky...

DR: Well, I guess their happy... next (and final) chapter, we are at the after wedding party... Till then!