Chapter 34

The door of the hotel room loudly knocks at least 10 times.

"Estel, open up! It's 8:30am!...Hey! Estel open the door before I kick it down!" Blaze giggles, still feeling tipsy whilst trying to remember how they made it back to the hotel last night. "...Estel?!"

"Shit! You'd better get out of here!" Estel panics, whispering to Adam who is sleeping in the bed next to her.

"Luckily I picked up your spare keycard on the bar last night when I thought it was your credit card…" Blaze chuckles whilst they hear the door handle clicking.

"Shit!" Adam panics, grabbing his clothes then dashing into the bathroom just in time.

"SURPRISE!" Blaze grins, enthusiastically holding up another bottle of champagne high in the air. "So? What do you think?" She asks, spinning around wearing a white-silked robe with the word 'Bride' on the back.

"I hate it, it's cheesy…" Estel looks up, giving her friend a distasteful glare.

"Great, cos I got you one too, and it's pink!" Blaze laughs, throwing over to her a second robe saying "Bridesmaid".

"Do I really have to wear this thing?"

"Yes! Hair and makeup people should be here in 45 minutes but in the meantime, we got so much breakfast and more champagne back at my room, you won't even notice!"

"Just for today Fielding…" Estel glares pessimistically. "In the meantime, I have to go and shower so if you don't mind, I'll see you in 15 minutes ok?" She tries her best to get rid of Blaze.

"Angelina should arrive soon also so that's fine. But don't take too long or else me and Cherry will have to finish this bottle without you…"

Estel cautiously glances back at the bathroom, hoping that Adam didn't hear that last sentence. "That was so much fun yesterday with the three of us dancing on that bar. We should do it more often!"

"...er Blaze, I think you should go and get ready now. The photographer and other people might show up any minute…"

"Speaking of which, where the hell is your man? Adam was supposed to drop off my dress half an hour ago! If that son of a bitch doesn't get here soon, I will hang him dry!... Wait?"

"What?" Estel asks.

"What is that white bag up there? I swear your dress didn't come in a bag…." Blaze stares up at the wardrobe feeling puzzled.

"Oh Adam actually stopped by about half an hour ago to drop your dress off…." Estel innocently shrugs.

"Ohhhh! I see why you're trying to get rid of me now!" Blaze laughs. "Hunter! Get your ass out here!" She kicks open the bathroom door.

"Hey!" He awkwardly smiles with his hands in the air.

"Hey Blaze, was my daughter really drinking last night and dancing on a bar?" The vein on his forehead is back out.

"Kind of… it was a nice bar though and the other ladies in there joined us to celebrate. The guys in there knew who we were as we're now famous in the city so nobody was pervy or bothered your daughter, I promise. I can show you pictures if you want?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Adam sighs with relief.

"Now if you two don't mind, I need to use my bathroom." Estel hastily kicks them out.

"Pink suits you, by the way!" Blaze cheekily remarks.

"Shut up Fielding!" She slams the door shut.

"Well, I'd best be on my way. I'll see you at the ceremony" Blaze smiles at Adam, taking away the bag containing her dress.

"Wait! Can we talk for a second? Plus there's two other things I need to give to you…"

"Sure, there's a couch at the end of the hall." The two of them then leave Estel's room to sit outside of the room next to one another.

"Ok, so this one here is from your future husband and this is from the rest of us…" Adam hands over to her two boxes.
"No, no, no, I said no gifts….!" Blaze shakes her head.

"I know, but we wanted to. It's the least you deserve…"

First she sighs, opening the smaller box. "Wow… these are beautuful! I am the luckiest woman in the world you know…"

"Yeah, Axel figured you needed some nice earrings for today."

"He's always had the best taste in earrings, I love them!" she smiles, admiring the cute diamond drops in her hand.

"And you need something else to go with those earrings…" inside the other box is a diamond style bracelet with a white gold bangle.

"Oh wow, thank you, this is so nice! Tell the others I love it so much!" She excitedly hugs him.

"Hey, out of curiosity, is the old electric man walking you down the aisle?"

"No way!" Blaze laughs. "Come on, he'll be drunk by the time we make it to the ceremony!"

"So then who is?"

"Nobody. I don't have any parents or family left. I'll just have to go at it alone…" Blaze shrugs, feeling sad.

"Why don't I give you away then?" Adam suggests.

"But you're the best man!"

"I'm sure your groom is gonna be fine with the other guys next to him. Come on, I've known you the longest out of everyone. I watched you almost marry the wrong person once and I was always there every time you needed me, even if you can't remember it all."

"Oh, I remember. You saved my ass a couple of times too Hunter" Blaze smiles.

"Yeah cos you're practically like my little sister! So I'm not letting you walk down that aisle alone. What do you think?" He asks.

"Yeah, you know what? I'd really love that! Thank you" she nods and smiles with tears in her eyes before the two of them hug each other once again.

"I'll see you in three hours then" Adam smiles back.

"Hey, ain't you ready yet? The car is here and I hate to break it to you hon but we're running late!" Estel shouts behind the door as she, Adam and Cherry wait outside of Blaze's room.

"One sec!" Blaze nervously shouts back before opening the door.

"Wowww!" The three of them quietly stare at her in awe.

"What's wrong? Do I look ok?" She anxiously asks.

"You look a lot more than ok!" Cherry smiles, admiring her white mermaid style-lace dress, veil and long brown curled hair that sits around her shoulders half down. Adam also gives her a proud smile before glancing over towards Cherry and Estel, each standing by his side with their eyes both watering.

"Are you crying?" He raises his eyebrows, surprised with Estel.

"Say anything about this to the others and I'll break your legs!" She jokingly threatens him.

"I won't", Adam laughs.

"Hey, we have a little problem outside, but it's nothing to worry about….!" Sammy rushes up the stairs "woah, you look amazing Blaze!" His smiles.

"Thanks, but what's going on outside?" She starts to panic.

"Don't sweat it, you'll see. Most of the city has turned up though and I feel like one of those reality stars!" Sammy grins.

"Oh God!" Blaze sighs with her anxiety levels rising.

"Hey don't worry! The three of us are gonna be with you all the way there ok?" Adam says.

As soon as they step outside, they can see people in their thousands who have shown up to celebrate. Many are throwing flowers and cheering congratulations at Wood Oak's most treasured heroes. So far, Blaze has been the only one on the team not to take any interviews or briefings with the media which is ironic because she is the one who is most used to performing on a stage. She smiles and waves at the crowds before stepping into the back of a white limo.

To their relief, the venue is only a 15 minute drive away and the crowds seem to disperse minute by minute with most of them still outside of the hotel.

"Ready?" Adam asks as the car pulls up outside of Wood Oak City castle. "He's probably feeling just as nervous as you are." He says right before they enter the gates.

"You think so?" Blaze asks.

"I know he is!"

All of their anxieties vanish as soon as the couple face each other at opposite ends of the aisle . Axel gives her the happiest grin. "Wow, I swear I'm the luckiest guy in the world" he stares at her in awe, taking both of her hands.

"Don't! You're gonna start me off next! And it's worse this time because everyone is around watching us" Estel whispers to Cherry as the girl's eyes begin to water once again.

Blaze immediately calms down all of the emotions in the room, making everyone smile as soon as she starts to read her vows. "Axel, my hot American, '' the guests chuckle. "Many people that know us know that we've been through a lot more than most other couples just to be standing here together today. Through the good times and the bad, you have always had my back, just as you promised when we first met. So I'm making you this promise today. To always appreciate everything you do and every moment we have in this lifetime together. Words will never describe how much you mean to me so know that I will try my best to show you every day how much I love you, even when you think I'm being stubborn…" she gives him a blushing smile as they laugh together for a moment. "I promise to always stand by your side, care for you, to listen, to be faithful and kind. Along with our two bundles of joy here today, know that you are my whole world and that my heart belongs to you, now and forever" they lock eyes, excitedly smiling at one another, fixed in the moment. "Your turn now handsome!" Blaze exhales a sigh of relief, feeling grateful that she went first.

"Ok," Axel nods. By now they can feel the sweat under each other's palms.

"Blaze, my Queen of England" he cheekily grins, making her laugh. "Before I met you, I was empty. Then everything changed and life completely turned on itself. I never thought in a million years that another person could make me this happy, but you do. Just seeing your smile or waking up by your side is enough to make my day everyday. And now I get to wake up next to you for the rest of my life." He smiles. "Not only are you strong, intelligent and beautiful, but you're the person who inspires me everyday to be a better man. You're my equal, the mother of my children and my everything.

I promise to love and care for you, to be your shoulder to cry on, to always be faithful and respect you. To make you laugh, especially when you're being stubborn and most importantly, to never let you lose - at anything! Whether that's a little argument or a simple poker game."

"Damn right, you know how much I hate to lose…." Blaze laughs with tears in her eyes.

"But it doesn't matter anyway, because at the end of it all, I'm the one who's always winning. Just being with you."

"Look, even Kempo King over there has tears in his eyes.." Sammy whispers to Floyd sitting next to him.

"Shut up, man!" the fighter replies, unravelling a small tissue in his metallic hand before wiping his eye.

The guests can't help but smile as Leon hands over their rings before Axel and Blaze happily exchange them.

"By the power invested in me from the state of Wood Oak, it is with great honour that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride…"

The guests immediately go crazy and cheer as the happy couple share a long kiss.

"He went in for that kiss before the guy could finish his sentence," Max laughs.

As soon as the newlyweds step outside, they are bombarded with confetti. Right by their car, they can see crowds of people, even more than earlier who have arrived to congratulate them, including the new city mayor who is holding up a microphone.

"We understand that you just got married, and you and your guests are ready to go and celebrate. But I just wanted to take a moment to say that on behalf of this city, we congratulate you and thank you for everything you and your fighters have done to win back our freedom. So, I'm handing over to the whole group the key to Wood Oak City. Those that fought for us will always be remembered here." The mayor proudly smiles, holding up a plaque containing each of their names.

"Let's party wooo!" Cherry grins, feeling elated.

As soon as they reach the wedding reception at sky gardens, the views of the city below are incredible with the skyscraper's glass roof lit up around them.

"Today has been one of the best days ever! I gotta admit, you guys did great organising this wedding!" Blaze smiles, admiring the decorations whilst enjoying the food and drink in front of them.

"This is just the first day of many more to come. I love you" Axel takes her hand.

"I love you too!"

Suddenly, the guests hear cutlery banging against a glass.

"Oh no, I think daddy is making a speech!" Cherry and Chris look down with embarrassment on their faces as Adam stands up, removing his shades once again.

"Does he really wear those all the time, even at night?" Chris asks his sister.

"Yeah! He thinks he's some sort of heartthrob or superhero with those shades on." Cherry laughs, rolling her eyes whilst Adam clears his throat.

"They didn't want any speeches, but I'd just like to say a few words…" he confidently smiles.

"Oh God help us", Cherry sits back in her chair, covering her forehead with her palm.

"Firstly, let's all raise our glasses in congratulating this amazing couple who are now officially Mr and Mrs Stone"... Everyone takes a moment to cheer before he continues. "For those of you that don't know already, I was actually the person who introduced them to each other many years ago" Adam grins, taking credit. "But, it wasn't all plain sailing at the beginning. It's hard to believe, after seeing how in love these two are, but they actually hated each other when they first met! After Blaze had transferred offices to our police department, Axel became her new boss. But 13 years down the line, we can all tell now who the real boss is in their relationship!" The whole room starts to chuckle.

"You're a dead man, Hunter!" Axel jokes.

"Now I know these two better than anyone and in all seriousness, we are grateful to be here. So as we remember the ones who didn't make it, we celebrate everything we've done to build the right future. So 13 years on and two beautiful children later, I cannot be any prouder of my two best friends on their wedding day."

The group hug it out before dancing, drinking and celebrating the rest of the night away. They all understand the struggles of their past and how fate has brought them together to where they are now. Every fight, pain, the blood and the tears were all worth it and they never once gave up in sacrificing themselves for the innocent as well as each other. As Axel and Blaze dance together in the centre of the room, they realise that their future is bright and that they're never going to feel alone or empty. They and the rest of the team have had each other's backs all along and there is nothing more rewarding than being in the company of those you love that have fought by your side through it all.

The end.

Authors Notes

So that's a wrap - I'm kind of sad that after 4 and a half years, the story has finished but I am glad to have continued to write which has often been a highlight of my day.

Special thanks goes to all of the readers who have followed, pm'd, reviewed and supported my stories so far (I will give you a shout out soon as I am super grateful for your encouragement). I havn't yet labelled the story as 'complete' because soon you will find a 'bonus Easter Egg' chapter to this volume which will often be updated based on the series.

I will also start updating and refining the previous volumes very soon. This was the first story I ever wrote (even at school I never completed a whole story)! So I know that, especially with the earlier stories, there are some structural issues that I will resolve and some little updates I will make with notes under most chapters so that you can see the thought process behind it and where I got inspiration from.

So, I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this story. This video game is my favourite ever! So I was keen to do it justice and display my vision of the characters and enemies. I wanted to go down the route of a happy ending (a lot of fanfics of games have a dark ending which is gripping) but I always wanted to see the heroes get what they deserve after all of their hard work.

Please keep your thoughts coming in, it's very much appreciated and thank you again for reading until the end.